Financial Aid:

Types of Aid

Students can apply for the following types of aid:

  • Scholarships Peirce College offers merit-based and need-based scholarships to help students fund their educations. Where possible, we provide applications for scholarships on the Web. Applications are also available from your Program Advisor or from Student Financial Services.
  • Grants A grant is a needs-based form of financial aid that does not have to be paid back. Students at Peirce can apply for federal and state grants, as well as for grant programs funded by the College.
  • Loans Loans are financial aid that must be repaid. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized long-term, low-interest loans. Loans come in three main categories: student loans (Stafford), loans to parents (Plus) and alternative loans from private lenders.
  • Alternative Loans We strongly encourage all students and parents who need help financing the costs of higher education to file a FAFSA and pursue the Federal Stafford and/or Federal PLUS loans. These federal loans typically have lower interest rates and fees than private loans. However, for students who need additional assistance, private educational loans are available. Students must be enrolled for at least six credits per term to be eligible for these alternative loans, and students can only borrow up to their cost of attendance minus any other assistance. A co-signor may be required for some of the alternative loans. Compare loan programs carefully because fees and interest rates vary. Peirce College recommends Teri Loans and Sallie Mae alternative loans based on interest rates, fees and a history of positive customer service.
  • Federal Work-Study (FWS) FWS funds are offered to full- and part-time students who demonstrate financial need. These funds will NOT be credited to your student account. If you take a FWS job, you will receive a paycheck for the hours you work. Positions are limited. The College freezes hiring when we reach the maximum number of students allotted to us by federal funding.
  • Educational Partnerships Peirce College offers tuition reduction programs to select corporate and community educational partners. Students who work for or are affiliated with these partners may be eligible for tuition reduction.