Financial Aid FAQs
Scholarships
Where can I apply for KCU Scholarships?
Incoming student scholarships are all processed by the Admissions Office.
Continuing students can access our Canvas page for scholarship resources. Various scholarship opportunities are sent throughout the year, so be sure to watch your email for opportunities.
What outside scholarship search engines should I use?
We recommend some outside resources like:
Scholarship.com | Sallie Mae Scholarship Search | Fastweb | Bold.org | BoardVitals
Deadlines for the upcoming award year usually fall in January or February. Start your search early to give yourself as much time as possible to work on applications.
Student Loan Process
How do I apply for financial aid at KCU?
Submit the FAFSA. The 2025-2026 FAFSA opens on December 1st, 2024. The school code for both campuses is G02474. The FAFSA priority deadline is March 15th.If you are not eligible for federal student aid, consider exploring private loan options.
When will my Financial Aid Offer be available?
If you complete your FAFSA before our priority deadline, you can expect to receive your Financial Aid Offer in late April. You will receive a Workday notification when your Financial Aid Offer is available.
Where do I complete Grad Plus Loan application?
The Grad Plus Loan application can be accessed on the Federal Student Aid website. The Grad Plus Loan application requires a credit check to determine eligibility. Be sure to lift any credit freezes before submitting your application.**Please note that the 2025-2026 Grad Plus Loan application will not open until late April.
Why does my Grad Plus Loan say Provisional?
If your Grad Plus Loan says Provisional on Workday, it means we have not received your Grad Plus Loan application yet. It takes 2-3 business days for KCU to receive your Grad Plus Loan application once it has been submitted. Once we receive your application, the provisional status will change to accepted.
Where do I complete my Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling?
The Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling tasks are located on the federal student aid website. Be sure to complete these tasks as a graduate/professional student. Once the items are complete, they are automatically loaded into Workday.
How much loan money should I take out?
Every student has different financial needs. We recommend reviewing our Budget Guides to view our Cost of Attendance and plan your finances for the year. Budget Guides can be found at the bottom of your respective tuition page. If you want to take out exactly enough financial aid to cover tuition and fees, contact us or check our Canvas page.
**The Cost of Attendance is intended to cover only student expenses.
Student Loan Disbursements
When will I get my financial aid funds?
Loans disburse each semester around the first day of class. Refunds for living expenses are received about two weeks after the start of classes. Contact us or check our Canvas page for exact dates.
How can I sign up for direct deposit?
You can sign up for direct deposit on the Finance tab on Workday.
Where can I request additional funds?
If you have not used all your financial aid eligibility, you can request additional funds on the Finance tab on Workday. If you are taking out an additional Grad Plus Loan, you will need to submit an additional Grad Plus Loan application.
Can I return unused funds?
Yes, you can return unused funds. Submit a Request to Reduce Previously Accepted/Disbursed Aid on Workday to reduce your loan. If you cancel all or part of your loan within 120 days of disbursement, no interest or fees will be charged.
What if I have expenses that are not covered in my Cost of Attendance?
We can provide Budget Adjustments to increase your Cost of Attendance for reasonable education-related expenses on a case-by-case basis. Some expenses that could qualify for a Budget Adjustment include child/dependent care costs, vehicle repairs, medical/dental expenses, and a one-time computer purchase. Budget Adjustment requests are located on the Finance tab on Workday.
Student Loan Interest Rates and Fees
What are the current loan interest rates?
Federal student loan interest rates change each year. Click here for current interest rates.
What is a loan origination fee?
A loan origination fee comes out of each loan that is disbursed to you. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrowed. Click here for current loan origination fees.
Additional Resources
How do I defer my prior student loans?
Prior federal student loans are automatically certified for deferment by the Registrar’s Office each year. Enrollment will not be certified until you are actively attending classes. If you are an incoming student, your loans will likely be deferred in September.If you have prior private student loans, you may need to contact the Registrar’s Office for certification paperwork.
How can I use my VA benefits at KCU?
Check your eligibility for education benefits here. Contact our office for next steps.
How can I access my 1098-T form for taxes?
1098-T forms can be accessed as early as January each year for tax purposes.**If you recently graduated from our COM program, you may not receive a 1098-T form for your last year at KCU since your last student loan disbursement occurred in November/December of the previous year.
How do I apply for SNAP benefits?
You can apply for Missouri Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) here. Contact our office to request a letter verifying if you are eligible for SNAP benefits.We recommend applying for SNAP before classes start and before you receive your student loan refund for the best chance at approval.
Do you offer resources to relieve food insecurity?
We offer a food pantry for students on each campus. Contact KC Student Affairs or Joplin Student Affairs for more information.