Grants, Scholarships and Loans

The following grants and scholarships have individual eligibility requirements and procedures. Be sure to read the requirements for each carefully.

Temple University Grants

Temple University Grants are institutional funds available to students as a way of supplementing other aid sources. These funds are awarded based on need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with priority given to applicants whose FAFSA is received by the federal processor by March 1.

Temple Scholars Award

Entering freshmen with excellent high school grades and test scores are offered four-year academic merit scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for up to four (4) years of full-time undergraduate study. The award is made by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the time of acceptance based on the admission application.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students of exceptional musical ability. These awards are given to vocalists participating in the various university choirs and instrumentalists participating in the Temple University Orchestra, bands, and other ensembles. Recipients may matriculate in any of the undergraduate colleges. Prospective applicants should contact the Boyer College of Music and Dance at 215-204-8301 to arrange for an interview.

Temple University Diamond Bands

Membership in the Diamond Bands is open to all qualifying students from any school, college, or campus of the university. At Temple, the bands serve the entire student population; membership, therefore, includes not only music majors but also a large proportion of students representing almost every academic area of the university.

Scholarships are available to students selected for membership in the Diamond Bands in varying amounts based on participation and musicianship as determined by the Boyer College of Music and Dance. For further information, contact the Director of Bands, Room 315, Presser Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122 or call 215-204-8321.

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are available in all varsity sports. The number of scholarships, requirements, standards, and awards are controlled by Temple University and by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For further information, contact the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, 215-204-2571.

ROTC Scholarships and Grants

See Military Science under the Academic Opportunities section of the Bulletin.

State and Federal Grant Programs

To be eligible for the following grants, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA)

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania funds a grant program for undergraduate Pennsylvania residents who will be matriculated students enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester) and part-time (6-11 credits) during the academic year. This program is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).

Non-Pennsylvania residents should check with their respective state agency for state grant information.  The U.S. Department of Education provides a full list of higher education agencies by state at the Education Resource Organizations Directory web site at http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_ID=SEA.

Students residing in states other than Pennsylvania can contact their state education department directly to inquire about scholarship and grant opportunities.  A directory of state educational grant agencies can also be found online through the U.S. Department of Education's Education Resource Organizations Directory.

Not all state grant programs are transferable if a student is attending a school outside of their home state.

Federal Pell Grants

To be eligible for a Pell Grant, one must be a matriculated student enrolled in an undergraduate degree program who has not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Notification of awards will be made in the student's award letter.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a federal grant program administered by the university. Awards are based on exceptional need and availability of funds.

Student Loans

Federal Perkins Loans

Perkins Loans are made by the university from funds provided by the Federal government. These loans are included as part of the financial aid package. The amount of the loan is based on the student's need and availability of funds.

Federal Direct Student Loans

Direct Loans are available to students enrolled for at least six (6) credits per semester. Annual limits are: $3,500 for first-year students, $4,500 for second-year students, and $5,500 for third year and higher.

Unsubsidized loans are also available to undergraduate students. Dependent students may borrow up to $4,000 for the first and second year of study and $5,000 for the third year and above.

Independent students and dependent students whose parents are denied a Direct Parent Plus loan may borrow up to $6,000 for first and second year of undergraduate study and $7,000 for third year and above. For all undergraduate study the maximum that may be borrowed in unsubsidized Stafford loan funding is $46,000 ($23,000 subsidized).

Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

PLUS loans are available to the parents of undergraduate students. Parents may borrow amounts not to exceed the cost of attendance.

Nursing Student Loans (NSL)

NSL are made by the university from funds provided by the federal government. These loans are included as part of the financial aid package. The amount of the loan is based on the student's need and availability of funds. Students may borrow up to $2,500 per academic year.

Pharmacy Health Profession Loans

Pharmacy Health Profession Loans are made by the university based on demonstrated financial need. Funds are provided by the federal government. Pharmacy students may borrow a maximum of $2,500 plus the cost of tuition.

Alternative Educational Loans

Student loans are available from private lenders. The majority of these loans require the student borrower to have a credit worthy cosigner, and the interest rate is variable and determined by the credit score of the borrower and cosigner. Many of these loans also require school certification, and the student must be enrolled at least half time and making satisfactory academic progress. Consult with the lender for specific eligibility requirements.

Entrance/Exit Interviews

Federal law requires that every student borrowing from the programs listed above have an entrance and/or exit interview. During these sessions, a counselor will explain the provisions of loan repayment and deferment options.

Direct loan funds will not be released without the entrance interview requirement, and students may not graduate until the exit interview is completed. Any student withdrawing from the university before graduation must contact the Bursar Department at 215-204-6170 to schedule an exit interview. Students failing to do so will have a hold placed on their records.

Other Programs

A number of Temple's schools and colleges have privately-sponsored scholarships available for students in their programs. Details may be found in the individual school or college descriptions.

In addition to the scholarships available through Temple University, a wide range of scholarships, fellowships, and internships are available on a competitive basis to students during and immediately after their undergraduate careers. The Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies provides information about these opportunities and support for students interested in preparing applications.  For more information, go to www.temple.edu/vpus/opportunities/index.htm#scholarships.