Financial Aid Offer

After being admitted to the University of Pikeville, you will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships (those based on your ACT/SAT and GPA), but some scholarships (like Wells Family Scholarship or Legacy Scholarship) require the submission of a scholarship application. Please review the UPIKE scholarship page for deadlines. You will also be considered for grants and need-based assistance if you submit your FAFSA to the university. We will notify you of your scholarship and financial aid offers via the mail and through Self Service, UPIKE’s online student portal.

The university awards scholarships on a rolling basis—meaning that as soon as we receive notice of your admission, we will review your file for scholarships. Comprehensive Financial Aid Offer with Scholarships, Financial Aid and Loans notification will begin no later than December 1st (must be admitted and have submitted the FAFSA).

Colleges and departments also offer scholarships for which funds may be incorporated into your existing offer or be additional funds. How these funds interact with your initial offer can vary, but you can check Self Service for the most up-to-date information regarding your scholarship and financial aid awards. Below is a sample of the mailed comprehensive Financial Aid Offer and explanation of how to interpret it. In order to receive a comprehensive offer, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for all types of scholarships and financial aid available to you.

Once you have received your UPIKE email/login credentials you will need to logon to UPIKE Self Service and review your financial aid checklist to see if there are any outstanding issues  You will be sent an email once your financial aid is ready to be reviewed and accepted. Depending on the aid you accept, there may be additional checklist items you will need to complete before we can fully process your financial aid. Outside scholarships and the verification process could change your aid eligibility and awards.

1. Estimated Direct Cost of Attendance

Your “direct cost of attendance” is an estimate of the average cost for a student to attend UPIKE. This estimate includes Full Time Enrollment (12-18 credits) per term at the base tuition rate with estimated fees. If you live on campus, housing and meals will be directly billed to you from the university. Your actual charges billed may be different, depending on the number of credit hours for which you register, your specific courses, and where you choose to live. You must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to qualify for most scholarships, financial aid and to live in On-Campus housing.

2. Scholarships & Grants (If Offered)

Grants and scholarships are considered “gift aid” and do not need to be repaid, though most scholarships have specific eligibility requirements—like academic merit, financial need or special characteristics.

Many scholarships are eligible to renew each year of college, but you must meet specific requirements—like filing the FAFSA each year, maintaining a certain GPA or taking specific classes. Make sure you understand what awards you’ve received, if you can renew them, and how.

3. Student Loan Options (If Offered)

Educational loans are a useful tool to pay for college, but we encourage you to borrow only enough to cover your necessary education-related expenses. Loans from federal and private resources must be repaid with interest, even if you do not graduate. Interest rates for federal direct loans are market-based and will be determined each year by June 30.

We encourage you not to borrow more than you can reasonably afford to repay each month.

4. Estimated Direct Cost After Scholarships/Grants and Student Loans

This is an estimate of how much you will owe to attend UPIKE after your scholarships/grants and if you accept loans (remember, loans must be repaid). Listed below this section on your award offer are additional options for you to cover your remaining expenses. Review them carefully and contact us with any questions.

5. Additional Aid Options

Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for students who demonstrate financial need and who desire to earn a part of their educational expenses. Jobs average 10-20 hours per week and may be on or off-campus. Work-study will be listed as an option on your award offer if you are eligible. Work-study wages will be paid directly to the student as they earn them. UPIKE cannot take your paycheck to pay for tuition. If you plan on paying your balance, you will need to contact the business office to work out payment arrangements.

To view job postings, visit our Campus Employment website. Please be aware that while employers are able to post job openings any time, the majority will begin posting positions for the upcoming award year in early August.

Parent PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program assists eligible parents in meeting educational expenses. The Federal Direct PLUS Loan allows parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other resources. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender and delivers the loan money to you through the university.

External Scholarships
We encourage you to apply for outside scholarships to help you pay for your education. You can search for external scholarship options at https://www.upike.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships/#os.

Payment Plan
UPIKE does not have a formal payment plan option. The balance must be paid in full before you are able to register for next term classes. Students are encouraged to stop in and talk the Business Office to discuss payment options or email AR@upike.edu.

Private Loans
Another option would be to apply for a private loan from your bank or from any number of lenders who work with UPIKE. Private loans tend to have higher interest rates than compared to Federal Student Loans or the PLUS loan. The loan is typically applied for in the students name and a co-signer may be needed. There are some loans that can be applied for by a parent or other person for the students education (similar to the PLUS Loan). You can see a list of lenders at https://www.upike.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid/alternative-loans/ and click FASTChoice.

6. Other Estimated Costs

Beyond paying for classes and housing, we also estimate other costs related to college attendance you will likely need to cover to attend college. These costs are not billed by the university, but include expenses for personal items, transportation and supplies. As these costs are just estimates, we strongly encourage you to plan your own specific budget.

Webpage updated: October 15, 2021