Financial Aid Basics

Financial assistance helps you pay for your college education. It comes in four forms:

1. Grants: These don't have to be repaid. Most federal, state, and institutional grants are awarded based on your family's financial need. The grant amounts vary each year.
2. Scholarships: Appalachian awards scholarships based on your academic achievement, leadership abilities, and sometimes, financial need. Students that are eligible to apply for merit scholarship opportunities will be contacted via email and be able to apply through their MyApp account after October 1, 2012.
3. Loans: You borrow money and pay it back. The major federal loans include the Federal Perkins Loan (based on need), the Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized based on need, unsubsidized open to all), and Federal PLUS Loan (federal loan program for parents). Each loan varies as to interest rate, amount, and guidelines.
4. Work: You take on part-time jobs through Federal Work Study to earn money toward expenses besides tuition and room and board. If you submit a FASFA, your award letter will include a maximum amount you can earn through the Federal Work Study Program. Work study student typically work 10 to 15 hours per week.

To Apply

Visit the Office of Financial Aid for a detailed list of financial aid application steps.

Parent Portal

Once you’ve been admitted, you may grant access for your parents (or another designee) to view your education record including being able to pay tuition online, you must provide them access to your record via the Parent Portal.

Paying your Appalachian Bill

Appalachian will send an account statement to your permanent home address with the amount you owe for the semester. The fall semester bills are mailed in July and the spring semester bills are mailed in November. For information about the tuition amount and payment options, including the tuition installment payment plan, visit the Office of Student Accounts.