Grants and Loans
Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Grants
Grants are typically awarded on the basis of financial need. You are considered for the following most common types of grants when you fill out the FAFSA.
Federal Pell Grant
This grant from the federal government is awarded only to students who demonstrate financial need. Award amounts are determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status. Students continue to receive the Pell Grant as long as they still demonstrate financial need levels that make them eligible and do not reach their Pell lifetime limit award amount.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Program
SEOG is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate the most significant financial need, typically students with a $0 EFC. Awards are subject to availability of funds and range from $300–$1,600 per year.
MAP Grant
The state of Illinois’ Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides grants to Illinois residents attending colleges in the state. The maximum grant is currently $5,496. A student must have an Expected Family Contribution of less than $9,000 to be eligible for the MAP grant.
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 if you have any questions.
Loans
The university participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and which enables students enrolled at least half-time to borrow directly from the federal government.
Student Loans
Loans are an important part of financial aid packages. Yes, they must be repaid, but there are smart ways to borrow. For starters, the federal government student loans included in many aid package come with many benefits not typically offered with private bank loans.
Parent Loans
Parents of dependent students can also borrow from the federal government’s Parent PLUS Loan program.
Private Loans
Private education loans may available for students who do not meet the half-time enrollment or program requirements for federal loans. They can also help bridge the 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 you may select any participating lender of your choice. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Have a question?
Email the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@dom.edu or call (708) 524-6809 or (800) 828-8475 if outside the Chicago area.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Students interested in federal financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov. Dominican University's federal school code is 001750. When the Office of Financial Aid receives the results of your FAFSA, we will contact you with your next steps.
The 2020–2021 FAFSA is available now and if you will be enrolling in classes in the fall 2020 or spring 2021 term, you should complete it now.
Loans
Direct Stafford Loan
Eligible students working on a master’s or doctorate 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 or decline the loan, please 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 you receive will be reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and can be viewed by loan servicers, schools and other authorized users. Once you have ceased half-time enrollment you are also required to complete exit counseling at studentaid.gov.
Direct PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is an additional loan for students working on a master's or doctorate program. The amount a student can borrow is capped by a student's cost of attendance. To request a PLUS Loan, students must complete an online credit check, master promissory, and entrance counseling for the PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov.
Private Education Loans
Private education loans may available for students who do not meet the half-time enrollment or program requirements for federal loans. They can also help bridge the 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 you may select any participating lender of your choice. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Email the Office of Financial Aid if you need assistance in determining your costs.
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 if you have any questions.
Several scholarship search databases on the web can assist you in locating scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans available through the private sector.