Graduate Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
Scholarships, Discounts & Grants
Cairn University offers tuition discounts and need-based grants for qualifying graduate students. We also encourage you to look into any incentives your employer may provide for continuing education.
Accepted, full-time, degree-seeking MDiv students may be eligible for a competitive, merit-based scholarship.
Aid Amount:
50% off MDiv program
How to Apply:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Add Cairn University and enter 003351 in the school code field.
- Submit the and MDiv Scholarship Application using the admissions portal credentials.
Cairn University will match (up to $1,000) the amount given by a church in support of a student. This is awarded once per year.
Aid amount:
Up to $1,000/year
How to apply:
Submit the Church Matching Scholarship Application and have a church official submit payment to the Financial Aid Office. Deadline: August 1.
Cairn University is a member of SAGE Prime, a continuing education solution designed by SAGE Scholars for adult learners. The SAGE Prime discount applies to any of Cairn’s online or on campus Degree Completion or graduate programs.
Aid amount:
10% discount on tuition
How to apply:
Complete the online application for your program of choice at https://cairn.edu/apply/. Make sure to select “SAGE” under the “How did you hear about Cairn?” field on the application.
Your SAGE member ID will be required to verify your participation in the SAGE Prime program at the time the student applies for admission.
Accepted, full-time, and degree-seeking graduate students who are not eligible for institutional assistance, including discounts.
Aid Amount:
Varies according to need upon submission of FAFSA.
How to Apply:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Add Cairn University and enter 003351 in the school code field.
- Complete the Grant Application form using the admissions portal credentials.
Discounts
Cairn University offers tuition discounts for qualifying graduate students. We also encourage you to look into any incentives your employer may provide for continuing education.
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:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Make sure to complete Educational Background section in full.
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:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Make sure to select “Scholarship America” under the “How did you hear about Cairn?” field on the application. If you missed it during the application, contact your enrollment advisor.
Married couples who register in the same semester may apply for a tuition discount.
Aid amount:
Graduate: 30% 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:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Complete the Christian School Educators Discount Application using the admissions portal credentials.
Cairn University partners with many Christian organizations for discounted organizational tuition rates for their employees. These partnerships help make Christ-centered education more accessible for those serving in aligned ministries and organizations!
If you are an employee of a Christian organization, please check with the HR department at your organization if such an active partnership or discount agreement exists with Cairn.
If you’re unsure or no agreement is on file with your organization, feel free to contact Cairn directly at [email protected] (or contact your enrollment advisor) for details on potential eligibility, current partners, or how to verify/establish such benefits.
Aid amount:
Tuition rates as low as $400/credit
How to Apply:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Complete the Tuition Discount Partner application using the admissions portal credentials.
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.
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:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Add Cairn University and enter 003351 in the school code field.
- 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.
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:
- Master in Business Administration
- Master of Science in Special Education
- Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Analysis
- Master of Science in Education
- Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership
- Master of Organization Development
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.