Cost and Financial Aid -
Undergraduate, Direct Entry Professional and Transfer Students

USciences education just became more affordable.

In Fall 2018, students who enroll will not pay more than $25,000 per year in tuition and general fee* for undergraduate coursework.

And for those students who are accepted into one of our accelerated, 6-year doctoral programs in pharmacy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy, we’ve lowered and simplified the tuition and general fee*.

So you’ll know the full price to earn that degree from the day you begin—no hidden fees, additional price increases, or surprises during the course of your education—making the tuition equation easier to understand.

* This pricing does not include room and board, health insurance, or any professional, clinical, or transportation fees.

• This pricing includes a general University fee, which remains consistent throughout the course of your enrollment in your program of study.
• Additional classes outside your program of study will be charged at current established per credit rate.
• You can take up to a year away from school without your tuition schedule changing.
• General scholarships are available including merit, legacy, sibling, and athletic.

Full Tuition and Fee Schedule for Incoming Students Entering Fall 2018

Traditional Undergraduate

Direct Entry Pharmacy

Direct Entry Physical Therapy

Direct Entry Occupational Therapy

Room, Board and Health Insurance, 2017-18 Academic Year †

† Room, board and health insurance costs are subject to change annually. Amounts shown are 2017-18 costs.

^ Enrollment required of all half-time and full-time students without equivalent health insurance coverage.

The University Administration reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees, and room and board charges. 

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships

University Merit-based Awards

Merit awards are provided to first-time freshmen by the Admissions Office based on their academic achievement in high school and performance on standardized tests. Awards based on merit range up to $8000/year for undergraduates. Scholarships are for undergraduate coursework only.

Notes:

• All students are automatically reviewed at the time of admission for merit awards and can qualify for one merit award.
• A student’s eligibility is calculated by a formula that weighs the SAT/ACT and the GPA equally at 50% each.
• Merit awards are renewable for the duration of your undergraduate coursework.

Grants

USciences Grants

USciences Grants are University funds made available to students as a means of supplementing other aid sources. Students who complete the FAFSA will be considered for this grant. A student must enroll full-time and reside in University housing to receive this award. Students may receive this award for no more than 8 semesters of full-time enrollment. USciences Grants are based on financial need, and are subject to change based on the information supplied on each year’s FAFSA.

Athletic Grants

Athletic grants are determined by the Athletic Department. Athletic awards are contingent upon the requirements and standards of that office. Please contact the Athletic Department with questions regarding this award. This is a non-need based program.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant amounts are determined by the Department of Education based on the Expected Family Contribution from your FAFSA and full or part-time enrollment at the University. Pell Grants may only be used towards the student’s first undergraduate degree. You can learn more by visiting studentaid.ed.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Students must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant in order to be considered for the Federal SEOG. Federal SEOG awards are processed by the Financial Aid Office. Awards are determined for students through a combination of significant need as demonstrated on the FAFSA form and the availability of funds. These funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. See studentaid.ed.gov for more information.

PA State Grants

Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA Grant)

PHEAA State Grants are awarded by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to eligible Pennsylvania residents pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Awards are based upon demonstrated financial need as determined by PHEAA from the information submitted on the FAFSA, and full or part-time enrollment. Deadline for consideration is May 1 annually. Visit pheaa.org to learn more about this grant.

State Grants from outside of PA

If you are from a state other than Pennsylvania, please check with the Office of Higher Education in your state for information regarding out-of-state use of grants. The following states allow their grants to be used out-of-state:

• Delaware
• Maryland
• Ohio
• West Virginia
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• New Hampshire
• Vermont
• Maine
• Wisconsin
• Alaska

Check with your State's Office of Higher Education for more information and to apply.
**New Jersey and New York do NOT allow their grants to be used out of state.

Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program at University of the Sciences is designed to stimulate and promote the part-time employment of students who with demonstrated financial need, based on the FAFSA.

Students who are awarded FWS may work up to 20 hours per week for the University or approved off-campus employers. This award will not be deducted from a student's bill, as students receive this award in the form of an employee paycheck.

A Student Worker Authorization Form must be submitted each year, as of July 1st, prior to the student beginning to work. Students must complete and submit all regularly required payroll forms and documentation to the Payroll Office.

A list of currently available positions is available on the portal (quick-links) for current students.

Loans

Federal subsidized/unsubsidized Direct Loans

Federal subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans are loans in the student's name, and do not require a credit check or cosigner. You must have financial need to receive a subsidized Federal Direct Loan, and interest does not accrue on a subsidized loan while you are enrolled at least half-time. Financial need is not a requirement to obtain an unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, on which interest does accrue while the student is enrolled.

• The interest rate for 2017-18 is fixed 4.45%
• The FAFSA must be submitted each year to borrow Federal Direct Loans
• Origination fee for all Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans is 1.069%
• First time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) AND Loan Entrance Counseling at https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
• Each year, the Department of Education will reset the fixed interest rate based on current market interest rates
• The standard repayment term is ten years, but many repayment options are offered by the Department of Education, including extended, graduated and income-based repayment. Learn more by visiting: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans.

Federal Direct Loan Annual Limits

The maximum amount a student may borrow annually is based on the student's dependency status and grade level.

Dependent Undergraduates

	Subsidized	Total (Sub- and Unsubsidized Combined)
First Year	$3,500	$5,500
Second Year	$4,500	$6,500
Third Year and Fourth Year	$5,500	$7,500

Independent Undergraduates
(and dependent undergraduates whose parents are unable to borrow through the Federal PLUS Program)

	Subsidized	Total (Sub- and Unsubsidized Combined)
First Year	$3,500	$9,500
Second Year	$4,500	$10,500
Third Year and Fourth Year	$5,500	$12,500

Please note: The Combined Total includes the subsidized eligibility portion; therefore, if an independent undergraduate second year student is eligible for $10,500 total, s/he would be eligible for $6,000 unsubsidized. If a dependent undergraduate second year student was eligible for $6,500 total, s/he would be eligible for $2,000 unsubsidized.

Students in direct-entry professional programs (combined bachelor's/doctorate programs) may borrow at the graduate level during their fifth and sixth years. Please see the graduate loan information for more details.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

The PLUS Loan allows parents of dependent students to borrow funds to assist students in paying for their education. PLUS loan borrowers must pass a credit check, which is performed during the application process.. Parents can apply by logging in to studentloans.gov.

• The interest rate for 2017-18 is fixed 7%
• The maximum amount that a parent may borrow is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid (including loans) received. Students whose parents apply for a Parent PLUS Loan must complete a FAFSA.
• Origination fee for the Parent PLUS Loan is 4.276%
• First time PLUS Loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at The Department of Education’s website.
• PLUS Loan borrowers who borrow with an Endorser or based on a credit appeal must also complete PLUS Counseling at studentloans.gov
• Each year, the Department of Education will reset the fixed interest rate based on current market interest rates
• Repayment can be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time, but deferment must be requested by the borrower. Interest will accrue during deferment.

If parents are denied for the Federal PLUS Loan for credit reasons, the student may be eligible for additional funds under the unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program.

Federal Health Professions Loan (HPL)

The Federal Health Professions Loan is a low-interest (5% fixed rate) subsidized federal loan for dependent pharmacy students. No interest or principal payments are due until one year after a student graduates or drops below half-time status. A Promissory Note must be completed each year by the student. This loan is awarded by the Financial Aid Office and eligibility is determined based on a combination of significant need as demonstrated on the FAFSA and the availability of funds.

Federal Loan for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)

The Federal Loan for Disadvantaged Students is a low-interest (5% fixed rate) subsidized federal loan for dependent pharmacy students. No interest or principal payments are due until one year after a student graduates or drops below half-time status. A Promissory Note must be completed each year by the student. This loan is awarded by the Financial Aid Office and eligibility is determined based on a combination of exceptional need as demonstrated on the FAFSA form, specific parameters determined by the Department of Health and Human Services, and the availability of funds.

Private Alternative/Education Loans

Alternative Loans are designed to assist students and their families who need additional educational financing beyond awarded financial aid, or who are not eligible for federal grant and loan funding. Loan approval is generally based on creditworthiness and ability to repay. The primary borrower for alternative loans is normally the student; however, most dependent students will need a cosigner. Some alternative loans allow the parent or other interested borrower to borrow on behalf of the student.

The interest on most alternative loans accrues while the student is in school. However, it may be able to be deferred until after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. As with any loan, careful consideration should be made in determining amounts to be borrowed, as the loan must be repaid.

For information about other Alternative Loans, see our Private Educational Loan List, also found under Forms.

Please review our Lending Code of Conduct to familiarize yourself with other details regarding Financial Aid offered by University of the Sciences.