Federal Aid

TEACH Grant

Students in teaching credential programs can apply for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant. The TEACH grant is available to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate students that are enrolled in programs leading to a teaching career. 

In order to qualify for the grant, students must complete TEACH grant counseling and sign an agreement to serve and agree to teach for at least four academic years within eight years of completing their degree or last day of attendance, in either a high-need field or an elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency that serves low-income families. High-need fields include: bilingual education and English language acquisition, foreign language, math, reading, science and special education. 

This grant may become an unsubsidized loan if the student does not complete the necessary requirements after leaving school as indicated in the agreement to serve. Independent Credential students are eligible for a maximum of $12,500 unsubsidized loan per award year. Dependent credential students are eligible for $7,500. The lifetime maximum an independent credential student may borrow is $57,500, including all previously borrowed loans.  Dependent credential students may borrow a maximum of $31,000.

Golden State Teachers Grant

The Golden State Teacher Grant program (GSTG) is for students who are currently enrolled in an education program working toward their preliminary teaching credential or pupil personnel services (PPS) credential and committed to working at a priority school, in California for four years, within eight years after completing the program.

GSTG awards of up to $20,000 are available to eligible, currently enrolled students in California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved teacher preparation programs. Campuses and program administrators will verify applicants’ enrollment status. Apply for a 2023-24 Golden State Teacher Grant here: https://gstg.csac.ca.gov. Funds are certified for August, October, January and March sessions.

William D. Ford Federal (Direct Loan) Program

The following information pertains to the William D. Ford Federal (Direct Loan) Program. If you are eligible for a Federal Direct Loan, you must complete a copy of your current Financial Aid Award indicating how much you wish to borrow. If you are a first-time borrower, you must complete and submit a master promissory note electronically. All students are required to complete the entrance counseling for their first loan at Alliant International University. 

All student borrowers will be using Direct Loan as their lender which includes unsubsidized loans, and PLUS loans: 

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan

Students receiving an unsubsidized loan are charged the interest on the loan while in school, in grace period and in deferment. Interest on these loans begins accruing 60 days after disbursal of the loan. Although interest is charged on the loan disbursement, a student does not need to start repayment until six months after graduation, or when dropping below half-time enrollment. The interest rate for this loan as of July 2023 was 5.50% for undergraduate students and 7.05% for graduate students. An origination fee of 1.057% will be taken from the disbursement prior to receipt by the school. 

Federal GradPLUS for Graduate Students

Graduate students may apply for a Federal GradPLUS Loan to assist with costs not covered by the unsubsidized loan. Interest is charged on the loan within 60 days that the disbursement is made to the school as it is with the unsubsidized loan. Similarly, interest is charged on the loan disbursement, but a student does not need to start repayment until six months after graduation or when dropping below half-time enrollment.

Students must be pre-approved for the loan as it is dependent on the credit of the borrower. A separate master promissory note must be filled out for this loan through the lender. A small credit review will be required. Students may also nominate an eligible endorser. This loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.05% as of July 2023. An origination fee of 4.228% will be taken from the disbursement prior to receipt by the school.

Federal Work Study Program (FWS)

Federal Work Study is an employment program largely funded by the federal government and supplemented by employer contributions. The goals of the program are to help students meet their educational expenses, encourage participation in community service activities, and instill a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community. FWS strives to complement and reinforce the student employees’ educational programs and career goals.

Under the Federal Work Study (FWS) program, students are employed in part-time jobs on campus or in other nonprofit agencies to help meet a portion of their cost of attendance. FWS earnings are considered taxable income and must be reported as such. Doctoral extension students are eligible to work under FWS if they are enrolled at least half-time (three credits). Students may earn up to the maximum amount specified in their financial aid package. On average, FWS students work 10–20 hours per week during the academic year. The actual amount earned depends on the student’s employability, class schedule, and the number of hours worked.

Each year, at least 7% of an eligible institution’s FWS allocation must be used for community service. Alliant encourages students to investigate opportunities for off and on-campus community service employment.

In general, community services include:

1. Health care, child care, literacy training, education (including tutorial services), welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development and community improvement.
2. Support for students (other than for an institution’s own students) with disabilities.
3. Activities in which an FWS student serves as a mentor for such purposes:
   • Tutoring
   • Supporting educational and recreational activities
   • Counseling, including career counseling

Eligibility is based on students’ financial need and determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI). If you are eligible, you will be awarded based on availability of FWS funds. Priority will be given to students who have filed their FAFSA by the priority deadline. You may receive a FWS award in your financial aid package if you meet the following criteria:

• You filed your FAFSA by of the award year priority deadline
• Your SAI is $10,000 or less