Graceland University has chosen to establish a reasonable tuition rate rather than offer institutional aid for this degree program. The hybrid DPT program is eligible for Title IV federal student aid and private loans.
To apply for Title IV federal student aid, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as discussed below.
To establish eligibility for private loans, students apply directly to the lender of choice. Graceland’s Financial Aid Advisors can assist with this process.
NOTE: Information about the various types of financial aid is subject to change when federal regulations change. Please see the explanation of Graceland’s Refund Policy for charges and for return of federal, state and institutional aid.
William D. Ford Direct (Unsubsidized) Student Loan Program: Borrowing is subject to annual and aggregate loan limits. Borrowers begin repaying loans six months after ceasing at least half-time enrollment in postsecondary education, unless borrower qualifies for deferment. Cancellation of loans is available for employment in certain designated fields, under certain conditions. This is a loan from the federal government. While eligibility for the subsidized Direct Loan requires proof of financial need, financial need is not a consideration for the unsubsidized Direct Loan. The student must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine eligibility for participation in this program, and be enrolled at least half-time. The interest rate is determined on July 1st for the succeeding academic year. Borrowers of a Direct Loan are charged a loan origination fee, which will be subtracted from the loan proceeds at disbursement. Graduate and professional students may borrow up to $20,500 per year, if the student’s cost of attendance allows,
Repayment on the principal amount of the loan does not begin until six months after the student leaves school or drops below half-time status, BUT the student is responsible for the interest from the date of the last disbursement of the loan. The student may pay the interest monthly or quarterly, or may defer interest payments during school or the six-month grace period. Arrangements for payment are made by the student with the Department of Education.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan: The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is available to graduate students who file a FAFSA. Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial assistance received. Graduate students are encouraged to utilize their Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility prior to borrowing Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans. The interest rate is determined annually at the time of disbursement. This rate is fixed for the life of the loan. Repayment of principal and interest begins after the six month grace period. The U.S. Department of Education charges a loan origination fee which will be subtracted from the loan proceeds at disbursement. if you receive a Direct PLUS Loan as a graduate or professional student, you will not be required to make any payments while you’re enrolled in school at least half-time, and for an additional six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below halt-time enrollment. Depending upon the amount borrowed, parents may have up to 10 years to repay.
See studentaid.gov for more information about these loan programs.
Students applying for federal and state financial aid must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need. Indicate on the FAFSA that you want the results of this analysis sent to Graceland University, code #001866.
When documents are received, all related factors in combination with this analysis are considered in granting aid and an award letter is sent to the student.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be submitted as soon as possible after October 1 prior to the year you wish to enroll. Note: USDE has announced the FAFSA will not be available until December 2023 this year. Awards will be made approximately March 1. All Financial Aid processes must be completed two weeks prior to the start date of classes. Any student who has not completed their Financial Aid processes before the two week deadline will need to secure their classes with an alternate payment method until Financial Aid is completed.
Laura Sweazea – 641.784.5222 – laura15@graceland.edu
You must have completed financial clearance prior to registration. Financial clearance means that you have completed all the financial requirements for you to attend. They are:
You can make payment online at www.graceland.edu/payonline.
Your Financial Advisor, Laura Sweazea, can help you through this process.
There are no scholarships or grants offered through the University for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans are available to those who qualify by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans have interest accruing from the time the funds are disbursed and are available during any term in which the student is enrolled at least half-time (3 credits or more).
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://studentaid.gov/fafsa during each academic year.
The academic year runs from August through August.
Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or their maximum cost of attendance each academic year. Federal Graduate PLUS loans can be borrowed up to your maximum cost of attendance each semester. The Department of Education charges a 1.057% loan origination fee for unsubsidized loans, and 4.228% for PLUS loans. This fee comes out of the gross loan amount that is accepted.
The interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Bill rates and is set each year on July 1. Current interest rates can be found here. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan. Interest begins to accrue on the date the loan is disbursed.
Payments are not required during any period of enrollment in which you are registered for three credits or more (half-time). There is also a six-month grace period following the date your enrollment status drops below half-time, so you should expect to begin repayment within six months. Once you have used your grace period, your loan can be deferred, but repayment will begin within 30 days of the end of the deferment period. The maximum repayment term is ten years. Please keep in mind if there is a term that you register for less than 3 credits and you have previous federal loans, your loans will go into grace or repayment status.
After you have been accepted into the program and we have received your current FAFSA (studentaid.gov/fafsa) a financial aid offer notice will be sent to your Graceland email address. You will be required to accept the Financial Aid Offer on your student portal for your loans to be processed. Although the maximum loan amount will be offered, you can decline any or all of the amount.
Yes, if you have not borrowed Federal Direct loans in the past. The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is available online at studentaid.gov. You will need to sign in using your FSA ID username and password and complete this form online. In addition, if this is your first Federal Direct Student Loan, you must complete the Loan Entrance Counseling, also available at studentaid.gov.
The Federal Direct Loan will be disbursed at the beginning of each trimester, for the amount you have indicated on your financial aid offer acceptance. The funds are electronically posted to your Graceland student account. If you have borrowed more than the amount needed to cover tuition for the current term, the excess will be refunded to you either by paper check or electronically if you choose to set up direct deposit.
Tuition is billed each trimester. You will receive billing notices from Student Financial Services. Questions regarding billing should be directed to Laura Sweazea, your financial advisor, laura15@graceland.edu or 641.784.5222.
Yes. Student Financial Services offers interest free payment plans that may suit your needs. There is a $50 processing fee for each payment plan. Please contact Laura Sweazea, your financial advisor, laura15@graceland.edu or 641.784.5222.
If you withdraw before the time when 60% of the course has passed, or if you fail to complete all courses contained in the term, there will be a recalculation of charges and financial aid. If you borrowed Federal Loans, we are required to recalculate your loan eligibility and may be required to return funds to the U.S. Department of Education. A withdrawal from the program, or from individual courses could result in your owing the University.
Because the Graceland DPT program starts in the middle of the financial aid year, the loan period does not match the program periods.
Loan periods are as follows:
1st period January – July / 2nd period August – July / 3rd period August – December.
If you have any questions concerning loan period dates please contact your Financial Advisor, Laura Sweazea at laura15@graceland.edu or 641.784.5222.
Refunds will be processed approximately two weeks after the start of each trimester. Make sure you have set up direct deposit through your myGraceland portal to receive your refund in a timely manner.
Refunds will be processed approximately two weeks after the start of each trimester. Your excess aid will be mailed as a paper check or direct deposit. You can set up direct deposit through MyGraceland. Direct Deposit set up.
If you are applying for a Graduate PLUS loan, you must wait until mid to late April when the upcoming application is available on studentaid.gov. For the January 2024 program start date, you need to complete the 2023-24 application that was available April 2023.
For answers to additional questions regarding financial aid opportunities for Graceland’s DPT Program, please contact Laura Sweazea, your financial advisor, at laura15@graceland.edu or 641.784.5222.
All forms of financial assistance are granted for a period of one academic year providing the student is making satisfactory academic progress at the beginning of each term. Students who wish to receive assistance in subsequent years must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year so that their eligibility may be reviewed annually.
Returning students may file a renewal FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Renewal of most types of financial aid is based upon continuing financial need and academic achievement.
