Professional Undergraduate Financial Aid
Choose an affordable, high-impact professional (bachelor’s completion) education at Azusa Pacific University.
Make an APU Education Work for You
For those who want to return to school to complete a bachelor’s degree, Azusa Pacific University is a leader in offering an affordable path that opens doors to professional growth while teaching you to integrate faith into every part of life and work. Whether you aim to elevate your skill set, switch careers, or increase your salary, we provide direct access to those goals through an affordable, high-quality Christian education. There are many financial aid options available, including partner discounts that can reduce tuition costs by up to 15%, as well as traditional loans.
Bottom line: The final cost of your education is often much less than the full tuition price and fees. View the tabs below to learn more about available financial aid opportunities.
Your Professional Undergraduate Financial Aid Options
APU scholarships are typically merit-based, meaning they are awarded depending on demonstrated academic ability or other specific talents, and do not require any form of repayment. Thanks to generous APU donors, students can apply for a wide range of scholarships through Scholarship Universe, a single hub where one profile matches you with every award you qualify for.
A PartnerPlus Tuition Discount is an agreement that allows employees of cities, counties, businesses, school districts, or other organizations to receive a tuition discount for select APU graduate and professional undergraduate programs. PartnerPlus Tuition Discounts are a great way for employers to promote the professional development and advancement of their employees.
Law Enforcement Discount
The School of Behavioral Sciences offers a 15 percent tuition discount for eligible law enforcement employees, their spouses, and their dependents (up to age 26) starting in one of the following professional bachelor’s completion programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (bachelor’s completion)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (bachelor’s completion)
Students can contact the Student Services Center for the form to fill out to be granted the discount. The form requires proof of employment for the relevant academic year. This tuition discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid and only applies to core courses (general education courses are not covered by discount). Contact the Student Services Center for complete eligibility details.
Veteran Discount
The School of Behavioral Sciences offers a 15 percent tuition discount for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependents starting in one of the following bachelor’s degree completion programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (bachelor’s completion)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (bachelor’s completion)
Students can contact the Student Services Center for the form to fill out to be granted the discount. The form requires proof of employment for the relevant academic year. This tuition discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid and only applies to core courses (general education courses are not covered by discount). Contact the Student Services Center for complete eligibility details.
Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill® and VA Yellow RibbonFor up-to-date information regarding eligibility requirements, award amounts offered by the government, and specific details, contact the VA. You may also contact the Office of Military and Veteran Education Benefits at (626) 815-3837 or [email protected].
‘‘GI Bill®’’ is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A grant is a form of need-based financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Grants are distributed based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is awarded to eligible students who have met a financial need requirement as determined by the correct Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA.
Qualifications
- Financial need requirement (as determined by the FAFSA).
- Has not previously received a bachelor’s degree.
- Enrolled at least part time.
Disbursement
Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the Pell Grant disburses into the student’s APU account after the add/drop period each term (first half of the grant in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.
To Retain Eligibility
The student must have remaining eligibility in the Pell Grant program and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The extremely limited funds for the FSEOG are awarded to the students that have the highest federal need as determined by the FAFSA based on exceptional need until the funds run out.
Qualifications
- Extreme financial need requirement (as determined by the FAFSA).
- Student has not previously received a bachelor’s degree.
- Eligible for a Pell Grant.
- Returning Students: Complete new FAFSA application by March 2.
Yearly Amount
Up to $1,500($750/semester).
Disbursement
Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the FSEOG usually disburses into the student’s APU account after the add/drop period each term (first half of the grant in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.
To Retain Eligibility
The student must complete the FAFSA as soon after the first FAFSA filing date as possible. The student must meet the extreme financial need requirement (and the other qualifications listed above). This grant is awarded based on exceptional need until funds run out. There is no guarantee that the student will continue to receive this award in subsequent years. The student must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Student loans finance the actual cost of tuition. They come in many forms, with private loans offered through banks or credit unions and need-based opportunities, such as grants, offered by institutions, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies. However, you must repay all borrowed funds with interest. They are offered based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
Federal Direct Loans are a low-interest loan borrowed directly from the U.S. government designed to help students pay for college. Depending on eligibility as determined by the FAFSA, the student may be offered a subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan. Subsidized means that the government will pay the interest on the loan while the student is in school. Unsubsidized means that the loan will accrue interest while the student is in school.
Yearly Amounts
- Freshmen (0-29 units): $5,500 (up to $3,500 of which may be subsidized)
- Sophomores (30-59 units): $6,500 (up to $4,500 of which may be subsidized)
- Juniors and Seniors (60+ units): $7,500 (up to $5,500 of which may be subsidized)
If the student is independent or the parent is denied a Parent PLUS Loan, the student can take out an additional Unsubsidized Loan (freshmen and sophomores, $4,000; juniors and seniors, $5,000).
How to Apply (All Students)
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Accept loan(s) through the Student Services Center tab at home.apu.edu.
New borrowers must also complete the following online:
Disbursement
Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, and the student has completed the Direct Loan application steps, the loan usually disburses into the student’s APU account after the add/drop period each term (first half of the loan in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received.
To Retain Eligibility
The student must have remaining eligibility in the Direct Loan program. The student must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) per semester. The student must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Amount offered per term will vary if enrolled less than full-time.
Repayment
Repayment usually begins six months after the student either drops below half time (6 units is half time), withdraws, or graduates from college.
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a low-interest loan borrowed directly from the U.S. government that parents can apply for to help their dependent student pay for college.
Yearly Amount
If the parent is approved, they can borrow up to $20,000 per academic year (if Cost of Attendance permits). The lifetime limit for a parent borrowed per student is $65,000.
How to Apply
- Students: Complete the FAFSA.
- Parents of a Dependent Student: Complete the Direct PLUS Loan Application.
New borrowers must also complete a Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) online.
Appeals and Endorsers
If denied a PLUS Loan, parents may:
- Appeal the decision by contacting Direct Loans.
- Apply for the PLUS loan with an endorser (cosigner).
- The student can then take out an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (freshmen and sophomores, $4,000; juniors and seniors, $5,000).
Disbursement
Once the student’s financial aid file is complete, the PLUS Loan usually disburses into the student’s APU account after the add/drop period ends each term(first half of the loan in fall, the second half in spring), or later depending on when documentation is received. If the parent borrower was originally denied the PLUS Loan based on adverse credit and was then later approved (or obtained an endorser), the parent must complete PLUS Credit Counseling online. The Parent PLUS Loan will not disburse to the student’s APU account until the credit counseling is completed.
To Retain Eligibility
The student must be enrolled at least half time (6 units per semester). The student must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Repayment
Repayment of the Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents usually begins 60 days after the loan has been fully disbursed (after the second disbursement in early January for most students). In some cases, payment can be delayed by deferment or forbearance. Learn more about repayment of the Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents.
ScholarshipUniverse
Many scholarships are available from sources outside of APU. If you’re an admitted student and have received your APU ID, you can utilize APU’s internal scholarship searching tool, ScholarshipUniverse, to search for both internal and external scholarships.
Private Education Loans
In addition to external scholarships, if you need additional funding on top of the federal loans, you can look into private education loans.
Department of Rehabilitation
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities. Services include financial assistance in tuition expenses, books and supplies and transportation. The state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency has VR counselors who can help a person with a disability determine eligibility for services.
DOR may provide funding for a student’s educational expenses. At Azusa Pacific University, we accept payments from DOR on behalf of students for tuition and fees. Once approved for DOR funding, the student’s VR counselor will send APU an authorization form for their benefits. Upon receipt of the authorization form, APU will send an invoice directly to the DOR district so that payment can be sent to APU for the student’s tuition and fees. This process can take up to 45 days.
For students who receive DOR funding that does not cover the full cost of tuition, a payment plan for the remainder of tuition can be set up through the home.apu.edu portal. To access the payment plan, log in to the home.apu.edu student portal, select ‘Financials,’ then ‘Billing and Payment’. This will take you to the PayMyTuition website to self-enroll in your payment plan. This process will need to be completed each semester if there is a balance due.
Apply for Financial Aid
Step 1: Apply to Azusa Pacific
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
APU’s School Code is 001117. Apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. The FSA ID acts as your electronic signature for the FAFSA and as your password to federal websites. Do not share it or lose it. After you have submitted your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review your SAR for any incorrect information. Make any necessary corrections online for faster processing.
- The Federal deadline to submit a FAFSA is June 30th of the current school year. However, to qualify for most types of federal aid you must submit the FAFSA prior to your last day of enrollment in the school year.
- The Cal Grant deadline for undergraduate students is March 2 in the year prior to applying for aid; be sure to submit the GPA Verification Form (not required if you received a Cal Grant last year).
Step 3: Verification (selected students only) + To-Do Items
The Department of Education randomly selects students who have completed the FAFSA for a process called verification. If you are selected for verification, it will populate in your home.apu.edu To-Do List and you’ll be required to submit additional documentation to the Student Services Center.
You must complete all To-Do List items to receive financial aid.
Step 4: APU Sends a Financial Aid Offer Letter
When your financial aid offer has been prepared, you’ll receive a notification that your Financial Aid Offer Letter is available in your Message Center on home.apu.edu. Accept your loan offer (if you choose). Grants and scholarships are automatically accepted on your behalf.
Note: First-time student loan borrowers must also complete:
Step 5: Enroll at Least Half-time
Federal regulations require you to be enrolled at least half-time per term in order to receive financial aid. APU defines a term as all sessions within a traditional semester. For example, Fall Session, Fall Session 1, and Fall Session 2 together comprise the fall term.
Step 6: Ask Questions
- New Students: Contact your admissions representative or email [email protected].
- Returning Students: Email Student Services Center, [email protected].
Financial Aid Resources
Azusa Pacific University is required to disclose certain information to help students, parents, and employees make informed decisions. View additional consumer resources.