Applying For Aid

To successfully apply for financial aid, it is important to first know the variety of options available to you. Each of these options has its own deadlines and requirements. Note: You do not need to be admitted to CGU to apply for Federal 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 of degree applicable 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.

Tuition Cost Calculator

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan – (7.05% fixed interest as of July 1, 2023)  – 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 1.062% 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 – (8.05% fixed interest as of July 1, 2023)  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 4.248%, 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.

LOAN Assumption Program for Teacher Education Students – 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.ed.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 Master Promissory Note (MPN) 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. You may use our FastChoice tool to begin your search.

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.

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.

CGU has partnered with Great Lakes to provide FastChoice, an online tool that students can use to review private loan opportunities. Student Loans listed on FastChoice represent financing opportunities that CGU students have used in recent academic years.

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. Contact Rosie Ruiz at Rosie.Ruiz@cgu.edu to help you determine your eligibility and to further discuss your grad school plans.

Program Eligibility Process

Your first step 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:

1. Enroll in a degree- or certificate-seeking program.
2. Take all courses for credit. If repeating a course or taking a course with no credits, the veteran must notify the CGU Certifying Official.
3. 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
• 2016 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 gibill.va.gov/Benefits/index.html 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.

Request Program Info

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?

1. Access the My AmeriCorps website and request your benefit.
2. AmeriCorps will then contact the Financial Aid Office for institution verification.
3. 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)