Admissions

Paying For College

Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

Rochester Christian University is pleased to offer students institutional scholarships and grant opportunities. All institutional scholarships are reviewed on an annual basis. Modifications for future incoming classes will not change your scholarship award. All institutional scholarships are available for the fall and spring semesters only. Awards shall be applied directly against the recipient’s educational expenses at a rate of 50% for the Fall semester and 50% for the Spring semester. The total of all institutional aid for residential students may not exceed 100% of tuition, room, board, and fees. Please note that only full-time students (minimum of 12 hours) are eligible for institutional aid.

Scholarship Application

Each year, students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships that they are qualified for, based on specific criteria. Admitted students who have already completed their FAFSA are encouraged to apply for these general and endowed scholarships. Amounts vary.

Merit-Based Awards

Exceptional students may also qualify for Merit-Based Awards. Students may receive no more than one merit award.

All institutional merit scholarships are reviewed on an annual basis. Modifications for future incoming classes will not change your merit award. All institutional scholarships are available for the Fall and Spring semesters only. Awards shall be applied directly against the recipient’s educational expenses at a rate of 50% for the Fall semester and 50% for the Spring semester.

Transfer scholarships are based on the student’s college transfer GPA and may not change throughout their time as a student at Rochester Christian University. “First time at any college” students’ academic scholarships are based on their high school GPA and ACT scores and will remain unchanged throughout their time as a student at Rochester Christian University.

Note: While many colleges only offer their scholarships for four years, Rochester Christian University offers their scholarships for up to five years. So if you change your major or want to add a minor which takes you more than four years to complete, our scholarships will be there for you in year five.

Varsity Athletes, Women of Tomorrow, Detroit Promise Scholars, and Trustee Scholars are not eligible for these discounts / scholarships. Students may receive no more than one of the following discounts:

Christian Academy/School Graduate Discount 

Eligibility: Awarded to first-time RCU students under age 24 who graduated from an accredited Christian High School

  • Amount: $500/year
  • Renewal requirements: 2.0 CPGA
  • Applied automatically, discuss with your admissions adviser

 

Family Tuition Discount 

Eligibility: Awarded if two or more dependent children or a parent and child are concurrently enrolled full time

  • Amount: $1,000 per year
  • Renewal Requirements: Continued enrollment of two or more immediate family members as verified by the registrar. Minimum of 2.0 CGPA.
  • Applied automatically, discuss with your admissions adviser

 

Children of Ministers Scholarship 

Eligibility: First time RCU students under age 24 who are dependent children of full-time ministers (pulpit, youth, worship) or foreign missionaries (working under the supervision and support of a Christian Church in the United States, letter from supporting congregation required annually) and who have served in that capacity for at least 3 years. Discount application form as well as youth census list (9th-12th) from your home congregation must be submitted annually.

  • Amount: $2,000/year
  • Renewal Requirements: Discount application form as well as youth census list (9th-12th) from your home congregation must be submitted annually. Must remain full-time boarding student and maintain 2.0 CGPA.
  • Discuss with your admissions adviser about applying for this award

     

Warrior Legacy Scholarship

Eligibility: At least one parent must have attended Rochester Christian University and must have earned a minimum of Rochester Christian University 24 credit hours

  • 50% off tuition for up to 5 years
  • Renewal Requirements: 2.0 CGPA
  • Applied automatically, discuss with your admissions adviser

Varsity Athletes, Women of Tomorrow, Detroit Promise Scholars, and Trustee Scholars are not eligible for these discounts / scholarships.

Nonprofit Management Major Scholarship 

Eligibility: Through generous funding provided by the Stewart Team Real Estate, Rochester Christian University offers a scholarship for students who are current Nonprofit Management majors, or who have been accepted to Rochester Christian University and have declared Nonprofit Management as their major.

  • Amount: RCU awards $5,000 annually to one or more individuals that meet the criteria of the scholarship.
  • Apply For Scholarship

 

Pure Oakland Water Scholarship 

Eligibility: Through generous funds provided by Pure Oakland Water, Rochester Christian University offers an annual scholarship for students who are currently biology majors, have a 3.0 GPA, are sophomore status or higher, and preferably an Oakland County resident.

RaiseMe 

  • Students can earn up to $28,000 in scholarships on RaiseMe to attend Rochester Christian University!
  • We partnered with RaiseMe to offer micro-scholarships that recognize your academic, extracurricular, and community service achievements while a high school or college student. High School students can earn up to $7,000 per academic year and college students interested in transferring can earn up to $2,000 per year toward scholarships at Rochester Christian University. The amount you earn on RaiseMe represents your guaranteed minimum amount of institutional grants and scholarships to attend RCU. You may receive even more in your scholarship or financial aid package once we review your completed application for admission.
  • Learn More and Apply

 

SAGE Scholars – Tuition Rewards 

  • To help make a Rochester Christian University education financially accessible to more families, RCU is an active participant and member in the Tuition Rewards program, sponsored by SAGE Scholars (Savings and Growth for Education), an independent organization.
  • By investing or saving with participating banks, credit unions, 529 Plans, and other financial institutions, family members can earn “points” to provide students with guaranteed minimum scholarships at a national consortium of participating independent colleges, including Rochester Christian University. Starting with the freshman year, the points can be redeemed for up to the full cost of base tuition and spread evenly over four undergraduate years. Tuition Rewards are provided regardless of the income or assets of the student or the student’s family.
  • The student’s Tuition Rewards statement must be submitted through the Account Statement page at the time the student applies for admission to Rochester Christian University. Statements submitted after RCU has prepared a financial aid package for the student may invalidate the use of Tuition Rewards.
  • Learn more about SAGE Tuition Rewards

Undergraduate Support For Success

Payment and Paperwork Policy

All Undergraduate, Graduate, and Adult Learning students have a payment and financial aid paperwork deadline of the Monday before the first day of each semester. We want students to be able to start off the semester with having all paperwork and (if necessary) payment being made so you can be better prepared to focus on your studies and succeed academically.

Financial Aid

As a Rochester Christian University student, your success is important to us—and we want to provide the support you need to succeed. Rochester Christian University awarded over $1,300,000 during the 2021-22 award year in academic and leadership scholarships to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and exceptional church and community leadership skills. The University also awarded over $16,000,000 during 2018-19 in financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships and loans.

Rochester Christian University is also proud to provide the RCU Pledge Loan Assistant Repayment Assistance Program to incoming freshmen, as well as providing assistance to our Warrior Early Commit students.

ITEMS TO COMPLETE AFTER REGISTERING & BEFORE THE PAYMENT/PAPERWORK DEADLINE:
  • Complete a FAFSA form at studentaid.gov
  • Complete any missing items (i.e. verification, missing signatures, unusual enrollment history, etc)
  • Accept or Decline all awards on the student portal at my.rochesteru.edu
  • If accepting loans, students must complete:
    • Entrance Counseling (EC)
    • Master Promissory Note (MPN)
    • Parent PLUS Loan MPN (if applicable)
    • Private/Alternative Loan secured (if applicable)
  • New Traditional Students Only:
    • Tuition and Fees Promissory Note
    • Institutional Aid Renewable Policy
  • If payment is due:
    • If paying in full, payment is due the Monday before the first day of the semester.
    • If doing a payment plan, the first payment is due the Monday before the first day of the semester.
OTHER INFORMATION:
  • Students will receive an “Unofficial” email two times per month in June and July, notifying them of any outstanding items. One time per week during the first two weeks of August and then daily the week leading up to the deadline. Please do not ignore these emails.
  • IMPORTANT: Students who do not complete all of the required steps will be administratively dropped from all of their courses on Tuesday following the payment deadline. You will not be able to move into the residence hall if a Traditional-Residential student.
  • You will receive notification to your RCU email that you have been administratively dropped from your courses.
  • If you are administratively dropped from your courses and complete your paperwork/payment after the fact, then you can re-register for courses. You may not be able to get back into the same courses as before. Traditional students must re-register by 4pm on the first Friday after the semester begins (Census Date). Graduate and Accelerated Learning students must re-register by Friday 4pm before the first day of the semester.
  • Exceptions will be limited, but must be approved by Student Financial Services.

Please contact Student Financial Services at sfs@rochesteru.edu or 248-218-2127 for any questions.

Students should apply for aid every year, even if they think they won’t qualify. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is free, and it’s easy to apply. There are many factors affecting eligibility for financial aid, including income, family size and number in college. To apply for most financial aid — including federal and state student grants, work-study and loans – you will need to complete the FAFSA using one of the following formats:

  • online at studentaid.gov
  • using a paper FAFSA – note: PDF FAFSAs must be mailed for processing.

The FAFSA form is available as early as October 1 for the following school year. It’s important to fill it out as soon as possible to meet school and state financial aid deadlines.

IMPORTANT:  The State of Michigan has a priority deadline of March 1st (date received) for State of Michigan student aid programs!

  1. Create a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) number. Go to studentaid.gov and click on “Create Account.” Both students and parent(s) are required to use an FSA ID to access sensitive financial aid information and electronically sign Federal Student Aid documents. Each person will create a username and password and enter their personal email address. The FSA ID process requires your name, date of birth, social security number and contact information, along with challenge questions and answers. You will be able to use your new FSA ID number only after confirming your email address using a secure code sent to you when creating your FSA ID. It is important to remember that a mobile phone number or email address can be associated with only one FSA ID.
  2. Have your and your parent’s tax return and income information available when you file the FAFSA. Students and families completing a FAFSA are now required to use tax and income information from two years prior to the academic year for which they are applying. This is commonly referred to as Prior-Prior Year FAFSA. Families have the ability to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when completing the FAFSA, which allows for automatic transfer of tax and income information directly to a student’s FAFSA. While not required, we highly recommend using the tool for several reasons:
    • The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is the easiest way to provide tax return information.
    • It is the best way of ensuring that your FAFSA has accurate tax return information.
  3. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after October 1 as possible each year.*
    • *TIP: If you are given the option to complete a “renewal” FAFSA form, choose that option. When you choose to renew your FAFSA form, your demographic information from the previous year will roll over into your new application. Go to studentaid.gov to start your financial aid application and indicate that you are the student. Certain information may be automatically loaded into your application to prevent common errors. The online and app versions of the FAFSA include step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA. These versions provide built-in edit checks to catch simple errors and allow both the student and the parent(s) to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). The student is the one applying for financial aid, so be sure it is the student entering his or her FSA ID in the “I am the student” tab.
    • Do not start the FAFSA form by supplying the parent’s FSA ID!
  4. Be sure to include Rochester Christian University’s federal school code (002288) in the number 1 spot in step 6 of the FAFSA to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of aid.
  5. Before your FAFSA form can be processed, you’ll need to sign and submit the application. If you are providing parent information, one of your parents will be required to sign your application.
  6. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) upon completion of the FAFSA. The SAR is a summary of the FAFSA data you submitted. Review your Student Aid Report and correct any mistakes online by logging into your student aid account.
  7. Student Financial Services at RCU will receive a copy of your FAFSA application 3-5 business days after submission and review to determine your eligibility for financial aid. If additional information is required, you will receive an email from SFS@rochesteru.edu outlining what information or update(s) is required. When your FAFSA is approved, you will receive an award letter outlining cost information and detailing your financial aid award package.

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is available when you file the FAFSA online or on the mobile app. Using this tool is the easiest and most accurate way to file the FAFSA. If you choose not to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will need to have student and/or parent tax returns and other records available. If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you may be asked to supply a copy of your IRS tax record (transcript).

Students and parents who are eligible to use the IRS DRT can access it from within the FAFSA application on the student or parent finances pages. The IRS DRT can be used as soon as 3 weeks after filing the federal income tax return electronically and 11 weeks after filing a paper income tax return. There are several situations in which you will not be given the option to use the IRS DRT.

Simple steps to transfer tax information into your FAFSA are listed below:

Log in to your current FAFSA form or start a new application at studentaid.gov.

Click Link to IRS. (Note: If you have already used the IRS DRT to transfer your tax return information into your application, the information will not display on your FAFSA. For your protection, the answer to each question is replaced with “Transferred from the IRS.”)

Enter your FSA ID. (Note: The person whose tax information is being transferred should enter his or her own FSA ID. Students will not be asked to enter their FSA ID if they entered an FSA ID to begin their FAFSA.)

Your FAFSA will be saved and you will be transferred to the external IRS Web site.

On the IRS Web site, you must enter the requested information exactly as it appears on your federal income tax return. If you get an error that there’s no match, double check your information, including the exact mailing address and tax filing status on your return.

Check the “Transfer my Tax Information into the FAFSA form” box and click the “Transfer Now” button.

Finish filling out the FAFSA, sign and submit it.

See visual tool below for information on transferring tax information into the FAFSA:

Types of Federal and State Aid

By closely following and completing the following steps, you will accelerate the financial aid process and maximize the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. Packaging will be based on students’ maximum eligibility for grants/scholarships/loans within the cost of attendance.

Types of Federal and State Aid

By closely following and completing the following steps, you will accelerate the financial aid process and maximize the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. Packaging will be based on students’ maximum eligibility for grants/scholarships/loans within the cost of attendance.

Eligibility: Students will now be considered for one of three types of Pell Grants: maximum, minimum, or a calculated Pell amount. Eligibility is now based on dependency status, family size, parent’s marital status, income (AGI), a multiplier of the federal poverty level and enrollment status. All students enrolled for at least one credit hour will now receive consideration for a Pell grant.
Amount: Maximum Estimate based on 23-24 Pell amounts – $7395 for the 2024-2025 award year, pro-rated based on enrollment intensity.
Apply: Complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first.

Eligibility: Need-based grant for low-income undergraduate students. Awarded to students with exceptional financial need who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients. 
Amount: Maximum $500 per award year, pro-rated based on enrollment. RCU receives a limited amount of funds each year, so early application is important to receive this grant.
Deadline: June 30, 2024 for the 2024-2025 award year. 
Apply: Complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first.

Eligibility: Need-based loan available to undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time.
Amount: Determined by student’s grade level, dependency status, financial need and cost of attendance. Freshman up to $3,500, Sophomore up to $4,500, and Junior/Senior up to $5,500. There are aggregate (lifetime) limits.
Details: The government pays the interest while student is enrolled in college at least half-time and during a six-month grace period. Repayment begins six months after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. There is a time limit on how long a student can receive loans.
Apply: Complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first.

Eligibility: Loan available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time regardless of financial need.
Amount: Determined by student’s grade level, dependency status, and cost of attendance Freshman/Sophomore maximum $6,000 and Junior/Senior maximum $7,000. There are aggregate (lifetime) limits.
Details: Student is responsible for paying the interest during all periods. Interest payments are the responsibility of the student for the duration of the loan. Repayment begins six months after graduation or the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.
Apply: Complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first.

Eligibility: Provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.
Amount: Varies (at least minimum wage) – student receives a paycheck.
Details: Work-study funds listed on a student’s award letter are not applied directly to the student’s bill. In order to receive funds, students must apply and be hired in a student worker position.
Apply: Complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first and submit work-study application on the RCU student portal. Complete work study application.

Eligibility: The Michigan Tuition Grant is available to undergraduate Michigan residents with financial need who plan to attend or are attending a Michigan degree-granting, nonprofit independent college.
Amount: Awards pay up to a maximum of $3,000 for the 2024-25 award year.
Details: Current and future awards are subject to available and approved funding.
Deadline: March 1, 2022 for the 2022-2023 award year.
Apply: Complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first prior to the state deadline of March 1.

Eligibility: Need-based award available to eligible students enrolled in an associate degree program (Phase I) and/or a bachelor’s degree program (Phase II). TIP application must be completed prior to August 31 of the year the student graduates from high school.
Amount: Phase I maximum is $122 per credit hour (up to 80 hours) and Phase II maximum is $1,000 per award year (up to $2,000 total lifetime benefit).
Details: Only students who were identified by the Michigan Medicaid Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as having met the Michigan Medicaid eligibility requirement may apply for TIP.
Deadline: Eligible students must apply before August 31 of the student’s graduating year from high school or it’s recognized equivalent.
Apply: The TIP application may be completed online in the MiSSG Student Portal or by calling 1-888-447-2687 prior to the application deadline and complete FAFSA with school code 002288 Rochester Christian University listed first.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

  • Parents of dependent students may apply for a federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan at studentaid.gov to help pay for their child’s educational expenses. If approved for the loan, the parent must complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the loan must be accepted on the student’s portal. Note, there is one MPN for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and a different MPN for Direct Parent PLUS Loans.
  • When a parent is denied for a PLUS loan, the dependent student may then be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans. The student may be awarded as much as an independent student at the same grade level. Independent students in their junior or senior year are eligible to receive up to $12,500 per year in federal Direct loans, with a limit of $5,500 in subsidized loans.
  • Students may apply for a private, or alternative, student loan. Private loans available from private lenders and vary in their interest rates, terms and eligibility requirements. Find more information here.
  • Students may pay the out-of-pocket cost in full by the due date.
  • RCU offers a payment plan option, breaking down the balance into affordable monthly payments. Students are required to enroll or re-enroll in the payment plan ($75 enrollment fee) each semester. Students are never penalized for paying off the balance early.
  • Current students who refer a new student to RCU stand a chance to earn $250 for themselves and for the referred student. You can refer an unlimited number of applicants. To qualify, the new students must successfully complete their first semester at RCU. Both you and the referred student will receive your $250 award the semester following their first semester.