Financial Support Built For You
Financial Aid at Trinity
FINANCIAL AID STUDENT AID
You are ambitious and curious, so you will fit right in at Trinity. We want you to come here so you can build a life that makes a difference. We understand everyone comes to Trinity with different financial situations, so we are happy to work with you to build a package that suits your needs.
ARE YOU READY?
HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
You must apply and be admitted to Trinity Christian College before any financial aid can be granted. If you qualify for any honors scholarships or grants, we will notify you by sending you a merit letter. To learn more about financial aid, choose your program:
TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE
FINANCIAL AID
HELPFUL TIPS & TOOLS TO GUIDE YOU IN THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS FOR TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE
We’re sure you have questions about how financial aid will work. We’ve put together some tips and tools to make financial aid as clear as possible.
Most of Trinity’s scholarship opportunities require only that you be admitted to the college for consideration. However, some scholarships require additional application. Click here to view information about all of Trinity’s scholarships.
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Go here to create the FSA ID.
After October 1, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available at www.studentaid.gov. To be considered for any need-based grants, work-study, or loans the FAFSA is required. Canadian or international students should complete the Financial Aid Form for Non-United States Citizens available here. Trinity’s FAFSA Code: 001771
If you have unusually high costs related to K-12 education, medical bills, dependent care or nursing home costs, or have experienced a recent reduction in family income, you should complete Trinity’s Need-Based Aid Appeal Form, available here. This should be submitted at the time the FAFSA is completed, or whenever the situation becomes known.
If Trinity requests any paperwork from you (federal tax return transcripts, worksheets), be sure to return documents promptly so that your financial aid is not delayed.
Receive your financial aid package which will include any scholarships, grants, work-study, and Federal Direct Student Loans for which you are eligible. Information about additional financing options will also be included. To secure your financial aid, submit the Reply to Offer of Admission form through your application status page. After indicating that you intend to enroll at Trinity, submit your $150 Enrollment Deposit by May 1, also available through your status page
What is the net amount you’ll owe Trinity, after your scholarships and grants? What is the best way to pay for that? The Plan for Payment Worksheet will help you answer these questions. When you receive your first billing statement in mid-July, you will be prepared with a plan.
If Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Student loans are part of your plan for payment, complete the required steps below:
1. In your Student Portal, accept or decline your federal loan eligibility in the “My Financial Aid” section. (Make sure the term is set to the semester that you are entering Trinity). If you wish to borrow less than the maximum amount available, contact the Financial Aid Office.
2. If you are accepting Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans, go to www.studentaid.gov and click “Log In” (same as your FAFSA log in). Select “Complete Loan Counseling” and then “Entrance Counseling.” Click the start button located on the right to begin, and follow the on-screen directions.
3. In your www.studenaid.gov account, click on “Complete Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note).” Then select “Subsidized/Unsubsidized” and click start to follow the on-screen directions.
If you plan to borrow any of the following types of loans, you must complete the steps indicated below:
Federal Parent PLUS Loan: Parents (not students) must log in at www.studentaid.gov to complete an application. Once logged in, click “Apply for a Direct PLUS Loan” and then start the Direct Plus Loan Application for Parents.
Private Student Loans: Application is made with your lender (Trinity works with all lenders). To access a list of suggested lenders, click here.
Annual Costs for Full-Time Students (2024-2025)
Tuition: $19,980
Average room and board: $10,000 – $11,450
How much will your traditional undergraduate college cost?
Interested in the bottom line? Using our net price calculator, in less than 5 minutes you can estimate the cost of education at Trinity.
Estimate your costs
& financial aid package
Estimate your costs
& financial aid package
ADULT UNDERGRADUATE FINANCIAL AID
Costs for Adult Undergraduate Students (2024-2025)
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: $631 per credit hour
Bachelor of Arts in Education/ Professional Educator License: $631 per credit hour
Bachelor of Science in Psychology: $589 per credit hour
Bachelor of Social Work: $589 per credit hour
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education/Professional Educator License: $631 per credit hour
ESL/BE Endorsement: $536 per credit hour
To receive financial aid assistance, please follow the steps below. If you have questions, feel free to contact a financial aid counselor.
Fill out the FAFSA. Financial aid is calculated on each academic year (Summer – Spring). You need to fill out the FAFSA form before beginning the program and each spring while you are in the program.
You will need to have either your district superintendent or principal write a letter stating that an endorsement is a requirement of your position. The letter must be written on original letterhead and contain the district superintendent/principal’s original signature. Copies are not accepted. You will have to provide an original letter every new academic year, which begins in the summer.
Once you are admitted into the program, the financial aid department will contact you to discuss the financial aid process.
Aid is available for licensed teachers who enroll in an endorsement program. If you are taking graduate-level course work in the ESL program, please see the Graduate Studies financial aid page.
NEED-BASED AID
Need-based financial aid refers to grants, loans, and part-time employment awarded on the basis of a student’s financial need. The Department of Education uses the information you provide on the FAFSA to calculate your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Need is then determined by the following equation: College cost – EFC = need.
LOANS
Students who complete the FAFSA may be eligible for federal student loans provided students have not reached aggregate borrowing limits.
Stafford Loans:
Eligible students could receive up to $12,500 per academic year (based on junior standing as an independent student). Annual loan eligibility is typically divided equally over the number of semesters in the academic year. For example, a student enrolling in summer, fall, and spring semesters may be awarded loans as follows:
Summer $4,166
Fall $4,166
Spring $4,166
Additional Loans:
You may consider borrowing money to make up the difference between the amount of your financial aid package and the amount you are able to pay for college. Trinity works with all private lenders, but we do provide a suggested lender list at www.elmselect.com.
If you would like to receive financial aid assistance, you first need to fill out the FAFSA online. Please note that the teaching licensure program is not a graduate level program. When you fill out your FAFSA, you will be considered a fifth-year student. Once you are admitted into the program, the financial aid department will contact you to discuss the financial aid process.
The following options are available to students with a bachelor’s degree or higher who enroll in the Teaching Licensure or Dual Licensure program:
NEED-BASED AID
Need-based financial aid refers to grants, loans, and part-time employment awarded on the basis of a student’s financial need. The Department of Education uses the information you provide on the FAFSA to calculate your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Need is then determined by the following equation: College cost – EFC = need.
LOANS
Please note that if you reach your aggregate limit of $57,500 for Stafford loans you are not eligible to receive additional government assistance. Other loan options, such as alternative loans, are available.
Stafford Loans:
Eligible students could receive up to $12,500. The breakdown of loans per semester:
Summer $4,166
Fall $4,166
Spring $4,166
Additional Loans:
You may consider borrowing money to make up the difference between the amount of your financial aid package and the amount you are able to pay for college. Trinity works with five lenders for alternative loans. Your credit score will be checked when you apply for alternative loans.
MORE OPTIONS
Those pursuing a teaching license may be eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant (up to $4,000 per year). For eligibility requirements, visit studentaid.gov.
Students may qualify for outside scholarships. Students need to contact the organizations offering scholarships to determine their qualifications.
Financial aid is calculated on each academic year. You need to fill out the FAFSA form before beginning the program and each spring while you’re in the program.
If you would like to receive financial aid assistance you first need to fill out the FAFSA online. Once you are admitted into the program, the financial aid department will contact you to discuss the financial aid process. Aid available for students with some college credits and/or an associate’s degree:
NEED-BASED AID
Need-based financial aid refers to grants, loans and part-time employment awarded on the basis of a student’s financial need. The Department of Education uses the information you provide on the FAFSA to calculate your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Need is then determined by the following equation: College cost – EFC = need.
LOANS
Please note that if you reach your aggregate limit of $57,500 for Stafford loans you are not eligible to receive additional government assistance.
Stafford Loans:
Eligible students could receive up to $12,500. The breakdown of loans per semester:
Summer $4,166
Fall $4,166
Spring $4,166
Additional Loans:
You may consider borrowing money to make up the difference between the amount of your financial aid package and the amount you are able to pay for college. Trinity works with five lenders for alternative loans. Your credit score will be checked when you apply for alternative loans.
PELL GRANT
Pell Grants are made available by the U.S. government and are awarded only to students who qualify according to strict rules of family income and assets. In general, lower income families are eligible to receive Pell Grants. About 25 percent of Trinity students receive Pell Grants in amounts that vary from $185 to $5,550.
MAP GRANT (Monetary Award Program)
Illinois MAP Grants are awarded by the state to needy Illinois students. Students from both low and middle-income families are eligible to receive Monetary Award Program grants. Approximately 40 percent of all Trinity students who are Illinois residents receive MAP grants. Amounts vary from $165.50 to $4,718 and are prorated based on credit-hour enrollment.
MORE OPTIONS
Those pursuing a teaching license may be eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant (up to $4,000 per year). For eligibility requirements, visit studentaid.gov.
Students may qualify for outside scholarships. Students need to contact the organizations offering scholarships to determine their qualifications.
GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID
Costs for Graduate Students (2024-2025)
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling : $732 per credit hour
Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (all programs): $536 per credit hour
Master of Arts in Special Education (General): $536 per credit hour
Master of Arts in Special Education (Diverse Learners): $536 per credit hour
ESL/Bilingual Endorsement: $536 per credit hour
You must apply and be admitted to Trinity Christian College before any financial aid can be granted. If you qualify for any honors scholarships or grants, we will notify you by sending you a merit letter.
Most of Trinity’s scholarship opportunities require only that you be admitted to the college for consideration. However, some scholarships require additional application. Click here to view information about all of Trinity’s scholarships.
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Go here to create the FSA ID.
After October 1, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available at studentaid.gov. To be considered for any need-based grants, work-study, or loans the FAFSA is required. Canadian or international students should complete the Financial Aid Form for Non-United States Citizens available here. Trinity’s FAFSA Code: 001771
Shortly after receiving your FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office will create a financial aid package. If verification documents are requested from you, be sure to return all your paperwork to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.
Your financial aid packet will include an award letter with grants, scholarships and/or loans for which you are eligible. In order to receive federal student loans, you must complete the required steps included with your financial aid packet.
You will receive a billing statement with any balance remaining after your financial aid is applied. Payments can be made in installments in accordance with Trinity’s Deferred Payment Plan, or students may apply for private student loans to cover a remaining balance. A list of suggested lenders can be accessed at www.elmselect.com. The lenders on this list have been selected based on their service record and the competitiveness of their terms.