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Scholarships

Scholarships are gift funds that are often awarded to students based on various criteria including high academic achievement, special talents, or other associations with the sponsor. Like grants, scholarships do not have to be repaid. However, if you are using Federal Student Aid (FSA), you will need to declare any scholarship awards which may affect your total FSA eligibility.

While we don't directly offer university scholarships, there are many opportunities to apply for private scholarships. In fact, more than 100 organizations have provided our students with scholarships, so it may be worth your time to investigate these and other avenues.

NOTE: If you decide to use an awarded scholarship to pay for school, you must indicate this payment method when you register for courses. Once the scholarship funds are verified, you'll be able to enter your classroom.

If you have scholarship funds approved for use at APUS, have your scholarship organization mail the award letter and funds to below mentioned address:

American Public University System
Attn.: Financial Services
111 West Congress St,
Charles Town, WV, 25414.

The following should be included in the award letter communication:

  • Contact Name, Phone Number and/or email address
  • Check Amount
  • Required Enrollment Status (i.e., full-time, half-time)
  • Academic Year or Semester for which the funds apply
  • List of expenses the funds can be used for
  • Date in which funding needs to be returned if not used

A scholarship will affect your other student aid because all your student aid added together cannot be more than your cost of attendance. You will need to let APUS know if you have been awarded a scholarship so that the financial aid office can be sure it is accounted for in your financial aid package

Scholarship Payments (Checks)

Once received, scholarship funds will be applied towards allowable tuition and fees, in accordance with the scholarship guidelines. 

  • Scholarship checks need to be made payable to American Public University System.
  • If a scholarship check is made out to the student and school, the student must endorse the check before sending to APUS.

Register for Courses

Course registrations should be placed within 30 days of APUS receiving your scholarship funding. When registering for courses select “Scholarship” as the payment method. 

Additional Assistance

If you have questions regarding scholarships, you can contact a Financial Aid Advisor by emailing [email protected] or calling 855-731-9218, Monday – Friday, 8:00am-9:00pm ET.

Private Loans

Private student loans are credit-based, non-federal education loans made through private lenders. Also referred to as “Alternative Loans”, private loans are an available resource in paying for school. Programs are typically available through banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions.

It is strongly recommended that you only consider private loans after all other available scholarships, state, and/or federal funding has been exhausted. As a rule, students should only consider borrowing a private education loan if they have reached their Federal Student Loan borrowing limit.

We encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine any eligibility for Federal Student Aid (FSA) before borrowing a private loan. Federal student loans typically have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options. Learn more about the differences between federal student loans and private loans by visiting StudentAid.Gov at: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/federal-vs-private.

If you decide to pursue private loans for financing your education, research all your options carefully before making any borrowing decision. Private loans will affect your other student aid and must be included on your financial aid package. This is because all your student aid added together cannot be more than your cost of attendance. Be sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a borrower and be aware of the following:

  • Eligibility requirements and application process.
  • Terms and Conditions (Interest rates, fees, deferment, and repayment options).
    Schools with which the lender will work. 
  • All applicants for private educational loans are required to complete a self-certification form before a disbursement can be made. 
  • Typically, only direct costs, including course materials for graduate students and technology expenses are considered when certifying private student loans.
  • APUS may certify a one-time amount over direct charges for additional education expenses.  You may email the financial aid office at [email protected] to request additional education costs (course materials, technology expenses) for your loan.
  • When registering for courses, choose “Loan” as the payment type.

The following is a list of lenders that have provided loans to APUS students in the last 5 years:

  • SallieMae
  • Edly
  • OneLogos

APUS does not endorse, recommend, or promote any lender for private loans. Students can choose to use any private education loan provider, even if they are not on the above list. The 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act requires that all institutions adopt a Code of Conduct which serves as the formal guiding principles in ensuring integrity of the student loan process and ethical conduct of APUS employees in regard to student loan practices.