Undergraduate Financial Aid
Below you'll find some of the most common questions undergraduate students have about financial aid, loans and applying for aid. We encourage you to review them, and we always welcome you to reach out to us with your questions.
Quinnipiac University’s FAFSA/Federal School Code is 001402.
Deadlines for financial aid applications:
Early Decision Applicants: December 1
Incoming Students: March 1*
Returning Students: April 1
*Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available October 1. Applicants are encouraged to file the FAFSA to apply for financial aid as early as possible.
No, Quinnipiac does not require the CSS Profile Form or any additional applications other than the FAFSA.
Students who apply early decision must have their admission applications filed by November 1 and check the box indicating that they want to be considered for our early decision admissions process.
There is no separate application necessary for merit scholarship consideration. You’ll be notified of any scholarship awards at the time of your acceptance. The scholarships are available to full-time, incoming first-year students and are worth $7,000 to $30,000 per year.
The financial aid office has a limited amount of resources to distribute as equitably as possible to all of our financial aid applicants. We do meet a percentage of calculated need, and most families supplement their EFC and unmet need through a variety of resources such as PLUS loans, alternative loans and payment plans.
Yes. You can file your FAFSA anytime after October 1, and our deadline to submit the FAFSA is March 1 (first-year applicants) and April 1 (returning applicants).
No. You may reduce the loan amount in the self-service portal by indicating the amount you wish to borrow and check the "accept" line to submit your change.
Yes. Students who need additional funds for off-campus housing can receive financial aid to cover these costs. However, it is important to note that landlords often require a security deposit, first-month's rent, etc. well before the start of the semester so students will need to make the appropriate arrangements prior to the receipt of their financial aid to secure their off-campus housing.
It is also important to note that financial aid is not credited to a student's account until the add/drop period of the semester has elapsed. After a student's registration status is confirmed, the financial aid and bursar's offices will work together to issue refund checks for these expenses once all University expenses are paid.
Yes. You may apply for financial aid once a semester has started. Keep in mind that all paperwork must be complete, your FAFSA results received by the university and your federal loans must be certified prior to the last date of enrollment for the academic period. Institutional funding is subject to availability.
Yes. Students who need additional funds for the purchase of a computer, books or the Quinnipiac health insurance plan may request that their COA be increased to allow for additional borrowing.
Quinnipiac does not offer grant aid for these purchases; however, any increase in loan funds will serve to repay you for these purchases. Returning students must provide proof to the Office of Financial Aid that a computer has been purchased in the academic year for which funds are being requested. Laptop computers are required for incoming students; therefore, anyone needing additional loan funds should notify the financial aid office.
Students taking between 12 and 16 credits are charged a flat, full-time fee for the semester. Students are charged a per-credit rate for anything over 16 credits. Our financial aid policy does not allow institutional grants to be awarded for charges above those of a full-time student. However, if a student brings these extra charges to our attention, we can increase the COA and consider the applicant for additional parent or student loans to assist.
Sometimes the grant funds you received last year are no longer available. Our office will award grant dollars from another program to meet the grant percentage for which you are eligible.
No two students or families are exactly alike, and therefore, no two financial aid packages are exactly the same. Families often overlook some of the mitigating factors that impact a student’s financial aid package such as merit, grade level, need, family size, number attending college, special circumstances, meeting deadlines, etc., all of which can factor into a student’s award.
Yes. Your educational costs and financial aid package will be re-evaluated for the abroad semester. Generally, your aid will remain the same unless there are specific policies for a particular fund that prohibit the use of aid for these purposes.
We always recommend you borrow the Federal Direct loans first, Parent PLUS loans second and all other private/alternative loans as a last resort.
Direct loan borrowing limits are set by the federal government and are based upon a student's grade level. PLUS loan borrowers (parents) can apply for amounts up to the difference between the cost of attendance less all aid offered.
All borrowers should secure funds annually and not on a semester by semester basis. Borrowing annually minimizes application time, processing time and assures that funds will be available for both semesters. It also avoids multiple credit reports which can often have an adverse effect on your credit score.
Rates and fees vary between loan programs and all students and parents are encouraged to learn more about loan options.
Yes. All PLUS loan borrowers must have a FAFSA on file.
Students whose parents are denied a PLUS can borrow an additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan based upon their grade level. Parent PLUS will notify the school of the credit denial for further processing.
Students with multiple loans and a high monthly payment may want to consider loan consolidation as an option.
We're here to help you understand your options. Please call, email, write or simply drop in to see us in the Office of Financial Aid.
We‘re here to help provide additional information and answer your questions about the financial aid process.