Financial Aid Programs
Financial Aid Programs
WHAT CAN I GET?
- Loans: This type type of financial aid award must be repaid and accrues interest. Student loans are designed to help students pay for tuition, books and living expenses, and carry low interest rates.
- Employment: This type of assistance is where a student has a part-time job and earns money through working.
- Grants: This type of financial aid award is based on need or merit and is not repaid by the student. Only undergraduate students seeking a degree are eligible for grants. As a Pre-DC, Doctor of Chiropractic or Graduate student, you will NOT be eligible for this kind of aid.
- Scholarships: This type of financial aid is merit-based and does not need to be repaid. LIFE has both external and internal awards available.
Aid for Undergraduate, Graduate and DC Students
Federal Work-Study
Students may be eligible for part-time, on-campus and off-campus (community service) employment. Students can work up to 20 hours per week. Limited funding is available. Submission of the FAFSA by the priority deadline of January 15th is required to be reviewed for eligibility. View current open positions here.
Yellow Ribbon Program
For 2024-2025, Life University has been approved to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program agreement with the Veterans’ Administration (VA). This approval will provide maximum financial support to eligible veterans. For veterans eligible for the maximum benefit under this chapter, the VA will fund the cost of tuition and fees at Life University up to an annual maximum of $23,671.94 per academic year (which encompasses Fall through Summer quarters). If your costs are higher than that, the Yellow Ribbon Program will cover the difference up to $6,000 per year for undergraduates, $8,000 per year for students seeking Master’s degrees and $10,000 per year for students seeking Doctor of Chiropractic degrees.
The Registrar’s Office can assist veteran students in getting started and will officially certify enrollment for the VA. Please note that eligibility to receive Chapter 33 benefits is not determined by Life University. Advice on how to choose which VA benefit will be best for any given person’s individual situation is best sought from the VA. Veterans wishing to receive these benefits must apply here.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Students do not have to demonstrate need for unsubsidized loans. These loans accrue interest during the in-school enrollment period. Repayment generally begins six months after graduation or a student falls below half-time enrollment status. These loans may be consolidated upon graduation. Submission of the FAFSA is required to be reviewed for eligibility.
This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Private Educational Loans
Private educational loans may be an important funding source for students who need more loan funds than the federal programs can provide. Terms of private loans vary significantly. These loans can be more expensive than federal loans because the federal government does not guarantee them. They require a credit check and/or debt-to-income ratio on the borrower and/or co-borrower. A co-borrower may be required; lower interest rates may be available to students who choose to have a co-borrower. Each time a student wishes to borrow a private loan, a new loan application is required by the lender.
Private Educational Loan Application Process:
- You must initiate the loan application process by selecting a private student loan lender of your choice. You may choose to use any of the private loan lenders listed below. Apply online at the lender’s website, or contact the lender by phone. It is a good idea to apply early, as processing may take several weeks. However, keep in mind that credit approvals are only good for 90 to 150 days.
- Once the borrower and/or co-borrower’s credit is approved, Life University will receive a request from the lender to certify the loan. We will certify the loan for the lesser of the amount you request on your application or the maximum amount allowed by your financial aid budget (total cost minus other financial aid).
- Funds received at Life University will be applied first to your student account and, in the event of a credit balance, refunded to you by Student Accounts.
In an effort to assist students and families in choosing a lender, the Office of Financial Aid has compiled a list of institutions we consider to offer competitive products, solid customer service, electronic payment of loan funds and a variety of savings programs during loan repayment. Reasons for selecting a particular lender will vary from person to person, so this list should only be used as a guide or starting point for analysis. Some choose a lender based on name recognition, immediate benefit of lower origination fees or the long-term advantage of repayment savings programs, such as an interest rate reduction as a reward for making payments on time. Please note that you are not required to use any of these lenders – the choice of lender is yours. The Office of Financial Aid will process your loan with any lender you choose. Further, the list of lenders is not in any order of preference. Choose your lender carefully with the intent that you will remain with that lender throughout your studies at Life University.
These funds are available to graduate and undergraduate students who qualify based on credit. A co-borrower is required if you are a foreign student, have no credit history or have a low credit score. Interest rates and fees are variable. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates or falls below half-time status. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information about private alternative loans. Click here to review the Private Lender List.
Married and Family Member Tuition Benefit
Married students or qualified family members may receive a tuition remission. Click here for details.
Aid for Undergraduate Students Only
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are available to need-based Undergraduate Students. Awards vary depending on need and enrollment status. Effective on July 1, 2012, you can receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent (roughly six years). The 2024-2025 award is up to $7,395 per academic year.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is available to Undergraduate Students. Priority is given to early applicants showing the greatest financial need. Awards for eligible Life University students range from $250 to $1,000 per quarter. Early application is defined as having all Financial Aid application materials in the Financial Aid Office by January 15th of each year. Consideration will be given to students after that deadline, as long as funds are available.
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG)
GTEG is available to full-time Undergraduate students who have been legal residents of the State of Georgia for at least 24 months prior to University matriculation. Proof of established residency must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). GTEG is not based on financial need. The amount varies each year depending upon the State of Georgia budget. www.GAfutures.org
Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG)
Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG) was created beginning with the 2022-2023 Award Year (State Fiscal Year 2023). The grant assists eligible students experiencing a financial aid gap. The students must have completed at least eighty (80) percent of their credit requirements for an undergraduate major or program of study. Students must have an outstanding balance of direct cost with the institution for the term in which funds are sought. Students must complete a current year FASFA and meet the institutional eligibility requirements. www.GAfutures.org
HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship is available to Undergraduate students who have been legal Georgia residents for at least two years prior to University matriculation. Students entering the University straight from high school must have graduated from an accredited Georgia High School or have documentation of official Home Schooling. Students entering the University after attempting college level coursework elsewhere will have all previous transcripts reviewed to determine eligibility. Students must also document a high school or cumulative grade point average (GPA) and number of hours attempted refers to all coursework attempted (not just completed). Remedial and repeated classes are also included in attempted hours. For a full description of the HOPE Scholarship rules and regulations you may access the HOPE Scholarship website. www.GAfutures.org
Zell Miller Scholarship
The Zell Miller Scholarship is available to Undergraduate students who have been legal Georgia residents for at least 24 months prior to University matriculation. Students must have entered an eligible post-secondary institution in 2007 or later with a high school grade point average of 3.70 or higher as calculated by GSFC, and received a minimum score of 1200 combined critical reading and math on a single administration of the SAT on a test administration at the time of high school graduation; or received a composite scale score of 26 on a single administration of the ACT on a test administration at the time of high school graduation; or having graduated high school being named the Valedictorian or the Salutatorian. Current HOPE Scholars must have met the terms listed above for Zell Miller at the time of high school graduation and also have had a 3.3 HOPE cumulative GPA at the last check point. They must maintain a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. All the residency and deadline information listed for the HOPE scholarship is the same for Zell Miller.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Students have to demonstrate financial need, as determined by federal regulations to be eligible. No interest is charged while a student is in school at least half-time, during grace period, and during deferment periods. The loans may be consolidated upon graduation. The loans are available for Undergraduate students only and submission of the FAFSA is required to be reviewed for eligibility.
This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
These funds are available to the parents of dependent students. The maximum amount a student can borrow from this program is the cost of attendance minus estimated financial aid. Borrowers must meet established credit criteria. Borrowers may choose to have repayment deferred while the student for whom the parent borrowed is enrolled at least half-time. Interest that accrues during these periods will be capitalized if not paid by the parent during the deferment. Apply online at www.studentaid.gov.
This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Georgia Student Access Loan (SAL)
The Georgia Student Access Loan (SAL) is a limited resource loan program that is designed to assist undergraduate students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. The program is also designed to provide interest rate and repayment incentives to those who complete their program of study within the designed program length, work in select public service sectors or STEM fields. Apply online at www.GAfutures.org
In order to receive the Student Access Loan, students must:
- Be considered Georgia residents and United States citizens or eligible non-citizens.
- Complete a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to apply for this program.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with the SAP policy at your college or university.
- Have first applied for and exhausted all other student financial aid programs including federal and state student loans, scholarship, and grant programs.
- Be randomly selected to participate in the program (Note: Selection does not guarantee approval and applicants may or may not be selected each application year).
- Meet all eligibility requirements.
- Institutions have the authority to decline eligibility of a student for a SAL, or reduce the requested loan amount, for one of the following, but not limited to:
- Previous academic history
- Unusual enrollment history
- Total amount of previous loan debt
- Direct costs such as tuition, fees, books, etc.
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Pre-DC students are not eligible for certain award programs because they are considered non-degree seeking. Pre-DC students are eligible to receive undergraduate loans at the 91+ credit grade level and credit-based loans. They are not eligible for work study, SEOG, or state aid. Pre-DC students may only receive federal aid for a maximum of 4 quarters.
Aid for Graduate and DC Students Only
Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
Graduate/Professional students are allowed to borrow additional federal funds that do not affect their Federal Direct Loan aggregate limit. The maximum amount a student can borrow for this program is the cost of attendance minus estimated financial aid. Borrowers must establish credit criteria. These loans do accrue interest during the in-school period. Repayment begins on the date the loan is fully disbursed and the first payment is due within 60 days of the final disbursement. However, students can defer repayment while enrolled at least half-time in school. Apply for the Grad PLUS online here.
This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan Program (BHP SCL)
The Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan Program (BHP SCL) intends to attract and retain Georgia residents to enroll in an eligible behavioral health advanced degree program. Students in the Master of Positive Psychology may be eligible for this program.
Graduate students attending an eligible private or University System of Georgia (USG) Postsecondary Institution and enrolled in an eligible behavioral health advanced degree program may qualify for the service cancelable loan to assist with the cost of attendance or for educational cost.
The student must have the intent to:
- Graduate from the eligible behavioral health advanced degree and earn the license or credential,
- Gain full-time employment or full-time self-employment in an eligible behavioral health profession within Georgia providing behavioral health services to Georgia residents as clients or patients.
Recipients that meet the requirements can qualify for service cancellation of their BHP SCL. The intent of the program is that each recipient provides behavioral health services to residents of Georgia as patients or clients. More details and application are available here: https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/loans/behavioral-health-professions-scl/.