Our Financial Aid Goal

The California Institute of Healing Arts & Sciences is committed to providing students with financial aid resources to meet the costs of their career education. Our goal is to help you determine what your need is, develop a financial aid package and understand and successfully complete the financial aid application process.

Who Can Get Financing?

Financial aid is available for all of our programs -- both diploma programs and continuing education programs. The amount and type of aid you can receive depends on what you qualify for. There are both need-based and non-need-based loans available, as well as various grants.

Loans are provided based on the cost of attendance which includes both direct (tuition) and non-direct (books, housing, transportation, personal expenses) costs.

Getting Started

First, you will set up an appointment with our financial aid advisor who will help you determine your need, develop a financial aid package, provide you with forms and answer questions as you complete and submit them.

There are specific forms for most types of aid, such as loans, work-study, scholarships and grants. In order for you to have your aid in place when you begin school, you are encouraged to begin the financial aid application process at the same time you apply for Admissions. To receive financial aid, or to continue receiving it, students apply each year.

The Process

Most students will need to start with the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA), which can be completed online. The FAFSA determination of need is a basic requirement for many other loan programs. After about 3-4 weeks to process the FAFSA, you are sent a "Student Aid Report" (SAR) for your careful review, and then a version of the SAR (called a ISIR) will be sent to us.

When students apply for federal financial aid, the U.S. Department of Education verifies information such as social security number, citizenship, selective service status, veteran's status, and legal (drug-related convictions) status.

Financial need is determined based upon the information provided on the FAFSA and need analysi ("Federal Metholody (FM) which is applied as set forth by the Department of Education.

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount that the student is expected to contribute towards their educational costs. Financial need is determined by subtracting the student's EFC from the Cost of Attendance.

Once our Financial Aid Office receives the ISIR, each prospective student is reviewed for financial aid awarding. The Financial Aid Office offers financial aid packages that include scholarships, grants and/or loans which total the full cost of attendance (including both direct and indirect costs). A Financial Aid Award Letter listing all of the financial aid that is being offered is then sent to your home address.

Types of Loans

Eligibility Requirements for Federal Loans

• Must have demonstrated financial need (for need-based loans)
• Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as at least a half-time student
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national or a permanent resident of the U.S. or provide evidence from the INS that you are in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident
• Must be maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study that you are pursuing
• Must not owe a refund on a Pell Grant, SEOG or State Student Incentive Grant
• Must not be in default on any Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, PLUS Loan

Federal Perkins Loan The Federal Perkins loan is offered to students with exceptional financial need. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $6,000 per year depending on budget allocation.

Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan Subsidized Stafford loans are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the information provided on the FAFSA. Students who meet the need criteria may borrow up to $8,500 annually.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Unsubsidized Stafford loans are not need-based. Through this program, a student may borrow up to $18,500 annually (minus any amount eligible for in the Subsidized Federal Stafford loan).

Federal PLUS Loans Students in need of additional financial aid resources may apply for the Federal PLUS loan. Students may borrow an amount up to the Cost of Attendance minus all other financial aid. Federal PLUS loans are credit based, therefore it is based on creditreadiness.