» Financial Aid for Students in Non-Traditional Programs

During the undergraduate part of the program, aid is handled by the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid. Information about aid from Chapman, federal and state grants, and student loans can be found on the website for the Undergraduate Financial Aid office. Questions regarding eligibility while considered an undergraduate student should be directed to the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office.

Students in the APEx program are considered undergraduates for the first 2 years of their program, and are considered graduate students for the 3rd/4th/5th years.

For Integrated Programs students move to the graduate level once they have completed their undergraduate degree requirements, and their degree has been conferred. Students should work with their program advisor to make sure they are aware of when this transition will happen, and plan accordingly. 

Once students have officially moved from undergraduate to graduate, they can no longer receive undergraduate aid, including institutional awards (ie Chapman Grant, etc), Pell Grants, Subsidized Direct Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans.

Once a student is considered to be in their graduate program, aid is handled by the Office of Graduate Financial Aid. Aid at the graduate level is quite different from what students may be eligible for as undergraduates. One significant difference is how scholarship funding is handled. Any aid from Chapman would come from the academic department. These funds may be limited. Students can inquire with their academic program regarding any possible fellowship funding. More information about fellowship funding for graduate students can be found here. 

Federal student aid eligibility changes as well. Graduate students are considered "independent", and are no longer required to include parent data on the FAFSA. Graduate students can receive an increased amount of Unsubsidized Direct Loan ($20,500 for graduate programs, up to $37,167 for Pharm D) per aid year. The Grad PLUS Loan (a credit-based federal student loan) can be used to cover the rest of the Cost of Attendance. More information on the federal loans can be found here. 

Private student loans may also be an option for students who are interested. More information on these loans can be found here.  

Q: How do I fill out my FAFSA for my time in the graduate program?

A: You will indicate that you will be completing a "graduate/professional degree", and indicate that you have completed your bachelor's degree (even if you don't technically have it yet). You will be considered independent, so you do not need to include parent information. 

Q: I finish my undergraduate program at the end of fall, and I start my graduate program in the spring. What do I do if my aid package was originally set up as an undergraduate for both fall and spring?

A: Remember that once you are officially a graduate student your aid changes, even if you were originally offered undergraduate aid for the full year. Aid offers are revised once we are notified that your status is changing to graduate. Your first step is to reach out to the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office to let them know of the change, so they can cancel your spring undergraduate aid. Once your undergraduate degree has been conferred, the Graduate Financial Aid Office can adjust your FAFSA and offer you graduate level aid. We will work together to make this process smooth, but we ask that you keep in contact with both offices while the transition occurs.

Q: I finish my undergraduate program at the end of spring, and I start my graduate program in summer. Do I need to change my FAFSA?

A: No. Updating your FAFSA to reflect your status as a graduate student too soon could cause issues with your undergraduate aid. Your FAFSA should not be changed until your undergraduate degree has been conferred. The Office of Graduate Financial Aid monitors this process and makes the corrections, so you do not need to do anything. Just keep in mind that the timing of degree conferral means that you won't receive your aid package for the summer term until at least late May. 

Q: I'm in the teaching credential/master's program? Can I get Cal Grant and/or the Golden State Teacher Grant?

A: Maybe! Students pursuing a teaching credential as part of their program may be eligible to receive some California state funding if they meet the eligibility requirements and funds are available. You can find more information about the application process and deadline information at CSAC (California Student Aid Commission).