Financial Aid

A number of grants are available through Albright College, the federal and state governments, and other sources. Grants are awarded based on financial need.

Albright College Trustee Grants
Albright College gives Trustee Grants on the basis of financial need. These funds originate from several sources, including funds donated to the college.

Federal Government Grants
Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants are given by the federal government on the basis of financial needs. Both of these programs can change from year to year based on the family’s financial circumstances. The Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant is need-based and is given until the federal fund has been exhausted.

State Grants
Students who are Pennsylvania residents could be eligible for a Pennsylvania State Grant through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Typically, the application for the PA State grant is initiated when a student from Pennsylvania submits a valid FAFSA. PHEAA has a strict filing deadline of May 1 prior to the start of each academic year.

Students who are not Pennsylvania residents could be eligible for similar state grant aid programs in their home state. Not all surrounding states allow the student to receive state aid when attending a Pennsylvania institution. For more information about these aid programs, including eligibility requirements and filing deadlines, please contact your high school guidance office or the corresponding state agency that manages the aid programs in your home state.

Children of Fallen Heroes Act
Under this scholarship, beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible SAI and continues to be an eligible student. If you feel you qualify for this program, please contact the Financial Aid Office directly at finaid@albright.edu or 610-921-7515.

Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program
Created by Act 16 of 2019, this program seeks to remove barriers in accessing post-secondary education for youth who are or have been in foster care. This will allow eligible foster youth to complete their studies, graduate with less debt, and have the opportunity to build a network of support. To see if you qualify, please read the FosterEd Student Brochure.

Veterans Benefits Administration
After your acceptance to Albright, you can obtain your educational benefits by applying through the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA). Once you confirm eligibilty for your benefits, provide your Certificate of Eligibilty (or Notice of Basic Eligibilty) to the registrar's office via email to registrar@albright.edu. If you need assistance, contact va@albright.edu.

State, Federal, or Outside Tuition Grant Assistance
All students receiving grant assistance from other institutions and/or states, must notify the Financial Aid Office. Tuition grants received from other institutions for tuition or from states other than Pennsylvania will be used to meet any unmet need in the financial aid package. However, if a need-based grant is awarded by Albright before we are informed of the outside tuition grant award eligibility, the need-based aid from Albright may be subject to change. Albright will allow our academic scholarship awards to be used for charges associated with tuition as well as room and board.

Once you complete your FAFSA, you will be notified of which loans you qualify for and how much money you are eligible to borrow.

Federal Direct Student Loans
A Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling must be completed to receive Federal Direct Student Loan funds. You may complete these steps online.

There are two types of Federal Direct Student Loans

• A Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged interest before you enter into repayment. The federal government will pay the interest while you are in school at least half-time or during periods of deferment.
• A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. If you are a dependent student whose parents do not qualify for a Federal PLUS Loan, or you are an independent student, you may qualify for an additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
Application for this parent loan is a two-step process after the student's FAFSA has been submitted. It requires the biological parent to complete a loan request (credit check) and the Master Promissory Note (MPN). These two steps must be completed before the loan can be certified by Albright College. We recommend submitting this application after July 1 - and applying for a full-year loan rather than one semester, as the loan amount will be split into two equal disbursements.

A parent can apply for this loan by logging into Studentaid.gov, using their own FSA account information. Once logged in, click on 'I'm a parent' and then 'Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan,' and complete all required information for the credit check. Once that is approved, the parent must complete the Master Promissory Note information and submit the loan application. 

All loan funds will be credited to the student's account in two equal disbursements, one for each semester.

Private Student Loans
Educational loans are available through private lenders and are typically in the student's name, with a required credit-worthy co-signer. Review loans like this at Elm Select.

The Federal Work-Study Program is designed to help students earn money during the academic year for books, supplies, and other expenses. You can see the current student jobs openings here. If you have questions, contact Albright Human Resources Coordinator Erin Treitl at etreitl@albright.edu.

Students must have a FAFSA on file to be reviewed for Federal Work-Study eligibility. Students who are not eligible for Federal Work Study can still obtain an on-campus position and can apply at the above link.

If you are convicted for a drug offense that occurs while you are a student is receiving federal Title IV aid, you may experience a loss of your eligibility for federal financial assistance.  This information satisfies the University’s requirement to notify you under a separate and concise notice:  Federal law provides that a student who has been convicted of an offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving financial aid shall not be eligible to receive any federal or institutional grant, loan or work assistance during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following:

• Possession, First Offense, 1 year of ineligibility
• Possession, Second Offense, 2 years of ineligibility
• Possession, Third Offense, indefinite period of ineligibility
• Sale, First Offense, 2 years of ineligibility
• Sale, Second Offense, indefinite period of ineligibility

A student whose eligibility has been suspended based on a conviction for possession or sale of a controlled substance may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period if:

• The student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that:
  • complies with the criteria prescribed in the federal regulations; and,
  • includes two unannounced drug tests

The student successfully passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program that complies with the criteria prescribed in federal regulations; or, the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.

1. No action will be taken by financial aid staff that is for their personal benefit or could be perceived to be a conflict of interest.
2. Employees within the financial aid office will not award aid to themselves or their immediate family members. Staff will reserve this task to an institutionally designated person, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
3. The preferred lender list is compiled without prejudice and for the sole benefit of the students attending the institution. The information included about lenders and loan terms will be transparent, complete, and accurate. The complete process through which preferred lenders are selected will be fully and publicly disclosed. Borrowers will not be auto-assigned to any particular lender.
4. A borrower’s choice of a lender will not be denied, impeded, or unnecessarily delayed by the institution, even if that lender is not included on the institution’s preferred lender list.
5. No amount of cash, gift, or benefit in excess of a de minimis amount shall be accepted by a financial aid staff member from any financial aid applicant (or his/her family), or from any entity doing business with or seeking to do business with the institution (including service on advisory committees or boards beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses directly associated with such service).
6. Information provided by the financial aid office is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
7. Institutional award notifications and/or other institutionally provided materials include the following:
   1. A breakdown of individual components of the institution’s Cost of Attendance, designating all potential billable charges.
   2. Clear identification of each award, indicating type of aid, i.e. gift aid (grant, scholarship), work, or loan.
   3. Standard terminology and definitions
   4. Renewal requirements for each award.
8. All required consumer information is displayed in a prominent location on Albright web site(s) and in any printed materials, easily identified and found, and labeled as “Consumer Information.”
9. Financial aid professionals will disclose to their institution any involvement, interest in, or potential conflict of interest with any entity with which Albright has a business relationship.