Invest in Your Future with Accessible Education at PAU

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in applying for financial aid to help cover the cost of college. By completing the FAFSA, undergraduate students can qualify for federal grants, work-study programs, and loans, as well as state and school-based aid like the Cal Grant. Submitting the FAFSA early maximizes your chances of receiving the most aid available.

Start your FAFSA application at studentaid.gov. The priority deadline for California students applying for Cal Grants is March 2nd.

2025–26 FAFSA® Form Now Available!  Deadline: Priority filing by March 2nd annually.

The 2025–26 FAFSA® form is now available for all students and contributors. Complete the form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school.

Tuition and Fees for Incoming Students
Estimate your Education Costs! 

• Apply on-line at FAFSA 2025–26 FAFSA®
• Use PAU’s Federal School Code: 021383.

Priority Deadline: March 2.

Cal Grant – A need-based financial aid program for California residents that provides funding for tuition, fees, and living expenses at eligible colleges and universities. Cal Grants are available only to undergraduate students and do not need to be repaid. There are three types:

• Ensure you meet eligibility for California-specific grants.
• Need help? Watch Cal Grant Video
• Complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (undergraduates only)
• PAU Federal School Code: 021383

For comprehensive information, visit the California Student Aid Commission's Cal Grants page.

Receive Your Student Aid Report (SAR): The FAFSA Submission Summary, formerly known as the Student Aid Report (SAR), can tell you about your financial aid eligibility, potential schools, making corrections or changes to your FAFSA form, and next steps as you prepare to receive aid offer letters.

• Your FAFSA Submission Summary will be emailed or mailed after FAFSA processing. 
• Review it carefully and correct any errors online. Updates may take up to 2 weeks to process.
• Once the FAFSA is processed by the Federal Student Aid (FSA) an email will be sent regarding the FAFSA Submission Summary.

If an email is not provided on the FAFSA, a paper FAFSA Submission Summary will be mailed to the address provided.

• PAU will notify you via email if extra documentation is needed.
• Check your student portal and email regularly for updates. .
• Submit any required forms or verification documents promptly.

• Stay updated by checking your email and portal frequently.
• Review your award letter via the financial aid portal.
• Accept, modify, or decline your loans.
• Complete any additional forms (e.g., loan acceptance).

• Log in to the financial aid portal to accept, modify, or decline your award.
• Complete required forms, such as loan acceptance or verification.
• Funds are disbursed prior to the start of each quarter.
• Set up direct deposit for faster refunds or pick up checks at the business office.

Financial aid is federal, state, institutional or private assistance that comes in the form of grants or scholarships, which do not have to be paid back, work-study, a part-time job on campus, and student loans, which must be repaid starting six months after you leave school or fall below half time enrollment.

Students must be enrolled in a Title IV eligible school and enroll in an eligible program to qualify for financial aid.

The first step in applying for state or federal financial aid is to complete the FAFSA. application online. Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID to log-in and sign the application. The FSA ID is made up of a username and password, and is needed to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. The FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. 

After the FAFSA is processed you will receive a Student Aid Report. If you provided an email address on the FAFSA, the processor will email you the Student Aid Report. This report details the information that you provided and informs you of any corrections that need to be made. At the same time that you receive the Student Aid Report, the Financial Aid Office receives your information electronically. The financial aid office uses this information to determine if additional information or documentation is required, at which time, the staff will send you a letter indicating what is needed.

The Cal Grant deadline is March 2 of each year. The earlier you apply and submit any other required information to the financial aid office, the more likely you are to have funding available when you start school. PAU’s deadline to submit all your financial aid documents in order for your bill to display your anticipated aid is July 1.

The main types of financial aid include:

• Grants – Need-based and do not require repayment (e.g., Pell Grant, Cal Grant).
• Scholarships – Awarded based on merit, talent, or program-specific criteria.
• Work-Study – Part-time job opportunities to earn money while enrolled.
• Loans – Borrowed funds that require repayment, typically with interest

Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. Some scholarships may require additional application

The first step in applying for state or federal financial aid is to complete the FAFSA application online. Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID to log-in and sign the application. The FSA ID is made up of a username and password, and is needed to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites.

The FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.

Graduate and undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 units for federal loan eligibility. Further, undergraduate students with exceptionally high need may be eligible for a Federal Pell or FSEOG Grantas a less-than-half-time student; however, all (graduate and undergraduate) of our programs require students to be enrolled full-time. There are rare exceptions made to the full-time requirement. However, when a student is enrolled less than full-time, their award amount may decrease based on the number of units enrolled.

Undergraduate enrollment levels are as follows: full-time (12 or more credits), three-quarter time (9-7 credits), half-time (6 credits), and less than half time (1-5 credits).

Graduate enrollment levels are as follows: full-time (9 or more credits), three-quarter time (7-8 credits), half-time (6 credits), and less than half time (1-5 credits).

Please note, that doctoral internship and continuing dissertation is considered full time at 3 units. 

The priority deadline for the FAFSA and Cal Grant is March 2nd. Submitting your FAFSA early increases your chances of receiving the most aid.

You are required to use the information from the prior-prior tax year on the FAFSA. For example, when completing the 2025-2026 FAFSA, you will use the 2023 tax year information. If your and/or your family’s income information has changed significantly in the current year due to unemployment, death, divorce, medical expenses or other special circumstances, you may be eligible to be considered for a special circumstance.

You can request a “Special Circumstance” by writing to the financial aid office and submitting documentation of the changes (pay stubs, more recent tax information, medical bills, or unemployment compensation payout report, etc). The Financial Aid Office will then consider your current situation to determine if you will be eligible for additional financial aid.

PAU’s FAFSA school code is 021383.

You can go online at www.fafsa.gov to add PAU to your FAFSA, school code 021383.

Never assume you will not be eligible! You will not know if you are eligible until you apply. When you complete the FAFSA, you will be considered for federal and state grants. Loans, institutional grants, and work-study will also be considered.

Even if you don't qualify for grants, most all FAFSA eligible students are eligible for some type of federal loan. More than 70% of PAU students pursuing a degree receive some type of financial aid.

After the FAFSA is processed you will receive a Student Aid Report. If you provided an email address on the FAFSA, the processor will email you the Student Aid Report. This report details the information that you provided and informs you of any corrections that need to be made.

At the same time that you receive the Student Aid Report, the Financial Aid Office receives your information electronically. The financial aid office uses this information to determine if additional information or documentation is required, at which time, the staff will send you a letter indicating what is needed.

Students who receive financial aid are required to complete a minimum number of units with a minimum cumulative GPA (GPA on all units taken at PAU) and within a certain time frame in order to remain eligible to receive financial aid. Please review PAU's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for details.

A SAR is a Student Aid Report. This report is provided by the Federal Processor and is a summary of the information you provided on the FAFSA. The SAR will be mailed to you if you sent your FAFSA through the mail and did not provide an email address on the FAFSA.

If you filed your FAFSA electronically or provided an email address on the FAFSA, the SAR will be emailed to you. The report will let you know if the application was accepted, rejected or if there are any problems with your application that require corrections to be made.

Review your SAR carefully to ensure all information is accurate. If errors are found, log into your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov and make any necessary corrections as soon as possible. If everything on your SAR is correct, file it away for your records. There is nothing you need to do with it, but keep it available in case you want to add another college later.

If you need to make a correction to your financial aid application information before you receive your award notice, you can do so by logging into your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.

If you have already received your award letter, contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if the correction is necessary.

 If you applied for financial aid last year, and intend to enroll in the next academic year you may complete a renewal FAFSA rather than a new FAFSA.

The renewal FAFSA will include all of last year’s information. You just need to update your and your family’s income information and any data that has changed.

 Living on your own doesn’t automatically qualify you as an independent student. The Federal Government requires parents to complete their information and considers you a dependent until you are one of the following: 24 years old, married, have dependents of your own that you provide more than 50% support for, are pursuing a graduate degree, are an orphan or ward of the court, or are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

If there are unusual circumstances, please discuss them with the financial aid office so they can help you determine the best way to complete the FAFSA.

No, parents cannot be included in the number in higher education.

The federal and state regulations require a student to apply to the university and be accepted into an “eligible” program. At PAU, all bachelor programs, and graduate programs are considered eligible.

You may only get financial aid at one college for each quarter. You should request financial aid through your home school (the school you intend to graduate from).

Yes, when determining the amount of financial aid you are eligible for, the Financial Aid Office assigns each student a budget, which includes tuition, fees, books, room and board, personal expenses, transportation and loan fees.

Child-care expenses, excessive transportation costs or disability-related expenses are not budgeted unless the student provides documentation to the Financial Aid Office for consideration.

PAU offers various scholarships based on merit, program-specific criteria, or financial need. In addition, external scholarships may be available from private organizations. Always check the PAU scholarship list or external databases for more opportunities.

New undergraduate and doctoral students may qualify for PAU scholarships by applying during the admissions process. Scholarship criteria vary, so check individual scholarship details for eligibility requirements.

Please refer to the scholarship list above where students can look for scholarships that may be applicable to them. In addition, new Undergraduate and Doctoral students may be eligible for PAU scholarships.

New students apply for PAU scholarships within their admissions application. Each scholarship has different awarding criteria and deadline dates.

Caution: Never pay a fee to agencies that offer scholarship search services or financial aid consulting services without first checking the validity of that agency.

Scholarship eligibility depends on factors like GPA, academic program, leadership, and financial need. Each scholarship has different requirements, so review the eligibility criteria carefully.

While international students are not eligible for federal aid, they may qualify for scholarships or private loans. PAU encourages international students to explore external scholarships.

 All types of financial assistance, scholarships, other community agency grants, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation grants, Dislocated Worker benefits, etc. must be reported to the Financial Aid Office to be coordinated with your federal and state aid.
 

 PAU students may qualify for federal grants (e.g., Pell Grant), state grants (e.g., Cal Grant), and institutional grants. Grants are need-based and do not require repayment.

To apply for grants, complete the FAFSA by the March 2nd priority deadline. The information you provide will determine your eligibility for federal and state grants.

Grant eligibility is based on:

• Financial need (determined by the FAFSA)
• Enrollment status (full-time, part-time)
• U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status
• Meeting academic progress standards

 For the 2024-2025 academic year, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395. Cal Grant awards vary based on financial need and college costs.

If you no longer meet eligibility requirements (due to academic progress or income changes), your grant may be reduced or canceled. Contact the PAU Financial Aid Office if your situation changes.

Federal loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid along with the interest that accrues. A federal loan allows the applicant and loan co-sign members to borrow money to help pay for college through federal government programs.

The Federal Direct Subsidized loan is need-based (based on the information you provided on the FAFSA) and the government pays the interest while you are in school and during authorized periods of deferment.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan is non need-based and you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.

The Federal Direct PLUS loans are federal loans that graduate/ professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college. Federal Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. They are non need-based and interest accrues until the loan is paid in

For more information or a list of lenders please see PAU's Lender List. Consult with the Financial Aid Office before taking any private educational loans.

 The Department of Education has set maximum levels for student borrowing which is driven by the total number of credits completed toward graduation in your program. Credits determine your grade level. Those limits are listed below.

Each student's eligibility is determined by a variety of factors including: results of the FAFSA, if the student is dependent or independent, the unmet need, and cost of attendance.

Federal Direct Student  Loan Limits (Federal Direct Subsidized and Federal Direct Unsubsidized)

2nd year Undergraduate students:

• Dependent--$6,500/year (no more than $4,500 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans)
• Independent--$10,500 (no more than $4,500 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans)

3rd Year (and beyond) Undergraduate students:

• Dependent--$7,500/year (no more than $5,500 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans)
• Independent--$12,500/year (no more than $5,500 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans)

Graduate or Professional Students (health profession programs):

• $20,500/year for Masters Programs (Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans only)
• $33,000/year for PhD and PsyD (Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans only)

Additional Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility up to total cost of attendance

Lifetime Eligibility Maximum:

Undergraduate Students: $57,500 (no more than $23,000 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans)

Graduate Students: $138,500 (no more than $65,500 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans) for Masters students. $224,000 (no more than $65,500 in Federal Direct Subsidized loans) for PhD and PsyD students.

The graduate maximum limits include all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

For any Federal Direct undergraduate student loans taken after July 1, 2019, the interest rate is fixed at 4.52%. Graduate Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans taken after July 1, 2019 have a fixed 6.07% interest rate.

Federal Direct Parent or Graduate PLUS Loans taken on or after July 1, 2019 have a fixed 7.07% interest rate (for parents of dependent undergraduate students and graduate/ professional students).

Your loan amount is determined by your financial need, loan limits, and cost of attendance. Not all students will qualify for the maximum loans.

The Office of Financial Aid will determine the maximum amount you are eligible for and advise you appropriately. The loan amount is then divided equally between the quarters you plan to attend. An origination fee is assessed to each loan disbursed.

 You don't have to begin repaying most federal student loans until after graduation (usually 6 months after graduation) or drop below half-time enrollment.  

However, Federal Direct PLUS loans enter repayment once your loan is fully disbursed (paid out); in some instances you can defer the Federal Direct PLUS loan repayment until after the student graduates

Yes, PAU gives you the option to accept or decline any loan offered. You may cancel your loans at any time as long as your tuition has been paid.  Contact the Financial Aid Office to cancel your loan or any portion of the loan.

 Ensure that you have completed all the required documents in your financial aid file, and that you have accepted loans offered to you. Please log into the student portal to determine if any action is still needed by you. If not, your loan funds will be disbursed as they are released to PAU.

If your current loan has not been disbursed to PAU within the first weeks of the off the quarter, contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

No, for federal low-interest student loans, you need to complete the FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility and help you complete the application process. There are several private lenders who offer private alternative loan programs.

You must first file the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine what other type of aid you qualify for; you will be offered need-based (grants, work-study and Federal Direct Subsidized loans) funds first, and then non-need based loans (Federal Direct Unsubsidized or PLUS loans).

In addition to meeting the other Title IV aid program requirements, a student must also be enrolled at least half-time to receive payment of Federal Loans. Loans are always considered financial aid even though you have to repay them.

Private loans are non federal loans issued by private lenders like banks, credit unions, state agencies, or a school. Private student loans are not subsidized. No one pays the interest on your loan but you. Private student loans may also require an established credit record. The cost of a private student loan will depend on your credit score and other factors determined by your lender.

At Palo Alto University we encourage our students to weigh the benefits of federal educational loans compared to private student loans, we make both types of loans available to students. If you are considering a private student loan ensure that you read and understand the following information: Truth in Lending Act. Finally, while it is the lender's responsibility to provide you with a Private Educational Loan Applicant Self Certification Form, if they do not you can find one here: Private Educational Loan Applicant Self Certification Form

For more information or to see a list of private student loan lenders, see: PAU Lender List.
Disclaimer:  The Financial Aid Office does not receive, and will not accept, inducements from lenders in exchange for inclusion in the Preferred Lender List, nor does Palo Alto University  share in the profits from student loans.

 Code of Conduct for Alternative Student Loans

Not sure whether a loan being offered is a private loan or federal loan? Check out the name of the loan—does it include the word “federal”? If not, ask the financial aid office. Often, private loans are marketed directly to student borrowers. 

If a private loan is not acquired, let the financial aid office know so they can provide counseling on future loans and financial wellness. For information regarding the types of federal student loans are available and how much can be borrowed click here. 

Once you are awarded, you will receive a financial aid notice via email with instructions to log into the financial aid portal to view your awards. At the same time, your award will be displayed on your student account as anticipated aid. Grants are accepted for you.

If you accept the student loan and you are a first-time borrower, you must complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Loan Counseling session online at: studentaid.gov. The Department of Education is also requiring all students to complete the Informed Borrower Consent (IBC). The Informed Borrower consent must be completed every year for any students who receive federal aid for the upcoming award year.

The Informed borrower consent is an addition to completing the MPN and can be done at studentaid.gov/asla. Once the financial aid office receives confirmation that you completed your loan entrance and MPN, IBC, and you are enrolled for the minimum number of required credits, your financial aid will be applied to your student account. The funds posted to your account will be used to cover your tuition and fees. Any remaining balance will be refunded directly to you.

 You have the option to enroll to receive your refunds via direct deposit by completing the Direct Deposit Form available on the PAU Student Portal and submitting it to the Business Office.

We highly recommend this option as it expedites the refund process. Students who do not wish to enroll in direct deposit will have to pick up their paper check from the business office during regular business hours.

No, your financial aid will be shown on your account as “anticipated” aid and as long as your anticipated aid is enough to cover your total charges, you will not be charged late fees or dropped from your courses.

If you completely withdraw from school (drop all classes), take a leave of absence, or stop attending before the 60% point in the quarter, you may be required to repay a portion of the aid received for that quarter. A Return of Title IV worksheet is completed using the amount of aid received and the withdrawal date to determine if any repayment is due. You will be notified by email of the repayment amount due.

Note: It is important to consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing to determine how your financial aid eligibility will be affected.

Repaying Student Loans Information to help you manage the repayment of your federal student loans
Remember, federal student loans are real loans and must be repaid.
Your loan servicer will provide you with a loan repayment schedule that states when your first payment is due, the number and frequency of payments, and the amount of each payment. Keep in mind that your loan may have a grace period. To find out who your loan servicer is go to: www.studentaid.gov

Grace Period
The grace period is a set period of time after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment before you must begin repayment on your loan. The grace period gives you time to get financially settled and to select your repayment plan. Not all federal student loans have a grace period. 

Repayment Calculator: Use the repayment estimator to anticipate your monthly loan payment, total interest paid, and total pay-off underneath each repayment plan to help you determine the best repayment program for you. 

Available Repayment Plans: Standard Repayment, Graduated Repayment, Extended Repayment, Income Driven Repayment
 

The Federal Work-Study Program provides eligible students with funds to earn money from a part-time job and gain valuable work experience. Most jobs are on campus and may offer more flexibility than traditional part-time jobs.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be offered work-study as part of their Financial Aid award. 

If you are interested in work-study but were not offered it, contact the Financial Aid Office to review your eligibility for the program. 

Visit our Student Job Board