Financial Aid Funding Resources
Where Affordable Opportunities are Endless
Making College Affordable
Paying for college doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. At Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, we’re committed to helping you explore every option available to make your education affordable. Financial aid can come from many sources including grants, scholarships, loans, and other funding programs. Our team will guide you through the process step by step.
On this page, you’ll find details about the different types of funding resources available to NPRC students, along with important eligibility requirements and application steps. We encourage you to review each option carefully and reach out to the Financial Aid Office with any questions.
Jump to Resource Type
Grant Resources
Federal Pell Grant monies do not have to be repaid. In order to qualify for a Pell Grant, you must:
- Complete a FAFSA.
- Enroll in credit courses in an approved program of study.
- Submit any requested paperwork to the NPRC Financial Aid Office (as requested through your NPRC email).
- Demonstrate financial need (calculated by the Federal Government when you submit a FAFSA).
- Incarcerated.
- Have a bachelor's degree.
- Fail to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Are in default on student loans.
- Owe federal Overpayment monies to the Department of Education.
- Check out NPRC's Withdrawal Policy.
Schools are permitted to set a Pell Recalculation Date (PRD) as a means to establish a time frame for students to add or drop courses to determine a student’s enrollment status for Pell Awarding purposes. NPRC utilizes a PRD date the same as the last day of 100% refund period for the term.
Like the Federal Pell Grant, the PA State Grant monies do not have to be repaid. In order to be considered for the PA State Grant you must:
- Be a Pennsylvania resident for at least a year.
- Submit a FAFSA by May 1, NPRC's priority deadline.
- Submit a Pennsylvania State Grant form.
- Enroll in a two-year Associate Degree Program.
- Enroll at least half-time (6 or more credits).
- Make satisfactory academic progress according to the PA State Grant Policy guidelines (different than academic progress).
Pennsylvania offers several other specialized grant programs to students. View more information on PA State Grant and Special Programs , or contact the Financial Aid Office.
Loans
The Federal Direct Student Loan Program provides low-interest loans to post-secondary students and their parents. The William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program is issued and managed by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Demonstrate financial need for subsidized loans.
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
- Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
- Be registered with the Selective Service if you're male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25).
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program.
- Be enrolled at least half-time (at least six credits)
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Go to the Federal Student loans website and log in with your FSA ID.
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Click Complete Counseling and select Entrance Counseling. This quiz is required by the Department of Education and must be completed in one sitting.
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Click Complete Master Promissory Note and select Subsidized/Unsubsidized.
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Submit
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Complete a Loan Request Form, which will be emailed to your NPRC account once we receive your application information.
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Processing the loan takes 2-4 weeks. You will receive an award letter in your NPRC email account once the loan has been certified, and the amounts are made available on MyNPRC.
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Dependent
- Grade Level 1 (0-29 credits earned) $5,500 If eligible, no more than $3,500 of this may be subsidized
- Grade Level 2 (30+ credits earned) $6,500 If eligible, no more than $4,500 of this may be subsidized
Independent
- Grade Level 1 (0-29 credits earned) $9,500 If eligible, no more than $3,500 of this may be subsidized
- Grade Level 2 (30+ credits earned) $10,500 If eligible, no more than $4,500 of this may be subsidized
Find current interest rates on Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans. Note: Rates are subject to change.
Before completing the loan application process, the student must first file a FAFSA, be enrolled in at least six credits, and be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Go to Federal Student Loans website and log in with your FSA ID.
- On the left-hand side, click on Request Direct PLUS Loan.
- Click Parent PLUS and complete the PLUS Loan Request for Supplemental Information. This section performs the required credit check and will ask how much you want to borrow and for what loan term.
- If the credit check is approved, click Complete Master Promissory Note and select Parent PLUS. The school will be notified of your application.
- If denied, you may still receive a Direct PLUS Loan through one of these two options:
- Obtaining an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the loan if you do not repay it. The endorser cannot be the child on whose behalf you are borrowing.
- Documenting to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history.
- If you are approved through one of the two options above you must also complete credit counseling for PLUS loan borrowers through the Federal Student Loans website.
If a parent borrower is unable to obtain a PLUS Loan, the student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans. The students should email the Financial Aid Office for more information.
An alternative, or private, loan is not guaranteed by the federal government. These loans are offered by banks and other lenders to supplement other financial aid and help students meet the full cost of education.
- The loans are offered by private lenders.
- Eligibility may be driven by the applicant’s and co-applicant’s credit score.
- Private education loans tend to cost more than federal education loans - variable interest rates.
- Parents who are considering a private alternative education loan often consider a Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
To select a private alternative education loan, it’s best to do your own research.
Criteria considered in choosing a lender may include:
- Historical Listing – A previous lender service to NPRC student borrowers
- Quality customer service as well as timely processing
- Borrower benefits (including low interest rates, no origination fees, co-signer release, and principal and interest rate reductions)
- And many other reviewed attributes performed by each school
Responsible Borrowing
Are you thinking about taking out a federal student loan to help pay for college or career school? Check out this video to learn about your responsibilities as a borrower and what you should consider when taking out loans for college.
Other Ways to Pay
Use your financial aid refund early to get textbooks!
A credit balance on your bill indicates you have a pending refund. The NPRC Book Allowance Program allows you to spend this pending refund on your textbooks at the eCampus Bookstore during the first three weeks of the term.
What you spend will be deducted from your refund before disbursement.
Students eligible for the NPRC Book Allowance Program will receive an email to their NPRC email account. Students are required to authorize the use of their financial aid refund for non-institutional charges. Students are required to complete the Title IV Authorization Form.
PA CareerLink is Pennsylvania’s one-stop service for job seekers. PA Career Link resources include job listings, directory of local offices, unemployment information, social services, and training resources.
To apply for benefits, a student must inquire at a Job Services Center to determine eligibility.
Learn more about CareerLink or visit your local CareerLink.
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment.
OVR provides services to eligible individuals with disabilities both directly and through a network of approved vendors.
Services are provided on an individualized basis. An OVR counselor, during face-to-face interviews, assists customers in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services, and providers.
Learn more about the OVR program.
Americorps is an organization that allows a person to apply their skills and ideals towards helping others while meeting critical needs in the community.
A full-time member who completes their services earn a Segal AmeriCorps education award to pay for college, graduate school, or to repay student loans. Some members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.
Learn more about the Americorps program.
NPRC encourages students to search for other ways to assist with paying for their college expenses within their local communities, foundations, employer, high schools, and non-profit organizations.
Financial Aid Disbursements
Financial Aid does an initial disbursement of Federal, State and Third-Party Programs four weeks into the beginning of the term. Disbursements continue weekly throughout the semester as students become eligible. Eligible courses must be eight weeks in length or a combination within the term. For eight week courses meeting in the second half of the semester, aid will not be disbursed until a week after the schedule adjustment period has ended.
See What Our Students Have to Say
“It was a wonderful experience here at NPRC. I learned so much and my instructor was amazing. He was knowledgeable and made sure that everything we need is uploaded online and communicates well with us. He also held us accountable to make sure we were learning and ready. I enjoyed working alongside my amazing classmates and all the different experiences they brought to the course. Everyone in our class was eager to learn and was proactive about staying up to date on what is being asked of us.”
- Marie, NPRC EMT Graduate
“Attending NPRC was truly life-changing for me and provided a foundation to pursue my passion for early childhood education. I gained the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this field. But it was bigger than just academics; my professors taught me valuable life lessons and instilled important values that have shaped who I am today. Overall, my college journey has not only prepared me for a successful career but has also equipped me with the mindset and tools to make a positive impact on the lives of young children.”
- Brittany, Early Childhood Education Graduate
“I had a fear that this degree would be unobtainable due to being a full-time employee and mother. With the support of family, friends, coworkers, and NPRC, I’ve gained confidence and support to continue my education.”
- Brittney, NPRC Student
“From the first time I found out about NPRC, I knew attending college was something I wanted to pursue because of how genuine the first interaction was. I’m proof that finding the right path can be done. It’s worth it to find ways out of situations you do not want to be in for better ones. I can’t say enough about how NPRC’s employees have empowered and advocated for me.”
- Amanda, NPRC Student
"NPRC’s faculty, staff, and professors do everything they can to see the students succeed and provide us with exactly what we need to do our best both inside the classroom and out. The early childhood education program is phenomenal. It was a school that aided me in balancing class, schoolwork, and my career. From the start and throughout my time, NPRC made me feel like I was at the right place.”
- Savannah, Early Childhood Education Graduate
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