Tuition & financial aid

Per hour tuition fees are the same for all Bluffton degree completion programs. The number of credit hours required to complete each program varies however.

2021-22 Degree completion program

Per hour fee		$495
Technology fee per semester		$125

Minimum credit hour requirements:

Additional coursework may be necessary to complete a bachelor's degree.
Contact your admissions counselor to develop an individual advising plan.

Program	Minimum hours	Minimum tuition cost
Accounting	30	$14,850
Business management	41	$20,295
Social work	43	$21,285

To apply for financial aid:

Create an FSA username and password that allows you to sign your FAFSA electronically at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov

To accept your financial aid:

Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentaid.gov/
Complete the Entrance Loan Counseling (required for first time Bluffton borrowers only) studentloans.gov
Complete the appropriate Verification Request (if selected)

Financial aid policies

Students with questions concerning financial assistance should contact the financial aid office at 1-800-488-3257 (option 2) or 419-358-3266. Personnel in the financial aid office are available to help estimate your eligibility for financial assistance. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. -12 and 1- 5 p.m. The financial aid office can also be contacted via email at: finaid@bluffton.edu

In order to be eligible for any federal or state need-based grants and/or federal loan programs, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing Bluffton as one of the recipients. The federal school code number for Bluffton is 003016.

Grant assistance

Federal and state grants are awarded based upon a variety of factors, but most often on the basis of the program rules and/or demonstrated financial need.

Federal Pell Grant - The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant awarded to eligible undergraduate students. Awards for the 2020-21 award year range from $639 to $6,345. Eligibility is determined by the expected family contribution (EFC) as calculated on the FAFSA. This grant is available to full-time and less than full-time students. A student's lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters (or its equivalent).

Ohio College Opportunity Grant - The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is a need-based tuition assistance program available to Ohio residents enrolled in a degree program at an eligible institution. Eligible students must have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $2,190 or less with a maximum household income of $96,000. The 2020-21 award for a full-time eligible student is $3,500.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs

Federal Direct Loans are guaranteed low-interest loans for students attending school at least half-time. Subsidized loans are available to students who qualify based on need. Unsubsidized loans are not based on need or income. Therefore, students and families of all income levels have access to federally guaranteed funds for college. Eligibility is determined both by need and the number of transfer credit hours a student brings into the program.

All first-time direct loan borrowers at Bluffton must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note at https://studentaid.gov/.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

Need based loan
No interest while a student is registered for at least six credit hours or during a six month grace period after a student graduates or drops below six hours
4.99% effective July 1, 2022. Variable-fixed interest rate for the life of the loan
- Interest rates are recalculated each July 1 for new loans disbursed that year. The rate is based on the 10-year Treasury note index plus 2.05%. capped at 8.25%
1.057% origination fee
Repayment on the principal begins six months after student graduates or drops below six credit hours
The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan
- while you are in school at least half-time
- for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period*), and
- during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
More information on federal direct loans, including income-based repayment options

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Non-need based loan
Interest begins as soon as the loan is disbursed
The student may choose to make interest only payments while in school or choose to have the interest capitalized
4.99% effective July 1, 2022. Variable-fixed interest rate for the life of the loan
- Interest rates are recalculated each July 1 for new loans disbursed that year. The rate is based on the 10-year Treasury note index plus 2.05%. capped at 8.25%
1.057% origination fee
Repayment on the principal begins six months after completing program of study or dropping below six credit hours
More information on federal direct loans, including income-based repayment options.

All first-time Direct Loan borrowers must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov

It is important to note that students are subject to aggregate (maximum) loan limits. Students who have borrowed at previous institutions must be aware of remaining eligibility according to these aggregates. For dependent borrowers, the aggregate limit is $31,000 with no more than $23,000 of this amount in subsidized loans. For independent borrowers, the limit is $57,500 with no more than $23,000 in subsidized loans. To obtain your current student loan debt, log on to your account at: https://nslds.ed.gov.

Annual loan limits are as follows:

Grade Level	Credit Hours	Subsidized and Unsubsidized	Unsubsidized	Additional Unsubsidized	Total
First-year	0-26	$3,500	$2,000	$4,000	$9,500
Sophomore	27-57	$4,500	$2,000	$4,000	$10,500
Junior	58-87	$5,500	$2,000	$5,000	$12,500
Senior	88-or more	$5,500	$2,000	$5,000	$12,500

Dependent students are only eligible for subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts, not the Additional Unsubsidized, unless parents cannot get a PLUS loan.

Private Education Loans - Students may find that they need resources in addition to those listed on the award letter. There are private education loan programs available to students which are not based on need. Additional information about private loans is available online or in person at the financial aid office.

Employer Assistance - An increasing number of employers provide educational assistance benefits to their employees. Students should check to see if their employer provides educational assistance. Students must notify the Bluffton University financial aid office of any employer assistance that they receive.

Veteran's Benefits - Bluffton programs are approved for Veteran's Benefits with Adult and Graduate Studies appointed as certifying officer. Contact Becky Cox for application forms and for more information.

General information

Students have access to financial information from many, many sources. Some of this information is helpful; some of it can be misleading and confusing. For an accurate and current understanding of the financial aid process and for helpful information, the Bluffton financial aid office recommends the following web sites: