Graduate Students Process

Graduate Students

Graduate students typically rely on the federal loan programs, scholarships and/or work outside the University to finance graduate school. Students must be admitted as degree-seeking and enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program at the master’s level to receive up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Loans per year.

Eligible graduate students may apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to contact their graduate program directors to discuss the expenses of the program and potential funding options.

Federal Direct Student Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program is the largest federal student loan program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate and professional students, but in this case, the student does not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan.

Graduate students qualify for up to $20,500 each year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Master of Arts in Teaching

TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing course work needed to begin a career in teaching. At Christopher Newport, students must be enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program to qualify. Undergraduate-level programs do not qualify.

Due to sequestration, award amounts for any TEACH Grant first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2026, must be reduced by 5.7 percent from the award amount for which a recipient would otherwise have been eligible. For example:

• For any 2025–26 TEACH Grant first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2026, the maximum award of $4,000 is reduced by 5.7 percent ($228), resulting in a maximum award of $3,772.

As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, student must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach:

• In a high-need field
• At an elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families 
• For at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant

IMPORTANT: If you do not complete your service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education, with interest charged from the date the TEACH Grant was disbursed (paid to you or on your behalf).

To receive a TEACH Grant at Christopher Newport, you must do the following:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Be enrolled as a graduate student in the MAT Program
• Meet and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
• Receive TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation (you must complete counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant)
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay

The TEACH Grant Counseling and the Agreement to Serve or Repay must be completed online.

If you are considering applying for the TEACH Grant, we strongly urge that you educate yourself on this opportunity before submitting an Agreement to Serve or Repay. Read the fine print and make sure you fully understand the strict requirements before committing. It has been reported that about one-third of all TEACH grants disbursed since the program’s inception in 2008 have been converted into capitalized loans.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession.

Under this program, if you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in certain elementary and secondary schools and educational service agencies that serve low-income families, and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible for forgiveness of up to a combined total of $17,500 on your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and your Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans.

If you have PLUS loans only, you are not eligible for this type of forgiveness.

VA Teaching Scholarship Loan Program

The Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program, furnished by the Virginia Department of Education, is crafted to increase the number of elementary and secondary school teachers who have an interest in pursuing studies in one of the critical teacher shortage areas. The list of those areas is updated each year. The list usually includes math, science, foreign language and special education. Teacher education schools must participate.