At Claremont Graduate University, we work hard to make this exceptional graduate experience accessible and affordable. CGU’s Financial Aid staff can help you navigate the financial aid process. Our staff makes every effort to provide accurate, efficient, and timely assistance with your financial aid. Below are some financial aid options currently available along with tips for successfully financing your graduate education.
- CGU Fellowships
- External Scholarships & Fellowship Support
- Golden State Teacher Grant
- Federal TEACH Grant
- Federal Work Study and Student Employment
- Federal Direct Loans
- Private Loans
- Teaching/Research Assistantships
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program/ Yellow Ribbon Program
- Dissertation Awards, Travel Awards, Stipends and Prizes
- Employer Tuition Remission Benefits
Cost of Attendance/Tuition
These charts and calculators will help you estimate your financial needs while at CGU.
| Cost of Tuition | Current year’s tuition rates. |
| Financial Aid Calculator | Tuition cost calculator. |
| 2024-2025 Cost of Attendance | Budget items reflect average student expenses per semester. |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress | As a CGU student, you are expected to meet and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Eligibility or continued eligibility for financial aid may be seriously affected. |
| Tuition Cost Calculator | This Financial Calculator will assist students with determining the annual cost of financing their degree. |
| Fellowship Calculator | This fellowship calculator will assist students admitted Summer 2014 through this current semester in determining the amount of fellowship based on units enrolled. This tool should not be used for Teacher Education, EMBA or MFA students. |
Applying for Financial Aid
You may have already received a CGU Fellowship, but there are several additional resources to assist you with financing your education. It is important to explore the variety of options available to you and it is recommended that you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Financial Aid
After you have submitted your FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office may request documentation or send you an award notification within two weeks.
- Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents may qualify for up to $20,500 each year from the federal direct loan program.
- Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 4 units degree seeking coursework or doctoral studies/continuous registration in order to be eligible for federal aid.
- Repayment begins six months after the borrower graduates, leaves school, or drops to less than half-time enrollment (under 4 units).
- First-time federal direct loan borrowers must complete a loan entrance counseling and a loan agreement before their funds will be disbursed. You may satisfy this requirement online through studentloans.gov.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan – (8.08% fixed interest as of July 1, 2024) – The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to graduate/doctoral students regardless of income. The student is responsible for all accrued interest which begins at the time of disbursement. The federal limit per academic year is $20,500. Complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN). An origination fee of 1.057% is deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement, which means if you are offered $20,500 in a federal direct loan, you will net approximately $20,282 for the academic year.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS – (9.08% fixed interest as of July 1, 2024) is a credit-based loan that allows students the opportunity to borrow up to their cost of attendance, minus any financial aid received. The loan has an origination fee of 4.228%, which is assessed by the federal government and deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is required.
You must be enrolled in at least four degree-seeking units OR doctoral studies/continuous registration in order to apply for any type of federal funding and have completed a current FAFSA.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program– If you are a teacher serving in a low-income or subject-matter shortage area, it might be possible to cancel or defer your Federal Direct and/or Perkins loans. For more information visit studentaid.gov.
Federal Work Study is designed to provide assistance to students in meeting their educational costs while enrolled at CGU by providing employment opportunities both on and off-campus. Hourly pay rates vary depending upon the individual employer and type of work performed. Receiving a work-study award does not guarantee employment. Awarded students are eligible to interview for available positions. Current listings of open positions are posted in the Office of Student Financing.
Grad PLUS Application
The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is a credit based loan that allows students the opportunity to borrow up to their cost of attendance, minus any financial aid received.
The Federal Direct Grad PLUS credit check expires every 180 days so you may be required to complete a new credit check when increasing a Federal Direct Grad PLUS application.
To apply, click here, sign in, and complete the Grad PLUS loan process. Please be sure to complete the Application for a PLUS Loan for a Graduate/Professional Borrower, Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note) for Federal Direct Grad PLUS.
If your Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan is denied and you apply with an endorser, please notify our office.
Private Loans
Private loans are credit-based consumer loans that can be used for education-related expenses. Many students qualify on their own, but you may want to apply with a credit-worthy cosigner to receive better interest rates. International students may qualify for these loans; however, they must have a credit-worthy US citizen or permanent resident co-signer to be considered.
Before applying, please email the Financial Aid Office at finaid@cgu.edu to determine your maximum loan amount for the academic year. We recommend that you research the various private loan options to ensure that your selection best suits your needs.
Also visit our page of frequently asked questions about Financial Aid.
Other Sources of Aid
External Scholarships/Fellowships:
Students are encouraged to seek external scholarships through their employers, club/associations, private companies or through scholarships search engines. For assistance with your scholarships search, please contact our office.
State Aid:
Students enrolled in a teacher preparation program are encouraged to explore state aid options such as the Golden State Teacher Grant. For more information and application requirements, please review the California Student Aid Commission website.
Alternative/Private Student Loans:
Students who have remaining eligibility within their cost of attendance and who meet the individual lenders’ requirements, may be eligible to borrow through a private loan. These loans are credit based and for education related expenses.
International students may qualify for these types of loans; however, they must have a credit-worthy US citizen or permanent resident co-borrower in order to be considered.
Veterans’ Administration:
CGU is an approved institution for in-service, off-duty educational benefits provided by the Veterans Administration. Students eligible for VA benefits should contact the Registrar’s Office prior to the first day of the semester to ensure funds are available.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA):
Students who are certified by a tribal agency to be at least one-eighth American Indian may be eligible for a grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and/or their tribal agency. Information and applications are available directly from the BIA and specific tribal agency.
Veterans’ Education Benefits
Welcome Veterans!
CGU is an approved institution for veterans to utilize their educational benefits. As a veteran you are entitled to certain benefits under the various Veterans Administration programs.
Veteran Resident Tuition Policy
Active-duty personnel and military veterans are charged the standard tuition rate applicable to their degree. No CGU student who is not a resident of California is assessed any additional out-of-state tuition or fees.
Program Eligibility Process
Your first step is to request a letter of eligibility from your VA representative. Once you receive this letter, submit it to the Registrar’s Office and follow these steps:
- Enroll in a degree- or certificate-seeking program.
- Take all courses for credit. If repeating a course or taking a course with no credits, the veteran must notify the CGU Certifying Official.
- Request certification after registering for courses each semester through our VA Certifying Official (Registrar’s Office at student.records@cgu.edu or (909) 621-8285.
- Guide to Online Military Student Resources
- 2019 Guide to Veteran Education Benefits
- Yellow Ribbon Benefit Information
- GI Bill® Comparison Tool
VA Forms & Applications
va.gov/vaforms/
All VA students must file an application with the Department of Veterans Affairs Western Region Office, Muskogee, OK. Students who have not previously received VA benefits must file an original application (veterans VAF 22-1990; dependents VAF 22-5490). Students who have received VA benefits in the past must file a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training (veterans VAF 22-1995; dependents VAF 22-5495)
If an original application is needed do one of the following:
- Submit an application online using this link: VONAPP
- Print the signature page and mail to Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional Office, P.O. Box 8888, Muskogee, OK 74402-8888.
- If you choose to apply using a hard copy application, submit it to the CGU Certifying Official who will process it and mail it to the VA Regional Office where it will be certified.
Education Programs
Eligibility criteria and benefits for veterans vary. Listed below are various education programs or chapters that veterans may be eligible for from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA).
- Chapter 30: Montgomery G.I. Bill-Active Duty
- Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
- Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill – Yellow Ribbon Program
- Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
- Chapter 1606: Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve
- Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
General and detailed descriptions of each program are online at va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/ or the toll-free education number 1-888-442-4551 (1-888-GI Bill 1)
For questions or information regarding eligibility to receive VA education benefits or for current pay rates, please contact the Dept. of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 or visit the VA website at gibill.va.gov.
AmeriCorps
The My AmeriCorps website provides a one-stop-shop for AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA and NCCC members and alumni – presenting a wealth of information and self-service capabilities, including access to the former AmeriCorps Online Payment System.
As a student at Claremont Graduate University, you may apply your AmeriCorps benefits to your tuition.
What steps should you take in order to access your benefits?
- Access the My AmeriCorps website and request your benefit.
- AmeriCorps will then contact the Financial Aid Office for institution verification.
- Once both steps are completed, your eligible funds will be authorized by AmeriCorps and sent to the Student Accounts Office to be applied to your Student Account. (Please allow 3-6 weeks)
Understanding Your Financial Aid
Financial aid is awarded by term (e.g., Fall, Spring, Summer). You will receive a Financial Aid Notification by email each time an update is made to your financial aid.
| Federal Direct Loans (Completion) | If you have been awarded Federal Direct Loans, complete the process here. |
| Fellowships, RA, and TA | These types of assistance are awarded to selected students by the individual academic programs. |
| Federal Work Study | The Federal Work Study program (FWS) at Claremont Graduate University provides part-time employment for eligible students. |
| TEACH Grant | The TEACH Grant program provides grants to students who plan to teach in high need field and low income area. |
| Tuition Payment | Tuition payment is handled by the Office of Student Accounts. |
| Withdrawal | Return to Title IV (R2T4) Withdrawal Policy |
The Understanding your Student Financial Account Webinar date has passed. You may listen to the recorded webinar here to learn more information about understanding your student account, where to locate information on your portal, what financial resources are available at CGU,etc.
Managing your Student Loans
A student loan is like any other loan. It needs to be managed properly to avoid penalties. Visit studentloans.gov to manage your loan* – while you’re here at CGU and after you leave.
*Your FSA Username and Password are required(same credentials used for FAFSA)
Visit studentloans.gov to:
Manage Your Account
Make a student loan payment
Consolidate your loans
Enroll in E-bills
Loan History
The National Student Loan Data System provides a centralized view of Title IV loans and grants.
Loan Repayment Options
The SmartStudent Guide will provide information on many options for repayment.
Loan Repayment Calculator
The Loan Payment Calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments upon repayment.
Loan Consolidation
Your source for information from the U.S. Department of Education about how to manage your student loans. You may use this to apply once for consolidation regardless of how many federal loan services you have.
Loan Entrance/Exit Counseling
Entrance counseling provided by the U.S. Department of Education as required for all first-time borrowers and Exit counseling for information on your loans once you have graduated or dropped below half-time enrollment.
Income-Driven Repayments
You may use the repayment calculator to determine if you are eligible for an income driven repayment plan once you graduate. The application for any income driven repayment plan is available for your use.
Questions?
- Email: finaid@cgu.edu
- Zoom: financialaid@cgu.edu
- Virtual Appointment: Visit our Calendly page
- Phone: (909) 621-8337
- Fax: (909) 607-7285
- Mailing address:
Financial Aid
160 E. Tenth St.
Claremont CA 91711