The Criminal Justice Training Center offers noncredit training programs for police recruits and law enforcement personnel. The center’s role in both the university and the community is to provide high-quality education programs for the continuing professionalism and advancement of the criminal justice system.
A number of financial aid programs are available to students who are enrolled in the full-time or part-time IUP Municipal Police Academy.
A number of financial aid programs are available to students who are enrolled in the IUP municipal police officers’ training academy.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant program provides funds to students to be used for educational purposes. The Student Aid Report (SAR), which you receive as a result of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will indicate whether or not you are eligible for a Pell Grant award, and IUP will determine the specific award amount. Awards range from approximately $712 to $3,908. Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for a Pell Grant.
Pennsylvania State Grant
Students enrolled in the municipal police officers' training academy are not eligible to receive funds through the Pennsylvania State Grant program.
Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Stafford Loans are funds that you borrow for educational purposes to be repaid after you leave school. Dependent students may borrow up to $4,015, and independent students may receive up to $6,935 from this student loan program. Dependent students whose parents have been denied a Federal PLUS Loan may borrow at the independent student level. Eligibility may be limited for students who received Federal Stafford Loan funds for another program but within the same academic year.
If the loan is subsidized by the federal government, all principal and interest are deferred while you are enrolled and during a six-month grace period. Students are responsible for the interest on unsubsidized loans during these periods. The interest rate for subsidized Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2009, is 5.6 percent. The interest rate for unsubsidized Stafford Loans is 6.8 percent.
Entrance counseling must be completed on the website before funds can be paid to your account. Exit counseling at this same site will provide information about loan repayment and deferment options.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Parents of dependent students may apply for a Federal PLUS Loan of up to approximately $8,600. Payment of principal and interest begins sixty days after the funds are fully disbursed. The loan proceeds are sent directly to IUP. The Federal PLUS Loan interest rate is 8.5 percent.
Alternative Loans
There are a number of privately funded loan programs available in which students and a credit-worthy co-signer may apply. A list of various alternative loan programs is available on line, and you can apply on line as well. Go to the alternative loan section of the IUP’s Financial Aid website for more information.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans or reservists may be eligible for veterans' educational benefits. Upon your acceptance to the program, you should contact the IUP Veterans office at 724-357-3009. You will be sent the required documents for processing your VA Educational Benefits.
Other Possible Resources
Students may want to inquire at their local Pennsylvania Job Service Center for information on Job Partnership Training Act (JPTA) or Private Industry Council (PIC) funds. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation also offers funds for education for eligible applicants. Local civic groups or unions may have educational funding opportunities available for their members.
Applications
In order to apply for financial aid, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed; it should be completed on the FAFSA website. You should contact the IUP Financial Aid Office to determine which aid year’s FAFSA needs to be completed based on your particular program dates. You will need IUP’s school code, which is 003277. If you are interested in borrowing the Federal Stafford Loan, indicate you are interested in student loans when you complete the FAFSA. After IUP has certified your Stafford Loan eligibility with American Education Services (AES), a Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) will be mailed to you, unless an active MPN already exists for you on AES records. This MPN must be completed and returned to AES in Harrisburg.
Parents of dependent students may apply for a PLUS Loan by calling AES at 1-800-692-7392 and requesting a credit pre-approval. An application will follow for eligible parents.
If selected for a process called verification, you must provide copies of prior-year Federal Income Tax returns and other documents to confirm your FAFSA data. All forms must be received and completed before your last day of attendance in order to be eligible for financial aid.
Receiving Financial Aid Funds
All financial aid funds are paid directly to your student account at IUP. One disbursement is made at the beginning of the program and one after you have reached the midpoint of your program and have completed half of the program’s clock hours. You must be enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress to receive your financial aid. Funds in excess of your IUP bill will be refunded to you for related educational expenses.
A number of financial aid programs are available to students who are enrolled in the IUP municipal police officers' training academy.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant program provides funds to students to be used for educational purposes. The Student Aid Report (SAR), which you receive as a result of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will indicate whether or not you are eligible for a Pell Grant award, and IUP will determine the specific award amount. Awards range from approximately $712 to $3,908. Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for a Pell Grant.
Pennsylvania State Grant
Students enrolled in the municipal police officers' training academy are not eligible to receive funds through the Pennsylvania State Grant program.
Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Stafford Loans are funds that you borrow for educational purposes to be repaid after you leave school. Dependent students may borrow up to $5,060, and independent students may receive up to $8,740 from this student loan program. Dependent students whose parents have been denied a Federal PLUS Loan may borrow at the independent student level. Eligibility may be limited for students who received Federal Stafford Loan funds for another program but within the same academic year.
If the loan is subsidized by the federal government, all principal and interest are deferred while you are enrolled and during a six month grace period. Students are responsible for the interest on unsubsidized loans during these periods. The interest rate for subsidized Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, is 6.0 percent and, if first disbursed on or after July 1, 2009, it is 5.6 percent. The interest rate for unsubsidized Stafford Loans is 6.8 percent.
Entrance counseling must be completed on the website before funds can be paid to your account. Exit counseling at this same site will provide information about loan repayment and deferment options.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Parents of dependent students may apply for a Federal PLUS Loan of up to approximately $11,000. Payment of principal and interest begins sixty days after the funds are disbursed. The loan proceeds are sent directly to IUP. The Federal PLUS Loan interest rate is 8.5 percent.
Alternative Loans
There are a number of privately funded loan programs available in which students and a credit-worthy co-signer may apply. A list of various alternative loan programs is available on line, and you can apply on line as well. Go to the alternative loan section of the IUP’s Financial Aid website for more information.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans or reservists may be eligible for veterans' educational benefits. Upon your acceptance to the program, you should contact the IUP Veterans office at 724-357-3009. You will be sent the required documents for processing your VA Educational Benefits.
Other Possible Resources
Students may want to inquire at their local Pennsylvania Job Service Center for information on Job Partnership Training Act (JPTA) or Private Industry Council (PIC) funds. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) also offers funds for education for eligible applicants. Local civic groups or unions may have educational funding opportunities available for their members.
Applications
In order to apply for financial aid, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed; it should be completed on the FAFSA website. You should contact the IUP Financial Aid office to determine which aid year’s FAFSA needs to be completed based on your particular program dates. You will need IUP’s school code, which is 003277. If you are interested in borrowing the Federal Stafford Loan, indicate you are interested in student loans when you complete the FAFSA. After IUP has certified your Stafford Loan eligibility with American Education Services (AES), a Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) will be mailed to you, unless an active MPN already exists for you on AES records. This MPN must be completed and returned to AES in Harrisburg.
Parents of dependent students may apply for a PLUS Loan by calling AES at 1-800-692-7392 and requesting a credit pre-approval. An application will follow for eligible parents.
If selected for a process called verification, you must provide copies of prior-year Federal Income Tax returns and other documents to confirm your FAFSA data. All forms must be received and completed before your last day of attendance in order to be eligible for financial aid.
Receiving Financial Aid Funds
All financial aid funds are paid directly to your student account at IUP. One disbursement is made at the beginning of the program and one after you have reached the midpoint of your program and have completed half of the program’s clock hours. You must be enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress to receive your financial aid. Funds in excess of your IUP bill will be refunded to you for related educational expenses.
