Financial Aid

Scholarships

Barry Scholarships are awarded annually to talented incoming freshmen and transfer students based on scholastic achievement. Scholarships may be renewable providing the recipient maintains a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.

Barry Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate academic promise and exceptional financial need. Award amounts vary and are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Athletic Grants are awarded to students who show outstanding athletic ability. Interested students should contact the appropriate Head Coach or the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (athletics@mail.barry.edu ).

Federal Financial Aid Programs for Undergraduate Students

Federal Pell Grant: Need-based grant which serves as the foundation to which other sources of aid are added. Awards range from $400 to $4050. Available to full-time and part-time undergraduates.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This grant is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Awards range from $400-$1000 per academic year.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS): This need-based program enables students to work part-time on campus while gaining valuable work experience. Students are paid on a monthly basis.

Federal Perkins Loan Program: This low-interest (5%) loan, made by Barry University , but federally subsidized, is awarded to students based on exceptional financial need. Repayment begins nine months after leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment.

Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP): This program consists of low-interest loans for students and parents.

State Programs for Undergraduate Students

FLORIDA RESIDENT ACCESS GRANT (FRAG)
This program provides tuition assistance to full-time students from Florida attending private, independent colleges and universities located in the state. Students who have been residents of Florida for other than educational purposes for at least twelve consecutive months may be eligible for the grant. This program provides approximately $2500 per academic year, subject to state budget appropriations. The student automatically applies for this grant when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FLORIDA STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANT (FSAG)
This need-based grant provides approximately $1000 per academic year, subject to state budget appropriations. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply. It is recommended that the application be completed prior to May 15th, as these funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Florida students who have earned a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship can utilize these funds at Barry University . The amount is determined by the type of scholarship earned and is equal to a percentage of the State of Florida tuition rate. Students should contact their high school guidance counsellor or the Office of Financial Aid at Barry University for more information.

FLORIDA PRE-PAID COLLEGE PROGRAM
While this program was designed initially for use at Florida public colleges and universities, these funds can be applied toward expenses at Barry University . For further information please contact the Florida College Pre-Paid program at 800-552-4723 or visit their web site at http://www.florida529plans.com/Prepaid/index.html

Additional State Programs
Students from Barry University also participate in the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund, "Chappie" James Most Promising Teacher Scholarship Loan Program, and the Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program, as well as other state programs. Information on any of these programs may be obtained from high school guidance counsellors or by contacting the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Florida Department of Education, Tallahassee , Florida , 32399-0400 .

STATE GRANT PROGRAMS OUTSIDE FLORIDA
Incoming students from Alaska, South Carolina, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Vermont, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania should know that their state grants are "portable." Students from these states who qualify, based on financial need, can use these grants to attend a college or university outside their state. These grants can, therefore, be applied towards a student's cost of education at Barry University . Students should contact their State Department of Education for further details, since there may be a deadline for application.

Student Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP): This program consists of low-interest loans for students and parents. There are two types of FFELP loans: Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized loans) and Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). The Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is based on financial need. The government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after graduation or when the student drops to less than half-time enrollment. The Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan is not based on need. However, the student is responsible for all interest which accrues during in-school, grace, and deferment periods. The interest rate is variable, capped at 8.25%. For dependent students, the annual loan limits for combined Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are $2625 for freshmen, $3500 for sophomores, and $5500 for juniors and seniors. For independent undergraduates, those amounts may be exceeded by an additional $4000 for freshmen and sophomores, and $5000 for juniors and seniors. Under the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), parents of dependent students may borrow up to the difference between the cost of education minus other financial aid. The interest rate is variable, capped at 9%. The PLUS loan is credit-based, and repayment begins immediately following disbursement.

Federal Perkins Loan Program: This low-interest (5%) loan, made by Barry University , but federally subsidized, is awarded to students based on exceptional financial need. Repayment begins nine months after leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment.

Outside or "Alternative Loans": Banks and other lending corporations make available other education loans which should be considered only after all other forms of financial aid has been utilized. These loans require the student and sometimes a co-signer to pass a credit check. It is the student's responsibility to investigate the terms and requirements of these outside loans. Contact the Financial Aid Office for a current list of suggested outside lenders.

Federal Student Loans

If you have borrowed a student loan previously, you should continue to borrow from the same lender. However, if you are applying for a federal student loan for the first time, the following link will provide you with a comparison of lenders.

What's Up with My Loans?
If you have a Stafford loan through USA Group/Sallie Mae (Most Barry students do) you can check the current status online.

Barry University 's Participating Lenders: