Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Financing a PLNU Education

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Tuition and Fees

This Catalog section contains information on financing an education at Point Loma Nazarene University. In addition to tuition rates and fees, it outlines financial aid policies and enumerates the financial aid available to the graduate and professional student. Questions on financing an education at PLNU should be referred to the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) One-Stop Student Financial Services (SFS) office via email at GPSsfs@pointloma.edu or by calling 619-563-2882. Students are responsible for being aware of, and complying with, the information in this section.

Tuition Rates

The following tuition rates1,2,3 apply to Post-Baccalaureate programs.

Tuition and fees are subject to change on an annual or cohort basis and vary according to academic program.

 Graduate Studies

Programs Cost Per Unit
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry $335
Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling $815
Master of Arts in Education $660
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (M.A.O.L.) $700
Master of Arts in Public Administration $700
Master of Arts in Teaching $660
Master of Arts in Writing $667
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Evening and Daytime Programs $890
Master of Science in Accounting $1,510
Master of Science in Athletic Training $740
Master of Science in General Biology $765
Master of Science in Kinesiology $745
Master of Science in Medical Sciences $950
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) $820
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy $1,236
Master of Science in Physician Assistant $17,482
School of Education, Bakersfield and San Diego $660
Doctor of Nursing Practice $820
1

The cost of education listed above does not include additional fees or textbooks.

2

The university reserves the right to modify tuition and fees at any time.

3

The cost of education listed is for the current academic year.

University Fees

Fees Costs
Application Fees (Graduate and Teaching Credential Students) $50
Enrollment Deposit (Graduate and Teaching Credential Students) $100
Audit Fee, per unit $150
Independent Study, per unit $250
Student Athlete Fee $220
Degree Processing Fee 1 $120
1

This is a one-time fee administered in the semester the student graduates.

Course and Lab Fees may be attached to individual courses. Click here to view the Current Course Fee List.

Tuition Refund Insurance

PLNU offers Tuition Refund Insurance that reimburses students and/or families for tuition costs in the event that a student is unable to complete a semester due to accident or sickness. For more information regarding this plan, please visit the GradGuard website. There is no provision for tuition refund insurance for students who enter during the summer. The last day to purchase tuition refund insurance is the day before fall and spring session classes begin.

Payment Information

Payment in full for the enrolled session is due by the third Friday of each session. A late fee of 5% will be assessed to all student accounts with outstanding balances at the close of business on the payment due date.

View Important Dates and Deadlines

Billing Process

Billing notifications are sent via email to students before the payment deadline each term. The notification serves as the official notice to students to view their student account and billing information in Workday. All transactional information is viewable in Workday under Financials. Monthly electronic statements are generated in Workday for students who continue to have an outstanding balance. Students are strongly encouraged to generate their own statement in Workday at any time after registering in courses for the semester.

Payment Options

There are two options available to PLNU students for payment of remaining account balances.

  • Pay in Full. There are three methods of payment available (online, by mail, in-person).
  • Tuition Installment Plan (TIP). Students and parents looking for help with large semester payments or reducing loan debt can sign up for an interest-free payment plan.

Pay in Full

There are four methods of payment available:

Online By Mail In-Person Wire Payments
E-check payments can only be made online through your portal account. Here’s how: Send your statement stub (printed from your Workday account) with a check to: Visit the PLNU cashier in Draper Hall (Next to SFS Office) This is an ideal option for international students.
1. Log into Workday. PLNU Attn: Student Financial Services, 3900 Lomaland Drive, San Diego, CA 92106 Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 12:30-2:30 p.m. Send your payment via a wire transfer.
2. Select Finances Worklet. Be sure to include the student’s name and ID number on the check. Point Loma Nazarene University WIRE Instructions
3. Click on Make a Payment.
4. In the Payment Description Field, select E-Check Payment.
5. Payment Type will auto-populate. Verify the Payment Amount and select ok.
6. Confirm the Payment and select ok.

Credit and debit cards are not accepted as payment. Please pay with cash, check, cashier’s check, or money order.

Tuition Installment Plan (TIP)

PLNU provides students and parents payment plans called Tuition Installment Plan (TIP). Students and parents looking for help with large semester payments or reducing loan debt can sign up for an interest-free payment plan.

Fall Semester Auto-Pay Dates Spring Semester Auto-Pay Dates Summer Semester Auto-Pay Dates
3 Month: Sep 15th, Oct 15th, Nov 15th 3 Month: Jan 15th, Feb 15th, Mar 15th 3 Month: May 15th, Jun 15th, Jul 15th
2 Month (Q1): Sep 15th, Oct 15th 2 Month (Q1): Jan 15th, Feb 15th 2 Month (Q1): May 15th, Jun 15th
2 Month (Q2): Oct 15th, Nov 15th 2 Month (Q2): Feb 15th, Mar 15th 2 Month (Q2): Jun 15th, Jul 15th

For more information regarding TIP, please review our FAQs.

Financial Aid

Students using scholarships, grants, and/or federal student loans to pay their charges must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the Federal Student Aid website. Students interested in receiving federal student loans will also need to complete the Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) at the Federal Student Aid website. Other financial aid documents may also be needed. The GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office will notify students of any missing financial aid documents via email and notifications in Workday. Students must notify the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office if they expect to receive scholarships or grants from outside agencies, including employer reimbursement. Students who do not complete the financial aid application process by the payment deadlines will be subject to late fees and required to pay their balances in full.

Late Fees

Students who do not resolve their student account by the due date will be charged a late fee of 5% of their owing balance. The late fee will be charged at the end of the last business day of the third week of classes. The university reserves the right to remove students from classes for non-payment. Students using financial aid must have completed a FAFSA, including any additional required documents, and be packaged with financial aid in order to avoid a late fee. Any part of the outstanding balance that is not covered by ‘Anticipated Aid’ will be subject to late fees. Students enrolled in PLNU’s Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) by the semester due date are not charged late fees unless the payment contract is canceled, past due, or does not cover the full balance.

Returned Check Fee

Any payment made via paper or electronic check that is delinquent or returned will incur a $25 ACH returned check fee. This fee applies to payments made through PLNU’s Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) and individual payments made to the university.

Holds

A financial hold will be placed on all accounts with an outstanding balance and will not be released until the student account is resolved. A financial hold will prevent class registration, the awarding of final course grades, diploma release, and participation in the commencement ceremony.

Tuition Refund Policy

Students may receive a full or partial refund for any dropped course provided that:

  1. The course is dropped within the parameters of the refund schedule
  2. The course is dropped via online registration, email, or a signed Change of Schedule form is turned into the appropriate campus location by the close of the business week for which the student wishes to receive a tuition refund (Friday at 4:30 pm, exempting holidays).

Dropping courses may negatively impact a student’s financial aid eligibility. Students should contact a GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services Counselor before making any changes to their schedule.

For refund and financial aid purposes, the last day of attendance will be defined for face-to-face classes as the last date of physical attendance in class and for online classes as the last day the student made an online contribution beyond logging in (responded to an online question, posted an assignment or otherwise actively participated). 

Refund Schedule1

Tuition is refunded based on the following schedule:

Course 100% Refund 75% Refund 50% Refund 25% Refund No Refund
Semester Course Weeks 1-2 Week 3 Week 4 Weeks 5-8 Weeks 9-16
7-9 Week Quad Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Weeks 5-9
5-6 Week Course Week 1 Weeks 2-3 Weeks 4-6
5, 8-Hour Class Meetings Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Classes 4-5
3, 8-Hour Class Meetings Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
3 Week Course Classes 1-2 Classes 3-4 Class 5 Classes 6-7 Classes 8-12
Other Refund is based upon the percentage of class time elapsed in proportion to the length of the semester and quad schedules.

Course fees are refunded at 100% through the 50% tuition refund period. Once tuition refund drops to 25%, course fees are not refunded.

1

For online programs, PLNU complies with state authorization requirements. For questions, please contact the Educational Effectiveness office.

Degree Processing Fee

All Graduate students eligible for graduation are charged a fee in their final semester. This fee is applied to the student’s account and is non-refundable. The fee is required to be paid in order to participate in Commencement. The fee is assessed once per degree, even if the student does not plan to participate in Commencement.

ePortfolio Technology Fee

Point Loma Nazarene University has adopted a web-based tool to provide Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students a place to create and store an online ePortfolio. The use of this technology also allows the university to collect student work and assess academic programs. Students are being assessed an ePortfolio technology fee. A one-time fee will be charged to each MSN student associated with a specific course toward the beginning of the student’s program.

Earned Grades Policy

In addition to completing a course’s academic requirements, PLNU’s Earned Grades Policy requires that a student’s account be substantially paid in full to receive final course grades in a given term. Please review the complete Earned Grades Policy here.   

FERPA

Students are responsible for handling all financial matters related to their attendance at the university. FERPA, the federal “Privacy Act,” prohibits sending statements to or discussing financial matters with a spouse or parent of students 18 years of age or older without written permission of the student. To read more about FERPA, click State and Federal Policies. Students may grant another individual permission through Workday.

Financial Aid at PLNU

The financial assistance program at Point Loma Nazarene University consists primarily of Federal Direct loans, but also includes a limited number of federal, state, and institutional grants, and external scholarships and grants offered by corporations and civic organizations. Financial assistance is intended to recognize and assist students who otherwise would be unable to attend the university.

The university recognizes that the primary responsibility for paying expenses rests with the student (and spouse, if married) and parents (of federally-determined dependent students) who are expected to contribute in proportion to their resources. Any financial assistance offered by the university is intended to help bridge the gap between the student’s expected family contribution (based on the Student Aid Index from the FAFSA) and the cost of attending PLNU.

Some forms of financial assistance are offered to students based on need. A student’s financial need is determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Various federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and funding-level limitations may affect the types and amounts of financial assistance that a student may receive from year to year. Additionally, changes in information, enrollment, or circumstances may cause financial assistance to be reduced, increased, or eliminated subsequent to the initial determination of the financial assistance. The reduction or elimination of financial assistance may cause a student to owe a balance to the university.

Applying for Aid at PLNU

To receive any type of federal or state aid at PLNU, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA each academic year of enrollment (see FAFSA deadlines). PLNU’s school code is 001262. The FAFSA application can be submitted online via the Federal Student Aid website. Financial Aid may be renewed each academic year, provided students remain financially and academically eligible (Review the Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress policy). A Financial Aid Offer Letter is issued to students after they have been fully accepted into an eligible program at PLNU and have completed a FAFSA application. In order for aid to disburse to the student’s account, it must be accepted online through Workday which can be accessed through the PLNU OneLogin page. Many loans begin accruing interest at the time of disbursement or shortly thereafter; we recommend that students carefully consider their needs and accept the least amount of loans necessary to cover educational expenses. 

Expected Completion Dates (Graduation Dates)

GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services initiates financial aid offers based on the student’s Expected Completion Date in Workday. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that the Expected Completion Date is accurate to ensure that the financial aid offer is made in a timely manner. If a student has questions about the Expected Completion Date, they should consult with their Academic Advisor, Student Success Counselor, or the Records Office.

Students who are receiving the Cal Grant are allowed to receive up to the cost of tuition and fees in their graduating semester, as long as the student has remaining eligibility and does not exceed the full-time maximum semester amount for the tuition and fees portion of the grant. If a student receives Cal Grant up to the tuition and fees in a semester and the student does not actually graduate in that semester, the Cal Grant may need to be reduced.

Financial Need

Financial Need is defined as the difference between the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) for the academic year and the Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by completion of the FAFSA.

The Cost of Attendance is determined by the university and is based on an estimation of reasonable expenses incurred by the majority of students, including tuition, fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous costs. (See Table below for information on the calculation of COA).

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a statistical figure based on a federally mandated formula using the financial information provided on the FAFSA by the student (and parents or spouse, if applicable) that represents the student’s ability to contribute to the cost of the education.

Cost of Attendance Calculation

Fees May include estimated or actual Assessment and Student Teaching Fees
Tuition Set at projected enrollment status amounts unless otherwise requested. Graduate students are generally assumed to be enrolled full-time (in six (6) units per semester). Teaching Credential students are generally assumed to be enrolled half-time (in six (6) units per semester). Tuition budget may be adjusted based on actual enrollment status upon request.
Housing & Meals (Average Grocery, Rent) Determined by CSAC’s Student Expense Budget for California. May be adjusted based on length of enrollment (single quad/full semester).
Books & Supplies (Books, Educational Supplies, Course Fees, Computer Expenses) Determined by CSAC’s Student Expense Budget for California. May be adjusted based on enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time).
Miscellaneous (Health and Miscellaneous) “Other expenses” category determined by CSAC’s Student Expense Budget for California. May be adjusted based on length of enrollment (single quad/full semester).
Transportation Cost of transportation to and from classes. Determined by CSAC’s Student Expense Budget for California. May be adjusted based on enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time).
Loan Fees Estimated cost.

Appeals for Special Circumstances

Federal regulations provide the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office with discretionary authority to make case-by-case adjustments to student FAFSA data in cases of special circumstances. Special circumstances include:

  • Documentable significant reductions to income (Loss of job, reduction of work hours, marital separation, etc.)
  • Unusually high medical or dental expenses (only uninsured amounts not included on tax return)
  • A member of household attending college
  • Dependency status appeals (for Dependent students only)

If a student believes there are special circumstances that should be reviewed, the student must submit an Appeal Form based on their specific situation (available at the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office at the Mission Valley campus or online with supporting documentation. After initial review of the appeal, additional documentation may be required. Students will be notified of the result of the appeal via email.

Financial Aid Programs

Need-Based State Aid

For details about any California state fund programs, students may visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website.

Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program (TCP)

Cal Grant A or B recipients who meet the following requirements should contact the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for information and application materials:

  1. Have received a bachelor’s degree;
  2. Are accepted to and have enrolled in a professional teaching preparation program (Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) or Teaching Credential program) at PLNU within 15 months of the end of the semester for which the recipient last received a Cal Grant payment;
  3. Have not received or submitted an application for a Preliminary Teaching Credential;
  4. Do not currently possess any other initial teaching credential;
  5. Continue to maintain financial need for a Cal Grant and meet income and asset ceiling and family size limits.

To be eligible for the Cal Grant TCP Program, students must be enrolled at least half-time. Students enrolled less than full-time will have their Cal Grants pro-rated. The tuition and fees component of the Cal Grant cannot pay more than the student’s tuition and fee charges for the semester.

All Cal Grants listed on a Financial Aid Offer Letter are to be considered "estimated" until the final budget is passed into law by the California legislature. Before a Cal Grant can be added to a student's Financial Aid Offer Letter, the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office must review the data provided by the student and parents on the FAFSA to make sure that the student is financially eligible.

Cal Grant A-TCP is for students from low to middle-income families. It is restricted to paying tuition and mandatory fee charges only. The amount of the Cal Grant is determined upon approval of a final State of California budget.

Cal Grant B-TCP is for students with exceptionally high need (based on the FAFSA). In addition to the tuition and fees component, Cal Grant B-TCP pays an Access Grant. PLNU credits these funds directly to the student's account to help pay down semester charges. However, the student has the option of receiving Access Grant funds as a check each semester by submitting the 2024-2025 Cal Grant B Access Funds Form to the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office before the end of each semester's Add Period. After that date, the semester Access Grant is credited to the student's account. The amount of the Cal Grant and Access Grant is determined upon approval of a final State of California budget.

Students interested in applying for the Cal Grant TCP must submit a G-44 form to CSAC, and the Commission must approve the application prior to PLNU offering the Cal Grant.

Golden State Teach Grant (GSTG)

The Golden State Teach Grant (GSTG) Program awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working toward earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.

Students must:

  • Complete their program and obtain their credential within six (6) years from the date their initial GTSG payments are mailed to their institution, and
  • Commit to work at either a priority school or a California preschool program for four (4) years within eight (8) years of completing their program.
Eligibility

To be eligible for the GSTG, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) that either:
    • Has a main campus location or administrative entity in California, including programs operated by California (CA) Local Education Agencies1, or
    • Is a private postsecondary institution offering the program to CA residents exclusively online.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
  • Be working toward a preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential2.
  • Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA).
  • Complete their program and obtain their credential within six (6) years from the date their initial GSTG payment is mailed to their institution.
  • Commit to work at an eligible priority school or a California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for four (4) years within eight (8) years of completing their program.

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions in the Service Agreement will require repayment of the GSTG award.

1

Visit CTC's website for a current list of programs meeting this criteria. Only those located on the map in CA may be eligible.

2

Applicants pursuing a teaching credential who are already in process of clearing a teaching credential, already hold a clear teaching credential, or are in an induction program are ineligible for GSTG.

Service Obligation

There is a service requirement tied to receiving GSTG funds. The commitment is documented in the Service Agreement (SA) and no funds can be requested until the SA is accepted by the participant.

All GSTG recipients commit to work at an eligible priority school or CSPP for four (4) years within eight (8) years of the date they complete their professional preparation program. Any time working prior to completing their program and obtaining their credential is not counted towards the 4-year service requirement.

What is a “Priority School”?

Priority schools are CA public schools that provide instruction in any K-12, with more than 55% of pupils classified as English Learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or current foster youth. Priority schools are not the same as schools funded by Title I. The priority school list is compiled by April 15 annually using data submitted via CALPADS to the California Department of Education (CDE) by each public California school. Nonpublic schools are not eligible as priority schools as they do not report data to CDE.

When determining an eligible school for employment, GSTG recipients may refer to either the list published for the school year they received initial GSTG funds or the school year they are seeking new employment after completing their program.

The list of priority schools is available on the Golden State Teacher Grant Program website.

What is a California State Preschool Program (CSPP)?

A CSPP is a state-funded or federally-funded preschool program in California, including tribal and Head Start programs. A new CSPP list is published every school year that includes all eligible, active programs.

How to Apply
  • Step 1: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA).
  • Step 2: Submit a Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Application.
    • The 2024-2025 GSTG application will be open from September 1, 2023 through April 1, 2025, or until all funds have been awarded, whichever occurs first. Institutions will be able to review 2024-2025 GSTG applications for eligibility and award determination beginning in the spring of 2024, after the opening of the 2024-2025 FAFSA and CADAA.
    • All students who have received GSTG in the past and have remaining eligibility do not need to complete a 2024-2025 GSTG application. Students with remaining eligibility will be automatically added to the 2024-2025 roster. PLNU is still required to verify enrollment and program eligibility and a new Service Agreement (SA) must be signed.
Application Process
  • Once a student has submitted a GSTG application, they will receive a confirmation email.
  • CSAC will provide a roster of applicants to PLNU.
  • PLNU’s School of Education will verify enrollment in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.
  • GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services will determine the grant amount for which the student is eligible and any required adjustments to the students’ other financial assistance. GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services will email the student the GSTG offer which the student can accept in full, partially accept, or decline. Accepting the GSTG may require adjustment of other financial assistance that was already offered or disbursed to the student. Adjustments to other financial assistance may cause a balance due on the student's account. Students are responsible to pay any outstanding balance on the student account that may result from accepting the GSTG.
  • Once the student accepts the GSTG offer, GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services will return the completed roster to CSAC.
  • CSAC will send the eligible GSTG applicant a letter of acknowledgment along with their Service Agreement (SA).
  • Once the SA is received and enrollment has been confirmed, PLNU will be able to request payment(s). The grant will be evenly disbursed between each semester in which the student is awarded and enrolled within the academic year.
  • CSAC will process the payment to the student. The check will arrive at PLNU approximately 6-8 weeks after the payment request is submitted. It may arrive in paper form or EFT.
Release of Funds
  • GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services will confirm enrollment and aid eligibility before funds/checks are released. The student's enrollment at the time of disbursement/check pick-up must match the enrollment the student had when the grant was originally awarded to the student. If the student is no longer eligible for the amount received, PLNU will abate the payment and send the funds back to CSAC within 30 days of receipt.
  • If a paper check has been received, the student must pick it up within 30 days. If not picked up after 30 days, PLNU will abate the payment and send the check back to CSAC.
Repayment Requirements

GSTG recipients have six (6) years to complete their program and be issued their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential by the CTC from the date the Commission mails their initial GSTG payment to their institution. Failure to meet this requirement will result in immediate placement on a 4-year Repayment Schedule for 100% of the grant funds disbursed.

The 8-year timeframe to complete their 4-year service obligation begins on the date they complete their program. At the end of the 8-year timeframe, they will be required to repay 25% of their total awarded amount for each year their service obligation is not met. For those whose obligation is met, no repayment will be necessary. The repayment is for funds awarded only, no interest.

For example, if the service obligation is met for:

  • 1 year = Repay 75% of the awarded amount
  • 2 years = Repay 50% of the awarded amount
  • 3 years = Repay 25% of the awarded amount
  • 4 years = No Repayment, obligation complete

The 4-year service obligation does not need to be completed consecutively as recipients have the full eight (8) years from their program completion date to complete the obligation. Furthermore, recipients may change schools during their service obligation period as long as they are working at eligible priority schools or CSPPs.

For more information about the GSTG program, visit the CSAC website.

Need Based Federal Loan Programs 

Subsidized Direct Loans

The Federal Subsidized Direct Loan is a low-interest student loan borrowed directly from the U.S. government designed to help students pay for college. The Subsidized Federal Direct Loan is available for Teaching Credential students as long as the student has not met the Undergraduate Subsidized Loan aggregate limits. It requires financial need as determined by the FAFSA and is not based on creditworthiness. The student is not responsible for paying interest that accrues while the student is enrolled at least half-time (six (6) units for Teaching Credential students). Direct Loan interest rates and origination fees are published annually by the Department of Education. The interest rates become effective on July 1st of each year and the origination fees become effective on October 1st of each year. Understanding the importance of repaying any federal student loan taken while in school is critical. Sample loan repayment schedules are available for students at the Federal Student Aid website. For more information on the Federal Student Loan programs and interest rates, please visit the Federal Student Aid website. The determination of an academic year may vary by program. Graduate students are not eligible for Subsidized Direct Loans.

Students are required to complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) before any Federal Direct Loan funds are released. Entrance Counseling is a mandatory federal requirement to advise student borrowers of their rights and responsibilities in receiving a student loan. Loan amounts are generally released in one disbursement for each semester attended. Students may accept all or a portion of their Federal Direct Loan eligibility. We recommend that students carefully consider their expenses and other financial resources before determining the amount of loan to accept. Entrance Counseling and completion of a Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be completed online through the Federal Student Aid website. More information can be found at the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services section of the Point Loma Nazarene University website.

When a student graduates, withdraws from the university, takes an approved leave of absence, or drops below half-time status (registered for less than three (3) units in a semester for students in a graduate program or less than six (6) units in a semester for students in a Teacher Credential program), Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling is required. This is a mandatory federal requirement for all students who have received a Federal Direct Loan. Exit Counseling must be completed online through the Federal Student Aid website or in-person through the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office. Additional information may be obtained from the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office.

Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time status (i.e. less than three (3) units for graduate students or less than six (6) units for Teaching Credential students).

Federal Subsidized Direct Annual Loan Limits

Units Annual Loan Limit
Teaching Credential $5,500
Graduate Students $0 (not eligible for Subsidized Loans)

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is offered to eligible students, on a request-basis. It is only offered if the student acquires on-campus employment. Students eligible for Federal Work-Study are not guaranteed employment. If interested in Federal Work-Study, the student should contact the Student Employment Office to secure employment at (619) 849-2633 or online at the PLNU Student Employment website and contact the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services Office. FWS is disbursed in the form of bi-weekly paychecks from the cashier’s office in Draper Hall or by direct deposit.

Non-Need Based Federal Loan Programs

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan

The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan is a low-interest student loan borrowed directly from the U.S. government designed to help students pay for college. The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan does not require financial need and is not based on creditworthiness. The borrower is responsible for paying all the interest that accrues, from disbursement until the loan is fully repaid. Direct Loan interest rates and origination fees are published by the Department of Education. The interest rates become effective on July 1st of each year and the origination fees become effective on October 1st of each year. Understanding the importance of repaying any federal student loan taken while in school is critical. Sample loan repayment schedules are available for students at the Federal Student Aid website. For more information on the Federal Student Loan programs and interest rates, please visit the Federal Student Aid website. The determination of an academic year may vary by program.

Students are required to complete Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) before any Federal Direct Loan funds are released. Entrance Counseling is a mandatory federal requirement to advise student borrowers of their rights and responsibilities in receiving a student loan. Loan amounts are generally released in one disbursement for each semester attended. Students may accept all or a portion of their Federal Direct loan eligibility. We recommend that students carefully consider their expenses and other financial resources before determining the amount of loan to accept. Entrance Counseling and completion of the Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be completed online through the Federal Student Aid website. More information can be found at the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services section of the Point Loma Nazarene University website.

When a student graduates, withdraws from the university, takes an approved leave of absence, or drops below half-time status (registered for less than three (3) units in a semester for students in a graduate program or less than six (6) units in a semester for a student in a Teaching Credential program), Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling is required. This is a mandatory federal requirement for all students who have received a Federal Direct Loan. Exit Counseling must be completed online through the Federal Student Aid website or in-person through the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office. Additional information may be obtained from the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office.

Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time status (i.e. less than six (6) units in a semester for Teaching Credential students or less than three (3) units in a semester for Graduate students). 

Federal Direct Loan Limits:
Year Dependent Students (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans) Independent Students (and dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)
Teaching Credential Annual Loan Limit $5,500-The entire amount may be in subsidized loans. $12,500-No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans
Graduate or Professional Students Annual Loan Limit Not Applicable (all graduate and professional students are considered independent) $20,500 (unsubsidized only)
Subsidized and Credential Students Aggregate Loan Limit $31,000-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $57,500 for Teaching-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional students - No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Dependent Students (PLUS)

The Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate Teaching Credential students who file a 2024-2025 FAFSA. Although the loan is not based on need, the FAFSA must be completed. The PLUS Loan annual borrowing limit is equal to the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid offered. We recommend that students and parents carefully consider their expenses and other financial resources before determining the amount of loan to accept. Direct Parent PLUS Loan interest rates and origination fees are published by the Department of Education. The interest rates become effective on July 1st of each year and the origination fees become effective on October 1st of each year. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or borrowers may request a deferment or forbearance of repayment until their student leaves the university. The application and Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) may be completed online at the Federal Student Aid website. Normally, PLUS Loan amounts are released in one disbursement for each semester attended. If the parent wishes to have the entire loan disbursed in a single semester, the parent must specify this on the online PLUS loan application. Loan origination fees will be charged in accordance with federal regulation from any Federal Parent PLUS Loan funds disbursed to the student account. For additional information, please visit the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services section of the Point Loma Nazarene University website.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan for which students in graduate programs only may apply. The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is intended for students in graduate programs whose educational costs exceed their Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan eligibility. Although the loan is not based on need, the FAFSA must be completed. For more information on the Federal Student Loan programs and interest rates, please click visit the Federal Student Aid website. Repayment begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement is made for the academic year. Students can begin the application process online via the Federal Student Aid website.

Students are required to complete the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application, Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling before any Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan funds are released. Entrance Counseling is a mandatory federal requirement to advise student borrowers of their rights and responsibilities in receiving a student loan. Loan amounts are generally released in one disbursement for each semester attended. Students may accept all or a portion of their maximum Direct Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility, which is limited by the Cost of Attendance and the amount of other aid offered. We recommend that students carefully consider their expenses and other financial resources before determining the amount of loan to accept. The Application, Entrance Counseling, and completion of the Loan Agreement/Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be completed online through the Federal Student Aid website.

When a student graduates, withdraws from the university, takes an approved leave of absence, or drops below half-time status (registered for less than three (3) units in a semester for students in a graduate program), Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling is required. This is a mandatory federal requirement for all students who have received a Federal Direct Loan. Exit Counseling must be completed online through the Federal Student Aid website or in-person through the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office. Additional information may be obtained from the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office.

Federal Nursing Faculty Loan

The Federal Nursing Faculty Loan is a low-interest federal loan for graduate Nursing students only who intend to become full-time Nursing faculty. When meeting the Nursing faculty requirements, the interest rate is fixed at 3% for the life of the loan and begins accruing interest three months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping to below half-time status. Loans may be forgiven up to 85% when the commitment to full-time Nursing faculty is completed. Otherwise, repayment begins nine months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping to below half-time status (i.e., less than three (3) units for Graduate students), if not employed full-time as a Nursing faculty member. (Employment verification forms must be submitted to the PLNU Nursing department in order to postpone repayment and receive forgiveness.) Students have up to 10 years to repay the loan. Payments are made through PLNU’s loan servicer, ECSI. Students offered a Nursing Faculty Loan must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and complete online Entrance Counseling before funds can be credited to the student’s account. Entrance Counseling and Promissory Notes must be completed online with our servicer ECSI. Because of limited funding and Nursing faculty requirements, the Nursing Faculty Loan is managed through the School of Nursing.

When a student graduates, withdraws from the university, takes an approved leave of absence, or drops below half-time status (registered for less than three (3) units in a semester for a Graduate student), Federal Nursing Faculty Loan Exit Counseling is required. This is a mandatory federal requirement for all students who have received a Federal Nursing Faculty Loan. Exit Counseling must be completed online with our servicer ECSI. Additional information may be obtained from the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office.

Other Federal Aid

Federal TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant program provides funds to students who are completing coursework needed for a career in teaching and agree to teach, for at least four complete academic years, in a high-need field (see this Federal List) at an elementary/secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families (see this Federal List).

The amount of TEACH grant available is subject to current federal regulations. Interested students may contact the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office.

In order to receive the TEACH grant, students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Must have and maintain at least a 3.250 cumulative GPA (New students qualify through their bachelor's degree or previous Master's degree) in an eligible post-baccalaureate program.
  • Must complete the FAFSA.
  • Must sign an annual TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay, promising to teach in a high need field at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families for at least four complete academic years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which the student received the grant.
  • Must complete annual TEACH Grant Counseling, which informs the student of their rights and responsibilities.
  • Enrollment must fall within the TEACH Grant Authorized Course List, since the TEACH Grant is designed for specific programs leading to highly qualified teachers.

Important: If a student does not complete their service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The student must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant was disbursed.

Learn more here on the Department of Education’s Website.

Federal TEACH Grant Recalculation Dates

PLNU uses the scheduled disbursement date for each semester as the TEACH Recalculation Date (TRD). Changes in enrollment after the TRD (i.e., increasing units from half-time to full-time) will not result in a change to Federal TEACH Grant eligibility. To maximize Federal TEACH Grant eligibility, students should ensure they are registered for all courses before the TRD. For the 2024-2025 Academic Year, the TRDs are as follows:

  • Fall 2024: 9/10/2024
  • Spring 2025: 1/21/2025
  • Summer 2025: 5/20/2025

The Federal TEACH Grant can only be disbursed for courses in which students begin attendance. If it is determined that a student did not attend a course that was used to calculate the Federal TEACH Grant eligibility, the Federal TEACH Grant may be reduced.

The FAFSA Verification Process

Any student who files a FAFSA may be selected for a process called “verification”, either by the Department of Education or by the University. Verification is the process of confirming that the data reported on the FAFSA is accurate. PLNU has partnered with Inceptia’s “Verification Gateway” as an approved third-party servicer who assists PLNU in collecting all documents required to complete the process for any student selected by the Department of Education for verification. Students who may be selected for institutional verification will be contacted by PLNU’s GPS Student Financial Services Office directly.

Students may decline the request for verification documents, however in doing so, they become ineligible for any federal or state financial aid. It is recommended that all students complete the verification process as early as possible to avoid late notification of the loss of eligibility for financial aid.

Other Non-Need Based Loan Programs

Private Loans

Private Loans are offered by various lenders who set their own criteria on credit and interest rates. Interest rates may be higher than the Federal Direct Loan and Grad PLUS Loan. Interest rates are based on PRIME or LIBOR plus a percentage tier that may range from 0% to 12% depending on the borrower’s credit and, if required, co-signer’s credit. Students should research different lenders since the criteria, interest rates, and repayment incentives on a Private Loan will vary.

Department/School Scholarships

Each year, various academic departments and schools offer a limited number of scholarships to selected students. Students should contact their academic department or school for applications and deadlines.

Financial Aid from Outside Agencies

Various organizations, such as businesses, community groups, churches, etc. administer scholarships based on merit, community service, organizational affiliation, academic performance, or educational objective. Some of these scholarships require financial need. It is the student’s responsibility to research outside scholarship opportunities. The PLNU website includes a link to an outside scholarship resource, and many other scholarship searches are available online (such as CollegeBoard, Fastweb, and Peterson's). Once the student has been selected to receive a scholarship, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the outside agency sponsoring the scholarship and request that it send the scholarship check to PLNU. Outside scholarships are generally divided evenly over both the fall and spring semesters, unless the scholarship donor specifically states otherwise. Even if the scholarship donor sends the funds directly to the student, the scholarship must still be treated as a resource, which means that other aid in the student’s financial aid package may need to be reduced or canceled to prevent the student from being funded in excess of campus charges, financial need, and/or cost of attendance.

ROTC and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

Both Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab), helps students to pay tuition and fee charges. The amounts must be verified by the organization providing the financial assistance. VR&E is treated as need-based aid and can limit a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid programs.

Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits

Veterans Administration (VA) benefits are offered to veterans of the Armed Services and dependents who qualify. VA Benefits are certified by the university and may be paid directly to the student or credited to the student’s account.

The student is responsible for accurately reporting on the FAFSA the expected monthly amount of VA Benefits and the number of months the benefit will be received. Inaccurately reported VA Benefits could result in adjustments to the student’s overall financial aid package.

Independent students who are living in military housing or are receiving a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as dependent students whose parents are receiving these benefits, must notify the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office. The Department of Education requires that institutions remove the housing component of the Cost of Attendance if students/parents are receiving these benefits. The adjustment may affect other financial aid that has been offered.

Questions regarding VA benefits should be directed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website or 888-442-4551. Questions regarding PLNU application of VA benefits can be directed to veteranservices@pointloma.edu.

Other Resources

If a student receives any form of non-PLNU financial assistance, such as outside scholarships or employer reimbursement, existing financial aid may need to be reduced so that funding does not exceed financial need or cost of attendance. Whenever possible, the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office will reduce loan amounts before adjusting grant or scholarship assistance.

Tuition Remission

PLNU employees may be eligible for tuition remission and should contact the Office of Human Resources at 619-849-2200 or visit the Human Resources webpage for more information.

Note: Although tuition remission is a benefit, it is also a resource and may limit the student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.

Potential Limitations or Forfeiture of Financial Assistance

The following situations may limit or eliminate financial aid eligibility:

  • Not a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
  • Not enrolled in a degree-seeking program.
  • Attending courses through a special standing status.
  • Received federal financial aid at another institution for a period of time that overlaps with a period of enrollment at PLNU.
  • Enrolling in courses that do not count toward the degree program as declared in Workday. Only courses that count toward the declared degree program are eligible to be funded with federal and state financial aid.
  • Registered less than half-time in a semester (three (3) units per semester for students in graduate programs or six (6) units for students in a Teaching Credential program) for most types of aid.
  • Not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards (see below).
  • Defaulted on previous federal student loans (students may regain eligibility after having made satisfactory arrangements with the collection agency or the U.S. Department of Education).
  • A balance owed as a result of the over-awarding of a federal grant or loan (In this case students are required to either provide written documentation of an approved and current repayment arrangement or to pay the over-awarded balance in full).

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, all post-secondary institutions must establish a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. At Point Loma Nazarene University, all students receiving federal and state financial aid are required to make satisfactory progress in order to maintain eligibility for financial aid programs. PLNU’s SAP policy requires all students to complete at least 2/3 of all attempted units (the quantitative requirement). In addition, to satisfy the qualitative requirement, Graduate and Teaching Credential students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade-Point Average (GPA) of 3.000 at the end of each semester. Master of Arts in Christian Ministry students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade-Point Average (GPA) of 2.750 at the end of each semester. For more complete information on the university’s SAP policy, students may view our SAP Policy for Graduate and Teaching Credential students. Students may also contact the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office for more information.

Revisions Based on Enrollment

The GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services Office assumes students will be registered in the typical number of units for students in each program when calculating financial aid eligibility. Graduate students are generally assumed to be enrolled full-time (6 units) in the full semester (with courses in both Quad I and Quad II) each semester. Teaching Credential students are generally assumed to be enrolled half-time (6 units) in the full semester (with courses in both Quad I and Quad II) each semester. In most cases students’ initial Financial Aid Offer Letter will reflect financial aid based on these assumptions. During the first week of each semester, students’ financial aid will be revised to match actual enrollment. If students are enrolled in only one quad in the semester, their financial aid will likely be reduced significantly lower than the initial offer. To make sure the Financial Aid Offer Letter is as accurate as possible, students should ensure they are registered for all courses for the entire semester (including Quad II courses) before the semester begins. Financial aid may also be revised or cancelled for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Changes in financial, marital, enrollment, or academic status
  • Changes in academic program
  • Change of residence (living off campus versus living with parent)
  • Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Changes in laws, regulations, or appropriations
  • Failure to comply with program guidelines and regulations

Students will be responsible for repaying any funds received that exceed financial need or cost of attendance or if for any reason they become ineligible for financial aid.

Requirements, Deadlines, and Application Procedures

All students requesting financial assistance must do the following:

  1. Make formal application for admission, be officially accepted into a preliminary teaching credential or post-baccalaureate program by the Office of Graduate Admissions and be enrolled at least half-time.
  2. Complete and file the FAFSA.

Financial aid is generally made for two consecutive semesters (depending upon the academic program). Financial aid is disbursed on a semester basis, provided the student completes the required procedures and remains financially and academically eligible.

More information regarding requirements, deadlines, and application procedures can be found on the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services website.

Refunds for Federal Financial Aid Funds in Excess of Tuition and Fees (Title IV Credit Balances)

A Title IV credit balance occurs whenever the amount of Title IV funds credited to a student’s account for a semester exceeds the amount of tuition and fees assessed the student for that semester. Point Loma Nazarene University will pay such a Title IV credit balance directly to the student (or parent if the credit balance is from a Parent PLUS Loan1) within 14 days of the Title IV funds disbursing to the student’s account. The GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services Office strongly encourages all students to set up direct deposit in Workday in order to receive the refunds from the Title IV credit balances as quickly and efficiently as possible.

1

If a parent would like the student to receive the Title IV credit balance from a Parent PLUS Loan, they must indicate it when the PLUS application is initially completed.

Withdrawals

If a student is planning on withdrawing or taking a leave of absence (LOA1 from the University during a term, the student must contact the Office of Records (Records) to begin the process. Note that students who drop to zero units in a quad may be considered a withdrawal for Federal financial aid purposes even if the student is not formally withdrawn from the university. Records will determine the student’s last date of attendance in each course from the faculty. The student’s latest last date of attendance will be the official withdrawal date. Records will notify GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services of the official date of withdrawal. If the student’s last date of attendance cannot be confirmed, GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services will use the 50% point in the semester as the official withdrawal date. Using that date, GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services will determine how much financial aid the student has earned and how much will need to be returned. For Federal Financial Aid (Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS loans), SFS will run the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) process. See the Return of Title IV Funds Policies for more information about the R2T4 process. This refund calculation is required by the Department of Education (ED) when a student withdraws from school to determine the amount of Federal aid that must be returned. For institutional aid, State aid, and private loans2, the amount of aid returned is based on the institutional refund policy. If a student did not begin attendance in a course, that course cannot be considered in the calculation of the student’s financial aid.

If a student does not earn any passing grades within a term, they may be considered an unofficial withdrawal if they ceased attending at any point within the term. A last date of attendance will be determined for students in this situation and their Federal Financial Aid will be subject to the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) process. Federal aid may need to be returned.

If a student withdraws after a term has ended, all financial aid will be considered earned since the term was completed and no returns will be made. Aid for subsequent term(s) would be canceled.

At the time a student leaves the university, all accounts must be paid in full. Any unpaid balance will accrue interest at ten percent (10%) per annum. In addition, Point Loma Nazarene University may report unpaid accounts to a national credit bureau. Students are responsible for paying all collection costs, including attorney fees and court costs as deemed reasonable, in the event a suit is instituted. A student will not be permitted to participate at commencement exercises or receive a diploma until all accounts at the university have been paid. Any financial aid received for a period in which a student withdraws will be subject to Title IV regulations and may need to be adjusted or returned.

Operational costs are sometimes affected by factors over which PLNU has no control. Therefore, the charges and financial-aid policies quoted in this catalog are subject to change without notice. (Note: Students should also see the information on withdrawal under the section entitled Academic and General Policies in this catalog.)

Students who have taken out student loans to pay for any portion of their education are required to complete federal Exit Counseling when graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time enrollment from the university. Online Exit Counseling for Direct Loans or TEACH grants can be completed at the Federal Student Aid website or in-person through the GPS One-Stop Student Financial Services office. Online Exit Counseling for Perkins and Nursing loans can be completed at the ECSI website. Failure to complete Exit Counseling may cause a hold to be placed on transcript and diploma release.

1

LOAs for Financial Aid purposes are considered a withdrawal from PLNU.

2

Major Private loan lenders have expressed, on a case-by-case basis, that 100% of the private loan disbursement can be kept to pay off a remaining balance or the SFS office can issue the credit of a private loan disbursement to the student.