»Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer

Award types

These are the types of awards you may see in your financial aid offer. 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 who submit a FAFSA. 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.

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Next steps after viewing your awards

There are several steps you can take while planning out how you will pay for college. Some common steps include:

1. Accept your awards: You can accept or decline yourfederal direct loans and/or work-studythrough your financial aid offer.
2. Complete To-Do List: Complete any To-Do List items in your Student Center. 
3. Finish loan requirements: If you are accepting a federal loan and are a first-time borrower at Chapman, you will need to visit the Federal Student Aid website to complete entrance counseling or complete a Master Promissory Note.
4. Apply for outside scholarships: There are countless college scholarships funded by individuals, companies, foundations and charitable organizations. You can learn more on our Outside Scholarships page.
5. Apply for Additional Loans (if necessary): If you need to take out an additional loan to cover costs, you could take out a PLUS Loan for Parents or Private Loan. Visit the Financial Aid Loans page for more information.
6. Update Housing Status (if applicable): Your financial aid offer will be based on the housing status you indicated on the FAFSA. Make sure to notify the Financial Aid office via the Request for Revision Form in your Student Center if you need to update your housing status.
7. Pay Tuition or Sign up for a Payment Plan: You will be able to pay tuition in full or enroll in a monthly payment plan. You can learn more on our Billing page.

 

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Financial Aid Appeals

If your financial situation has changed since submitting your FAFSA, or there are extenuating circumstances you would like us to consider, you can file a financial aid appeal.

More information about the appeal process for first year students will be available in January.