Graduate Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
Scholarships & 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 graduate students may apply for University aid.
Aid amount:
Varies according to need
How to apply:
Complete the Grant Application form
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:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and Scholarship 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.
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.
Discounts
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.
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.
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 at https://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:
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:
Complete Christian School Educators Discount Application
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:
- 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.
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.
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 http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/yellow_ribbon.asp
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.
