Federal Financial Aid Programs
Grants
This is the basic grant available to undergraduate students who have demonstrated an exceptional financial need on the FAFSA and have not earned a bachelor or professional degree. Awards for the 2011/2012 academic year range from $555 up to $5,550.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG grants are intended, as the name implies, to supplement other aid. These grants are federally funded with each school receiving a fixed amount each year. Funds are awarded to a limited number of undergraduate students with preference being given to Pell recipients demonstrating exceptional financial need. Awards for each year range from $100 up to $1,000.
Loans
The U.S. Department of Education administers the William D. Ford Direct Loan program to provide low interest Stafford and PLUS Loans for students and parents who are attending at least half-time. Under this program, funds for your student loan come directly from the federal government. The Department of Education serves as the lender for all Direct Loans. For more information about Direct Loans, please visit our loans page.
Federal Perkins Loans are long-term, low interest (5 percent) loans from the federal government administered through our school. Repayment and interest begin nine months after a student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. At the end of the grace period, borrowers must begin repaying the loan. Awards for the 2011/2012 academic year range from $200 to $2,000.
Work Study
UCA offers two work programs on campus. One is need based, Federal Work Study (1502), and the other is non need based, UCA Institutional Work Study (1501). Both programs require students to provide a copy of their Social Security card.
Many departments on campus are allocated federal money for hiring student workers. In order for the department to use this money for salaries the students they hire must qualify for need based Federal Work Study (FWS).
It is important to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early and indicate that you are interested in receiving Federal Work Study. Once awarded, students can check their financial aid using the myUCA Self-Service portal to see if they were awarded FWS funds. If you weren't awarded FWS but want to know if you are eligible, you must contact or visit the Student Financial Aid Office to determine if you qualify.
The UCA Career Services Center maintains a list of Federal Work Study and Institutional Work Study jobs currently available. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and students are advised to contact departments directly to inquire about available positions. For more detailed information about Federal Work Study, how to find a job, and employment terms and conditions, click the Federal Work Study link above.
UCA Institutional Work Study (1501)
Some departments on campus hire students and use institutional monies to pay their salaries. These positions are based simply on the availability of funds in each department.
With the exception of a student qualifying for FWS, both work programs have the same hiring process and require the same paperwork for payroll.
The UCA Career Services Center maintains a list of Federal Work Study and Institutional Work Study jobs currently available. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and students are advised to contact departments directly to inquire about available positions. For more detailed information about Institutional Work Study, how to find a job, and employment terms and conditions, click the Institutional Work Study link above.