The federal government offers a number of financial aid programs for college students. Federal student aid can cover expenses such as tuition, fees, room & board, books, supplies and transportation. This financial aid is available in the form of grants, earned aid and loans. Learn more about these types of federal aid below.
Grants
Federal aid that does not have to be repaid.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant from the federal government intended for undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. After the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed, the Department of Education sends you a Student Aid Report (SAR) or an Information Acknowledgement if you filed online. These documents will indicate if you are Pell eligible and it is important to review them for accuracy.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and is administered by FPU Student Financial Services. Funds are limited and eligibility is based in part by meeting the FPU priority FAFSA submission deadline of March 2nd.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants up to $3,764 per year, for students who are completing coursework needed to begin a career in teaching at Fresno Pacific (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education), and who agree to serve for at least four years as a full-time, highly qualified teacher in a high-need field, in a school serving low-income students.
Eligibility Requirements
- Agree to teach at a low-income elementary or secondary school, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education’s * Low-Income School Directory, AND
- Agree to teach in a high need subject area such as:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Bilingual education and English language acquisition
- Foreign Language
- Special Education
- Reading Specialist
- Self Contained Classroom (i.e. multiple subject)
- Agree to teach full-time for at least four years within eight years of completing the teaching program
- Meet first-year TEACH Grant determination GPA requirements
- Graduate/Credential students must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater
- Maintain GPA requirements of 3.25 for subsequent years
- Be enrolled in a high-need teaching program (high need subject areas vary by State and change annually).
Application Process
To apply for a TEACH Grant, students must:
- Complete a FAFSA for the academic year in which they are applying for the TEACH Grant;
- Submit a TEACH Grant Request Form each year to Student Financial Services as soon as possible
- Sign an “Agreement to Serve” each year that specifies the TEACH grant program service requirements at www.studentloans.gov
- Complete TEACH Entrance Counseling each year
- Complete TEACH Exit Counseling upon completing the teaching program
If eligible, the TEACH Grant award, combined with other financial aid assistance, cannot exceed the annual cost of attending Fresno Pacific.
Once a TEACH Grant is disbursed and you wish to cancel all or a portion of these funds, you must provide the Student Financial Services with a cancellation request no later than 14 days from the date of disbursement.
If the recipient fails to complete any of the requirements of the TEACH Grant Program, the grant will be converted into a federal direct unsubsidized student loan that the student must pay back, with interest accruing from the date the funds were disbursed. Once a grant becomes a loan, it stays a loan. Failure of satisfying TEACH Grant requirements can include:
NOT teaching in a high need subject area NOT teaching at a designated low-income school NOT teaching full-time for four years within eight-years of completing the teaching program
General TEACH Grant information
TEACH Grant recipients are required to show that they are meeting the terms of the TEACH Grant program by obtaining verification from the school site administrator each year during their full-time employment in a high-need subject area and at a low-income school. There is no credit for part-time teaching or partial fulfillment of service.
If you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant Program at Fresno Pacific University, please contact the Student Financial Services at 559-453-2041.
Earned Aid
Awarded to the student but earned through employment.
Federal College Work-Study Program (FWS)
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides part- time jobs for students with financial need to help them pay for their education. It's designed to put you to work in the community or in a job related to your studies, whenever possible. The program is administered by FPU Student Financial Services. Funds are limited and eligibility is based on need and in part by meeting the FPU priority FAFSA submission deadline of March 2. The amount of FWS indicated on your award is the maximum amount you may earn for the academic year. Funds are paid monthly on the basis of hours worked in the pay period not to exceed 20 hours per week.
Loans
Federal aid that must be repaid.
Federal Direct Ford Loan Program
Direct Stafford Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan {Direct Loan) Program, are low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education {the Department) at participating schools. The maximum yearly amount for any combination of Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford/federal loan is set by the federal government.
Important Changes to the Federal Direct Loan Program-Federal Student Loan Interest Rates have changed effective July 1, 2014. Interest rates on student loans are now tied to the 10-year Treasury note plus 2.05 percentage points for undergraduates, and 3.6 percentage points for graduate student loans. Parent and Grad PLUS loans are at plus 4.6 percentage points. These rates will vary on a yearly basis based on the legislation that was passed. Current interest rates are listed in the Federal Loan Details chart below.
The Subsidized Federal Direct Ford Loan is need-based with the government paying the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled. Effective July 1, 2013 there will be a limit on the amount of time that a student is allowed to borrow subsidized loan funds which will be tied to their program length. Students that exceed 150% of their program length will no longer be eligible to receive subsidized loan funds, regardless of any extensions granted based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal process through Student Financial Services. For a standard program 270 credits is the limit. For more information on Maximum Timeframe standards, please visit our Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Ford Loan is non-need-based with the student being responsible for paying the interest while enrolled. Students may choose to defer the interest by having it added to the principal, which is called capitalization.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
The PLUS is a federal loan borrowed by the parent on behalf of a dependent student to assist with educational expenses. Students are awarded the maximum amount they are personally eligible to receive, after which PLUS loans are automatically offered to the parents of dependent students to meet the cost of attendance. As with all loans, you are not required to take it. Parents are required to complete a FAFSA application to be eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan, and the parent must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note (MPN) on the Federal Loan website. The PLUS is a non-need based loan and payment can be deferred while the student is attending school at least half-time, but interest will continue to accrue.
* Important note about Parent PLUS loan applications: The PLUS loan application for the next academic year becomes available in May. If you attempt to apply prior to that date you will be told that FPU does not participate in the program. Rest assured, FPU does participate in the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan program. Applications for parent PLUS loan requires a credit check each time the parent applies for the loan and is only valid for 90 days. Applying too early may cause delays with processing and disbursements. Students can review their file status by logging into their Sunbird Central account.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Grad PLUS is a federal loan offered to graduate and professional students in addition to Direct Loan eligibility to help cover education expenses. You are required to complete a FAFSA application to be eligible for a Direct Grad PLUS Loan, and the parent must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note (MPN) on the Federal Loan website. The PLUS is a non-need based loan and payment can be deferred while you are attending school at least half-time, but interest will continue to accrue.
Federal Loan Details
Type Details Current Interest Rate Direct Subsidized Loan For undergraduates with financial need enrolled at least half-time
No interest charged while in school at least half-time and during deferment periods
Repayment begins 6 months after graduation or dropping below half time enrollment2.75% - undergraduate
(Effective July 1, 2020. Rates subject to change yearly based on variable rate changes)
Direct Unsubsidized Loan For undergraduate & graduate students enrolled at least half-time
Student is responsible for interest that accrues during all periods
Repayment begins 6 months after graduation or dropping below half time enrollment2.75% undergraduate
4.30% graduate
(Effective July 1, 2020. Rates subject to change yearly based on variable rate changes)
Direct Parent PLUS Loan For parent of dependent undergraduate students Financial need is not required
Student must be enrolled at least half-time and must be a dependent undergraduate student
Parent of dependent undergraduate student must not have adverse credit history
Borrower is responsible for interest during all periods5.30%
(Effective July 1, 2020. Rates subject to change yearly based on variable rate changes)
Direct Graduate PLUS Loan For graduate or professional students Financial need is not required
Student must be enrolled at least half-time Student must not have adverse credit history
Borrower is responsible for interest during all periods5.30%
(Effective July 1, 2020. Rates subject to change yearly based on variable rate changes)
Federal Loan Program Amounts
Federal Loan Type Award Academic Year Limits Aggregate Limit Direct Subsidized Loan $3,500 for 1st year (0-29 credits)
$4,500 for 2nd year (30-59 credits)
$5,500 for 3rd & 4th year (60+ credits)$23,000 total Direct Unsubsidized Loan $2,000 for dependent students
$6,000 for 1st &2nd year independent students (0-59 credits)
$7,000 for 3rd& 4th year independent students (60+ credits)
$20,500 for Graduate students$31,000 dependent student
$34,500 independent student
$138,500 Graduate studentOverall Aggregate Limits If the total loan amount you receive over the course of your education reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional loans. However, if you repay some of your loans to bring your outstanding loan debt below the aggregate loan limit, you could then borrow again, up to the amount of your remaining eligibility under the aggregate loan limit. $31,000 for dependent and $57,500 for independent undergraduates (No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). Direct Parent PLUS Loan Up to remaining cost of attendance after student award. No aggregate limit Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Up to remaining cost of attendance after unsubsidized loan award. No aggregate limit The U.S. Department of Education has authorized Fresno Pacific University to administer federal loan programs under Title IV funding.