Financial Aid at Pivot Point Academy

The student financial aid programs at Pivot Point Academy are designed to assist students who would find it difficult to attend without financial assistance.

You can contact us from Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 am – 4:45 pm by call at 847-985-4320 or email info@academy-pp.com

Pivot Point offers the following types of financial assistance:

• Federal Grants
• Federal Student Loans

Pivot Point is approved by the United States Department of Education to offer the following Title IV programs for post-secondary education to eligible students:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
• Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Financial aid eligibility requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Demonstrate financial need
• Hold a high school diploma, a general education diploma (GED)
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a certificate in an eligible program
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Make satisfactory academic progress
• Register with Selective Service
• Sign a Statement of Educational Purpose and a Certification Statement on overpayment and default

How is financial aid determined?

The basis of determining a student’s financial need will be an analysis of the financial status of the student’s and/or the parents’ income. This analysis is accomplished by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) distributed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Where can you find financial aid forms?

• In your high school guidance counselor’s office
• In the financial aid office at Pivot Point International
• Via the U.S. Department of Education’s website – FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov

What factors determine financial need?

• Cost of attendance
• Expected family contribution
• Financial need

What types of student financial aid are available?

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor’s or professional degree. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need – that is, students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) – and gives priority to students who qualify for Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

Types of Federal Student Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

• Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need.
• Your school determines the amount you can borrow, and the amount may not exceed your financial need.
• For a subsidized loan, the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest
  • while you’re in school at least half-time,
  • for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period*), and
  • during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).

*Note: If you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan that is first disbursed between July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2014, you will be responsible for paying any interest that accrues during your grace period. If you choose not to pay the interest that accrues during your grace period, the interest will be added to your principal balance.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need.
• Your school determines the amount you can borrow by considering the cost of attendance and other financial aid you receive.
• For an unsubsidized loan, you are responsible for paying the interest during all periods.
• 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 (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan).

Students are encouraged to apply for one type or a combination of the types of financial aid available.

More Financial Aid Resources

Department of Education – The Student Guide – Federal financial aid information

The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid – Scholarship search and financial aid information

Federal Direct Loan Program

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) – State grant and scholarship website

FSA ID – Apply for FSA User ID and Password

SFA Ombudsman – Resolve loan disputes and problems

FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) Online

School Codes – Lookup Title IV school codes for FAFSA

Complete online Direct Loan entrance counseling

Complete online Direct Loan exit counseling

Additional links

Selective Service System – register online Here
Internal Revenue Service – tax information Here

CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19.

One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and awarded money for schools to use for emergency financial aid grants directly to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pivot Point Academy Emergency Relief Funds
Pivot Point Academy CARES Act Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting