Federal Aid
Federal assistance to pay for college is available from several different programs. These include need-based grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, parent (PLUS) loans and federal work study programs. CIU is authorized by the United States Department of Education to participate in Title IV programs, and makes these programs available to students working toward a degree from CIU.
For federal Stafford Loans a student must be enrolled at least half-time in fall, spring, or summer semesters.
The following chart gives an explanation of the federal programs available to students attending CIU:
| Name of Award | Eligibility Requirements | Amount of Award | How to Apply | Renewal Policy |
| Federal Pell Grant – for undergraduate students | Financial Need | $400 to $4,710 | Submit FAFSA | Submit FAFSA Annually
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| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) – for undergraduate students | Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need | $100 to $1,000 | Submit FAFSA | Submit FAFSA Annually
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| Federal College Work Study Program | Financial Need | Varies; student usually works less than 15 hours per week | Submit FAFSA and CIU Campus Employment Application | Submit FAFSA Annually
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| Federal Stafford Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized (dependent student) | Subsidized - need Unsubsidized - non-need | Loan Limits: $3,500 first year; $4,500 second year; $5,500 each year after first two; $31,000 aggregate limit; no more than $23,000 can be subsidized | Submit FAFSA, accept award letter and complete master promissory note | Submit FAFSA Annually
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| Federal Stafford Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized (independent student) | Subsidized - need Unsubsidized - non-need | Loan Limits: $9,500 first year; $10,500 second year; $12,500 each year after first two; $57,500 aggregate limit; no more than $23,000 can be subsidized | Submit FAFSA, accept award letter and complete master promissory note | Submit FAFSA Annually
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| Federal Parent Loan of Undergraduate Student (PLUS) | Parents of dependent undergraduate student | Cost of education per child minus other financial aid; unlimited aggregate | Submit FAFSA, accept award letter and complete master promissory note | Submit FAFSA Annually
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