Financial Aid

Available Funds

Grants
College Work Study
Student Loans
Parent Loans
TRiO Programs
Scholarships

Grants

Grants are based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. You do need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if you qualify for these grants. Grants are sometimes referred to as gift aid. Types of grants that may be available are:

Federal Pell Grant

Pell grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Eligibility is based on financial need, enrollment status, and cost of attendance.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOGs are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree who have exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)

This gift aid is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree, who are residents of Nebraska and who demonstrate financial need as defined by state statutes and is usually awarded on a first-come first-serve basis. Maximum award is approximately $1400.00 per year.

Work Study

Work Study is awarded to Undergraduate and Graduate students based on financial need and availability of funds. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to determine if you qualify. This program provides job opportunities for students to earn money to help offset educational expenses for the academic year. These funds are limited and it is strongly recommended that students meet the June 1st deadline to be considered. A variety of positions are available, including some involving community service and off campus sites.

America Reads Program

The America Reads Program is part of the Work Study Program. This special Work Study program is designed to provide reading/writing tutors for preschool and elementary children. The reading tutors provide our young students the opportunity to develop sound reading skills.

To qualify as a reading tutor, students must be Work Study recipients who have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and be of sophomore status or above. First preferences are given to education majors but are not limited to education majors. If you are interested in participating in the America Reads Program and you are a Work Study recipient, please contact our office.

Currently Eastward Elementary, Kenwood Elementary, CSC Child Development Center and Chadron Public Library participate in the America Reads Program.

Community Service

CSC provides many community service Work Study positions both on and off campus every year. Community Services are designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals, or to solve particular problems related to their needs. Such fields include health care, childcare, literacy training, education, welfare, social services, public safety, crime prevention, recreation and community improvement.

Student Loans

Federal Direct Loan

This federally funded loan program includes both need-based and non-need-based loans and are available to undergraduate and graduate students. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine if you qualify. Eligibility depends upon the student's enrollment status, grade level, and prior borrowing.

The Subsidized Direct Loans are need based and interest free while the student is enrolled at least half-time.

The Unsubsidized Direct Loans are non need based and interest on accrues while the student is enrolled in school.

Annual loan limits reflect the maximum combined borrowing from both the subsidized and unsubsidized programs. The annual grade level loan limits are as follows:

Freshman (0-29 earned credit hours) -- $5500
Sophomore (30-59 earned credit hours) -- $6500
Junior (60-89 earned credit hours) -- $7500
Senior (90-125 earned credit hours) -- $7500

For most students the annual loan limits are applicable to a scheduled academic year which begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer sessions.

Repayment of the principal is generally deferred until 6 months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment. You may be allowed up to 10 years to repay the loan. Monthly payments are set depending on the size of debt with $50 being the minimum payment. The current interest rate is fixed at 3.4 % for subsidized loans disbursed between 7/1/11-7/1/12 and 6.8% for unsubsidized loans.

The repayment chart shows examples of typical beginning payments for Direct Loan Repayment Plans. Remember: repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, leave school or fall below half-time enrollment.

Provides information concerning Direct Loans. You can also download and print Deferment forms from this site.

Information on student loan forgiveness can be found at these websites:
For those in public service please go to this website.
Graduates in the education field may learn about teacher loan forgiveness here.
For information about loan forgiveness in general visit this website.

Parent Loans

Federal PLUS Loan
This federally funded Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is available for parents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the total cost of attendance less financial aid. Proceeds are to be used for educational expenses.

Repayment begins within 60 days after the second disbursement is made. However, interest begins to accrue on the date the first disbursement is made. Minimum monthly payments are $50. The borrower may be allowed up to 10 years to repay the loan. The interest rate is fixed at 7.90% for Federal Direct Loans.

TRiO Programs

Student Support Services' ELITE program is a federally funded TRiO program which emerged out of the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1965. Chadron State College was awarded a four-year renewable grant to fund this program and assist its population of eligible students.

Scholarships

Review available scholarships.