Federal Financial Aid

Financial Aid consists of grants, scholarships, loans and Work-Study. To determine if you are eligible for federal aid you must file a Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). Learn how to file your FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grant
If you have not yet earned a bachelor's degree, you may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to students on the basis of need. A confirmed Federal Pell Grant is credited to your CIA student account in two equal installments. These grants range from $555 to $5,550 annually.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Similarly, if you have not yet received a bachelor's degree, you may be considered for a Federal SEOG. Grants are awarded on the basis of exceptional financial need. A confirmed Federal SEOG is credited to your CIA student account in two equal installments. Although these grants can range from $100 to $4,000, an average award at the CIA is $400 annually.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a student's education after high school. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. Direct loans are either subsidized are unsubsidized.

• Subsidized loans are awarded on the basis of financial need. If you qualify for a subsidized loan, the federal government pays interest on the loan until you begin repayment. Degree program students who demonstrate financial need may borrow up to $3,500 in their freshman year, up to $4,500 in their sophomore year, and up to $5,500 per year for their junior and senior years. Loan proceeds are disbursed in two equal installments credited to your CIA student account.
• Unsubsidized loans are not awarded on the basis of need. If you qualify for an unsubsidized loan, you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. You can choose to pay the interest or allow it to accumulate. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized—that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and will increase the amount you have to repay. If you pay the interest as it accumulates, you will repay less in the long run.
  • Dependent students in the degree programs may borrow $2,000 per year in addition to the amount awarded in a Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. Those dependent students in the degree programs who do not qualify for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan may borrow up to $5,500 in their freshman year, $6,500 in their sophomore year, and $7,500 in their junior and senior years. Dependent students whose parents are not approved for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan due to their credit are eligible for an additional $4,000.
  • Independent students in the degree programs may borrow up to $6,000 a year in their freshman and sophomore years and $7,000 per year in their junior and senior years, in addition to the amount awarded with the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. Independent students in the degree programs who do not qualify for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan may borrow up to $9,500 in their freshman year, $10,500 in their sophomore year, and $12,500 in their junior and senior years.

Federal Perkins Loan
The Financial Aid Office determines eligibility, giving priority to students with the greatest financial need. Priority is also given to students who have first applied for the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS. Students who have completed the financial aid application process by the start of the academic year will be considered. The amount will be determined at the beginning of the academic year and will be paid in two installments. Although these loans can range from $500 to $5,500, an average award at the CIA is $1,500 annually.

Federal Work-Study
You may apply for a Federal Work-Study position on campus if the Financial Aid Office determines you are eligible. The dollar amount of the award, however, is only an estimate of your expected earnings and is not deducted from your bill by the Bursar's Office. As a work-study-approved student, you find employment by applying for one of the jobs at the CIA, which are posted daily on the CIA Main Menu, and you receive a paycheck every other week. You may work up to 20 hours per week. Community service work-study positions are also available and may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office. Although preference for on-campus employment is given to work-study-approved CIA students, jobs are not guaranteed.

Veterans' Benefits
Veterans, and surviving family members of veterans whose deaths or disabilities were service-connected, are eligible for educational benefits while attending the CIA. Forms and information are available at all Veterans' Administration offices. The Registrar's Office may be contacted for further information.