Financial Aid
Birthingway College of Midwifery is authorized to offer Federal Student Aid (FSA, also called “Title IV Funds”). Birthingway currently participates in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Oregon Opportunity Grant, and Direct Loan (including subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans and PLUS loans) programs.
In addition to the Federal Student Aid programs, Birthingway is listed as an eligible training provider with the Oregon Department of Workforce Development. As a Title IV school, we are authorized to accept payment through Americorp as long as the student submits a valid Voucher and Payment Request Form. Birthingway does not currently offer any institutional aid or any form of work-study.
Financial aid is available only to matriculated midwifery program students. Students completing prerequisites or in our Auxiliary programs are not eligible for Student Aid. We recommend that those interested in financial aid pick up a free copy of “The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the US Department of Education,” published annually by FSA. This guide is a good general introduction to federal financial aid. Copies are available at Birthingway or online at http://studentaid.ed.gov/guide.
To apply for Federal Student Aid, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This may be done online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or you may pick up a paper application at Birthingway. When you fill out your FAFSA, you will need to enter Birthingway’s Federal School Code of 036683. This will ensure that your application is flagged for Birthingway. If you have questions about filling out or submitting your FAFSA, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Pell Grants are available only to students with significant financial need who have not previously completed a baccalaureate degree. The maximum award (for full-time students with the greatest need) is $4,310 for the 2007-2008 award year. Some students may be eligible for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, a state run aid program for low income Oregon residents without a baccalaureate degree. The Oregon Opportunity Grant is approximately $2,370 per year for full-time students. The FSEOG program has limited funds and only a small number of students receive awards. Awards are currently set at $200 per term.
If, after grant awards have been determined, you still have financial need (as defined by federal formulas) and are attending at least half-time, you may be eligible for Stafford subsidized loans. With a subsidized loan, interest is paid by the federal government while you are in school at least half-time or in a deferment period. The annual award limit for subsidized loans varies between $3,500 and $5,500, depending on your year in school.
In addition to subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans are available. Unsubsidized loans are non-need-based aid. With an unsubsidized loan, the borrower is liable for all interest on the loan. Interest will begin to accrue immediately and will continue to accrue even when you’re not in repayment. Unsubsidized loans are limited to the difference between the cost of attendance and the amount of other aid received. The annual award limit for unsubsidized loans varies between $3,500 and $10,500, depending on your year in school, dependency status, and the amount of subsidized loan received.
Other eligibility criteria also apply. For more information on these programs, please see “The Student Guide” or Birthingway's financial aid policy in the Student Handbook.