Federal Programs
Several federally funded programs are available to qualified students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
Federal Pell Grants
Pell Grants are funded by the federal government and are designed to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students who exhibit financial need pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Pell awards are based on the federally calculated EFC and the student's enrollment. The maximum award is $7,395 for an academic year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG awards are provided by federal and institutional funds and are restricted to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Grants range in amounts from $100 to $4,000 a year.
Federal College Work-Study (CWS)
Work-Study is funded by federal and institutional sources. Students who qualify for this program may be assigned a part-time job on campus. Earnings assist in meeting the cost of attending college. Students are paid bi-weekly at a rate established in accordance with federal and University standards.
Federal TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant Program is a non-need based federal program that provides up to $4,000 per year to students enrolled in a TEACH Grant eligible program and who agree to teach as a high-qualified teacher in a high-need field at a low-income elementary or secondary school for at least four years within eight years of completing the program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded. If the grant recipient fails to complete the required teaching service, the TEACH Grant is converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accruing from the date the grant was disbursed.
Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is available to eligible students who demonstrate financial need. The government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school.
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to eligible students regardless of financial need (i.e., regardless of family income). Students are responsible for interest payments on the loan while attending college, or they may choose to have the interest capitalized.
Students start repayment of the loan(s) (plus interest) six months after they graduate, withdraw, or change to less than half-time status. Repayment of principal and interest is spread over a 10-year period. Other repayment options are available. Undergraduate freshmen may borrow up to $5,500 per year (no more than $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized); sophomores may borrow up to $6,500 per year (no more than $4,500 of this amount may be subsidized); and juniors and seniors may borrow up to $7,500 per year (no more than $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized).
Independent undergraduate students and dependent students whose parents cannot borrow a PLUS Loan can receive an additional $4,000 for their freshman and sophomore years and $5,000 for their junior and senior years. Students must be enrolled at least half-time and must be making satisfactory academic progress.
Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS)
The Parent PLUS is a fixed-interest loan for parents with good credit histories who have dependent undergraduate students in school. The federal government requests that a student complete a FAFSA before the parent can receive a Direct PLUS Loan.
The yearly loan limit is the cost of education minus financial assistance. Parents are expected to begin making payments once the loan is fully disbursed. Parents may request a deferment of payments while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Parents also may take up to 10 years to pay back the loan.
Veteran Education Benefits
Chapter 30: The Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty
For qualified Servicepersons who entered active duty on or after June 30, 1985, and have paid into an education fund for one year. Payment is sent directly to the student from VA. Payments are usually sent the first day of the month following the start of courses. You must verify your attendance each month you are enrolled in courses. You can verify your attendance in W.A.V.E. Web Automated Verification of Enrollment or by calling the Interactive Voice Response telephone line (IVR) at 1-877-823-2378.
Chapter 31: Veteran Readiness and Employment Service
The Veteran Readiness and Employment Service program is for qualified Servicepersons with service-connected disabilities. To apply for services, Veterans and Service Members should submit VA Form 28-1900 to a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Military Service Coordinator, and or VA Regional Office.
VR&E Counselors are assigned to students based on the Veteran’s county and state of residence. For students who are Connecticut residents, contact the Hartford Regional Office:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Benefits Administration
555 Willard Avenue
Newington, CT 06111
860-666-7379
In addition to your DD-214 and Certificate of Eligibility, students will need to provide a copy of their VA Form 28-1905 Authorization of training to the School Certifying Official. This is issued by the Rehabilitation Counselor once benefits have been approved.
Funds are sent directly to the school by the VA. Books and supplies are covered by the VA – A bookstore voucher is issued to the student. All receipts are returned to the Student Accounts Office for processing.
Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill®/Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition and mandatory fee expenses that exceed the national maximum amount payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Sacred Heart University and VA will contribute up to the remainder of the tuition and fees not covered by the national maximum. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding. Students may be eligible if they served an aggregate period of active duty after September 10, 2001, of at least 36 months, if they were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-connected disability, and served 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001, or if they are dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® based on a veteran’s service under the eligibility criteria listed above. Active-duty service members and spouses of active duty service members using transferred entitlement are not eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Under transferred entitlement, a child of an active duty service member is eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program if the service member qualifies for the maximum benefit rate. For additional information please visit https://www.sacredheart.edu/offices--departments-directory/registrar/veteran-benefits/summary-of-benefits/ Applicants are also encouraged to visit https://www.va.gov/education/.
Chapter 35: Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance
The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance program is available to eligible spouses and children of a veteran who has died while on active duty, or is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-related condition.
Payment is sent directly to the student from VA. Payments are usually sent the first day of the month following the start of courses.
Chapter 1606: Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve
If you are a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, you may be able to get up to 36 months of benefits. The Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve is for qualified Servicepersons who have signed a six-year obligation to serve in the Selected Reserve signed after June 30, 1985.
Payment is sent directly to the student from VA. Payments are usually sent the first day of the month following the start of courses. You must verify your attendance each month you are enrolled in courses. You can verify your attendance in W.A.V.E. Web Automated Verification of Enrollment or by calling the Interactive Voice Response telephone line (IVR) at 1-877-823-2378.