Federal Aid Programs
Federal Grants
General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for federal financial aid you must:
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit
- Be a U. S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Have no debt from a defaulted guaranteed education loan
- Owe no refund on a federal Pell grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grant
- Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program
- Have a high school diploma or GED (general educational diploma) certificate or you must pass an independently administered test approved by the U. S. Department of Education or meet other standards your state establishes that are approved by the department.
Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
Eligibility: Available to undergraduate eligible full-time or part-time students. Eligibility is based on financial need and funding.
- Students must meet federal academic standards to receive grants.
- Possible Amounts: Award amount is based on need and fund availability.
- Application Renewal Requirements: Renewal is not automatic. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)each year and demonstrate financial need.
- For more additional information visit: .
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant that is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need to help pay for their education.
Eligibility: Students with great financial need who are eligible for a Pell Grant may be awarded an SEOG grant in addition to their Pell Grant.
- Possible Amounts: Award amount depends on need and the availability of federal funds.
- Application Renewal Requirements: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants to students in exchange for completion of a service obligation teaching in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.
Eligibility: Full-time or part-time students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching and who agree to serve for at least four years as a full-time teacher in a high-need field or school serving low-income students.
- Possible Amounts: up to $4,000 per year.
- Renewal Requirements: Renewal is contingent upon full-time or part-time status, a cumulative 3.25 GPA and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) renewal each year.
- Student must renew Teach Grant Agreement and complete the TEACH Entrance Counseling each academic year continue to be enrolled in an eligible degree program.
- Click on this link to learn more:
Federal Work-Study Program*
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial needs, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.
Eligibility: Students with demonstrated financial need are allocated a specific amount of money they may earn by working up to 20 hours per week in various offices on and off campus.
- Possible Amounts: Students may earn up to a maximum award amount allocated to them.
- Renewal Requirements: Complete the FAFSA each year.
- Job Opportunities: Employment opportunities are available on and off campus.
- Job listings are posted outside the Financial aid office (Wilbur 236) on the 1st the day of classes.
*NOTE: Acceptance does not guarantee employment.
ASPIRE Scholarship
The Aspire Scholarship Program provides supplemental financial assistance to qualified single parents pursuing a full-time, career-oriented education that will improve their income-earning potential. Aspire scholarships of $1,000 are awarded two times a year (Fall and Spring semesters). Additional merit scholarships are awarded to students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher during a given semester. Applicants may reapply but must fill out an application each semester a scholarship is sought. The Aspire scholarship can be used for any financial need that supports success in school including books, school/lab fees, computer equipment, car maintenance, childcare, medical expenses, and utility bills
- Learn more here:
Robert NOYCE Teaching Scholarship
Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Noyce programs provide scholarship funding and a variety of benefits such as research opportunities and a summer institute stipend to both undergraduate and graduate students. Recipients are required to teach in any high-needs school district in the country for two years, for each year of the award. This commitment must be fulfilled within four years and eight years of graduation for graduate and undergraduate students, respectively. The high-needs designation applies to many districts throughout the United States and students may teach at the middle or high school level.
- Learn more here:
Federal Self-Help Loan Programs
Loans are a major form of self-help aid for college students. Money borrowed, including any interest and fees, must be repaid. Repayment usually begins after leaving school. Interest rates vary, depending on the type of loan. Students must complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
Students applying for Federal Loans must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), and first-time borrowers at 葫芦影业 must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling.
As of the 2026-2027 academic year, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are prorated per credit for all part-time students.
- Undergraduate: 6 to 11.5 credits applicable toward the degree
- Graduate: 4.5 to 8.5 credits applicable toward the degree
NOTE: Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) Act, changes have been made to this Federal Aid Program. To see how this affects you, visit our page explaining the OB3 changes.
Federal Subsidized Direct Loans
Subsidized Loans are loans for undergraduate students with financial need, as determined by your cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and other financial aid (such as grants or scholarships). Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest while you are in school at least half-time or during deferment periods or grace periods.
Eligibility: Available to undergraduate students with financial need.
- Student must be enrolled for at least 6 credits and must demonstrate financial need as defined by federal regulations.
- Possible Amounts: Loan limits depend on grade level in school and dependency status. See chart.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans
A Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a non-need-based, low-interest loan with flexible repayment options. It is available to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Eligibility:Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Financial need is not necessary.
- Undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits. Graduate students must be enrolled for at least 4.5 credits.
- Possible Amounts: Loan limits depend on grade level in school, and dependency status. See chart.
- Loan has up to 2.0% origination fee.
- Interest accrues immediately from the date of issuance of the loan.
- Application Process: Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note online at .
- First-time borrowers at 葫芦影业 must also complete an entrance counseling prior to receipt of Direct funds.
- Repayment Information: Student enters repayment six months after the student graduates, withdraws or falls below half-time enrollment status.
Maximum Annual Loan Amounts
DEPENDENT STUDENT--MAXIMUM ANNUAL LOAN AMOUNTS (Chart below)
|
LEVEL |
MAXIMUM SUBSIDIZED AMOUNT |
ADDITIONAL UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN |
TOTAL |
|
FRESHMAN |
$3,500 |
$2,000 |
$5,500 |
|
SOPHOMORE |
$4,500 |
$2,000 |
$6,500 |
|
JUNIOR/SENIOR |
$5,500 |
$2,000 |
$7,500 |
INDEPENDENT STUDENT-MAXIMUM ANNUAL LOAN AMOUNTS (Chart below)
|
LEVEL |
MAXIMUM SUBSIDIZED AMOUNT |
ADDITIONAL UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN |
TOTAL |
|
FRESHMAN |
$3,500 |
$6,000 |
$9,500 |
|
SOPHOMORE |
$4,500 |
$6,000 |
$10,500 |
|
JUNIOR/SENIOR |
$5,500 |
$7,000 |
$12,500 |
|
GRADUATE |
Not Eligible |
$20,500 |
$20,500 |
Aggregate Borrowing Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate Student: $31,000
Independent Undergraduate Student: $57,500
Graduate Student who has borrowed within their current program before 26-27: $138,500*
Graduate Student who is a new borrower for 26-27: $100,000*
*Note: Aggregate includes any loans received as an undergraduate.
Federal loans have a fixed interest rate for the lifetime of the loan (see chart below) and up to 2.0-4.5% origination fees.
|
2024-2025 |
2025-2026 |
2026-2027 |
|
|
|
Loan Type |
Interest Rate |
Interest Rate |
Interest Rate |
Interest Rate Cap |
|
Subsidized |
6.53% |
6.39% |
TBD |
8.25% |
|
Unsubsidized |
6.53% |
6.39% |
TBD |
8.25% |
|
Unsubsidized Graduate |
8.08% |
7.94% |
TBD |
9.50% |
|
Parent PLUS Loan |
9.08% |
8.94% |
TBD |
10.50% |
|
Graduate PLUS Loan |
9.08% |
8.94% |
TBD (Continuing Graduates Only) |
10.50% |
Chart lists , as regulated by the Department of Education.
Application Process:
- Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note online at
- First-time borrowers at 葫芦影业 must also complete an prior to disbursement of Direct funds.
- Repayment Information: Student enters repayment six months after the student graduates, withdraws or falls below half-time enrollment status.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan (Undergraduate Dependent Student)
Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college. PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
NOTE: Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) Act, changes have been made to this Federal Aid Program. To see how this affects you, visit our page explaining the OB3 changes.
Eligibility:PLUS, Loans are available to parents of dependent students. Parents who have no adverse credit history are eligible for PLUS Loans. Student must be enrolled for at least 6 credits toward their degree.
- Possible amounts vary. Visit the OB3 page to see how the changes affect you.
- Application Process: Complete the PLUS pre-approval form at
- Once approved, you must also complete the at the above website.
- For additional information contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Eligible parents must re-apply for the Federal PLUS Loan each academic year.
- Repayment Information: Parents enter repayment 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Deferment options are available on the application.
- Interest begins to accrue from the date proceeds are sent to 葫芦影业.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (Grad Plus)*
NOTE: Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) Act, changes have been made to this Federal Aid Program. To see how this affects you, visit our page explaining the OB3 changes.
For continuing graduate students who have borrowed within their current program before 2026-2027. This program has been eliminated for new borrowers starting in 2026-2027.
Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate or professional students can use to help pay for college or career school. PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
Eligibility: Available to Graduate and professional degree students. Applicants must not have an adverse credit history and must be enrolled for at least 4.5 credits each semester.
- Possible Amounts: Maximum amount of eligibility is determined by the cost of attendance less any financial aid awarded to the student.
- Application Process: Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)and the Grad Plus pre-approval form at
- Once approved, complete the at the above website.
- For additional information contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Renewal Requirements: Eligible students must file the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)each academic year.
- In addition, the student must have utilized maximum yearly federal graduate Direct Unsubsidized loan eligibility before applying for a Graduate/Professional Plus loan.
- Repayment Information: Repayment begins on the date of the last disbursement of the loan. *See chart above for current interest rates.
Nursing Faculty Loan
The Nursing Faculty Loan is a loan cancelation program with a service obligation. To be eligible for the maximum 85% cancelation, the borrower must agree to serve as a full-time faculty member at a School for Nursing for a consecutive four-year period following graduation from the program.
To be eligible to receive a Nursing Faculty Loan, the student must be:
- U.S. citizen or national of the U.S.
- Be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits in an eligible program
- Be in good academic standing (GPA - 3.00) in an advanced nurse education program to prepare Nursing faculty to teach.
- For more information, contact the Graduate Nursing Department.
Important Information About Federal Student Loans:
- All first-time borrowers must complete a federally mandated session electronically before receiving any loan proceeds.
- Students who are recipients of these loans must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the first year they are receiving any type of Federal loan. Click here to complete your MPN
- Students who are Graduating must complete Exit Counseling if they have any Federal Loans. Visit here to learn more about
Please be advised that all federal financial aid programs are subject to change based on government allocations and regulations. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to revoke any aid offer if there is any evidence that the conditions of enrollment status, financial need, or merit are not met.
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Important Financial Aid Resources/Databases
A listing of outside sources of information regarding financial aid in general:
IRS:
Federal Student Aid websites:
New York State Websites:
Private Loan Databases:
- (Private Loan Database)
- (Private Loan Database)
Outside Scholarships:
Office of Financial Aid
Office of Financial Aid
Wilbur Arts Center
Room 236