Federal Aid Programs

To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, a student must: 

• demonstrate financial need (for need-based federal student aid programs);
• be a U.S. citizen or an ;
• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
• provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form;
• sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form stating that you’re not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes; and
• show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education. You can show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by:
  • having a high school diploma or a state-recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
  • completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law); or
  • enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting an “ability-to-benefit” alternative.

Please be advised that all Federal Financial Aid Programs are subject to change based on government allocations and regulations. ËÄÉ«AV's 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. 

Federal Pell Grants usually are offered only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA each year and demonstrate financial need. Once you have earned a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree or have used up all 12 terms of your eligibility, you are no longer eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant.

• your Student Aid Index (SAI) (based on your FAFSA form),
• the cost of attendance (determined by your school for your specific program),
• your status as a full-time or part-time student,
• your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less, and
• your remaining Pell eligibility under your Pell amount.

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (Federal SEOG/FSEOG) is a grant offered to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. 

Eligibility: Students with exceptional financial need who are eligible for a Pell Grant may be offered FSEOG in addition to their Pell Grant.

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA each year and demonstrate exceptional financial need. Must also be receiving a Pell Grant, and offer is dependent on fund availability. 

Amounts: Vary depending on need and fund availability. 

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program offers grants to students in exchange for completion of a service obligation teaching in a high-need field, at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves low-income students. 

If the service obligation is not completed, the TEACH Grant(s) will be converted into a . 

Eligibility: Students must file the FAFSA, meet basic federal eligibility requirements, be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.25. and must be completed each year to receive grant funds.

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA each year and continue to meet eligibility requirements.  and must be completed each year to receive grant funds.

Amounts: Maximum award is $3,772 (for any TEACH Grant with a first disbursement on or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2026).

Service Obligation: In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to:

• serve as a full-time teacher for four elementary or secondary school years at a school or educational service agency (ESA) that serves low-income students;
• meet all state certification requirements for teaching;
• teach in a high-need field; and
• complete the required four years of teaching within eight years after you graduate from or otherwise cease to be enrolled at the institution of higher education where you received your TEACH Grants.

For more details on this program, see link below. 

Federal Work-Study is not awarded as a lump sum or applied directly to the bill.

Students are paid directly per the actual number of hours worked, making at least minimum wage. 

The amount in the financial aid offer is the maximum the student can earn at their Federal Work-Study job, provided they work the maximum number of hours they are allowed. 

Eligibility: Students must complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need.

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA each year and demonstrate financial need. A Work-Study Contract must be completed each year a student works. 

Amounts: Vary depending on financial need and hours worked. Students may earn up to the maximum listed in their financial aid offer. 

Job Opportunities: Employment opportunities are available on and off campus. Job openings are posted in the Financial Aid Office at the beginning of the fall semester. Students must then go to the departments and apply for the work-study positions they are interested in. Acceptance of the Federal Work-Study offer does not guarantee employment. 

The Process: Once hired, students must return to the Financial Aid Office for a Work-Study Contract. The completed contract must then submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Once the student is cleared to work, their supervisor is notified. Students cannot work more than 20 hours per week.

Payment: Students earn at least minimum wage. Students are paid on a biweekly basis in the form of a paycheck, per the actual number of hours worked. The funds go directly to the student, NOT the bill. 

Please contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about Federal Work-Study. 

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. (You might see them referred to as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans, but these aren’t the official loan names.) 

The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan:

• while you’re in school at least half-time, 
• for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period), and 
• during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments). 

Functionally, this means you do not begin accruing interest on a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan until you enter repayment. 

As of the 2026-2027 academic year, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are prorated per credit for all eligible part-time students (6 to 11.5 credits applicable toward the degree).

Eligibility: Available to undergraduate students who file the FAFSA, meet basic federal eligibility requirements, are attending at least half-time (6 credits applicable toward the degree), and have as defined by ED. and unexpired  (MPN) are required to receive loan proceeds. 

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA each year, and demonstrate financial need. Loan Entrance Counseling and MPN must be completed. 

Possible Amounts: See charts for Dependent students and Independent students.

Interest Rate: See chart. More information on interest rates at

Origination Fee: 1.057%

Repayment: After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment. During this period, you'll receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you'll be notified of your first payment due date. More information on Federal Direct Loan Repayment . 

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. (You might see them referred to as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans, but these aren’t the official loan names.) 

Interest begins accruing on the date of disbursement. You (the borrower) are responsible for all interest that accrues on a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. 

As of the 2026-2027 academic year, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are prorated per credit for all eligible part-time students. (Undergraduates: 6 to 11.5 credits applicable toward the degree. Graduates: 4.5 to 8.5 credits applicable toward the degree.)

Eligibility: Available to students who file the FAFSA, meet basic federal eligibility requirements, and are attending at least half-time (for undergraduates: 6 credits applicable toward the degree; for graduates: 4.5 credits applicable toward the degree). and unexpired  (MPN) are required to receive loan proceeds. 

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA each year. Loan Entrance Counseling and MPN must be completed. 

Possible Amounts: See charts for Dependent students and Independent students.

Interest Rate: See chart. More information on interest rates at

Origination Fee: 1.057%

Repayment: After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment. During this period, you'll receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you'll be notified of your first payment due date. More information on Federal Direct Loan Repayment . 

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans are a type of federal student loan parents can take out in their own name to support their child's education. FAFSA, separate application, and Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) required. 

Eligibility: Available to parents of Dependent students only.

• Students must file the FAFSA, meet basic federal eligibility requirements, and be attending at least half-time (6 credits applicable toward the degree).
• Parents must and be approved for a Parent PLUS Loan, and complete a to receive loan proceeds. 

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA, and parent must reapply for the PLUS Loan each year. PLUS MPN must be completed. 

Possible Amounts: Vary depending on whether you are qualified for the limited exception. Check if you qualify for the limited exception . 

• If qualified for limited exception: can borrow up to Cost of Attendance, less any other aid. 
• If not qualified for limited exception: can borrow up $20,000 per year, with an aggregate maximum of $65,000 per child.

Interest Rate: See chart. More information on interest rates at

Origination Fee: 4.228%

Repayment: On the PLUS Loan application, you may request deferment of repayment of your Direct PLUS Loan while the student is enrolled at an eligible school on at least a half-time basis; and for a 6-month period beginning on the date the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Deferment is not automatic. More information on deferment and repayment . 

For more details on this program, as well as how to apply, see link below. 

Only for graduate students who qualify for the limited exception. Check if you qualify for the limited exception . 

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are a type of federal student loan for graduates and professional students who need additional loans. Sometimes referred to as a Grad PLUS Loan. FAFSA, separate application, and Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) required. 

Eligibility: Available to eligible graduate and professional students only. Students must file the FAFSA, meet basic federal eligibility requirements, and be attending at least half-time (4.5 credits applicable toward the degree). Students must and be approved for a Graduate PLUS Loan, and complete a to receive loan proceeds. 

Renewal: Not automatic. Students must file the FAFSA and reapply for the PLUS Loan each year. PLUS MPN must be completed. 

Possible Amounts: Up to Cost of Attendance, less any other aid. 

Interest Rate: See chart. More information on interest rates at

Origination Fee: 4.228%

Repayment: You’ll receive an automatic deferment while you’re enrolled in school at least half time, and for an additional six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. You don’t have to start making payments until after this deferment period ends. More information on Federal Direct Loan Repayment . 

For more details on this program, as well as how to apply, see link below. 

Recipients are selected - no application available. 

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), 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. 

Recipients are selected - no application available. 

ËÄÉ«AV received its 10th National Science Foundation (NSF) grant award under the S-STEM (Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) funding mechanism. This $2M 6-year grant (2025-2031) is supporting ASPIRE 2: Alumni, Students, Professors, Internships, Research, Enrichment to Careers in Science program building on the accomplishments of our prior ASPIRE 1 grant.

Financial, academic, experiential, and career support will be offered to 22 academically talented, low-income students with demonstrated financial need, enabling them to obtain a B.S. in biology or earth and environmental science (EES). Scholarships, up to $15,000 annually through graduation, will help students meet their financial obligations.

Project activities include curriculum-embedded research throughout students’ undergraduate academic careers, three-tiered mentoring, enhanced cohort development, self-study online tutorial modules for introductory STEM courses, paid summer employment or research internship opportunities, and an enrichment series focused on post-graduate success. High-impact practices will achieve stronger retention and graduation rates, increased student learning, and a greater chance of successful transition to STEM-related employment or graduate study upon graduation.

The Nursing Faculty Loan is a loan cancellation program with a service obligation. To be eligible for the maximum 85% cancellation, 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.

Requires application. 

The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program provides financial support to students enrolled in nursing degree programs in exchange for a commitment to serve in high-need areas across the country. 

This program is offered through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Health Workforce. 

Eligibility: See the "Nurse Corps Scholarship Program Application and Program Guidance" PDF on their website for full details. Funding preference given to those who need the most help financially.

Amount: If you receive an award, you’ll get a monthly stipend, and the BHW of HRSA will pay your:

• Tuition
• Eligible fees
• Reasonable costs (includes books, clinical supplies/instruments, and uniforms)

Service Obligation: All participants incur, at a minimum, a two-year full-time service obligation (or part-time equivalent), but will have a longer service obligation if they receive support for more than two years. You must serve at an eligible health care facility and in the discipline—registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP)—for which the BHW awarded you funds. Their "Application and Program Guidance" document contains details on the requirements for the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program. Review the document for the year you joined the program. More information on the service obligation . 

Full details on the program at the link below. 

Requires application.

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students pursuing an eligible training or degree program for a primary care health profession. In return, scholars commit to providing primary care health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). 

This program is offered through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

Eligibility: See the "NHSC Scholarship Program Application and Program Guidance" PDF on their website for full details. See for how HRSA decides who gets scholarship awards. 

Amount: If you receive an award, the HRSA will support up to four school years* with:

• Payment of tuition and eligible fees
• An annual payment for other reasonable educational costs ()
• Monthly stipends to assist with living expenses while in school

*Note: You will not receive financial support during postgraduate training.

Service Obligation: NHSC scholars must serve a two-year minimum service commitment for a minimum of one year of support, serving an additional year per year (or partial year) of scholarship support, not to exceed four years of support and four years of service commitment. The service obligation must be completed at an NHSC-approved site in a . Their "Application and Program Guidance" document contains details on the requirements for the NHSC Scholarship Program. Review the document for the year you joined the program for more information.

Full details on the program at the link below.