Students in the Teaching Credential Program are considered 5th-year undergraduate students, not graduates, for Financial Aid purposes and are subject to undergraduate-level loan limits. The types of financial aid available to students pursuing a teaching credential are very specific and different from undergraduate or graduate financial aid.
Independent students may be eligible to borrow up to $12,500 in Federal Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans. Dependent students whose parents can borrow a PLUS loan may borrow a total of $5,500 in Stafford Loans (subsidized and/or unsubsidized) through the Federal Direct Loan Program. Your dependency status is determined by federal regulations. If you are dually enrolled as a credential and Masters's student, you are considered a graduate student for financial aid purposes.
There are several questions students must answer to determine if they are dependent or independent students. If you answer "no" to all questions, you must provide parental information on the FAFSA even if you no longer reside with your parents or they no longer provide your support. The federal government will still view you as a dependent student and parental information is required for all dependent students.
Unsure if you are considered an independent student or a dependent student? Find out here.
Eligibility Criteria
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more units)
- Have remaining eligibility for loan borrowing (not reached lifetime loan limits associated with the credential program)
When Completing the FAFSA
When completing the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), credential students must provide the following answers:
- When you begin the 2023-2024 school year, what will be your grade level? Answer: 5th year/other undergraduates
- When you begin the 2023-2024 school year, what degree or certificate will you be working on? Answer: Teaching credential (non-degree program)
- At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program? Answer: No
Additional information for Teaching Credential Students
- You may be eligible for a Federal Work-Study and Federal Direct Loans (including the Federal Direct Parent Plus loan).
- Federal Direct Loans: Partial loan forgiveness for Federal Direct Loans is available for designated teachers and childcare providers. Information may be obtained at Student Aid on the Web, a site maintained by the U.S. Department of Education.
Eligible Programs
In order to be eligible to receive financial aid for your Credential Program, you must be enrolled in a program that prepares you for teaching in a classroom.
Programs Eligible for Federal Financial Aid:
- All Single Subject Credential Programs
- All Multiple Subject Credential Programs
- All Elementary Credentials
- Special Education Credential Program
Programs Not Eligible for Federal Financial Aid:
- Administrative Services
- Pupil Personnel Counseling
- Non-Degree Certificate Programs
The U.S. Department of Education limits aid eligibility for credential programs to those programs that prepare a student for teaching in a classroom.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance below is based on 6 unit enrollment per term (fall/spring), 12 units total for the academic year.
*Your actual tuition cost will depend on the number of units you enroll in per term. The tuition rate is $1,542 per unit.
|
Non-Degree Credential
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | With Parents or Relatives |
|---|
| *Tuition (estimated) |
$18,504 |
$18,504 |
$18,504 |
| Graduate Fees |
$200 |
$200 |
$200 |
| Housing & Food |
$25,073 |
$25,713 |
$13,929 |
| Books & Supplies |
$938 |
$938 |
$938 |
| Personal & Miscellaneous |
$2,871 |
$4,428 |
$3,609 |
| Parking & Transportation |
$1,107 |
$1,764 |
$1,611 |
| Loan Fees (estimated) |
$132 |
$132 |
$1,32 |
| Estimated Total Cost |
$48,825 |
$51,679 |
$38,923 |
Types of Available Aid
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to LMU students. Scholarships are considered gift aid because they don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of scholarships, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. There are also scholarships available from your College or program of study. Please review the links below to begin applying for LMU and outside scholarships.
Federal Direct Loan
Students, who file a FAFSA, may be eligible for federal student loans. Your FAFSA will determine if you are eligible for subsidized or unsubsidized federal loans.
Federal Direct Loan award amounts:
- Dependent Credential Students: Eligible for an annual maximum of $5,500 in loans (up to a lifetime limit of $31,000 – including any loans received as an Undergraduate).
- Independent Credential Students: Eligible for an annual maximum of $12,500 in loans (up to a lifetime limit of $57,500 – including any loans received as an Undergraduate).
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Parents of students who filed a FAFSA might be eligible to borrow a Parent PLUS loan.
For Credential Students who are considered to be Dependent Students for financial aid purposes, federal loans are also available for parents to cover their student's remaining education costs. PLUS Loans are Federal Direct Loans in which the parent of a dependent student is the applicant and borrower. Your parent may borrow an amount up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid you are receiving.
To qualify for the Direct PLUS loan, your parent must meet some of the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid and will need to pass a modest credit check.
To Apply:
To apply please visit studentaid.gov
Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program (TCP)
Undergraduate Cal Grant A and B recipients who plan to enroll in a teaching credential program (TCP) after they receive their bachelor’s degree may be eligible to renew their Cal Grant award for an additional year. The additional year of payment is provided to students who are seeking an initial teaching credential and cannot be used for other graduate-level courses of study. Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits
Golden State Teacher Grant Program
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What is the Golden State Teacher Grant Program?
The Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.
Students must complete their program and obtain their credential within 3 years from the first distribution of GSTG funds and commit to work at a priority school in California for 4 years within 8 years of completing their program.
Eligibility for the Golden State Teacher Grant
To be eligible for the Golden State Teacher Grant, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be currently enrolled in a California-based professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). View an updated list of eligible schools: CTC Approved Teaching Credential Programs
- Maintain good academic standing (SAP). Please visit the SAP section of our website for additional information.
- Be working toward your preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)
- Complete their program and obtain their credential within 3 years from the first distribution of GSTG funds.
- Commit to work at a priority school in California for 4 years within 8 years of completing their program.
What is the Service Obligation?
Students commit to work at a California priority school for 4 years within 8 years of completing their professional preparation program. Students must:
- Work as a teacher, school social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, or school child welfare and attendance official
- Work in an eligible priority school
- Submit an annual Employment Verification Form
What is a Priority School?
Priority schools have more than 55% of pupils classified as English Learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or current foster youth.
The priority school list is compiled by April 15 annually using data submitted 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. You view an updated list of priority schools at: CSAC.CA.GOV/GSTG
For more information contact the Golden State Teacher Grant Program at:
goldenstateteachers@csac.ca.gov
https://www.csac.ca.gov/golden-state-teacher-grant-program
phone: 1.888.224.7268