Sources of Financial Aid

Federal Aid

Kuyper College is approved to participate in Title IV federal student aid programs. Funding is determined by the information given on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are several eligibility requirements a student must meet to be considered for federal funding:

• Demonstrate financial need according to federal methodology.
• Have a high school diploma, a GED, or have passed a test approved by the Department of Education.
• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking or eligible certificate program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Make satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution.
• Sign a statement of educational purpose and a certification statement on refunds and/or defaults.
  

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to students who qualify by completing the FAFSA. The award can be as much as $4,731 per year and is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
The Federal SEOG is available to students who qualify by being eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. These awards can be as much as $600 per year.

Federal Stafford Loans
Stafford Loans are available to all students who complete the FAFSA. There are two categories of a Federal Stafford Loan: subsidized and unsubsidized. With a subsidized loan, the government pays the interest while the student is in college. With an unsubsidized loan, the student is responsible for interest while in college. Payments for Federal Stafford Loans begin 6 months after the student drops below 6 credit hours or after graduation.

Federal Stafford Loan limits
Freshmen $3,500      Sophomores $4,500   Juniors/Seniors $5,500

Please note: Independent freshmen and sophomores may qualify for an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized loans. Juniors and seniors may qualify for an additional $5,000 in unsubsidized loans.

Kuyper College has a list of recommended lenders to choose from when applying for Federal Stafford Loans. Parents may borrow under the Federal Plus Loan Program on behalf of the student. Parents are eligible to borrow the cost of education minus aid based on creditworthiness.

Federal Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
The Federal ACG is available to students who are U.S. citizens, Pell eligible, registered full-time (either freshman or sophomore) and completed a "rigorus" high school program.

Alternative loans
These are available to any student and generally a co-signer is needed. Credit score and debt-to-income ratio are factors  in determining the approval of an alternative loan. There are many alternative loan programs available. Let us help you in finding the program that works best for you.

State Aid

The state of Michigan makes assistance available to its residents. State funding is mainly determined by information given on the FAFSA. This assistance includes:

The Michigan Tuition Grant (MTG)
A need-based award given to students attending private institutions and who qualify based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

The Michigan Competitive Scholarship (MCS)
A need and merit-based award given to students who qualify based on their EFC and ACT scores.

Michigan Merit Award (MEAP)
Given to students (up to 2006 graduates) who qualify based on results of MEAP testing during grades 8 through 11.

Michigan Promise Scholarship (MPS)
Starting with the class of 2007, this program will replace the MEAP/Merit award. It is based on students score on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).

Michigan Adult Part-Time Grant (APTG)
Given to independent students who have need - based on their FAFSA and due to outside responsibilities can attend college only on a part-time basis.

MichiganTuition Incentive Program (TIP)
Awarded to students who received medicaid assistance during their childhood or if the student is adopted.

Student Employment Programs (SEP)

Federal Work-Study Program
Funds for the Federal Work-Study Program come from the federal government. Students are awarded federal work-study money based on their financial need as determined by the completed FAFSA. Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to receive these funds.

Federal Community Service Work-Study Program
This program is a partnership between the federal government and Kuyper College. It’s based on financial need according to a student’s completed FAFSA. This program is meant to place eligible students in the community as volunteers. Although students may volunteer for an organization, they’re paid. The positions are primarily off campus. U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizenship status is required.

State Work-Study Program
Funding for this type of work-study is a partnership between the state of Michigan and Kuyper College. A student may be awarded state work-study funding if he or she is a Michigan resident. Eligibility is determined on the basis of a student’s completed FAFSA.

Kuyper College Student Employment Program
Kuyper College funds the SEP independently. The money is primarily awarded to Canadian and International students but is awarded to U.S. citizens who do not qualify for the above programs due to FAFSA determination. Only on campus positions are filled through this program.

A Student Employment Application must be completed if you would like to work on campus or community service work. Applications are to be submitted to the supervisor of the department you wish to work for. (See the Student Employment Handbook ).    

Please note: You must be registered for six or more credit hours and in good financial aid standing (not dismissed from financial aid) to be a student employee. (See the Kuyper College Catalog for details on these requirements.)

Equal Opportunity

Kuyper College is committed to assuring equal opportunity with respect to both education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, or disability. Kuyper College complies with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1973, and other applicable statutes.

Student Employment Application
Student Employment Handbook