Financial Assistance Information
USAHS has a number of resources to help students fund their education, including dedicated financial aid counselors. Although they are campus based, every counselor is available to assist students at any point in the process.
The department staff are available to help students by email and telephone, and they offer a live webinar session each term. Regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in each time zone. If students are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request.
In addition to reviewing eligibility for one of the USAHS scholarships, students are encouraged to explore financial assistance programs available from health care providers who employ therapists or scholarships available for graduate education.
USAHS is approved to participate in the Federal Title IV Stafford Direct Loan, Direct (Grad) Plus Loan, and Federal Work Study programs. USAHS complies with the requirement for consumer information to be disclosed to the student pursuant to the applicable federal and state financial aid programs (34 CFR 668) and follows the disclosure requirements of Section 485(f) of the HEA (Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics).
Federal and Private loan options are available to cover education expenses for students who meet the eligibility guidelines set by the lenders and who maintain eligibility and enrollment requirements including the satisfactory academic policy of USAHS.
In addition to Federal Pell Grants, you may be able to receive financial aid through a local state grant program funded by your state of residence. Check with the appropriate state agency.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans (also known as Stafford Loans or Direct Stafford Loans): This is a federal loan that accrues interest while students are in school. The interest payments may be deferred for 6 months after graduation. Students may obtain up to $20,500 a year from the Stafford Loan. The current interest rate is 6.00% fixed with a 1.069% loan fee. Students are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for this loan. Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/ for more information.
Direct PLUS Loans: These are federal loans that graduate or professional degree students may use to help pay education expenses not covered by other financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education. The current interest rate is 7.00% fixed with a 4.276% loan fee. Learn more at Federal Student Aid.
Federal Work Study programs: The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides part-time employment to students attending USAHS who need the earnings to help meet their costs of postsecondary education, and encourages students receiving FWS assistance to participate in community service activities. This program allows students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning their work study funds. Federal Work-Study positions are available in areas such as health care, education, literacy, wellness center, and tutors. Positions and requirements are posted on the MyUSA portal.
Private Alternative Loans: Private financial institutions offer a variety of financial products to help graduate students fund their education. Visit ELMSelect to learn more about private lending options and download the Private Education Loan Self-Certification form.
USAHS does not have a preferred lender arrangement. The ELM website link provides a comprehensive listing of lenders that have made loans to the institution’s students within the past 5 years. A student/borrower can choose to use any lender, including a lender not listed.
The University of St. Augustine offers two types of scholarships to all new students enrolling in the entry-level programs (full-time DPT, MOT, OTD, Flex MOT and Flex DPT) on the San Marcos, St. Augustine, Austin and Miami campuses: Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership Scholarship, and Community Service. University of St. Augustine scholarships is used toward tuition and fees only. We encourage you to review the eligibility requirements and apply for a scholarship. The application process will open three months prior to deadline dates listed below. Scholarship application deadline dates: Information on each of the scholarships follows: Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership Scholarship* The University awards these scholarships in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential. The top applicant that meets the criteria from each of the -four full-time, campus-based, entry-level programs – occupational therapy, and physical therapy, will receive a $6,000 (per academic year) scholarship. The remaining recipients will receive a $2,000 (per academic year) award. The top applicant that meets the criteria from the Flex and MOT DPT program will receive $4,500 (per academic year), and an additional recipient will receive $1,500 (per academic year). Scholarships are awarded to the entering students who best meet the following criteria: To retain Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership scholarship, a recipient must: If a recipient does not meet any of these requirements, he/she will be ineligible for the scholarship award for the subsequent trimester. The scholarship would be reinstated the following term if the student again meets the requirement. Community Service Scholarships The University awards these scholarships in recognition of dedicated students who help others, and who are regularly involved in volunteer work, possess an extensive service background and a demonstrated interest in future service. The top applicant from each of the -four full-time, campus-based, entry-level programs – occupational therapy, and physical therapy – will receive a $4,000 (per academic year) scholarship. The other recipients, one from each program, will receive a $2,000.00 (per academic year) award. The top applicant that meets the criteria from the Flex DPT and MOT programs will receive $3,000 (per academic year), and an additional recipient will receive $1,500 (per academic year). Scholarships are awarded to the entering students who best meet the following criteria: To retain Community Service scholarship, a recipient must: If a recipient does not meet any of these requirements, he/she will be ineligible for the scholarship award for the subsequent trimester. The scholarship would be reinstated the following term if the student again meets the requirement. St. Augustine, Florida, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the St. Augustine, Florida, campus. San Marcos, California, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the San Marcos, California, campus. Austin, Texas, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the Texas Veteran Commission for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer on the Austin, Texas, campus. Miami, Florida, Campus – The first professional Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy degree programs are approved by the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the St. Augustine, Florida, campus. Post Professional Programs – The post professional Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Health Science, and Doctor of Education degree programs are approved by the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs for training of veterans and other eligible persons. Questions regarding benefits, enrollment certification, etc., should be directed to the certifying officer in the Financial Aid Office on the St. Augustine, Florida, campus. Campus based first Professional programs participate in Yellow-Ribbon program for eligible Veterans. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is pleased to continue participation in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Program for the Campus-based first Professional campus degree programs. Yellow Ribbon is a scholarship designed to help students supplement the tuition and fees cost that exceeds the amount allotted in the Post 9/11 GI Bill yearly cap. The program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis up to: The recipients of Yellow Ribbon can receive up to $10,000 (up to $5,000 from USAHS and up to $5,000 to be matched by the VA) for tuition and fees per academic year. For questions regarding eligibility, yellow ribbon benefits, and the application process, contact the certifying officer on the respective campus. Before any funds are disbursed students must read important disclosure information regarding their loan(s). The Disclosure Statement provides information about the Direct Unsubsidized Loan that the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences plans to disburse (pay out) by crediting the student’s school account, paying the student directly, or both. There is also a Plain Language Disclosure that will explain the terms of the student loan(s). Both disclosures are available at www.studentloans.gov. Students keep a copy of all disclosures for their records. Students receiving federal student loans need to have all admission documentation cleared before a disbursement request to the Department of Education will be made on behalf of the student for Federal Loans. Cost of Living Disbursements: If the students’ lender pays student tuition and fees for the term in full, any remaining loan funds will be refunded to the student within 10 days from when USAHS received the loan from the lender. Although USAHS has 14 days to get the refund to students, we understand the need to pay living expenses and will do our utmost for students to receive any remaining loan funds in 10 days. It is recommended, at the beginning of each term, to make plans to cover living expenses for at least the first 3 weeks without reliance on loans. Loans do not begin disbursing until a week after classes start. USAHS utilizes Bank Mobile to process student refunds, and they will contact students by email when refunds are available. All students are encouraged to enroll in one of the methods to receive refunds made by the school. Students should contact the bursar with any questions they may have and enrollment information. Financial Aid Office Hours: We’re available to help you by email, telephone, or on campus—walk-ins are welcome! Regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday in the applicable time zone. If you are unable to meet during regular office hours, after-hours appointments are available by request. We have a number of resources to help you fund your education, including dedicated Financial Aid Counselors. Although they are campus based, every counselor listed is available to help you at any point in the process: St. Augustine, Florida Campus Contacts: Austin, TX Campus Contacts: San Marcos, CA Campus Contacts: Miami, FL Campus Contacts: Dallas, TX Campus Contacts: Rhonda James, Director of Financial Aid/Financial Services, [email protected], 904-770-3584
