financing your graduate education

11
Saint The College Rose of Financing Your Graduate Education

Upload: the-college-of-saint-rose

Post on 23-Jul-2016

216 views

Category:

Documents


2 download

DESCRIPTION

A guide to financing your graduate education at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Financing Your Graduate Education

Saint

TheCollege

Roseof

Financing Your Graduate Education

Page 2: Financing Your Graduate Education

Table of Contents:

Financing Your Graduate Education............................................2

Applying for Financial Aid ..........................................................3

Grants, Graduate Assistantships, Loans & Scholarships..........4-6

Payment Information ................................................................7

For Further Assistance ..............................................................8

Page 3: Financing Your Graduate Education

The College of Saint Rose: Graduate Degrees with a Purpose52 degrees that will put you in demand.

Propel your career. Enrich yourself. Earn a Saint Rose graduate degree.

Individuals who have earned Saint Rose graduate degrees are forces for positive change. They

lead schools, influence public policy, write novels, report the news, build IT systems, conduct

groundbreaking research, run corporations, and start their own companies.

By earning a graduate degree at The College of Saint Rose, students receive personal attention

from faculty with distinguished credentials and keen insights. Students enjoy small class sizes,

flexible evening, online and day classes, and rigorous fields of study.

Earning a graduate degree is a powerful career move. Graduate students gain the knowledge

and cultivate the skills that employers desire, which opens them up to a wider variety of job

opportunities. The road to earning a graduate degree will require persistence and perseverance,

but the results will be rewarding.

Data collected through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) still confirms that students

who obtain a graduate education earn more on average than those with only a bachelor’s degree

and are better protected from unemployment as is characterized by the graph below:

1

The MBA program provided me with deep knowledge inmany core concepts of businesswith potentials of achieving advanced certificate programsin four different areas. I had a great experience with all thefaculty members who are well educated, experienced and always eager to help students to achieve their goals. The College course schedule facilitates full-time as well aspart-time students to completetheir programs at their ownconvenience. Saint Rose helpedme get prepared for my career by providing me the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant in Institutional Research. The assistantship helped me financially to support my education, but most importantly it provided mewith valuable experience to advance my career.

Anku Patel (aka Anku Bhalodia) G’13, MBA

Doctoral degree

Professional degree

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree

Some college,no degree

High school diploma

Less than a high school diploma

Unemployment rate in 2012 (%) Median weekly earnings in 2012 ($)

All workers: 6.8% All workers: $815

2.5

2.1

3.5

4.5

7.7

8.3

12.4

1,624

1,735

1,300

1,066

785

727

652

471

6.2

Page 4: Financing Your Graduate Education

Financing Your Graduate EducationSelecting a field of study is not the only criteria to be considered when choosing a graduate

program. A master’s degree is one of the most important investments an individual can make;

it is our goal to make your advanced degree an affordable investment.

Financial aid comes from a variety of sources – federal loans and institutional aid in the form of

scholarships, grants, and graduate assistantships.

Scholarships: Free money that does not need to be repaid. Usually based on prior merit.

Grants: Free money that does not need to be repaid. These types of funds can come from the

federal government, state government, or the College. May be awarded based on need or

non-need.

Loans: Money that is borrowed that must be repaid. Sources of loans can be from the federal

government or a private lender (bank or credit union).

Graduate Assistantships: Money that can be earned through on-campus appointments in

the Graduate Assistantship Program to be applied toward tuition.

The College of Saint Rose Graduate Assistantship

program enabled me to easethe financial costs of my

master’s degree while also providing me with the

opportunity to work oncampus and gain valuableknowledge from dedicatedmembers of the Saint Rose

community. This was particularly beneficial for myprogram in College Student

Services Administration as my experiential learning

opportunity provided throughmy graduate assistantship was directly related to my career goals. Additionally,

the Financial Aid Office at Saint Rose was an

invaluable resource throughoutmy time at Saint Rose. They

were supportive and very willing to answer questions Ihad concerning the federalloans I took out to fund the

balance of my graduate schooleducation.

Kailah Borchers, G’13, MSED, Associate Advancement Officer

Career Services & Volunteer ProgramsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

2

Page 5: Financing Your Graduate Education

Applying for Financial AidAll students who would like to be considered for financial aid must first be admitted. A financial

aid award offer will not be determined until you have been admitted.

Graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents wishing to receive financial aid

must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The first step is to apply online for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. If you have already established a PIN

in the past, disregard this step.

Next, file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. The College of Saint Rose school code is 002705.

Completed FAFSAs are transmitted to the College electronically by the federal government.

Beginning in May of the upcoming academic year (or November for a spring semester start),

the Office of Financial Aid will start to distribute financial aid award information. Students will

be notified of the availability of their aid through their Saint Rose e-mail account. If a Saint Rose

e-mail account has not yet been established, a paper copy of the awards will be mailed.

Students will be instructed to proceed to the secure area to accept/decline the aid offer.

Prior to joining Saint Rose, I worked as a Communications Associateat the United Nations office in Ukraine, where I was involved in theimplementation of the UN human rights, poverty reduction, climatechange and healthy lifestyle promotional campaigns. I was passionateabout my job and felt that to do it better I needed more profoundand specific knowledge in public relations and communications, asthese areas are relatively new in my country. The College of SaintRose appealed to me. I came to the Capital Region as a Fulbrightscholar, but this would have never happened if not for Saint Rose financial aid. I believe that the complex knowledge I gained at SaintRose helped me to return home in a new capacity with better under-standing of the role that public relations plays in the community andcountry development, as well as in business and other sectors.

Olena Sadovnik, international student, Communications major, MA G’12

3

Upon completing my Bachelor'sDegree at Saint Rose, I immediately decided to stay to pursue my Master's degree,because the professors here are excellent and Saint Rose as a whole is like a small community. However, I wasnervous financially about staying at a private institutionfor grad school. I was aware ofGraduate Assistant positionsfrom my undergraduate work,and was very excited andpleased when I was offered one.Graduate Assistantships notonly provide substantial financial assistance, but theyalso allowed me to see theschool in a new light. I am nowmore aware of different officesand what they do, and have connected with more studentsand faculty members on a different level. I am thankfulthat because of the GraduateAssistantship Program, I wasable to spend five great yearsat The College of Saint Rose.

Amanda Daley, BS '12, MSED G' 14

Page 6: Financing Your Graduate Education

Grants, Graduate Assistantships, Loans & ScholarshipsGraduate Assistantship ProgramThe College offers 120 appointments each academic year for full-time graduate students to work with faculty and administrators in

professional experiences that augment their studies. Assistantship duties range from research to student services to tutoring. Two-semester

appointments begin in the fall semester and pay students $3,200 each fall and spring semester for working 150 hours per semester (approx.

10 hours per week). The appointment process is competitive; admitted graduate students apply for open positions beginning in March and a

majority of positions will be appointed by June 15. Graduate Assistantship positions are renewable depending on available funding, student

enrollment, as well as upon agreement of both the supervisor and student.

To learn more about assistantship opportunities, please visit www.strose.edu/gradassistance.

ScholarshipsMerit-based scholarships are available to full- and part-time graduate students enrolled in master’s degree programs. These awards offer

¼-tuition and ½-tuition scholarships as well as a number of smaller awards. To receive consideration for a scholarship award, applicants

must submit a separate application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Scholarship recipients must

maintain a 3.3 grade point average to maintain their award which is detailed on the scholarship application. Awards include:

• Barbara Ann Carr

• Cultural Diversity

• George & Caroline Winkler

• Graduate

• International

Scholarship Deadlines:

Second Chance Scholarship: Fall – June 1, Spring – November 1

All Other Scholarships: Fall – April 15, Spring – October 15

To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, please visit www.strose.edu/gradassistance.

4

• Peter M. & Anne M. Tully

• Sacred Heart / Walter L. Hahn

• Second Chance

• Sister Anne L. Clark

• Technology Education

Page 7: Financing Your Graduate Education

TEACH Grant The Federal TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) provides a grant to students who are U.S. citizens

or permanent residents who intend to teach in a public or private school, serving low-income students in a high-need field at either the

elementary or secondary level. In return for these academically competitive grants, students must teach for at least four academic years

within eight calendar years of completing the program of study. Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s degree program to be eligible for

this opportunity (Certificate of Advanced Study does not qualify). Students are required to file a FAFSA and complete a separate application

to obtain a TEACH grant.

To learn more about the TEACH Grant, please visit www.strose.edu/finaid (look under “Types of Aid”).

Math and Science Teacher ScholarshipsNew York State offers one-year Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarships to full-time graduate students who are U.S. citizens or

permanent residents pursuing careers in secondary math and science teaching (grades 7–12) in New York State. The scholarships are

awarded on a competitive basis and require the completion of a supplement that must be returned to the NYS Higher Education Services

Corporation (HESC). This program provides awards in exchange for five years’ of full-time employment as NYS secondary education math or

science teachers.

To learn more, please visit www.hesc.ny.gov.

Federal Direct Student LoansThe Unsubsidized Direct Loan is available to graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Graduate students are eligible

to borrow up to $20,500 per year. For the unsubsidized loan, the government does not subsidize the interest on the loan. Students must file

a FAFSA and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours) to receive an unsubsidized loan.

5

Page 8: Financing Your Graduate Education

6

Grants, Graduate Assistantships, Loans & Scholarships (continued)

Federal Direct Grad PLUS LoansPLUS loans are federal loans that graduate students can also utilize to help pay for their education expenses. This program allows students

who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents to borrow up to the standard graduate cost of attendance less other aid received. This is a

non-need-based loan program provided by the Department of Education. A credit check is required to be considered for this program.

Students must file a FAFSA and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credit hours) to receive a PLUS loan.

Separate application and steps to apply for the Graduate PLUS loan are available at www.strose.edu/finaid (listed under “Forms”).

International StudentsInternational students studying at The College of Saint Rose on an F1 visa are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, scholarships and

on-campus employment (working no more than 20 hours per week). Application procedures for graduate assistantship and scholarship

opportunities are the same as those listed above, although filing a FAFSA form is not required. Any on-campus employment opportunities

are posted through the Saint Rose Career Center’s online job posting website, eCareerCenter. Please visit www.strose.edu/careercenter to

access eCareerCenter.

Veteran StudentsThe College of Saint Rose has been named to the Military Friendly School List. U.S. veterans and dependents may be eligible for specific

types of benefits, depending on the veteran's dates of service, length of service, and type of discharge (if no longer active). For a full list of

acceptable veterans benefits and contact information, please visit our Veteran’s Information page at www.strose.edu/registrar.

The Sister Anne Clark Scholarship was the key that unlocked the door of opportunity for me. As amother of four, finishing my master’s degree seemed a necessity after my husband lost his job.Receiving this scholarship allowed me to move forward. I am excited by my classes and hopefulthat I can return the favor someday to help another reach their goal. The College of Saint Roseproved they offer more than an excellent education; they offer a helping hand.

Maria Noakes, Mental Health Counseling, G’14

Page 9: Financing Your Graduate Education

Payment InformationPaying your BillTuition payments are due ten days prior to the start of the semester. All tuition bills are sent to students through their Saint Rose e-mail

account. To learn how to access your Saint Rose e-mail account, please visit http://blackboard.strose.edu.

Payment PlanThe Bursar’s office offers a semester-long payment plan. For a small enrollment fee, this interest-free alternative allows students to budget

their fall or spring semester tuition payments over the course of three or four months. Students can choose to pay all or a portion of their

account balance through the payment plan. Enrollment in this program occurs on a single-semester basis and requires a valid credit card

or U.S. bank account number through which funds will be withdrawn on a monthly basis. By the end of the semester, the account balance

should be paid off.

Employer Deferment ProgramStudents who receive employer reimbursement for education costs may be eligible for our Tuition Deferment Program. To qualify, students

must submit to the Bursar by the second week of class a completed Employer Reimbursement Form with a verification letter from their

employer which includes the specific amount of their tuition benefit. There is a small fee to participate in this program, and any tuition or fees

which the employer will not cover must be paid by the semester due date (10 days prior to the start of classes). Students are responsible for

paying the deferred portion of their account balance no more than three weeks after grades have posted, regardless of whether their

employer has reimbursed them at that point.

To learn more about paying a bill or the aforementioned programs, please visit www.strose.edu/bursar.

7

Page 10: Financing Your Graduate Education

For Further Assistance

Graduate Admissions (518)[email protected]

Financial Aid (518)[email protected]

Health Services (518)[email protected]

Residence Life (518)[email protected]

Bursar’s Office (518)[email protected]

Registrar’s Office (518)[email protected]

International Students (518)[email protected]

Helpful Websites

www.strose.edu/finaid Financial Aid Office

www.strose.edu/grad Graduate Admissions

www.strose.edu/admissions/veterans Veteran Resources

www.strose.edu/gradassistance Financing your Graduate Education

www.fafsa.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

www.studentaid.ed.gov Federal Student Aid Information

www.fastweb.com FastWeb Scholarship Search

www.irs.gov/Credits-&-Deductions Tax Benefits for Education

www.finaid.org Student Guide to Financial Aid

www.studentloans.gov Managing your Federal Direct Loan

Important Dates

Fall Spring Summer

Application Deadlines (Preferred)* April 15 October 15 March 15

Second Chance Scholarship Deadlines June 1 November 1 ––––

All Other Scholarships Deadlines April 15 October 15 ––––

Graduate Assistantship Program Application Process Opens March 1 –––– ––––

*CITE, College Student Services Administration, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Counseling and School Psychology program deadlines

vary; please visit www.strose.edu/grad for program-specific deadlines.

8

Page 11: Financing Your Graduate Education

www.strose.edu

Saint

TheCollege

Roseof

432 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203-1490 1.800.637.8556