Financial Aid Possibilities
Unless otherwise indicated, financial aid applies to the 2023-2024 academic year and is subject to change.
School of Graduate & Professional Studies Discounts
Messiah University offers many graduate program discounts to graduate degree and certificate seeking students. Visit the School of Graduate & Professional Studies Discount webpage for a current list of discounts. The Graduate Programs Discount Application must be submitted and renewed for most discounts each academic year for the discount to be applied to the student’s account.
TEACH Grants
Messiah University participates in the Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program which provides grants of up to $4000 a year to students who intend to teach in a "high-need" field at a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.
However, in order for the TEACH Grant to remain a grant and not convert to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the student must serve as a full-time teacher, in the TEACH Grant-eligible program for which they receive TEACH Grant funds, for a total of at least four academic years within eight calendar years of graduation. The student must also meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.25 in the year preceding the awarding of the grant monies.
Award amounts for any TEACH Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020, and before Oct. 1, 2024 is $3,772.
To apply for the TEACH Grant, follow these steps:
- Review requirements and terms and conditions here.
- Complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov (each academic year)
- Go to www.studentaid.gov, In School tab to complete TEACH Grant Counseling and Agreement to Serve or Repay (each academic year)
Student loans
A loan is a form of financial assistance that requires repayment. Repayment of principal typically begins six months after the student is no longer attending school. Graduate students have a variety of loans available to them. Most students find that their financial obligations can be met by the federal unsubsidized Direct Loan, but below is information about both federal and private loans.
Federal loans
Two types of non-need based federal loans are available to graduate students enrolled at least half-time. Both loans accrue interest while in school, with payments deferred until after the grace period (6 months after you become enrolled less than half-time or graduate). Messiah University defines half-time as 3-5 credits per semester.
Interest begins accruing as soon as each loan is disbursed. It is recommended that accrued interest be paid while you are in school, as this will greatly reduce your long-term loan debt.
In addition to the fixed interest rate, Direct Loans charges an origination fee that reduces the net amount of loan disbursed onto the student’s account. Federal loans generally offer lower interest rates than private loans, are guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and offer flexible repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs. To apply for one or both loans, see How to Apply for Aid. Additional information about federal student loans is available at https://studentaid.gov/.
1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan
The fixed interest rate for unsubsidized Direct Loans for the 2023-2024 academic year is 7.05% with a 1.057% origination fee.
Eligible full-time students may borrow up to $10,250 per semester with an aggregate limit of $138,500, which includes any Direct Loans borrowed while obtaining an undergraduate degree.
Since interest rates and fees are lower on unsubsidized Direct Loans, students are encouraged to take advantage of this loan before taking a Graduate PLUS loan.
2. Graduate PLUS Loan
The fixed interest rate for Graduate PLUS Loans for the 2023-2024 academic year is 8.05% with a 4.228% origination fee.
Eligible students may borrow up to the cost of attendance for the year – which can include some living expenses – minus other aid received. A simple credit check is required.
Most students find the unsubsidized Direct Loan meets all their financial needs. The Graduate PLUS Loan is helpful to students who have reached the aggregate limit of $138,500, or those with educational expenses that exceed $10,250 each semester.
Private student loans
Some private loan providers offer rates that are competitive with the Graduate PLUS Loan for applicants with excellent credit. There are also loans specific to MBA and health professional graduate students that may be worthwhile to research.
The terms and conditions of private student loans vary greatly. We recommend that you pay close attention to the eligibility criteria and terms, and be aware that not all private loans are available to graduate students. Elm Select provides a list of lenders other students have used.
Credible - You may also use this comparison site to see which lenders you qualify for and at what rates. Credible is a unique marketplace of student loan lenders, providing personalized, prequalified rates from multiple lenders. Credible allows you to compare loans from multiple providers side-by-side in under 2 minutes, including eligibility rules, rates, and terms.
Credible is not a lender or bank — Credible partners with student loan lenders so they can provide you with a variety of competitive options, enabling you to find the right loan product for your needs. Best of all, Credible is completely free! You can find out more about Credible and begin your process @ www.credible.com or call 866.540.6005.
Student Employment
Student work study positions
Opportunities for graduate students to be employed by Messiah University are limited to the Mechanicsburg campus and Winding Hill location. When funds and positions are available, work study assignments can be awarded to graduate students. To be considered for a work study position you must be:
- Degree-seeking,
- Enrolled full time,
- Available to work at the Mechanicsburg campus and Winding Hill location (hours vary with assignment).
Graduate students interested in work study employment should contact the following:
Graduate assistantships in higher education
Messiah University has a limited number of graduate assistantships for full-time degree-seeking students in the Master of Arts in higher education program. Graduate assistantships offer students the opportunity to put the theories, gained through classroom instruction, into practice through supervised, real-world experience. Each graduate assistantship offers a financial stipend commensurate with the expectations associated with the position. A graduate assistantship consists of 20 hours per week with an academic year stipend that equals tuition charged for 18 credits. Start and ending dates vary among assistantships. Students who receive graduate assistantships also pay full tuition, that is, tuition is not waived. Graduate assistants are eligible for student health insurance. To be eligible for a graduate assistantship, students must be enrolled full-time (15 academic units per calendar year) in the master's in higher education program and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Please click here to learn more.
Tuition Reimbursement/Employer Assistance
Graduate students who are eligible for employer reimbursement can defer payment of their reimbursed charges until after the end of the semester. The Deferred Tuition Payment Agreement must be completed by the student and employer. This is an agreement between the student and Messiah University. Federal regulations require students to notify the university of any reimbursement they will receive. These funds are considered when calculating financial aid eligibility for federal loans.
Veterans' Benefits
Messiah University is happy to welcome veterans and/or their family members to our community. The GI Bill® Veterans' benefits may be used by those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouses and dependents, and/or their surviving family members. Graduate students who plan to receive veterans' benefits to help pay for educational expenses should take the appropriate steps to confirm their eligibility with the VA. Once a student has received confirmation, they must submit a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility from the VA and a completed Veterans' Benefits Reporting Form (available on the Veterans' Benefits webpage) to the Financial Aid Office. Our School Certifying Official is Steve Gross and you may contact him at sgross@messiah.edu. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Private Scholarships
A scholarship is a form of financial assistance that does not need to be repaid. Students who are awarded private scholarships should notify Student Financial Services with the details of their scholarship.