Graduate Aid

Grad PLUS Loans are federal loans that are available to graduate and professional students. Grad PLUS Loans carry higher interest rates and origination fees than Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Interest is charged from the time the Grad PLUS Loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If the student chooses to have interest accumulate, the interest will be added to the added to principal amount (i.e., capitalization), and interest will then be charged based on the accumulated amount. Capitalization increases the amount that must ultimately be repaid. Students who choose to pay the interest as it accumulates will avoid capitalization and lower their loan payments.

Eligibility is determined by a credit check and if the student is enrolled at least half-time (i.e., at least 3 credit hours each semester/term) at an eligible school. Monthly repayment begins when the loan has fully disbursed and can vary based upon the interest rate and loan amount borrowed. To apply, students must complete FAFSA with their FSA ID and password. The loan application may be found at the Federal Student Aid website. If the loan is approved, the student must complete an MPN. The loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance, less other aid awarded. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

The FWS program provides part-time jobs for eligible students. To qualify, interested students must complete the FAFSA. These opportunities are hourly positions that pay students on a monthly basis. Earned income will not apply directly toward the student’s bill. Instead, student wages will be sent directly to the student’s bank account. Funding is limited. For more information, visit Student Employment Resources or email the Center for Career Development.

The TEACH Grant is a program that provides grants to students who agree to teach full-time in high-need subject areas at a public elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. If the student fails to fulfill these obligations, all amounts of the TEACH Grant received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Interest will be charged from the disbursement date of the original TEACH Grant. Application requirements include counseling and an Agreement to Serve.

Currently, the TEACH Grant is available for the Music-Music Education major.

General AU eligibility requirements include the following:

• You must be a candidate in the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
• You must provide the OFAS with a copy of your formal admission letter to the TEP.
• You must be majoring in an approved AU program listed above.
• You must have a 3.25 GPA or score above the 75th percentile on the SAT, ACT, or GRE.
  • Note: The GPA is checked after each semester to determine continued eligibility.

Students are responsible for reading and understanding all TEACH Grant obligations. If you have questions about the requirements for your major or certification, please see your Academic Advisor. For additional information, please contact the College of Education and visit the Federal Student Aid website.

Low-interest loans are available to South Carolina residents who plan to teach in the public sector in South Carolina upon graduation from a college or university. Students must meet the academic criteria of the program, and financial need is not a factor. For additional information, visit www.scstudentloan.org.

Low-interest loans are available to SC residents who earned a baccalaureate degree at least three years ago or have worked as an instructional assistant in the SC public school system. For additional information, visit www.scstudentloan.org.

Current faculty in South Carolina and graduate students seeking to become faculty can get up to $90,000 in tuition reimbursement through the BOLD Nursing Faculty Program. Click HERE for more information.

Private student loans are the last resource for students who are not eligible for other financial aid or who may need additional funds to meet education expenses. Private student loans should be considered only when all other options have been exhausted, as they typically have higher interest rates than federal student loans, are credit-based, and do not always offer the same benefits as federal student loans. Students are responsible for finding the company through which they want to obtain the loan. Students can seek loan options through banks, credit unions, and other student loan services. Click here to access a tool that helps student research and apply for private student loans.

Note: Students are responsible for monitoring annual and aggregate Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS) limits.

Note: Students pursuing an online or hybrid degree are not eligible for an institutional merit, competition, or program-based financial aid award.

Many organizations offer their employees full or partial tuition reimbursement for furthering their education. Talk to your employer’s Human Resources Department to see if your organization offers tuition reimbursement benefits.

Persons with physical disabilities which are vocational handicaps are eligible for financial aid from a State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Information may be obtained from the Vocational Rehabilitation Department in the student’s home state.

If you have questions about using your military educational benefits, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official for more information.

Yellow Ribbon School

AU is a qualified Yellow Ribbon School. This program can help students pay for tuition & fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. For more information, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official.

Veterans Administration

Eligible veterans can apply for educational benefits through the  Veteran Affairs (VA) website at https://www.va.gov/. The VA is the only agency that can determine eligibility for and award this benefit. For questions about eligibility, please contact your VA Regional Office.

After an application has been approved, the VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the veteran, who is then required to submit a copy of this document and additional documents to the AU Certifying Official. For more information, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official.

Address Changes

VA students must notify AU of any address change. For more information, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official.

Drops and Withdrawals

VA students must report course drops and term withdrawals to the AU Certifying Official via email or phone call (864-231-5581), as soon as they occur. AU will run regular reports to identify these students and ensure timely notification to the VA. At the end of each semester, VA students who earn a grade of “WF” or “WP” are reported to VA with the last date of attendance.

Program Changes

VA students who change programs must notify AU immediately, so that earned credits that fulfill requirements in the new program are transferred to that program. Please email or call (864-231-2120) the AU Certifying Official to report program changes.