Undergraduate Financial Aid

Federal Subsidized Direct Loan

Undergraduate students with financial need enrolled at least half-time may be eligible for a subsidized loan. Interest on this loan begins accruing at the start of repayment. Repayment will begin six months after graduation or when a student drops below half-time enrollment. The interest rate for this loan as of July 2026 was 6.52%. An origination fee of 1.057% will be taken from the disbursement prior to receipt by the school.

Eligibility for federal subsidized direct loans is based on financial need (demonstrated via the FAFSA or Renewal Form). Students who do not demonstrate sufficient need may borrow Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans. Maximum loan eligibility is indicated on each student’s financial aid award letter. When students are eligible for a subsidized loan, the government pays the interest that accrues while they are in school.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan

Students receiving an unsubsidized loan are charged interest on the loan while in school, in the grace period, and in deferment. Interest on these loans begins accruing 60 days after loan disbursal. Although interest accrues on the loan disbursement, a student does not need to start repayment until six months after graduation, or when dropping below half-time enrollment. The interest rate for this loan as of July 2026 is 6.52% for undergraduate students. An origination fee of 1.057% will be taken from the disbursement prior to receipt by the school.

Federal Parent Loan (Direct PLUS Loan)

The PLUS loan is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students, as determined by the FAFSA.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, established new loan limits for the Direct PLUS Loan Program, impacting how much parents can borrow for their eligible dependent undergraduate students. Beginning July 1, 2026, undergraduate students enrolling in a new course of study and/or taking out a Direct Loan for the first time for a program in which they’re enrolled will be subject to the new annual loan limit of $20,000 per student. (If you believe you meet conditions for a Limited Exception, contact Alliant’s Student Finance Office.)

For Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, and before July 1, 2027, the interest rate is 9.07%. This is a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan.

Additionally, there is a loan fee on all Direct PLUS Loans. The loan fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. The percentage for all Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020, is 4.228%.

We strongly advise Alliant students to maximize their Federal loan opportunities before considering private student loans. Explore the pros and cons of private loans, as well as potential loan partners.

Alliant is pleased to offer a large selection of institutional scholarships to help cover tuition and fees. Additional scholarship opportunities are available from the Alliant Educational Foundation and other external sources. Visit our scholarships page for more details.

Federal Pell Grants

This type of grant is usually awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree and have exceptional financial need, as determined by the results of the FAFSA calculation. The amount of financial aid you can receive from a Pell Grant depends on your need, whether you are a part-time or full-time student, and may vary from year to year depending on your course load. Generally, the annual award is capped and will only cover a portion of your tuition. If the Pell Grant is an option for you, keep in mind that you can only receive a Pell Grant for 12 semesters (six years).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Like the Federal Pell Grant, the FSEOG is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree. These grants are awarded directly through the financial aid office. If you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, you may also qualify and receive priority for the FSEOG program as well. Award money generally ranges from as low as $100 to as high as $4,000. Funds for the FSEOG are limited.

TEACH Grant (Teacher Credential Programs Only)

Students in teaching credential programscan apply for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

To qualify for the grant, students must:

1. Complete TEACH Grant counseling
2. Submit a TEACH Grant application
3. Agree to teach for at least four academic years (within eight years of completing their credential or the last day of attendance at Alliant) in either a high-need field or an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves low-income families. High-need fields include:
   1. Bilingual education and English language acquisition
   2. Foreign language
   3. Math
   4. Reading
   5. Science
   6. Special education.

NOTE: This grant may become an unsubsidized loan if the student does not complete the necessary requirements after leaving school as indicated in the agreement to serve.

Golden State Teacher Grant (Teacher Credential Programs Only)

The Golden State Teacher Grant program (GSTG) is for students who are currently enrolled in an education program working toward their preliminary teaching credential (internship programs not eligible) or pupil personnel services (PPS) credential and are committed to working at a priority school in California for four years, within eight years after completing their Alliant program.

GSTG awards of up to $10,000 are available to eligible, currently enrolled students in California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)-approved single-subject and multiple-subject teacher preparation programs, with awards up to $20,000 now available for eligible students enrolled in CTC-approved special education teacher preparation programs. (CTC currently approves all Alliant teacher credential programs.) Alliant program administrators will verify applicants’ enrollment status.

AzLEAP Grant (Bachelor of Science in Nursing Only)

The Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP) offers need-based grants that enable low-income Arizona resident students to finance their college education. Awards are offered based on the amount allocated to Alliant University.

Seeking to achieve your education and career goals as a veteran, active-duty military member, reservist, National Guard member, or affiliated family member? Alliant is proud to serve you. Get details about specific aid types and support tailored for these groups.

Federal Work-Study is an employment program largely funded by the federal government and supplemented by employer contributions to complement and reinforce the student employees’ educational programs and career goals. The goals of the program are to:

1. Help students meet their educational expenses.
2. Encourage participation in community service activities.
3. Instill a sense of social responsibility and commitment to the community.

Under FWS, students are employed in part-time jobs on campus or in other nonprofit agencies to help meet a portion of their cost of attendance. On average, FWS students work 10–20 hours per week during the academic year. Doctoral extension students are eligible to work under FWS if they are enrolled at least half-time (three credits).

Students may earn up to the maximum amount specified in their financial aid package. The actual amount earned depends on the student’s employability, class schedule, and the number of hours worked. FWS earnings are considered taxable income and must be reported as such.    

Each year, at least 7% of an eligible institution’s FWS allocation must be used for community service. Alliant encourages students to investigate opportunities for off and on-campus community service employment, which may include:

1. Health care, child care, literacy training, education (including tutorial services), welfare, social services, transportation, housing and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development and community improvement.
2. Support for students (other than for Alliant’s own students) with disabilities.
3. Activities in which an FWS student serves as a mentor for such purposes:
   1. Tutoring
   2. Supporting educational and recreational activities
   3. Counseling, including career counseling

Eligibility is based on students’ financial need and determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI), as determined by your FAFSA. If you are eligible, you will be awarded based on the availability of FWS funds. You may receive an FWS award in your financial aid package if you meet the following criteria:

• You filed your FAFSA
• Your SAI is $10,000 or less
• Completed the Federal Work Study Application
• Meet all federal financial aid eligibility requirements

The FAFSA determines your eligibility for a wide variety of funding sources, including those listed on this page. Alliant recommends completing the FAFSA as early as possible each year to secure available funding and start financial planning for your master’s or doctoral degree. Be sure to use Alliant’s school code when you apply: 011117

After completing your FAFSA and applying for financial aid, you will receive an Offer Letter detailing the amount of funding for which you qualify. Before these funds can be applied to your student account, you must accept or reject them in your Alliant Student Portal. Contact an Alliant admissions counselor for specifics.

If you qualify for Federal loans and are a first-time borrower, you must complete and submit a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete Entrance Counseling to have loan funds applied to your student account. After you graduate from Alliant, you will also need to complete Exit Counseling to review the terms and conditions of repaying your loans.