financial AID + scholarships

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 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.

• The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Ch. 30) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Montgomery GI Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Ch. 1606) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Ch. 1607) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, Ch. 32) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Survivors and Dependents Assistance Program (Ch. 35) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student who is a survivor or dependent of the Veteran.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Ch. 31) benefits provide payments to Adler for mandatory tuition and fees.

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 wishing to use Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits can begin the application process on the VA’s website. If you have additional questions about using the benefits at Adler University, contact the Office of Financial Aid for specific information at 844.459.3710 or financialaid@adler.edu.

Students utilizing Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness 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.

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, please see below.

• 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.

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.

Office of Financial Aid
Doris Valarezo, Senior Financial Aid Specialist
844.459.3710
financialaid@adler.edu

Office of Financial Aid
Zach Weber, Associate Director of Financial Aid
844.459.3710
financialaid@adler.edu

Office of Student Accounts
312.662.4135
studentaccounts@adler.edu

Adler University’s Vancouver Campus recommends that Indigenous applicants follow the steps listed below when pursuing educational funding.

• An Indigenous student’s first step is to reach out to their First Nation for band funding and other related scholarships/awards. They will have an application process that the student must go through and specific deadlines determined by the post-secondary funding administrator. Bands will sometimes fund partial amounts if the cost of tuition is too high for their yearly budget.
• If the student receives a band denial letter or is not a member of a band/nation, this can grant them access to external Indigenous sources of funding. Federal and Provincial agencies that fund students for post-secondary education outside of band funding look for band denial letters to proceed with their sponsorship process. These agencies may also offer funding to Metis, Inuit, and non-status Indigenous students.
• Students can also apply for a student loan through their province of residency at the point of acceptance.
• Students can also check out external scholarships, bursaries, and awards for Indigenous students.

These sponsors are outside of band funding and assist Indigenous students in their post-secondary financial aid.

• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
• NIB Trust Fund
• First Peoples’ Cultural Council (Art Therapy Only)
• Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP)

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial strain of a school year. Students can apply to multiple scholarships.

• Indspire Bursaries and Scholarships
• Irving K Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society
• New Relationship Trust Fund
• First Citizens Fund Student Bursary Program
• Canada Post Indigenous Awards
• RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth

• Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool (Government of Canada)
• Aboriginal Learning Links

Funding is also available to Indigenous students based on location, financial status, and age, among other criteria. They can also sign up for https://yconic.com/ and http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/ to apply for other scholarship opportunities.

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 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.

• The Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Ch. 30) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Montgomery GI Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Ch. 1606) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP, Ch. 1607) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP, Ch. 32) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student.
• The Survivors and Dependents Assistance Program (Ch. 35) provides a monthly benefit paid directly to the student who is a survivor or dependent of the Veteran.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Ch. 31) benefits provide payments to Adler for mandatory tuition and fees.

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 wishing to use Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits can begin the application process on the VA’s website. If you have additional questions about using the benefits at Adler University, contact the Office of Financial Aid for specific information at 844.459.3710 or financialaid@adler.edu.

Students utilizing Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness 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.

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, please see below.

• 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.

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.

Office of Financial Aid
Doris Valarezo, Senior Financial Aid Specialist
844.459.3710
financialaid@adler.edu

Office of Financial Aid
Zach Weber, Associate Director of Financial Aid
844.459.3710
financialaid@adler.edu

Office of Student Accounts
312.662.4135
studentaccounts@adler.edu

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.

Many Adler University students elect to borrow student 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.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is the basic component of a student’s financial aid award offer. A student must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal loans. The interest rate on the Unsubsidized loan is fixed annually; a fee is assessed by the government when the loan is disbursed. 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 Unsubsidized Loan, a student must:

• File the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year;
• Accept or reject each Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan offered; and
• Complete both a master promissory note (MPN) and an entrance counseling session (new borrowers).

Students are held to annual and lifetime aggregate maximums for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These amounts are based on a student’s academic level and/or program.

Program

Graduate Students (Except Chicago Campus Psy.D. Students)

• Annual Loan Limit: $20,500 (Unsubsidized Only)
• Lifetime Aggregate Loan Limit: $138,500

Psy.D. Graduate Students (Chicago Campus only)

• Annual Loan Limit: $37,167 in a 12-month academic year (Unsubsidized Only, Prorated for academic year less than 12 months)
• Lifetime Aggregate Loan Limit: $224,000

The Grad PLUS loan program is being phased out. New borrowers will no longer be eligible to take out Grad PLUS loans beginning July 1, 2026. However, students who borrowed a Grad PLUS loan for their current program before that date may continue to use Grad PLUS loans for up to three additional academic years or until they complete the program — whichever comes first.

This means that even if you begin your academic career with just one course prior to July 1, 2026, you will remain eligible to borrow through the Grad PLUS program under this provision.

To qualify for a Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan, a student must:

• File the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year
• Complete a loan application with the U.S. federal government
• Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling
• Should the student not meet the credit criteria, an endorser (cosigner) may be added; an endorser addendum must then also be on file with the government

Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence may no longer be eligible for the entire amount of financial aid they were awarded and/or received. Review Adler University’s Withdrawing and Financial Aid policy for more information about the impact to financial aid when a semester is not completed.

Borrowers of Federal Student Loans are required to complete Exit Counseling 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 Unsubsidized 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 Graduate PLUS Loans — repayment begins as soon as the loan is fully disbursed. Students have the option of deferring repayment while enrolled at least half-time

There are several repayment options for Direct Loans, including loan forgiveness, cancellation and discharge. 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 forbearances, time periods when the government-designated loan servicer will temporarily suspend collection activity on the loan. Borrowers requiring a temporary postponement or partial reduction in monthly payment may request a forbearance if deferment is not available.

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.

Pursuing a graduate degree at Adler University is one of the most important steps you can take to make a difference in your community. It’s not a surprise, however, that many people question whether they can afford to invest in higher education. A number of financial aid options exist to support your graduate school education. To begin, please read about the different loan options below.

Student loans offered by the Canadian government help students pay for their post-secondary education. Canadian students (including permanent residents, landed immigrants, and protected persons) apply for loans through their home province or territory. Government student loans take into consideration many factors, including:

• Income and assets.
• Tuition, mandatory fees, and book costs.
• Living expenses.

StudentAid BC provides assistance in the form of Canada Student Loans or a combination of Canada Student Loans, B.C. Student Loans, and possibly grant funding. The amount and type of assistance awarded is based on need as assessed by the Provincial Authority. It takes approximately six weeks to process a student loan application. Students are therefore advised to apply early. Submitting online applications can speed up the approval process. Students are reminded that this is an assistance program aimed at complementing, not replacing, their own financial resources. To be eligible for full time StudentAid BC student loan funding, students must be registered in 60% of a full course load (6 credits), or 40% for students with permanent disabilities.

Students from British Columbia can apply online through studentaidbc.ca to be considered for federal and provincial loans and grant funding.

The amount of funding you receive depends on the financial information you submit in your online application. After you have submitted your application, you will receive an assessment from the agency you applied to for student loan funding. This assessment will tell you how much funding you are eligible for and when you will receive it.

Students from a province or territory other than British Columbia are eligible to receive government student loan assistance, but they must apply through their home province.

Please visit the loan site based on your province of residence below:

• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

There are many programs available that can help with the cost of post-secondary education. For a list of eligible programs, visit https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships or inquire through your home province.

Students who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents begin the U.S. financial aid process by completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.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. The 2023-2024 FAFSA covers the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 semesters and the 2024-2025 FAFSA covers the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 semesters.

• U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents applying to start during the Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 semesters should complete both the 2023-2024 FAFSA and the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
• U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents applying to start during the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 semesters should complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.

International students attending the Adler University in Vancouver are not eligible for Canadian federal or provincial student loans. However, international students are eligible to work off-campus through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) off-campus work permit program. For more information about this program, visit cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp.

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.

Many Adler University students elect to borrow student 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.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is the basic component of a student’s financial aid award offer. A student must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for federal loans. The interest rate on the Unsubsidized loan is fixed annually; a fee is assessed by the government when the loan is disbursed. 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 Unsubsidized Loan, a student must:

• File the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year;
• Accept or reject each Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan offered; and
• Complete both a master promissory note (MPN) and an entrance counseling session (new borrowers).

Students are held to annual and lifetime aggregate maximums for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These amounts are based on a student’s academic level and/or program. Online campus graduate students are limited to $20,500 in Unsubsidized Loan funding for each academic year, and $138,500 in lifetime aggregate Unsubsidized Loan funding.

The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (GradPLUS) is available to graduate/professional degree-seeking students. Students are encouraged to expend annual Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility prior to borrowing a GradPLUS loan; however, the GradPLUS loan is a federal student loan option to help meet costs that exceed the annual or lifetime Unsubsidized loan limits.

A student must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for the GradPLUS loan. The interest rate on the GradPLUS loan is fixed annually; a fee is assessed by the government when the loan is disbursed. There are several repayment plans available. GradPLUS loans are not need-based but a credit-based loan application is required. The amount awarded for the year cannot exceed your specified Cost of Attendance, less all other aid. There is likewise no lifetime max on the GradPLUS loan.

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

• File the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year
• Complete a loan application with the U.S. federal government
• Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling
• Should the student not meet the credit criteria, an endorser (cosigner) may be added; an endorser addendum must then also be on file with the government

Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence may no longer be eligible for the entire amount of financial aid they were awarded and/or received. Review Adler University’s Withdrawing and Financial Aid policy for more information about the impact to financial aid when a semester is not completed.

Borrowers of Federal Student Loans are required to complete Exit Counseling 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 Unsubsidized 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 Graduate PLUS Loans — repayment begins as soon as the loan is fully disbursed. Students have the option of deferring repayment while enrolled at least half-time.

There are several repayment options for Direct Loans, including loan forgiveness, cancellation and discharge. 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 forbearances, time periods when the government designated loan servicer will temporarily suspend collection activity on the loan. Borrowers requiring a temporary postponement or partial reduction in monthly payment may request a forbearance if deferment is not available.

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.