Cairn Online Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
In addition to highly competitive tuition rates, Cairn Online students receive scholarships, discounts, and other financial aid opportunities. As you review the options below, remember to reach out to our Financial Aid professionals who are committed to assisting you navigating the financial aid options.
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and grants are both academic and need-based awards. This type of “aid” is usually perceived as a “gift” and doesn’t require the student to pay back any of the support they receive.
Needy students taking at least 3 credits in an undergraduate degree program could be eligible for federal aid.
Aid amount:
$670 to $6,495 (2021-2022 academic year)
Need-based grant awarded to students demonstrating the greatest financial need that qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.
Aid amount:
$500-$1,000/year
There are many “outside scholarship” opportunities for prospective and current college students to apply for in order to supplement their institutional aid. Explore public scholarship search engines such as fastweb.com, myscholly.com, or collegeboard.com in order to find possible opportunities. Eligibility and requirements vary.
Federal Loans
Federal Direct Loans are loans through the Department of Education and they require the student to complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Direct Subsidized loans are only offered to undergraduate students.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are fixed interest rate loans offered to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled half-time or higher.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a loan for students with demonstrated financial need. The government pays the loan interest for the student while the student is in school and this the preferred loan of the two direct loans due to this subsidy.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a loan which is not based on a students’ financial need. Students pay the loan interest while enrolled or the student can elect to have it deferred and capitalized upon graduation.
Aid amount:
Annual borrowing limits range from $5,500-$12,500.
How to apply:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use school code 003351
For first-time loan borrowers at Cairn: Complete the Federal Student Loan entrance counseling and sign a Direct Loan Agreement (MPN) at Studentaid.gov.
Veterans Benefits
Cairn University is committed to helping veterans secure the GI Bill® funds they are eligible for under any of the following VA chapters:
The Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) was established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program provides supplemental education funding to veterans by matching contributions made by participating colleges and universities. Learn more at Yellow Ribbon Program
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Graduate Financial Aid
Scholarships & Grants
Scholarships and grants are both academic and need-based awards. This type of “aid” is usually perceived as a “gift” and doesn’t require the student to pay back any of the support they receive.
Need-based grants are awarded based on demonstrated financial need and, like scholarships, do not have to be repaid. Accepted, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students may apply.
Aid amount:
Varies
How to apply:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the Grant Application
Cairn University will match up to $1,000 the amount given by a church in support of a student. This award is for the fall semester only.
Aid amount:
Up to $1,000/year
How to apply:
A church official must submit the Church Matching Scholarship Application with payment to the Financial Aid Office. Deadline: August 1 for the fall semester.
There are many “outside scholarship” opportunities for prospective and current college students to apply for in order to supplement their institutional aid. Explore public scholarship search engines such as fastweb.com, myscholly.com, or collegeboard.com in order to find possible opportunities. Eligibility and requirements vary.
Discounts
New, incoming graduate students who are alumni of Cairn undergraduate, graduate, or Degree Completion programs may be eligible for a discount on graduate program tuition.
Aid amount:
10% discount on graduate tuition.
How to apply:
Complete the online application for your program of choice at https://cairn.edu/apply/. Make sure to complete Educational Background section in full.
Married couples who register in the same semester may apply for a tuition discount.
Aid amount:
Degree Completion: 50% discount for spouse taking fewer credits
How to apply:
Complete the Spouse Discount Request
Educators and employees who work in a Christian school are eligible for a flat rate of $400/credit in select graduate programs.
Aid amount:
Flat rate of $400/credit
How to apply:
Complete Christian School Educator’s Discount Application
Federal Aid & Loans
Federal Direct Loans are loans through the Department of Education and they require the student to complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are fixed interest rate loans offered to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled half-time or higher.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a loan which is not based on a students’ financial need. Students pay the loan interest while enrolled or the student can elect to have it deferred and capitalized upon graduation. Students need to attend at least half time.
Aid amount:
Annual borrowing range up to $20,500 for full-time graduate students.
How to apply:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete the Federal Direct Loan entrance counseling and a Direct Loan Agreement (MPN) at Studentaid.gov.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is a federal program, administered by the state, which provides assistance for workers adversely affected by foreign trade. The TAA Program seeks to provide adversely affected workers with opportunities to obtain the skills, credentials, resources, and support necessary to (re)build skills for future jobs.
Aid amount:
Aid amount varies, depending on applicants’ certified eligible status for TAA benefits with their local American Job Center. Funding is available for training, extended income support, and/or other benefits as outlined in the TAA Program.
Eligibility:
Graduate students enrolled in approved programs below.
How to apply:
Applicants must apply and be accepted to one of Cairn University’s approved degree programs listed on Pennsylvania’s EPTL list of approved education providers and programs, which currently includes the following online graduate programs:
Applicants must also be certified as eligible for TAA benefits with their local American Job Center and maintain compliance with TAA program requirements to receive ongoing benefits. Visit the Department of Labor’s website for guidelines on applying for TAA Program benefits.
Veterans Benefits
Cairn University is committed to helping veterans secure the GI Bill® funds they are eligible for under any of the following VA chapters:
The Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) was established by the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program provides supplemental education funding to veterans by matching contributions made by participating colleges and universities. Learn more at Yellow Ribbon Program
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
