FINANCING TOOLKIT:
A RESOURCE FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS

Many college-bound students are concerned about affording college — AT NEUMANN UNIVERSITY, WE UNDERSTAND THIS CHALLENGE! 

Neumann University is committed to partnering with students to make the best investment in their educational future. At Neumann, we want to make it easy for you to discover and qualify for the many financial aid opportunities that are available to you. That's why we put together this interactive resource, dedicated to helping you figure out how to make college affordable for your unique financial situation. 

Keep reading and let us help you get started on your journey to securing an amazing college education.

CALCULATING THE COST OF COLLEGE

Not all university costs are created equal. But if applicable, between application fees, deposits, room and board, tuition, meal plans, and overall living and transportation costs, the college experience can add up to be pretty costly, and whether you've been saving for college all of your life or only recently decided to continue your education, chances are you'll need some financial assistance.


Before deciding on what kind or how much financial aid you need, you should strategically research and determine how much your college education is actually going to cost you. While calculating the actual cost of college may sound overwhelming, there are a variety of online tools that will help you do so.

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MAIN TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

Figuring out how to finance your college education can be a challenge, but there are several places to look and apply for help. The key to getting financial assistance for college is to start early and apply to as many grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities as possible.

FASFAFAFSA 

FAFSA stands for the Free Application For Federal Student Aid. It is a program run by the U.S. Department of Education and is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. The federal government annually provides $120 billion dollars in federal student aid. Aid is distributed based on financial need, as determined by the application. The FAFSA is a free gift of money and will not need to be repaid.

Anyone can complete the FAFSA, and everyone is encouraged to — regardless of household income. It is important to complete the FAFSA, as it is often used by colleges and universities to determine the amount of aid given to students. The FAFSA should also be completed during each year of college attendance, in order to be considered for aid.

The 2018–19 FAFSA form became available on October 1, 2017. The 2017–18 FAFSA form has been available since October 1, 2016. Each state and college sets its own deadline for the FAFSA. For Federal Student Aid for the 2019–20 year, you can apply between October 1 and June 30. It is best to complete this as early as possible, because some funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Note: To be considered for financial aid in addition to your merit award, please file the FAFSA using Neumann University’s FAFSA code: 003988. The FAFSA can be accessed at https://fafsa.ed.gov.

To complete the FAFSA, you will need the following items:

  • Your Social Security Number
  • Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
  • Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
  • Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
  • Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
  • An FSA ID to sign electronically

Be sure to read through and check your FAFSA for mistakes, as errors can lead to the application being rejected. Here are six common mistakes to avoid when filling out the FAFSA:

  1. Not reporting all sources of income
  2. Not signing the completed FAFSA
  3. In cases of divorce or remarriage, not reporting both incomes
  4. Not including yourself in your household size
  5. Not filing on time
  6. Not checking in with your college of interest regarding their FAFSA code.

Needbase Need-Based & Merit-Based Financial Aid 

Need-based aid is awarded according to financial need and is determined by the FAFSA. Merit-based aid is distributed according to a student's academic or extracurricular accomplishments.

Scholarship Scholarships 

There’s sometimes free money simply based on who you are, where you’re from, and other biographical information. Whether you qualify for first-generation college student scholarships or scholarships based on Pennsylvania residency or other scholarships, make a list of quick facts about yourself and then search online for related scholarship programs. Some of the best scholarship websites include FastWeb, Scholarship, and Chegg!

Grants Grants 

Grants can come from colleges, private organizations, and the state or federal government, with the federal government having the greatest ability to distribute aid. A grant is a gift of money for college expenses that will not need to be repaid. Federal and state grants are primarily need based, although some merit options exist. The most popular federal grants are the Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). A FAFSA is required to apply for grants.

Loan Loans 

A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Student loans can come from the federal government, from private sources (like a bank or financial institution), or from other organizations. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually have more benefits than loans from banks or other private sources.

Work Study Work-Study Programs 

Federal Work Study (FWS) programs provide part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. This program requires a FAFSA application. If you're interested in getting a Federal Work-Study job while you're enrolled in college, make sure you apply for aid early. Funds are limited.

Additional Reading for College Bound Students

Top 5 STEM Degrees for Competitive College Students

A recent study projected that there would be about nine million STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) job positions available by the year 2022. 

So, if you're a college-bound student thinking about what kind of major will prepare you for work in a STEM field, consider one of these five bachelor's degrees at Neumann University.

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Unpacking the Value of a Neumann University Education

So, as a high school student planning to attend college, you’ve probably started thinking about what kind of college experience you want.

Are you thinking about what’s most important to you in a college education? Is it small class sizes? Networking opportunities? Internships? Sports, clubs, or academic programs?

Read More

4 College Majors for Creatively-Inclined Students

Who said that school has to be dry or uninspiring? If you're a creative person who wants to pursue an arts-related college major, you most certainly have options!

Neumann University provides a variety of majors for college students with creative souls, and so we invite you to check out these four programs designed for those with an artistic mind!

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9 Pennsylvania-Specific Financial Aid Options You Probably Didn't Know About — Until Now!

Look, we get it.

Going to college can be expensive and figuring out how to fund your college degree can be stressful — on you and your parents! 

At Neumann University, we want to educate you (and your folks!) on a few financial aid options that award money every year to students just like you.

Read More

NeuDirections

DEBUNKING FINANCIAL AID MYTHS

Unfortunately, there are misconceived notions that go along with applying for financial aid. We’re here to dispel a few of those myths so that you can make an informed decision about which financial aid options are right for you.

Without a full ride, you can’t afford college.

Not true! There are many, many college students who find a way to finance their college education without having a full or even partial ride to college. Your options for financing your bachelor’s degree include the FAFSA, scholarships, loans, grants, work-study programs, and part-time jobs!

You have to be an A+ student to get a scholarship.

You definitely don’t need to have straight A grades in order to apply for or secure a scholarship. There are many different scholarships that take much more than grades into consideration: extracurricular activity experience, volunteer hours, presence of diversity, or desired field of study. Do your research, and you’re sure to find a scholarship that fits your situation!

You must be low income to receive aid.

False! Start with filling out the FAFSA, even if you think you might not qualify. You might receive more aid than you think! Also, merit-based financial aid is distributed according to a student's accomplishments.

The FAFSA is super confusing and too time consuming to fill out.

Nope! Filling out the FAFSA requires you to be organized and timely, but filling it out is actually pretty straightforward. You can also fill out the FAFSA on your smartphone via the MyStudentAid app!

NEUMANN FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

At Neumann University, we want to make it easy for you to discover and qualify for the many grants, student loans, and work-study opportunities available to you. Neumann is committed to making it financially possible for academically-qualified students to pursue their studies at Neumann University.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the financial aid options Neumann provides their students.

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Neumann’s Financial Aid Options

Neumann awards merit-based and other types of scholarships and grants to first-year and transfer students who have succeeded in their academic pursuits throughout high school and college.

These scholarships can cover more than half of your tuition!

First Year Students

Academic Scholarships Amounts
Trustee Scholarship $16,000
Presidential Scholarship Up to $14,000
Dean Scholarship Up to $13,000
Assisi Award Up to $10,000
Saint John Neumann Award Up to $7,000

 


Transfer Students

Academic Scholarships Amounts
Francis Scholarship Up to $13,000
Clare Scholarship Up to $11,000
Heritage Scholarship Up to $9,000

First Year Students

Academic Scholarships Amounts
Trustee Scholarship $17,000
Presidential Scholarship Up to $16,000
Dean Scholarship Up to $14,500
Assisi Award Up to $11,500
Saint John Neumann Award Up to $7,000

 


Transfer and International Students

Academic Scholarships Amounts
Francis Scholarship Up to $13,000
Clare Scholarship Up to $11,000
Heritage Scholarship Up to $9,000

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

This award, in the amount of $2,000 per year, is granted to first-time, first-year students who are currently enrolled or graduated from a Catholic high school. Students are considered for this award at the time of application to the University and will be notified after their admittance to Neumann University. No additional application is required for the award.

This award, in the amount of $4,000 per year, is granted to students who indicate a desire to live on campus at Neumann University. Students are considered for this award at the time of application to the University and will be notified after their admittance. The award is renewable each year, provided the student remains in good academic standing and qualifies to remain in on-campus housing.

This award, in the amount of $2,000 per year, is granted to first-time, first-year students who indicate a desire to major in Nursing at Neumann University. Students are considered for this award at the time of application to the University and will be notified after their admittance. The award is renewable each year, provided the student remains in good academic standing within the Nursing program.

This award, in the amount of $2,000 per year ($1,000 each semester), is given to incoming full-time transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members. The PTK Scholarship may be awarded in addition to a student’s merit scholarship. Students are considered for this scholarship at the time of application to the University and will need to submit a copy of their PTK membership card/record as a supplemental item with their application.

This award, in the amount of $1,000 per year, is granted to students who desire to follow in their family's footsteps and become Neumann Knights. Students are considered for this award at the time of application to the University when they indicate a parent, grandparent, and/or sibling graduated from Neumann University, and students will be notified after their admittance to Neumann University. No additional application is required for the award.

Note: The following scholarships have special deadlines and/or a separate required application. These scholarships are typically granted after you receive an admission decision.

Six scholarships in the amount of $2,000 per scholarship are available for first-time, first-year artists, musicians (instrumental or choral), and actors. An Early Action application for admission (deadline: December 1) is required for consideration. Applicants are required to complete the FAFSA and to complete the online scholarship application form (available on December 1) by February 1 to be considered. This scholarship is in addition to merit awards and is renewable each year, provided the student remains in good academic standing and fulfills the expectations of the scholarship.

A limited number of scholarships ($20,000 per year over 4 years) are awarded annually to high-achieving students from Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School. Students must demonstrate leadership, commitment to service, and academic excellence. An Early Action application for admission (deadline: December 1) is required for consideration. Applicants are required to complete the FAFSA and to complete the online scholarship application form (available on December 1) by February 1 to be considered. This scholarship replaces other institutional awards.

A limited number of partial-tuition scholarships are awarded to students attending a Maguire Foundation partner high school. Recipients must achieve a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average on a 4.0 scale and be engaged in community service and/or extracurricular activities. An Early Action application for admission (deadline: December 1) is required for consideration. Applicants are required to complete the FAFSA, and they must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less. Applicants must also complete the online scholarship application form (available on December 1) by February 1 to be considered. For a complete list of participating secondary institutions, visit the Maguire Foundation website.

Neumann University is a partner with Raise.Me, and you can create your Raise.Me account by visiting their website.

Neumann University is a partner with SAGE, and you can learn more about the SAGE partnership here.

ENDOWED & RESTRICTED SCHOLARSHIPS

Endowed and Restricted scholarships are provided through the generous support of foundations. However, a number of scholarships have also been generated by individuals, usually established in memory of or in honor of a loved one. Benefactors may set certain qualifications for their particular scholarship. Some requirements may include but are not limited to: academic year at Neumann University, specific major or field of study, participation in specific university extracurricular activities, or demonstrated leadership skills.

The scholarships listed below are awarded to deserving first-year students who meet the academic requirements and scholarship criteria and who demonstrate the financial need stipulated in guidelines created by the University. Students must be admitted to apply for these scholarships. Scholarship details and a scholarship application can be found on the Financial Assistance page.

Scholarship applications must be submitted by varying deadlines.

ADMISSION FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

All official transcripts and documentation should be sent directly to neumann@neumann.edu or mailed to  Neumann University Admissions, 1 Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014. Additional materials may be electronically sent to neumann@neumann.edu or may be uploaded to the student's application portal.

  • Official High School Transcript
  • Standardized Test Scores (SAT or ACT)
  • Essay/Personal Statement
  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
    • Nursing students are required to submit a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and a 970 SAT or 18 ACT score.
    • Pre-Engineering students are required to submit a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a 570 SAT Math or 23 ACT Math score, and be Calculus-ready.
    • Pre-Pharmacy students are required to submit a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a 1130 SAT or 23 ACT score.

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THE PATHWAY TO COLLEGE:

How High School Students Can Best Prepare for College

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ADMISSION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

TRANSFERRING TO NEUMANN UNIVERSITY IS AS EASY AS…

TWO

Submit your official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. Incomplete transcripts must be updated with final official transcripts as soon as all coursework is completed.

Note: If you have completed less than an associate degree, you must arrange to have your final high school transcript and test scores (SAT/ACT) sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, or official GED results sent directly from the Department of Education to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Applicants who have already earned an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution are not required to send an official high school transcript or equivalency diploma (i.e. GED).

THREE

Read a full description of admissions requirements on your program description page, and if you have questions or need assistance, speak with a Transfer Staff Professional when you visit.

TRANSFERRING NURSING STUDENTS

Neumann University offers the following accredited Nursing programs:

  • Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing ~ full-time day program
  • Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing designed for working adults ~ part-time evening program
  • RN to BSN designed for students who have received their RN license and are looking to complete their Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing

Nursing Applicants Must Submit:

  1. An application, (free if you apply online)
  2. Copies of all official post-secondary transcripts
  3. Copy of a final high school transcript (if associate degree or higher has not been awarded)
  4. Applicants for the RN to BSN program must also submit a copy of their RN license
  5. Applicants for the LPN to BSN program must also submit a copy of their LPN license and LPN transcript

Nursing Criteria:
Applicants must have the following prerequisites completed before enrolling in the nursing program:

  • Anatomy & Physiology I
  • Anatomy & Physiology II
  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry (Chemistry tends to vary from school to school. Please contact the admissions office to ensure correct enrollment in transferable course)

Eligible applicants must obtain a minimum of 2.5 GPA overall, as well as a minimum of 2.5 science GPA. A science GPA is calculated by the prerequisite science course the FIRST time the course is taken.

You can learn more about the specific transfer process for aspiring nursing students here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neumann's Transfer Process

You probably still have a few unanswered questions about our transfer process. We can clear most of those up right here!

For college credit to transfer into Neumann University, the following criteria must be met:

  • You took courses at an academically accredited, degree-granting institution.
  • You earned a grade equivalent to a "C" or higher (2.0 on a 4.0-point scale).
  • The courses are considered comparable in content, nature, and intensity to those offered at Neumann University.

With the offer of admittance, all applicants will receive a preliminary credit evaluation.

Register for an information session online.

Please send in your application the semester before you would like to attend Neumann University. Students are welcome to apply at any point since we use a rolling admissions schedule. However, all prospective students are urged to apply early. Some majors, such as Nursing, fill more quickly than others.

Please note, housing is not guaranteed and is on a first come first serve basis. After you apply, we will let you know if we need additional information (transcripts, course descriptions, etc.) from you.

The admission committee will let you know if you meet the transfer requirements or if we need to hold your file pending completion of certain courses. But no matter what, apply today! The admission committee can change your application after you submitted it to ensure you receive the best possible review!

Yes. Please apply and the admissions committee will review your file. We will let you know if we need additional information or we need to hold your file pending final grades from the course.

You have the choice to live on or off campus but on-campus housing is only available based on date of deposit and is not guaranteed.

Your admit packet has instructions and contact information. First, send in your deposit form and either $500 for resident students or $200 for commuter students. Then once the deposit is made, you will receive information about Orientation and the need to set up an appointment to register for classes.

All transfer students who have paid their deposit will register for classes with a faculty advisor. You may contact the Academic Advising Center if you have more questions at 610-361-5222.

Please electronically file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form by March 1 prior to the academic year for which you will be enrolling. This date is not a deadline. It is a priority date, and meeting it will help ensure that you are considered for the most aid available.

Yes. Neumann University offers scholarships ranging from $9,000 - $13,000 simply by holding a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and higher. These scholarships and grants are awarded every fall and spring to transfer students.

Note: Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honors Society of two-year colleges and academic programs. Students looking to transfer to Neumann who are members of PTK are eligible for an additional $2,000 scholarship in addition to any merit scholarship awarded. Students must submit a copy of PTK membership to receive the scholarship.

Please email the admissions office at neumann@neumann.edu or call us at 610-558-5616. Also, feel free to reach out to Megan Schroeder, Neumann's Assistant Director of Admissions & Transfer Outreach and Recruitment professional, at schroedm@neumann.edu to arrange a visit!

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Connect with Neumann University

You'll be surprised to discover just how affordable Neumann University is, especially when you take into account our respected academic programs, career-focused majors, expert faculty, superb location, and small class size.

We hope this resource has been helpful regarding your plans to finance college, and we encourage you to contact our Office of Financial Assistance with any further questions!

Office of Financial Assistance
Neumann University
One Neumann Drive
Aston, PA 19014-1298
800-9-NEUMANN
610-558-5521
finaid@neumann.edu


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FINANCING TOOLKIT: A RESOURCE FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS

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