Financial Aid

Financial Aid Programs

Educational expenses are the responsibility of the student and parents; however, financial aid may be available to help maximize the family's existing resources.

Financial aid programs include federal, state and university grants, federal student loans and federal student work-study. For consideration of all aid programs, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To ensure maximum consideration and timely notification of any of the following awards complete the FAFSA online between January 1 and March 1 each year.

Butler University Grant*

Eligibility: Tuition awards are based on a combination of academic strength, the family's ability to contribute as determined by the FAFSA and other financial aid received from Butler University.

Comments:

  • Priority consideration is given to those who submit the FAFSA on or before March 1.
  • Awards are not automatically renewed. Students must submit a FAFSA each year to receive consideration.
  • Students must demonstrate financial aid eligibility each year.

Federal Pell Grant and Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)*

Eligibility: Awards are based solely on financial aid eligibility as determined by the FAFSA and the number of hours enrolled.

Amount: Pell Grants range from $976 to $5,550 each year.

Comments:

  • Pell eligible students may choose to charge their books and supplies to their student account. 

Indiana Higher Education Award* - Freedom of Choice Grant* - 21st Century Scholarship*

Eligibility: Awarded to Indiana residents who attend an eligible Indiana college or university who demonstrate financial need. 

Effective fall 2012 - Students must maintain the following GPA requirements in order to be eligible for an award:

Amount: Tuition award amounts vary depending on financial need and the high school curriculum completed (IN academic honors diploma).

Comments:

  • The FAFSA must be received by the federal processor on or before March 10 each year. 

Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship

There is a new scholarship for students who graduate from a publicly supported high school at least one year early, after December 31, 2010.

For more information - click here.

Federal Perkins Loan*

Eligibility: A long-term, low interest student loan available to those who have financial aid eligibility as determined by the FAFSA.

Comments:

  • Fixed five percent interest rate.
  • Repayment of principal and interest begins nine months after graduating, leaving the university or enrolling less than half time (six credit hours).

Federal Direct Loan

Eligibility: A long-term, low interest student loan available in the form of a subsidized (need-based) and/or unsubsidized (not need-based) loan.

Amount: Annual grade level maximums for dependent students:

  • Freshman $5,500
  • Sophomore $6,500
  • Junior $7,500
  • Senior $7,500

Comments:

  • Interest Rates
    • Federal Subsidized Direct Loans borrowed in the 2011-2012 academic year will have an interest rate fixed at 4.5% for undergraduates and 6.8% for graduate students.  Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans borrowed in the 2011-2012 academic year will have an interest rate fixed at 6.8% for undergraduate and graduate students.
    • A processing fee of 1% and a rebate of .5% will be assessed by the lender.
  • Repayment begins six months after graduating, leaving the university or enrolling less than half-time (six credit hours).
  • Independent students (as determined by the FAFSA) may be eligible for additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans.
  • Students must be enrolled a minimum of six hours to be eligible for the Federal Direct Loan program.

Federal Work-Study*

Eligibility: On-campus student employment offered to students who have financial aid eligibility as determined by the FAFSA.

Comments:

  • Average award equivalent to eight to twelve hours per week at minimum wage.
  • Award amount is not automatically deducted from the student's bill.
  • Students receive a paycheck for the hours worked every two weeks.
  • Students are required to pay taxes on earnings, however amount earned is not used against the student when determining financial aid eligibility in the following year.

*Available only to full-time undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree.