Sources of Financial Aid

Sources of Financial Aid - Federal Aid Programs

ECPI is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in each of the below sources of Federal Student Aid. For information about these programs, eligibility requirements, and the application processes, the Department of Education provides Funding Education Beyond High School, The Guide to Federal Student Aid.

Federal Pell Grant – A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The maximum award is based on award years that run July 1 through June 30 each year. For the current year maximum award, visit Federal Pell Grants | Federal Student Aid . Effective July 1, 2012 students receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters. Students can apply at www.ecpi.edu/fa. The resulting Institutional Student Information Report, with an official EFC must be received by ECPI while the student is enrolled and eligible but not later than applicable deadlines established and published by the Department of Education.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Award amounts depend upon the applicant’s financial need and funding availability. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The student may be eligible for this grant if their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 and they were under 24 years of age or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of their parent’s or guardian’s death. The student should inform their financial aid advisor if they believe they may qualify. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance for that award year. For the current year maximum award please visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants.

Federal Work-Study. The Federal Work-Study Program provides on- and off-campus part-time employment, while enrolled in school to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Students earn at least current federal minimum wages and this employment is awarded based on financial need and funding availability.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a financial need-based, low-interest, fixed rate loan available to undergraduate students directly from the Department of Education.

To apply for Federal Direct Loans you must first complete the FAFSA application, be enrolled at least half time, and your school determines the actual loan amount you may be eligible to receive each academic year. The maximum that can be borrowed in the first year is $3,500. Annual loan limits depend on what year the student is in school and whether they are a dependent or independent student. There are also limits to the total amounts that the student may borrow for undergraduate studies and the program length.

The U.S Department of Education pays the interest while the student is in school at least half-time, for the first six months after you leave school (grace period), and during a period deferment. Loan repayment begins six months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping below half-time enrollment status.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students. The annual loan limit is $2.000 for dependent undergrad students, $6,000 for independent undergrad students, and $20,500 for graduate/professional students. If you are a dependent student whose parents are ineligible for a Direct PLUS Loan, you may be able to receive additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds. Other limits also apply to the annual and total amounts you may receive. Your school determines the actual loan amount you may be eligible to receive each academic year.

You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods. If you choose not to pay interest while you are in school and during grace, deferment, or forbearance periods, interest accrues and is capitalized (added to the principal amount of your loan). Loan repayment begins six months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping below half-time enrollment status.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents of Dependent Undergraduate Students (PLUS). PLUS loans provide funds to help meet educational expenses. They are low-interest, fixed rate loans made directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Borrowers must not have an adverse credit history. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance determined by the school minus any other financial aid received. Repayment begins once your loan is fully disbursed.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan for Graduate or Professional Degree Students. This is a low interest/fixed rate loan provided directly from the U.S. Department of Education to borrowers who do not have an adverse credit history. The maximum loan amount is the student's cost of attendance determined by the school minus any other financial aid received. 

Repayment begins once your loan is full disbursed, however, these loans are placed into deferment while you are enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time. During deferment periods interest will accrue. You may opt to pay the interest when the deferment period ends.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergrad Programs (GEAR UP). The GEAR UP program is a federal grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the state. Applicants must be eligible for Pell Grants and demonstrate financial need in addition to other eligibility requirements. Maximum award amounts are determined each year by the state and are contingent upon available funding.

Supplemental Loan Programs. ECPI has arranged for other student loan programs to be made available. The lenders and terms on these loan programs vary, and your financial aid officer can help you find the one that best fits your needs.

Sources of Financial Aid - ECPI Scholarships

ECPI University Scholarships.

ECPI University awards in excess of $14 million in scholarships each year. These are funds to help you pay for your education that you do not have to pay back and reward you for your commitment to earn your degree.

• Applicants must have applied and been accepted for admissions to ECPI University for the current academic year
• Applicants must meet the ECPI University entrance requirements

Each scholarship has its own unique qualifying criteria. Below you can review the different types of scholarships you may qualify for. Our financial aid advisors can assist you in identifying and applying for these scholarship opportunities.

General Scholarship Policies.

• Scholarships will be applied to lower tuition debt in most cases
• Only degree-seeking students enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits per semester will receive a scholarship award unless otherwise noted in the criteria
• To qualify for scholarships, students must maintain continuous enrollment on a semester basis. Students may take only one semester off during their program
• Students eligible for multiple special tuition rates, pricing programs or scholarships receive the one most beneficial, with the exception of unique circumstances, primarily on a case-by-case basis

Career Advancement Bookstore Award.  Employers value third party endorsement of skills that enhance the value of your degree. Your success means success for all of the graduates, faculty and staff at ECPI University!

• For specific programs, ECPI University may award up to $100 in Bookstore Credit for each certification or license approved for this award that you earn while enrolled
• Many academic programs have certifications you will be encouraged to earn by the time you graduate
• ECPI University subsidizes the majority of the fees to take certification exams
• Account must be in good standing, or may be applied to outstanding charges
• Additional information regarding eligible programs is available here: https://ecpi.libguides.com/CertificationsECPI 

Department of Veterans Affairs. ECPI is approved to offer VA Educational Benefits by the respective State Approving Agency located within the State of operation.  For more information please contact the local ECPI campus Veterans Benefits Coordinator

This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency. GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefis.va.gov/gibill.

ECPI University Enterprise Partnership Program. ECPI University has agreements with area businesses to provide their employees tuition assistance benefits. Contact the admissions office to see if your employer participates.

Graduation Scholarship Fund.  ECPI University students enrolled in any undergraduate Bachelor’s, Associates, or diploma program are auto-enrolled for the Graduation Scholarship Fund. Scholarship amounts vary by degree program and level and may provide awards up to $1,000 to first be applied to reduce any student loan debt in the final semester of your program. Contact admissions or see your financial assistance advisor for details.

To be eligible you must:

• Regularly attend full-time
• Attend at least 85% of all class time in your first semester
• Make ‘Satisfactory Progress’ (as defined in the University catalog)
• Be responsible with student loan borrowing, and complete three financial literacy modules on ECPI University's financial literacy platform
• Have financial need as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and ECPI University having received a valid Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) from the U.S. Department of Education for the award year you will graduate

Students transferring in 12 credits or more will result in a pro-ration of the graduation scholarship according to the number of semesters attended.

High School Scholarships.  Scholarships awarded up to $3000. High School seniors are eligible to apply.

Applications are due by May of each year:

• Complete application
• Submit high school transcript
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a teacher or counselor)
• Typed personal essay (250 words minimum) explaining your reason for pursuing your chosen program of study

GPA, attendance record, acceptance to ECPI University will be considered along with the information submitted with the application. Contact the University for an application.

International Students' Scholarships.  ECPI University has established several scholarships to assist international students in financing their education. To apply for these scholarships, they must meet the admissions requirements for the program of choice and the criteria outlined below.

Applicants can discuss these, and other options, with an ECPI University admissions or financial advisor. For more information on any scholarship, please fill out the International Scholarship Form.

Merit Scholarships.  ECPI University awards a select number of Merit Scholarships to graduates enrolling in selected programs each year. The scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $4,000 per academic year.

Eligibility and Award Criteria:

• Submit a letter of recommendation from the organization verifying community service (letter must be on the organization’s letterhead).
• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply.

Amount: $500

Early Action Scholarship.  This scholarship is available to those applicants who submit their admissions documents and complete their application at least three months before they plan to start school.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Complete your admissions file at least three months before your start date.

• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply.

Amount: up to $500

ECPI Scholarship for EducationUSA Advisees.  EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries. The network promotes U.S. high education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. Find an EducationUSA advising center near year: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Available to all students who find out about ECPI University through an EducationUSA Advising Center.

• Does not apply if the student is also referred by another third-party agent or education consultant.

Amount: up to $2,000

Founder’s Scholarship.  Mr. Alfred Dreyfus immigrated to the USA and founded ECPI University. The Founder’s Scholarship was created to honor Mr. Dreyfus and is available to those deserving students who require additional financial support.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply

• The applicant must submit evidence of their financial status, disability, or social status, and submit a one page essay on why you would be a good candidate to receive the Founder’s Scholarship

• Due to the high value of the Founder’s Scholarship, students who apply and qualify, are excluded from receiving most of the scholarships available from ECPI University. The only scholarships that may stack with the Founder’s Scholarship are the Refer a Friend Scholarship, and the International Student Diversity Scholarship.

• The Founder’s Scholarships is highly selective and therefore, limited scholarships will be available each academic year.

Amount: up to $5,000 per academic year

Head Start – Experience in the Field.  This scholarship is available for those students that are already working and have returned to school to further their career.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Submit a letter of recommendation from a previous or current employer verifying work and achievements in the field in which you wish to study (letter must be on the employer’s letterhead). The work experience must be related to the intended field of study
• Prospective or enrolled international students in all programs are eligible to apply

Amount: up to $2,000

Leveling Course Scholarship.  For international students taking leveling courses there will be a $200.00 per credit hour scholarship.  Contact your advisor for additional information.

Refer a Friend Scholarship.  This scholarship is awarded for every student you refer to ECPI University.

Eligibility & Award Criteria:

• Make sure your friend includes your name on their application form so you can receive credit
• Scholarship is applied after the referred student pays for their first three terms

Amount: $1,000 (for referring a bachelor’s or master’s student)

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP POLICIES

• Students may be awarded up to two types of scholarships concurrently, unless otherwise specified or authorized by ECPI University
• These scholarships are only available to international students
• The Community Service and Early Action scholarships are applied as tuition credit to the student’s first semester
• The Refer a Friend Scholarship is applied after the referred student completes one semester
• The Merit, Head Start, and Founder’s Scholarships are applied as tuition credit in installments each semester, beginning in the student’s second semester
• Online Master’s Studies Scholarship is applied as tuition credit in equal installments through the duration of the program
• The International Student Diversity Scholarship is applied as tuition credit to the student’s second semester
• Tuition credit exceeding the balance due by the student in a semester will carry over to the next semester
• Students must maintain a 3.0 CGPA to continue receiving awarded scholarships. CGPA's are reviewed after each academic year of completion at ECPI University.

Active Duty Scholarship.  Helping Military Active Duty overcome financial hurdles. ECPI University has provided educational opportunities to service members and their families since 1966. We believe that every active duty service member should have the opportunity to pursue the college of their choice. In honor of the men and women who serve in every branch of the United States Armed Forces, ECPI University offers the following scholarship for eligible programs of study* with our thanks and gratitude.

To help relieve the financial challenges associated with pursuing your education, ECPI University offers an Active Duty Military Scholarship Program. This scholarship for service members is open to active duty, reservists, National Guardsmen, other service members, and includes their spouses when enrolled in our online college.

If you are eligible for Tuition Assistance, you may be eligible for ECPI University’s Active Duty Military Scholarship. Reservists eligible for TA may also be eligible for the scholarship. The Active Duty Military Scholarships will cover the costs of tuition remaining after eligible TA has been applied.

Through the program, qualifying service members and spouses are provided a scholarship which will effectively reduce tuition to $250.00 per semester credit for undergraduate course work, and $595.00 per semester credit for graduate course work.

*Eligible programs include all degree programs in the Colleges of Technology, Business, and Criminal Justice. In the College of Culinary Arts, Food Service Management is eligible. In the College of Health Sciences, eligible programs include Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Healthcare Administration.

To Learn More about Active Duty Tuition Assistance see:

Airforce: https://www.military.com/education/money-for-school/air-force-tuition-assistance.html

Army: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Tuition-Assistance-(TA)?serv=122

Navy: https://www.cool.osd.mil/usn/costs_and_funding/navy_tuition_assistance_program.htm

Marines: https://usmc-mccs.org/taguide/

USCG: https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/ETQC/VOLUNTARY-EDUCATION/Tuition-Assistance/

Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Tag/523/tuition-assistance/

Spouses: MyCAA — Financial Assistance for Military Spouses (militaryonesource.mil)

Armed Services Scholarship.  The Armed Services Scholarship was designed to help lessen the financial challenges associated with pursuing your undergraduate education. ECPI University’s scholarship for armed service members is open to Active Duty, Reservists, National Guardsmen, and other service members, as well as their spouses, who may not be eligible for our Active Duty Scholarship.  Qualifying service members or spouses pursuing their undergraduate degree receive a scholarship for $500.00 per semester/$1000.00 per academic year.  Available through all of our Campus locations and Online (Active Duty Members and their Spouses, undergraduate programs only), ask your admissions advisor for more information.

Sources of Financial Aid - Other

Students who have been approved for assistance under any of the following programs must provide the documentation of eligibility to the Financial Aid Administrator.

Employer Assistance. Many employers provide tuition assistance programs to their employees to assist with education goals. Check with the human resources department or benefits manager to see if an educational assistance program is available at your place of employment.

Job Location and Development Program. This program is administered through the Career Services Center to assist students, with and without financial need, in securing part-time employment. Information and program requirements are available from the Career Services Center.

Local Aid. ECPI Culinary students in need of assistance, who are residents of Norfolk, Virginia, may qualify for $750 in a locally provided City of Norfolk Scholarship. Inquire with your Financial Aid Administrator to verify eligibility.

Military Tuition Assistance. Active duty students who use Tuition Assistance will have their first term TA cost sheet automatically sent directly to the student. Students must request a TA cost sheet for each subsequent term until the TA is capped for the fiscal year. Students are responsible for submitting all TA cost sheets to their TA Education office before the term begins for TA approval.

MyCAA. The MYCAA scholarship provides a maximum education benefit of $4,000 with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000 to assist eligible military spouses who have completed high school and who need professional credentials to pursue their career goals (MyCAA, 2020). For program eligibility or site navigation assistance, please contact a MYCAA Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Coach at 1-800-342-9647. 

Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads Region. A student who may qualify for benefits funded through the U.S. Department of Labor should contact the local Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads Region office.

Private Aid. ECPI students may also seek private education loans from any lender of their choice. Eligibility and application processes for private education loans are provided by the private lenders.

ECPI also provides a private loan program serviced by Tuition Options to assist students in meeting their educational goals. Additional information and the application process may be obtained from the Campus Financial Aid Administrator.

State Aid. Qualified applicants may also receive educational benefits administered under the state's Employment Commission or Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance programs. Students must visit the local state agency branches to determine eligibility for these programs.

Sources of Financial Aid - Veteran’s Benefits

Some ECPI students have Veterans Education benefits available to them while they are attending school. The Department of Veteran Affairs is now taking online applications. To apply for veterans' educational benefits online, log onto www.gibill.va.gov, click on "Electronic Application Form” and start “VONAPP” to complete VA Form 22-1990 or 22-1995.  Each student must forward a copy to the application to the Campus Veterans Certifying Official.

Students who are discharged veterans should forward a copy of the DD214, copy 4, along with the Application for Admission. It is the student's responsibility to submit the application for benefits to the Veterans Administration and to keep their educational information up to date with the Veterans Administration. ECPI will provide assistance to those students who need help and will answer questions that students may have with regard to the VA benefits.

Students seeking advanced academic standing via credit transfer or challenge examinations must do so by the end of their first semester of enrollment. VA students are expected to report all enrollment changes to the VA coordinator (for example: changing concentrations, falling below a full-time status, and leaving school).

ECPI must have an academic transcript from each post-secondary school previously attended by a veteran. Consent to Release School Records forms must be completed in full (complete address) for each school attended.

Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill^® Benefits. This benefit program is available to individuals who served in active duty on or after September 10, 2001 and is payable for education pursued after August 1, 2009. If a veteran qualifies for assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill^® on or after August 1, 2009 and the veteran also qualifies for assistance under the Post 9/11 GI Bill^®, the veteran may make an irrevocable decision to receive benefits solely under the Post 9/11 GI Bill^®. Please see your Campus Veterans Certifying Official or visit www.gibill.va.gov for more information.

Tuition and fee rates for private schools are capped by the Veterans Administration annually. Please check with your campus V.A. representative for the current year's cap. Eligibility tiers based on length of service still apply. Only the VA can determine a veteran’s eligibility. ECPI University is a Yellow Ribbon school for those students who are 100% eligible for this program.

Active duty students are limited to the net cost for tuition and fees that are prorated based on eligibility tiers (40% - 100%) previously established for veterans.

The housing allowance under CH33 Post 9/11 benefits is now payable to the student (other than an active duty student) solely enrolled in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents. Housing is also prorated based on the student’s rate of pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth).

Any person entitled to educational assistance under chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill^® or chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits and experiences delayed payment of benefits, will not be subject to any penalties, late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other university facilities as a result of such delay. Nor will such person be required to borrow additional funds to satisfy financial obligations to the university due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the Veteran’s Administration, under chapter 31 or 33. To be a person covered under this policy, documentation of eligibility must be determined by providing a certificate of eligibility which can include a “Statement of Benefits” from the VA website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 for chapter 31 authorization.

Further clarification can be found at or by contacting the Campus Veterans Certifying Official.