Graduate Admissions

Graduate Admissions

Graduate Student Aid

Financial Aid for U.S. graduate students at Canisius College is available through several financial aid programs. They include federal, state and private sources.  Remember, the financial aid year at Canisius College begins with the summer semester and ends with the spring semester.

For tuition and fees charges for 2012-2013, click here.

For Canadian Graduate Student Financial Aid, click here.

To Apply for Aid

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.  Electronic filing is the most expedient.  First, obtain a federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov if you have not obtained one for a previous semester.  This will serve as your electronic signature.
  • Next, visit www.fafsa.gov to complete the FAFSA.  Be sure to include the Canisius College Title IV code which is 002681. (A limited supply of the paper version of the FAFSA is available in the Financial Aid Office if you prefer to file by mail.)
  • The Financial Aid Office will receive an electronic copy of your FAFSA information and provide you with an award notification when the evaluation is complete.  
  • Be sure to inform the Financial Aid Office of your educational plans (number of credits you expect to take each semester) so that your award can be properly determined.

Federal Grants

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) is a grant funded by the federal government to encourage students to become highly qualified teachers in high-need subject areas to low-income students.  Undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens may be eligible for this grant beginning in the 2008-2009 school year.  Grants of up to $4,000 per year may be awarded to eligible recipients who agree to a teaching commitment of  four years in a specified subject.  A FAFSA must be completed to be considered.  Failure to complete the commitment will result in a conversion of the grant to a loan payable with interest accrued from the time of the award disbursement.  

NYS Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program

Graduate students wishing to teach secondary math or science may be eligible to receive scholarship funding through the NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program.  Recipients may receive a one year award with a maximum of $4,350 in exchange for a commitment of 5 years of math and science teaching in New York State.  Interested students will find details and application information here. 

Federal Direct Loans

The most common type of financial aid for graduate students at Canisius College is the Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized).  Eligible students must be:

  • U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens as determined by the criteria on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Enrolled for a minimum of 4.5 credit hours in a semester.
  • Matriculating toward a degree.

Students interested in borrowing from the Federal Direct Loan Program should follow these steps at www.studentloans.gov:

  1. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)

    Select the green “Sign-in” button on the left and sign-in using your FAFSA Pin

    Select “Complete Master Promissory Note”

    Select “Subsidized/Unsubsidized”
     
  2. Loan Entrance Counseling: First time student loan borrowers must complete loan entrance counseling in order to receive a loan.  (Previous student loan borrowers are not required to complete another entrance counseling session.

    Select the green “Sign-in” button on the left and sign-in using your FAFSA Pin

    Select “Complete Entrance Counseling”

Federal Direct Loan Program facts:

  • Students may borrow a maximum of $20,500 in Federal  Direct Loan funds per financial aid year. (A maximum of $8,500 subsidized and $12,000 unsubsidized in the 2011-12 year and summer/fall/spring loan periods of 2012-2013.)  However, for enrollment periods beginning Fall 2012, all graduate Direct Loans will be unsubsidized.
  • The current interest rate for the Direct loan will be the current fixed rate. A 1 % origination/default fee may be deducted from the loan at disbursement. 
  • For subsidized loans, there are no interest payments while the student is in school and for six months afterwards.  For unsubsidized loans, interest begins to accrue while the student is enrolled.  Interest rates for 2011-2012 are 3.4% for subsidized loans and 6.8% for unsubsidized loans.   Beginning with enrollment periods after summer 2012, all graduate Direct loans will be unsubsidized and have a fixed rate of 6.8%.
  • Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine eligibility.

Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans

Graduate students may also borrow from the federal PLUS Loan Program.  Students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid received.  A credit check is required.  Those interested should follow these steps at www.studentloans.gov:

PLUS Loan (Graduate Level Students):  Please note that there are two steps in applying for a PLUS Loan (Application & Master Promissory Note). 

Select the green “Sign-in” button on the left and sign-in using your FAFSA Pin

Select “Start PLUS Application Process”

Select appropriate loan (Graduate PLUS) and complete the loan application

If approved, please then complete the PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note

Graduate PLUS Loan facts:

  • The interest rate for the PLUS loan will be the current fixed rate of 7.9%. Interest begins at the time of disbursement.
  • An origination/default fee of up to 4% of the amount borrowed will be charged. The loan proceeds will be reduced by the origination fee at disbursement. 
  • Repayment of the Graduate PLUS loan begins 60 days from full disbursement. 

Alternative Financing

Should you need to borrow additional funds beyond federal loan programs, you may wish to consider a private education loan.  It is your responsibility to research these options to find the one best suited to your needs.  Be sure to review interest rate, fees and special features.  Be aware that each lender performs its own credit check and multiple checks can have an adverse effect on your credit score.  You should opt for a loan that has no prepayment penalty and is deferred until graduation.  Most importantly, borrow conservatively.

We recommend a list of lenders for their quality service and issue resolution.   For details on how these lenders were selected, click here. All lenders are required to provide you with a copy of their Private Loan Application Disclosure form prior to disbursement of funds.  Keep in mind that you are free to choose any lender you wish without penalty or undue delay in processing. 

The list of lenders can be viewed at www.elmselect.com. This site will allow you to view and compare loan products as well as apply for your private education loan

Canadian Graduate Students

Ontario, Canada residents wishing to apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding to meet their expenses as graduate students at Canisius College should:

  • Apply for admission to Canisius College.  Contact the Graduate Education or Graduate Business Offices for information.
  • Contact the Ontario Ministry for the Program Information Form.  The form is available on-line at http://osap.gov.on.ca or by mail at:
    Student Support Branch
    Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
    P. O. Box 4500
    189 Red River Road, 4th Floor
    Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9
  • Complete the student portion of the Program Information Form, then submit the school section to the Financial Aid Office for completion. The completed form can be sent directly to the Student Support Branch or to the student. Be sure to include your plans for the number of credit hours you will take each semester.
  • Receive two forms from the Ministry, after the form has been processed by the Ontario Ministry. The “Confirmation of Enrollment Form” must be completed by the student and requires a signature from the Financial Aid Office.  Another, a three-part form, requires a signature from the Office of Student Records.  Both forms confirm the student’s enrollment.
  • Submit these two forms to the Office of Ministry. Disbursement of the student’s loan funds will then be made to the student.
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