Types of Financial Aid
from Marywood

Financial Aid includes scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment to make your education affordable and accessible.

As part of our commitment to keep education affordable, Marywood University offers a variety of scholarships and grants designed to help students meet the cost of tuition.

Awarded scholarships are based on the student’s academic portfolio presented at the time of admission.

Typical deadline for consideration is December 1st.

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Need Assistance with Financial Aid? Let's Talk!

Navigating through financial aid options can be complex, but you're not alone in this journey. At Marywood University, we are committed to providing personalized support to help you understand and maximize your financial aid opportunities. Whether you have a quick question or need in-depth guidance, our dedicated Financial Aid team are here to assist you.

Connect with Us Today – We're Here to Help!

Phone Consultation: Have a direct conversation with our Financial Aid Counselors. Simply call 570-348-6225 and get immediate, expert advice tailored to your unique situation.

Email Support: Specific queries or need more detailed information? Drop us an email at finaid@marywood.edu. Our team is prompt in addressing your questions with clarity and precision.

Walk-in Appointments: Prefer a face-to-face discussion? You're always welcome to visit us during office hours for a walk-in appointment. It's a great way to get personalized advice and insights into financial aid options.

Verification

What is it? Your application may be selected for review in a process called “verification.” In this process, we will be comparing information you and/or your parent(s) provided on the FAFSA to ensure its accuracy.

LEARN MORE

University-funded Academic Scholarships

The following scholarships are awarded at the time of acceptance and are renewable for up to 8 undergraduate semesters as long as students maintain the required GPA.

President’s Scholarship $24,000
Trustees' Scholarship $23,000
Founder's Scholarship $22,000
Deans' Scholarship $20,000
Success Award $19,000
Opportunity Award $17,000

Additional University-funded Scholarships

Award Amount: Up to $2,480 per student per academic year, based on available funding; renewable.

The purpose of the Access & Achievement Scholarship is to provide merit-based scholarship support to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Marywood University. Scholarship Criteria:

  • Open to all undergraduate and graduate students at Marywood University
  • The primary consideration in awarding the scholarships will be the candidates’ demonstrated financial need as determined by completion of the Free Application for FederalStudent Aid (FAFSA), as well as the student’s academic achievement.
  • A 3.0 cumulative GPA must be maintained.
  • Preference shall be given to students who have demonstrated experience in or a commitment to working with historically underrepresented racial minority groups who have exhibited commitment to diversity and inclusion by participating in community activities, social groups, student clubs, or organizations that support this focus.
  • Application must be completed in its entirety and sent to The Financial Aid Office.

Eligibility

1. The applicant is required to file a 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1 prior to each academic year. The FAFSA must indicate the applicant is a first-generation college student.

2. The applicant must be a legal resident of one of the following Northeastern Pennsylvania counties:

3. Application Form due by May 1, 2024

Apply for Cloverfields Scholars Program

For employees or dependents of an employee of the Gerrity's Supermarkets in good standing.

Apply

The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is awarded to transfer students who are members of this International Scholastic Order of two-year colleges. A minimum transfer QPA of 3.50 is required for consideration for this scholarship as well as an earned associate degree. The student must enroll at Marywood immediately upon graduation from the two-year college.

Proof of PTK membership is required. This scholarship is renewed if the recipient maintains a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative QPA at Marywood University. Part-time students are not eligible for this award.

Sibling Awards are offered to the second member of the same family when two or more dependents are enrolled at Marywood University as full-time, undergraduate students during the same semester(s). Sibling Awards are also offered to the second member of the same family at the undergraduate level even if the other sibling has entered the graduate portion of their program at Marywood. However, if, at any point in time, the graduate student stops out or drops below full-time, the Sibling Award is negated.

Two or more siblings enrolled only at the graduate level are not eligible for the Sibling Award.

Students who receive Personnel Tuition Benefits are not eligible to be considered for the Marywood Sibling Award.

Talent Awards are made to students who demonstrate outstanding proficiency in

  • Music
  • Art

Talent is demonstrated through evaluation of an art portfolio or music audition. Review dates for evaluation are included on the department web pages. Recipients of a Talent Award must plan to major in one of these areas at Marywood. Once awarded, they are renewable for up to eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study. If a Talent Award recipient changes his/her major to that of one outside of art or music, the Talent Award will be rescinded.

Colleges and universities receive grants from the Foundation for scholarship aid to women over the age of 25 who have earned at least 60 credits towards a bachelor's degree. (The Foundation now permits, but does not require, recipient institutions to extend Newcombe Scholarships to mature men students who meet the eligibility standards outlined in the Foundation’s policy guiding selection of Newcombe Scholars. Marywood University strives to include men each year as funds permit.)

Each funded institution is responsible for selection of recipients and scholarship administration according to the Foundation's guidelines.

Interested applicants should contact Marywood University's Coordinator of Prior Learning and Assessment via email at loriorr@marywood.edu.

More Information

The Madeline Geiger Spitzer Scholarship was endowed with funds from the estate of Marian Spitzer Robling ’40. The scholarship supports undergraduate students with preference given to a graduating senior who will be attending a graduate program in Education.

Apply for Scholarship

Grants

Marywood University awards grant funding from a variety of sources including funds from the federal government, funds from PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency), and institutional funds from Marywood.

Students do not need to apply separately for grants. You are considered automatically based on the information you submit when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For information about federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education, visit studentaid.gov.

Pell is a federal grant administered by the Financial Aid Office. It is awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The current maximum award effective with the 2023-24 academic year is $7,396. You may receive $7,396 or less, depending on your need and your enrollment. For example, you will receive less as a part-time student than you will as a full-time student.

Important 

The maximum number of years a student may receive a Federal Pell Grant is the "equivalent of six years." For information on how to calculate the "equivalent of six years" please visit Federal Student Aid: Pell Grants.

This is a grant for undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Students must also be eligible for Pell, but not every student receiving Pell will receive FSEOG. Awards are given to the students who demonstrate the most need, according to the availability of funding. Priority filing date is February 15th of each year.

State grant award levels and eligibility criteria are controlled by the awarding state. Generally, state grants are awarded on the basis of need and limited to students attending schools within their own state of residence. Some states, such as Delaware and Maryland, have reciprocity (interchangeable) agreements with Pennsylvania. For information about your state's reciprocity agreements, contact your state agency at pheaa.org

Marywood awards grants based on financial need as determined by information found on the FAFSA. They may be adjusted annually based on a student's/family's financial situation. Students must file a FAFSA in order to be considered for a Liguori Grant for a given academic year. Grants do not have to be repaid.

Loans

Interest Rates for Direct Loans First Disbursed on or After July, 1. 2023, and before July 1, 2024. 

Loan Type Borrower Type Fixed Interest Rate
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans Undergraduate 5.50%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans Graduate or Professional 7.05%
Direct Plus Loans Parents and Graduate or Professional 8.05%

Resolving Loan Disputes and Problems

The SFA Ombudsman's Office has been created by the U.S. Department of Education to help student loan borrowers resolve loan disputes and problems.

Students or parents can borrow a private loan from a variety of private educational loan lenders. Students applying for a loan will likely need a credit-worthy co-signer, such as a parent, in order to pass the credit check. Interest rates and repayment options vary based on the lender, the type of loan, and the borrower’s credit.

A FAFSA is not required to borrow a private loan.

Application Process:

  • Visit elmselect.com for a historical list of lenders to start your search process.
  • Once you find the loan lender you’re interested in, your lender will ask you to fill out the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form. The Financial Aid Office can assist you with filling out this form upon request.
  • The loan company, bank, or credit union will review the borrower and co-signer’s (if applicable) credit history to determine eligibility.
  • Once the loan has been approved by the loan lender, Marywood will receive a notification of the borrower’s information and loan request. The loan request must be certified by the Marywood Financial Aid Office and submitted back to the loan lender.
  • The loan lender will establish the date that the loan funds will be disbursed to the school.
  • Once the funds are received by Marywood, the loan will be added to the student’s account to pay any outstanding charges.
  • If there are remaining funds available after the authorized charges are paid, a refund will be made available to the student. The student may request this refund from the Student Accounts Office.
  • Because a credit decision only lasts for 90-120 days, we recommend borrowing enough of a loan for both the Fall and Spring semesters in order to avoid more than one credit check in a given academic year. Typically, a student enrolled in the same number of credits each term will have a similar bill (unless the student is switching programs), which should help you estimate the total loan amount.

The Federal Direct Loan is a long-term, low-interest loan that is awarded by the Office of Financial Aid. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education.  This loan is not based upon your credit history or income.  The amount you may receive for the academic year is based on your financial need and academic level and is determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

Repayment of the principal begins 6 months after you cease half-time enrollment, and the average repayment term is 10 years.

Interest Rates

Current interest rates on all Federal Direct Loans are fixed.

Loan Type Grade Level First Disbursed Between 7/1/22 and 7/1/23
Subsidized Loans Undergraduate 4.99%
Unsubsidized Loans Undergraduate
Graduate
4.99%
6.54%
PLUS Loans Parent
Graduate
7.54%
7.54%

Note: The interest rates for federal student loans are determined by federal law. If there are future changes to federal law that affect federal student loan interest rates, we will update this page to reflect those changes.

Borrower Eligibility

Degree-seeking students who are enrolled at least half-time may receive Direct Loan funding as long as they meet all general eligibility requirements.

Borrowing Limits

The Direct Loan amount shown on the student’s financial aid award is the Financial Aid Office’s estimate of the student’s eligibility. As a general rule, the following grade-level maximums apply.

Year in School Base Amount Additional Unsubsidized *Additional Unsubsidized
Freshman 0-29 Credits $3,500 $2,000 $4,000
Sophomore 30-59 Credits $4,500 $2,000 $4,000
Junior 60-89 Credits $5,500 $2,000 $5,000
Senior 90+ Credits $5,500 $2,000 $5,000

Repayment

When it comes time to start repaying your student loan(s), you can select a repayment plan that’s right for your financial situation. Generally, you'll have from 10 to 25 years to repay your loan, depending on which repayment plan you choose.

Planning for repayment is essential to your credit health. Detailed information and repayment calculators.

Deferment/Discharge/Cancellation

Under certain conditions, federal regulations allow students to defer loan repayment. The most common deferments are for enrollment on at least a half-time basis, unemployment, and economic hardship. During a deferment, the federal government will pay interest that accrues on any subsidized funds. Interest on unsubsidized loans is the student’s responsibility.

    How Do I Apply?

    Complete the FAFSA online to apply for financial aid. 

    1. Review your Financial Aid Award letter.
      All eligible students are offered a Federal Direct Loan.  If you want to reduce or decline your loan entirely, please email the Financial Aid Office at finaid@marywood.edu.  In the subject of the email put: “Cancel/reduce my loan.”   In the body of the email, provide your Marywood student ID, first and last name and instructions to reduce or adjust your loan.

    2. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Counseling.
      The Financial Aid Office will originate your loan electronically with the US Department of Education.  If this is your first Direct Loan, you must sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) via the web and complete Entrance Loan Counseling at www.studentaid.gov

    3. Receive your loan funds.
      After you have signed the MPN and you have completed Entrance Loan Counseling, your loan will be scheduled for disbursement. If your loan is for the full academic year, your loan will be disbursed in two equal disbursements – one at the beginning of the fall semester and one at the beginning of the spring semester. Your loan funds will first offset any outstanding charges you owe the university for the semester, and after your charges are paid in full, a refund of any excess loan proceeds will be disbursed to you by check.

    4. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the US Department of Education's centralized resource for information about all federal student loans that you have borrowed. You can find information about all of your current and prior student loans, even those you may have borrowed at a prior college or university.

    Parents can borrow a PLUS Loan to help pay your education expenses if you are a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program at an eligible school. Interest rates and repayment provisions on PLUS loans can sometimes be more favorable to a borrower than other consumer loans available for educational expenses. Complete the FAFSA prior to applying for the PLUS loan online at studentaid.gov.

    Parents are required to pass a credit check when they are applying for the PLUS loan. If a parent's application for a PLUS loan is denied based on the borrower's credit history, the student may become eligible for an additional unsubsidized student loan. Freshmen and sophomore students can borrow up to $4,000 in additional unsubsidized loans, while juniors and seniors can borrow up to $5,000 in additional unsubsidized loans.

    Application Process

    • The parent borrower submits the Parent PLUS Loan Request Process.
    • The federal loan processing center will review borrower’s credit history to determine eligibility.
    • Once the PLUS loan has been approved, the parent will be instructed to sign a Master Promissory Note.
    • The Financial Aid Office will originate the parent PLUS loan.
    • Loan proceeds will be used to pay outstanding charges on the student’s billing account in the University Cashier’s Office.
    • If there are remaining funds available after the authorized charges are paid, a refund will be made available to the student or parent depending upon the parent’s designation when completing the PLUS application.
    • Because a credit decision only lasts for 90 days, parents are encouraged to wait until July 1 immediately preceding the start of each new academic year before making application for a PLUS loan. If the 90 days expire before the loan is disbursed, parents may need to make a new application with a new credit check.

    The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is a Federal loan program which allows Graduate and Professional students to borrow a low-interest federally backed student loan when Federal Direct Loan eligibility has been exhausted. Like the Parent PLUS Loan, the Graduate PLUS Loan can be used to pay for the total cost of attendance minus any financial aid you've already been awarded. Also like the Parent PLUS Loan, eligibility for the Graduate PLUS Loan is largely dependent on the borrower's credit rating and history. Students should follow the same application process outlined above for parent borrowers, beginning with the Graduate PLUS Loan Request Process. First-time Graduate PLUS borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete Entrance Loan Counseling.

    PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program

    The FosterEd Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care.

    View Eligibility Requirements and More Information

    Primary Contact

    Meg Simonsen
    Financial Aid Counselor
    Office of Financial Aid
    2300 Adams Avenue
    Liberal Arts Center, Room 85
    Scranton, PA 18509
    Email: msimonsen@marywood.edu
    Phone: (570) 961-4702

    Secondary Contact

    Hannah Brown
    Director of Financial Aid
    Office of Financial Aid
    2300 Adams Avenue
    Liberal Arts Center, Room 85
    Scranton, PA 18509
    Email: hnbrown@marywood.edu
    Phone: (570) 961-4704

    Outside Scholarships

    Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. A proud partner of the American Job Center network.

    More Information...

    Deadline: Varies

    The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation recently announced the opening of its new Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship application, established through the Scranton Area Community Foundation. This $700,000 competitive nursing scholarship program aims to support the growth and development of the nursing workforce in NEPA.

    The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from students who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Interested students with demonstrated financial need can apply through the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s online portal found at safdn.org/nursing.

    Welcome to the College Board's Scholarship Search!

    Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more than 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion.

    Enter as much information as possible to find the most matches.

    Scholarship information is based on the College Board's Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs.

    Apply for Scholarship

    An applicant must be a United States citizen of Italian heritage.

    Candidates must be currently enrolled, full-time, in an accredited college or university in the United States, pursuing a degree. The study abroad program must be eligible for credit by the student’s college/university.

    TO SECURE AN APPLICATION YOU MUST GO THROUGH YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER, DISTRICT, NATIONAL OFFICE, OR SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR.

    For more information on scholarships, please contact the UNICO National Scholarship Director, Joan Tidona at jntidona@unico.org. To find a local Chapter, please visit http://unico.org/search.asp or contact UNICO National at 973.808.0035.

    Apply for Scholarship

    Families of Freedom registrants must be dependent children, spouses or domestic partners of 9/11 victims, including airplane crew and passengers; World Trade Center and Pentagon workers and visitors; and relief workers, including firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and law enforcement personnel, that were involved in the rescue efforts.

    Families of Freedom Scholarships are available for children, including those born after September 11, 2001, who enroll in a program of postsecondary study by age 24. (Those children who turn 24 during their course of study must then continue their program of study uninterrupted, with the exception of summer vacations, in order to continue receiving scholarship assistance.) Children must have been born prior to September 30, 2008, to be eligible.

    Apply for Scholarship

    Join the ranks of other Marywood students who have earned the status of Fulbright scholar!

    If you are a student who has a GPA of 3.2 or higher, has an interest in learning about people in other parts of the world, and welcomes opportunities for hands-on learning, you are encouraged to consider applying for the Fulbright program.

    View All Information Here

    This scholarship is open to all full-time undergraduate students attending one of AICUP’s member institutions, who have an extraordinary commitment to community service and who have demonstrated creativity in shaping his/her volunteer activities.

    Each institution is asked to select one application to submit to AICUP for the competition. Along with the completed applications, students may submit a copy of their transcript, a letter of recommendation, and any other materials that they feel will be helpful to the committee in making their decision. All applications must be signed by the student. Only complete applications will go to the selection committee.

    Apply for Scholarship

    Separate listings of scholarships by sponsoring organization, citizenship requirements, education level, minimum GPA, deadline, and state/regional award.

    Deadline: Varies

    Apply for Scholarship

    As one of the nation's largest need-based college scholarship programs in the country, the Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. While many programs are directed primarily to recognizing academic achievement or leadership potential, the Horatio Alger Association seeks students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, and also have critical financial need.

    Apply for Scholarship

    This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors from a public, private, or charter school in Lackawanna County, who are planning to enroll for the first time in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, preferably one of the following Lackawanna County schools:

    • Marywood University
    • Baptist Bible College
    • Johnson College
    • Keystone College
    • Lackawanna College
    • Pennsylvania State University/Worthington
    • University of Scranton

    Apply for Scholarship

    The Kiwanis Club of Scranton provides yearly scholarships to incoming undergraduate students who (1) are Lackawanna County residents, (2) will be attending either Marywood University, the University of Scranton, or Keystone College, and (3) demonstrate both financial need and merit.

    The Kiwanis Club provides the student recipient with $750 per semester for 8 semesters, which is matched by Marywood University, totaling $3,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study.

    Please contact your high school Guidance Office for information. Applications are sent out to the Guidance Offices of local high schools in late January, with an April deadline for applications. Requirements include a completed application, two letters of recommendation, and an essay.

    Many scholarships, grants, and other programs are available to help minority students pay for a college education.

    Learn More 

    • Recipient must have their legal residence within the nine (9) county territory of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
      • Bradford  
      • Columbia    
      • Lackawanna    
      • Luzerne   
      • Pike
      • Sullivan
      • Susquehanna
      • Wayne
      • Wyoming
    • The Recipient must be a full-time incoming or current undergraduate student fully committed to Marywood University.
    • The Recipient must be a hard-working student, producing to the best of his/her academic ability.
    • The Recipient must show a demonstrated financial need.

    Apply for Scholarship

    PASFAA Student Scholarship Eligibility

    All students applying for the PASFAA Scholarship must meet all of the following requirements:

    • Pennsylvania resident – If you are 18 years of age or older you must be a Pennsylvania resident for at least the 12 consecutive months before you file the FAFSA (excluding any time you are enrolled in a Pennsylvania postsecondary school, if you came into or remained in Pennsylvania for the purpose of attending a school or college). If you are under 18 years of age you must have a supporting parent or guardian who has been a Pennsylvania resident for at least the 12 consecutive months before you filed the FAFSA.
    • Enrolled at least half-time, in a degree-seeking program in a post-secondary institution of higher education OR a diploma/certificate program in the Nursing or BT&T Sector only.
    • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and have completed 30 credits or the hours equivalent from a post-secondary institution of higher education at the time of application.
    • Scholarships are non-renewable, but students are welcome to reapply.
    • Preference will be given to applicants attending schools that are part of the PASFAA membership.
    • No more than one scholarship per year will be given to each of the following sectors: Business Trade & Technical, Nursing, Private Four Year, Public Two Year, PASSHE, State- Related and Graduate Schools.

    Apply for PASFAA Scholarship

    Patricia Ann Whelan was a Marywood graduate who specialized in reading education. After her death in 2021, her children started the scholarship in her honor. 

    This scholarship strictly pertains to undergraduate education students at Marywood University.

    Students wishing to apply must submit a 400-600 word essay discussing how they plan to integrate reading in their future classrooms as well as fill out the form attached to the Apply Now button on the scholarship's website.

    Educational Loan Fund

    Nominations of potential Scholars are accepted from P.E.O. chapters between August 20 and November 20 each year. Nominees then have 45 days after their nomination is approved to complete their application. Awards are announced in the spring of each year.

    Learn More About PSA Eligibility

    The Scranton Area Community Foundation is home to over 50 donor named scholarships, and each has its own eligibility and criteria requirements. Many scholarships target students graduating from specific high schools, some for specific areas of study and others for financial need. Each scholarship is unique according to its donor's wishes, and each offers the opportunity to earn a scholarship for your education.

    To obtain an application for any of these scholarships, please contact your high school guidance office, college financial aid office, or other organization listed as part of the Application information that is provided at the end of each scholarship description (see More Information link below). Application packets are distributed to all public and private high schools and colleges by February 15 of each year.

    For any questions, please contact Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants & Scholarships Manager, at cathyf@safdn.org or (570) 347-6203 extension 301.

    More Information

    This scholarship is open to all full time undergraduate students attending one of AICUP’s member institutions who are enrolled in a Nursing or Physician’s Assistant program.

    The student must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Candidates should also be campus leaders and community volunteers.

    Apply for Scholarship

    The Roy W. Piper Charitable Trust, Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, announces the availability of annually renewable scholarships.

    Fully completed applications will be accepted from high school seniors or those students already attending an accredited higher education institution. Principal preference will be given, but not limited to, to Wyoming, Lackawanna, and Luzerne County students. Scholarships are awarded based upon a combination of financial need, academic merit, and community service and extracurricular activities, and are for use of education at an accredited higher education institution.

    Application packages can be obtained from the student’s high school guidance departments within the above counties or by email request to piperscholarship@frontier.com. (Denote “Application request” in the subject line and note code “ST”).

    TFS is a private website that provides free access to one of the largest scholarship databases, including information on financial aid programs and career assessment tools.

    Apply for Scholarship