Types of Financial Aid
Image: Student studying at the library
Financial Aid Options
GIFT AID
Gift aid is financial aid that comes in the form of grants and scholarships and does not have to be repaid*.
Institutional Scholarships
Awarded based upon admission application and high school achievement for incoming freshman or college achievement for incoming transfer students. Detailed information about the awarding criteria can be found on the Admissions Office Scholarships and Grants webpage.
Institutional Grants**
Awarded based upon need or circumstance as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the admission application.
Hiram College Grant: Need-based grant awarded based upon FAFSA.
Alumni Grant: Awarded to children and grandchildren of alum. Students should indicate this on their admission application.
Disciples of Christ Grant: Awarded to members of the Disciples of Christ order. Students should indicate this on their admission application.
Honors Scholarship: Awarded to incoming freshman accepted into the Hiram Eclectic Scholars Honors Program.
Out-of-State Grant: Non-need based grant awarded to students attending Hiram from a state other than Ohio.
Sibling Grant: Awarded to students that have a brother or sister concurrently attending Hiram College.
Art Scholarship: Awarded to students that majoring in Art or Art History. Students should indicate their intended major at the time of their admission application.
Music Scholarship: Awarded to students majoring in Music. Students should indicate their intended major at the time of their admission application.
Theatre Scholarship: Awarded to students majoring in Theatre. Students should indicate their intended major at the time of their admission application.
**A portion of the funding for the Hiram College Grant and other institutional grants is provided by the generous contributions of alumni, friends of Hiram College and others. You may find that all or a portion of these grants may take a more visible form of a named scholarship during the academic year. As Federal Direct loan eligibility increases, you will be expected to borrow more and your Hiram College Grant may be decreased accordingly.
Additional Information
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant: Need-based grant that is awarded to students with exceptional need as indicated on the FAFSA. Award varies according to the federal government’s payment schedule.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEO Grant): Need-based grant that is awarded to students that are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Award varies based upon Federal Pell Grant.
State Grants
Ohio College Opportunity Grant: need-based grant that is awarded to Ohio residents attending an Ohio private college with exceptional need as indicated on the FAFSA. The standard award for a full-time student during the 2022-2023 academic year is $4,200. Eligibility is determined by the State of Ohio.
Other state grants/scholarships: some states allow their funds to be used at Hiram College. An example of this is Pennsylvania residents that are eligible for the PHEAA Grant can use a portion of their grant here at Hiram College. Should you have questions as to whether your state allows your grant to be used here at Hiram College, contact your state agency.
SELF-HELP AID
Self-help aid is financial aid that must be earned and/or repaid and comes in the form of student loans and/or work-study. The type and amount of self-help aid is based upon financial need as determined by the information submitted on the FAFSA.
Federal Work-study
Awarded to students with need as determined by the FAFSA. Standard award is $2,500. Students with less need will be awarded less, the minimum being $200. Students can be awarded more once the base award is earned and if the student has a remaining need. Minimum pay is the state minimum wage, which is $9.30/hour as of January 1, 2022. Students can be paid more, depending on the department and the job responsibilities. Earnings are typically not enough to cover tuition costs but can be applied to the student account to help reduce future charges or received by the student in a paycheck to help with out-of-pocket educational expenses.
Hiram College does not do job placement. To review the available positions, students can review Student Job Central via the Student Portal. Please note: students must have a Hiram College username and password to access this listing. Incoming students receive this at orientation.
Campus Employment
For students that are not eligible for work-study and some international students, there is still an opportunity to work on-campus through Campus Employment. The positions and application process are similar to work-study and can be reviewed at Student Job Central via the Student Portal. Please note: students must have a Hiram College username and password to access this listing. Incoming students receive this at orientation.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Awarded to students have need. The interest on this loan is fixed based upon the year it is borrowed and is subsidized (or paid) by the federal government while the student is in school. Repayment begins 6 months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. More information, including the application process and current interest rates, can be found on the Loan Information page.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Students that are not eligible for the Subsidized Loan will be awarded an Unsubsidized Loan. The interest on this loan is fixed based upon the year it is borrowed and accrues while the student is in school and during the grace period and while in repayment. The student has the option to pay on this interest or have the interest accrue. Repayment begins 6 months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. More information, including the application process and current interest rates, can be found on the Loan Information page.
