Types of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Scholarships
Merit scholarships
Merit-based academic scholarships for first-year undergraduate students:
- Trustee Scholarship: $25,000
- Presidential Scholarship: $20,000
- Provost’s Scholarship: $17,500
- Dean’s Achievement Scholarship: $15,000
FIRST Scholarship for robotics students
UB is proud to offer a FIRST scholarship, available to participating members of FIRST programs, which promotes STEM education through robotics competitions. Students who are interested in applying for UB’s FIRST scholarship should email admit@bridgeport.edu for more information on our application process.
Scholarships for students who sing or play an instrument
UB also offers a scholarship for students who sing or play any instrument (including guitar, ukulele, drumset, bass, piano, digital music, woodwinds, brass, strings, etc.)
Scholarship amount: $1,500/semester ($3,000/school year)
Requirements of scholarship recipients include playing in campus events ensembles and scholarships ensembles. Scholarship recipients will continue to be eligible for these funds throughout their continued enrollment at UB.
Scholarship application requirements include either a 1-2 page Personal Statement or 3-5 minute video about your passion for, experience in, and commitment to music. Write or talk about the ways in which music has been a part of your life. Please be sure to introduce yourself, include your primary instrument, mention music groups you have played in before or your interest in becoming part of a music group at UB.
You must also demonstrate your musical engagement by choosing one of the two options below:
- Option 1: Submit a recommendation letter from someone whose profession is in or related to music (could be a music teacher, church music director, performer, etc.); this person should be able to speak to your commitment to and experience in music activities.
- Option 2: Submit a video recording of yourself playing an instrument or singing. This could be a solo recording or a recording of yourself playing/singing in a musical group (minimum of 3 minutes, your choice of musical repertoire/genre).
To apply:
Submit the materials above to Music Faculty Professor Russell Fisher, Director of Ensembles: rfisher@bridgeport.edu. Your materials will be reviewed by the music department and you will be notified about your scholarship application decision shortly afterward.
The University provides merit-based scholarships for transfer students up to $23,000.
FIRST Scholarship for robotics students
UB is proud to offer a FIRST scholarship, available to participating members of FIRST programs, which promotes STEM education through robotics competitions. Students who are interested in applying for UB’s FIRST scholarship should email admit@bridgeport.edu for more information on our application process.
Scholarships for students who sing or play an instrument
UB also offers a scholarship for students who sing or play any instrument (including guitar, ukulele, drumset, bass, piano, digital music, woodwinds, brass, strings, etc.)
Scholarship amount: $1,500/semester ($3,000/school year)
Requirements of scholarship recipients include playing in campus events ensembles and scholarships ensembles. Scholarship recipients will continue to be eligible for these funds throughout their continued enrollment at UB.
Scholarship Application Requirements include either a 1-2 page personal statement or 3-5 minute video about your passion for, experience in, and commitment to music. Write or talk about the ways in which music has been a part of your life. Please be sure to introduce yourself, include your primary instrument, mention music groups you have played in before or your interest in becoming part of a music group at UB.
You must also demonstrate your musical engagement by choosing one of the two options below:
- Option 1: Submit a recommendation letter from someone whose profession is in or related to music (could be a music teacher, church music director, performer, etc.); this person should be able to speak to your commitment to and experience in music activities.
- Option 2: Submit a video recording of yourself playing an instrument or singing. This could be a solo recording or a recording of yourself playing/singing in a musical group (minimum of 3 minutes, your choice of musical repertoire/genre).
To apply:
Submit the materials above to Music Faculty Professor Russell Fisher, Director of Ensembles: rfisher@bridgeport.edu. Your materials will be reviewed by the music department and you will be notified about your scholarship application decision shortly afterward.
University of Bridgeport launched a graduate scholarship program to help deserving students meet the financial obligations of pursuing higher education. There are two award amounts — $3,000 and $4,000 — that are awarded for the first year of study only, and the amount of the award is determined by a student’s academic achievement and test scores.
Eligibility requirements
- You must be an applicant for a master’s level program in the School of Business or the School of Engineering
- There is no separate scholarship application; you will automatically be considered for a scholarship at the time of admission
UB also offers a tuition discount for law enforcement personnel (police officers, corrections officers, parole officers, members of the armed forces and veterans) who have permanent residence in Connecticut, New York, or New Jersey and are enrolled in the M.A. Criminal Justice and Human Security program. Eligible students are required to submit the employment verification form after receiving acceptance into the M.A. Criminal Justice and Human Security program.
General academic scholarships
University of Bridgeport understands the importance of affordability when pursuing an education. UB offers special opportunities for incoming international students to receive academic scholarships to help them pay for their studies.
- Partial scholarship awarded by University of Bridgeport
- Awarded to incoming undergraduate international students based upon academic merit
- No separate application required
Academic scholarships are available to first year applicants seeking an associate or a bachelor degree. All awards are renewable yearly based on satisfactory academic achievement and good standing at University of Bridgeport. All incoming undergraduate international students are automatically considered for these scholarship awards once all application materials have been received.
Academic scholarships range from $5,000 to $20,000 per academic year, and are based on academic excellence and English proficiency. No separate application form is required to be considered for these scholarships.
| Scholarships | Amount per year |
| Trustee Scholarship | $20,000 |
| Presidential Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Provost’s Scholarship | $12,500 |
| Dean’s Achievement Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Academic Achievement Grant | $5,000 |
| Athletic Scholarship** | Varies |
Undergraduate transfer students who have earned 12 or more credits at another college or university are eligible for academic scholarships as well. These scholarships range between $10,000 and $18,000 and are based on your previous performance in higher education.
Note: Students who receive partial scholarships are required to pay the remaining costs, not covered by their scholarships, upon their arrival to University of Bridgeport.
**International undergraduate students who wish to apply for an athletic scholarship must take the SAT Examination. The Department of Athletics at University of Bridgeport offers athletic grants (scholarships) to those individuals who demonstrate superior athletic abilities and meet the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and University of Bridgeport regulations for eligibility. Prospective international undergraduate students can obtain further information about the athletics department and the athletic grants by emailing the appropriate coaches.
Scholarship opportunities for international graduate students
We are very pleased to announce that University of Bridgeport offers an international graduate scholarship program for incoming international graduate students. There are two amounts awarded:
- $3,000
- $4,000
These awards are based on the student’s academic achievement and test scores.
The details are as follows:
- All graduate programs in the Trefz School of Business, all graduate programs in the School of Public and International Affairs, and all graduate programs in our School of Engineering are eligible for this award.
- All applicants will automatically be considered for a scholarship when they send in the University of Bridgeport international application and all admissions materials. No additional form is needed.
- The scholarship will be for the international student’s first year of study, split equally between the first two semesters.
- All graduate students with a scholarship must take 9 credits per semester.
You will find that University of Bridgeport is one of the few universities in the United States with a combination of quality academic programs and affordable cost.
Visit our tuition and fees section to see how this award would impact your overall cost. If you would like us to send you more information about UB, or if you have any questions, please email international@bridgeport.edu.
Contact International Admissions
- Emailinternational@bridgeport.edu
- ApplicationApply Now
University of Bridgeport scholarship guidelines
Scholarship recipients will be eligible to receive their scholarship award for the duration of the academic program providing the following conditions are met:
- Student must be enrolled as an official full time student for each semester in which they receive the scholarship
- Student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- The scholarship will cover tuition only. Mandatory fees and food and housing charges are not covered by this scholarship
- Recipients will be expected to be remain active participants in their area’s professional student organization
- Student conduct must be consistent with standards set forth in the “Key to UB” and the respective academic program
- Scholarships are for new incoming students. Current students are not eligible.
University of Bridgeport, at the discretion of the academic dean, reserves the right to revoke the scholarship if any of the above conditions are not met.
ScholarshipUniverse
Check out ScholarshipUniverse a tool that offers scholarship matching for both internal scholarship opportunities within University of Bridgeport and more than 16,000 external scholarship opportunities. Students must be registered for classes and have created a UB email account in order to apply for internal scholarships in ScholarshipUniverse.
External scholarships and other resources
- See if your county has a community foundation that offers scholarships.
- Check out your state’s Department of Education / Higher Education Agency for possible scholarship opportunities.
- ECMC is a nonprofit corporation providing services in support of higher education finance.
- Fastweb
International student scholarship resources
The following financial resources are particularly helpful for UB’s international students:
- Fastweb is the premier online resource for paying and preparing for college.
- EduPass provides information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the United States. It also contains material of interest to international students who are already in the United States. There is also some information for international students who are interested in studying in countries other than the US, but the focus is on higher education in the US.
- The Rowe Fund is the student loan program of the Organization of American States. It awards interest-free loans to qualified persons from Latin America and Caribbean OAS member countries to help finance graduate, postgraduate, and the final two years of undergraduate studies at accredited universities within the United States.
- International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search (IEFA) is the premier resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad.
- Credelia Financial Services Education Loan – Students applying for a loan from Credelia must be a resident of India. Students can apply online.
- Education Future – The Education Future International Scholarship is a unique scholarship fund that has been established by past scholarship recipients from around the globe.
Financial aid
Grants
The maximum for the Pell Grant for 2025-26 is $7,395. The Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. The amount you receive will depend not only on your financial need, but also on your costs to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. To determine if you are eligible to receive Pell, students must complete the FAFSA each year. The number of students receiving Pell grants at our institution is 904.
Undergraduate students who qualify for the Federal Pell grant and demonstrate exceptional need may be awarded SEOG. Students are required to complete the FAFSA in order to be considered. The maximum allowable award is $4,000.
Traditional undergraduate students only who have remaining financial need after all other scholarships, grants, and loans may qualify for need-based grants from University of Bridgeport. The amounts of these grants vary upon the level of financial need. In order to qualify for the grant, students must be a traditional undergraduate student admitted and must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility every academic year.
TEACH Grant Program provides a grant of up to $4,000 per year to students in the School of Education only. In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education.
Loans
Students must be enrolled at least half-time in order to process federal loans. The most current interest rates and loan fees can be found at the Federal Student Aid website.
Direct Loans
Direct Loan (subsidized)
Direct Subsidized Loans are available for traditional undergraduate students with financial need. Repayment begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The government pays the interest on the Direct Subsidized Loan during in-school periods and during the 6-month grace period.
Direct Loan (unsubsidized)
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available for traditional undergraduate students. Repayment begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Interest on the Direct Unsubsidized Loan accrues from the day the loan is disbursed. Students may pay interest as they go, or capitalize their interest payments.
Annual loan limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Undergraduate
| Item | Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent | |||
| Freshman | $3,500 | $2,000 | $5,500 |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Junior/Senior | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,500 |
| Independent | |||
| Freshman | $3,500 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $6,000 | $10,500 |
| Junior/Senior | $5,500 | $7,000 | $12,500 |
| Aggregated amount | $23,000 | $34,500 | $57,500 |
Annual loan limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Graduate
| Item | Unsubsidized | Yearly total | Total aggregate amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | $20,500 | $20,500 | $138,500 |
| Chiropractic | $33,000 | $33,000 | $224,000 |
| Grad prerequisites | $12,500 | $12,500 |
Direct Loans
Average indebtedness
| Undergrad | Dependent | $27,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Undergrad | Independent | $45,000 |
| Graduate | 2 years of studies | $41,000 |
| Chiropractic | 4 years of studies | $132,000 |
Loans
More loan options
Direct Parent PLUS Loans are unsubsidized low-interest loans for parents of dependent students to help pay for the cost of the student’s education after high school. These loans are taken out by the parents, not the student. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. PLUS Loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance, minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods. For additional information, please go to studentaid.gov.
Parent eligibility requirements for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan
You must be the student’s biological or adoptive parent or the student’s stepparent if the biological or adoptive parent has remarried at the time of application. Your child must be a dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time at University of Bridgeport. For financial aid purposes, students are considered “dependent” if they are under 24, unmarried, and have no legal dependents at the time the FAFSA is submitted. (Exceptions are made for veterans, wards of the court, and other special circumstances.) If a student is considered dependent, then the income and the assets of the parent have to be reported on the FAFSA.
Additional requirements to receive a PLUS Loan
Parent PLUS Loan borrowers cannot have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done). In addition, parents and their dependent child must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, must not be in default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant and must meet other general eligibility requirements for the Federal Student Aid programs.
Steps for applying for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan
To take out a PLUS Loan for the first time, the parent must complete a PLUS Application and Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the Department. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). In most cases, one MPN can be used for loans that a parent receives over multiple academic years, although a separate Loan request must be filed for each school year.
- Go to studentaid.gov and sign into the secure website with an FSA ID. The Parent can obtain an FSA ID at studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
- Once you are logged in with your FSA ID, select the link REQUEST PLUS LOAN under the PLUS LOAN PROCESS navigation bar on the left side of the web page.
- Under the SELECT THE LOAN TYPE header, double click on PARENT PLUS.
- Enter your information (the parent’s information, not the student’s) on the PERSONAL INFORMATION tab. Click on CONTINUE at the bottom of the web page to proceed.
- Enter Award Year and complete the STUDENT AND LOAN INFO tab. Click CONTINUE. Be sure to enter the loan data and select University of Bridgeport.
- Thoroughly review your application for completion and accuracy. Click CONTINUE.
- Click to agree to authorize a credit check and to submit the PLUS Loan application. Click CONTINUE.
- You will receive instant notification whether your application is approved or denied. If your application is approved, you must complete the Direct Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note immediately at studentaid.gov.
If you are not approved for the loan, you can try to add an endorser to your loan application at studentaid.gov or by calling the federal Direct Lending Service Center at 1-800-557-7394.
Direct Parent PLUS Loan FAQ
When can a parent begin applying for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan?
Parents may begin applying for Parent Plus loans 180 days before the semester starts.
How much can a parent borrow?
The annual limit on a Plus Loan is equal to the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives. For example, if the cost of attendance is $50,000 and the student receives $30,000 in other financial aid and awards, the student’s parent can request up to $20,000.
How does the parent get the loan money?
The Department of Education will send the loan funds to University of Bridgeport. In most cases, the loan will be disbursed in at least two installments, and no installment will be more than half the loan amount. University of Bridgeport will use the loan money first to pay the student’s tuition, fees, food and housing, and other school charges. If any loan funds remain, the parent will receive the amount as a check or other means, unless they authorize the amount to be released to the student or transferred into the student’s account at the school. Any remaining loan funds must be used for the student’s education expenses.
What’s the interest rate?
Current interest rates can be found at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates. Interest is charged from the date of the first disbursement until the loan is paid in full.
Other than interest, is there a charge to get a PLUS Loan?
The parent will pay an origination fee, a percentage of the loan amount, deducted proportionately each time a loan disbursement is made. Current loan fees can be found at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates#fees.
When does the parent begin repaying the loan?
The repayment period begins when the loan is fully disbursed, and the first payment is due 60 days after the final disbursement. However, for Direct PLUS Loans with a first disbursement on or after July 1, 2008, the parent may defer repayment while the student on whose behalf the parent took out the loan is enrolled on at least a half-time basis, and for any additional six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.
How does the parent pay back the loan?
The parent will repay the servicer listed on the disclosure statement provided when they received the loan. The loan servicer will provide regular updates on the status of the PLUS Loan and any additional PLUS Loans that a parent receives. The loan servicer will also be listed in the parent’s account. The Direct PLUS LOAN program offers a number of repayment plans. These are designed to meet the different needs of individual borrowers. The terms differ between the repayment programs, but generally, borrowers will have 10 to 25 years to repay a loan. For further information, please go to studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans.
What if a parent has trouble repaying the loan?
Under certain circumstances, a borrower can receive a deferment or forbearance to temporarily stop or lower the payments on a loan.
Can the parent’s PLUS Loan be transferred to the student so that if becomes the student’s responsibility to repay?
No. A PLUS Loan made to the parent cannot be transferred to the student. The parent is responsible for repaying the PLUS Loan.
Is a Parent Plus Loan available for the summer semester?
Yes, however, the student must be enrolled at least half-time for the loan to disburse.
Exit counseling is a process that must be completed by undergraduate and graduate students. The requirements for completing an exit interview are graduation, withdrawal, or if you drop below half-time attendance. The counseling session provides information about how to manage your student loans after college.
- If you received a Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized)
- If you received a Federal Perkins Loan
NOTE: if you received both types of loans you MUST do both exits. The University may hold your transcripts and/or degree until we have received notification of your completed exit(s).
The Income-based repayment calculator estimates your monthly payment amount under the income-based repayment plan for Federal Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized), Grad PLUS, and Consolidation Loans which do not include any Parent PLUS loans.
Loan consolidation allows you to refinance any or all eligible outstanding federal student loans and create a single new loan with one monthly payment. The combining of existing loans into one new loan can result in lower monthly payments but higher total debt. The new loan will have a fixed interest rate, new terms, and may have an extended repayment period of up to 30 years.
For information and comparisons of private alternative loans, please visit ELMSelect.
University of Bridgeport students is strongly encouraged to apply for all eligible financial assistance before considering a private alternative loan. A student should compare a variety of private student loans offered by banks and other education loan providers. Interest rates, conditions, and eligibility requirements may vary between financial institutions and from person to person. You should apply for the alternative loan that best suits your individual needs.
Private alternative loans are commercial loans offered for undergraduate, School of Professional Studies, and graduate students whose financial aid does not cover the full cost of higher education. Depending on individual circumstances, a parent may also be able to borrow alternative loans to help pay for a child’s college expenses. All students who borrow with an alternative loan program must complete a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form (PDF) and submit this form to the lender in order for the alternative loan to be complete and disburse. In order to complete this form, you will need to reference our Tuition and Fees.
A private loan may be an appropriate choice if:
- The difference between the cost of attendance and the total financial aid you have received leaves you with a balance and a PLUS Loan is not a viable option
- You have reached your aggregate Federal Direct Loan limits
- You are enrolled less than half-time
- You are a dependent undergraduate student and your parents will not borrow (or have been denied) a Federal PLUS Loan
- U.S. Government regulations make you ineligible for a federal loan. You may still qualify for a private loan because such programs are not bound by the same federal restrictions. For example, if you are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), are in default of a federal loan, did not respond to verification requests, or are ineligible for federal loans for other reasons, you may be eligible for private loans instead
- You are in arrears for a semester prior to the current semester. You may be able to receive a private loan for an earlier loan period
It is strongly recommended that students borrow only the amount they absolutely require. Note that such loans are for educational purposes only, which means you must be a registered student and the amount you borrow cannot exceed the cost of attendance. There are no maximum income restrictions. Individual lenders will evaluate credit history and application fees are not refundable.
Private alternative loan programs differ from Federal Direct Loans in several important ways:
- Annual and total loan limits are higher for private alternative loans.
- Loans and interest rates are based on credit approval and approval is not guaranteed. Students must have good credit or access to a co-signer to qualify for private loans.
- Private loans are not federally guaranteed; therefore, they do not have the same deferment, cancellation and consolidation benefits.
- The government will pay the interest on Federal Direct Subsidized Loans while the student is in school at least half-time. In addition, there is a grace period after graduation or falling below half-time before payments must commence.
- Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans require a credit check but the qualifying criteria are not as strict as for private loans and, if approved, the parent can choose not to begin repaying the loan until the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
- Students do not have to start paying back their Federal Direct Loans until they graduate or stop attending school at least half-time. If you obtain a private loan, you will most likely have to start making payments immediately.
The MyCHESLA Grad Loan will expand to include all graduate and professional degree programs. The expanded program is expected sometime by the end of July, though the exact timing has not yet been confirmed.
Contact Student Financial Services
Schedule a meeting with Student Financial Services
Discuss loans, verification, FAFSA inquiries, billing, and more via phone or Zoom. Student Financial Services counselors are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. To schedule a meeting, please contact our office.