Sources of Financial Aid

Sierra Nevada University Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships

SNU merit and targeted scholarships for undergraduate students are listed on the UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS > page.

Graduate Student Scholarships

Some SNU graduate programs have scholarship or grant funds available. Contact your admissions counselor or program administrator to find out if there is any funding for your circumstances.

Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Eligibility: Undergraduate
The PELL > grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not received a bachelor’s degree and who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Financial need and eligibility are determined by the federal government using the data you submitted on the FAFSA.

SNU Institutional Grant

Eligibility: Undergraduate
This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. All undergraduates who file the FAFSA are automatically considered for this program.

TEACH Grant

Eligibility: Degrees in Teaching
SNU offers the Federal Student Aid TEACH GRANT > for prospective teachers. In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students.
To Apply:

• Fill out the FAFSA.
• Submit the SNU TEACH Application found HERE under Teacher Education. Email completed application to financialaid@sierranevada.edu
• Complete the Agreement to Serve (ATS) & Initial and Subsequent Counseling agreements.

LOANS

Federal Stafford Student Loans

FEDERAL STAFFORD STUDENT LOANS > are funded by the federal government. The student must complete the FAFSA. Interest rates for loans are determined each July 1^st.  Students accept loans(s) electronically on SNCSIS.

• The Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is a federally-sponsored “need-based” loan. The federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half time. Interest begins to accrue upon graduation or separation from school.
  Eligibility: Undergraduate
• The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a federally-sponsored loan which is not need-based but has no interest subsidy. The interest accrues from the date of disbursement. You may pay the interest while you are enrolled or defer the interest. Accrued interest will capitalize once when you enter repayment. Students are encouraged to make interest payments while in school to help decrease the total costs of the loan.
  Eligibility: Undergraduate & Graduate
• Federal Parent Plus Loan for Dependent Undergraduate Students: Parents wanting to borrow through a PLUS loan must complete an Online Application and Master Promissory Note at StudentLoans.gov. SNU only accepts Federal Direct PLUS loans, so outside lender PLUS applications will not be processed. Parents may opt to defer repayment until their student graduates, although interest will begin accruing when the loan is funded.  Origination fees will be deducted from the amount of loan requested.
  Eligibility: Parents of Undergraduates
• Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers: If you have received Stafford loans while at SNU and have been or will be employed for at least five consecutive, complete school years as a full-time teacher in an elementary or secondary school designated as a low-income school you may qualify for loan forgiveness. For further information go to www.studentaid.ed.gov and select “repaying”, or call 1-800-4-FED-AID. For a list of eligible schools in Nevada go to www.TCLI.ED.GOV  (location based on county).
  Eligibility: Qualifying Teachers

Entrance Counseling: First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling before funds will be credited to the student’s account. Both are completed online at www.StudentLoans.gov. You will need your federal pin. Per Federal regulations, loan funds for first-time borrowers will be disbursed 30 days after the start of the semester. Origination fees will be deducted with each disbursement from the amount of loan requested.

The counseling session will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. It provides useful tips and tools to help you develop a budget for managing your educational expenses and helps you to understand your loan responsibilities.

Exit Counseling: Prior to graduating or leaving college, borrowers are required to complete an online Exit Counseling session. This online exit counseling session was created to make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a Direct Loan borrower.

Private/Alternative Loans

Students with additional need may apply separately for alternative loans through outside lenders. Sierra Nevada University’s Recommended Lenders are selected by the quality of products and services they provide to students and families, and a student has the right to choose any outside lender to obtain student loans. The college will work with any alternative lender you choose. Please contact the Director of Financial Aid, Judy Roberts, if you would like help in selecting a lender.

Education Loans Code of Conduct

SNU does not participate in any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender, nor does the College receive gifts from any lender, any guarantor, or any loan servicer for providing Loan Funds to its student population. SNU has a list of lenders that SNU has successfully worked with in the past and that SNU students have borrowed from over the past five or more years. Students are not limited to these options when choosing a lender.

SNU approves or denies loan requests based on enrollment only. Any student receiving a private loan must be enrolled in at least one class. Any student receiving Federal Direct loans must enroll at least half time. If these conditions are not met, SNU may deny the student loan certification.

VA Students / GI Bill

Military Students Info

SNU certifies VA students for both the regular GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI Bill (Yellow Ribbon Program) for fully admitted and enrolled students.

In order to be certified, please submit the following to financialaid@sierranevada.edu.

1. Copy of the form the VA sends you proving eligibility.
2. If you have been using your benefits at another institution, you must complete a Change of Program/School (VA Form 22-1995).  You can fill out this form electronically at:  http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp
3. Copy of all transcripts from every institution you have attended, including a military transcript or letter from your branch stating that you did not complete any training or education while in the service. For required document(s), all branches can be found at: https://jst.doded.mil/smart/welcome.do 
4. Lastly, you will need to fill out a Request for Certification every semester you are enrolled at SNU. You can find the form at /admissions/undergrad/financial-aid/forms/

Sierra Nevada University is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges.

Federal Work Study Jobs (FWS)

Eligibility: Undergraduate
Undergraduate students with financial need are eligible to apply for part-time on-campus jobs on the FAFSA. If you were not awarded FWS and you are interested in a job, contact your financial aid advisor to see if funds are still available. You must work to earn this award – your award will be canceled if you do not begin employment.

You may obtain information on available jobs through the office of Student Services. Each department determines work schedules. The starting hourly rate is the current Nevada minimum wage. You are paid bi-weekly for hours worked. Your FWS award is considered employment and is taxable by the IRS. You will receive a W-2 for your earnings.

Fill Out the FAFSA
SNU code for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is 009192.

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