Financial Aid for Graduate Studies
We understand that your education is a significant investment.
We are committed to helping you navigate the financial aid process, providing guidance and information you need—including types of aid, how to apply for aid, debt management counseling, and more.
Our staff will work with you to review your individual needs. We’ll help you explore financial aid options—such as grants and loans—in order to maximize your funding sources and minimize your debt.
Graduate Grants
Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia offers several types of graduate grants that are awarded on a competitive basis upon acceptance to a master’s or certificate program. Graduate grants do not need to be repaid and are allocated to recipients based on enrollment by semester. Grants are equally dispersed by credit hour across all semesters and not awarded as a one time lump sum.
To be considered for our graduate grants:
- Submit a complete application for admission
- Grants are awarded based on a combination of an applicant's program, individual grant award terms, academic/professional history, and/or financial need
The Director's Grant is an award offered on a competitive basis at the time of admission. This grant is allocated per class by semester and available to eligible applicants, depending on the length of program, as follows:
- Master's Degrees - Up to $3,000
- Graduate Certificates - Up to $900
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
The Dean’s Grant is an award offered on a competitive basis at the time of admission. This grant is allocated per class by semester and available to eligible applicants based on the length of the program, as follows:
- Master's Degrees: Up to $6,000
- Graduate Certificates - Up to $1,800
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
The Scottie Graduate Grant is an award offered on a competitive basis to Agnes Scott alumni or current students at the time of admission. This grant is allocated per class by semester and available to eligible applicants based on the length of the program, as follows:
- Master's Degrees: Up to $3,000
- Graduate Certificates - Up to $900
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
The Community Partner Grant is an award offered on a competitive basis at the time of admission. This grant is allocated per class by semester and available to eligible applicants based on the length of the program, as follows:
- Master's Degrees: Up to $6,000
- Graduate Certificates - Up to $1,800
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
The President's Scholars Grant is our most competitive award offered to a select number of students at the time of admission. This grant is allocated per class by semester and available to eligible applicants based on the length of the program, as follows:
- Master's Degrees: Up to $24,000
- Graduate Certificates - Up to $7,200
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
Program Specific Grants
The Linda Lentz Hubert Grant, named in honor of an alumna, former professor and champion of graduate education at Agnes Scott, is awarded to select students enrolled in the Writing and Digital Communication Program.
- Master's Degrees: Up to $9,900
- Graduate Certificates - Up to $3,600
The Health Professions Grant is offered to select graduate and post-bacc students seeking to start or advance their career in the healthcare field. This grant is awarded to students applying for the Medical Science Masters of Science program on a competitive basis at the time of admission. This grant is allocated by credit hour and per semester, based on enrollment.
Applicable Master's Degree Programs
Medical Sciences Accelerated, Medical Sciences Online Accelerated, Medical Sciences Traditional
Total Grant Award
- Up to $6,600 for Accelerated programs
- Up to $10,800 for the Traditional program
Applicable Graduate Certificate Programs
Post-Bacc Pre-Allied Health, Post-Bacc Pre-Medical Accelerated, Post-Bacc Pre-Medical Flex
Total Grant Award
- Up to $7,200, depending on length of program
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
The Innovator’s Grant is offered to select graduate students in specific programs on a competitive basis at the time of admission. This grant is allocated per class by semester and available to eligible applicants as follows:
Applicable Master's Degree Program
Data Analysis and Communication
Total Grant Award
Up to $6,600
Applicable Graduate Certificate Programs
Advocacy and Public Engagement, Data Visualization, Evaluation and Assessment Methods, and Technology Leadership and Management
Total Grant Award
Up to $2,400, depending on length of program
Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
The Integrity Grant is awarded on a competitive basis to select students offered admission into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Students awarded the Integrity Grant will receive a total grant of $12,000.
Grants are allocated by credit hour per semester. Awards are based on a full-time status. Students must complete curriculum requirements to receive the full grant amount.
Loan Options
Types of Federal Loan Aid Available
Graduate students at Agnes Scott may be eligible for federal education loans. Below is the process to apply:
- Students who are starting their program in summer 2024 should complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Students who want to continue receiving aid in the fall and/or spring 2024 semesters will also need to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
- Students who are starting their program in fall 2024 should complete the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- List your level in college as “1st year graduate” and the degree/certificate as "Graduate/Professional Degree."
- The Agnes Scott College FAFSA school code is 001542.
- Your completed FAFSA will indicate which federal education loans you may be eligible to receive and the amount.
Federal Education Loan Options:
As a graduate student, you will most likely be considered as independent from your parents. Federal loans that might be available to graduate students who complete the FAFSA include Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Grad PLUS Loans.
For the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the student assumes all responsibility for the interest and interest begins accruing immediately following disbursement. You have to be attending college at least part-time (6 credit hours) as a part of eligibility for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Repayment begins:
- 6 months after student graduates
- 6 months after student drops below part-time enrollment
- 6 months after student is no longer enrolled
- No penalty for prepayment
Current interest rates for these loans can be found at www.studentaid.gov
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits
If you started or completed a graduate degree previously and used federal education loans, those amounts will be considered when you file a new FAFSA form for your degree at Agnes Scott College. The limits for independent graduate and professional school students are as follows:
- Annual amount of combined unsubsidized loans is $20,500
- Aggregate limit of all Federal Stafford loans (including subsidized loans received for undergraduate study) cannot exceed $138,500
Graduate students may be eligible for a Grad PLUS Loan if there are remaining costs associated with your graduate study that are not covered by Direct Unsubsidized Loans once a FAFSA is completed. There is a separate application to complete for this federal education loan. The maximum amount that can be borrowed for a PLUS loan is the cost of attendance (determined by Agnes Scott) minus any other financial assistance you receive in graduate grants and/or federal education loans.
This is a credit-based loan that can cover up to the cost of attendance minus any aid you have already received. Students must be enrolled at least part-time (6 credit hours).
Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.
Current interest rates for these loans can be found at www.studentaid.gov.
Private Loans
A private, credit-based alternative loan may be available to graduate students who need funding for remaining educational costs. There are various lenders for student borrowers that require no payments while the student remains in school. Private loans have various options for repayment and may offer forbearance and deferral options. In addition, interest rates for private loans are based on credit and are set by the lender.
To view and compare alternative loans available to Agnes Scott students, please go to Sparrow. On Sparrow, you can search and compare real, personalized private student loan offers from over 15+ lenders through a simple, three-minute application. Sparrow allows you to easily compare loans and is free. Using Sparrow does not impact your credit score when searching for loan options; your credit score will not be impacted until you choose a loan and begin the application process.