Eligibility

Financial aid applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who are making satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. Eligibility for different categories of aid is based on financial need as determined by the financial aid system developed by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Education (ED). To receive Perkins, Direct Stafford and Direct Grad-PLUS Loans or a Hastings Grant, applicants cannot be in default on a student loan or owe a repayment. Campus-based aid (grants, Perkins Loans, O'Neill Loans, and UCH Scholarships), is available only for the first six semesters of enrollment. Similarly, campus-based eligibility extends for a maximum of six semesters only.

A financial aid package contains a combination of different types of aid. The first step in determining a student's financial aid package is through the process of need analysis. There are two levels used in need analysis. The first is conducted by the federal government to determine eligibility for its programs. The second is used by Hastings College to determine how to distribute its own institutional aid.

The process of need analysis determines how much students are expected to contribute from their own resources ("expected family contribution," or EFC) and how much aid students are eligible to receive. Financial need analysis considers the student's income and assets and the size of the household (whether the student is married or has dependents).

The total amount of aid a student qualifies for cannot be higher than the total Cost of Education for an institution. This figure includes tuition, fees, room and board, and other living expenses. The amount of need-based financial aid a student qualifies for is determined by subtracting expected family contribution from the Cost of Education.

The biggest share of a student aid package is loans and the largest loan will be the Federal Graduate PLUS loan. Please note that eligibility to receive this loan requires good credit. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you get a copy of your credit report and resolve any negative issues right away. You may access a free credit report online at AnnualCreditReport.com.