| Financial assistance
comes from many sources and in a variety
of forms. The following descriptions will
provide you with a better understanding
of the aid available for attending California
Institute of Integral Studies, and the basis
on which these funds are awarded. Contact
the Financial Aid Office for applications
or more information.
FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM
(FFELP)
FEDERAL STAFFORD
LOAN, SUBSIDIZED
Federal Stafford Loans are low-interest
loans made to eligible students with demonstrated
financial need. The interest for the Subsidized
Stafford Loan is paid by the federal government
while the student is enrolled on an at least
half time basis and for 6 months thereafter
(known as the grace period). The final amount
borrowed must be paid back in full within
ten years.
FEDERAL UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN
Students who do not qualify for the federal
subsidized loan, or who need to borrow more
than the annual Subsidized limit, may borrow
under the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program
up to the maximum annual limit, minus their
eligibility for the Subsidized Loan. The
student is responsible for interest that
accrues during in-school periods, deferments,
and during grace periods. Interest accrual
begins immediately upon disbursal of loan.
The interest rate for all Stafford loans
is variable, changes every July 1st, and
will not exceed 8.25%.
FEDERAL PLUS PROGRAM
Qualified parents or stepparents of dependent
undergraduate students may borrow up to
the student's cost of attendance annually
(minus other aid). There is a separate loan
request and promissory note for the PLUS
Loan. The interest rate is variable and
does not exceed 9 percent. Repayment begins
60 days after full disbursement of the loan.
ALTERNATIVE LOAN PROGRAMS
In addition to the Federal Student Loan
program, there are several alternative loan
programs available to students at CIIS who
need to borrow more than the annual federal
loan limits. Typically these programs have
higher interest rates (usually based on
"Prime") and higher fees. In addition, because
these are not government sponsored loans,
there are no interest "subsidy" benefits;
consequently the overall costs of these
loans can be much higher than the Federal
Stafford (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) Loans.
Some alternative loans may also require
a co-signer.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
• Students enrolled at least half-time.
• Credit worthy (good credit history)
or credit ready (no credit history and adhere
to cumulative debt limits).
• Sufficient monthly income to repay
the loan.
• Stable residence and employment history
• US Citizen or permanent resident
Students may request further information
(and application forms) on these alternative
loan programs from the Financial Aid Office
CIIS SOURCES
(All CIIS Scholarships are for partial tuition
credit only.)
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
• Bachelor of Arts Completion Program
Scholarship: Incoming undergraduate students
are eligible to apply for a Bachelor of
Arts Completion program scholarship.
• Asia Cummings Endowed Scholarship:
Scholarship established by Pamela and David
Smith (and funded through their family foundation),
in memory of their daughter who was admitted
to the Bachelor of Arts Completion program
before her death in 2004. This scholarship
is for undergraduate students only. There
is no specific application; awards are made
based on financial need and the recommendation
of the BAC faculty.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
NEW Community Mental Health Program Scholarships for fall 2008
Students enrolling in the new Community Mental Health Counseling Program for fall 2008 will receive a $5,000 scholarship for the first year of the program ($2,500 per semester, applied to tuition only). Students must be enrolled full-time. There is no separate application for this scholarship and applicants do not have to show financial need to receive this award, although US citizens and permanent residents are required to complete the FAFSA. Awards for the second and any subsequent years will be based on financial need. This scholarship is not available to students already enrolled at CIIS and is not applicable to the Community Mental Health Certificate program. More details will be announced as they become available.
• Institute Scholarships: Each year the Institute offers a limited number
of scholarships to outstanding continuing
graduate students.
• Graduate Scholarships: These awards
are for tuition credit only; special consideration
is given to applicants from under-represented
ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Applicants must be either a U.S. Citizen
or Permanent Legal Resident.
• Diversity Scholarships: As part of
its commitment to social and cultural diversity,
CIIS offers several diversity scholarships
each year to new graduate students. In order
to qualify, a student must either come from
a historically under-represented population
in American higher education (e.g., African
American, first generation American, or
first generation college-going student),
or have a demonstrated commitment to working
on behalf of diversity.
• International Scholarships: These
awards are for tuition credit only and are
awarded to new and incoming full-time international
students (non-citizen, non-permanent residents).
• Kranzke Scholarship: The Robert Joseph
and Wilhelmina Ann Kranzke Scholarship for
Psychedelic/Entheogenic research allows
CIIS to offer up to four awards each year
of $5,000 each for research and study in
the use and application of psychedelic/entheogenic
plants and medicine. The project can be
based on a variety of perspectives including
psychological, anthropological, spiritual,
shamanic or others if appropriate. An additional
$1,000 grant is available to the recipient
for fieldwork in addition to the project.
EXTERNAL SOURCES
Federal Sources
• Veterans' Administration
Educational Benefits: The Institute's
programs are approved for veterans. Students
must be enrolled for nine (9) semester units
in order to be considered full-time, seven
(7) semester units for three-quarter time,
and six (6) semestser units for half-time.
Unit requirements do not include weekend
workshops. Contact the Registrar's office
for more information.
• Pell Grant: The
Federal Pell Grant program grants money
from the federal government to eligible
students, and unlike a loan, does not have
to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only
to undergraduate (BAC) students who have
not earned a bachelor's or professional
degree. Award amounts each year depend upon
program funding; the award maximum amount
for 2004-2005 is $4,050, delivered in semester
installments.
• Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grant (SEOG): Awarded
to undergraduate students with demonstrated
need. Priority goes first to Pell Grant
recipients with the greatest need.
State Sources
Some states may offer grants and/or other
types of financial aid to their residents.
Contact the Department of Education in your
state for information, or check the U.S.
Department of Education's web page at www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/agencies.html
for a listing.
Private Sources
Numerous private groups, such as companies,
unions, civic groups, religious groups,
and ethnic associations may also provide
scholarships, grants and/or loans. Minimum
qualifications generally require descent
from the ethnic group or membership in the
religion. Students are encouraged to research
whether or not their religious or cultural/ethnic
group provides any financial assistance.
Here are some resources for diversity-related
scholarships (PDF).
Scholarship Search
There are many free sources of scholarship
listings and databases available to students
on the web. You should not pay for any search
service. One site to check out is www.finaid.org.
• FEDERAL WORK-STUDY:
The federal government provides funds for
the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) to
give students the opportunity for part-time
employment to help defray educational costs.
Federal Work-Study funds are awarded on
the basis of need to eligible students applying
for financial aid. Students may work up
to twenty hours per week. While FWS may
be awarded as part of the CIIS award package,
students are responsible for securing a
FWS position in order to utilize the award.
• INSTITUTIONAL STUDENT EMPLOYMENT:
CIIS provides additional funds
for on-campus employment for students who
may not qualify for Federal Work-Study funds.
Students may work up to twenty hours per
week. Additional priority is given to international
students.
More
about student employment here.
See
current student employment opportunities.
In addition to CIIS' International Scholarship
program, and non-federal student employment
options, international students should also
look at www.edupass.org,
a website specifically designed for international
students.
More
information for CIIS international students.
CANADIAN STUDENTS
Government Loans
Canadian Students may use both the Canada
and provincial loan programs to fund their
education at California Institute of Integral
Studies. For further information, access
the Canada Loan website at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/students_loans/.
This web site also provides links to provincial
websites.
Canadian Alternative Loans
Canadian students with a credit-worthy U.S.
co-signer can borrow from $1,000 US to $15,000
annually through alternative loan programs.
For information on these programs, contact
the Financial Aid Office.
Financial
Aid Main Page |
