The main criterion for receiving grants is substantial financial need. Grants do not have to be repaid unless a student becomes ineligible. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined in the Parker University Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to qualified undergraduates to help pay for their education. Pell grants do not have to be repaid unless a student becomes ineligible. Eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is based on several factors. Students complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and this generates an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. Using the EFC number and other criteria, the amount of award is determined. Students with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant FSEOG
The Federal SEOG provides additional grant assistance to students. Funds are limited and priority is given to Pell-eligible students with exceptional financial need. Federal SEOG awards do not have to be repaid unless a student becomes ineligible. Students with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for Federal SEOG.

A&P Grant
Eligible students can receive a Parker University A&P Grant. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA throughout the program to maintain eligibility. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in the A&P program with the intention of enrolling into the Doctorate of Chiropractic program. This grant is calculated at $300.00 per credit hour and is only awarded towards A&P credits and cannot be awarded towards general education classes.

Tuition Equalization Grant
The Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) is a state-funded aid program designed to provide grants to students with financial need to enable them to attend private, non-profit universities in Texas.  To qualify for an initial TEG amount, students must complete an application with the Financial Aid Office and meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be classified as a Texas resident;
• Show financial need (as demonstrated by your FAFSA or TASFA);
• Be enrolled in an eligible institution in Texas in a degree plan leading to a first associate, baccalaureate, master’s or doctoral degree;
• Earn and maintain a cumulative college GPA of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and complete at least 24 credit hours per year (18 credit hours per year if a graduate student) with a minimum completion rate of 75% (this means you are completing at least 75% of the credit hours you attempt in each term);
• Be enrolled at least three-quarter time; and
• Be registered for Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement.

To qualify for a continuing (or renewal) amount of TEG, students will not need to complete an additional application with the Financial Aid Office.  Students who receive an initial amount of TEG will automatically have their eligibility re-evaluated in future years.  To be approved for a renewal amount of TEG, the above listed criteria must continue to be met in addition to maintaining satisfactory academic progress.  As this is a limited-funded program, TEG amounts will be offered on a first-come, first-served priority basis, and the Financial Aid Office cannot guarantee that all students who apply will be granted an amount of funding.

Parker University Scholarship Programs

Parker University offers a variety of scholarships ranging from academic to financial for students who meet the criteria set by the university.

Undergraduate Academic Merit Scholarships

Scholarships are available to those students who qualify based on GPA.  Amounts range from $1,000 – $2,150 per term and are available for all Associate and Bachelor programs.

College of Chiropractic

Doctor of Chiropractic – Incoming Student Scholarship Application
Doctor of Chiropractic – Continuing Student Scholarship Application

College of Business and Technology

William M. Harris MBA Scholarship Application
Merit Scholarship

*Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at AskFinancialAid@parker.edu or 214-902-2424 for complete details on the scholarship opportunities and specific criteria.

Private Scholarships
Outside scholarships are available from outside companies. A helpful resource in identifying private scholarships is ScholarshipExperts.

Parker University encourages students to maximize your borrowing by using all federal loan options before borrowing from private/alternative loan sources.

Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Parker University was selected by the United States Department of Education to participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. A Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan eliminates lender and guarantee agencies. Parker University processes a student’s application in-house, and the loan is funded directly by the U.S. Department of Education. The Federal Direct Student Loans are low interest loans.

Federal Direct Loan Subsidized Program repayment begins six (6) months after a student drops below half-time status. The loan has a variable interest rate that is determined each year by the federal government. Based on student eligibility for the subsidized loan, the unsubsidized loan amount may be increased based on unmet need if eligible. Unsubsidized loans are non-need based loans to students who meet the qualifications. The loan is based on the cost of attendance less any other financial aid a student receives. Interest is charged throughout the life of the loan. The following chart provides maximum annual and total loan limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans as of July 1, 2012.

Doctor of Chiropractic Student
Unsubsidized Loan = $33,000 Total Loans = $33,000

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal PLUS Loan (PLUS) programs provide non-need based loans to parents of dependent students. PLUS loan eligibility is based on the cost of attendance less any other financial aid a student receives. Repayment on a Federal PLUS begins within (60) sixty days after the final loan disbursement. These loans have variable interest rates determined annually by the federal government.

Federal Graduate Professional PLUS Loan

Graduate and professional degree students are eligible to apply for the PLUS loan program up to their cost of attendance minus other estimated financial assistance in the direct loan program. The terms and conditions applicable to parent PLUS loans also apply to the graduate/professional PLUS loans. The requirements include a determination the applicant does not have an adverse credit history, repayment begins 6 months after the student falls below a half-time enrollment status, and a fixed interest rate of 7.6 % (for loans disbursed 07/01/2018-06/30/2019). Applicants for these loans are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They also must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the federal subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loan program before applying for a graduate/professional PLUS loan.

VA Benefits FAQ’s

Active Military Tuition Assistance Benefits for Online Programs

Parker University participates in the Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance (TA) Program providing postsecondary programs available to the military community.

TA eligible programs at Parker University are as follows:

• • AAS-Health Information
  • AAS-Health Information Technology
  • BS-Computer Information Systems
  • MBA – Health Care Management
  • MS-CNEUR – Masters of Science in Clinical Neuroscience
  • MS-NEURO – Masters of Science in Neuroscience
  • MS-FN – Masters of Science in Functional Nutrition
  • BS-Health Information Management
  • BBA – Health Care Management

Active Military Tuition Rate:$250 per credit hour tuition rates for undergraduate online programs and masters program. This amount reflects only tuition in accordance with DoD Instruction 1322.25. Rates do not include costs associated with room, board, distance learning, equipment, supplies, books/materials, exams, insurance, parking, transportation, admissions, registration, or fines. Compare tuition costs here.

Yellow Ribbon Program – A provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill that allows Veterans to attend a private school for little or no out-of-pocket money. Contact askregistrar@parker.edu for more information.

Applying for GI Bill and Veteran Benefits:

Parker University is approved by the Texas Veteran’s commission to certify eligible students for VA Benefits enrolled in approved academic programs. Veterans that wish to utilize their benefits must submit the following documents to the VA Certifying Official in the Registrar’s Office:

• VA Enrollment Certification Form – must be submitted each term
• VA Certificate of Eligibility Form
• Copy of DD-214 (Veteran only)
• Copy of VA 1905 (Vocational Rehabilitation only)
• All official military transcripts and academic transcripts from other schools attended

Contact askregistrar@parker.edu for more information.

Some students may need additional funding to cover any shortfall that their Federal Grants and Federal Loans do not cover, or other students may need assistance with living expenses. For these cases, there are Alternative Loans to help.  A sample listing of alternative loan lenders and their products can be found by visiting https://www.elmselect.com/link/query?schoolId=738.  Alternative Loans are credit based, private-education loans, that students can utilize pending an approved application. Most lenders allow for cosigners if needed, offer competitive interest rates, and various repayment terms. Student are not obligated to use any specific lender listed on Parker University’s ElmOne website and are free to use any lender of their choice.