Types of Federal and State Aid

Federal and State aid can be broken down into 4 categories:

1. Free federal money
2. Free state money
3. Aid that will need to be paid back
4. Specialized Programs

Students interested in receiving federal or state aid must submit a FAFSA. If you have any questions you may contact Chrislin Wilder at (916) 577-2234 or cwilder [at] jessup [dot] edu

Free Federal Money

Pell Grant: This award is based on the student's financial need. Eligibility is based directly from the result of the FAFSA known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The lower the EFC, the greater the need. This award ranges from $1176-5550 for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (FSEOG): This award is also based on the student's financial need. Those who receive the Pell Grant can qualify for the FSEOG. This award ranges from $100-$250 for the entire year.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): This award is designed for eligible financially needy students who complete a rigorous secondary school program of study. An ACG is available during a student's first and second academic years of undergraduate education in an eligible undergraduate program. A student must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant to be eligible for an ACG. Eligibility will be determined by the combined work of the Admission and Financial Aid Departments. The award is $750 for freshmen and $1300 for sophomores.  This award is scheduled to be phased out by Congress for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Free State Money

Cal Grant A: This tuition-only grant, awarded by the state of California, is based on the California residency, a 3.0 grade point average (GPA), family size and income/asset levels. Students must submit the FAFSA and the GPA Verification Form by March 2 in order to be considered for Cal Grant for the following school year. This award is $9708 per academic year. See www.calgrants.org for more information.

Cal Grant B: This state grant is available for California residents from low-income, disadvantaged backgrounds who have high potential and demonstrate a high financial need. Students must submit the FAFSA and the GPA Verification Form by March 2 in order to be considered for Cal Grant B for the following school year. If an eligible student is awarded the Cal Grant B for his/her first year in college, the student will receive $1551 for the first academic year. If the student maintains enrollment in subsequent years, the award will increase to $11,259 per academic year. See www.calgrants.org for more information.

Chafee Grant: If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for college. To qualify, you must be a current or former foster youth and not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1 of the award year. The court must have establised your dependency when you were between the ages of 16 and 18. In addition, you must have financial need. You must also enroll at least half time in an eligible school, your program of study must be at least one academic year long, and you must attend class regularly and get good grades. To apply, you must submit two forms: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Chafee Grant Program Applicaiton. Visit www.chafee.csac.ca.gov for more information.

          For a visual breakdown of Federal and State aid, please click look at the following charts.

Financial Aid that will be paid back

Federal Stafford Loans: This federal student loan program provides low interest loans from participating lending institutions to eligible students who attend at least half time (6 units). This loan is provided to help pay educational expenses. Loans vary in amount based upon the student's grade level and dependency status. Students may be eligible for a Subsidized Stafford Loan, in which the government subsidizes (pays for) the interest  while the students are in school and during the grace period, and/or an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, for which the students are responsible for paying the interest during and after school. Interest on the Subsidized Stafford Loan for the 2009-2010 school year is 5.6% and for the 2010-2011 school year it will decrease to 4.5%. Interest on the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan will remain at 6.8%. Repayment on Stafford Loans begins six months after a student graduates, drops below half-time, or withdraws from school. Annual loan eligibility amounts are as follows:

Dependent Students

Independent Students

Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students): This federal loan program provides loans at a fixed 7.9% interest rate to parents of eligible students to help in the cost of the student's education. Repayment of loan principle and interest begins within sixty days of the full disbursement of the loan but can be deferred till after the student graduates. For more information, please see Additional Loan Options.

Specialized Programs

Federal Work Study: This program is for the financially eligible students interested in employment. Students will have the opportunity to work on or off campus and receive wages for those hours. Available jobs vary and wage is determined by the department student is employed with.

Veteran's Benefits: William Jessup University is approved for coordination of Veteran's Benefits and fully participates in the new Chapter 33 Post 9/11 BI Bill and the new Yellow Ribbon Program!  Any student who qualifies for 100% benefit eligibility will have all tution charges covered by WJU and the VA.  

     A great place to begin this process is the VA's Education Checklist.  From there, you will need to complete the VA From 1990 - Application for Benefits.  This application will be reviewed by the VA and they will determine your benefit eligibility level.  A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will then be issued to you, which outlines your specific benfits.

     You will need to submit the 1990, the COE and a copy of your DD 214 (Form 4) to Korey Compaan, WJU VA Certifying Official at kcompaan [at] jessup [dot] edu.  Korey can also be reached at 916.577.2231 or by fax at 916.577.2230.

     The Yellow Ribbon program is a fabulous program for our veterans!  In addition to having the entire tuition cost covered, there is also a Book Stipend and the possibility of a Monthly Housing Allowance (BAH).  The book stipend has nothing to do with the actual cost of your books - it is simply a kicker which pays you $41.67 per unit per term, up to $1000 for each academic year.  To be eligible for the BAH, you need to be enrolled 'more than half-time' - which translates to 7 units or more each term.

    The VA will send payment for Tuition and Fees directly to WJU.  The Book Stipend and BAH check will be sent to you by the VA via paper check or direct deposit, depending which one you selected on your 1990.

    Because the new GI Bill benefits are based entirely on the number of units for which you are registered, it is critically imperative that you contact Korey anytime you add or drop units.

MyCAA:  William Jessup University also participates in the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program (MyCAA).  Eligible spouses must sign up with MyCAA, develop an academic plan with WJU, and then notify the Financial Aid Office that they have submitted the courses to MyCAA.  WJU will then invoice the federal government for the first $6,000 of tuition charges accrued by the student.