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Financial Aid

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I get financial aid? Back to Top

You must be accepted into an eligible program and submit a FAFSA application. Click here for more instructions. After you receive a financial aid award, you will need to follow the instructions here to activate your aid.

 

How do I get aid for the summer? Back to Top

You must be enrolled at least half-time (5 credits for pharmacy students, 6 credits for all other students) for the summer and and half-time for the fall semesters (unless you are graduating in the summer or will not be enrolled for the fall for other reasons).You must submit a Summer Aid Application form in addition to your FAFSA. Click here for more information. 

 

What is verification? Why was I selected? Why do I have to send you extra paperwork? Back to Top

Some students are selected for a review process called verification. The U.S. Department of Education selects students for verification using certain criteria. Schools are required to collect specific information and/or documents. The school must then review the documents to verify the accuracy of your FAFSA. This process must be completed before aid can be confirmed and released.

 

I got my award notification and I don’t understand it. Back to Top

Helpful information is available on our website, but if you have questions, please contact our office.

 

How can I use my financial aid to pay for books? Back to Top

You may be eligible for a book advance (for the fall and spring semesters only) if you don’t owe the university any money from a prior semester and have more than enough financial aid to cover the costs for the current semester. Please review our book advance policy here.

 

Can I get more financial aid? Back to Top

You should contact your financial aid counselor to see if there are any other options that you have available.

 

Are there any other scholarships or grants available? Back to Top

Review the information in the scholarship and grant sections of our website. Contact the office if you have questions.

 

Do I qualify for Federal Work Study? Back to Top

If federal work study is not listed among your awards, you may not have qualified for it or funds may not have been available at the time of awarding. Please contact our office if you would like to be placed on the waiting list.

 

When will my financial aid be disbursed? Back to Top

Please refer to the estimated disbursement schedule.

 

How soon will I get my refund check? Back to Top

The Business Office mails refund checks to students within two weeks after a credit balance is created on the student’s account (from the disbursement of financial aid funds).

 

 

The semester started a few weeks ago. Why haven’t I gotten my refund check? Back to Top

Your financial aid will disburse only after you have established half-time enrollment (5 credits for pharmacy students, 6 credits for all other students). For example, if one 3 credit class begins early in the semester, but your second 3 credit class does not begin until later, the funds will not be released until the second class has begun. Then it takes about two weeks for a refund check to be mailed.

 

I have a question about my bill. Back to Top

You may find the answer on the frequently asked billing questions section of our website. You may also contact the Business Office at 410-532-5440.

 

Why can’t you talk to me about my daughter’s financial aid? Back to Top

We are required by law to enforce FERPA requirements which state that we can only disclose information to the student unless written consent has been provided by the student to share information with someone else. The FERPA form is available online.

 

What is the difference between Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans? Back to Top

The government pays the interest on subsidized loans while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during periods of deferment. The student is responsible for all interest that accumulates on unsubsidized loans.

 

How can I decrease or increase my loans? Back to Top

Complete and submit a Loan Cancellation or Decrease Request form.

 

How can I defer my loans while I’m in school? Back to Top

The school will automatically report your enrollment to the National Clearinghouse which provides information to all loan servicers. You should monitor the status of your loans with your loan servicer. If necessary, the Registrar’s Office can complete an enrollment verification form for you.

 

How do I start paying back my loans? Back to Top

You will be notified by your loan servicer of upcoming payments. For Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, there is a 6 month grace period after you cease half-time enrollment before repayment begins. For Perkins loans, the grace period is 9 months. There are various repayment plans available which your servicer can assist you with. Review the debt management information on our website.

 

Can you give me a printout of my entire loan history? Back to Top

You can access your own loan history at NSLDS. Choose the “Financial Aid Review” option. You will need to sign in using the same pin # that is used for the FAFSA.