Plymouth State University offers a variety of financial aid packages to help students cover the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses. These packages can include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, Plymouth State awarded over $60 million in financial aid to its students. Of this amount, over $20 million was in the form of grants and scholarships.
Types of Financial Aid Available
Grants
Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. They are typically awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or other factors. Some of the most common types of grants include:
- Federal Pell Grants: These grants are available to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. The maximum amount of a Pell Grant for the 2022-2023 academic year is $6,895.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG): These grants are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The maximum amount of a SEOG grant for the 2022-2023 academic year is $4,000.
- New Hampshire State Grants: These grants are available to New Hampshire residents who attend Plymouth State. The maximum amount of a New Hampshire State Grant for the 2022-2023 academic year is $4,000.
Scholarships
Scholarships are also free money that does not have to be repaid. However, they are typically awarded based on merit, rather than financial need. Some of the most common types of scholarships include:
- Academic scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who have excelled in their studies. The criteria for academic scholarships vary from program to program.
- Athletic scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who participate in intercollegiate athletics. The criteria for athletic scholarships vary from sport to sport.
- Other scholarships: There are also a number of other scholarships available to Plymouth State students, including scholarships for students from certain ethnic or cultural backgrounds, scholarships for students with disabilities, and scholarships for students who are pursuing certain majors.
Loans
Loans are money that must be repaid. However, they typically have lower interest rates than other types of loans. Some of the most common types of loans include:
- Federal Direct Stafford Loans: These loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students. The maximum amount of a Direct Stafford Loan for the 2022-2023 academic year is $12,500 for undergraduate students and $20,500 for graduate students.
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans: These loans are available to parents of undergraduate students. The maximum amount of a Direct PLUS Loan for the 2022-2023 academic year is $20,500.
- Private loans: These loans are available from banks and other private lenders. The interest rates on private loans are typically higher than the interest rates on federal loans.
Work-Study Programs
Work-study programs allow students to earn money to help pay for their education. Students who participate in work-study programs typically work on campus in jobs such as library assistants, research assistants, and administrative assistants.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.gov.
The FAFSA deadline for the 2022-2023 academic year is June 30, 2023. However, you are encouraged to apply for financial aid as early as possible.
Tips for Maximizing Your Financial Aid
Here are some tips for maximizing your financial aid:
- Complete the FAFSA as early as possible. The earlier you complete the FAFSA, the more likely you are to receive the maximum amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.
- Be accurate when completing the FAFSA. Any errors on your FAFSA could delay your financial aid award or even result in your application being denied.
- Consider all of your financial aid options. Don’t just focus on loans. There are a number of other financial aid options available, including grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
- Appeal your financial aid award if necessary. If you believe that your financial aid award is not fair, you can appeal the decision.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for financial aid:
- Not completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the key to receiving financial aid. If you do not complete the FAFSA, you will not be eligible for any federal financial aid.
- Making errors on the FAFSA. Any errors on your FAFSA could delay your financial aid award or even result in your application being denied.
- Not considering all of your financial aid options. There are a number of different financial aid options available. Don’t just focus on loans.
- Not appealing your financial aid award if necessary. If you believe that your financial aid award is not fair, you can appeal the decision.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about financial aid at Plymouth State University:
- What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.
- When is the FAFSA deadline? The FAFSA deadline for the 2022-2023 academic year is June 30, 2023.
- How much financial aid can I receive? The amount of financial aid you can receive depends on your financial need, academic merit, and other factors.
- What types of financial aid are available? Plymouth State University offers a variety of financial aid packages, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
- How do I apply for financial aid? To apply for financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA.
Additional Resources
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:
- Plymouth State University Financial Aid Office: https://www.plymouth.edu/financial-aid/
- Federal Student Aid: https://studentaid.gov/
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA): https://www.nasfaa.org/