Federal/State Grants
Loan Programs
Student Employment
Institutional Aid University Merit Scholarships
University Merit Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated talent. The Presidential, Promising Artist, and Artist Grant are types of University Merit Scholarships. University Merit Scholarships are awarded when students are admitted. Those students who demonstrate exceptional artistic ability and outstanding academic achievement will be considered for a University Merit scholarship.
To assist students and their families with financial planning for their enrollment, scholarship amounts are fixed and automatically renewed so long as the student maintains academic progress.
The University offers a number of scholarships that have been donated by individuals or groups to help support promising artists. These named scholarships are awarded based on need and merit.
University GrantUniversity Grants are need-based and are awarded by the Financial Aid Office to supplement all other financial aid assistance. Students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits in order to receive Institutional Aid.
Federal/State Grants Pell Grant
Pell Grants are awarded to students who have not received a bachelor's degree nor been aided for the maximum number of semesters allowed.
The federal government determines eligibility and notification is sent directly to the student in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR). The student should expect to receive the SAR approximately four weeks after the FAFSA has been filed. The SAR should be reviewed for accuracy and corrected if necessary. The student as confirmation of receipt of the FAFSA should retain the correct SAR.
The award letter will list the Pell Grant amount. Changes to the FAFSA information may affect the student's Pell Grant eligibility.
Students must enroll for at least three credits in order to be eligible for the Pell Grant.
PHEAA GrantAwards are made to Pennsylvania residents who have not attained the bachelor's degree nor been aided for the maximum number of semesters allowed (eight). Eligible students must demonstrate financial need, Pennsylvania residency, and be enrolled for at least six credits. To continue to be eligible for state grant assistance, a full-time student must complete a minimum of 24 credits per academic year.
An award letter may indicate an estimated state grant amount; however, eligibility is determined by the state, and official notification is sent directly to the student beginning in May. NOTE: Students must meet state residency requirements in accordance with PHEAA guidelines. PHEAA's filing deadline is May 1. Other states have scholarship programs for their residents. Information and applications are available from the respective state boards of education.
Residents of Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia, please note these additional deadlines: Connecticut deadline February 1: state grant application required. District of Columbia deadline June 28: district grant application required. Rhode Island deadline March 1: FAFSA serves as state grant application. West Virginia deadline June 28: state grant application required.
Students who are residents of these states and are currently receiving a state grant MUST file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A separate state grant application form may also need to be submitted to the higher education assistance agency in the student's home state.
If the state grant can be used in Pennsylvania, it is "portable." Portable state grants may be less at UArts than if used at a college in a student's home state Residents of states not listed above are prevented by their state from using their state grants in Pennsylvania.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)SEOG is a federally funded University administered program. These grants are awarded to needy students who do not hold a bachelor's degree. Typically, SEOG grants are first awarded to Pell Grant recipients who have met the filing deadlines on a funds-available basis.
Outside ScholarshipsThe University encourages students to explore all options for outside scholarship assistance. Local businesses, foundations, churches, unions, civic organizations, etc., often sponsor scholarships that can be used toward educational costs.
A good place to begin the search for outside scholarships is online at www.fastweb.com. This is a free scholarship search service. The University of the Arts does not recommend that students pay fees for financial aid information, or for scholarship searches.
As a service to students, the Financial Aid Office maintains a scholarship lsting containing useful information about such funding. This listing may be viewed in the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office must be notified if any additional awards are received. Notification of all grants and scholarships will be included in the award letter.
Loan Programs
• Apply for a Stafford Loan
• Apply for a PLUS Loan
• Apply for an Alternative Loan
Student & Parent Loans are available at low interest rates, and with extended repayment terms to assist students in meeting both tuition and living expenses. Because loan indebtedness has serious implications, students should carefully consider the amount of their borrowing (both yearly and cumulative) and borrow the minimum necessary to reasonably meet those expenses that remain above the Financial Aid Award.
The University of the Arts has researched a broad selection of lenders and recommends those who we feel will offer students the best borrower benefits and customer service in the industry. Please note that we do not benefit from referring students to any lender. Even though we offer a list of preferred lenders, you are free to choose any lender that participates in FFELP. Many lenders who are not listed above are still able to work electronically with us through our guarantor, AES.
Federal Stafford LoanStafford loans are offered to students to help finance their education. Stafford loans are guaranteed by the US Government, and are offered at a lower interest rate than the borrower would otherwise be able to get for a private loan. Students must complete the FAFSA before they can be awarded a Stafford Loan.
While the loan application is an element of the Financial Aid application process, it is also a separate transaction between the student and his or her bank. It is critical that the student understand that it is he or she alone who is responsible for repaying funds borrowed, and that for most students this will be the most serious long-term financial obligation yet undertaken. Consequently, all first-time borrowers are required to complete a Stafford Entrance Counseling Interview before the University will release loan funds. This interview may be completed when you sign your Master Promissory Note online.
Under federal regulations, only one Stafford loan may be processed for each student each year.
• Apply for a Stafford Loan
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students are required to register for at least six credits each semester in order to receive funding from the Stafford program. Stafford loan eligibility is determined based upon the number of credits the undergraduate student has completed, according to the following schedule:
0 - 29.75 credits Freshman maximum $3,500
30 - 59.75 credits Sophomore maximum $4,500
60 - 89.75 credits Junior maximum $5,500
90 + credits Senior maximum $5,500
The above loan amounts may be subsidized or unsubsidized depending upon the student's financial eligibility. If the loan is subsidized the student is not responsible for making any interest or principal payments during enrollment. If the loan is unsubsidized the student is responsible for making interest payments during enrollment.
Undergraduate students who are independent and dependent students whose parents cannot qualify for the PLUS loan are eligible for the following additional amounts under the Unsubsidized Stafford Program.
0 - 29.75 credits Freshman maximum $4,000
30 - 59.75 credits Sophomore maximum $4,000
60 - 89.75 credits Junior maximum $5,000
90 + credits Senior maximum $5,000
Most Stafford loans will be disbursed to the University electronically and will not require the student's signature.
If a student loan is disbursed by check, it cannot be credited to his/her account until he/she signs the check. (Stafford loan checks will be available in the Finance Office for signature; PLUS checks will be mailed to the parent borrower.)
Graduate Students
Graduate Students are required to register for at least 4.5 credits each semester in order to receive funding from the Stafford program.
Subsidized Stafford Loan Eligibility up to $ 8,500 Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Eligibility up to $12,000
(Total graduate maximum Stafford eligibility per academic year $20,500)
Parent Plus Loan For Undergraduate Students (PLUS)The parent of a dependent student may borrow up to the cost of education (which includes living expenses) minus any other financial aid the student is scheduled to receive. Repayment begins 60 days after loan funds have been disbursed. The PLUS loan interest rate is variable and caps at nine percent. Approval for the PLUS loan is based upon credit history.
Typically the loan application process requires six to eight weeks. In order to deduct the anticipated proceeds from a PLUS loan from the invoice, the loan must have been approved. The PLUS loan cannot be certified until a complete FAFSA has been processed.
• Apply for a PLUS Loan
The lender may deduct origination and insurance fees from Stafford, PLUS, and other alternative loans before they are disbursed. These fees can total up to four percent (or more for some alternative loans) of the principal amount; thus, the amount available from the loan to pay educational costs may be less than the amount borrowed.
The lender will deduct origination and insurance fees from* Stafford and PLUS loans before they are disbursed. These fees can total up to four percent of the principal amount borrowed. Thus, the amount available from the loan to pay educational costs may be less than the amount initially borrowed.
Students who are in default on a federal loan are not eligible for Stafford or Perkins loans, or other financial aid while enrolled at The University of the Arts.
Students interested in applying for a graduate PLUS loan should contact the Financial Aid Office for application details.
Federal Perkins Loan (Perkins)Perkins is a federal loan that is need-based and is awarded by the University. The Federal Perkins Loan is currently offered at a fixed five percent interest rate and is repayable to the University over a maximum 10-year period. Repayment begins nine months after graduation or cessation of at least half-time enrollment at an eligible institution in an approved program of study.
Because Perkins loan funds are limited, this loan is offered to the earliest applicants whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is lowest. Perkins loans are usually awarded to freshman and sophomore students (junior and senior students have greater eligibility for Stafford loans). Notification of eligibility for this loan is included in the award letter.
To claim these funds the student must endorse a Perkins promissory note in the Student Billing Office. Funds cannot be credited until a complete, correct note is negotiated.
Alternative LoansAlternative loans are privately funded loans which may be used to supplement students' federal and University-based aid. When combined with all other forms of aid, alternative loans may not exceed the University's cost of attendance. Approval for these loans is credit-based; the University encourages students to apply with credit-worthy co-borrowers whenever possible. The University of the Arts will not certify alternative loans for students who have not completed the FAFSA.
• Apply for an Alternative Loan
Student Employment
Federal Work Study (FWS)
FWS is a federally funded program administered by the University. Eligibility for this program is based upon the availability of funds to the University and the student's EFC.
The Financial Aid Office will make a determination of the student's eligibility to earn money through the FWS Program. Notification of eligibility will be included in the Award letter.
A FWS award is not an offer or a guarantee of a job; it is the amount a student is eligible to earn should she or he secure a job. Work-study awards are not applied against the invoice . Payment is made directly to employed students by University payroll check.
Eligible students are permitted to work up to 20 hours weekly when classes are in session. Students are paid at least minimum wage and hours may be arranged to accommodate the class schedule.
Jobs are usually available throughout the University in academic departments, security, University offices, the library, etc. Positions require various levels of skill and experience.
For students who are interested in working in the larger community, there are several off-campus work-study positions available. These jobs are located at sites such as community and arts organizations, theaters, and museums.
In order to claim a FWS award the student must locate an eligible job. Once hired, the student must come to the Financial Aid Office to complete the necessary payroll paperwork. Students cannot work, nor can they be paid, until this paperwork is submitted and proper identification is documented. FWS cannot be deducted from the tuition invoice.
Non-Federal Work Study (NFWS)Students who do not qualify to work under the Federal Work Study program may work on-campus under the NFWS program.
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