Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is committed to helping students and their families understand, apply for, and receive financial assistance.  The Office administers federal, state, and institutional aid programs including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study.  The Office provides individual support throughout the financial aid process and coordinates all financial assistance offered to students at the University. The procedures of the Office are designed to comply with federal, state and institutional regulations while prioritizing student needs and are as follows: 

1. Students applying for financial assistance must submit all appropriate applications and forms to the Financial Aid Office and complete any other required processes by published deadlines.
2. Students applying for financial assistance are given consideration for all financial aid programs administered by the University for which they are eligible and funding available. The student's aid package may consist of one or more of these programs including scholarships, grants, work and/or loans. 
3. All institutional funds available through the University are processed through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Nominations of individuals to receive certain designated scholarships, grants or athletic awards should be submitted by the department to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Departmental awards made after the students' aid packages have been established may require adjustment to those packages. 
4. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships maintains adequate records to verify that students not within their cost of attendance and not overawarded.  
5. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships may replace any Duquesne University institutional financial aid with a named endowed fund. 

• The priority deadline for student applications for financial aid shall be:

Undergraduate: May 1
Graduates: May 31

• Students are notified as soon as possible (after receipt of the completed application) of the financial aid awarded to them. Acceptance of all loans is required by students on Banner Self Service each academic year, including the summer. 

University Scholarships/Grants: Initial academic scholarship eligibility is determined based on the entering academic credentials of the student. Awards are renewable for eight terms of undergraduate study provided (1) student is full time; (2) maintains minimum cumulative GPA required by the award; and, (3) continues to meet any other requirements of the award. 

Available to incoming Freshmen—then renewable with cumulative QPA indicated: 

All Duquesne University Academic Scholarships and Duquesne University Need-Based Grants: 2.00 cumulative GPA required for renewal 

Scholars/ROTC: Assistance toward room and board costs for ROTC Scholarship winners.  Renewable with re-application, minimum cumulative QPA required, university-owned and operated residence and ROTC award. 

Duquesne Grant: These grant funds are awarded to students with remaining need after utilizing all aid resources available. Renewable with minimum cumulative QPA of 2.00 and continued need for funds after utilizing other aid sources available. 

Federal Grants and Student Employment: 

 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): Grant funds received through the Federal Government awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional need who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. 

Federal Nursing & Health Professions Loans: Recipients are selected in accordance with guidelines published by the Federal Government with amount of award based on available funding. Repayment begins nine months after borrower terminates at least half-time study, and is normally scheduled over a ten-year period at an interest rate of 5% per year. Students must be full-time, dependent undergraduate Nursing students are eligible for the Nursing Loans and only full-time, dependent undergraduate Pharmacy (not Pre-Pharmacy) students are eligible for the Health Professions Loan. 

Student Employment: Eligibility for the Federal Work-Study Program is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships based on Federal guidelines.  Federal Work-Study is need-based and requires completion of the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Undergraduate students are automatically reviewed for Federal Work Study eligibility, and if eligible, the student will be awarded.  Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study employment may be placed in part-time non-clearance positions.  The Office of Human Resource Management will provide these opportunities to students.  Placement is contingent on positions available. 

Federal Pell Grant: Federal Grant that requires completion of the FAFSA on an annual basis.  Eligibility is determined based on federal guidelines. Lifetime maximum Pell Grant amount = 600%, the equivalent of six years of full-time enrollment. 

State Grants: The majority of states that provide grants to students use the FAFSA as the basic application. Deadline dates for each state appear on the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov.  Pennsylvania’s deadline is May 1. In order for the Pennsylvania State Grant to be credited to your account, Duquesne University must be listed on the FAFSA as the school of first choice.  If not, you can revise the FAFSA to list Duquesne University as school of first choice. 

Loans 

Federal Direct Stafford Loans: 

Subsidized: A need-based loan which does not accumulate interest while the student is enrolled.  Repayment begins six months after graduation or cessation of half-time enrollment.   

Unsubsidized: A non-need based loan which does accumulate interest while the student is enrolled.  Repayment begins six months after graduation or cessation of half-time enrollment.  

Both loans require completion of the FAFSA on an annual basis and at least half-time enrollment.  New Borrowers also have to complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling. Both can be completed at Studentaid.gov. Fixed Interest rates are set on July 1 each year and will not exceed 8.25%. Loan limits vary with academic level. 

• $3,500 for first-year/freshman
• $4,500 for sophomore
• $5,500 for junior/senior  

Additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (for undergraduate dependent students): 

All undergraduate students are eligible for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan of $2,000 per academic year. 

Additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: Available to independent students and dependent students whose parents are denied for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan. With an unsubsidized loan, you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. 

All student loan borrowers are required to accept their loans on Self-Service Banner each academic year before the funds can be applied to the student account.   

 Federal Direct PLUS Loans: Credit-based loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Loan applications/Master Promissory Note (MPN) can be completed at StudentAid.gov. Interest rates are set by July 1 each year and will not exceed 10.5%. If a parent is denied for the loan, the student is eligible for an additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan funds: 

• $4,000 for the freshman and sophomore year
• $5,000 for the junior and senior year (also 5th year Pharmacy) 

Note: A student must be enrolled at least half-time and meet all other credit requirements. 
 
Graduate Plus Loans: Credit-based loans available to students in a graduate or professional program. 
Loan applications/Master Promissory Note (MPN) can be completed at StudentAid.gov.  Interest rates are set by July 1 each year.  The maximum loan amount a student is permitted to borrow is determined based on the cost of attendance minus all financial aid. Students must be credit approved. 

Alternative/Private Loans:  Non-federal loans can be used to cover other educational expenses.  Loans are borrowed in the student’s name with a credit worthy co-signer.  Students are permitted to use any lender.  Please visit https://www.elmselect.com/link/query?schoolId=652 for a historical lender list. 

Students are NOT limited to these lenders and are free to choose any financial institution to borrow an alternative educational loan.  

Institutional Loans: Limited loan funds are available to full-time undergraduate students. Repayment periods and interest rates vary. Funding may be available through Alcoa Foundation, Kerschgens Estate, Gulf Oil Corporation, Heinz, Gaston, and Stanley K. Power Trust of the Pittsburgh Foundation with specific restrictions that apply.   

Annual Federal Direct Loan Limits:

Annual Limits for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans:

Dependent Undergraduate (excluding dependent students whose parents are denied a PLUS Loan)

	Subsidized	Total (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
Freshman (0 - 29 credits)	$3,500	$5,500
Sophomore (30 - 59 credits)	$4,500	$6,500
Junior / Senior (60+ credits)	$5,500	$7,500

Independent Undergraduates & dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS Loan

	Subsidized	Total (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
Freshman (0 - 29 credits)	$3,500	$9,500
Sophomore (30 - 59 credits)	$4,500	$10,500
Junior / Senior (60+ credits)	$5,500	$12,500

Graduate & Professional Students

	Unsubsidized	Total (Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
All years	$20,500	$20,500
Pharmacy	$33,000	$33,000
College of Osteopathic Medicine	$42,722	$42,722

College of Osteopathic Medicine and Pharmacy may borrow up to an aggregate limit of $224,000 (which includes all federal loans borrowed) 

The following discounts are available to students meeting the requirements indicated. Discounts are at basic tuition rates and may be used toward only one degree. No other form of tuition remission or discount can be used simultaneously.  Some program restrictions may apply. 

Catholic High School Graduates: A 10% discount on basic tuition is extended to graduates of Roman Catholic High Schools in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Altoona/Johnstown who enroll as full-time students in the Fall immediately following graduation.  Renewal requires continuous full-time enrollment during the academic years following initial enrollment. 

Clergy/Religious: Members of University-recognized Christian and Jewish Religions who have been ordained or professed members of a Catholic Clergy/Religious Order, may be eligible to receive a 50% discount of basic rate of school or rate of school of enrollment, whichever is lower. 

Lay Teachers: Current full-time lay teachers or high school administrators required to obtain Administrative I Certification in a Catholic School located in Roman Catholic schools in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, or Altoona-Johnstown Dioceses or lay teachers from other dioceses who have completed a minimum of two years of full-time teaching in a Catholic School may be eligible to receive a 60% discount of basic tuition rate of school or rate of school of enrollment, whichever is lower. 

Senior Citizen: Men and women who are 60 years of age or older may be eligible to receive a 50% discount. 

Lay Ministers: Men and women employed as lay ministers within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh as Pastoral Associates, Professional Youth Ministers, Parish Social Ministers, Director/Coordinator of Religious Education, and Campus Ministers may be eligible to receive a 50% discount of basic rate, or rate of school of enrollment, whichever is lower. Eligibility must be verified by the Institute for Ministers of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 

Music Ministers: Men and women employed as organists or choir directors at recognized religious institutions may be eligible to receive a 50% discount of basic rate, or rate of school of enrollment, whichever is lower.  May not be full-time students and must be enrolled in the School of Music. 

Other Financial Aid Opportunities: Financial aid may be obtained through private sources. Students may inquire through (1) high school guidance offices, (2) parents’ employers or labor unions, (3) fraternal, social, religious or professional organizations, (4) major organizations utilizing the skills of the field for which the student is preparing. 

ROTC Scholarships: Available to incoming students and currently enrolled students who meet the eligibility requirements. 

Endowed and Restricted Gift Funds are administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as well as other University departments. Students need to complete the FAFSA for consideration of need-based scholarships, and the Office will notify student recipients. Endowed and restricted funds are used to fund existing financial aid a student has been awarded. Students may have any Duquesne University institutional financial aid replaced with a named fund.  

Federal, state and institutional financial aid policies mandate that financial aid recipients demonstrate academic progress toward completion of their program of study in order to receive continued financial assistance. Financial aid standards may differ from University academic standards and policies. 

Process of Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): 
Each student will be reviewed for satisfactory academic progress at the conclusion of each semester. This evaluation will determine if the student has made sufficient progress to be eligible for future federal financial aid. Students who have not met the minimum SAP requirements will be notified that they are not eligible for federal financial aid. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Measurement: 
Qualitative Measure, cumulative grade point average (GPA): 

Undergraduate students: 

• Students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA; 

Graduate students: 

• Students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. 

Quantitative Measure 

Completion Rate/Pace: Students must successfully complete at least 67% of the total cumulative attempted credits. Students must keep pace with their academic program to complete their degree within the maximum timeframe, which is defined as 150% of the published length of the program. Pace is calculated by dividing the number of cumulative credits the student successfully completed by the number of cumulative credits the student has attempted. This calculation includes all attempted credits, both at Duquesne and those accepted in transfer that count toward the degree; courses for which a student receives academic credit, withdraws, receives incomplete or repeat grades and/or fails are used in the calculation of the completion rate/pace. 

Maximum Timeframe (completing program of study within 150% of program length): Undergraduate students may receive federal aid for up to 180 cumulative credits attempted (assumes a program length of 120 credits and includes both Duquesne credits attempted and those accepted in transfer).  

Graduate students may receive aid for all credits attempted up to 150% of the specified number of credits required by their specific degree program.  

Students who change majors are responsible for completing the degree requirements within the timeframe specified above. 

Readmitted Students: 
If a student is readmitted to the University, satisfactory academic progress will be based on the student's previous attendance at Duquesne and credits accepted in transfer. Students who have not met the minimum requirements will be notified of their ineligibility for federal financial aid and informed of the options to regain eligibility. 

Special Grades and their Use in Satisfactory Academic Progress Determination: 

I - Incomplete: Student will receive no credit for an "I" grade although the "I" is counted as attempted credits. If, however, the incomplete grade is resolved and a passing grade is received, the credits earned will be counted. 

W - Withdrawal: No credit received; however counted as attempted credit. 

AUD - Audit: No credits received; not counted as attempted credits. 

P - Pass: Student receives credit but GPA is not affected. 

H - Honors: Student receives credit but GPA is not affected. 

N - Not Passing: No credit received; however counted as attempted credit. 

IP and * - In Progress: No credit received; however, when the incomplete grade is resolved and a passing grade is received, the credits earned will be counted. 

Repeat of Course: 
The last grade earned is used in calculating the GPA. If the student failed the course the first time but passes it the second time, the appropriate number of credits will be received after the second attempt. If, however, the student passed the course the first time, repeats it in an attempt to improve the cumulative GPA but receives a failing grade, the appropriate number of credits will be deducted from the cumulative credits earned total. Maximum hours earned for any course cannot exceed the number of credits listed for that course. 

Regaining Eligibility: 
If a student fails to meet satisfactory academic progress standards, but later regains eligibility, the student may then be eligible to receive federal aid. In such cases, financial aid eligibility will begin with the academic semester after which the student re-establishes progress. 

It is the student's responsibility to contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships after completing coursework that allows the student to regain eligibility for aid. If taking coursework at another institution to regain eligibility, students should be aware that: 

1. Any courses taken elsewhere must have prior written approval by the academic adviser to be transferred back to the student's program at Duquesne.
2. Only "credits" transfer back to Duquesne, actual "grades" do not. If the student's deficiency is in cumulative GPA, taking courses at another institution will not resolve that deficiency. Credits taken elsewhere must be accepted as transfer credits to be counted towards satisfactory academic progress.

Appeal Process: 
Students whose federal financial aid eligibility has been suspended may appeal if they have experienced extenuating circumstances that affected their ability to meet the academic progress standards. In general, extenuating circumstances can include, but are not limited to, illness, injury, death of relative or friend, difficulties with accommodations for students with disabilities, and adversity due to unforeseen events. Students interested in appealing their termination of federal financial aid eligibility can request a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The completed form and supporting documentation should be submitted to the Academic Progress Appeal Committee c/o the Duquesne University Financial Aid Office.  

In the appeal, the student must address the reason for failing to make SAP and what has changed that will allow the student to make SAP in the next evaluation. Students should submit the appeal prior to August 1st for Fall semester consideration or prior to December 1st for Spring semester consideration. 

The student will be notified via email and/or in writing of the Committee's decision. A student whose appeal is approved is considered to be on Financial Aid Probation and may receive federal and institutional aid for one term, after which he/she must meet the SAP standards or be successfully following an Academic Plan for Financial Aid Eligibility.  

As part of the appeal process, the student may be required to agree to an Academic Plan to Regain Federal Financial Aid Eligibility. The purpose of such a plan is to assure the student is on track to successfully complete his/her program. 

State Grant Academic Progress: 
Academic progress requirements for state grant programs can vary from the federal academic progress policy. Students who receive a PA State Grant are required to complete 24 new credits each academic year to remain eligible. 

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will provide a financial aid package to the student based on their eligibility each academic year.  

1. The family must work with the student to provide assistance with college expenses. Financial assistance from the University is viewed as supplementary to the efforts of the student and the family. 
2. The Student Aid Index (SAI) and the cost of attendance are used to determine financial need. Financial assistance consists of scholarships, grants, loans and employment which may be offered to students. 
3. In selecting students for need-based institutional financial aid, students are packaged based on financial need and/or academic achievement.  
4. Awards based exclusively on criteria other than demonstrated need (i.e. academic achievements, club memberships, community awards, etc.) may be made to students who do not qualify for financial assistance; however such awards are considered as a resource in determining eligibility for need based awards. 
5. Where need-based funds are involved, the total amount of financial assistance offered to a student cannot exceed demonstrated financial need. The only exceptions to this restriction are PLUS Loans, private alternative loans, as well as Unsubsidized Loans, all of which can be used to reduce the Student Aid Index used to determine need. 
6. Students are not permitted to receive financial aid that exceeds their cost of attendance.  If a student receives financial aid that exceeds their cost of attendance the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is required to reduce financial aid.  Student loans are always reduced first but depending upon the amount and type of the additional financial aid, institutional aid may have to be reduced.  

Financial Aid staff members are prohibited from accepting gifts, cash or other payments from any lender of student and parent loans or from any guarantee agency. Gifts include, but are not limited to, travel, hotel or motel lodging, entertainment, restaurant meals, office supplies and event tickets. 

Exceptions may include such things as newsletters or reprints of articles or presentations designed to inform college officials about relevant issues. 

In order to ensure the fair and consistent selection of lenders for student and parent loans, the following additional policies governing the University's relationship with lenders will apply in all cases: 

1. No officer, trustee or employee of the University who makes financial aid decisions for the University or who is employed in, supervises or otherwise has responsibility or authority over the University's financial aid office shall receive any remuneration for serving as a member or participant of an student loan advisory board of a Lending Institution or any reimbursement of expenses for such service. Any officer, trustee or employee of the University who serves as a member or participant of a Lending Institution board shall recuse himself or herself from any board discussions regarding the University's financial aid operations. 
2. Financial Aid and its staff members will not engage in financial arrangements with lenders that result in a financial benefit to the University or its employees, including revenue sharing, referral fees or stock options. 
3. Financial Aid and its employees will not accept any gifts from lenders. 
4. Financial Aid and it employees will not accept printing or publication services from lenders at no cost or at a rate below market price. 
5. The use of Duquesne University's name, emblem or logo by lenders is prohibited. 
6. Financial Aid and its employees will not accept staffing assistance or "call center" services from lenders. Calls to borrowers as part of a lender's normal customer service activities are exempt from this policy.