Funding Your Degree

Keck Graduate Institute understands the importance of financial aid in assisting students to cover the cost of attendance. In 2023/24, KGI awarded $1.2M in scholarship aid to the incoming class through endowed, gift, and KGI funded scholarships.

All applicants are encouraged to submit their applications in the priority round in order to receive first consideration for KGI scholarships. All KGI scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and the overall promise shown by an applicant.

General criteria for potential awards include:

• Academic Potential
• Work and/or relevant research experience
• Leadership/community involvement

All admitted students will receive an aid package that is unique to him or her.

Merit Scholarships

Genomic Data Analytics Distinction Scholarship – MSGDA

The Genomic Data Analytics Distinction Scholarship is awarded based on the comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission.

Award

• Up to $10,000
• Divided evenly over two consecutive academic years beginning with the incoming semester and contingent upon the student’s enrollment, maintenance of a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and completion of each of the Fall and Spring semesters through their second year

Eligibility

• Awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission
• Preference is given to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Deadline

Students must accept their admission and award within the timeframe indicated on their award or acceptance letter.

Merit Scholarship Application Process

There is not a separate application for merit scholarships. All merit scholarships will be awarded based on information contained within the Admissions application. Notification of merit scholarship awards will be included with your program acceptance letter.

Merit Scholarships

Presidential Access Scholarship for Incoming Students: PharmD

Presidential Access Scholarships are awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission and who will be entering the PharmD program directly from community college.

Award

• 5 awards
• $10,000 per year for four years, amounting to a total award of $40,000
• Divided evenly over four consecutive academic years beginning with the incoming semester; contingent upon the student’s enrollment, maintenance of a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and completion of each of the Fall and Spring semesters through their fourth year

Eligibility

• Awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission
• Must be a student applying to the PharmD program directly from community college (no Bachelor’s degree)
• Preference is given to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Deadline

• Students must accept their admission and award within the timeframe indicated on their admission or award letter

Cannot be combined with another Presidential Scholarship or with the Dean’s or Walgreens Scholarship for Incoming Students.

Presidential Excellence Scholarship for Incoming Students: PharmD

Presidential Excellence Scholarships are awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission.

Award

• 5 awards
• $10,000 per year for four years, amounting to a total award of $40,000
• Divided evenly over four consecutive academic years beginning with the incoming semester; contingent upon the student’s enrollment, maintenance of a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and completion of each of the Fall and Spring semesters through their fourth year

Eligibility

• Awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission
• Preference is given to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Deadline

• Students must accept their admission and award within the timeframe indicated on their admission or award letter

Cannot be combined with another Presidential Scholarship or with the Dean’s or Walgreens Scholarship for Incoming Students.

Presidential Distinction Scholarship for Incoming Students: PharmD

Presidential Distinction Scholarships are awarded to applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission and support the KGI School of Pharmacy ‘s efforts to increase diversity among student pharmacists.

Award

• 5 awards
• $10,000 per year for four years, amounting to a total award of $40,000
• Divided evenly over four consecutive academic years beginning with the incoming semester; contingent upon the student’s enrollment, maintenance of a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and completion of each of the Fall and Spring semesters through their fourth year

Eligibility

• Awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission who are also members of a minority group underrepresented in pharmacy
• Preference is given to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Deadline

• Students must accept their admission and award within the timeframe indicated on their admission or award letter

Cannot be combined with another Presidential Scholarship or with the Dean’s or Walgreens Scholarship for Incoming Students.

Dean’s Scholarship for Incoming Students: PharmD

Dean’s Scholarships are awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission.

Award

• 3 awards
• $5,000 per year for four years, amounting to a total award of $20,000
• Divided evenly over four consecutive academic years beginning with the incoming semester; contingent upon the student’s enrollment, maintenance of a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and completion of each of the Fall and Spring semesters through their fourth year

Eligibility

• Awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission
• Preference is given to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Deadline

• Students must accept their admission and award within the timeframe indicated on their admission or award letter

Cannot be combined with the Walgreen’s Scholarship or the Presidential Excellence or Distinction Scholarships for Incoming Students.

*Applicants accepted via Early Decision will receive priory consideration for scholarships.

Presidential Future Pharmacist Scholarship: PharmD

Presidential Future Pharmacist Scholarships are awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission.

Award

• 20 awards
• $10,000 per year for four years, amounting to a total award of $40,000
• Divided evenly over four consecutive academic years beginning with the incoming semesters, contingent upon the student’s enrollment, maintenance of a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and completion of each of the Fall and Spring semesters through their fourth year

Eligibility

• Awarded to top applicants based on the school’s comprehensive standard selection criteria for admission
• Preference is given to applicants with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Deadline

• Students must accept their admission and award within the timeframe indicated on their admission or award letter

Cannot be combined with another Presidential Scholarship or with the Dean’s or Walgreens Scholarship for Incoming Students.

KGI offers need-based aid to both domestic and international students who demonstrate a financial need.

Incoming MBS, MEng, MS, MSGDA, MSMDE and PharmD students are able to demonstrate a financial need through KGI’s Need-Based Aid application by illustrating how they paid for the undergraduate career, how they plan to meet their expenses for the academic year, and why they wish to be considered for need-based aid.

To apply online, visit our KGI Need-Based Aid Application. If you have questions about completing or submitting the application, you are encouraged to contact the KGI Financial Aid Office at 909.607.8258 or financial_aid@kgi.edu. In addition to the KGI Need-Based Aid Application, domestic students are required to complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov for need-based aid consideration.

Things to keep in mind when applying:

• It is beneficial to complete the “Student’s Special Circumstances” section with specific information on your financial need and circumstance.
• Need-based aid is offered to incoming students only.
• The total award is divided by the number of years the student will be attending KGI and disbursed each semester.
• At this time, need-based aid is only offered to MBS, MEng, MS, MSMDE, and PharmD Students.

If you have financial aid questions, please feel free to contact financial_aid@kgi.edu.

Please note that only the recipients of the need-based aid award will receive notification. KGI does not send out notification of non-award to those whose applications were not approved.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program

What types of federal student loans are available for 5th Year Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Students?

The U.S. Department of Education has three federal student loan programs:

• The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program is the largest federal student loan program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. There are three types of Direct Loans available for 5th Year Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Students:
  • Direct Subsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate students with financial need. No interest is charged while the student is in school.
  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students; the student does not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan. Interest is charged on all unsubsidized loans during all periods.
  • Direct PLUS Loans are loans made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Interest on all PLUS loans is charged during all periods.
    • Direct PLUS Loans for Parents – the parent is the primary borrower.
    • Direct Graduate PLUS Loan – the student is the borrower.

You are responsible for paying the interest on all Federal Student Loans during all periods. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement. If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, your interest will accrue (increase) and be capitalized (added to the principal balance of your loan).

Required Steps to Obtain a Federal Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus Loan:

• • Step 1: FAFSA

    The first step in borrowing a Federal Direct Loan is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal School Code for KGI is G38533.

    When completing the FAFSA please indicate the following grade levels:

    PPA/PPC Program – 5th yr. /other undergraduate
    All other KGI programs – graduate/professional

    Successful completion for the FAFSA allows the following annual eligibility:

    Dependent Undergraduate Student (PPA/PPC ONLY): $7,500
    Independent Undergraduate Student (PPA/PPC ONLY): $12,500
    Graduate/Professional Students: $20,500

    Graduate Students that successfully complete the FAFSA will be eligible for a Graduate Level Unsubsidized Loan for the amount of $20,500 per year.

    Once you have completed the FAFSA, please complete Step 2 – Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized MPN and Step 3 – Entrance Counseling.

  • Step 2: Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized MPN

    The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s); for instance, it will include information on how interest is calculated, when interest is charged, available repayment plans, and deferment and cancellation provisions.

    To sign the MPN for your Unsubsidized Loan, go to studentaid.gov > Log In > Loans and Grants > Master Promissory Note (MPN)

• • Step 3: Entrance Counseling

    During entrance counseling, you will learn about the following:
    – What a Direct Loan is and how the loan process works
    – Managing your education expenses
    – Other financial resources to consider to help pay for your education
    – Your rights and responsibilities as a borrower
    – Entrance Counseling is required before you can receive your Unsubsidized Loan.

    To complete Entrance Counseling, go to studentaid.gov > Log In > Loans and Grants > Loan Entrance Counseling

    To determine if you qualify for additional federal funding, please move to either Step 4 if you are a Graduate/Professional Student or Step 7 if you are a PPA/PPC Student.

• • Step 4: Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

    The maximum amount a graduate/professional student can borrow with the Federal Unsubsidized Loan is $20,500 per year. If you need to borrow additional funds to cover the gap between the tuition and the unsubsidized loan amount, there is a Federal Loan offered to graduate/professional Students called the Graduate PLUS Loan. With this loan, you can borrow enough to cover your funding gap, and you can also borrow additional funds for living expenses.

    Here’s a quick overview of Direct PLUS Loans:

    – The U.S. Department of Education is the lender.
    – The borrower must not have an adverse credit history.
    – The maximum loan amount cannot exceed the cost-of-attendance.
    – All funding will be made in whole dollars; no cents are used in the Direct Loan Programs.

    To apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan, go to studentaid.gov > Log In > Loans and Grants > PLUS Loans: Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS > I am a Graduate or Professional Student

• • Step 5: Graduate PLUS MPN

    Because the Graduate PLUS Loan is a Separate Loan from the Unsubsidized Loan, you will need to complete an additional Master Promissory Note specifically for the Graduate PLUS Loan.

    The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s); for instance, it will include information on how interest is calculated, when interest is charged, available repayment plans, and deferment and cancellation provisions.

    To sign the MPN for your Graduate PLUS Loan, go to studentaid.gov > Log In > Loans and Grants > Master Promissory Note (MPN) > I’m a Graduate/Professional Student > MPN for Direct PLUS Loans

    Once you complete a Federal Graduate PLUS Request, please complete Step 6 – KGI Graduate PLUS Form.

• • Step 6: KGI Graduate PLUS Loan Acknowledgement Form

    This form allows students to tell the KGI Financial Aid Department the outcome they would like to accomplish when borrowing a Graduate PLUS Loan. The financial aid team will calculate the amount needed to accomplish the desired borrowing result.

    Complete the KGI Graduate PLUS Request.

• • Step 7: Federal Parent PLUS Loan, and MPN (PPA/PPC Students Only)

    The PPA/PPC Programs are considered a 5th year undergraduate certificate program. The annual maximum a DEPENDENT undergraduate student can borrow is $7,500. The Department of Education offers a loan for the parent(s) of DEPENDENT undergraduate students called the Parent PLUS Loan. The Parent PLUS loan can cover the tuition and student living expenses up to the cost-of-attendance.

    Here is a quick overview of the Parent PLUS Loan:

    -The U.S. Department of Education is the lender.
    -The parent borrower must not have an adverse credit history.*
    -The maximum loan amount cannot exceed the cost-of-attendance.

    *If a parent is denied a Parent PLUS Loan the annual borrowing limit for the student increases to $12,500.
    
    To apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, go to studentaid.gov > Log In > Loans and Grants > PLUS Loans: Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS > I am a Parent of a Student

    Upon approval of a Parent PLUS Loan, the parent borrower must complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note. The MPN is located at studentaid.gov > Log In > Loans and Grants > Master Promissory Note (MPN) > I’m a Parent of an Undergraduate Student

    Complete the Parent PLUS Loan Acknowledgment Form

Federal Work-Study is a federal financial aid work program funded by Keck Graduate Institute and the United States Department of Education. Federal Work Study awards are part of federal financial aid packages and are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Generally, F-1 or J-1 students are not eligible for a Federal Work Study position and should not apply. KGI administers this program in accordance with the laws, federal regulations, and instructions issued by or on behalf of the Department of Education, as well as its own institutional policies. KGI’s Federal Work-Study Program is administered without regard to race, creed, color, sex, non-disqualifying disability, or national or ethnic origin.

For additional information concerning KGI’s Federal Work-Study Program, contact the KGI Financial Aid Office at financial_aid@kgi.edu or 909.607.8258.

Each international KGI student is eligible for a KGI International Loan with the following annual loan limits:

• $20,500
  • Master of Business and Science (MBS)
  • Master of Engineering (MEng) in Biopharmaceutical Processing
  • Master of Science (MS) in Applied Life Sciences
  • Master of Science in Medical Device Engineering (MSMDE)
  • Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling (MSGC)
  • Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics (MSGDA)

Please submit a signed and completed master promissory note to, KGI’s Financial Aid Office. A separate note is required for each academic year. Terms and conditions for this student loan program are included in the master promissory note. Completion of the KGI International Student Loan Entrance Counseling is required.

KGI International Student Loan Master Promissory Note

KGI International Student Loan FAQ

KGI International Student Loan Entrance Counseling (REQUIRED)

Private Student Loans

Private Loans are credit-based consumer loans for students that can be used for educational-related purposes. Many lenders have both fix and adjustable rate loan options available.

KGI is partnered with FASTChoice to make it easier for you to learn about private loans by providing information in a straightforward format to help you determine which private student loan best meets your needs.

There are private student loans available for both Domestic Students (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents) and International Students.

Private Loans for Domestic Students

Private Loans for International Students

External Scholarships

There are many places to find outside scholarships. If you belong to clubs and organizations, please speak to their main office for scholarship information. Please follow us on Twitter for outside scholarship opportunities.

There are several searchable external scholarship databases provided online. The following are some examples of scholarship search engines which may help you during your search:

• Bold.org 
• Brokescholar.com
• Collegeboard
• FastWEB Scholarship search
• Globalscholarship.com
• GoingMerry
• MyScholly.com
• Niche
• Peterson’s
• The Sallie Mae Fund
• Scholarships360
• Scholarshipamerica.org 
• Scholarships.com
• Unigo
• U.S. Department of labor Free Scholarship Search

External Scholarships Currently Available

In an effort to assist you with your search, please view the link(s) to see the available scholarship(s).

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans – Application deadline October 31, 2024. Thirty scholarships up to $90,000.00 over two years.

iVein Health & Wellness Scholarship – Application deadline December 31, 2024.  One award for $2,500.00 will be awarded.

Nurse.org Healthcare Leaders Scholarship – Application Deadline December 31, 2024. One $1,500.00 scholarship being awarded.

$2000 Sallie Mae Scholarship – Application deadline at the end of each month.

California Veterans Association College Fee Waiver Program – Application Deadline: Rolling.  Multiple awards with Varying amounts.

LA Tutors Innovation in Education Scholarship – Application deadline is on the 20^th of each month.  Scholarship Amount $500.00.

MPOWER Monthly Scholarship Series – Application deadline is the last day of each month

SOFI Scholarship – Application deadline at the end of each month.

College Ave $1,000 Scholarship Monthly Sweepstakes – Application deadline at the end of each month.

If you receive financial assistance from private sources such as external donors, company tuition remission, VA Education Benefits, these funds will need to be reported to the Financial Aid Office.  This would include outside scholarships, tuition assistance, or educational benefits awarded within the academic year.  The total amount received from all resources plus the Federal Loans cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance.

In efforts to lower educational loan debt, it is our policy to apply all financial assistance toward the Graduate PLUS Loan should the amount requested is up to the student’s cost of attendance within their overall financial aid package.

Veterans’ Education Benefits at KGI

Students who have been or are currently serving in the military may be eligible for VA Educational Benefits. Some benefits are also available to spouses or dependents of veterans. For information, please view our Veteran’s Education Benefits page.