Financial Aid Orientation

As a graduate student with life responsibilities, how do you fund this academic adventure? Student Financial Services is here to help you reach your goal of attaining a graduate degree, and ultimately help you make an impact on your world.

Admission to a graduate program is required before applying for aid. Make sure you:

1. Enroll in at least 3 credits (or half-time) toward a degree or eligible certificate (principal certificate, school superintendent certificate, program administrator certificate, or school counseling certificate) each quarter.
   
   
2. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
   
   
3. Provide additional documentation to Student Financial Services, as required. Most graduate students will need to complete the Post-Baccalaureate/Graduate Information form before we can determine financial aid.

Just like undergraduates, you may take advantage of scholarships and loans. A written financial aid offer for qualifying applicants will explain loan details and limits.

SPU does not have a deadline for graduate financial aid, though earlier is always better than later. The financial aid year runs summer through spring.

The Orientation Site offers a complete summary of managing your financial aid, including how to understand your aid offer, revisions, enrollment changes, verification, employer reimbursement, graduate eligibility, credit requirements, state requirements, and a handy glossary of terms.

You will find the final word in SPU’s Graduate Catalog, which details everything from tuition, fees, and satisfactory progress to payment policies and schedules.