US
Financial Aid - Albright College
Financial Aid - Albright College
Financial Aid
Assistance to invest in your education
Albright College offers an aggressive financial aid policy that makes it a leader among similar private colleges in the region. This commitment enables families to choose Albright based on academic and extracurricular opportunities rather than cost. Albright is invested in our students’ success, and our goal is to make the financial aid process as easy as possible for every student and their family.
A vital step for all students is to complete and submit your
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
. This U.S. Department of Education document is required to determine your eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid, including grants, loans and on-campus student jobs. You should complete your FAFSA before (or soon after) submitting your college enrollment applications.
Albright College’s FAFSA code is 003229.
The
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
offers a helpful financial aid guide for students and families, which is available in
and
Spanish
. Students should also consider the many scholarships and awards that Albright offers eligible students, which you can
review here
The information on this page is beneficial to understand and manage your financial aid tasks and deadlines, but please know our financial aid staff is eager to answer your questions and help you navigate the process. If you have concerns or if your financial situation has changed, please don’t hesitate to email us at
finaid@albright.edu
or call 610-921-7515.
Financial Aid for First-Year Students
Financial Aid for Returning Students
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
Financial Aid for International Students
Financial Aid for Online Students
Scholarships & Awards
To acknowledge your efforts and to reward you for your accomplishments, we offer a variety of scholarships and awards with amounts totaling as much as $22,000 per year.
Explore Scholarships & Awards
Student Accounts
The Student Accounts Office partners with students to manage billing and develop financial plans that support timely degree completion and financial success.
Student Accounts & Billing
Financial Aid Forms
Grants
Loans
Employment
Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
Code of Conduct
FAQs
A number of grants are available through Albright College, the federal and state governments, and other sources. Grants are awarded based on financial need.
Albright College Trustee Grants
Albright College gives Trustee Grants on the basis of financial need. These funds originate from several sources, including funds donated to the college.
Federal Government Grants
Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants are given by the federal government on the basis of financial needs. Both of these programs can change from year to year based on the family’s financial circumstances. The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant is need-based and is given until the federal fund has been exhausted.
State Grants
Students who are Pennsylvania residents could be eligible for a Pennsylvania State Grant through the
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA)
. Typically, the application for the PA State grant is initiated when a student from Pennsylvania submits a valid FAFSA. PHEAA has a strict filing deadline of May 1 prior to the start of each academic year.
Students who are not Pennsylvania residents could be eligible for similar state grant aid programs in their home state. Not all surrounding states allow the student to receive state aid when attending a Pennsylvania institution. For more information about these aid programs, including eligibility requirements and filing deadlines, please contact your high school guidance office or the corresponding state agency that manages the aid programs in your home state.
Children of Fallen Heroes Act
Under this scholarship, beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible SAI and continues to be an eligible student. If you feel you qualify for this program, please contact the Financial Aid Office directly at
finaid@albright.edu
or 610-921-7515.
Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program
Created by Act 16 of 2019, this program seeks to remove barriers in accessing post-secondary education for youth who are or have been in foster care. This will allow eligible foster youth to complete their studies, graduate with less debt, and have the opportunity to build a network of support. To see if you qualify, please read the
FosterEd Student Brochure.
Veterans Benefits Administration
After your acceptance to Albright, you can obtain your educational benefits by applying through the
U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA)
. Once you confirm eligibilty for your benefits, provide your Certificate of Eligibilty (or Notice of Basic Eligibilty) to the registrar's office via email to
egistrar@albright.edu
. If you need assistance, contact
va@albright.edu
State, Federal, or Outside Tuition Grant Assistance
All students receiving grant assistance from other institutions and/or states, must notify the Financial Aid Office. Tuition grants received from other institutions for tuition or from states other than Pennsylvania will be used to meet any unmet need in the financial aid package. However, if a need-based grant is awarded by Albright before we are informed of the outside tuition grant award eligibility, the need-based aid from Albright may be subject to change. Albright will allow our academic scholarship awards to be used for charges associated with tuition as well as room and board.
Once you complete your FAFSA, you will be notified of which loans you qualify for and how much money you are eligible to borrow.
Federal Direct Student Loans
A Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling must be completed to receive Federal Direct Student Loan funds. You may complete these steps
online.
There are two types of Federal Direct Student Loans
Direct Subsidized Loan
is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged interest before you enter into repayment. The federal government will pay the interest while you are in school at least half-time or during periods of deferment.
Direct Unsubsidized Loan
is not awarded on the basis of need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. If you are a dependent student whose parents do not qualify for a Federal PLUS Loan, or you are an independent student, you may qualify for an additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
Application for this parent loan is a two-step process
after the student's FAFSA has been submitted
. It requires the biological parent to complete a loan request (credit check) and the Master Promissory Note (MPN). These two steps must be completed before the loan can be certified by Albright College. We recommend submitting this application
after July 1
- and applying for a full-year loan rather than one semester, as the loan amount will be split into two equal disbursements.
A parent can apply for this loan by logging into
Studentaid.gov
, using their own FSA account information. Once logged in, click on 'I'm a parent' and then 'Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan,' and complete all required information for the credit check. Once that is approved, the parent must complete the Master Promissory Note information and submit the loan application.
All loan funds will be credited to the student's account in two equal disbursements, one for each semester.
Private Student Loans
Educational loans are available through private lenders and are typically in the student's name, with a required credit-worthy co-signer. Review loans like this at
Elm Select
Entrance Counselling for Federal Loans
Exit Counseling for Student Borrowers
Preferred Lender Lists and Arrangements
The entrance counseling requirment ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You'll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. To begin click
here
Every student who receives Federal Loans are required to complete Exit Counseling upon their graduation or when they leave school. This is a mandatory federal requirement. For more information click
here
Federal Loans:
Federal PLUS Loan
Through this program, parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to the total cost of education, less any financial aid received. Graduate and professional students are also eligible to borrow under this program. Parents of Dependent undergraduate students can apply for the Parent PLUS Loan at
www.studentloans.gov
with their social security number and FSA ID.
Private Student Loans:
Before applying for private student loans, undergraduate and graduate students should have filed a FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov. Make sure to maximize your federal and state aid options before applying for additional loans. Borrowers and co-signers should review and compare information about interest rates, fees, loan terms and repayment terms. Interest rates are often determined by the credit history of borrower and/or co-signer. During the application process, selecting options such as in-school deferment and repayment schedule can directly affect interest rates. For specific questions, please contact the lenders directly.
A list of lenders can be found at
www.elmselect.com
Interest Free Monthly Payment Plans:
Albright College offers a monthly payment plan option. Additional information about payment plans can be found
here
The Federal Work-Study Program is designed to help students earn money during the academic year for books, supplies, and other expenses. You can see the current student jobs openings
here
. If you have questions, contact Albright Human Resources Coordinator Erin Treitl at
etreitl@albright.edu
Students must have a FAFSA on file to be reviewed for Federal Work-Study eligibility. Students who are not eligible for Federal Work Study can still obtain an on-campus position and can apply at the above link.
If you are convicted for a drug offense that occurs while you are a student is receiving federal Title IV aid, you may experience a loss of your eligibility for federal financial assistance. This information satisfies the University’s requirement to notify you under a separate and concise notice:
Federal law provides that a student who has been convicted of an offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving financial aid shall not be eligible to receive any federal or institutional grant, loan or work assistance during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following:
Possession, First Offense, 1 year of ineligibility
Possession, Second Offense, 2 years of ineligibility
Possession, Third Offense, indefinite period of ineligibility
Sale, First Offense, 2 years of ineligibility
Sale, Second Offense, indefinite period of ineligibility
A student whose eligibility has been suspended based on a conviction for possession or sale of a controlled substance may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period if:
The student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that:
complies with the criteria prescribed in the federal regulations; and,
includes two unannounced drug tests
The student successfully passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program that complies with the criteria prescribed in federal regulations; or, the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.
No action will be taken by financial aid staff that is for their personal benefit or could be perceived to be a conflict of interest.
Employees within the financial aid office will not award aid to themselves or their immediate family members. Staff will reserve this task to an institutionally designated person, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The preferred lender list is compiled without prejudice and for the sole benefit of the students attending the institution. The information included about lenders and loan terms will be transparent, complete, and accurate. The complete process through which preferred lenders are selected will be fully and publicly disclosed. Borrowers will not be auto-assigned to any particular lender.
A borrower’s choice of a lender will not be denied, impeded, or unnecessarily delayed by the institution, even if that lender is not included on the institution’s preferred lender list.
No amount of cash, gift, or benefit in excess of a de minimis amount shall be accepted by a financial aid staff member from any financial aid applicant (or his/her family), or from any entity doing business with or seeking to do business with the institution (including service on advisory committees or boards beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses directly associated with such service).
Information provided by the financial aid office is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
Institutional award notifications and/or other institutionally provided materials include the following:
A breakdown of individual components of the institution’s Cost of Attendance, designating all potential billable charges.
Clear identification of each award, indicating type of aid, i.e. gift aid (grant, scholarship), work, or loan.
Standard terminology and definitions
Renewal requirements for each award.
All required consumer information is displayed in a prominent location on Albright web site(s) and in any printed materials, easily identified and found, and labeled as “Consumer Information.”
Financial aid professionals will disclose to their institution any involvement, interest in, or potential conflict of interest with any entity with which Albright has a business relationship.
Do my costs increase each year?
How am I billed?
How do I know what aid I will receive?
How is aid determined?
What if I need additional money?
Is my aid guaranteed in future years?
Do I have to apply for aid every year?
When should I apply for aid?
What does my enrollment status need to be?
What about loans?
Do I have to take out loans?
How much can I borrow?
What about private/alternative student loans?
Do I have to work if I am eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS)?
Can I receive outside scholarships?
What happens if I receive outside scholarship funds?
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
What if I withdraw from school?
What happens if my family’s situation changes?
How can I be an independent student?
Do I need to apply for the FAFSA every year?
Although the goal of Albright College is to keep its cost of education as minimal and as affordable as possible, the reality of higher education is that the costs may increase from year to year.
Students are billed on a semester basis by the
Student Accounts Office
. Students are notified by that office when and where the billing statement is available on the online portal. Annual, direct (billable) costs are normally divided in half for each semester. Questions regarding billing or a student's account should be directed to the Student Accounts office at (610) 921-7777 or
studentaccounts@albright.edu
Students receive information about their merit scholarships in their acceptance letter from the Admissions Office. Once eligible students apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Financial Aid Office will send an Aid Offer Letter to the student detailing their aid eligibility, requirements and options.
A student's financial aid is based on the results and the analysis of the information that was submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Albright College uses this federal methodology to calculate eligibility for all federal, state and institutional aid programs.
If you need additional funds, please contact the College’s Financial Aid Office immediately. Although we cannot guarantee more aid, we can guarantee that we will do our best to assist you!
Since there are so many variables that determine aid eligibility from one year to the next, we cannot give any guarantees regarding future aid eligibility. However, if your family's financial and household information remains relatively constant from year to year, and you are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), you can estimate that you will receive a similar aid offer each year, assuming that you meet application deadlines and requirements.
If you want federal financial aid, you must apply and complete the FAFSA each year that you plan to be enrolled in school. The FAFSA, however, is not required for renewal of institutional, merit scholarships.
The FAFSA can be completed
on or after October 1st of each year
. If you are a Pennsylvania resident, the deadline for applying for state grant consideration through the FAFSA is
May 1st of each year
. Non-Pennsylvania residents should check with their state agency for their deadlines.
A student must be enrolled full-time (12 credits per semester) to be eligible for Albright College funding, including merit scholarships. Less than full-time enrollment may qualify you for federal and/or state grants. Student loans require at least half-time (6 credits) enrollment.
Educational loans are a reality for many students and families in higher education. The most highly recommended are the Federal Direct Student Loan and the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. These federally backed loan programs offer families affordable interest rates and various repayment options.
A student always has the choice to accept or decline a financial aid offer, including loans. Educational loans are an investment in one's future. As such, we encourage our students and their parents to carefully consider their loan options and to borrow only what is necessary.
Since educational loans are for educationally related expenses only, there are limits to how much a student and/or parent can borrow. For federal loans,
see Loan Amount Limits
on the FAFSA site to check student loan guidelines. A student's total aid, including all loans, can never exceed the institution's estimated cost of attendance.
Students and parents are encouraged to exhaust all federal loan programs prior to considering private, alternative loans. For more information on private loans, you can use
ElmSelect
as a useful resource to begin your search. We also have a private/alternative loans resource form to assist with what you should look for to make the best financial decision for you.
If you are eligible for Federal Work-Study (FWS), you are notified of this on your Aid Offer Letter, but you are under no obligation to accept or participate in the program. If you choose to participate in the program, please know that there are limited jobs and employment is not guaranteed. The FWS amount is based on potential earnings and is neither reflected nor deducted on your student bill/account.
Please contact the
Human Resources Department
for additional information, including available positions and job placement.
Students are encouraged to pursue as many scholarships as possible to assist with educational expenses. Please note that students can only be awarded up to their Cost of Attendance (COA). Any scholarships that involve payment should be avoided.
The policy of Albright College is that a student's total gift aid cannot exceed the College's Cost of Attendance. If a student receives scholarship funding which in addition to previously awarded aid exceeds these costs, or if they have need based funds and now, they exceed the student's demonstrated financial need, then adjustments may be made to the financial aid offer/package. These adjustments could include the reduction of institutional scholarships and/or grants.
The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is explained in detail on the website. Basically, it means that all students are required to maintain a pace of completion, a cumulative GPA and length of program requirement to remain eligible for all federal, state and institutional aid programs. Failure to do so may result in the loss of financial aid. For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
If a student withdraws from the College, federal, state and institutional regulations require that we determine whether a refund is due to any aid program and/or to the student. This standard refund calculation is performed once the student notifies the institution of the withdrawal. A revised aid notice will be sent to the student detailing the results of this calculation. Please note that, if you decide to transfer to another school, your financial aid does not transfer with you. You must apply for aid at your new school.
Normally, all information from the FAFSA is based upon the family's prior financial information. Under certain unique situations (e.g., death, disability, divorce, separation, loss or reduction of
income), aid administrators can reconsider aid eligibility based on these new circumstances. The Special Circumstances Application is available on this website under
Financial Aid Forms
. Questions regarding this should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at (610) 921-7669.
To be declared independent for financial aid purposes, a student must fall into at least one of the following categories: be 24 years of age or older; be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program of study; be legally married; have children or dependents that you provide more than half of their support; be a veteran or active member of the U. S. Armed forces; be an orphan, ward of the court, emancipated minor or in a legal guardianship; are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless. Per federal regulations, financial independence, parental refusal to cooperate in the aid process, living on one's own or not being claimed on the parent's federal tax return do not make a student independent.
Yes, the FAFSA needs to be completed every year.
Selwyn Hall
Office of Financial Aid
School:
610-921-7515