Financial Aid
Graduate Information: Doctoral
The Catholic University of America offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and loans to new and continuing doctoral students. Information on scholarships and grants is found below.|
We direct you to further information provided on the web by The Catholic University of America.
Four Paths for Financing Doctoral Education
Applicants to the National Catholic School of Social Service may contact the school's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (202-319-5496) for information on scholarships, grants and loans. Please note that admission to the doctoral program is required before financial aid is granted.
Descriptions and Application Procedures
1. CUA Scholarships
Full-time applicants with very high Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may apply for the competitive CUA Graduate scholarships. Submission of the GRE scores as part of the application packet to the National Catholic School of Social Service constitutes the application procedure for the CUA Scholarship. All parts of the application must be submitted and admissions must be awarded by February 1 to be considered for these awards. These scholarships are automatically renewed as long as the student is in good academic standing.
Board of Trustees Scholarship
This competitive award provides full tuition for full-time study in any school except Law to a limited number of students showing superior academic ability, including outstanding GRE scores.
2. NCSSS Scholarhips
Doctoral Scholarships
These awards are available to incoming and returning full-time and part-time doctoral students. They are awarded to applicants on the basis of need.
Application for Doctoral Scholarships includes submission of the NCSSS Scholarship Application to demonstrate merit and the FAFSA to demonstrate need. The amount of the awards and the eligibility requirements vary for each scholarship.
All parts of the application must be submitted and admissions must be awarded by June 1 to be considered for these awards. Awards will be granted after this date as money becomes available from the various scholarhsip programs. These scholarships are not automatically renewed, and students must sumbit a new application and a new FAFSA for doctoral scholarships by June 1 each year they are in the program.
The NCSSS scholarship application may be downloaded or obtained from the Office of Admissions (202.319.5496).
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available on-line.
The FAFSA Code for CUA is 001437.
3. Loans
Federal Loan Programs
Federal Stafford Loan Program
This program enables a student to borrow money directly from a savings and loan institution, credit union, bank, or other eligible lender. Maximum amounts available vary. Arrangements must be made directly between the applicant and the lending institution, and the CUA Office of Financial Aid must authorize the amount of loan assistance needed by the student. All students who want a Federal Stafford Loan must have a FAFSA on file before the university can process their application. The general borrowing limits for graduate students are a maximum of $8,500. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans offer an additional $10,000 per year.
Veterans Benefits
Often overlooked are many benefits available to veterans and to children of deceased veterans or those disabled in military service. In addition to the benefits offered directly by the Veterans Administration, others are available through their various service organizations, such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Catholic War Veterans, and directly through the branches of the Armed Services. Any possible claim resulting from the current or past military service of the student or a member of his/her family should be investigated. For further information, contact the CUA Office of Financial Aid at 202-319-5307.
Nellie Mae
Federal and private educational loan information, some designed specifically for graduate study, may be found at www.nelliemae.com or 800.643.9308.
Commericial/Alternative/Private Loan Programs
Many lenders offer privately funded educational loans. In most cases, the CUA Financial Aid Office will need to certify your enrollment and educational costs. These commercial loans have varied interest rates, origination fees and repayment terms, and may require a co-signer. One example, which we are not advocating over any other commercial program, may be found at www.studentloan.com.
4. Personal Savings and Employment
Students must prepare for the total cost of attending graduate school
and pay for it through a combination of wages, personal savings, loans and/or scholarships. This requires students to reduce existing debts, defer additional consumer purchases, maintain a budget and gather available resources.
International Students
Government-funded scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial support are restricted to United States citizens or permanent residents. All international students must be prepared to meet the costs of education and living expenses in this country with personal or family funds. The university will not issue the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) unless it has satisfactory evidence that the student will have adequate financial resources.
Doctoral Scholarships may be awarded to International Students.
Applicants must complete the NCSSS Scholarship Application found in the NCSSS Information Bulletin. The scholarship application may be downloaded or obtained from the Office of Admissions (202.319.5496).
For additional finanical aid information, the applicant should contact the United States Information Agency, the Institute of International Education, the American consulate in the applicant's country, or the government of that country. Or contact Helene Robertson, Director, CUA International Students and Scholar Services Office at 202.319.5618 or by email at Robertsh@cua.edu.
Additional Information on Financial Aid
Check the following web sites for additional financial aid information
Last Revised 28-Nov-07 02:13 PM.
