Primary Sources of Student Financial Assistance

The primary sources of student financial assistance include federal, state, and institutional aid. 

Types of Federal Aid

To determine eligibility for federal student aid, a student must first establish financial need. Need is established by completing the FAFSA. Federal need-based aid includes the Federal Pell Grant; the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant; the Federal Subsidized Direct Loan, and the Federal Work Study Program.

Federal Grants, Work Study, and Direct Loans

The student and the University are notified by the Student Aid Report and Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) if the student is eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. The amount of the grant is determined by a calculation by the department of education and the student's enrollment status. 

After Pell Grant eligibility is established, eligibility for other federal grants, Federal Work Study, and loans are determined. Financial need, classification, and dependency status determine the type(s) of loan(s) a student can receive.

Reinhardt University participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program. Eligible students can qualify for subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans

  • Subsidized loans: No interest or payments are due until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled, graduates, or drops below half-time status. 
  • Unsubsidized loans: Interest is due while in school or can accrue. 
  • The loan amount available is based on the student’s class level and other eligible aid received. 
  • To apply for student and/or parent loans, please visit our website: https://www.reinhardt.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/financial-aid-checklist/

Non-Need-Based Assistance

Non-need-based aid is awarded through the same process as described. If the student does not have un-met financial need, the student may be offered an Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan and/or the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loan). All students and parents are eligible to apply for these loans, regardless of financial need or income level.

The low-interest-rate Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans assist parents with educational expenses for a dependent child. Normal standards of creditworthiness are used to determine if a parent is accepted for the loan.

Loan Entrance/Exit Counseling for Borrowers

All first-time borrowers are required by the U.S. Department of Education to complete an “entrance loan counseling session” prior to receiving any loan funds. After completing loan entrance counseling, borrowers will have a better understanding of loan consolidation, repayment options, responsibilities of a borrower, and borrower rights.

Student loan borrowers are also required to complete an “exit loan counseling session” any time they are not enrolling for the next semester. Both of these loan counseling sessions can be completed online at: https://studentaid.gov.