• New Freshmen
  • How to Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships
  • Application and Processing Timetable
• New Transfer Students
• Returning Students
• Adult Undergraduate Students
  • Financial Aid Application Procedures
  • Adult Undergraduate Awards
• Graduate Students

New Freshmen

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE ACCEPTED BY ADMISSIONS TO APPLY FOR AID

At the University of Scranton we strongly recommend that all incoming freshmen apply for financial aid. Our experience is that families who do not apply for financial aid would often be eligible. In addition, students who wish to borrow through the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program must still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The University's Title IV School Code to be used on the FAFSA is 003384.

Electronic FAFSA

You can complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA on the web. Go to the U.S. Department of Education web site at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA Title IV code for The University of Scranton: 003384.

University Scholarships

No special application needed. All accepted applicants are evaluated for merit aid based on the complete Admissions application. Scholarship recipients will be notified with their acceptance letters.

University Grants

Applicants for need-based grants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The preferred application method is via the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper applications are also available from high school guidance offices and at The University of Scranton Financial Aid Office.

Federal and State Sources

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Pennsylvania residents who fill out the FAFSA will also be considered for the Pennsylvania State Grant after completing a supplemental questionnaire that the PHEAA State Grant Program will mail to applicants.

Private Awards

Scholarships and grants are also awarded by local civic, church, club and high school organizations. Please consult your high school guidance office on local awards and visit our web site to link to free computerized scholarship search programs.

Loan Programs

Loans can help you meet your educational costs. Over 76% of the University's 2007 graduates participated in student loan programs. In addition, some parents of these students took advantage of the Parent PLUS program to supplement student borrowing. The University of Scranton participates in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, which offers Federal Stafford Student Loans and Parent PLUS Loans in cooperation with participating private lenders.

The choice of a Stafford, and Parent PLUS Loan lender is a personal decision. We encourage you to visit the Loans & Financing Options section and review the funding opportunities that each lender offers. Our ultimate goal is to do the research for you, simplify the process, and propose lenders with the best products. Applicants interested in borrowing under the Stafford Loan program must complete the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate on question 26 an interest in student loans. For new Stafford Loan borrowers, students will be required to select a Stafford Loan lender. Once selected, the loan will be pre-certified through AES/PHEAA with your selected lender. You will be notified to complete a Stafford Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete online Student Loan Entrance Counseling. Parents of dependent students can apply for a Parent PLUS Loan by visiting Loans & Financing Options.

Work Study and Student Employment

Federal and University-funded programs assist students in meeting educational costs through part-time employment in on- and off-campus jobs. Our Career Services Office also assists students seeking off-campus jobs in the private sector. Applicants interested in work study must answer "Yes" to the FAFSA work study question.

Tuition Payment Plan

The University provides a no-interest, 10-month payment plan offered through Tuition Management Systems (TMS) that allows families to budget annual educational expenses not covered by other aid programs and loans. For more information, visit www.afford.com/scranton.

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APPLICATION AND PROCESSING TIMETABLE FOR 2008-2009

December 15, 2007

Scholarship notification begins for accepted Freshman students.

January 1 - February 15, 2008

Preferred time to file Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for all applicants, including Early Action applicants.

March 1, 2008

University of Scranton Freshman need-based aid notification begins.

May 1, 2008

Acceptance deadline for University of Scranton scholarships and grants.

July 1, 2008

Tuition Payment start date.

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Financial Aid Application Procedures for Transfer Students

New transfer students must follow the same application procedures as all other financial aid applicants.

Transfer students are also responsible for providing academic transcripts from previous college(s) to the appropriate University Admissions Office for transfer credit evaluation. Academic transcripts will also be required for measuring the satisfactory academic progress of PHEAA State Grant recipients as well as determining grade level for loan eligibility.

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Renewal Application Procedures for KSOM, CAS, and PCPS Students

Every year, prior to the end of the fall semester, returning students are mailed an upperclass renewal letter on the financial aid process for the upcoming academic year. The letter is mailed to the students' home mailing address. The FAFSA must be completed by April 15 by all students applying for need-based aid programs.

The financial aid review process for returning students begins upon the completion of the spring semester, at which time academic progress is evaluated. Students who wish to borrow a Stafford Student Loan must answer "2 or 3" to question 26 on the FAFSA form. Students' parents applying for a PLUS loan must renew the request annually by going through a credit check and requesting a loan amount.

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Financial Aid Application Procedures for Adult Undergraduate Students (enrolled though CGCE and formerly College of Graduate and Continuing Education)

Adult Undergraduate students who are enrolled in degree programs and who wish to apply for financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The federal Pell Grant is available to full time, half time, and less than half time students. Limited funding is available for the same students through the federal campus based programs; SEOG, Perkins Loans, and Work Study. Students applying for the federal Stafford Loan or the Parent Plus Loan (dependent students only) must be enrolled at least half time. The Pennsylvania State Grant is available to qualified Pennsylvania domiciles enrolled for at least six credits per term.

Adult Undergraduate Awards

Dexter Hanley Full-Time Grant

Reserved for students enrolled for a minimum of twelve credits per term. Recipients are chosen based upon demonstrated financial need. Renewal of this award is contingent upon the student maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.00, completion of a minimum of 21 credits per academic year, and continued full time enrollment.

Dexter Hanely Part-Time Grant

Reserved for students enrolled less than full time per term. Recipients are chosen based upon demonstrated financial need. Renewal of this award is contingent upon the student maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.00, completion of the minimum credits outlined in the financial aid satisfactory progress policy for part-time students (see the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements in the Comprehensive Guide), and continued enrollment.

The application deadline for new students applying for either of the above grants is May 1 for the fall semester and December 29 for the spring semester. The deadline for returning students is April 15.

Special Scholarships

Other scholarships available to Adult Undergraduate students are the Robert McDevitt Scholarship, the Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Women, and the Oppenheim Award.  To be considered for the McDevitt Scholarship, the completion of a minimum of 60 credits, demonstrated financial need and a proven track record of academic excellence at The University of Scranton are required.  A student must have completed a minimum of 60 credits and demonstrate financial need to be considered for the Newcombe scholarship.  To be considered for the Oppenheim Award, students must demonstrate financial need.  Preference is given to displaced homemakers.  To apply for the McDevitt, Newcombe or Oppenheim awards, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15th.

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Graduate Students

Students enrolled on at least a half-time basis in an eligible program (5 credits — at least 3 credits graduate course work in the Graduate School at the University of Scranton) may apply for Federal Work Study or Stafford Student Loan programs. Teaching fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships are also available to graduate students. Application for assistantships must be made to the Graduate Office.

Required Documents For Aid Applicants

In addition to the work study and/or loan application, all graduate students applying for either financial aid program must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Grade level and loan eligibility for Graduate Students

The grade level maximum Stafford Loan for graduate students is $8,500. The grade level maximum for the additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan for graduate students is $ 12,000 as of July 1, 2007.

Enrollment Status for Graduate Students

Graduate students are considered to be full-time students if enrolled for a minimum of 9 credits per semester. Students who are enrolled for a minimum of 5 credits per semester or session are considered to be half-time students.

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