Degree Completion Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
Scholarships & Discounts
Eligible Degree Completion students may apply for various University Scholarships and tuition discounts through the Financial Aid Office.
As a Degree Completion student you are considered a full-time undergraduate if you are taking 12 or more credits – this means more aid may be available to you. We also encourage you to look into any incentives your employer may provide for continuing education and ask our Financial Aid Office about them.
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.
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.
Scholarship America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a college education possible through scholarships and educational support.
Cairn University is pleased to offer Scholarship America client employees and their immediate family members a discounted tuition rate for Graduate and Degree Completion programs, as well as a matching scholarship opportunity for undergraduate student applicants. Applicants must meet the University’s standard admissions requirements.
Aid amount:
8% discounted tuition rate per credit for all graduate and Degree Completion programs.
How to apply:
- Complete the online application for your program of choice athttps://cairn.edu/apply/. Make sure to select “Scholarship America” under the “How did you hear about Cairn?” field on the application.
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
Federal Aid & Loans
Need-based financial aid programs are designed to meet a student’s demonstrated financial aid need. Cairn University participates in all federal and state need-based grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Needy students taking at least 3 credits in an undergraduate degree program could be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
Aid amount:
$670-$6,495 (2021-2022 academic year)
How to apply:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
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.
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
Cairn University will provide up to $8,000 per academic year for up to fifteen undergraduate students per academic year who are selected to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The YRP benefit will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis in order of the receipt of the application for admission to the University for those veterans who are selected for admission.
Cairn will pay half of the difference between the VA’s base benefit and Cairn’s tuition, and the VA will match our contribution so that in most cases tuition will be fully covered.
Effective August 1, 2021, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay up to $25,162 per academic year toward tuition and fees for a full-time student in a private school in Pennsylvania.
The procedures for applying for Yellow Ribbon Program benefits are as follows:
- Student applies for VA Education Benefits (VANOPP) – gibill.va.gov
- Student receives written notification from VA regarding eligibility for Post-9/11 benefits. The Certificate of Eligibility will advise the student if his/her service meets the requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
- Only individuals who are entitled to the maximum benefit rate based on service requirements (qualified at the 100% rate) are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
- Veterans must have an honorable discharge or other qualifying discharge to be eligible.
- Dependents may be eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill based on an individual’s service under the eligibility criteria above.
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.
