Award types
These are the types of awards you may see in your financial aid letter. Note that in addition to these awards, you may be offered Chapman department or mission-driven awards after admission.
Scholarships and grants
Scholarships and grants are free money awarded to you by Chapman, the federal government or other organizations, such as non-profits.
Loans
Loans must be repaid after you graduate. The loans in your financial aid offer are provided by the U.S. Department of Education and could include:
- Subsidized Direct Loans, which are for students who demonstrate financial need (as determined by the FAFSA). The federal government pays interest on subsidized loans while you’re a student (i.e., they are interest free until you graduate).
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans, which are available to all students. Interest begins accruing on these loans immediately after they are disbursed to Chapman. Although there is no pre-payment penalty, you are not required to make any payments toward these loans while you are in school at least half time (6 units).
Federal Work-Study
Work-study provides part-time employment opportunities on campus (or with an approved off-campus employer).
The amount you are awarded is not applied to tuition. Instead, you will have to get a job and will then receive your award through pay received for hours worked. Your pay can help with payments to the university or be applied to your indirect costs (books, living expenses, etc.). You can learn more about student employment here.