Types of Financial Aid

The Iowa Tuition Grant is available to qualified Iowa residents who are enrolled in at least three credit hours at a private institution in Iowa. The ITG is based on need, and students must have filed a FAFSA at the federal processors by July 1 to be considered.
Maximum amount for 2019-20 school year: $6,000

The Federal Pell Grant provides grants to full-time and part-time undergraduate students at any eligible college or university, and the money does not have to be repaid. Apply by completing a FAFSA. The award may vary according to the number of credit hours you are enrolled. You must be enrolled for at least 12 hours per semester to receive a full award.
Maximum amount for 2019-20 school year: $6,195

The Federal SEOG program is for students who show exceptional financial need. Students must be Pell Grant eligible.

The Federal TEACH Grant is for education majors that will be teaching in a low-income school and in a high need field of study. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students alike. Apply online by completing the "TEACH Grant Counseling" and "Agreement to Serve," which will be sent to Briar Cliff University for review.  If the student has a 3.25 GPA at the college level or scored in the 75th percentile in one or more categories on the ACT at the high school level, the student qualifies under the current federal guidelines. This is a non-need based grant program, meaning all students who meet the above criteria qualify, regardless of financial situation.

Maximum amount for 2017-18 school year: $4,000

A Federal Direct Loan is a long-term, fixed rate loan made to students by the U.S. Department of Education. They come in two categories: subsidized and unsubsidized. Typically, every student who files a FAFSA is eligible to borrow a Federal Direct Loan. A student must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to be eligible to receive one. The student has the option to make interest payments during the in-school period, or to allow the accrued interest to be capitalized (added on) to the principal balance. Interest rate is currently 3.76% for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
Maximum amount for 2019-20 school year: $5,500 (freshmen), $6,500 (sophomores), $7,500 (juniors and seniors)

A Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is an excellent option for families who need to borrow beyond the Federal Direct Loan limits. This low-interest loan can be used by parents to borrow on behalf of dependent undergraduates. A credit check is required and performed by the U.S. Department of Education. The interest rate is fixed at 6.31%. Eligibility is limited to the cost of attendance (as determined by Briar Cliff) minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. To apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Eligible students can earn extra financial aid with a part-time job on campus, usually earning anywhere from $500 to $3,000 per year. Awards are based on financial need, as determined by information provided on the FAFSA.

Briar Cliff offers a 100-percent matching Yellow Ribbon program for eligible military service members, veterans and dependents. We also accept all chapters of military benefits and all state programs such as National Guard Education Assistance and Army/Air Force Tuition Assistance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MILITARY BENEFITS

Private loans should never be your primary funding source unless you have exhausted all of your other options.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIVATE LOANS 

A Federal Direct Loan is a long-term, fixed rate loan made to students by the U.S. Department of Education. Typically, every student who files a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is eligible to borrow a Federal Direct Loan. A student must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Loan. The student has the option to make interest payments during the in-school period, or to allow the accrued interest to be capitalized (added on) to the principal balance. Interest rate is 5.31%.

Maximum amount for 2020-21 school year: $20,500

A Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students is an excellent option for a student who needs to borrow beyond the Federal Direct Loan limits. A credit check is required and performed by the U.S. Department of Education. The interest rate is fixed at 6.31%. Eligibility is limited to the cost of attendance (as determined by Briar Cliff) minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. To apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Briar Cliff offers a 100-percent matching Yellow Ribbon program for eligible military service members, veterans and dependents. We also accept all chapters of military benefits and all state programs such as National Guard Education Assistance and Army/Air Force Tuition Assistance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MILITARY BENEFITS

The Federal Pell Grant provides grants to full-time and part-time undergraduate students at any eligible college or university, and the money does not have to be repaid. The award may vary according to the number of credit hours you are enrolled. You must be enrolled for at least 12 hours per semester to receive a full award.

Maximum amount for 2019-20 school year: $6,195

The Iowa Tuition Grant is available to qualified Iowa residents who are enrolled in at least three credit hours at a private institution in Iowa. The ITG is based on need, and students must have filed a FAFSA at the federal processors by July 1 to be considered.

Maximum amount for 2019-20 school year: $6,000

A Federal Direct Loan is a long-term, fixed rate loan made to students by the U.S. Department of Education. They come in two categories: subsidized and unsubsidized. Typically, every student who files a FAFSA is eligible to borrow a Federal Direct Loan. A student must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to be eligible to receive one. The student has the option to make interest payments during the in-school period, or to allow the accrued interest to be capitalized (added on) to the principal balance. Interest rate is currently 3.76% for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

Maximum amount for 2019-20 school year: $5,500 (freshmen), $6,500 (sophomores), $7,500 (juniors and seniors)

Private loans should never be your primary funding source unless you have exhausted all of your other options.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIVATE LOANS 

Briar Cliff offers a 100-percent matching Yellow Ribbon program for eligible military service members, veterans and dependents. We also offer a reduced active duty military rate for all degree completion programs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MILITARY BENEFITS