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GRADUATE STUDENTS

The following is important information pertaining to graduate students who are interested in applying for financial assistance at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU):

  • Students must add SCSU code (001406) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic period.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans:

  • Graduate student loan limits per academic period are $8,500 subsidized loan and $12,000 unsubsidized loan.  The aggregate limit for a graduate student is $138,500 (including loans for undergraduate study).  No more than $65,500 of this aggregate amount may be in the form of subsidized loans.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans:

  • You may apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan after you complete the FAFSA and apply for the maximum annual amounts you qualify for in Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized). 
  • You may borrow up to the cost of your education, minus the amount of any financial aid you receive.

Graduate Connecticut State University Grants:

Beginning with the 2008-2009 award year, SCSU has established a need-based, institutional grant for eligible graduate students.  There will be a limited amount of funds available to eligible graduate students.  The awards will be offered to students based on the earliest filing date recorded on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).  To be considered for this need-based grant, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Register as a full-time student (9 credit hours) for fall and spring semesters;
  • Demonstrate financial need according to the federal financial aid definition - Cost of Attendance (financial aid budget) minus EFC (Expected Family Contribution per FAFSA) equals Need;
  • Have an overall graduate GPA of 3.5 at the end of the semester prior to the award year or all new graduate students must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

 

Grant Stipulations:

All grant recipients must register and pay for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours for the fall semester by the University's bill payment deadline in July.  Additionally, grant recipients must maintain full-time status for each semester they receive the grant and must earn nine (9) credit hours with a 3.5 GPA per semester to retain grant eligibility for the following award year.