STRESS-FREE FINANCIAL AID
How do we give out millions in scholarships and grants every year?
Easy. Our commitment to keeping education accessible is game-changing.
Did you know?
Over 95% of EKU students receive financial aid! Plus, there’s even more scholarship money waiting to reward students who work hard and succeed in the classroom.
FINANCIAL AID IS A GAME CHANGER
Financial aid helps to bridge the gap between what you and your family can afford and the amount you need to pay for your education. It comes in three basic forms:
• Grants and scholarships, which are not repaid
• Loans, which must be repaid
• Work-study and part-time job opportunities on campus Most students have a combination of these, known as the financial aid package. You may be eligible for financial aid at EKU if you:
• Are admitted to the university as a degree-seeking student.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
• Are enrolled at least half time (six semester hours for undergraduate students).
• Are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Meet Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.
START WITH THE FAFSA
If you’re planning to apply for federal and state grants, loans and work-study programs at EKU, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year. This will determine your eligibility for grants and allow federal student loans to be offered to you through the financial aid office. We can guide you every step of the way.
Complete the FAFSA as early as possible, as some grant funds and Federal Work-Study opportunities are limited and awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis. Give yourself a competitive edge to receive the most aid: submit your FAFSA.
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Since scholarships and grants don’t have to be repaid, you’ll want to make them a financial aid priority. Luckily, you’ve got a lot of options! Merit scholarships – which are based on your GPA and optional test scores – are automatically applied. Other scholarship options require applications and have various deadlines.
EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY • Freshmen Merit • Transfer Student Merit • Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) • Dr. Rodney Gross • EKU Alumni Legacy
SCHOLARSHIPS
GRANTS
Complete the FAFSA to apply for federal or state grants!
If you’re an undergraduate student at EKU who qualifies, you may be eligible for grants like the Pell Grant or others based on financial need. Remember, under most circumstances, grant funds do not need to be repaid! Future teachers may also be eligible for the TEACH Grant if they agree to certain obligations after graduation.
LOANS
Loans have to be repaid. While you can use any private loan source, federal sources can provide the best interest rates, so start by filling out your FAFSA!
FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS
If you are enrolled at least half-time, federal direct loans allow you to borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education, giving you a guaranteed funding source and lower interest rates on some loans.
• Subsidized loans are based on financial need, and they offer no interest accrual or payments while you’re enrolled.
• Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need. Interest starts to accrue after the first time you receive the funds.
The Federal Direct Plus Loan for Parents, also known as the Parent Plus Loan, is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students for assistance with education-related expenses.
Loans are processed for the academic year. There will be at least two disbursements to your student account, usually at the beginning of each semester. Repayment of loans begins six months after graduation or when you are no longer enrolled at least half-time.
go.eku.edu/federal
With work-study at EKU, you get the convenience of staying on campus, the opportunity to explore potential careers, and a paycheck!
There are plenty of options that span across almost every part of campus, including the library, the campus rec center, dining hall and offices. Work schedules are flexible and will be built around class schedules. You can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week, earning a paycheck and gaining valuable experience!
There are two student employment programs:
• Federal Work-Study (FWS) for students with financial need as determined by the FAFSA,
• EKU Institutional Employment for students who don’t qualify for FWS.
WORK-STUDY
