Traditional Undergraduate Financial Aid
Choose an affordable, high-impact undergraduate education at Azusa Pacific University.
Make an APU Education Work for You
Your final cost is often much less than the sticker price. In fact, 100% of new traditional undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and federal aid that can significantly lower what you pay. Tuition is simple too. Full-time students pay one flat “block tuition rate” for 12–18 units per semester, so you can take a full load without paying more per class. If you take fewer than 12 or more than 18 units, you’ll be charged per unit.
APU graduates also leave with less debt. According to College Factual, APU borrowers owe significantly less than the national average reported by the Education Data Initiative. We invite you to review and discover what financial aid options are available to you.
Your 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. All institutional aid from APU is subject to coordination with federal, state, institutional, and outside-aid policies. Unless otherwise noted, award amounts listed are for a student enrolled full time.
View Academic ScholarshipsView Participatory/Other Scholarship Awards
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 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.
Azusa Pacific University maintains a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the school districts and private schools listed through the link below. Azusa Pacific guarantees admission and a renewable $1,000 scholarship with these partnerships!
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.
Federal Work-Study is a need-based government program granted to students who qualify. Students must work on campus to receive the Federal Work-Study award.
Federal Work-Study enables students to earn part of their financial aid award through employment. Federal regulations allow the university to offer qualified students a certain amount of college work-study earnings.
This money is not gift aid, but is an opportunity for students to work and have part of their salary paid by the federal government.
Any student participating in the Federal Work-Study program will be paid directly through the on-campus student payroll. Base-rate pay on campus is minimum wage. Individual earnings are not credited to the student’s APU account but paid directly to the student. Federal Work-Study earnings are taxable.
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.
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.
APU on ScholarshipUniverse
All admitted students with an APU NetID can easily find and apply for APU and external scholarships—all in one place.
Apply for Financial Aid
Step 1: Apply to Azusa Pacific
Apply via APU Apply via Common App
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].