Non Degree Seeking Students

As a general rule, those who are admitted as a non-degree seeking student are not eligible for financial aid.  Federal regulations do require a student to be working towards a degree to be eligible to receive financial aid funds. There are two exceptions to this regulation, if you are enrolled in an intial required teacher certification program for the state in which you will teach, or if you are taking prerequisite coursework required for admission to a degree program at Radford University. If you think you may qualify for financial aid under one of these circumstances, please submit the recommended paperwork to the financial aid office for review.

Teacher Certification

The student must be enrolled in a program that is required for initial elementary or secondary teacher certification or re-certification in the state where the student plans to teach, or the state in which the student is completing the program. This exception is not intended to cover optional courses that the student elects to take for professional recognition or advancement. Nor does the exception cover courses that the school recommends but that are not required for certification or recertification.

If you are enrolled in a required teacher certification program, you may be eligible to borrow under the Federal Direct Loan program. Students in this category may borrow up to $5,500 in Subsidized Federal Direct Loan funds and, as an independent student, up to $7,000 in Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds.  Students must also meet all other financial aid requirements to be considered eligible for funds, i.e. satisfactory academic progress, enrollment standards, federal borrowing limits, etc.

If you think you will qualify for financial aid under this exception please submit the Teacher Certification Request form to our office.

Required Prerequisite Coursework

The student must be enrolled in prerequisite coursework required for entrance into a degree program at Radford University.

Undergraduate students under this exception are eligible to borrow for only a one year period. You will be eligible to borrow up to $2,625 in Subsidized Federal Direct Loan funds and, if an independent student, up to $4,000 unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds.  Students must also meet all other financial aid requirements to be considered eligible for funds (i.e. satisfactory academic progress, enrollment standards, federal borrowing limits, etc.)

Graduate students under this exception are eligible to borrow for only a one year period. You will be eligible to borrow up to $5,500 in Subsidized Federal Direct Loan funds and, if an independent student, up to $7,000 unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds.  Students must also meet all other financial aid requirements to be considered eligible for funds, i.e. satisfactory academic progress, enrollment standards, federal borrowing limits, etc.

If you think you qualify for financial aid under this exception please submit the Prerequisite Coursework Request Form to our office.