A financial aid award consists of gift aid and/or self-help assistance. Scholarships and grants are considered gift aid. Student loans and campus employment are forms of self-help aid. In order to assist as many students as possible with our grant and scholarship resources, the Financial Aid Office must provide maximum self-help funding as the foundation of each financial aid award. The only form that is required by the Financial Aid Office in order to be considered for institutional and/or federal and state aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If a student only wishes to be considered for merit aid, then no FAFSA needs to be completed. In order to be considered for summer financial aid, students must complete a summer financial aid application in April; forms will be made available on-line or from our office. Please note: If a student is receiving tuition reimbursement, tuition remission or other tuition benefits, their financial aid is subject to change. If a student is receiving 100% reimbursement from an outside source, all Rivier grant and scholarship funding will be rescinded upon receiving notice of same.
Proulx Scholarship
The Proulx Scholarship application process is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate nursing students. The application deadline for the 2012-13 academic year is February 15th. At this time, potential candidates should have received an email with the application. No late and/or incomplete applications will be considered.
Rivier Scholarships
These are institutional awards offered by Rivier University that do not have to be repaid. Scholarship eligibility is based on academic merit. These funds are offered to qualified full-time undergraduate day students, who are enrolling at Rivier directly out of high school, with the exception of the Transfer Scholarship. (Full-time attendance is defined as 12 or more credits per semester.) All students are considered for the Presidential, Deans, Catholic High School, Alumni, Founders, Trustee, Achievement, Legacy, Capital, Gateway, Opportunity and Transfer Scholarships when applying for full-time admission. All of the scholarships are to be received for a maximum of four continuous years of undergraduate study. If a student meets the criteria for two scholarships, he/she will receive the higher dollar value award.
Rivier University Grant Program
The Rivier University Grant Program is awarded on the basis of financial need. A grant award is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Changes to a student's EFC may affect the amount of Rivier University Grant offered in future years. Rivier Grant funding is offered for four years of continuous full-time day enrollment. Grant amounts range from $8,000 to $16,000 per year.
Founders Scholarship
This scholarship provides full tuition for commuters and full tuition, room and board for resident students who are named National Merit Finalists.
Trustee Scholarship
This four-year scholarship is available to full-time students with an SAT score of 1800 or better who either rank in the top quarter of their class or have a minimum grade point average of 85 as calculated by the Admissions Office. The scholarship is also awarded to high school valedictorians and salutatorians. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship. The annual value is $8,000 for residents and $7,000 for commuters.
Presidential Scholarship
Full-time students with an SAT score between 1650 – 1790 who rank in the top quarter of their class or have a minimum grade point average of 85 as calculated by the Admissions Office are eligible for this scholarship. Annual awards are $7,000 for residents and $6,000 for commuters. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Deans' Scholarship
Valued at $6,000 for residents and $5,000 for commuters per year, this scholarship is available to students with an SAT score of 1500-1640 who either rank in the top third of their class or have a minimum grade point average of 83 as calculated by the Admissions Office. Students must maintain a 2.67 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Catholic High School Grant
This grant is available for all Catholic high school graduates enrolled full-time who do not qualify for a higher merit scholarship. Annual awards are $5000 per year for residents and $4000 per year for commuters. Students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
The Samuel A. Tamposi Sr. Scholarship
Currently valued at $3,000 a year, renewable for four years of full-time study, this scholarship is awarded to incoming Rivier freshmen who have graduated from Nashua, NH area high schools and who demonstrate financial need and an exemplary work ethic and determination to succeed. In recognition of Mr. Tamposi's alma mater, Nashua High School, one of the recipients must be a graduate of Nashua High School. Other eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors from the New Hampshire towns of Nashua, Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, or Milford. A separate scholarship application is required and the submission deadline is May 1. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
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Transfer Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students transferring to a Rivier University undergraduate day program who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement at another accredited college or university. Eligible students must have a GPA of 2.5 earned after a minimum of 15 credits at the same college or university and have not earned a prior Bachelor's Degree. Renewal is contingent upon remaining a full-time student. $8,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.5 or more; $6,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.0-3.49; $4,500 is awarded to students with GPAs of 2.5-2.99. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Alumni Scholarship
Awarded to first time Rivier students who enroll full-time at Rivier University and who are children of Rivier alumni. The $2,000 awards are renewable annually provided the recipients maintain their full-time enrollment status and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Family Incentive Grant
This grant is awarded to siblings who attend the University as full-time students for the same period; $2000 per year is given to each sibling. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Achievement Award
This annual award is offered to students who demonstrate special achievement or talent in high school; the award is $4000 for commuters and $5000 for resident students. Students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Legacy Scholarship
Awarded to international students and is renewable for four years of full-time study as a day student. The scholarship amount is $7000 annually. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Opportunity Grant
This scholarship is awarded to students whose family’s financial situation has changed drastically due to job loss, divorce, serious illness or death. Students are encouraged to complete an appeal form and submit any requested documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Award amounts will vary depending on the individual circumstance. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
Alvirne Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to incoming students attending the undergraduate day program who have graduated from Alvirne High School. Eligible students must have a high school GPA of 2.5. $2,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.5 or more; $1,500 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.0-3.49; $1,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 2.5-2.99. Renewal is contingent upon remaining a full-time student with a GPA of 2.0 or more.
Londonderry Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to incoming students attending the undergraduate day program who have graduated from Londonderry High School. Eligible students must have a high school GPA of 2.5. $2,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.5 or more; $1,500 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.0-3.49; $1,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 2.5-2.99. Renewal is contingent upon remaining a full-time student with a GPA of 2.0 or more.
Gateway Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to incoming students attending the undergraduate day program who have graduated from the following high schools: Nashua North, Nashua South, Merrimack, Dracut, Salem, Pinkerton, Lowell, Chelmsford, or Pelham. Eligible students must have a high school GPA of 2.5. $2,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.5 or more; $1,500 is awarded to students with GPAs of 3.0-3.49; $1,000 is awarded to students with GPAs of 2.5-2.99. Renewal is contingent upon remaining a full-time student with a GPA of 2.0 or more.
Heritage Scholarship
Awarded to incoming students attending the undergraduate day program who are working towards a communications major. The scholarship amount is $1,000 for the year. Renewal is contingent upon remaining a full-time student with a GPA of 2.5 or more.
Capital Scholarship
Students who do not qualify for any other merit-based award may be considered for this grant. The award is $3000 per year regardless of residency status. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this scholarship.
PTK Scholarship
The PTK Scholarship is awarded to students transferring to a Rivier University undergraduate day program, fulltime, who have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement at another accredited college or university and are a member of Phi Theta Kappa. PTK members transferring to Rivier with a combined GPA of 3.5 or better are awarded a $2,000 scholarship. A minimum GPA of 3.5 must be maintained at Rivier for this scholarship to be awarded in the succeeding year. This scholarship is limited to $4,000 over 2 years.
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships are funds that have been donated to Rivier University for the purpose of assisting students fund their education. The requirements for these scholarships vary widely as they are determined by the donor. Students may apply for these scholarships using the on-line application link on the left hand-side of this web page.
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded, need-based grant that does not have to be repaid. Eligibility is determined by the federal government and the fund is offered to qualified undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for this grant. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is a federally funded need-based grant that does not have to be repaid. Federal funding for the SEOG is limited. These awards are offered only to students who are Pell-eligible. The standard award is $500 for a full-time student and $250 for a half-time student as long as funds are available. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this grant.
State Grants State grants are state funded awards issued by the state in which the student permanently resides. An estimate of the grant may appear on the student's award letter. Rivier University will be notified by the state agency of actual award amounts. Adjustments to the student's grant funding may be necessary if estimated and actual awards differ.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant program will provide up to $4,000 a year in grant aid to undergraduate and graduate students and students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program, or current or prospective teachers. Students must file a FAFSA in order to be considered. Eligible undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students may not receive more than $16,000 and graduate students may receive no more than $8,000 in total TEACH Grants. In exchange for TEACH Grant aid, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher at specified schools and teach in a specified field for four academic years within eight years after completing the college course. TEACH Grant recipients that do not fulfill their teaching obligations must repay the grant as if it was an unsubsidized Direct Loan with interest accruing from the first disbursement of the TEACH Grant. .Students must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA in order to continue receiving this grant.
Student Employment
Work Study is a great way to make some extra money to help with educational and personal expenses. Supervisors submit positions they have available in their department to the Financial Aid Services Team. The Financial Aid Services Team, in turn, posts them to the work study portion of the website. Students contact supervisors directly to inquire about positions and scheduling. Once a student has secured a job they complete the work study paperwork and necessary federal documents (I-9 and W-4) with the Office of Human Resources. Students are paid in a bi-weekly check and are paid $7.25 per hour. In addition to being an important part of the University community, work study gives students the opportunity to learn important skills. If you are interested in applying for work study employment, check out the work study page at https://www.rivier.edu/finaid/default.aspx?id=1237.
Federal Loans
Loans are a form of self-help aid that needs to be repaid once a student leaves school or drops below half time enrollment. All undergraduate students who are at least half-time (6 credits or more per semester) are eligible for an additional $2000 in unsubsidized Stafford loans.
Federal Perkins Loan The Perkins loan is a federal loan for students. Funding for the Perkins Loan is limited and the award is offered only to full-time students with exceptional financial need with an expected family contribution of $2500 or less. Repayment begins nine months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Full disclosure of the terms of the loan are provided on the promissory note, which students are required to sign with the Financial Aid Office. Loan amounts vary, but are usually no more than $1000 per year. Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for this loan. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to keep receiving this loan. First time borrowers are required to complete Perkins Loan entrance counseling at http://mappingyourfuture.org.
Federal Direct Stafford Loan The Stafford Loan is a federal loan for students. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be at least half-time or completes his/her course of study. The interest rate for a subsidized Stafford loan is a fixed rate of 6.8% for the 12-13 academic year for undergraduate students. The rate for unsubsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students and for all Stafford loans for graduate students is 6.8%. The student is required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Stafford loan entrance counseling at the start of their enrollment at Rivier. The MPN will serve as the promissory note for all Stafford Loans borrowed throughout the student's course of study. Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be considered for this loan. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to keep receiving this loan.
Federal Direct Plus Loan The Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) program allows parents to borrow up to the cost of education less any financial aid. The interest rate for 2012-13 is 7.9%. The fixed interest rate is capped at 9% and repayment, beginning 30 days after full disbursement of the loan, may extend up to ten years. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order for their parents to continue to be eligible for this loan.
Alternative Loans
Parents and students are encouraged to research alternative loans at www.elmselect.com to view different alternative loan lenders. You are not required to choose one of these lenders. Be sure you borrow from federal loan programs BEFORE applying for an alternative loan program.