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The University helps many graduate students with limited funds meet their college expenses through a variety of programs. Student Financial Services, under the direction of the Financial Aid Committee, administers only Federal loan and employment programs for graduate students. Student awards, including Ford Federal Direct Loans or Federal Work-Study funds, are based on a careful assessment of the applicant’s ability to meet educational expenses. Students must apply directly to their academic departments or professional schools for other kinds of financial assistance. Estimated Costs The
estimated average costs for self-supporting graduate students at the
University for the 2002-2003 academic year are:
Living Expenses(1) $11,650
Books and Supplies
1000
Tuition and Fees(2) ___
(1)Includes
room, board, transportation, and personal expenses.
(2)Refer
to chapter 2 for appropriate school tuition and fees.
Financial Need
Graduate applicants for Ford Federal Direct Loans or Federal Work-Study
funds are required to submit a detailed financial statement to the Federal
Student Aid Programs Office. Financial aid funds are limited; therefore,
all assistance offered through Student Financial Services is based on
an estimate of financial need. Need is determined by comparing the student’s
budget with his or her resources from income and savings. If the resources
are less than the sum needed to meet academic year expenses, the difference
becomes the student’s financial need.
Funds available to applicants
from other sources (e.g., veterans benefits, gifts, scholarships, grants,
assistantships, graderships, or fellowships from either outside organizations
or the student’s academic department) are considered resources
in determining financial need. If any such resources become available
after an award has been made or received, the student must notify Student
Financial Services. Receiving such assistance may necessitate a reduction
in the applicant’s University awarded aid so that no applicant
receives funds in excess of demonstrated financial need.
Student budgets listed in this
chapter are based on approved allowances for tuition and fees, books,
and living expenses for the academic year, with concessions for such
factors as child care and medical expenses.
The
Aid Package for graduate students is normally a combination of assistance
from the graduate school or department (which may include scholarship,
fellowship, or assistantship funds) and loan or employment funding administered
by Student Financial Services. Department funds are always awarded by
the student’s school or department. Funds administered by Student
Financial Services are awarded to supplement department assistance or
to provide financial support to the extent of student need. Need will
be met to the extent of available funds.
Payment and Refund Inquiries For questions or concerns regarding semester bills or expected
refunds that have not yet been received, please check your account in
ISIS. To contact us directly, please e-mail our office.
Office Hours: 8:00 to 5:00, Monday
through Friday
Leave of Absence If
a student who has received Title IV loans (i.e., Perkins Loans and Ford
Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans) does not return from
an approved leave of absence, some or all of the repayment deferral
period may be exhausted. For purposes of the Title IV programs, the
date of withdrawal is backdated to the first day of the approved leave
of absence.
Withdrawal If
a student leaves the University prior to completing 61% of a semester,
the financial aid office recalculates eligibility for Title IV funds
(i.e., Perkins Loans, Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Loans). Recalculation is based on the percent of earned aid using the
following formula:
Percent of aid earned =
the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date, divided by the
total days in the semester.
Funds are returned to the appropriate
federal program based on the percent of unearned aid using the following
formula:
Aid to be returned =
(100% minus the percent earned) multiplied by the amount of aid disbursed
toward institutional charges.
When Title IV funds are returned,
the borrower may owe a debit balance to the University. Examples of
refund calculations may be requested at Student Financial Services.
UVa FAFSA code = 003745
In order to apply for financial
assistance through Student Financial Services, graduate students should
submit a University Graduate Application for Financial Aid to that office.
Students must also forward the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) to the Federal Student Aid Programs Office by March 31,
indicating the University of Virginia code number (003745). Those who submit either their University application
form or the FAFSA after the March 31 deadline will not be awarded funds
through the Federal Work-Study Program. Applicants will be notified
of their eligibility for financial assistance in July.
In the case of marriage, where
both husband and wife are enrolled in the University, both students
must apply separately for financial assistance.
All assistantships, graderships,
fellowships, grants, scholarships, or other funds available to graduate
students are administered by the various University academic departments
or professional schools. Students must apply directly to their departments
or schools for financial assistance before applications for federal
funds will be considered. It is the applicant’s responsibility
to provide the financial aid office with an official department letter
indicating the award or denial of funding.
Enrollment Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time. In addition, they must be in “good standing” and making satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the graduate school in which they are enrolled. Only students registered in formal University graduate degree or certificate programs are eligible to receive financial assistance through Student Financial Services. Citizenship
All citizens and permanent residents of the United States are eligible
to apply for financial assistance through Student Financial Services.
Selective Service
Students required to register for the draft under the Military Selective
Service Act must sign a statement of compliance before they may receive
any federal financial assistance.
Drug Conviction
The 1998 Higher Education Amendment Act states that students who
are convicted of violating any federal or state drug possession or sale
laws are not eligible to receive financial aid and may be required to
repay any aid received prior to their conviction. In completing the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, students are
specifically instructed to contact the U.S. Department of Education
at 1-800-433-3243, or www.fafsa.ed.gov/q35 for assistance.
Default Status
To receive financial assistance through any federal program, students
cannot be in default on previous Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford,
Federal Supplemental, or Ford Federal Direct Loans. Furthermore, financial
aid recipients cannot owe refunds on Pell or Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grants received for undergraduate study at any institution.
Entrance Interviews All first-time borrowers of Ford Federal Direct Student Loans must be informed of their borrower obligations before their first loan disbursement will be credited. Loan entrance interview materials will be mailed to the borrower at the local address on file with the Office of the University Registrar. Exit Interviews All
Ford Federal Direct Loan recipients are required to complete exit interviews
prior to either leaving the University or registering for less than
half-time credits. Ordinarily, borrowers of Ford Federal Direct Loans
are provided loan repayment information by Student Financial Services
at the end of the semester in which they plan to graduate. If this office
fails to contact the borrower, it is his or her responsibility to contact
the direct loan servicer to obtain loan repayment information.
Non-University Awards
If a student receives assistance from a non-University source (scholarship
or loan), University-awarded financial aid will usually be reduced.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify Student Financial
Services of any outside award received.
IRS Forms
All graduate applicants for financial assistance through Student Financial
Services must provide a copy of their federal income tax return (1040,
1040A, or 1040EZ) and W2 forms for the previous tax year before they
will be considered for financial assistance.
Reapplication Requirement
Financial assistance is not automatically renewed each year. The amount
of financial aid awarded is based on the availability of funds and the
evaluation of financial statements submitted each spring by the applicant.
Should unusual circumstances occur that necessitate an immediate review,
the facts should be brought to the attention of the aid administrator.
Necessary adjustments will be made where justified.
Change in Financial Situation Students are encouraged to notify Student Financial Services
of any changes in their financial situation during the year.
Summer Financial Aid
Summer session applications are limited to federal loans and should
be submitted to Student Financial Services by May 1. The same FAFSA
may be used to determine eligibility for both summer school and academic
year financial assistance.
Year-Round Support
Graduate students requiring Federal Direct Loan support year-round
(including summer session) must enroll as full-time students every loan
period to avoid jeopardizing maximum loan eligibility. Full-time enrollment
is defined as enrolling in at least nine credits per semester (including
summer session) or twelve credits per semester with a minimum of six
credits in the summer. In short, federal regulation requires that students
complete no less than eighteen credits over two consecutive enrollment
periods (e.g., two semesters or one semester and one summer session) before obtaining
loans in the Federal Direct Program at the successive annual maximum,
which is currently set at $18,500. There are no exceptions to this rule.
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Loans
Long-term loans are available
to graduate students who demonstrate financial need. They are
used to supplement department and non-University awards, as well as
to provide assistance when employment is neither feasible nor sufficient.
Ford Federal Direct Subsidized
Loan (Formerly Stafford Loan) The Ford Federal
Direct Subsidized Loan Program enables graduate students to borrow up
to $8,500 each year.
For students who demonstrate
financial need, the federal government pays the interest while the student
is enrolled in college. In some cases, only a portion of the loan may
be eligible for the federal interest subsidy. Students who do not demonstrate
financial need may still borrow these funds but will be required to
pay the interest at a rate not to exceed 8.25 percent. Including previous
subsidized Stafford or Ford Federal Direct loans, graduate students
may borrow up to $65,500 total for all academic years. Ordinarily, repayment
begins six months after discontinuing formal education.
Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Loan The Ford Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program enables
graduate students enrolled at least half-time to borrow up to $10,000
each year. Including previous unsubsidized Stafford, Ford Federal Direct,
and SLS loans, graduate students may borrow up to $73,000 total for
all academic years. The interest rate is variable, but will not exceed
8.25 percent. Repayment ordinarily begins 60 days after disbursement
of the loan, unless the borrower requests capitalization of interest.
Master Promissory Note
Students who received Ford Federal
Direct Loans at the University of Virginia for the 2002-2003 academic
year may not be required to sign a new promissory note. Instead, the
student’s University account will be credited the amount noted
on the financial aid award letter, less the 3% loan fee. Students must
contact the financial aid office if they wish to reduce or decline their
loan(s).
For each new loan borrowed, students
receive disclosure statements from the Loan Origination Center. Because
these statements provide information about the types and amounts of
loans borrowed, as well as the loan period and anticipated disbursements,
students should be sure to keep them for their personal records.
Disbursement Procedure
Ford Federal Direct Loans are payable in two disbursements of one-half
each semester, less the 3 percent loan fee. Disbursements are credited
to the student’s account by Student Financial Services after the
promissory note (if required)has been signed and returned.
Failure to register for the required
number of credits, as indicated by full- or half-time enrollment status
on the FAFSA, results in cancellation of the loans within thirty days
of the date of registration. Full-time students must register for a
minimum of 9 course credits or 12 non-topical research credits per semester.
Half-time students must register for a minimum of six course credits
or non-topical research credits.
Short Term Loans
Under the terms of the Lee Emergency Loan, a graduate student enrolled
in any of the University schools may borrow from $30 to $750 once each
semester. Lee Loans are interest free and are available during the academic
year through early March. Lee Loans are not available during the summer
session. Students must apply in person at Student Financial Services.
Student Employment
Federal Work-Study Program
Under this program, full-time students with demonstrated need may be
assigned part-time employment in various University departments or offices.
Students are normally restricted
to 20 hours of work per week while classes are in session, and 40 hours
per week during vacation periods. Hourly wages and weekly schedules
are based on the student’s financial need and work experience.
Special Programs
General Assembly Nursing Program Virginia residents enrolled in the Graduate School of Nursing
may apply for this state-funded, need-based program. These funds must
be reimbursed either by working as a nurse in Virginia or by repayment
with interest. Application deadlines are April 30 for currently enrolled
nursing students and June 30 for students who have completed only one
semester. Students must allow a minimum of two months for application
processing in order to meet the designated deadlines. Award amount:
$2,000 maximum.
Veteran’s Educational Benefits Students eligible to receive educational benefits through
the G.I. Bill or the V.A. Contributory or Non-Contributory Benefit Programs
should contact the Veteran’s Affairs Coordinator, Office of the
University Registrar, Carruthers Hall, (434) 924-4138.
Virginia War Orphans Program Under this program, a child (aged 25 or younger) of either
a deceased veteran or a veteran with total disability resulting from
wartime service may receive a waiver of tuition and fees to attend a
Virginia state-supported institution of higher education. Students who
believe they qualify for this program should contact the Division of
War Veterans Claims at the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Law,
210 Franklin Road S.W., Roanoke, VA 24011.
University Tuition Payment Plan In conjunction with a privte vendor, the University has developed
an installment payment plan. For an annueal fee of $60, tuition,
fees, housing and dining charges may be paid in 10 monthly installments.
The final date to enroll in the payment plan is July 23, 2002.
For complete details, contct Tuition Management Systems at 800-722-4867
or www.afford.com.
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Students
have the right to:
1.
know what financial aid programs are available (see Financial Aid Programs);
2.
know the deadlines for submitting financial aid applications (see Application
Procedures and General Assembly Nursing Program);
3.
know the basis for financial aid decisions, including the determination
of need and the calculation of student resources and budgets (see General
Information and the student’s award letter);
4.
know how much of demonstrated financial need
has been met by the financial aid package (see the student’s award
letter or contact Student Financial Services);
5.
request an explanation of the funds included in the student aid package
(see Financial Aid Programs);
6.
know the school’s refund policy (see chapter 2);
7.
know which of the funds in the aid package are loans and therefore must
be repaid. This includes the right to know the rate of interest, the
aggregate loan amount while in attendance at the University, the repayment
procedures, the length of time permitted for repayment, and when repayment
begins (see Financial Aid Programs).
8.
decline having Title IV aid credited to institutional or prior year
charges.
Students
are required to:
1.
complete all application forms accurately and submit them to the appropriate
agency or office by the specified deadline;
2.
provide correct information. Misreporting information on financial aid
application forms is a violation of the law. Such action may be considered
a criminal offense and could result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal
Code;
3.
return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and
new information requested either by Student Financial Services or the
agency to which the application was submitted;
4.
read, understand, and maintain copies of all forms requiring their signature;
5.
accept responsibility for all signed agreements, including repayment
obligations for student loans;
6.
perform the work agreed upon in accepting a federal work-study award;
7.
be aware of University refund policies and procedures;
8.
receive the Ford Federal Direct Loan entrance interview materials, which
contain borrower obligation information for first-time borrowers;
9.
complete the Ford Federal Direct Loan exit interview and obtain loan
repayment information if student status is terminated or if less than
half-time enrollment (six credits per semester) is anticipated;
10.
maintain current and accurate address information with the Office of
the University Registrar;
11.
complete registration at the prescribed time in order to receive disbursements
on a timely basis (see Financial Aid Programs).
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