Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Cost of attendance for graduate programs at Dominican University will vary based on program tuition rates and a student’s enrollment. The total amount of financial aid a student can receive for the academic year is capped by the total cost of attendance. Visit Graduate Tuition, Fees and Expenses for graduate program tuition rates. 

Email the Office of Financial Aid if you need assistance in determining your costs.

Graduate-level Dominican University scholarships and assistantships may be available. For more information contact your graduate school directly and/or visit the following pages:

• Brennan School of Business
• School of Information Studies
• School of Social Work
• School of Education 

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching in a high-need field and in a low-income area. Contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions. 

Several scholarship search databases on the web can assist with locating scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans available through the private sector.

Eligible students working on a master’s or doctoral program can borrow up to $20,500 in unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans per academic year. Additional funds may be borrowed in the Direct PLUS Loan program. 

The total amount of financial aid a student can receive in an academic year is capped by a student's cost of attendance. The actual amount you are eligible to receive may be less than the maximum amount of $20,500. Once the FAFSA is received and the student is admitted, the Office of Financial Aid will send the student an award letter offering student loans. 

To accept, reduce or decline the loan offer, current graduate students should complete the online Student Loan Confirmation Form. 

If accepting the loans, students must complete online entrance counseling and master promissory note at studentaid.gov. The loan received will be reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and can be viewed by loan servicers, schools and other authorized users. Once students have ceased half-time enrollment they are also required to complete exit counseling at studentaid.gov.

The Graduate PLUS Loan is an additional loan for students working on a master's or doctoral program. The amount a student can borrow is capped by a student's cost of attendance. To request a Graduate PLUS Loan, students must complete an online credit check, master promissory, and entrance counseling for the Graduate PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov.

Private education loans may be available for students who do not meet the half-time enrollment or program requirements for federal loans. They can also help bridge any gap between the actual cost of your education and your federal loans. Some private lenders also offer private education loans for past due balances. View a partial listing of lenders that offer private educational loans. This list is not all-inclusive and students may select any participating lender of their choice. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Dominican email is the official means for communication within Dominican University. Students should check their email and review their eBill often, completing any necessary financial aid application forms and submitting them in a timely manner. 

Funds remaining in your student account after all charges have been paid will be refunded. Refunds are processed within 14 days of a loan disbursement. Loan disbursements begin each semester after the add/drop date has closed. The quickest way to receive a refund is to sign up for eRefund (direct deposit) by logging on to myDU, and going to the Student Tab>My Student Account>Online Payment Center. 

It is important to understand the academic policy for your graduate program to ensure you are meeting the standards of academic progress required for continued financial aid. Notify the Office of Financial Aid of changes to enrollment if you are receiving federal financial aid.