Federal Aid
To be eligible you:
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the application for all federal and state financial aid.
The Federal Pell Grant
- Need-based grant determined by the FAFSA calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- Part-time and full-time undergraduates may be eligible.
- Pell Grants amounts are adjusted to reflect changes in enrollment status, if made prior to the 5th week of classes.
- After the 5th week of classes, Pell Grant amounts will not be adjusted based on subsequent changes to enrollment statuses (i.e.-course load).
- The maximum number of equivalent full-time semesters a student is eligible to receive a Pell Grant is 12 semesters (the number of semesters will vary for part-time students).
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (SEOG)
- Need-based grant ranging from $100-1,000 annually.
- Awarded to those students demonstrating the greatest financial need.
- Typically, you must qualify for the federal Pell Grant to receive an SEOG Grant.
The Federal TEACH Grant
- Up to $4,000 in annual award for those planning to enter teaching profession full-time.
- Award is pro-rated based on enrollment status ($4,000 annual award for undergraduates taking 12 or more credits; $3,000 for undergraduates taking 9-11 credits, $2,000 for undergraduates taking 6-8 credits and $1,000 for undergraduates taking 3-5 credits). There is currently a 6.9% award reduction taken as a result of Federal Sequestration cuts.
- More information
Federal Work Study
- Awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
- Provides a student with an opportunity to work in a campus job for an hourly wage.
- Awards range from $100 to $1,850 annually.
- Not applied directly toward tuition, room and board charges, as the student receives a monthly paycheck for hours worked.
- Direct deposit of funds into the student's personal bank account is available.
- Students must complete an I-9 and W-4 form in order to receive a paycheck for any hours worked.
- Learn more about Campus Work Study.
The Federal Direct Stafford Loan
- Basic student loan available to all students, regardless of financial need.
- The education loan most students borrow first, before all others.
- If your Stafford Loan is subsidized, the government will pay the interest while you are in school.
- If your Stafford loan is unsubsidized, you have the option of capitalizing the interest or of paying the interest quarterly during the in-school period.
- On both the subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loan, ayment of your principle itselfdoes not begin until six months after graduation, provided the student remains enrolled on at least a half-time (6 credits) basis.
- Stafford Loans have a variable-fixed interest rate, meaning, the rate will be set each year, effective July 1st, but once set, will remain fixed for the life of that particular loan.
- Repayment period is ten years.
- More information
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
- Federal, education loans available to credit-worthy parents of dependent students, regardless of financial need, through the U.S. Department of Education (no lender/bank required).
- Parents can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid received.
- Repayment begins within 60 days of the second disbursement being made to the student's account (2nd disbursement typically made to student accounts in January so repayment begins in March).
- Deferments are available upon request for up to four years while student is enrolled as an undergraduate.
- Repayment period is ten years.
- More information
The Yellow Ribbon Program
- Arcadia is a participating Yellow Ribbon institution.
- The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
- More information
State Aid
PA State Grants
- Awarded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania state residents demonstrating financial need.
- Awards are need-based, based on your federal EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the FAFSA and your annual cost of attendance.
- You must file the FAFSA by May 1st to receive consideration. First-time applicants will also be required to complete a supplemental form which you can link to when completing the FAFSA.
- You must take at least 6 credits a semester to be considered.
- If you are enrolled in a fully online program, in a program that is more than 50% online or, you are taking more than 50% of your credits online in any given term (regardless of program), you are not eligible for PA State Grant funding for that term.
- Questions regarding PA State grant aid can be directed to the PHEAA Grant Division at 1-800-692-7392 or students can visit www.pheaa.org.
If you are not from Pennsylvania, check with your local state agency to determine your eligibility for grant aid from your individual state.