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Some of our programs

Environmental Policy Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

BS Criminal Justice - Crime and Criminals

BS Public Safety - Emergency Management

MA Legal Studies

Master Public Policy - Law and Public Policy

Where can I find information about scholarships?

Scholarships and scholarship amounts will depend on your degree program, the level of education you are pursuing, and your income level. That is why it is important to speak with a school counselor. They are qualified individuals who have years of experience in the education industry and will help you come up with a customized degree program and plan that best fits your needs. They will evaluate your experience and background information to consider the scholarships and financial programs for which you may qualify.

Do I qualify for a Graduate PLUS or Stafford Loan?

PLUS loans can help you pay for a graduate or professional degree. Read more about Graduate PLUS Loans here: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/PlusLoansGradProfstudents.jsp.

Stafford Loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students based on financial need. Subsidized Stafford Loans are available for undergraduate degrees and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students.

You are not eligible for a Stafford Loan if you are not a U.S citizen or have been convicted of a drug felony. If you have defaulted on a student loan you will need to be caught up on your payments and be in good standing with your lender to be eligible.

To read more about Stafford Loans, please visit: http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp.

How can I get my education costs reimbursed?

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

After serving 10 years of full-time employment in public service, you may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) on any remaining student loan debt.

You need to make 120 payments and not be late on any payments in order to qualify for PSLF. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments.

Borrowers must consolidate into a Direct Loan Program in order to qualify for the PSLF Program, and may lower their monthly payments by doing so.

For more information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness, please reference the following: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessMarch18.pdf.

Income-Based Loan Repayment (IBR) Plan

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 made it possible for high-debt, lower income college graduates to manage their loan repayment via an “income-based repayment” plan.

Income-based repayment (IBR) is available for most federal student loans, such as Stafford, Grad PLUS and Consolidation Loans. It is not available for private student loans, Parent PLUS loans or Consolidation Loans that include Parent PLUS loans. To qualify for IBR you must demonstrate "partial financial hardship," which is determined based on the amount of your monthly payment, your income and your family size.

Under the IBR plan, your monthly payments are reduced, and after 25 years of qualifying repayments, any remaining balance will be forgiven. Borrowers can apply for IBR at Studentloans.gov.

Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan

As of December 21, 2012, recent college graduates with federal student loans who have a partial financial hardship can apply to lower their monthly payments using the Pay As You Earn plan. This new repayment plan has a lower monthly payment cap than the IBR plan and provides forgiveness after 20 years. You must be a new borrower as of Oct. 1, 2007. Find out more at studentaid.ed.gov.

To find out what type of loan you have, or for more information about your loan, please visit the National Student Loan Data System website at: www.NSLDS.ed.gov.

What is Loan Cancellation and who is eligible?

Certain types of public service work or employment may qualify individuals with Federal Perkins Loans for percentages of Loan Cancellation based on the number of years they complete a service.

Volunteering for the Peace Corps or VISTA, serving as a member of the U.S. armed forces in a hostile fire or imminent danger pay area, or working as a teacher, firefighter, nurse, medical technician, law enforcement or corrections officer, attorney, Head Start worker, child or family services worker, or professional provider of early intervention services are all examples of services that may qualify an individual for cancellation benefits.

To find out if you qualify, contact the school that made the loan (the one you attended when you received your Federal Perkins Loan) or loan servicer the school designated.

What is considered a Public Service job?

A public service job is defined as a full-time job in emergency management, government, military service, public safety, law enforcement, public health, public education, social work, public interest law services, child care, public library sciences, or any other job with an organization that is described in section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (an American, tax-exempt nonprofit organization).

What is the first step in getting financial assistance?

The first step in receiving financial assistance is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing the FAFSA, you will be eligible to receive all the federal financial aid available to you with regards to your particular financial situation.

For more information about the FAFSA, please visit: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.