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Financial Aid

Overview

Overview

Earning an advanced degree is making an investment in yourself—and your future. A degree can open the door to more career choices and increase your earning potential. In times of economic uncertainty, possibly one of the best investments you can make is in your education, and in the professional skills that can lay the foundation for your future.

Aid is available from the U.S. federal government, and from institutional and outside programs. Aid can come in the form of:

Loans
Money that must be repaid at some point in the future, with interest. Graduate student federal loans are not need-based, but there may be a credit check required.

Student Loan Financing Options
Many Adler University students find it necessary to take out loans to finance all or a portion of their costs. The Office of Financial Aid strongly encourages those who qualify to explore U.S. federal student loan options first. Federal student loans that a student took out prior to enrolling with Adler University are eligible for in-school deferment as long as the student maintains at least half-time enrollment.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans
The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is the basic component of a student’s financial aid award package. A student must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal loans. Interest rates on these loans are fixed, and there are several repayment plans available. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not need-based, and are available to degree and certificate students at all academic levels. The amount awarded for the year cannot exceed the annual loan limit and is based on the student’s academic level and/or program.

To qualify for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, a student must:

  • Apply for student financial assistance with the University;
  • Accept or reject each Federal Direct Stafford Loan offered; and
  • Complete both a master promissory note and an entrance counseling session (new borrowers).
  • Maximum Annual and Aggregate Loan Amounts: Students are held to annual and lifetime aggregate maximums for Federal Direct Stafford Loans. These amounts are based on a student’s academic level and/or program.

ProgramAnnual Loan LimitLifetime Aggregate Loan Limit
Graduate Students (Except Chicago Campus Psy.D. Students)$20,500 (Unsubsidized Only) $138,500
Psy.D. Graduate Students (Chicago Campus only)$37,167 in a 12-month academic year (Unsubsidized Only, Prorated for academic year less than 12 months)$224,000

Interest Rates

  • Federal Direct Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2017 and before July 1, 2018 have a fixed interest rate of 6.00%.
  • Federal Direct Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018 and before July 1, 2019 have a fixed interest rate of 6.60%.

Loan Fees: The federal government assesses a mandatory loan fee on all Federal Direct Stafford Loans before the funds arrive at Adler. These fees are as follows:

  • Federal Direct Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after 10/1/2017 and before 10/1/2018 will have a loan fee of 1.066%.
  • Federal Direct Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after 10/1/2018 and before 10/1/2019 will have a loan fee of 1.062%.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans
Graduate students may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan to assist with educational costs. To be eligible for federal loans, a student must be enrolled at least half-time. These loans have fixed interest rates, and several repayment plans are available. Federal Direct PLUS loans are not need-based, but a credit check is required. The total amount awarded for the year cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance minus all other forms of financial assistance received. There is no aggregate cap on this loan program.

To be offered a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, graduate students must:

  • Apply for student financial assistance with the University;
  • Accept or reject each Federal Direct PLUS Loan offered;
  • Obtain credit approval for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan at the Federal Student Aid website; and
  • Complete both a master promissory note and an entrance counseling session (new borrowers).

If the graduate student is unable to obtain credit approval on their own, they can add a credit-worthy co-borrower (endorser) or they may be able to appeal the credit decision due to extenuating circumstances. Additional steps will be necessary in either case.

Interest Rates
Federal Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2017 and before July 1, 2018 have a fixed interest rate of 7.00%. Federal Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2018 and before July 1, 2019 have a fixed interest rate of 7.60%. Interest begins to accrue on these loans as soon as money is disbursed to the student’s tuition account.
Loan Fees. The federal government assesses a mandatory loan fee on all Federal Direct PLUS Loans before the funds arrive at Adler. These fees are as follows:

  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after 10/1/2017 and before 10/1/2018 will have a loan fee of 4.264%.
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after 10/1/2018 and before 10/1/2019 will have a loan fee of 4.248%.

Withdrawing and Financial Aid
Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence from a term may no longer be eligible for the entire amount of federal student loans they were awarded and/or received. Review Adler University’s policy for Federal Student Loans when a term is not completed here.

Loan Repayment
Borrowers of Federal Student Loans are required to complete Exit Counseling on the loan whenever they graduate, withdraw from school (including taking a leave of absence), or cease to maintain at least half-time enrollment. If Exit Counseling is required, the student will be notified by The Office of Financial Aid.

  • Federal Direct Stafford Loans — repayment does not begin until the conclusion of a six-month grace period. This grace period begins after a student graduates, withdraws from school (including taking a leave of absence), or ceases to maintain at least half-time enrollment.
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans — repayment begins as soon as the loan is fully disbursed. Students have the option of deferring repayment while the student is enrolled at least half-time, for a six-month grace period following graduation, or in the event the student withdraws (including taking a leave of absence) or ceases to maintain at least half-time enrollment.

Borrowers have the option of a standard, 10-year repayment or other extended repayment options based on time to repayment or the borrower’s income. These loans also allow for specific deferments, or time periods when the lender will temporarily suspend collection activity on the loan. Borrowers requiring a temporary postponement or partial reduction in monthly payment may request a forbearance in case deferment is not available. Detailed information about loan deferment, forbearance, and repayment is available here.

Alternative Loans
Alternative loans are private, credit-based loans the student applies for directly with a financial institution. These loans cannot be combined with Federal Direct Loans into a Federal Consolidation Loan following graduation. Alternative loans may be available to international students who have U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident co-borrower, or borrowers who are not able to file a FAFSA. Interest rates on alternative loans are typically not fixed and may vary based on the lender and the borrower’s credit rating.

Students who are eligible for Federal Direct Loans are encouraged to explore federal loans first as there are many benefits that may be unavailable through an alternative loan program.

Federal Work Study

Assistance that is earned through service to the institution or an outside organization. This assistance is need-based.

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is a need-based employment program funded partially by the U.S. government. FWS participants are paid $15/hour to work part-time. Time commitments vary by position; students may work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Positions are available at Adler’s campus and with select organizations in Chicago.

To qualify for a Federal Work-Study position, a student must:

  • Apply for student financial assistance with the University and demonstrate financial need;
  • Submit a Work-Study Authorization Form through the Office of Financial Aid;
  • Complete all required paperwork with the Office of Financial Aid and Human Resources;
  • Interview and be hired for a student worker position.

FWS is a need-based employment program that is factored into the student’s overall financial aid package for the year. Student worker positions are not guaranteed, and the earliest a FWS student may begin work is the first official day of class. FWS earnings are taxable and paid biweekly for all hours worked. View open jobs on the Financial Aid page of Adler Connect.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance

The Office of Financial Aid assigns each U.S. student aid recipient an annual cost of attendance, which limits the amount of financial assistance that a student can receive for a given academic year. The cost of attendance includes allowances for:

  • tuition and fees;
  • books and supplies;
  • living expenses (including rent, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses); and
  • average federal loan fees.

Students are encouraged to borrow as conservatively as possible to minimize loan repayment amounts following graduation. Detailed cost of attendance information for the 2019-2020 academic year is available here.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are set annually by Adler University. A student’s cost of attendance will include an allowance for tuition and fees based upon the student’s actual enrollment in required courses for the year. Initial awards are based upon the published course sequence for the student’s academic program. If a student deviates from the published course sequence, the cost of attendance will be adjusted to reflect any differences in charges.

Books and Supplies

Students are given a book and supply allowance based upon the number of academic credits for which they register.

  • Chicago and Vancouver Campus students are provided with a $50/credit hour book and supply allowance.
  • Online Campus students are provided with a $42/credit hour book and supply allowance.

Living Expenses

Students are allowed to borrow to cover living expenses, as necessary.

  • Chicago and Vancouver Campus students are provided with an allowance of up to $2,437 per month in living expenses. This amount includes rent, utilities, transportation, and other miscellaneous personal expenses.
  • Online Campus students are provided with an allowance of up to $1,950 per month in living expenses. This amount includes rent, utilities, and other miscellaneous personal expenses.

The monthly living allowance is based on data regarding average living expenses for the Chicagoland metropolitan area. The living allowance is meant to cover living expenses associated with the student (and not the student’s other family members.)

Average Loan Fees

The federal government assesses a loan fee on each loan made to a student. Students are provided with an allowance in their cost of attendance. This allowance is an average of fees charged to students in specific ranges of cost of attendance.

Other Expenses

On a case-by-case basis, the Office of Financial Aid will allow a student to appeal to increase their cost of attendance from the standard amounts provided. The following costs are eligible for consideration under a cost of attendance appeal.

  • Dependent Care
  • Device Purchase (such as a laptop or tablet)
  • Internship Interview Travel Expenses

Most U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Adler University may use financial aid to cover the full cost of their educational expenses. Financial aid may be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and living expenses during all academic terms in which a student is registered at least half-time. 

Contact Us
The Office of Financial Aid will help you understand your options and answer any questions you have. Our financial aid counselors are available for phone or in-person consultations. You can reach the Office of Financial Aid by calling (844) 459-3710 or via email. 

Scholarships

Scholarships

Adler University offers a variety of scholarships to help support the educational goals of its students. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid and are awarded based on a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, academic excellence, mission relevance, and community involvement and service.

Merit Scholarships

Adler University is pleased to offer renewable merit scholarships to all academically accomplished first-year students who are admitted and enroll in the Online campus. All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships; no additional scholarship application is required. Merit scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s undergraduate GPA at time of application submission. Students may also be awarded additional merit scholarship funding based on a holistic review of the application for admission and other factors including (but not limited to): admissions interview, relevant work/volunteer experience, and demonstrated commitment to Adler University’s mission. Admission to Adler University is highly competitive and applicants are encouraged to complete the application process as soon as possible.

NOTE: With exception of the Military scholarship, Master’s and Doctoral Merit Scholarships cannot be combined with any other Adler University Scholarship.

Master’s Merit Scholarship

Undergrad GPAMinimum Scholarship
3.81+Starting at $6,000
3.41 – 3.8Starting at $4,000
3.0 – 3.4Starting at $2,000

Doctoral Merit Scholarship

Undergrad GPAMinimum Scholarship
3.81+Starting at $9,000
3.41 – 3.8 or Graduate degree with GPA above 3.80Starting at $6,000
3.0 – 3.4 or Graduate degree with GPA above 3.50Starting at $3,000
Scholarship Criteria
  • Undergraduate GPA is calculated at time of admission and is based on all undergraduate courses taken – not only the transcript from your most recent institution.
  • Scholarships are awarded over two years (maximum). Students must remain continually enrolled at Adler University to receive the total amount of their package and remain in Satisfactory Academic Progress with Office of Financial Aid in order for scholarships to be renewed.
  • Scholarships are awarded over three years (maximum). Students must remain continually enrolled at Adler University to receive the total amount of their package and remain in Satisfactory Academic Progress with Office of Financial Aid in order for scholarships to be renewed.
  • Graduate GPA is calculated at time of admission and is based on all graduate coursework completed – not only the most recent institution. Students must receive a graduate degree prior to enrolling for graduate GPA to be considered.
Other Scholarship Opportunities

Social Justice Scholarship
Adler University’s Social Justice Scholarships are awarded based on past dedication and/or anticipated future contributions to service, academic excellence, and leadership. Priority is given to candidates with either a history of providing community service, or an articulated plan to design and implement effective and innovative solutions to a significant social problem. Candidates are reviewed automatically, and scholarships are generally awarded at time of acceptance. Awarded over 2 years (6 terms) for MA applicants; awarded over 3 years (9 terms) for all doctoral applicants. Recipients of Adler University’s Merit Scholarship are not eligible for the Social Justice Scholarship.

Starts at $2,000

Community Partner Scholarship
Adler University values the long standing relationships we have with several community organizations. Recipients of the Community Partner Scholarship must be a full-time employee at one of Adler University’s designated high-impact community partners. Scholarship recipients must submit all admissions documents and be accepted to a Master’s or Doctoral degree program at the Chicago campus. Candidates are reviewed automatically and scholarships are awarded at time of acceptance only. Applicants who qualify for the Community Partner Scholarship are not eligible for any other scholarships or discounts from Adler University.

Award Amount: 50% of tuition for program

Adler Alumni Merit Scholarship Guarantee
Adler University recognizes the achievements of our alumni and support their ongoing career growth through a doctoral Merit scholarship guarantee. Graduates of any Adler University master’s program who are admitted to a doctoral program will receive a minimum scholarship package of $10,000 through the Merit Scholarship program.

Military Scholarship
Adler University acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who serve our country in the military. As a way of saying “thank you” for your service, all active-duty, veteran, or retired U.S. military service members, Reservist or National Guard (and their spouses or civil partners) who enroll in any Chicago Campus degree program may qualify for a Military Scholarship. Scholarship recipients may be asked to provide the appropriate documentation. THIS PRODUCT OR SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR ENDORSED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, AND THIS OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE BY AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Award Amount: $1,000

AmeriCorps Service Scholarship
Adler University would like to recognize those who have served the community through the AmeriCorps programs. Recipients of the AmeriCorps Service Scholarship must be a current AmeriCorps member or alumni. Scholarship recipients must submit all admissions documents, be accepted to a Master’s or Doctoral degree program, and submit verification of an AmeriCorps Educational Award. Candidates are reviewed automatically and scholarships are awarded at time of acceptance only. Applicants who qualify for the AmeriCorps Service Scholarship are not eligible for any other scholarships or discounts from Adler University.

Award Amount: 50% of tuition for program

Peace Corps Service Scholarship

Adler University would like to recognize those who have served the community abroad through the Peace Corps program. Recipients of the Peace Corps Service Scholarship must be a current Peace Corps member, alumni, or volunteer. Scholarship recipients must submit all admissions documents, be accepted to a Master’s or Doctoral degree program, and submit verification of Peace Corps service. Candidates are reviewed automatically and scholarships are awarded at time of acceptance only. Applicants who qualify for the Peace Corps Service Scholarship are not eligible for any other scholarships or discounts from Adler University.

 

Award Amount: 50% of tuition for program

Veterans Education Benefits and Military Assistance

Veterans Education Benefits and Military Assistance

Assistance available to Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents or those on active duty/reserve.

Using Veterans Education Benefits or Military Assistance
U.S Military Veterans or those who are on active duty/reserve may qualify for education benefits to help fund their Adler education. A student must be admitted prior to applying for Veterans Education or Military benefits. Once admitted, the student can start the process of applying for benefits by following the steps below.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Veterans Education Benefits
Veterans education benefits are approved by the Illinois State Approving Agency. These programs offer a variety of benefits for students based on their individual Military Enlistment history. Below are the different benefits that are approved by the Illinois State Approving Agency. Use the GI Bill® Comparison Tool to determine which benefit program is the right one for you. Payment rates for each type of benefit are also available online.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) provides the following benefits to, or on behalf of, the student:

  • A scaled tuition and fee payment ranging between 40 and 100 percent of billed mandatory charges, which is dependent on length of active service. The payment is made directly to Adler. The 40 percent benefit level will be eliminated on August 1, 2020.
  • A monthly housing allowance (MHA) paid to the student and payable for the zip code of the campus where the student physically attends the majority of classes. This applies to the first enrollment in an educational program on or after August 1, 2018.

Note: Students in Adler’s Online Campus will be paid at one-half the BAH national average. Students on active duty or who are enrolled half-time or less are not eligible for the MHA.

  • A books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year which is paid proportionally based on enrollment.
  • Some Veterans may be able to transfer their benefits to a spouse or dependent.
  • Adler participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which entitles Veterans at the 100 percent Tier Level to receive full payment of their mandatory charges in excess of the annual cap.

Active duty Service Members and their spouses are not currently eligible for Yellow Ribbon consideration.

Applying for Veterans Education Benefits
To begin using VA Education Benefits, the student must submit the appropriate forms to the VA.

  • First-time users of VA Education Benefits must apply to use their benefits with the VA.
  • Veterans who have used their benefits before and who wish to transfer those benefits to Adler must submit form 22-1995 or form 22-5495 (as appropriate) to the VA.

After applying for or transferring benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs will determine the student’s eligibility and issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the student. The student must provide a copy of the COE to the Financial Aid Office before benefits can be certified.

Students using Vocational Rehabilitation benefits should contact Adler’s Office of Student Accounts for specific information at 312.662.4407 or [email protected].

Pending Tuition and Fee Payments
Students utilizing Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) education benefits may have a tuition and fees payment sent directly to Adler University. While the tuition and fee payment is pending from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Adler will not take any of the following actions:

  • Prevent enrollment;
  • Assess a late payment fee;
  • Require alternative or additional funding; or
  • Deny access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other Adler facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills.

This pending payment provision supersedes other policies listed elsewhere in the Course Catalog.

To qualify for this provision, Ch. 31 and 33 students may be required to submit the following to the Office of Financial Aid:

  • Provide a Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
  • Submit a written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed in order for the Office of Financial Aid to properly certify enrollment to the VA.

Military Tuition Assistance
Each branch of the US Military offers a Tuition Assistance (TA) program to Active and/or Reserve Military Service members. TA can cover up to $250 per credit hour, not to exceed the amount per Military Fiscal Year based on branch of service. For more information on TA, including a breakdown of Tuition Assistance dollar amounts by branch, click here.

Applying for Military Tuition Assistance

  • Complete the correct enrollment form associated with your branch of the US Military for approval by your Military Education Officer.
  • Submit the APPROVED TA form to Adler University’s Student Accounts Office.

Note: Army TA users will need to complete the TA process through the Go Army Ed website.

More Information
If you have questions about using your Veterans and/or Military benefits at Adler University, do not hesitate to reach out to Adler University staff.

Veterans Education Benefits Questions:

Adler’s Office of Financial Aid
844.459.3710
[email protected]

Vocational Rehabilitation or Military Tuition Assistance Questions:

Adler’s Office of Student Accounts
312.662.4407
[email protected]

Apply for Financial Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

In order to be awarded financial assistance through the Office of Financial Aid, a student must complete an annual financial aid application and must meet all eligibility requirements.

Students begin the financial aid process by completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.ed.gov using Adler’s school code (G20681).

Financial aid applications are year-specific and must be renewed each academic year in order to continue funding.

  • U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents applying to start on Adler University’s Chicago or Vancouver Campuses during spring 2019 or summer 2019 semesters should complete the 2018-2019 FAFSA.
  • U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents applying to start on Adler University’s Chicago or Vancouver Campuses during fall 2019 semester should complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA.
  • U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents applying to start on Adler University’s Online Campus before May 2019 should complete the 2018-2019 FAFSA.
  • U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents applying to start on Adler University’s Online Campus on or after May 2019 should complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA.

In certain instances, other aid application materials may be required. These additional items will be formally requested by the Office of Financial Aid if they are necessary to complete the aid application process.

Students will be notified of their aid awards via email and will be asked to review them via the Financial Aid Self-Service area of Adler Connect. Students receive access to this site shortly after being formally accepted to Adler University.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for most types of federal and institutional assistance, an aid applicant must:

  • Be actively enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Adler University;
  • Have a high school diploma; have a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (GED); or have completed schooling at the secondary level;
  • Have a complete financial aid application on file with the University;
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress according to Office of Financial Aid standards;
  • Enroll at a certain level for certain aid programs (e.g., some loans require half–time enrollment, etc.);
  • Not have a federal or state drug conviction;
  • Not be incarcerated (except for certain federal assistance programs);
  • Be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, other eligible noncitizen, or a citizen of the Freely Associated States;
  • Not be in default on a federal education loan;
  • Not owe an overpayment on a federal education grant;
  • Not have a defaulted federal education loan or federal grant overpayment in active bankruptcy claim (under certain circumstances);
  • Not have federal education loans that were discharged due to total and permanent disability (under certain circumstances);
  • Not have borrowed more than the aggregate limits established for federal loan programs;
  • Not have been convicted of, or pled no contest or guilty to, a crime involving fraud in obtaining Federal Student Aid (FSA) funds;
  • Not have property subject to a judgment lien for debt owed to the United States;
  • Have a Social Security number and provide it to Adler University;
  • Have registered with Selective Service (males only), if required by law; and
  • Meet all financial aid–specific criteria (certain programs require satisfactory credit checks; require the student to be in a specific academic program; etc.).
Enrollment Status

Enrollment Status

Effective starting with the 2019-2020 Academic Year.

Federal student loans require a student to maintain at least half-time enrollment. Federal work-study does not require at least half-time enrollment. Enrollment status definitions are as follows, with all measures being taken on a per-term basis.

Only credits required for degree or certificate completion count in a student’s enrollment status for the term.

ProgramFull–TimeHalf–TimeLess Than Half–Time
All Adler Graduate-Level Programs6+ credits3–5 credits1–2 credits

Exceptions to credit hour requirements for enrollment status are as follows:

  • Chicago, Vancouver, or Online Campus graduate students registered for practicum, practicum continuation, dissertation proposal (non-Psy.D. students only), dissertation, full-time internship, internship continuation, or externship satisfy the full-time enrollment definition.
  • Chicago, Vancouver, or Online Campus graduate students registered for dissertation proposal continuation (non-Psy.D. students only), doctoral dissertation continuation or half-time internship satisfy the half-time enrollment definition.
  • Important Note: Effective beginning in the 2017–2018 academic year, dissertation proposal and dissertation proposal continuation have been removed as exceptions to credit hour requirements for enrollment status for Psy.D. students.

Enrollment Status Considerations When Retaking Coursework:

Please note: for the purposes of determining a student’s enrollment status, there are special considerations for students who are repeating coursework.

  • A student who has failed a course (letter grade of F, or grade of NC in a credit/no-credit course) can have the repeated failed course calculated in their enrollment status as many times as it is necessary to get a passing grade. See the next bullet for an exception.
  • A student who is retaking a previously passed course to improve their grade in it may have exactly one repetition of that course included in their enrollment status. In the case when a student retakes the previously passed course to improve their grade and fails the second time, the student may not be paid for retaking the class a third time.