Financial Aid Sources for Non-Matriculated and Less Than Half-Time Students

UC Incentive Grant: This is a tuition grant for new UC undergraduate students and those returning after an absence of at least five years. To be eligible, you must complete 9-15 credits in your first two semesters at UC with an overall GPA of 2.0 and a passing grade in all courses. You are then eligible for tuition grants covering between 2.25 and 4.5 credits free in your third and/or fourth semesters. Matriculation is not required.

Students may wish to consider alternative/private loans. Eligibility is determined by students' credit history, and may require the student to have a co-signer.

Choosing a Lender

All lenders are not alike. It pays to make an informed decision when choosing a lender. You will be entering into a long-term relationship with the lending institution. Reasons for selecting a particular lender vary from person to person. Some will choose a lender based on name/brand recognition or reputation. Others prefer established and timely processing. Still others are interested in borrower benefits in repayment, such as an interest rate reduction as a reward for making consecutive on-time payments. We encourage students to select the lender and loan product that best meets their needs.

Many lending institutions make direct solicitations to students (via mail, e-mail, television, and pop-up ads) to use their particular products. As in many consumer decisions, the buyer must be cautious when making selection decisions. Comparisons are critical. You may wish to think about such things as:

• The level of service provided.
• Is it important that that your application and loan funds be processed quickly?
• If so, does the lender offer an online application and application processing with Syracuse University?
• Does the lender offer electronic funds distribution with Syracuse University?
• Does the lender have a web site where the borrower can manage the loans?
• Does the lender sell their loans? If the loan is sold, do any benefits travel with their sale?
• Are interest rates competitive?
• Are there repayment benefits?

Click here for information on Private (Alternative) Loans.

Veteran's Educational Benefits (Chapter 30, 35, 1606 and 1607) are available to less than half-time students and for up to two semesters to non-matriculated students. Click here for additional information.