Financial Aid
Students shouldn’t be held back by cost when they are considering how to pursue their educational goals. The financial aid information available on this site is intended to provide a place where you can look at your options for financing your college or university education prior to enrolling in school.
Explore Ways to Fund Your Education
Financial aid can give students a chance to think about how they will pay for college, prior to making a commitment to enroll. As part of the enrollment process, AITU recommends prospective students research federal aid options, alternative funding options and potential scholarship sources.
Financial Aid Resource Options
Use the resources below to explore financial aid opportunities that may help reduce out of pocket education costs.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by students to determine eligibility for various types of federal student aid such as grants, work study and loans.
Alternative Funding
Students may also consider alternative funding options such as state funded financial assistance programs; private grants; scholarships and other forms of financial assistance that may be available in addition to or separate from federal aid.
Understanding FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a significant means of securing funding in the form of federal student assistance. The FAFSA application is free and will provide students with their best chance of receiving the most available funding for education.
- The FAFSA is free.
- The FAFSA will assist you in determining if you are eligible for other forms of federal financial assistance.
- The FAFSA may also serve as your application for both grant and loan programs.
- In addition, some state governments and/or colleges will utilize FAFSA data in reviewing or awarding additional educational aid options.
- Complete the FAFSA application as soon as possible, so that you do not miss any deadlines associated with completing this process.
- For the school year 2025-26, the federal deadline to submit the FAFSA is June 30, 2026.
- For the school year 2026-27, the federal deadline to submit the FAFSA is June 30, 2027.
Alternative Funding Options
Students are not limited to federal aid. There are many alternative funding sources such as; State Aid Programs, Scholarships, Grants, Employer Tuition Assistance, Community Funding, Non-profit funding, Workforce related education benefits, or other forms of financial aid which a student may be eligible for depending on their individual circumstances. According to NASFAA, some of these types of funding can be accessed by students through completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Student Aid) and/or contacting your state’s higher education agency.
- State financial aid programs
- Grants and Scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance
- Community/non-profit funding
- Education workforce benefits
- Other forms of funding based upon individual student needs
Military and Veteran Education Benefits
There are many education benefits available for military families and the eligible family member of a veteran. More details on these types of educational support systems, along with some of the GI Bill (and other) education benefits available to you as an active duty student or the dependent of a service member or veteran, is located in the Military and Veteran Resource Center.
Financial Aid Planning Checklist
Use the checklist below to prepare before reviewing your financial aid and funding options.
| Planning Step: | What to Do: |
| 1. Review Tuition Costs | Visit the Cost of Attendance page to understand estimated tuition |
| 2. Complete FAFSA | Use the FAFSA resource to explore federal student aid options |
| 3. Explore Alternative Funding | Review state, community, employer, and other funding opportunities |
| 4. Review Scholarships | Visit the Scholarships page to learn about scholarship opportunities |
| 5. Review Military Benefits, If Applicable | Military connected students should visit the military and veteran resource center to review the benefits we accept |
| 6. Gather Documents | Prepare basic personal, financial, academic, or employment information if needed |
| 7. Speak with an Advisor | Contact AITU if you need help understanding where to begin |
Scholarships and Additional Support
In addition to financial aid resources, students are encouraged to review AITU scholarship opportunities. Scholarships may help reduce education costs for eligible students and can be part of a student’s overall funding plan.
Need Help Understanding Financial Aid?
Financial aid can be confusing, but students do not have to review their options alone. AITU encourages students to contact an advisor if they have questions about tuition, FAFSA, alternative funding, scholarships, or where to begin.