Types of Aid

Pell Grants

Pell Grants are designed to assist students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Currently, grants range from  $639 - $6,345.

Tuition-free plan for first year, Pell-eligible students. LEARN MORE ABOUT GRANITE GUARANTEE.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

The Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is available to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Grants range from $100 to $2,250 per year.

Subsidized Federal Direct Loan

The Subsidized Federal Direct Loan is a low-interest loan made to a student borrower by the Department of Education.

• First-year undergraduate students may borrow up to $5,500 per academic year. No more than $3,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans.
• Second-year undergraduate students may borrow up to $6,500 per academic year. No more than $4,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans.
• Third and fourth-year undergraduate students may borrow up to $7,500 per academic year. No more than $5,500 of this amount can be in subsidized loan

The overall maximum debt for undergraduate dependent students is $31,000. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2020, carry a fixed interest rate of 2.75%. The federal government pays the interest on this loan while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Repayment and interest accumulation begins six months after a student ceases to attend college at least half-time.

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans

An Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan is available to students regardless of financial need. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2020, carry a fixed interest rate of 2.75%  and have the same terms and conditions as the Subsidized Federal Direct Loan, except that the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues while he or she is in school. The interest can be paid quarterly or can be capitalized; meaning the interest will build on the principle. Dependent borrowers may receive both subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans totaling up to the applicable loan limit if they do not qualify for the full amount under the subsidized program.

In addition to the borrowing limits established for dependent students, independent undergraduate and graduate students may be eligible to borrow up to:

• An additional $4,000 per year during the first and second year
• Up to $5,000 per year for undergraduates in their third year and beyond (the aggregate total for independent undergraduates is $57,500)

Direct Plus Loan

Direct PLUS Loans are loans parents can take out to help pay educational costs for their dependent undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. It is not necessary to demonstrate financial need in order to receive a PLUS loan, however students must have filed FAFSA before a parent can apply. The maximum PLUS Loan amount that parents can borrow on a yearly basis is the cost of education minus any other financial aid received. Parents must meet established credit criteria.

Direct PLUS disbursed on or after July 1, 2020, carry a fixed interest rate of 5.3% with a loan fee of 4.236% of the principal amount borrowed. The fee will be applied before any loan money is received. Parent PLUS loan Borrowers enter repayment 60 days after the date of the final loan disbursement. However borrowers may choose to have repayment deferred while the student for whom the parent borrowed is enrolled at least half-time until six months after the student's final date of half-time enrollment. Interest that accrues during these periods will be capitalized if not paid by the borrower.

To apply for the Direct PLUS loan, parents need to complete a Direct PLUS Loan Request Form. A parent can log into the website using the FSA ID used to sign the FAFSA and select "request a PLUS loan." The borrower (parent) can then indicate the requested loan amount and submit the request for review.

In addition to the request form, all first time PLUS loan borrowers will need to complete a MasterPromissory Note (MPN) at the Department of Education website. The MPN can be signed electronically with your federal FSA ID.  If you do not already have a FSA ID, go to Create an FSA ID

Should You Borrow a Private Loan?

Students should not consider borrowing private student loans until they have exhausted their maximum federal student loan eligibility. The terms and conditions of these credit-based private loan programs vary, and as such, students are encouraged to review the details of the programs before selecting a private loan program.

You should consider a private loan if any of the following situations apply:

• All federal loan options have been exhausted and additional funds are needed to meet the student's cost of education.
• The student or parent is unable to borrow federal student/parent loans.
• The student is responsible for financing their education, and they need to borrow additional funds.
• Funds are needed for a previous semester and it is too late to borrow federal loans. (Many private loans allow students/parents to borrow funds to repay overdue university charges from previous semesters).

ELM Select

UNH encourages families to explore specific loan terms and compare before applying for any loan. The alternative loan options are designed specifically to help you fill the gap between your financial aid award, your federal loans, and what your total educational costs will be. You may want to consider beginning the application process for your private educational loan several weeks before your payment due date. This is to ensure that there is sufficient time for your loan to be processed, certified, and disbursed.

ELMSelect offers students the ability to compare and select the loan product that best fits their needs.  We encourage students to first complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for federal aid.  The terms and conditions on a federal loan may be more favorable than the provisions in private educational loans.  These types of loans require a completion of an application and a valid credit check.

The lenders listed in ELMSelect are not ranked in any way nor can we recommend a particular lender to you. Within ELMSelect, you are able to sort and filter by different repayment types, fixed vs variable rates, and other requirements. Additionally, you have the right to borrow through any lender, even those not on this list.

Granite YMCA

Granite YMCA staff members at any Granite YMCA in New Hampshire can receive a 10% scholarship for any classes in Manchester when registered in a degree program at UNH Manchester. Each semester, in order to receive the tuition discount, each student must complete and turn in the verification form to the Student Financial Services.  Once the form is completed, received and approved, UNH Manchester will adjust your tuition charges to the discounted rate.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TUITION VERIFICATION FORM

Elliot Hospital Laboratory

Elliot Laboratory employees working a minimum of 24 hours can receive a 10% scholarship for any undergraduate course or degree program offered at UNH Manchester. Each semester, in order to receive the tuition discount, each student must complete and turn in the verification form to the Student Financial Services.  Once the form is completed, received and approved, UNH Manchester will adjust your tuition charges to the discounted rate.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TUITION VERIFICATION FORM

Listed below are various types of educational assistance available through the state of New Hampshire or through the federal government for special categories of students. The university does not administer these funds, but eligible students may use them to meet educational costs at UNH Manchester. 

New Hampshire State Aid Programs 

The New England Regional Student Program (NERSP) 

The NERSP allows students from the six New England states, who are enrolled in some programs not offered by their home-state public colleges or universities, to pay a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. Learn more about which UNH Manchester programs qualify. 

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

New Hampshire residents pursuing undergraduate or graduate study at approved institutions of postsecondary education are eligible to apply for grants, interest-free and low-interest loans from this fund. Information and applications are available from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Student Aid Program, 37 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301, or online at www.nhcf.org. 

Military/Veteran-related Aid Programs

POW/MIA Children's Benefits

Children of persons domiciled in New Hampshire while serving in the U.S. armed forces after February 28, 1961, who were officially interned or missing in action during the Southeast Asian conflict are eligible to receive full tuition at UNH Manchester. For more information, speak to your high school guidance counselor, the trustees of the University System or the State Board of Education in Concord, N.H. 

War Orphans Benefits

Residents of New Hampshire age 16 to 25 whose veteran parent(s) died as a result of service in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam or Gulf wars and whose veteran parent(s) were legal residents of New Hampshire at the time of death are eligible to receive full tuition at UNH and a maximum of $2,500 per year for room, board, books and supplies. For more information, contact the Department of education at 101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301 or online here.

Veterans Educational Assistance Benefits (VEAP)

Students should contact their local Veterans Administration if they think they may be eligible for assistance in any of the following categories: 

• Children, spouses, widows or widowers of veterans who died or were permanently and totally disabled in or as the result of service in the armed forces of the U.S. 
• Children of servicemen missing in action or prisoners of war for more than 90 days 
• Qualified servicemen or servicewomen now in civilian life who were on continuous active duty for at least 181 days ending after January 31, 1955, or are on active duty in the armed forces now. 

Veteran's Benefits Payments

Veterans and their dependents can investigate their eligibility for veteran's benefits payments at their local Veteran's Administration Office, or contact a UNH VA certifying official. For guidance on receiving your benefits, visit https://manchester.unh.edu/admissions/military-veteran-students/military-veteran-services

VA Certifying Officials
Jennifer Hashem | Office of Student Accounts
Jennifer.Hashem@unh.edu
603-641-4329

Vocational Rehabilitation Program 

Every state operates a vocational rehabilitation program to assist people with disabilities to return to productive activity. In certain cases, a vocational rehabilitation agency will assist students with disabilities to meet college expenses. Students should contact their local agencies. For New Hampshire residents, please visit this website for more information.