Financial Aid FAQs
Scholarships
Where can I apply for KCU Scholarships?
Incoming student scholarships are all processed by the Admissions Office.
Incoming students can also access our Scholarship Search Engine for scholarship resources. Various scholarship opportunities are sent throughout the year, so be sure to watch your email for opportunities.
What outside scholarship search engines should I use?
We recommend some outside resources like:
Scholarship.com | Sallie Mae Scholarship Search | Fastweb | Bold.org | BoardVitals
Student Loan Process
How do I apply for financial aid at KCU?
Submit the FAFSA. The 2026-2027 FAFSA opens on October 1st, 2025. The school code for both campuses is G02474. The FAFSA priority deadline is March 15th. We also recommend reviewing private loan options and our private student loan application checklist.
When will my Financial Aid Offer be available?
If you complete your FAFSA before our priority deadline, you can expect to receive your Financial Aid Offer in late April. You will receive a Workday notification when your Financial Aid Offer is available.
Where do I complete my Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling?
The Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling tasks are located on the federal student aid website. Be sure to complete these tasks as a graduate/professional student. Once the items are complete, they are automatically loaded into Workday.
How much loan money should I take out?
Every student has different financial needs. We recommend reviewing our Budget Guides to view our Cost of Attendance and plan your finances for the year. Budget Guides can be found at the bottom of your respective tuition page. If you want to take out exactly enough financial aid to cover tuition and fees, contact our office.
You can view federal student loan limits on our Federal Loan Updates FAQs page.
**The Cost of Attendance is intended to cover only student expenses.
How will H.R. 1 affect financial aid for students starting after July 1st, 2026?
We recommend reviewing our Federal Loan Updates FAQs page for more information on how H.R. 1 affects your financial aid.
Student Loan Disbursements
When will I get my financial aid funds?
Loans disburse each semester around the first day of class. Refunds for living expenses are received about two weeks after the start of classes. You can view the 2026-2027 refund dates here.
How can I sign up for direct deposit?
You can sign up for direct deposit on the Finance tab on Workday.
Can I return unused funds?
Yes, you can return unused funds. Submit a Request to Reduce Previously Accepted/Disbursed Aid on Workday to reduce your loan. If you cancel all or part of your loan within 120 days of disbursement, no interest or fees will be charged.
Student Loan Interest Rates and Fees
What are the current loan interest rates?
Federal student loan interest rates change each year. Click here for federal interest rates. You can review private loan interest rates on our FastChoice website.
What is a loan origination fee?
A loan origination fee comes out of each loan that is disbursed to you. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrowed. Click here for current loan origination fees.
Additional Resources
How do I defer my prior student loans?
Prior federal student loans are automatically certified for deferment by the Registrar’s Office each year. Enrollment will not be certified until you are actively attending classes. If you are an incoming student, your loans will likely be deferred in September. If you have prior private student loans, you may need to contact the Registrar’s Office for certification paperwork.
How can I use my VA benefits at KCU?
Check your eligibility for education benefits here. Contact our office for next steps.