Home Tuition/Financial Aid Financial Aid Instructions Undergraduate Financial Aid
Undergraduate Financial Aid
There are two primary sources of financial aid available to you as an
undergraduate student in CMU’s off-campus programs: Federal Direct Student Loan
(subsidized and/or unsubsidized) and Federal Pell Grant.
A Federal Direct Student Loan may be subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized
loan means that the Federal government pays the interest while you are in
school, during periods of payment deferment, and during the grace period. An
unsubsidized loan means that you must either pay the interest quarterly, even
while you are in school, or capitalize the interest. The interest on Federal
Direct loans is variable with an 8.25% cap.
As an undergraduate student earning your first bachelor's degree, you may also
be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. The amount of your Pell Grant is
determined by your calculated EFC (see section on Calculating Your Financial Aid
Award). Any grant assistance you receive is considered “gift assistance” and
does not have to be paid back.
Determining your eligibility
You must be an admitted, degree-seeking student with at least half-time
enrollment in order to receive financial aid. You cannot be in default on a
previous federal student loan. Each financial situation is unique. The
information you provide on your financial aid forms (e.g., FAFSA) will determine
the amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.
See Financial Aid
Checklist