Aid for Undergraduates

Applicants are automatically considered for academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and community service. First-year students are evaluated on their grades, SAT/ACT scores (if submitted), high school grades, high school rank (if applicable), and involvement for up to $28,000 annually (2022-23). Transfer students are evaluated on their cumulative GPA and coursework for up to $18,000 per year (2022-23). 

Applicants are automatically considered for their involvement in school activities, community service, volunteer work, and/or notable achievements as recognized by the scholarship committee. Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 per academic year.

Prospective Fine Arts majors may receive these awards (ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 annually) based on the quality of their portfolio or audition.

Full-time undergraduates who have completed at least one semester of study at Arcadia can apply if they demonstrate financial need, are involved on campus, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The committee also looks for a demonstrated willingness to take student loans. For spring consideration, the application goes live Nov. 1 and is due Dec. 1; for fall, the application goes live May 1 and is due June 1.

To receive this annual $2,000 grant, students must be the “dependent” (according to federal guidelines) children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of Arcadia University (Beaver College) alumni. Indicate your relationship to alumni on both your admission and financial aid applications.

New for students entering fall 2022 and later, this $2,000 annual award is for the sibling(s) of a currently enrolled Arcadia undergraduate student who enroll at Arcadia as a full-time undergraduate student.. 

New for students entering fall 2022 or later, this $2000 tuition specific award is for students who file a FAFSA and live in one of the following states at the time they apply for admission: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Most students borrow the Federal Direct Loan—available to all students, regardless of financial need—first, before all others. If your loan is subsidized, the government will pay the interest while you are in school. If unsubsidized, you have the option of capitalizing the interest or paying it quarterly during the in-school period.

On both, payment of your principal does not begin until six months after graduation, provided you remain enrolled on at least a part-time basis (six credits). Stafford Loans have a variable-fixed interest rate, meaning the rate will be set each year, effective July 1. Once set, it will remain fixed for the life of that particular loan. The repayment period is ten years.

Credit-worthy parents of dependent students, regardless of financial need, can apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan (up to the cost of attendance, minus other financial aid received) through the U.S. Department of Education (no lender/bank required). Repayment begins within 60 days of the second disbursement (typically made to student accounts in January). Deferments are available upon request for up to four years while the student is enrolled. The repayment period is ten years.

A need-based grant determined by the FAFSA-calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC), Pell Grants are awarded for a maximum of 12 equivalent full-time semesters (the number of semesters will vary for part-time students). Pell Grants are adjusted to reflect changes in enrollment status (if made prior to the fifth week of classes). After, amounts will not be adjusted based on changes to enrollment status (i.e. course load).

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. Find specific details here.

Awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA, Work-Study provides opportunities to work on campus for an hourly wage. Awards range from $100 to $1,850 annually and are not applied directly toward tuition or room and board charges, as the student receives a monthly paycheck (which can be directly deposited into the student's bank account).

Full-time transfer students who complete an approved associate's degree through one of our Community College Dual Admission/Core-to-Core agreements (with a cumulative 3.5 GPA from all institutions attended) are eligible for an annual award of $5,000 (that can be added to your Distinguished Scholarship). Arcadia has agreements with Bucks County Community College, Burlington County College, Cecil College, Community College of Philadelphia, Delaware County Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Montgomery County Community College, and Northampton County College.

Members are guaranteed a minimum Distinguished Scholarship of $16,000 per year for full-time undergraduate study. Your cumulative transfer GPA (from all institutions combined) must be a 3.5, and you must have completed at least 30 credits (with coursework from at least two general academic disciplines) on a full-time basis.

Members are guaranteed a minimum of $10,500 per year for full-time undergraduate study provided their cumulative transfer GPA (from all institutions combined) is 3.0 or better, and they have earned a minimum of 30 credits. Members of both Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Beta Gamma will receive one Distinguished Scholarship, which will be the higher of either amounts they qualify for (for a potential annual maximum of up to $18,000).