Financial aid is money to help pay for college. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college affordable. The most common sources of financial aid are described below. To be eligible for federal grants, loans, or work-study, student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Type of Grant
Undergraduate
Graduate
Federal Pell Grant - Undergraduate grant (money that does not have to be paid back) from the Federal Government based on need. Funds will credit directly to the student's account with the institution.
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant - (SEOG) Undergraduate grant (money that does not have to be paid back) from the Federal Government based on need. The student must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant prior to receiving an SEOG award. Funds will credit directly to the student's account with the institution.
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Nebraska Opportunity Grant - (NOG) The State of Nebraska provides funding for this grant (money that does not have to be paid back). Eligible undergraduate students include those who are Pell Grant eligible, are a Nebraska Resident, and those who generally maintain full-time enrollment. Funds will credit directly to the student's account with the institution.
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Nebraska Promise Grant - (NSG) A need-based UNK grant (money that does not have to be paid back) for undergraduates who are Nebraska residents. Funds will credit directly to the student's account with the institution.
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UNK Tuition Support - A need-based UNK grant (money that does not have to be paid back) for undergraduates that applies to tuition only. Funds will credit directly to the student's account with the institution.
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UNK Grant - A need-based UNK grant (money that does not have to be paid back) for undergraduates. Funds will credit directly to the student's account with the institution
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Federal TEACH Grant - Grant assistance intended for students who agree to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years in schools that serve students from low-income families.
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Type of Student Loan
Undergraduate
Graduate
Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loans - A need-based Federal Direct Student loan borrowed from the U.S. Treasury. A student must have financial need to qualify for this loan. That is, his or her cost of attendance (COA) must be greater than the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). An origination fee of approximately 1% is charged on this loan. Annual loan limits and a school's financial aid budget determine the maximum amount of Federal Direct loan offered to a student.
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Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans - A Federal Direct Student loan borrowed from the U.S. Treasury. An origination fee of approximately 1% is charged on this loan. Annual loan limits and a school's financial aid budget determine the maximum amount of Federal Direct loan offered to a student.
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Federal Graduate PLUS Loan- The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a loan program that enables graduate students to borrow directly from the U.S. Treasury to help pay for their educational expenses. This loan is available to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents. An origination fee of approximately 4% is charged on this loan. This loan has fixed interest rate, high credit approval rate and streamlined application process. Loan payments can be deferred and has flexible repayment options. This loan would also become part of your loan account that contains your Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan(s), reducing your number of lenders. To apply, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
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Private Student Loans - Available to students from private lenders. If you need additional funds and have exhausted all other options, you may want to consider a private student loan. These are consumer loans that are deferred until the student is out of school. As an additional resource to students, UNK uses the ELM Select Tool to provide a historical listing of private student loan lenders students have borrowed from over the past two years. UNK does not recommend any specific lender, but provides this list as a resource and a service to students seeking loan aid above and beyond their federal student loan eligibility. We encourage students to visit with a financial aid counselor if they are considering a private student loan.
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Type of Parent Loan
Undergraduate
Graduate
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - The Federal PLUS loan is a non-need based, low interest loan which a parent can borrow to help cover educational expenses for a dependent student. This is a loan borrowed from the U.S. Treasury. Unless other arrangements are made, repayment begins upon receipt of the first loan disbursement. Interest begins to accrue as soon as the school receives the loan funding. An origination fee of approximately 4% is charged on this loan.
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Type of Work Study
Undergraduate
Graduate
Federal Work Study provides the opportunity to work part-time while going to school. Funding for this program comes primarily from the federal government and, as such, is a federal program. Students must complete a FAFSA in order be eligible. A student must have financial need; that is, his or her cost of attendance (COA) must be greater than the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
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Federal College Work Study - Work Study provides undergraduates the opportunity to earn money working on campus or through community service organizations. A list of available jobs is posted at the Student Employment Services website. Your award is the maximum you can earn. A student typically works 10-20 hours per week and is often paid minimum wage, but may earn more. The student will receive a paycheck every other week. The money will go directly to the student. If you accept this award, you will be emailed detailed information about the work study program before classes start. The Federal Work Study Program has many advantages for the student.
