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Types of Aid

Becker College offers a wide range of financial assistance including scholarships, grants, and loans. The programs vary from merit-based aid to need-based with many awards based on a combination of both factors.

Becker participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program (Federal Stafford and PLUS loans). This means for all federal loans the United States Department of Education is the lender and servicer. Listed below are some commonly received types of aid. Individual awards and eligibility are determined by the information provided on your financial aid application materials.

Scholarships and Grants

Becker Family Grant

A 10 percent tuition discount granted to all students when two or more from the same family are full-time students in Becker's day division. Details on eligibility and awarding are available from the Financial Aid Office.

D. Llewellyn Evans Scholarship

Sponsored by the Becker College Alumni Association and named for a former long-time Becker faculty member, this award is given on the basis of need and academic achievement. Currently enrolled students apply during the spring semester. Awards usually range from $1,000 to $4,000 and are intended for use during the student's next year at Becker.

Ebenezer Crafts Scholarships

These awards are made to residents of the town of Leicester who have graduated from Leicester High School. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation to the Becker College Financial Aid Office from a teacher or counselor at Leicester High School.

Federal Pell Grants

Once you complete your FAFSA, awards through this federal program are based on financial need. Need is determined by the federal need calculation formula as well as student enrollment status.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Awards through this federal program are based on financial need as determined by the federal formula once you complete your FAFSA.

The George I. Alden Scholarships

Named for George Alden, a leading Worcester philanthropist, the scholarships are awarded by the college to students enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs. Awards vary in size and are conferred based on academic achievement and financial need.

The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Scholarships

Funded annually by the Fuller Foundation, these scholarships are awarded by the college to students of exceptional merit.

Gilbert Grant

A program of the Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher Education, these awards are given to needy students from the state of Massachusetts.

Mother Prosser Opportunity Fund

The Fund is designed to help Becker College students who have demonstrated the talent and ability to succeed academically, but who are not achieving to their full potential.

The Robert and Marie Cousy Scholarship

Boston Celtic Hall of Famer Bob Cousy and his wife Marie Cousy initiated this endowed scholarship to encourage underprivileged students to attend Becker College. The college awards these scholarships to residents of Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) properties who are full-time students in the day division. Applicants must submit an application, proof of residency and two letters of recommendation. The amount of the award varies to provide for full financial need. Cousy scholars are also eligible for summer employment/internships at the WHA.

Travelli Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded by the college through funds provided by the Charles Irwin Travelli Fund. Recipients must demonstrate high financial need and a strong academic record.

Outside Scholarships

Air Force ROTC

In cooperation with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program is offered to qualified Becker College students. As a member of the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, Becker College students are eligible to apply for Air Force ROTC at WPI.

Army ROTC

In cooperation with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program is offered to qualified Becker College students. As a member of the Colleges of the Worcester Consortium, Becker College students are eligible to apply for Army ROTC at WPI.

Taylor Second Chance Scholarship (Deadline: June 15, 2010)

The Alray Taylor Second Chance Scholarship is designed to assist students who graduated from a Boston public, or charter, school who began a college program, but did not see it to completion. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have graduated from a Boston public or charter school, attended a college, trade, or vocational program, left without completing their college program due to a range of family, personal, or educational reasons, and have used the time away from college productively, such as being involved in a variety of community, school, and work activities. Students can review all eligibility criteria as well as apply online for the scholarship.

Loans

Direct Federal Stafford Loans

The Federal Stafford Loan Program is a federally insured loan program designed to help a student pay expenses at institutions of post-secondary education. All Federal Stafford Loan applicants must demonstrate need in order to qualify for a subsidized loan. A student with no need will be eligible for an unsubsidized Direct Federal Stafford Loan. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed before a Direct Federal Stafford Loan can be processed (subsidized and unsubsidized).

Direct Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans

The Higher Education Amendments of 1992 created a program of unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for students who do not qualify, in whole or in part, for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans. Your school and lender will inform you if your loan is unsubsidized. The terms of your unsubsidized loan are the same as the terms for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, except as described as follows:

Interest Payments: The federal government does not pay interest on your behalf . You must pay for all of the interest that accrues on your unsubsidized loan during the time you are enrolled in school, during the grace period, and during any periods of deferment or repayment. There are two ways for you to pay interest while you are in school, your grace period, or a period of authorized deferment: (i) you may make monthly or quarterly payments to your lender or (ii) you and your lender may agree to add interest to the principal of your loan, but no more frequently than quarterly. (This is called capitalization.) If you do not make an interest payment as scheduled while you are in school, in grace period, or during a period of authorized deferment; your lender may automatically capitalize the interest every three months. During other periods, you must pay this interest to your lender, unless your lender agrees to grant you a forbearance, as explained in your promissory note.
Federal Origination Fee/Insurance Premium: You may be charged up to a three-percent federal origination fee/insurance premium on each disbursement of your Stafford loan. This fee will be deducted from each disbursement and paid to the federal government.
Dependent undergraduates can receive up to $3,500 for their first year of study, $4,500 for their second year and $5,500 for their third and fourth years. Effective after July 1, 2008 dependent undergraduate students are eligible for $2,000 in an unsubsidized Direct stafford loan.
Independent undergraduates can receive up to an additional $6,000 for their first and second year and $7,000 for their third and fourth years.

Direct Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) enables parents of dependent undergraduates to borrow an amount equal to cost of attendance, less other financial aid. Parent loans differ from student loans in that repayment of the loan begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. The interest may be variable and is adjusted annually, not to exceed nine percent (7.9% for 2010-11)

Massachusetts No Interest Loan

This loan program is sponsored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is available to residents of the commonwealth who have demonstrated financial need.

Alternative Loans

Becker College participates in alternative loan programs through a number of lenders. Becker supports the family's right to obtain a private alternative student loan from any loan provider and will certifiy and process private alternative student loans from any lender. For the 2010-11 academic year, we will have an updated list of lenders posted to our site in June 2010.

Work-Study

Federal Work-Study Program

Students awarded Federal Work-Study (FWS) have the opportunity to earn the amount of their award by working on campus. Federal Work-Study students will receive a bi-wekpaycheck. Most students work 6-10 hours per week while school is in session to earn their offered award. Funds from this program are paid directly to the student and can be used for personal expenses.