Types of Federal Financial Aid Available
Students may apply for federal financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more about federal financial aid at Ensign College, visit https://www.ensign.edu/financial-aid. Ensign College participates in the following federal programs.
Federal Pell Grant
https://www.ensign.edu/federal-pell-grant
A Federal Pell Grant is provided by the U.S. Department of Education on the basis of financial need. Pell Grants are based on the estimated cost of attendance, length of the enrollment period, and then number or program applicable credits in which a student enrolls. Most students do not have to be enrolled full time to qualify for a Pell Grant; however, taking less than 12 credits will result in a prorated award. The student must be an undergraduate who does not already have a bachelor’s degree. A Pell Grant is not a loan and is not required to be paid back in most circumstances.
Federal Direct Loans
https://www.ensign.edu/federal-direct-stafford-loans
A Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is provided by the U.S. Department of Education on the basis of financial need. A Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is also provided by the U.S. Department of Education; however, it is not based on financial need. A student must be enrolled in at least 6 program applicable credits for their loan funds to disburse. Principal and interest payments are postponed while the student is enrolled in at least 6 credits (half time) and during the six-month grace period after graduation or ceasing to attend at least half time. While the student is enrolled in at least 6 credits (half time), the federal government pays the interest for the student. For more information on student loans and grace periods, please visit https://studentaid.gov/.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
https://www.ensign.edu/parent-plus-loan
A Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is available for the parents of undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least half-time (6 credits). The amount borrowed by the parent may not exceed the estimated cost of attendance during the period of enrollment. Please contact the financial aid office to determine eligibility.
General Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
In general, a financial aid recipient must meet the following eligibility standards:
- Have a high school diploma, G.E.D. certificate, or a high school equivalency certificate issued by their state of legal residence.
- Be admitted and enrolled as a degree-seeking student (must be enrolled in a program that is eligible for federal financial aid).
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- Be making satisfactory academic progress. For details please visit https://www.ensign.edu/satisfactory-academic-progress.
- Be current on any required repayments of federal grants and/or federal student loans received for attendance at any school.
- Have a valid Social Security Number.
How to Apply for Federal Student Aid
All students applying for federal student aid must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. Students can apply online at https://studentaid.gov/. The FAFSA requires information from the student’s federal tax form and possibly the student’s parents’ or spouse’s federal tax form. Other information, such as number of individuals in the household, number attending college, value of savings accounts and assets, etc., will need to be reported.
After the student’s FAFSA has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, and evaluated, a Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent electronically to Ensign College. This information will be used to determine the types of aid for which the student is eligible.
One week after submitting a FAFSA for the current academic year, students should check their “To Do List” in their MyEnsign Student Center to verify their FAFSA was received by Ensign College and to determine if any additional information is required to process their application. Any additional documentation requested should be submitted through the Financial Aid Forms Portal as soon as possible to avoid delays in receiving federal financial aid. Students can expect federal aid award information to be available in their online Financial Aid Student Portal within four weeks of submitting the last correct required document.