Get Financial Aid for Graduate School

Graduate school is often more expensive than your undergraduate college experience, so it's important to research all available types funding to finance your education. There are federal financial aid options to pay for graduate school. Many graduate students seek scholarships, internships, assistantships, as well as federal financial aid options like grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study (FWS).

Apply for Graduate Federal Financial Aid

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for any federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and Federal Work-Study (FWS). Go to our How to apply for financial aid page and follow the steps to complete your FAFSA before the priority March 1st deadline.

Can I get federal or state financial aid as an international student?

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States to be eligible for federal and state financial aid. If you have your permanent residency card, you must be prepared to submit it as part of any financial aid application.

Additional Graduate Student Funding Opportunities

Federal financial aid isn't the only type of funding available to graduate students. Coppin offers several ways to help graduate students pay for books and materials, as well as cover certain life emergencies.

Student Emergency Loan Fund (SELF)

SELF is a loan available to cover urgent and emergent needs, including rent evictions, utilities turn off notices, transportation fare, childcare, and food. To be eligible, you must have an expected financial aid refund.

Check Your Eligibility

Coppin Bookstore Charge Authorization

Any student receiving financial aid, can charge up to $500.00 per semester at the Campus Bookstore for books and supplies. To be eligible, you must have an expected financial aid refund after semester charges have been applied.

Visit our Types of Financial Aid page to learn more about federal loans, grants, and Federal Work-Study (FWS) opportunities

Invest in Yourself, Your Career, and Your Future

College is a big investment, so it is important to know the costs. Financial aid offers are based on a cost of attendance that is constructed using components designated by federal regulations. The cost of attendance is made up of:
 

• Direct Costs: These are expenses that are paid directly to Coppin State University (CSU). They typically include tuition, fees, on-campus housing and meal plans.
• Indirect Costs: These are expenses that are NOT paid directly to Coppin State University (CSU) but are anticipated costs for living and other personal expenses while you are enrolled. Examples of indirect costs include off-campus housing, transportation, and supplies.

The cost of attendance represents the maximum amount of financial aid that students may receive from all sources, including student loans. Actual cost may vary, and some programs may involve additional costs. 

Net Price Calculator

Use Coppin State University’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your cost to attend for one academic year. Net price reflects what you may pay after grants and scholarships are applied.

The estimate includes tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and meal plans, and other related educational expenses.

To get started, select the button below and follow the prompts to enter your personal and financial information. The calculator uses data from students with similar profiles from the previous academic year.

Open Coppin State Net Price Calculator 

Welcome to the Office of Financial Aid

At Coppin State University, we understand the importance of making higher education affordable and accessible. Our dedicated team is here to guide you through the financial aid process, helping you explore options to fund your education and achieve your goals.

Application Deadlines

Staying aware of important financial aid deadlines is crucial to maximizing your funding opportunities:

• FAFSA Availability: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–2026 academic year will be available starting December 1, 2024.
• FAFSA Priority Deadline: Submit your FAFSA by March 1, 2025, to ensure consideration for the maximum amount of financial aid.
• Maryland State Financial Aid Deadline: The deadline for state financial aid applications is March 1, 2025.
• Scholarship Application Deadlines: Deadlines vary by program; please refer to individual scholarship listings below for specific dates.

Note: Submit your FAFSA early using Coppin State University’s school code: 002068.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Explore the financial aid options available to Coppin State University students:

• Scholarships

 Explore Scholarship

• Grants

Explore Grants  

• Loans

Explore Loans 

Important Updates for 2025

FAFSA Simplification Act

• The FAFSA form has been simplified for a faster, user-friendly application process.
• Expanded Pell Grant eligibility based on adjusted income guidelines.
   

State-Specific Programs

• Guaranteed Access Grant: For low-income Maryland residents.
• Delegate and Senatorial Scholarships: Contact your Maryland state representatives to apply

Estimate Your Costs

Coppin State University’s Net Price Calculator helps you estimate your cost of attendance and potential financial aid based on your individual circumstances.

Your estimate may include tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and meal plans, and other educational expenses.

Estimate Your Cost with the Net Price Calculator 

When am I responsible for repaying my federal loans?

Here are some common situations where you may be required to pay back your Federal Title IV and Campus-Based funds:

• Withdraw from all classes either officially or unofficially
• Are dismissed from the University
• Leave the University before finishing 60% of the current semester

How does Coppin determine what I owe?

Federal law requires Coppin State University’s Office of Financial Aid (OFA) to use this formula to calculate what you owe.

(100% of total funds - percent (%) earned) x funds dispersed = $$ of aid you must repay

One of the numbers in the recalculation formula is percent earned. Here’s what it means and how we calculate it:

Percent earned = number of calendar days completed up to and including the withdrawal date ÷ total number of days in the semester/quarter

Per federal law, we have to consider scheduled semester breaks in recalculation. This means OFA excludes all breaks longer than 5 days, like Thanksgiving Recess, Christmas, or Spring Break, in our recalculation formula. Those scheduled breaks do not affect the amount of federal student aid earned.

What should I know about returning Title IV funds?

The U.S. Department of Education requires the return of Title IV funds paid to the school for “unearned” institutional charges. And you do not have to repay aid from federal programs you did not accept. OFA tells your loan service provider of your enrollment change within 30 days.

You have 45 days from the date OFA notifies your loan service provider of your withdrawal or dismissal to repay your funds. Refer back to your legally binding Master Promissory Note (MPN) for the terms and conditions of your repayment. Title IV funds must be repaid in the order they are dispersed at Coppin:

1. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan
3. Direct Graduate Student or Parent PLUS Loan

If part of your unearned Title IV funds includes a federal grant, you don’t need to repay more than 50% of the initial amount you’re responsible for repaying.

What happens if I don’t repay Title IV funds I owe?

OFA may report to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) that you received an overpayment—which may affect your eligibility to receive additional Title IV aid for any school until resolved.

Sometimes OFA returning federal financial aid funds to the U.S. Department of Education creates a bill in the Office of Student Accounts. Remember this bill must be paid, or Student Accounts may send it to collections.

What is a post-withdrawal disbursement?

At times, you may be eligible for Title IV funds that have not been disbursed. Any student eligible for federal financial aid will automatically have these funds credited to their outstanding charges. If you are eligible for any grant funds, you will receive these funds first.

OFA notifies you about your loan eligibility if you don’t have any outstanding charges or you have a balance on your student account after disbursement. You have 14 days to respond to OFA’s notification about wanting all, part, or none of the loan(s). If you don’t respond, you will not receive the loan disbursement.

OFA considers several factors before calculating when a loan gets cancelled. A loan gets automatically cancelled if any of the following occur:

If you are a student selected for verification, and have not completed it, you are not eligible for federal financial aid, and therefore not included in this policy. Learn more about verification.

What is exit counseling—and do I need it?

Everyone who receives federal financial aid must complete exit counseling. The purpose is to help you prepare for loan repayment and personal money management.

Exit counseling covers important information on your rights and responsibilities regarding your student loan(s). Topics covered include:

Depending on your loan(s), exit counseling may be completed online or in person. Regardless, come prepared knowing the types of loans you have from your time at Coppin. Use your FSA User ID to login into the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to access all of your loan information.

You are required to repay your student loans, so if you are having difficulty with payments, please reach out to your loan service provider.

• A Stafford Loan promissory note has not been signed and submitted by the student before date of withdrawal
• A student has not completed the Stafford Loan entrance loan interview before date of withdrawal
• A first-time Coppin student withdraws from the University during the first 30 days of the semester
  • Your rights and responsibilities as a recipient of federal financial aid
  • Consequences of loan nonpayment
  • Repayment options
  • Debt management possibilities
  • Loan consolidation

Depending on your loan(s), exit counseling may be completed online or in person. Regardless, come prepared knowing the types of loans you have from your time at Coppin. Use your FSA User ID to login into the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to access all of your loan information.

You are required to repay your student loans, so if you are having difficulty with payments, please reach out to your loan service provider.

You’re not alone if you need to borrow money to pay for your education. Many students at Coppin and other universities decide to apply for federal financial aid, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

The Office of Financial Aid encourages all students to research other funding sources, including federal, state, local, private, and public grants, scholarships, student employment, as well as employer tuition assistance. We keep a database of scholarships and other funding, but it’s just as important for you to do your own research.

What all student borrowers should know

Working with student borrowers, our office has a lot of experience understanding what every student borrower needs to know. The biggest point to remember is that you must repay federal student loans. When you don’t repay a loan in repayment, it can put your loan in default.

The federal government does any and everything to get federal monies loaned to borrowers, and are well within their rights to seize your tax refund, garnish wages, and place liens on your property—all of which can damage your credit. Read on to learn how you can make smart decisions about your federal financial aid.

Understanding your financial aid can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help! Any student who receives financial aid has rights and responsibilities that are important to know. We’re here to empower you to make the best financial decisions for your Coppin education.

As a student recipient of financial aid, you are entitled to know:

• Details about available financial aid programs
• Processes to apply for financial aid
• Criteria used to determine student eligibility and financial need
• Policies and procedures around refunds and repayments
• Policies and procedures on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Rights and responsibilities of Coppin’s academic programs

As a student recipient of financial aid, you are responsible for:

• Reading your Master Promissory Note (MPN) and disclosure statement to understand the terms and conditions of your Federal Direct Student Loan(s)
• Submitting accurate information and forms to the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) on time
• Updating the OFA on changes to your personal information, that may include name, address, marital status, financial situation, etc.
• Communicating any other funding assistance from outside sources to the OFA—this may include scholarships, private loans, and educational benefits
• Informing the OFA of any changes in your enrollment status
• Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Re-applying for financial aid by March 1st of each year

You are allowed to hit 150% of the timeframe required to complete your program of study. If you take more than the required maximum amount of time to complete your program, you become ineligible to receive any additional financial aid. What does this look like in your real world when planning your Coppin education?

Subsidized Loans and Pell Grants

• Federal student aid regulations limit the maximum Subsidized Loan for new students to 150% of their program of students.
• Federal Pell Grant may only be received up to a maximum of 12 full-time semesters. Students exceeding 12 full-time semesters to complete their undergraduate degree will not be eligible for Federal Pell Grant funding (this includes dual degrees and change of majors).

As an Undergraduate student financial aid recipient, you must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher (at least a C average).

The Office of Financial Aid reviews your GPA at the end of each semester:

• If at the end of your first semester your GPA is less than 2.00, you will be notified and placed on Financial Aid Warning Status
• If at the end of your second semester or end of the academic year your GPA falls below a 2.00, you will be placed on financial aid suspension

As a Graduate student financial aid recipient, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (at least a B).

The Office of Financial Aid reviews your GPA at the end of each semester:

• If at the end of your first semester, your GPA is less than 3.00, you will be notified and placed on Financial Aid Warning Status
• If at the end of your second semester or end of the academic year your GPA falls below a 3.00, you will be placed on financial aid suspension

What does this mean at the coursework level for both undergraduate and graduate students?

• Successful coursework completion: A, B, C, D, P
• Unsuccessful coursework completion: F, W, I, X, AU

67% is the number to remember when it comes to meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

Students receiving federal financial aid must complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework

Failure to complete at least 67% of your coursework, means that you will face the following penalties:

• If not by the end of the first semester, you’ll be placed on financial aid warning status
• If not by the end of the second semester, you’ll be placed on academic suspension

The number of credits you must complete each semester depends on your enrollment status. Enrollment status is determined by the number of credits you are attempting in the semester.

Undergraduate credit completion requirements

These credit requirements apply across fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Graduate student requirements

If you are a graduate student, your requirements are based on the 9 credit hour full-time enrollment measurement.

If you have transfer credits that apply toward your degree, including those from institutions outside the United States, they may be included in your completion rate calculation.

Students receiving federal financial aid must meet all 3 SAP requirements:

• Qualitative grade point average (GPA): Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Quantitative analysis: All financial aid recipients must complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework.
• Maximum timeframe: All financial aid recipients must complete their academic program within 150% of the maximum timeframe to complete

What are the different SAP statuses?

There are 3 different SAP statuses.

• Meet SAP: A student receiving federal financial aid is in good standing and meets all 3 minimum GPA, coursework, and timeline requirements.
• Suspension: A student receiving federal financial aid has fallen below minimum GPA requirements and/or has met or exceeded the maximum 150% time frame to complete their academic program. Students on SAP suspension are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• Probation: A student receiving federal financial aid who has submitted an appeal application which has been approved is placed on a one-term probation. Students who meet all SAP requirements while in probation return to good standing. Students who don’t meet all SAP requirements while on probation are no longer eligible for federal financial aid or to re-appeal, and are placed back on suspension.

How am I notified about changes in my SAP status?

OFA notifies all students placed on financial aid warning and suspension via the EagleLINKS student portal.

What every student should know about the SAP appeals process

What should I include in my SAP appeal?

You may submit an appeal when placed on suspension by completing a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal. Please note, submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval. Your appeal must include:

1. SAP appeal form
2. Typed personal statement detailing why you failed to meet SAP, and how you will meet SAP the next semester
3. Additional documentation that supports your personal statement
4. Academic and success strategies plan outlining the coursework and any academic services you will use to ensure academic success

How do I appeal my SAP status?

Reach out to your Academic Outreach Coordinator to complete the SAP Process:

Make an appointment

Please note: SAP status is separate from academic dismissal or suspension.

What’s next if my appeal is approved?

You will be on a one-term financial aid probation, and allowed one semester/enrollment period of federal financial aid to improve your status to meet SAP. Students cannot receive incompletes, fail, or withdraw while on one-term probation.

Students who don’t meet all SAP requirements while on probation are no longer eligible for federal financial aid or to re-appeal, and are placed back on suspension.

What’s next if my appeal is denied?

You are no longer eligible for federal financial aid at Coppin. You can regain eligibility at your own expense by:

• Completing 67% of total coursework
• Achieving the minimum cumulative undergraduate 2.0 GPA or cumulative graduate 3.0 GPA requirements

After meeting these SAP requirements at your own expense, you must complete a new appeal application if you want to be reconsidered for federal financial aid.

However, you cannot regain eligibility if you were denied an appeal for a maximum timeline extension. Also, eligibility cannot be established for being out of school for an extended time or paying for courses with your own funds.