Institutional Scholarships and Grants
University Scholarships
University Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated talent. The Presidential, Promising Artist, and Artist Grant as well as Director’s Scholarships are types of University Scholarships.
University Scholarships are awarded when students are admitted.
To assist students and their families with financial planning for their enrollment, scholarship amounts are fixed and renewable so long as the student makes satisfactory academic progress.
Named/Endowed Scholarships
The University offers a number of scholarships that have been donated by individuals, families or groups to help support promising artists. These named scholarships are awarded based on specific criteria, which may include need and/or merit .
University Grant
University Grants are generally need-based and are awarded by the Financial Aid Office to supplement all other financial aid assistance.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least twelve credits in order to receive Institutional Aid that is merit or need-based. Graduate Students must be enrolled for at least nine credits to be considered for such assistance.
Federal/State Grants
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a federally funded program that awards individual grants in amounts ranging from $890 to $4731 to students who have not received a bachelor’s degree, nor been aided for the maximum number of semesters allowed and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Eligibility is determined by the federal government 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. A copy of the corrected SAR should be retained by the student as confirmation of receipt of the FAFSA. Students must enroll for at least three credits in order to be eligible for the Pell Grant.
PHEAA Grant
Awards are made to Pennsylvania residents who are seeking a first bachelor’s degree and who have not yet completed the maximum number of semesters allowed (eight).
Eligible students must demonstrate sufficient financial need as determined by PHEAA, Pennsylvania residency, and be enrolled for at least twelve 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 and or grant programs for their residents. Information and applications are available from the respective states.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a federally funded University-administered program. These grants are awarded to students who demonstrate significant financial need and are seeking a first bachelor’s degree, and who have not yet completed the maximum number of semesters allowed (eight). Typically, FSEOG grants are first awarded to Pell Grant recipients who have met the filing deadlines on a funds-available basis.
Outside Scholarships
The 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 http://www.fastweb.com/. This is a free scholarship search service. The University of the Arts advises students NEVER to pay for financial aid information or for scholarship searches.
Students who receive outside awards or scholarships are required by federal regulation to notify the Office of Financial Aid. In some cases, outside scholarships may cause the revision or reduction of other types of aid.
Loan Programs
• Apply for an Undergraduate Stafford Loan
• Apply for an Undergraduate PLUS Loan
• Apply for a Private Loan (no co-Borrower)
• Apply for a Private Loan (co-Borrower)
Student and 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 primary guarantor, AES.
New students should follow the instructions below to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Students who have previously received a Stafford using an MPN are not required to file another MPN for 10 years.
If the student has previously borrowed under any of the student loan programs, he or she is encouraged to use the same bank to avoid having multiple loan payments upon graduation.
All loan applications are based on the FAFSA application; thus this application must be completed before the loan application is considered. 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.
All first-time borrowers are required to complete an Entrance Interview according to the lender’s instructions before the University is permitted release loan funds. This may be coordinated with the student’s lender.
Federal Stafford Student Loan (Stafford)
• Apply for an Undergraduate Stafford Loan
A Stafford loan cannot be approved until a complete FAFSA has been processed.
Students wishing to use proceeds from the Stafford loan must submit a complete application by March 15. Students can apply for the Stafford Loan electronically at http://www.aessuccess.org/.
Under federal regulations, only one Stafford loan may be processed for each student each year.
Eligibility Amounts
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 – 29.99 credits Freshman maximum $3,500 plus $2000 in unsubsidized eligibility
30 – 59.99 credits Sophomore maximum $4,500 plus $2000 in unsubsidized eligibility
60 – 89.99 credits Junior maximum $5,500 plus $2000 in unsubsidized eligibility
90 + credits Senior maximum $5,500 plus $2000 in unsubsidized eligibility
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 – 29.99 credits Freshman maximum $4,000
30 – 59.99 credits Sophomore maximum $4,000
60 – 89.99 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 the student’s 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.)
Parent Loan For Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
• Apply for an Undergraduate PLUS Loan
The federally-sponsored Parent PLUS loan is a low interest student loan for parents of undergraduate, dependent students. With a Parent PLUS loan, families can fund the entire cost of a child’s education (less other financial aid).
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 fixed. 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.
Private Education Loans
• Apply for a Private Loan (no co-Borrower)
• Apply for a Private Loan (co-Borrower)
Private education 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.
NJ CLASS Loan
If an undergraduate student’s parent is a New Jersey resident, he/she may be interested in the NJ CLASS loan, which may allow payments to be deferred while the student is enrolled. For information and application forms call 1-800-792-8670 or visit http://www.hesaa.org/.
Federal Perkins Loan
Perkins is a need-based federal loan program 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 University’s Student Billing Office. Funds cannot be credited until a complete, correct note is negotiated.
Disbursement Amounts
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.
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.
An 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 a 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. The FWS award can be used between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009.
Jobs are usually available throughout the University in academic departments, Public Safety, University offices, the University Libraries etc. Positions require various levels of skill and experience. Additional positions with approved off-campus, non-profit organizations provide students the opportunity to be employed in community service positions and receive payment through the FWS program.
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.
Information about job availability and placement is as listed in the Federal Work Study section.
General Information About Student Employment
The Student Employment Handbook contains expanded information about FWS and NFWS, job openings, and additional information for fall placement. The handbook is available on the UArts portal in late summer.
Students are reminded that falsifying time cards is a criminal offense, which can subject them to criminal prosecution, disciplinary action, expulsion, and/or loss of all financial aid.
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