View of Saint Joseph Hall, a stone building with terra cotta roof tiles, through the trees

Types Of Aid

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS

A Chestnut Hill College education is one of the best investments you can make in your future. A college degree puts you on both the path to a more satisfying career and a more lucrative pay scale. We offer abundant financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as well as federal student loans and other payment options, to help our students reach their educational goals.

 

UNDERGRADUATE

Chestnut Hill College values the effort students give in high school, and based on that, awards more than $38M in scholarships annually, earning the average first year undergraduate student more than $17,500 per year in merit-based scholarships. Students must be full-time to receive scholarships and grants from CHC, and are eligible to receive institutional funding for a maximum of four years (8 semesters).

 

Scholarship Opportunities

Chestnut Hill College Scholarships and Awards for Student Leadership
These scholarships and awards are offered to you based on your academic achievements. The Chestnut Hill College Admissions Office administers these programs, determining the recipients and award levels for entering freshman/transfers. These awards are renewable as long as you remain in good academic standing, and no additional application is required to apply for these awards. They include:

Other Scholarships

  • Alumni Legacy Award — $2000 scholarship per year, for 4 years for students with a parent, grandparent, sibling or child who is an alumnus of Chestnut Hill College
  • Legacy of Service Award — $1000 scholarship per year, for 4 years for first-year students who have graduated from a Catholic high school

Endowed Scholarships
These scholarships recognize students on the basis of academic excellence, leadership, community involvement and other special talents. The Chestnut Hill College Admissions Office determines eligible recipients. No additional application is required.

Chestnut Hill College Grant
The Chestnut Hill College Grant is awarded by the financial aid office staff and is based on demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and availability of funding.

Athletic Grants
The Chestnut Hill College Athletic Department determines who receives Athletic Grants. Athletic grants are contingent upon the requirements and standards of the Athletic Department. If these requirements are not met the athletic grant may be rescinded. Should this happen, the rescinded athletic grants may not be replaced by other grants. Athletic grants will be credited to your billing account.

 

Federal Work-Study and Direct Loans

The most common forms of financial support Chestnut Hill College students receive from the Federal government are the Federal Direct Loans, grants, and Work-Study earnings.

​Federal Work-Study
Federal College Work-Study earnings are an important source of funding for your education. You may utilize work-study earnings to help defray costs during the academic year. The money you earn will be paid bi-weekly directly to you through a direct deposit account you have established. Since the Federal Work-Study Grant pays you directly, work-study money is not deducted from your tuition bill.

Federal Direct Loans
There are two types of Direct Loans: Federal Subsidized Direct Loan and Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan.

  1. The Federal Subsidized Direct Loan is a fixed rate loan for undergraduate students, if eligible. An undergraduate student may borrow up to $3,500 for the first year, $4,500 for the second year, and $5,500 for two additional years, and if needed, an additional $4,000 for the fifth year for an aggregate undergraduate maximum of $23,000.
  2. The Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan is a fixed rate loan for undergraduate students. An undergraduate may borrow up to $2,000 per year.  Interest may be paid quarterly while you are in school or capitalized (added to principal each year). Repayment of principal starts six months after you leave school and you have ten years to repay the loan.

Other Federal and State Programs

Federal Pell Grants– A Pell Grant is a need-based award that does not have to be repaid.  The grant is determined by the Department of Education based on your financial need, calculated from the information you submitted on the FAFSA and your enrollment status.

PA State Grant – This grant is awarded by the Pennsylvania Higher Assistance Agency. To be eligible for this award, you must be a Pennsylvania resident pursuing your first undergraduate degree. The PA State Grant is based on your financial need as determined by the Pennsylvania Higher Assistance Agency from the information submitted on the FAFSA. You must apply before May 1st.

Additional PA State Grant and Scholarship Information

For a complete listing of PA State Grants and Special Programs, please refer to their website at www.pheaa.org. The programs offered are available only to Pennsylvania state residents.

 

Non-Pennsylvania State Grants 

If you are from a state other than Pennsylvania, please check with the Office of Higher Education in your state to find out if your state offers a state grant. Your high school guidance counselor will be a good source of information regarding filling deadline dates and required application dates. Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Ohio and West Virginia are among the states that allow you to use their grants in Pennsylvania. New York and New Jersey do not allow their grants to be used out-of-state.

​​Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants– The Federal SEOG grant is awarded to you based on exceptional financial need (i.e. students with the lowest expected family contribution EFCs) and availability of funds. If you are Pell Grant eligible, you will be considered first for the FSEOG grant.

Federal Perkins Loans– The Federal Perkins Loan is a 5% fixed rate loan for students with exceptional financial need. If you receive and accept the Perkins Loan, the Financial Aid Office will send you a Perkins Loan Promissory Note, a Truth-in-Lending Statement, and a Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. These forms will be mailed to you when it is time to complete the loan application. The Perkins Loan will be credited to your tuition account after you submit the signed loan note and required forms to the Financial Aid Office. The Perkins Loan constitutes legal debt that must be repaid.

Federal PLUS Loans (Parent loan for undergraduate students) – If you are a dependent student, the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan allows your parents to borrow money for your education. The PLUS Loan has a fixed rate of 7.0%.  A 4.264% fee is deducted from the loan from each disbursement. The maximum amount your parents can borrow is the cost of education minus any other financial aid received. Eligibility for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is determined by a credit check.

New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students– The NJCLASS program enables parents, spouses, legal guardians or other relatives to borrow on your behalf. You can apply with or without a cosigner as long as your income and credit requirements for the loan are met. There is a fixed, simple interest rate for the life of the loan. NJCLASS offers various repayment options for principal and interest. You must be a New Jersey resident to be eligible for this loan.

National SMART grant (Students majoring in science or mathematics) – The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study (or fifth year of a five-year program) to at least half-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language; or non-major single liberal arts programs.

 

Other Scholarships

We also suggest you and your student search the FREE and endless possibilities of Scholarships!

www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com

 

Private Educational Loans

Private Educational Loans are available to cover your total cost of education (tuition, fees, room, board, transportation and miscellaneous educational expenses) after all other financial aid has been applied to your costs.

  • To apply for a loan, you need to complete either a paper application provided by the lender or an application on the lender’s website. The loan requires a creditworthy applicant and/or cosigner.
  • With Private Educational Loans, you can usually defer repayment of principal and capitalize the interest while you are in school.
  • If you are interested in applying for a Private Educational Loan, you may contact Student Financial Services for the Private Educational Loan Brochure. This brochure will give you a list of banks and the loans they offer.
  • Please note: you can usually use Alternative Loans or Private Educational Loans if you are enrolled less than half-time and/or non-matriculated.

See LOANS page for more information.

GRADUATE

Most graduate students at Chestnut Hill College use federal loan programs to help finance their education. In addition, some students are eligible for alternative loans, graduate assistantships, and discounts.

Tuition Discounts

Chestnut Hill College Scholarships and Awards for Student Leadership
The following discounts apply to master’s-level degree programs or certificate programs currently offered in the School of Graduate Studies. ONLY ONE DISCOUNT CAN BE APPLIED TO A STUDENT’S TUITION. Tuition Discount Form (available here) and attached verification letter (verification letter not required for CHC alumni) must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Office on an annual basis (every academic year – fall through summer). Verification letters (if applicable) should be on official company letterhead, signed by the supervisor and specify the full-time or part-time position held by the student. No discounts will be given without completed paperwork. Please note that deadlines apply.

Full Time Teachers – 10% Tuition Discount
Full-time teachers refer to those who are currently employed and actively engaged in teaching in an elementary, middle, junior high or high school. This category includes full-time teachers, substitute teachers, teacher’s aides, paraprofessionals, and teaching assistants. This category excludes administrators in the educational system such as superintendents, principals, or assistant principals.

Early Childhood Educators – 10% Tuition Discount
Early childhood educators refer to those professionals who are currently employed by a day care center. Those in a supervisory category, such as an administrative director or program director, are eligible for this discount. This category also includes individuals who work directly with children in a recognized early childhood setting such as day care teachers and teaching assistants.

Chestnut Hill College Alumni – 10% Tuition Discount
Individuals who have received a degree from Chestnut Hill College and wish to pursue either a master’s or second master’s degree or a post-master’s certificate of advanced study are eligible for this discount. This category also includes individuals who are taking additional master’s-level graduate courses for enrichment. The School of Graduate Studies Office must verify the CHC degree via the Tuition Discount Form. No verification letter is necessary for this discount. Discount does apply to doctoral courses.

Full-Time Church Affiliated Ministry – 20% Tuition Discount
Individuals who are employed by a church (parish, congregation, synagogue, mosque) on a full-time basis are eligible for this discount. Full-time church affiliated ministry is defined as a salaried or stipend position that entails working at least forty hours per week. This includes parish associates, pastoral ministers, youth ministers, directors of religious education, parish/church nurses, etc. This category also includes those who are engaged in the full time ministry of spiritual direction and those individuals working in a retreat center, parish setting or spirituality center. Not available to doctoral students.

Book Vouchers

Book vouchers are available to students who are expected to have a credit on their account after receiving Financial Aid. A Voucher can be issued for any amount up to the total excess of Financial Aid for the semester. You may call, stop by the Office of Student Financial Services or login to your account on my.chc.edu to find out if you have a credit, and then proceed to Office of Student Financial Services to obtain a Voucher. At this time, a Student Financial Services Representative will issue you a formal book voucher and you will be permitted to pick up your books from the Chestnut Hill College Bookstore located on the ground floor of St. Josephs Hall.

Loans

The Federal government and private institutions offer student loans.

The Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
The Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan is a federally guaranteed loan with a fixed interest rate. Repayment is deferred until 6 months after you graduate or enroll less than half-time. You are responsible for the interest during your in-school period, either through quarterly payments or capitalization (added to principal each year). Payments of the principal balance and interest will be deferred until 6 months after you graduate of enroll less than half-time. The maximum Federal Direct Loan amount that can be borrowed per academic year is $20,500.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program allows graduate students to borrow for education. You must pass a credit check, to be eligible. If you are denied, you may reapply with a cosigner. To be eligible to receive a Graduate PLUS Loan, you must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The maximum amount you can borrow is the cost of education minus any other financial aid received.

Private Educational Loans

You can use a Private Educational  Loan if you are enrolled less than half-time and/or non-matriculated. Private Educational Loans are available to cover your total cost of education (tuition, fees, books and supplies, transportation and living expenses) after all other financial aid has been applied. To apply for a loan, you need to complete either a paper application provided by the bank or an application on the bank’s web site. You can apply without a co-signer if you are a creditworthy applicant. With a Private Educational Loan, you can usually defer repayment of principal and capitalize the interest while you are in school. If you are interested in applying for the Private Educational Loan, contact Student Financial Services for a list of banks offering those loans.

See LOANS page for more information.

 

Assistantships

Chestnut Hill College offers a limited number of assistantships for advanced level students each year.

Master’s Level Assistantships

Each assistantship requires approximately 120 hours of work per semester in exchange for one, three credit graduate course. These assistantships are not available to new students. To be eligible for CHC master’s level assistantships, you must be accepted by the College into a degree program. Additional information and deadlines can be obtained from the Graduate Office.

Doctoral Assistantships
There are a limited number of assistantships available for Psy.D students. Doctoral assistantships cover tuition for one doctoral course in exchange for a certain number of hours of work per week. There are also opportunities for Directed Teaching for students in year III and beyond. Direct Teaching pays a stipend in exchange for teaching a graduate course under the direction of an experienced faculty mentor. Additional information and deadlines can be obtained from the Graduate Office.

ACCELERATED ADULT

Tuition Discounts

Tuition discounts for Accelerated Adult Degree Program students are based on the following:

GPA Discount
3.50-4.00 30% /credit
3.00-3.49 25% /credit

Discounts are awarded based on the cumulative GPA at the time of graduation from the partner school and are continuously awarded until the student graduates from Chestnut Hill College.

 

Partnership Discounts

In addition to articulation agreements with local community colleges, the Accelerated Adult Degree Program offers discounts to students affiliated with the following agencies and/or organizations:

  • City of Philadelphia employees, their spouses and dependents
  • Philadelphia Housing Authority employees and employees of its subsidiaries, their spouses and dependents
  • SEPTA employees, their spouses and dependents
  • Independence Blue Cross employees, their spouses and dependents
  • Wawa associates, their spouses and dependents
  • Veterans, their spouses and dependent children
  • Police Officers
  • Correction Officers
  • PJA/Prism Graduates
  • Einstein Health Center employees
  • Eagleville Hospital employees
  • SSJ institutional employees
  • The Communities of Don Guanella/Divine Providence

SEE FULL LIST HERE

Please note: Students may need to provide verification and discounts cannot be combined.

 

Federal Direct Loans (see above under “UNDERGRADUATE”)

Other Federal and State Programs (see above under “UNDERGRADUATE”)

 

Other Scholarships

We also suggest you and your student search the FREE and endless possibilities of Scholarships!

www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com

 

 

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