Federal and State Grants

How to Apply

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)

The first step in qualifying for federal financial assistance is completing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Be sure to include Chamberlain’s school code: 006385.

Note: If you attend our Indianapolis campus, or are an Indiana state resident enrolled in our RN to BSN program option, please include school code E02182 as your first school code (in addition to 006385) to be considered for Indiana state grant funds.

The FAFSA serves as an application for all federal – and most state – student aid programs. The information reported on the FAFSA is used to determine an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). An EFC determines eligibility for need-based aid, such as the Pell Grant and Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. Financial aid eligibility is determined by subtracting the EFC from the total estimated educational expenses.

The FAFSA becomes available every October 1. Chamberlain’s priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is March 1. The FAFSA should be filed within two weeks of the application for admission and must be renewed each year. Prompt submission assures consideration for maximum available financial aid. For Federal and State aid specific deadlines, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

After the FAFSA has been processed, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The student and/or family must review the SAR for accuracy and notify the financial aid office of any necessary corrections.

Assistance packages are developed using information from the FAFSA and any supplemental documents. The foundation for all assistance packages is contributions from student and family income and assets. Chamberlain provides students with award letters indicating the amount of financial aid for which they may be eligible and sources from which the aid may be received.

Reinstated/readmitted students may be considered for financial aid if they meet all eligibility requirements.

Chamberlain complies with all applicable state and federal equal credit opportunity laws; however, Chamberlain cannot guarantee financial assistance or credit to any student.

FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education.

Grants Overview

Grants are financial aid that does not usually need to be repaid. There are criteria you must meet in order to qualify, depending on the aid program:

Federal Pell Grants:

Grants for eligible undergraduate students (who have not earned a prior bachelor’s degree) have a maximum award that changes each award year. The actual amount of the grant is based on the cost of the education, financial need, number of hours enrolled and the Federal Pell Grant regulations.

Visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell for more details on how much money eligible students can get from the Pell Grant program.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG):

Grants for undergraduate students (who have not earned a prior bachelor’s degree) who show exceptional need.

Visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog for more details on how much money eligible students can get from the FSEOG program.

State-Funded Programs:

Many states have grant and scholarship programs that provide funding to students who demonstrate financial need or have successfully achieved certain academic qualifications.  Recipients are typically required to:

  • Attend a location within the state of legal residence, and
  • Provide proof of residence

Speak with a student finance advisor to see if your state participates in a funding program with Chamberlain.