Financial Aid

Estimated Costs The estimated average costs for self-supporting graduate students at the University for the 2003-2004 academic year are:

Living Expenses(1)	$12,013
Books and Supplies	1875
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.
www.virginia.edu/ISIS
www.virginia.edu/financialaid/
faid@virginia.edu

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 private vendor, the University has developed an installment payment plan. For an annual 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, contact Tuition Management Systems at 800-722-4867 or www.afford.com.

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).