Student Financial Services
Graduate Tuition & Aid
The Financial Aid Process for Graduate Students
1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ .
2. Respond to any correspondence (email) you receive from the Student Financial Services Office.
3. Check your Geneva email regularly for your award notification.
4. Determine what type of aid you will be using and how much loan money you will need. (See details below.)
5. For those students using Direct Loans for the first time, complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note by logging into https://studentloans.gov. We will automatically receive notification when it has been completed.
Types of aid available:
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- File your FAFSA
- Students must be enrolled at least half-time each semester
- Interest accumulates at 6.6% while in school and until the loan is repaid (for 18-19 year)
- Maximum amount available per year: $20,500
- The cost of borrowing is less if you make interest payments while in school (not required)
- Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate or are nolonger enrolled at least half-time
Federal Graduate PLUS Loans
- Used to supplement Direct Unsubsidized Loans if additional loan money is needed
- Borrower is a student in a graduate program
- Can be discharged in the event of death or disability
- Student must pass a credit check
- Can borrow up to the cost of education less any other aid received
- 7.6% fixed interest rate (for 18-19 award year)
- Federally mandated 4.248% fee subtracted upon disbursement (for 18-19 award year)
- Automatic deferment for Grad PLUS borrower while enrolled
- Can be consolidated at fixed rate with other federal loans
- To apply, log in using your FSA ID at https://studentloans.gov . We will be notified of the credit decision within 1-3 business days and will notify you by email once the loan has been added to the account.
Private Educational Loans
- For those students with good credit, a private educational loan may be another good option.
- Please visit www.geneva.edu/privateloans for more information.
- Be sure to apply several weeks in advance to allow for ample processing time.
Assistantships
If you have been granted an assistantship through your program, they will notify us of the amount. If we become aware of the assistantship after your loans have been awarded, your loans may need to be adjusted and you will be notified of any changes by email.
Payment Plans
Payment Plans are available for graduate students in Leadership Studies, Cybersecurity and Counseling. Students can enroll for a plan each semester through their Nelnet account after registering and receiving their ebill notification.
Employer Reimbursement
Students with employer reimbursement are required to pay their bill up front, prior to receiving reimbursement from their employer. An exception is made for students in the MBA and Cybersecurity Programs who can complete a reimbursement agreement with the Student Financial Services Office to pay 30% in advance of the semester and then the remaining balance according to the terms of the agreement. Please discuss these details with the Student Financial Services Office in advance if you have any questions.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans Benefits are available for most Geneva College programs. Please view the information on our Veterans Service Center webpage for complete details: https://www.geneva.edu/student-financial-services/aid-types/veterans/.
The Trade Act ProgramThe Trade Act allows workers whose jobs have been affected by foreign competition to receive a variety of benefits and reemployment services.
The goal of the Trade Act is to assist dislocated workers in obtaining suitable (family-sustaining) employment from a combination of reemployment services and possibly training. This program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry's Workforce Development Office.
Additional information about the approval process can be found online at: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Workforce-Development/resources/Pages/Trade-Act.aspx.
Geneva College is pleased to participate in this program and below is a list of majors currently approved for this program:
- Master of Business Administration Graduate Online
- Master of Science in Leadership Studies
- Bachelor of Professional Studies in Human Resources
- Bachelor of Professional Organizational Leadership
- Bachelor of Professional Child and Family Services
- Bachelor of Professional Aging Services
- Bachelor of Professional Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Professional Studies Management
The first step in receiving this benefit is for an employer, three workers, union representative, or state agency representative to complete a trade petition (see website above for details).
Once that has been approved please contact Bobbi Griffith in the Geneva College Student Financial Services Office (724.847.6534 or bgriffit@geneva.edu) to discuss next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I expect my refund?
Once your loan money comes in and covers the charges on your student account, you should receive a refund check or direct deposit (if you have signed up through your Nelnet account) within approximately 2 weeks. It is important to make sure you have completed all necessary paperwork, and that you are aware of the loan disbursement dates. Please keep this in mind when calculating the amount and approximate date of your refund. If you have questions regarding your refund, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 724-847-6530.
Can I check my student account online?
Yes! Go to my.geneva.edu.
My loan hasn't come in. What should I do?
Did you…
- Accept your awards through MyGenevaAid?
- Complete all requested documents?
- Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling?
- Sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note?
If you have done all these and still need assistance, please contact our office at 724-847-6530.
Helpful Links
Provides a helpful cost of living calculator so that you can estimate living expenses when moving to Beaver Falls.
“The real story on money, student loans, and life.” An excellent resource for college students and recent grads!
Sign in with your FSA ID to keep track of the details of all of your federal student loans.
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