Financial Aid
Numerous financial aid options make the choice to pursue an advanced degree or credential much easier. From loans to scholarships, the following are a few opportunities available to prospective APU students.
Federal Aid
Federal Aid
Any student who wishes to apply for federal programs must be either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen.
Federal Stafford Loan
The Federal Stafford Loan is a long-term, low-interest loan designed to provide students with additional funds for school. The loan comes in two forms:
Subsidized: The interest is paid by the government while the student is in school and during the grace period. The Subsidized Stafford is a need-based loan as determined by the FAFSA.
Unsubsidized: The student is responsible for the interest on this loan. However the interest may be capitalized and paid with the principle at repayment. The Unsubsidized Stafford is a non-need based loan as determined by the FAFSA.
Loan Limits:
• Teaching and Advanced Credentials, $12,500 annually up to aggregate
• Master’s and Doctoral, $20,500 annually up to aggregate
The interest rate on the Federal Stafford Loan is fixed at 6.8 percent.
Repayment on the Federal Stafford Loan begins six months after the student graduates, completes program, or drops below halftime. All students applying for the Federal Stafford Loan must be admitted to a degree- or credential-seeking program and complete the FAFSA and Graduate Stafford Loan Worksheet. All students receiving a Federal Stafford Loan must complete a loan entrance before receiving loans and a loan exit upon dropping below halftime, graduating, or exiting school. Entrance and exit processes can be accessed at www.apu.edu/graduatecenter/sfs/loan/.
Alternative Loans
Students who wish to apply for alternative loans must complete a separate application, have costs greater than school budget, and be approved by the lending agency. Alternative loans must pay tuition in full before any refund will be given. Alternative loans are those monies received through any agencies or process other than the FAFSA.
State Aid
Cal Grant A and B
Students who received Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B as undergraduates have 15 months to enroll in a teacher education program to renew this funding. A FAFSA must be filed and a G-44 form (available in the Graduate Center) sent to the California Student Aid Commission to continue receipt of these funds.
Loan Assumptions
CSU Doctoral Incentive Program
Loan Assumptions up to $30,000 are available through the California State University, Long Beach Chancellor’s Office, (562) 951-4000, beginning in November. For more information and application, visit www.calstate.edu and follow the links to Forgivable Loans.
Research Assistantships
In addition to institutional financial aid, the university offers a limited number of research assistantships to doctoral students able to act as research associates to doctoral faculty. Two types of assistantships are available, both on a competitive basis: a full-time assistantship is open to students who enroll in at least 2 courses per term and can devote 18 hours per week each term to research. A part-time assistantship is open to students who enroll in at least 1 course per term and can devote 9 hours per week each term to research. Both assistantships involve a modest stipend and 50 percent reduction in tuition.
Fellowship
Urban Education Research Fellows Program
Los Angeles Unified School District Program Evaluation and Research Branch has established this Fellows Program to provide intensive professional development and financial support for selected graduate student-researchers who have a commitment to urban education. Financial support includes full tuition reimbursement and half-time employment with a professional-level salary. Upon graduation, each fellow will work for the district in a full-time capacity for a minimum of three years. For more information, contact Jim Sass at (213) 241-8270 or jim.sass@lausd.net. Applications are available at www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/perb/ and are due March/April each year.
Scholarships
American Baptist Women’s Ministry of the Pacific Southwest/Southern California (ABWM)
Active members in the American Baptist Church, undergraduate and graduate students, are invited to apply for this scholarship. ABWM is looking for students who are responding to God’s call of service upon their life as they enter any vocation. All educational disciplines are welcome. For more information, contact Barbara Anderson at (626) 919-5600.
Minority Scholarships
A large variety of scholarships are available for all minorities. For more information, visit www.free-4u.com/minority.htm.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
HSF is the largest Hispanic scholarship-granting organization in the nation. HSF provides financial assistance to outstanding Hispanic students in higher education. For more information, visit www.hsf.net.
Scholarship Information
The Watson-Wong Scholarship Fund
This scholarship offers $1,500 to single parents (with at least one child under age 12) entering or continuing graduate studies in music and/or theology programs.
College Scholarship Search
Find money for college by conducting a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com. Scholarships, sweepstakes, and contests are available from $5,000-10,000 and opportunities change each month.
Internet's Largest Scholarship Search
More than 600,000 scholarships and $1 billion in aid are available. Applicants must search online at www.fastweb.com. This is a free search.
Tuition Search
Find $24.3 billion in scholarships online at www.findtuition.com.
Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal education loan available for graduate students enrolled at least half time in an eligible program. Students must apply for the Federal Stafford Loan first and then may borrow up to the cost of attendance (minus other aid) for the Graduate PLUS Loan.
If you or someone you know might be interested in contributing to a scholarship program or establishing an endowed scholarship fund, please contact the Office of University Advancement at (626) 815-5333 or development@apu.edu.
