Scholarship, Grants and Loans
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I plan to enter Fall 2010 as an Undergraduate Student, what should I do to apply for aid?
A: Do the following by March 1, 2010:
- Complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA (FAFSA on the Web worksheet is mailed to all who have applied); the FAFSA can be filed on-line at www.fafsa.gov beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Be sure to list Arcadia, #003235, on your form.
- Complete the 2010-2011 Arcadia University Financial Aid Application for Undergraduates (mailed to all who have applied beginning in mid-November, or, can be filed on-line at www.arcadia.edu/finaidforms beginning then).
Students entering Spring 2010 should complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA and 2009-2010 Arcadia University Financial Aid Application for Undergraduates. Priority deadline is November 1, 2009 but applications are processed on a rolling basis as received.
(Note: Students randomly selected for the federal verification process by Federal Student Aid Programs when they file their FAFSA will be required to submit a 2010-2011 Federal Verification Form along with 2009 federal tax information to the Financial Aid Office for a financial aid package to become "official."
Q: If I plan to enter Summer 2010 or Fall 2010 as an Graduate Student, what should I do to apply for aid?
A: Do the following by April 1, 2010:
- Complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA (FAFSA on the Web worksheet is mailed to all who have applied); the FAFSA can be filed on-line at www.fafsa.gov starting Jan. 1, 2010. Be sure to list Arcadia, #003235, on your form.
- Complete the 2010-2011 Arcadia Graduate Student Financial Aid Application Students (mailed to all who have applied) (can be filed on-line at www.arcadia.edu/finaidforms beginning in December).
- Complete the 2010-2011 Graduate Student Federal Direct Stafford Loan Acceptance Form online at www.arcadia.edu/finaidforms.
- Complete a Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.dlenote.ed.gov.*
- Complete Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling at www.dl.ed.gov/borrower (click on Entrance and Exit Counseling, then Entrance Counseling again). If you plan to apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan as well, you can complete Combination Stafford and PLUS Loan Counseling. *
*Only required for first-time Federal Direct loan borrowers at Arcadia University.
Q: If I already filed the FAFSA but did not list Arcadia on the form, do I need to re-file a new form?
A: No. You should call 1-800-4FEDAID to add Arcadia University, school code #003235, to your form or go to www.fafsa.gov and, using your federal PIN, add Arcadia to your form.
Q: Does Arcadia University require the CSS Profile Form?
A: No, we do not require the Profile Form because of the associated fee.
Q: I am filing the 2010-2011 FAFSA but my 2009 federal tax return will not accurately reflect what my family income will be for 2010 because I have experienced a reduction in income. What should I do?
A: If you know that your income during 2010 (the period 1/1/2010-12/31/201) will be less than the adjusted gross income listed on your 2009 federal tax returns, do the following: File the FAFSA using the figures on your 2009 tax returns, as requested. Then, complete a Reduced Income Form on-line at www.arcadia.edu/finaidforms). This will allow us to evaluate your financial aid on the basis of your projected 2009 income.
Q: I did not file tax returns or will not file tax returns for the most recent tax year. Since the Financial Aid Office requests copies of federal tax returns, what should I do?
A: If you will not file a tax return because you are not required to according to IRS guidelines, you should complete a Non-Tax Filer Form on-line at www.arcadia.edu/finaidforms. Mail separately to the Financial Aid Office any W-2's from wages received and any statements of public assistance or social security benefits as indicated on the form.
Q: Is there a set income cut-off for receiving financial aid?
A: it is impossible to give an income cut-off for need-based aid since there are many factors that go into determining it, such as:
- parent and student income
- number in family
- number in family in college at least half-time (student's siblings enrolled half-time for at least one semester during the 2010-2011 academic year (for Fall 2010/Spring 2011 students) would be counted in this number. Parents do not count.
- student assets and parent assets (primary home not counted)
Q: What financial aid is available to International Students?
A: If student is not a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and is only on a student visa, he/she is ineligible to receive Federal, State and University need-based aid. Full-time undergraduates will be considered for merit aid-Distinguished Scholarship ranging from $16,000-$22,000*/year or Achievement Awards ranging from $1,000-$15,500 annually. They are reviewed automatically when they apply for admission. All international students can apply for the International Student Loan and a few other alternative private loans, provided they have a U.S. cosigner.
Q: When is payment due each semester?
A: The University bills July 1 for the fall semester, with payment typically due August 1st. Bills for the spring semester go out November 15th with payment due December 15th.
Q: What important dates should I be aware of when it comes to applying for financial aid?
A: To apply for financial aid as an undergraduate or graduate student, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible after January 1 of the year in which you are seeking admission. You must also submit the Arcadia University Financial Aid Application. March 1 is the priority deadline for incoming undergraduate students. Incoming and returning graduate students and returning undergraduate students have a priority deadline of April 1. Applications received after this will still be processed, on a rolling basis.
Pennsylvania undergraduate students must file the FAFSA by May 1 each year to be considered for PHEAA State Grant aid.
If you are applying for the University's payment plan, for PLUS Loans or private alternative student loans, it is recommended that you submit these applications by June 15th prior to the fall you are applying for.
Q: Can you describe what steps a financial aid application goes through before an applicant receives a financial aid package?
A: For undergraduate students, once we receive your FAFSA and other required financial aid information, provided you have been accepted for admission, you'll be reviewed for federal, state and University aid (note that review/notification for merit scholarships occurs at the time the admissions acceptance is made). We'll prepare a financial aid package for you and email you the link to view and accept your financial aid package online via our Student Financial Aid Portal at http://finaid.arcadia.edu. We will also mail it to your home address.
For graduate students, those in full-time graduate programs are also reviewed for merit scholarships and graduate assistantships at the time of acceptance. After we receive your FAFSA And other required financial aid information, we will process any loans you have applied for and send you an award letter which lists any scholarships, loans or assistantships you will be receiving.
Q: What types of grants, scholarships, or loans, etc. are offered by your institution?
A: Full-time undergraduate students are considered for four main types of financial aid: merit-based scholarships, need-based loans, need-based grants and work study.
Part-time undergraduate students are considered for need-based federal and state grants and for need-based loans, provided they are matriculating in a degree program and taking at least six credits a semester.
Full-time graduate students are considered for loans and for graduate assistantships and/or scholarships depending on their program of study.
Part-time graduate students are considered for need-based loans, provided they are matriculating in a degree program and taking at least six credits a semester.
For more undergraduate financial aid information, visit our undergraduate financial aid page.
For more graduate financial aid information visit, visit our graduate financial aid page.
Q: How much on average will a student spend on books each year?
A: While it is strictly an estimate and can vary based on the number of credits a student is enrolled for, the average amount that a full-time undergraduate student spends on books each year is $1,000 ($500 per semester).
For part-time undergraduates and graduate students, it depends on the number of credits/courses one is enrolled for. Estimating $150 for each course can typically provide you with a ballpark figure.
Q: What is Arcadia University's Federal School Code?
A: The University's Federal School Code is 003235.
Q: What are Arcadia University's Tuition, Fees and Room and Board costs?
A: To view costs for the upcoming and current academic year, click here.
* Transfer student Distinguished Scholarships range from $5,000-$16,000 annually for 2009-2010.
