Financial Aid FAQs

Detailed information about these costs as well as information about our financial aid options can be found here.

Applying for financial aid can be a bit unsettling. We understand this and wish to assist families as much as possible. Students and families can follow our easy instructions on the Financial Aid website or call us at 717-691-6007 for further counsel. We are happy to help!

To determine eligibility for financial aid, start by filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Messiah encourages students to submit the FAFSA online to decrease processing time. (A traditional paper and pencil FAFSA is acceptable, too.) The FAFSA is used to determine need for state grants (including Pennsylvania) and Messiah University need-based financial aid. See the FAFSA online at www.studentaid.gov. The Messiah University code is 003298.

For students planning to enter in the fall, Messiah’s priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is April 1.  In order to allow adequate time for forms to be processed and received in our office by the April 1 deadline, we recommend that you submit your FAFSA by March 1.

The financial aid office is open for consultation weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our phone number is 717-691-6007.

Financial aid comes in various forms. Students may be awarded merit-based aid through the admissions application process. In addition, students may be awarded need-based aid in the form of scholarships, grants, student loans or an on-campus job called work-study. To learn more about financial aid and your eligibility, please see the net price calculator on our Financial Aid site.

A grant is generally money given to a student for college tuition. A grant can be provided by federal, state, local charity or Messiah University. A student is not expected to pay back the provider of the grant.

Grants from the federal government come in forms such as the Pell Grant. The state of Pennsylvania offers grants to students who are residents and who attend a college in the state. Messiah University offers various grants depending on eligibility of the student.

Several loans are available for Messiah University students. Messiah seeks to find the most convenient and competitive borrowing rates for students.

Parent loans do exist. A parent can apply online at www.studentloans.gov for a Parent PLUS loan.  You can also contact the financial aid office for more specific details regarding the PLUS loan.  Please call the financial aid office at 717-691-6007 or email finaid@messiah.edu.

No. Students are not required to accept the student loans offered on financial aid awards. However, Messiah University makes student loans available to cover educational expenses for those who qualify.

We wish to be sensitive to the changing nature of a family's ability to afford a college education. We invite families to consult with the financial aid office to review eligibility for aid when circumstances change.

Messiah University recognizes some students will not be eligible for need-based financial aid. However, students and parents may still be eligible for student and family loans. We encourage students to seek alternative funding through the financial aid office.

New students are sent financial aid awards in January via email. Returning students will receive their financial aid award mid-July, if all required documents have been completed and returned to the financial aid office.

Payments plans do exist. Contact Student Financial Services (SFS) for exact details on the payment plans. The office of SFS  is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the office at 717-691-6004 or mail to: studentfinsvcs@messiah.edu.

Contact one of our student financial services staff for inquiries to student bills. The Student Financial Services office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 717-691-6004 or studentfinsvcs@messiah.edu

Students do need to reapply for financial aid on a yearly basis. Generally once a student completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) they are sent a renewal application notice the following year.

Yes. Non-U.S. citizens are offered limited scholarships and grants.

As a supplement to the University Refund Policy, we are pleased to offer an additional Tuition Insurance program through Liberty Mutual Insurance which provides 100% reimbursement throughout the entire term and covers withdrawal due to illness, injury, mental health issues and other reasons.  Visit the Tuition Insurance page to learn more.