Palmer Seminary Student Aid Information
Welcome to the Student Aid Office
PHILOSOPHY
Except for its scholarship programs, financial aid at Palmer Seminary is based on need, which is defined as the difference between the total cost of attending the Seminary for an academic year and the financial resources available to the student. These resources include a portion of one's savings or assets; support from one's home church, denomination and family; and income from work over the summer and during the academic year.Students are also encouraged to explore outside resources such as their church denomination, as well as various organizations and foundations with which students may be connected. In the awarding of financial aid, the Seminary does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, gender, or denominational affiliation.
For additional information, please visit www.eastern.edu/centers/finaid/index.html.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Several major scholarship programs have been established at Palmer to help make it more financially feasible for students to earn a theology degree. The Accelerated Scholarship Program covers approximately one-third of tuition costs for all students who commit to taking, on average, three or four courses per semester.
Brauch, Sider, and Wallis Scholarships are available to as many as 30 students (10 for each scholarship) per year. These scholarships, which include a mentoring component, are based partly on undergraduate academic achievement and theological commitments. A limited number of Ayres or Wilberforce Scholarships, each of which provides $4,000 in aid, are available to Wallis or Sider scholars beginning in the Fall of 2010. The application deadline each year for Brauch, Sider, Wallis, Ayres, and Wilberforce scholarships is July 1. Click here for more information, including qualifications, on all of these scholarship opportunities
APPLY FOR A LOAN IN THREE EASY STEPS
- Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. This PIN will serve as your electronic signature.
- Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete your FAFSA for the appropriate year on-line. Use your PIN number to "sign your FAFSA on the web". The school is 003259 (Eastern University).
- Visit StudentLoans.gov to complete both the Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling.
You will receive an award letter that details your Financial Aid eligibility. In order to be eligible for any type of Financial Aid, you must be fully enrolled in a degree program taking at least 4 units per semester (for Masters students) or 1 unit per semester (for Doctoral students).
Questions can be addressed to the Student Aid Office at 610-225-5102 or finaid@eastern.edu.
FEDERAL STAFFORD LOANS
New for 2010-2011: All federal loans will be processed through the Federal Direct Loan program. This means that a student can still receive a Federal Stafford Loan, but the funds are being loaned by the Federal Government. A student cannot borrow more than the cost of education, minus any other financial aid, and will be considered for a Subsidized loan first. If you are not eligible for one (or are only partially eligible), you will be offered an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Principal payments are automatically deferred while you are in school at least half-time.
| Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Total | |
| Annual limits for Stafford Loan | $8,500 | $12,000 | $20,500 |
Repayment begins six months after graduation or after the student drops below half-time enrollment status. The maximum term is ten years and the minimum payment is $50. The aggregate lifetime loan limit in the Federal Stafford Loan program is $138,500 (no more than $65,500 of which can be subsidized).
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
A subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is a low-interest loan; the interest is paid by the government while the student is in school.
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
An Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan is the same as the Subsidized Federal Stafford loan, EXCEPT that the interest is not paid for you while you are enrolled. This means that the student is responsible to pay the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled in school. Repayment of both principal and interest begins six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time.
As noted above, students applying for Federal Stafford loans or Federal Work-Study must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as both the Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling.
For more information or to file electronically, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA code for Palmer Seminary (the Seminary of Eastern University) is 003259.
THE FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
To be eligible for the Federal Direct Loan Program, "the student must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate, or other program leading to a recognized educational credential at an approved educational institution." The student must be carrying at least 4 units per semester. (PHEAA Guidelines Manual, LG-II4-04)
In addition a student must:
A. Demonstrate financial need, as defined by individual program requirements.
B. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the Seminary (See policy, pg 12).
C. Not be in default on Perkins, Stafford (GSL), PLUS, SLS loans at any institution.
D. Be a citizen, national, permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen.
E. If required, register with the Selective Service.
F. Not have borrowed in excess of loan limits.
FEDERAL WORK-STUDY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Palmer students have access to Federal Work-Study (FWS) funds. These federal funds are available to qualified students for on-campus work and off-campus community service work. Those who want to be considered for FWS employment must indicate this on their FAFSA. To be eligible for FWS, the student must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.
FWS students generally work in the following areas: administrative offices, library, media, switchboard, information services, maintenance, or grounds. Prior to beginning work, recipients must sign a contract, a W-4 form, and an I-9 form provided by the Student Aid Office.
