What is Financial Aid?
Strayer University offers three categories of financial aid: grants, scholarships, and loans. Grants and scholarships are gifts of money that do not have to be repaid provided they are used to complete the student’s education. Loans are borrowed money, which must be repaid with interest.
Other sources of financial assistance are often available. Some of these include veterans benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, and employer sponsorships. A student should research all possible sources of financial aid.
The amount and type of financial aid that a student may receive are determined through federal and state guidelines.
Federal Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements
The general requirements for receipt of federal financial funds include:
- Financial need (except for some loan programs);
- High school diploma or equivalent;
- U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status;
- Social Security number;
- Enrollment in an eligible academic program. Federal education loan participants must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis;
- Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress (see below).
Additional information about eligibility for financial aid at Strayer University is available on the Financial Aid page of the Strayer website at http://www.strayer.edu. Current students can also visit the Financial Aid and Support page through the iCampus student portal (https://icampus.strayer.edu).
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards: A student must make successful progress toward the completion of his/her program of study in order to continue receiving federal financial aid. The university has set standards in the areas of grade point average (qualitative) and pace of completion (quantitative) within an established time frame as a measure of satisfactory progress for financial aid. These standards can be found on the Financial Aid Policies page of Strayer University’s website at https://www.strayer.edu.
How Do You Apply for Federal Financial Aid?
Prospective and current students are encouraged to apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by visiting the Department of Education FAFSA site at https://fafsa.gov. Current students can also visit Financial Aid and Support through the iCampus student portal (https://icampus.strayer.edu). Additional financial aid information can also be found on the Financial Aid page of Strayer University website at https://www.strayer.edu.
In order to maximize aid possibilities, students should file their applications for financial aid, scholarships, and veterans benefits at the same time they apply to Strayer for admission.
Federal Loans
Federal loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Special provisions, such as favorable interest rates, grace periods for repayment for certain types of federal loans, deferment under certain conditions, and even cancellation under certain conditions, make these loans attractive to both students and parents applying for a loan.
- Federal Direct Loan Programs
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Graduate/Parent)
Federal Grants
An undergraduate student who does not hold a bachelor’s or first professional degree may be eligible for certain federal grants.
Grants are funding that do not require repayment provided they are used to complete the student's education.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Additional Information
For additional information about federal student aid programs, please see the Financial Aid page of the Strayer University website at https://www.strayer.edu or the Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov.
Private Loan Programs
Private loan programs may be available for undergraduate and graduate students. These loan programs may not offer the benefits of federal loan programs but may provide an alternative way to finance educational expenses. Students should consider federal sources of financial aid before considering private loan programs. Additional information can be obtained through the Financial Aid page of the Strayer University website at https://www.strayer.edu.
Scholarships and Other Educational Benefits Programs
Pennsylvania State Grant Program: Pennsylvania provides grants to undergraduate state residents with financial needs who are attending college on at least a half-time basis and who will complete at least 50% of a two-year or four-year program of study at a Pennsylvania campus. Additional information may be obtained through your coach or advisor or at www.pheaa.org.
Please Note: Strayer University has voluntarily withdrawn from participation in the Pennsylvania State Grant Programs, and students will no longer be eligible to participate in these grant programs after the Summer 2026 term.
Other Scholarships
Prospective students may learn about available scholarship opportunities by speaking with their admissions officer or going online to www.strayer.edu. Current students should visit icampus.strayer.edu or speak to their Student Success Coach. Students are also encouraged to research and identify private/external sources of scholarship funding and other employer-based educational benefits to offset and save on educational expenses and related costs.
Strayer Learn and Earn Scholarship
The Strayer Learn and Earn Scholarship (formerly Strayer University Graduation Fund) gives students the opportunity to make college more affordable and rewards students who are committed to pursuing their bachelor’s degree. All qualified new and readmit undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in the Strayer Learn and Earn Scholarship when they register for courses with Strayer. These students will earn one tuition-free class for every three courses they pass, subject to eligibility requirements. The tuition-free classes will begin to be automatically redeemed for the last classes of the student's bachelor's degree program, up to a maximum of 10 classes. Students forfeit all tuition-free classes earned if they have two or more consecutive terms of nonattendance. However, upon readmittance, the student may be able to again begin earning tuition-free classes, starting at zero, if they meet all other eligibility requirements.
Additional information, restrictions and eligibility requirements can be found on the Strayer Learn and Earn (https://www.strayer.edu/learnandearn) page of the Strayer website at https://www.strayer.edu. Current students can also visit the Finances - Financing Opportunities - Strayer Learn and Earn (Strayer Learn and Earn | iCampus (strayer.edu) page through the iCampus student portal (https://icampus.strayer.edu).
Other Scholarships
Pennsylvania State Grant Program: Pennsylvania provides grants to undergraduate state residents with financial needs who are attending college on at least a half-time basis and who will complete at least 50% of a two-year or four-year program of study at a Pennsylvania campus. Additional information may be obtained through your coach or advisor or at www.pheaa.org.
Private Source Scholarships: Many scholarships and other educational financial benefit programs are available. Students may obtain information about these scholarships by contacting the guidance departments of their high schools or by writing to local chapters of the organizations.
Additional scholarship opportunities may be available. Please contact the admissions office for more information.
Veteran and Military Benefits Programs
Veterans Educational Benefits: Strayer University makes every effort to assist eligible service members, veterans, and their dependents in their academic pursuits. Veterans Educational (VA) Benefits are available for eligible programs at Strayer. Application information may be obtained in the admissions office or from the Veterans Affairs website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Students are not eligible to collect full Veterans Educational Benefits for course(s) for which they are receiving military tuition assistance. Active-duty military students using military tuition assistance may apply to use the Top Up program directly through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Students must remain in good academic standing in order to receive Veterans Educational Benefits. Various VA benefits are tied to a student’s academic load. For undergraduate students, the full-time rate of pursuit is three courses or 13.5 quarter hours. For graduate students, the full-time rate of pursuit is 9.0 quarter hours at the graduate level. Online ENG 090 courses are not paid for by the VA. Independent study courses scheduled as online are considered distance learning and do not count toward a student’s eligibility for full, on-ground housing allowance. Independent study courses scheduled as a campus residence course are classified as distance learning courses by the Department of Veterans Affairs until attendance has been verified for at least one on-campus meeting. Once attendance is verified, this course may count toward a student’s eligibility toward full, on-ground housing allowance. Please see the Attendance – Veterans Educational Benefits Eligibility topic in the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for details.
Chapter 33 Certification: Students wishing to use their Chapter 33 benefits will be certified twice each term. Students will initially be certified for credit hours. After the term begins, the university will certify for appropriate tuition and fees once attendance has been posted in all courses offered by Strayer University.
Yellow Ribbon Program: Strayer University participates in the VA Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students will be certified under the Yellow Ribbon program once their annual allowance of VA benefits has been reached. The Department of Veterans Affairs publishes annual benefit amounts on its website.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31): Veteran Readiness and Employment is a program designed to assist service-disabled veterans to obtain suitable employment and promote maximum independence in daily living. Professional counselors from the Department of Veterans Affairs assist in preparing an individual plan that includes services and financial assistance necessary to complete a designated program. Students seeking additional information pertaining to this type of benefit should contact the Veteran Readiness and Employment program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Department of Defense Educational Assistance Programs: The Department of Defense has established special programs to assist active duty military personnel with their educational expenses. These programs are administered by the various branches of the armed services. Eligibility requirements and the availability of funds vary. Contact a post-education office for additional information.
Military Scholarships: Strayer University also offers military scholarships for those currently serving in the military and to military spouses. Contact your coach or advisor for more information. Those using Post 9/11, Chapter 33 VA benefits are not eligible for the military scholarship offered by Strayer.