Police Academy Student Aid

The Federal Pell Grant program provides funds you can use for educational purposes that you won't have to pay back. Your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is generated as a result of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will indicate whether you are eligible for a Pell Grant.

IUP determines the specific amount you'll be offered, based on the Pell formula for clock-hour programs. If you have previously earned a bachelor’s degree, you are not eligible for a Pell Grant.

Students enrolled in the Municipal Police Academy are not eligible to receive funds through the Pennsylvania State Grant program. This is due to the short length of the program.

Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will also allow you to be considered for federal direct loans (subsidized and unsubsidized). For more information on these student loans, please visit the loans page.

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 the IUP school code, which is 003277.

Police Academy students are automatically offered their maximum loan eligibility by the IUP Financial Aid Office. The loan limits are based on student’s dependency status (as determined by the FAFSA) and whether the student is attending the full-time academy or the part-time academy.

Notes:

• Eligibility may be limited for students who have received federal subsidized/unsubsidized loan funds previously.

• Once you cease enrollment in the police academy program, you must complete online exit counseling at Federal Direct Student Loans, which also has helpful information on managing repayment.

Parents of dependent students may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan online at the Federal Direct Student Loan website for an amount up to approximately $16,000. The actual approval amount will be determined by IUP, based on the student’s other financial aid.

A credit check is performed by US Department of Education (USDE) at the time of application. Dependent students whose parents have been credit-denied for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan may borrow Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds. (The independent student maximum applies.)

• If the parent borrower is credit approved, then a Federal Direct PLUS electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) must also be completed on the same website.

• Your family's income and other debts are not factored in when approving the loan, which is based solely on the absence of an adverse credit history. Parents and students should talk about what they can afford before borrowing. Though the parent is legally responsible for the loan, families often discuss the student's willingness to help repay it.

• Repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after the Direct PLUS Loan funds are fully disbursed. There are some limited deferment provisions available. The loan proceeds are sent directly to IUP. Current interest rate information can be found at Federal Direct Student Loans.

Federal loans usually offer students a better deal. In most cases, you should apply for federal student loans before applying for private, alternative loans.

There are a number of privately-funded loan programs available for students with a credit-worthy cosigner.

Go to the loans section of the IUP Financial Aid website for more information.

Veterans or reservists may be eligible for veterans’ educational benefits. Upon acceptance into 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.

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation offers funds for education for eligible applicants. Local civic groups or unions may have educational funding opportunities available for their members. 

You will be offered your maximum Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan eligibility after your Pell Grant eligibility is determined.

It is your responsibility to notify the IUP Financial Aid Office if you want to reduce or cancel any portion of your Federal Direct Loan.

All financial aid funds are paid directly to your account at IUP. One disbursement is made at the beginning of the program, and one is made after you have reached the midpoint of the program and have completed half of the program’s clock hours.

You must be enrolled and be making satisfactory academic progress to receive financial aid.

Funds in excess of the IUP bill will be refunded for related educational expenses, such as books. (Note: Often refunds are not available until after the midpoint in the program, when the remaining portion of the federal aid is disbursed.)

If you are selected for Federal Verification, you will be required to provide copies of your federal tax returns and other documents to confirm your FAFSA data.

The IUP Financial Aid Office will notify you if you have been selected for verification and let you know what documents are needed. You can review the status of your aid on your MyIUP account:

In the MyIUP portal:

1. Log in to MyIUP. Go to Discover and search for "financial aid."
2. On the Tuition, Aid, and Finances card, select Financial Aid Information.

All forms must be received and completed before your last day of attendance in order to be eligible for financial aid.