Financial Aid and Student Loans in New Hampshire

The state of New Hampshire has several in-state scholarships, grants, and loan options to make college more affordable for prospective students. If you plan on going to college in New Hampshire, these programs might be for you.

When thinking about how you will pay for college, Funding U created a specific checklist of payment options that we recommend. It will help you avoid paying too much out-of-pocket or borrowing more money than you need to graduate.

As part of our state by state guide to financial aid, the following is an overview of scholarship programs, grant opportunities, and student loan options for those who desire to attend a college or university in the state of New Hampshire.

What Scholarship Programs Does New Hampshire Have?

New Hampshire students are eligible for a couple of state scholarship programs if they have decided to stay in-state and attend school.

Unique Scholarship Programs

The Unique Scholarship Programs are offered by the New Hampshire Treasury as a way for underprivileged students, who have demonstrated a financial need, to garner assistance in paying for school.

The scholarship looks for students who have qualified for a Pell Grant. You are automatically entered into the application line for this scholarship when you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, so if you qualify, it will be included in your financial aid packet.

Look over all the information provided to you by financial aid carefully so that you can make sure you’re accessing what you’re qualified to receive.

Scholarship for Orphans of Veterans

If you are an orphan of a veteran who was a resident of New Hampshire, this scholarship will offer you financial aid at any in-state school. The loss of a parent is devastating, and you can take some solace in the fact that you can get your education at a reduced cost and with less financial strain.

The student must also be a resident of New Hampshire to qualify.

According to the New Hampshire Department of Education, these students will be able to attend any state college or university for free. There is also a stipend of up to $2,500 to cover school expenses, like books and other necessities.

New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

The private organization offers a few different scholarship opportunities, and it is the largest provider of public scholarships in the state.

It has awarded over $5.5 million in scholarships to over 1,500 students in the past. The organization generally looks for exceptional students who also demonstrate a financial need.

The average award is around $4,500.

New England Regional Student Program

The New England Regional Student Program, or RSP, provides financial breaks for tuition to students within the region. The program allows some students to save an average of $8,000 each year.

The program encompasses more than just New Hampshire in its scope, as well. If you’re thinking about going to school anywhere in the New England region, this is a valuable program to help you on your way through college or university.

The American Legion Department of New Hampshire

The American Legion Department of New Hampshire administers a number of different scholarship programs for residents of New Hampshire.

Here are some of the most popular programs:

  • The Department of New Hampshire Scholarship
    • This award is available to students enrolling in a four-year college who have at least a B average in their junior and senior years of high school. The award is $2,000.
  • The Raymond K. Conley Memorial Scholarship
    • If you are planning to attend a two- or four-year program for a career in physical or mental rehabilitation, the scholarship can award you $2,000.
  • The Vocational Education Scholarship
    • Students entering a two-year program leading to an associate degree qualify for this $2,000 award.
  • The John A. High Child Welfare Scholarship
    • Students with financial need whose parent is a member of the New Hampshire American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary are qualified for this $2,000 award.
  • The Albert T. Marcoux Memorial Scholarship
    • Any student whose parent is a member of the New Hampshire American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary can apply for this award of $2,000.
  • The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund
    • These are funds available to children who have lost a parent on the battlefield that were active-duty military personnel or an active reservist.
  • Samsung Scholarship
    • Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of five million dollars to be administered by The American Legion. It was founded to show appreciation to veterans who served in the Korean War.

What Grant Programs Does New Hampshire Have?

New Hampshire is one of the only states without a robust grants program to aid their college students.

Don’t let this dissuade you from doing independent research into local grant programs, however. Set up a meeting with the financial aid office at your university or college, and ask for an updated list of all the programs available to you for your year of application.

There may be grants at the federal level that you can qualify for, for example, and lesser-known grant opportunities out there. Grants are one of the best funding options because you’ll usually never have to pay the money back.

It’s free money to help you attend school that won’t cripple you financially in the future.

What Student Loan Programs Does New Hampshire Have?

The state of New Hampshire does not offer state-provided student loan programs.

Students who are in need of financial assistance should only consider student loans after exhausting all other items in our How To Pay For College Checklist, but independent research is still valuable. Speak with your financial aid office. Talk to other students.

There are options out there if you take the time to explore.

Federal Student Loans

Prospective students and residents of New Hampshire have the option of seeking government assistance in the form of federal student loans.

You’ll need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Private Co-Signed Student Loans

For private student loans, there is an array of options. Students seeking assistance in addition to federal student loans may opt for a private co-signed student loan, for example.

No Co-Signer Student Loans in New Hampshire

Prospective students who don’t have or need a co-signer can take advantage of Funding U’s no co-signer student loans.

Eligibility and restrictions include minimum GPA requirements and graduation rate of the chosen college or university. These can be used in addition to federal student loans to receive further financial support. If you’d like to learn more, click here.

NOTE: Funding U does not offer loans to residents of the state of New Hampshire.  However, if you are attending a school located in New Hampshire and are a resident of another state that is eligible you may apply.

What Schools Does Funding U Lend To In New Hampshire?

Funding U’s no co-signer loans are offered to students at eligible four-year, non-profit, undergraduate degree-granting universities. We do not lend to for-profit schools, 2-year schools, graduate schools, or trade schools.

Our eligibility requirements are based on models that predict how likely a student is to graduate, and we have minimum GPA requirements that students must meet and minimum six-year graduation rates that schools must reach in order to be eligible.

Find out more about how we determine our eligibility here.

Below is a table listing all the schools in New Hampshire that Funding U is currently lending to, with additional details on which grades we are currently considering based on the school’s six-year graduation rate.

School NameFreshman
Eligible
Sophomore
Eligible
Junior
Eligible
Senior
Eligible
6 yr
Grad Rate
Retention
Rate
Colby-Sawyer CollegeNoNoYesYes6173
Dartmouth CollegeYesYesYesYes9596
Franklin Pierce UniversityNoNoYesYes5070
Granite State CollegeNoNoNoNo2343
Keene State CollegeNoNoYesYes6071
New England CollegeNoNoNoNo2550
New Hampshire Institute of ArtNoNoNoNo4767
Northeast Catholic CollegeNoNoYesYes6979
Plymouth State UniversityNoNoYesYes5368
Rivier UniversityNoNoYesYes5173
Saint Anselm CollegeNoYesYesYes7789
Southern New Hampshire UniversityNoNoYesYes5458
University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNoNoNoNo4174
University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNoYesYesYes7786

Disclaimers
General Disclaimer
Funding U creates informational content that is of interest to prospective borrowers and our applicants. The information included in this blog post could include technical or other inaccuracies or typographical errors. It is solely your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of all opinions, advice, services, merchandise and other information provided herein. FUNDING U IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR, DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF USE, REFERENCE TO, OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THESE BLOG POSTS (INCLUDING THIRD-PARTY SITES).
Third Party Brands

No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with Funding U, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites
The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by Funding U. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Funding U Loan Products
Loans are made by Funding U which is a for-profit enterprise. None of the information contained in Funding U’s website constitutes a recommendation, solicitation or offer by Funding U or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments or other assets or provide any investment advice or service.