Federal Financial Aid Grants & Loans

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a student loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students with financial need who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal student financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.

How much may I receive if I am eligible for a Pell Grant award?

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2013-2014 award year (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014) is $5,645. The maximum can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount you may be eligible for will depend on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation, which is determined by the Department of Education upon completion of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If I am eligible, how will I receive a Pell Grant?

Your school will receive the Pell Grant funds from the Department of Education and may apply Pell Grant funds to charges on your student account. If a credit balance exists, your school can remit remaining to you by check or hold the funds on your student account to cover any additional charges you may incur. Your school must tell you in writing how much your financial aid award will be and when your funds are expected to disburse. Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters, like Trident University, must disburse federal financial aid funds twice per academic year.

Learn more about federal pell grants

Federal Direct Loan

As of July 1, 2010, federal direct loans are available to eligible Trident students and parents. Undergraduate students may be eligible for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Parents of dependent students may be eligible for Parent PLUS loans. Graduate level students may be eligible for unsubsidized and Direct Graduate PLUS loans (as of July 1, 2012 subsidized loans are not available for graduate level students).

If I am eligible, how will I receive a Direct Loan?

Your school will receive the Direct Loan funds from the Department of Education and may apply Direct Loan funds to charges on your student account. If a credit balance exists, your school can remit remaining to you by check or hold the funds on your student account to cover any additional charges you may incur. Your school must tell you in writing how much your financial aid award will be and when your funds are expected to disburse. Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters, like Trident University, must disburse federal financial aid funds twice per academic year. For first-time federal loan borrowers, the first disbursement of a Federal Direct Loan will not be requested and/or disbursed until the student has been in attendance for 30 days.