For need-based financial assistance, the contribution toward college costs expected from you is calculated according to a federally mandated system called federal-need analysis, which takes into account many factors representing your financial situation.
To receive financial aid, you must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credits per quarter in a program leading to a degree or the residency teacher, principal certificate, school superintendent certification, program administrator certificate, school counseling certification, analytical skills in business certificate, business systems & strategy certificate, human resources management certificate, impact entrepreneurship certificate, information systems certificate, managing organizations certificate, responsible leadership certificate, data analytics basics certificate, or data analytics programming certificate.
Application Process
To apply for need-based financial aid through Seattle Pacific University, you must do the following:
Application Deadlines
Seattle Pacific does not have a deadline for financial aid applications for graduate students. However, it is to your advantage to apply as early as possible.
The SPU financial-aid year is summer through spring.
Financial Aid Offer
Students qualifying for financial aid receive an offer of financial assistance containing information regarding their eligibility for various kinds of aid. The amount and type of aid varies from student to student and from year to year depending upon a student’s eligibility and level of enrollment.
Disbursement of Financial Aid
Once you have completed the financial aid application/award process and fulfilled all the requirements listed on the offer of financial assistance, these funds will be applied to your tuition account in the following manner:
- Once you have completed a Direct Loan master promissory note (MPN) and entrance counseling, the funds will be automatically applied to your student account.
- Once you have completed a Grad PLUS Loan master promissory note (MPN) and entrance counseling, the funds will be automatically applied to your student account.
- As long as you are enrolled and credit approved for the appropriate number of credits, scholarships and grants will disburse into your student account.
Programs and Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships
Limited graduate assistantship funds are available each school year. These part-time employment positions are not considered a part of your financial aid award. Contact the appropriate graduate director regarding eligibility, open positions and to obtain a Graduate Assistant Agreement (GAA) form.
Financial Aid Programs
Church-Match Scholarships
SPU church-match scholarships up to $500 are awarded to students who are awarded a scholarship from an organized Christian church or missionary organization in the United States or Canada as a result of a scholarship section process. Contact Student Financial Services for further information.
SPU Endowed Gifts and Scholarships
Contact your respective graduate school program coordinator to learn more about endowed gifts and scholarship opportunities that may be available to you.
Outside Scholarships
Scholarship and grant directories are available in SPU’s Ames Library and in public libraries. Suggested resources include:
The Student Financial Services website, has many other resources available.
Federal Direct Loans
To receive a federal direct loan, borrowers must submit a FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements as established by the U.S. Department of Education. Fully admitted and probationally admitted graduate and professional students may borrow up to $20,500 in unsubsidized loans annually. Provisionally-admitted graduate students may borrow up to $12,500 in unsubsidized loans annually. The maximum outstanding total Direct Loan debt is $138,500 for a graduate or professional student (including loans for undergraduate study). No more than $65,500 of this aggregate amount may be in the form of subsidized loans.
Clinical Psychology doctoral students may borrow up to $33,000 (nine-month academic year) or $37,167 (12-month academic year) annually in unsubsidized direct loans for a maximum outstanding total subsidized and unsubsidized direct-loan debt of $224,000.
The federal direct loan interest rate for graduate students is fixed and determined annually. Information about interest rates is available at StudentAid.gov. Interest begins accruing immediately on unsubsidized loans; any unpaid interest will capitalize (be added to the loan principal) at repayment. Repayment begins at the conclusion of the six-month grace period following graduation, withdrawal or a drop to less than half-time enrollment.
Additional information regarding types of payment plans and deferments is available on the loan master promissory note and from the Direct Loan program.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
You may request a Direct Grad PLUS loan up to the cost of attendance minus current financial assistance. You must complete the FAFSA and utilize your Federal Direct loan eligibility.
Direct Grad PLUS loans are made through the U.S. Department of Education. Any student is eligible to apply who satisfies the eligibility requirements as established by the U.S. Department of Education.
Eligibility also depends on a credit check to determine whether the borrower has adverse credit history. Interest begins accruing immediately and is fixed and determined annually. Information about interest rates is available at StudentAid.gov. Direct Grad PLUS loans will receive in-school deferment while the student borrower is enrolled at least half-time and a six-month grace period beginning the day after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
TEACH Grant Program
The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program benefits current and prospective teachers who agree to teach full time for four years in a federally designated eligible school. This grant is available to students in the ARC, AMAT, AMTMS, and MAT programs, seeking/intending to receive endorsements in math, science, a foreign language, bilingual education, special education, or as a reading specialist.
The funds from this program are automatically credited to your student account at the beginning of each quarter, provided the following:
- All requested documents have been submitted to Student Financial Services.
- You are registered for the number of credits upon which your financial aid award was based.
- Verification (if required) has been completed.
- You continue to meet the grant requirements.
Washington State Teacher Programs
The Washington Student Achievement Council has grant and conditional scholarship opportunities for future teachers. This is free funding that will either be awarded based off of need or based off of a future employment promise. Awards are up to $8,000 annually.
Student Employment
Federal Work Study: On campus — This work study provides part-time employment opportunities for students on campus. Graduate students must have applied for financial aid and must request to be considered for federal work study through Student Financial Services.
State Work Study: Off campus — Graduate students must have applied for financial aid, be Washington state residents, and must request consideration for State Work Study through Student Financial Services. This program is sponsored by the State of Washington, and the participating employers are reimbursed by the state for a portion of the wages they pay work-study students.
Note: The combination of all your sources of financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and work study) cannot exceed the cost of attendance as determined by SFS.
