Quinnipiac University
Three students walk across the Quinnipiac quad in the autumn

Managing Student Finances

Ways to Help Pay for College

You’ve already taken the first and most important step in choosing Quinnipiac to deliver a high-quality education. Students and families often inquire about the best ways to help finance a Quinnipiac University education. Find some tips to help make completing your degree as affordable as possible.

Things to Consider in Financing Your Education

1

File Your FAFSA Early

Don’t wait until you are admitted. Before you can be considered for federal, state and institutional aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Completing your application early helps streamline the review and awarding process and also gives you the information you need to make financial decisions for the coming semester. The preferred deadline for filing your financial aid application:

  • Early Decision Applicants: December 1
  • Incoming Students: March 1
  • Returning Students: April 1

Applications received after these dates are awarded on a funds-available basis.

Apply for Undergraduate Financial Aid

Apply for Graduate Financial Aid

2

Apply for Scholarships and Grants

Completing the FAFSA allows you to maximize your federal, state, private and institutional grant and scholarship aid opportunities.

Learn more about scholarships and grants

3

Research Outside Scholarships

Many outside entities offer scholarships to students. Avoid scholarships that require an application fee or sweepstake-type offers. No reputable organization will require either of these to apply for a scholarship. If you are an incoming student, check with your guidance office for a listing of local scholarships in your area. The financial aid office at Quinnipiac also maintains a book of local scholarships, or students can search online.

Learn more about outside scholarships

4

Payment Plans

We strongly urge families to utilize personal resources before borrowing, which can help minimize the amount of loan debt acquired for a college education. To help families manage their tuition payments, the university offers a variety of interest-free payment plans, which enable you to spread the balance over each term.

Tuition Payment Programs

5

Seek Employment

Many students help to pay for college expenses through work-study programs, paid internships or part-time employment during the semester, summer and winter breaks.

Explore work opportunities and stipends

6

Borrow Wisely

Educational loans are readily available at competitive interest rates, and families often consider borrowing to help pay some of the costs of a college education. We suggest that you consider loan options in the following order: federal student loans, federal parent loans, private educational loans. It is vital to keep student loan debt to a minimum.

Learn more about loans

7

Be a Leader

Sophomores, juniors and seniors can earn stipends in exchange for taking leadership roles on campus, which include: becoming an RA, serving in student government, serving as a team manager for one of our varsity sports teams, managing the student newspaper or managing the student radio station.

Learn more about paid leadership positions

8

Research Employer Benefits

Some companies offer scholarships to children of their employees. Also, parents who work on a college campus may qualify for tuition exchange benefits. Go to tuitionexchange.org for a complete listing of participating institutions.

9

Check the Financial Aid Website

There are a variety of ways to help pay educational costs. Explore our many resources and benefits, including VA benefits, ROTC, educational tax credits, community-service opportunities, state scholarships and employer benefits.

Explore additional resources