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Financial Aid

Financial Aid
Federal and State Grants
Scholarships and Work Study Programs
Federal Direct Student Loans
Cost of Attendance or Student Budget
Program Completion Limits
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Funds Policy
Student Rights

Financial aid is money awarded to help students pay for their education. Parker University’s Office of Financial Aid awards various types of financial aid including scholarships, grants, work-study employment, veteran affair benefits, and student loans from federal, state, institutional and private sources to assist students in paying for their education expenses. Parker University Office of Financial Aid awards financial aid to all eligible students, including students enrolled in graduate, undergraduate and certification programs.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Federal financial aid is not available to international students unless they are eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens must provide current documentation of immigration status prior to applying for financial aid. An applicant for admission who indicates on their application that financial assistance is needed for education is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to enrollment. To be eligible to receive most need-based aid, students must meet the following requirements: 

  • Show financial need 

  • Enroll in an eligible program 

  • Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen 

  • Have a valid social security number

  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress

  • Comply with requirements of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act

  • Not be in default on a Federal Perkins Loan (or National Direct Student Loan), Federal Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS Loan 

  • Not owe a refund on a Federal Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 

  • Agree to use any Federal student aid received solely for educational purposes 

  • Be enrolled at least half-time (for most aid programs)

Applying for Financial Aid

Students and/or parents must first create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID at studentaid.gov to apply for, receive and/or manage financial aid. All students interested in utilizing federal financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is an online application which gathers students and/or parents’ information to determine the type of financial aid that can be awarded. Students and/or parents should be prepared to provide information such as student and parent social security numbers, household size, household income, assets, etc.

Based on the information provided on the FAFSA, the Department of Education calculates a Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is not the amount a student or family is expected to pay for school however, it determines the type of aid a student qualifies to receive.