Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships, Loans, and Grants
We offer scholarships and alternative financial aid options to those who qualify. Admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Scholarship amounts vary based on several factors such as GPA, test scores, and work experience.
Graduate Students
Merit Scholarships
Each year, the Graziadio Business School generously invests in merit-based scholarships to reward high-quality applicants who demonstrate excellence in past achievements and strong potential to succeed in our programs. Scholarship selections are based on a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to undergraduate GPA, GMAT/GRE scores (if provided), professional accomplishments, leadership abilities, and other strengths noted by the Admissions Committee. For most programs, the scholarship determination takes place in conjunction with the admission review, and selected applicants are notified within 1-2 weeks after the admission decision.
Note: Online program students are not eligible for a merit scholarship but may be eligible for other aid. Please consult directly with your recruitment advisor.
Federal Loans*
| No credit check required | Requires credit approval |
| Six months of grace period | |
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan | Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan |
|---|---|
| 8.083% fixed interest rate for 2024-25 | 9.083% fixed interest rate for 2024-25 |
| 1.057% origination fee (will change every Oct. 1st) | 4.228% origination fee (will change every Oct. 1st) |
| Annual loan limit of $20,500 | May borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid |
- Repayment begins six months after the student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment (below 3 units)
- Various repayment terms
- Various repayment options: income-based, income-contingent, pay as you earn
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- No prepayment penalty
- For detailed information, please visit Federal Student Aid - Loans
*Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Private Loans
Students may freely choose to borrow from any lender of your choice. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School does not have any preferred lender arrangements. To review the terms and conditions for private loans offered by some lenders used by Pepperdine Graziadio Business School students, please visit FastChoice.
Undergraduate Students
Merit Scholarships
Students will be awarded based on GPA and work experience. No application needed, recipients are selected and notified within 1-2 weeks after the admission decision.
Federal Grants (FAFSA required)
| Federal Pell Grant | Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) |
|---|---|
| Need-based for undergraduate students | Awarded to students with exceptional financial need |
| Amount varies between $370-$3,698 per term for the 2024-25 school year | Must be eligible for Pell Grant to qualify |
For detailed information, please visit Federal Student Aid–Grants
Cal Grant (FAFSA and GPA Verification required)
| Cal Grant A | Cal Grant B |
|---|---|
| Minimum GPA of 3.0 or above | Minimum GPA of 2.0 or above |
| May be eligible for tuition grant up to $4,679 per term | May be eligible for tuition grant up to $4,679 per term |
| May be eligible for a living stipend up to $3,000 per term |
- FAFSA and GPA Verification Form must be submitted by March 2nd
- Must maintain at least half-time enrollment
- For detailed information, please visit the California Student Aid Commission
Federal Loans
| Interest will not accumulate while attending school for at least half-time (6 units) | Interest will accumulate as soon as the fund is disbursed | Borrower is the parent, not the student |
| No prepayment penalties | No prepayment penalties | No prepayment penalties |
| Federal Direct Subsidized Loan | Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan | Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan (Dependent student only) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.533% fixed interest rate for 2024-25 | 6.533% fixed interest rate for 2024-25 | 9.083% fixed interest rate for 2024-25 |
|
1.057% origination fee (will change every Oct. 1st) |
1.057% origination fee (will change every Oct. 1st) | 4.228% origination fee (will change every Oct. 1st) |
| May be eligible up to $2,750 per term | May be eligible up to $1,000 per term for dependent students and $3,500 per term for independent students | May borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid |
For detailed information, please visit Federal Student Aid - Loans
Private Loans
Students may freely choose to borrow from any lender of their choice. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School does not have any preferred lender arrangements. To review the terms and conditions for private loans offered by some lenders used by Pepperdine Graziadio Business School students, please visit FastChoice.
Endowed Scholarships
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School offers various scholarships for students meeting specific scholarship criteria. These awards are made available by gifts from University supporters and alumni as well as from endowed funds. Awards are made annually according to established requirements and amounts may vary based on the availability of funds.
The Pepperdine University-PGBS Scholarship Application for 2025-2026 will open in July 2025.
Cedric L. Watkins Graziadio Board Diversity Scholarship–$2,500
Application Deadline: December 6, 2024
Spring 2025 applicants who are interested in the Cedric L. Watkins Graziadio Board Diversity Scholarship may submit an essay via email to the Financial Aid office at pgbsfinancialaid@pepperdine.edu.
Essay Question: Our families and communities often define us, our individual worlds, and the character traits and perspectives that we develop as unique human beings. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team, or club, co-workers etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, through your lived experiences, have developed unique perspectives and attributes as an individual that might add to the diversity of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. (200 words)
Forté Fellowships
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School is a proud partner of Forté and awards Forté Fellowships to outstanding on-ground Part-Time and EMBA students who are committed to advancing and enhancing our next generation of female business leaders. Fellowships are for a one-year period and are awarded by the Fellowship Committee.
Outside Scholarships
We encourage students to explore the external scholarships offered by organizations, private sources, employers, religious groups, and professional associations. Below are some of the free scholarship search engines as well as external organizations offering scholarship opportunities.
| Scholarship Search Engines | External Organizations |
|---|---|
|
Hispanic Scholarship Fund The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each year, we invest in the graduate education of 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture or their academic field. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years, and they join a lifelong community of New American Fellows. Learn more about the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program. AAUW - American Association of University Women UNCF - United Negro College Fund Fulbright Scholar Program Mustard Seed Foundation GBHEM - General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Harold & Muriel Berkman Charitable Foundation AIERF - Appraisal Institute of Education and Relief Foundation |