Financial Aid FAQs
Have questions about paying for college? You're not alone. Below are the questions we hear most from students and families. If you don't see your answer here, contact us at 757.455.3345 or finaid@batten.edu.
FAFSA & Applying
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. We use the information you provide to determine what types of aid you're eligible for. Without a completed FAFSA, we cannot award any need-based institutional or federal financial aid. You must complete the FAFSA for each academic year you plan to attend.
Students under the age of 24 are considered dependent and are required to submit their parent's information on the FAFSA. There are certain exceptions to this rule, however. If you believe that you should not have to submit your parent's information, please reach out to our office.
Your SAI is a number generated from the information you provide on the FAFSA. It helps us determine what types of aid, and how much of each, you may be eligible for.
No. As long as you've included our school code (003767) on your FAFSA, a copy will automatically be sent to us. Once we receive it, you'll get a system-generated email confirming receipt. If you didn't list our school code, you can go back into your FAFSA account and add it.
Scholarships & Grants
No. The Batten University merit-based scholarship you are awarded as an admitted applicant will not increase. It is renewed at the same amount for a total of eight semesters.
Yes. We keep an updated list of outside scholarships on our website. We encourage you to review them often and apply for any that seem like a good fit.
If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances, you may be eligible for additional aid. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 757.455.3345 or finaid@batten.edu to discuss your options.
Loans & Repayment
The FAFSA is your application for Federal Direct Loans. You'll see these loans listed on your award letter. To accept them, you'll need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note online at studentaid.gov before any funds are disbursed.
If your parent would like to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, they can also do so at studentaid.gov. The PLUS Loan is borrowed in the parent's name and requires its own Master Promissory Note.
Private education loans are also available through lenders listed at elmselect.com. The student may need a credit-worthy co-signer.
The Subsidized Loan is need-based. The government pays the interest while you're enrolled at least half-time, so interest doesn't start accruing until repayment begins — six months after you graduate or drop below half-time.
The Unsubsidized Loan is not need-based. Interest begins accruing immediately, even while you're in school.
Both loans have the same fixed interest rate, and repayment begins six months after graduation or dropping below half-time (6 credits). There is no penalty for early repayment on either loan.
If a parent is denied the Parent PLUS Loan, the student becomes eligible for an additional unsubsidized loan: $4,000 if the student has earned fewer than 54 credit hours, or $5,000 if they've earned 54 or more.
If you'd still like to pursue the PLUS Loan after denial, your parent may get an endorser (similar to a co-signer). In that case, the student would not be eligible for the additional unsubsidized loan.
Repayment on your Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. During that grace period, your loan servicer will contact you about repayment options.
Students are generally enrolled in the Standard Repayment Plan by default, but you may be eligible for other payment plan options. Visit Loan Repayment 101 for more information.
Campus Employment
Federal Work-Study is a program offered by the Department of Education that allows students to work on campus. Students are paid minimum wage and can earn up to $1,250 per semester, working an average of 10 hours per week. Students must apply for a position and be hired to participate. If selected, you'll receive a regular biweekly paycheck that you can use for personal expenses or return to the Office of Finance to apply toward your balance.
The Campus Cooperative Program is another form of campus employment available to students who have completed a FAFSA but may not have qualified for Federal Work-Study. Campus Co-op students receive compensation in the form of a $1,250-per-semester grant applied directly to their student account.
Both programs are part of Batten University's broader Work & Learn Program, which includes five pathways for earning money and gaining professional experience on campus.
