umass dartmouth guide to financial aid 2016

www.umassd.edu/financialaid

Your Guide to Financial Aid

UMass Dartmouth | 2016-2017 Guide to Financial Aid 2

Table of Contents

2 Determining Your Financial Aid Eligibility

4 Your Financial Aid Award

5 Grants & Scholarships

6 Work-Study & Student Employment

7 Loans

8 Financing Your Educational Expenses

9 Book Vouchers, Disbursements & Refunds

10 Financial Aid Policies & Procedures

12 Contact Information


Welcome to our community

A UMass Dartmouth education is an important investment in your future. In fact, UMass Dartmouth is ranked among the

top 20 Massachusetts schools for highest return on investment–measured by the lifetime earnings impact of a college education.

This guide is designed to help you understand the financial aid process, programs, and policies as well as the other options available for financing your education. The Financial Aid Office is here to assist you with financing your college education. We offer a variety of financial aid programs to help you and your family. We look forward to having you join the UMass Dartmouth community.

Audra CallahanDirector of Financial Aid


Determining Your Financial Aid Eligibility

Your financial aid eligibility is determined by the information you provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

As a financial aid recipient, there are certain obligations that must be met in order for you to have your financial aid award confirmed and credited to your student billing account.

To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must:

• be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States.• have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.• be officially accepted and enrolled in a degree or certificate granting program of study.• be enrolled at least half-time in your academic program of study.• maintain satisfactory academic progress in your academic program of study.• be free from default on any previous federal or state-sponsored educational loans or grant refund obligations.• have a valid Social Security number.• register with Selective Service, if required www.sss.gov

The process of determining your eligibility is referred to as the needs analysis formula which is legislated by the United States Congress. The needs analysis formula is the starting point for determining eligibility for financial aid. The needs analysis formula is in place to ensure students are treated in a consistent manner. Each component of the formula is made up of several factors:

Cost of Attendance

– Expected Family Contribution

= Financial Need

Cost of Attendance At UMass Dartmouth, a standardized set of budgets is used as the basis for determining the cost of education. Budgets vary based on a student’s tuition and fee costs and living arrangements while attending school: living on campus, living with parents or relatives, or living off-campus. In addition, each budget factors in other educational expenses like books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses that aren’t directly billed through the university. The total of these direct and indirect costs is your Cost of Attendance.

Expected Family ContributionYour Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure created by the U.S. Department of Education to estimate a student’s and his or her family’s ability to contribute to the cost of education for the academic year. All data used to calculate the EFC comes from the information the student provides on the FAFSA.

Please note: The EFC figure is not the amount you will be billed or have to pay. It is instead, a measure of financial ability created by the U.S. Department of Education that allows UMass Dartmouth’s Financial Aid Services Office to effectively award various sources of financial assistance (grants, scholarships, loans, employment consideration) towards your educational costs for the academic year.

Financial NeedYour EFC is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance, and the difference represents the maximum eligibility for need-based financial aid. Non-need-based loans may be used to finance all or part of your EFC.


Resident Non-Resident Regional/Proximity Plan

Undergrad2 Graduate3 Undergrad2 Graduate3 Undergrad2 Graduate3

Tuition & Fees $12,588 $11,024 $ 26,174 $19,630 $16,748 $13,844

Room+Board4 $11,622 $11,622 $11,622 $11,622 $11,622 $11,622

Total $24,210 $22,646 $37,796 $31,252 $28,370 $25,466

1

Tuition, fees, and room and board charges are subject to change.

Additional fees are assessed based on student’s program of study

and one time new student fees for orientation and transcript.

2016-2017 rates will be posted when confirmed in early summer.

Go to umassd.edu/bursar/tuitionandfees

2

Undergraduate tuition and fees are based on enrollment in 12 day school credits.

Actual amounts may vary depending on enrolled credits.

3

Graduate tuition and fees are based on enrollment in 9 day school credits.

Actual amounts may vary depending on enrolled credits.

4

Room and board example is for an on-campus standard double room and a 19-meal plan.

2015-2016 Academic Year Direct Expenses1


Your Financial Aid Award

Financial Aid Services prepares a Financial Aid Award Letter for you once your financial need (cost of attendance minus EFC) is

determined. Your financial aid award may include a combination of federal, state and/or university grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. The amount and types of financial aid awarded depends upon the availability of funds, the number of eligible applicants, the date your financial aid file is completed, and your calculated eligibility. Your award letter will show the breakdown between the fall and spring semesters.

Your financial aid award is based on the information you provided on your 2016–2017 FAFSA. Your award may change from year to year depending on your family’s financial circumstances. A change in your enrollment status, your academic progress, the number of children in your family attending college, housing status, federal and/or state program funding levels and/or failure to meet priority deadlines may affect your eligibility.

It is not necessary to return the award notice to Financial Aid Services unless you are reporting additional resources not shown on your award letter, are reducing or canceling an award, or are requesting deferment of your Federal Work-Study award.

Once you have paid your admissions deposit, you will be granted access to UMass Dartmouth’s self-service portal (including email and COIN) at myUMassD. You will be able to review your financial aid status, decline financial aid awards, and check your To Do List through COIN at that time.

You must notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing if you will receive any scholarships, grants, loans, tuition remission or other educational assistance not included in your financial aid award letter. Outside sources of funding may impact your UMass Dartmouth financial aid offer. Federal regulations require private resources be counted toward a student’s calculated financial aid eligibility. To enable you to retain maximum benefit of any outside financial aid awards, we will first reduce any unmet need, then reduce loan and/or work-study funding.

Departmental awards, teaching or research assistantships, and other sources of assistance such as tuition and/or fee credits may also be considered in determining a student’s total resources. Any notification of outside assistance that is received after your award has been made by Financial Aid Services may cause your financial aid package to be adjusted.

We will send you a revised award letter if additional resources impact your initial aid offer.


Grants and Scholarships UMass Dartmouth participates in a wide variety of federal, state, and university financial aid programs. The grants and scholarships on your award letter may include:

Federal Pell Grant• federally-funded program • eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need • available to undergraduate students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree• does not need to be repaid

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)• federally-funded program • eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need with emphasis given to Pell Grant recipients• available to undergraduates enrolled at least half time in a degree program • does not need to be repaid

Federal Teach Grant• federally-funded program • provides up to $4,000 per year to eligible students who agree to serve as a full-time, highly-qualified teacher in a high-need subject area in a designated low-income school for at least four years within eight years of graduating• meet certain academic achievement requirements (i.e. maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25)• for more information contact Traci Almeida, Graduate Admissions Coordinator, [email protected] or 508.999.8098• may need to be repaid if student does not fulfill teacher service agreement

Mass Access Grant• state-funded program• eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need and actual tuition and fees charged• available to undergraduate students who are Massachusetts residents • does not need to be repaid

Mass Grant • state-funded program • eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need • available to undergraduate students enrolled full time who are Massachusetts residents (parents of dependent students must also be Massachusetts residents)• submit FAFSA prior to May 1, 2016• does not need to be repaid

Mass Part-time Grant • state-funded program • eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need• available to undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time but less than full-time (6-11 credits) who are Massachusetts residents (parents of dependent students must also be Massachusetts residents)• does not need to be repaid

Need-Based Tuition Credit • university-funded program • eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need • available to undergraduate students who are Massachusetts residents • does not need to be repaid

University Extension (UE) Grant• university-funded program for students in the Pathways Program only• eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need• does not need to be repaid

University Grant• university-funded fee grant program • eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need• grant cannot exceed actual Curriculum Support Fee charged• available to undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program • does not need to be repaid


Federal Work-Study & Student Employment

Federal Work-Study• federal program awarded by Financial Aid Services• eligibility based on financial need• students receive a bi-weekly paycheck for the number of hours worked at an hourly pay rate• Federal Work-Study will not be applied to your semester bill• Job Opportunities are found by student logging into CORSAIR Jobs at my UMassD>Careers & Jobs>Corsair Jobs• students are responsible for finding their own Federal Work-Study job and may not have more than one Federal Work-Study job• In CORSAIR Jobs, student creates profile, uploads resume, applies for jobs, accepts job offer and signs electronic contractStudents who do not plan to work for the fall semester must submit a deferment request by completing the deferment section on the reverse of the award letter and returning it to the University Enrollment Center by October 1 if they wish to work for the spring semester. Otherwise, students who do not appear on the Federal Work-Study payroll by October 1 will have their entire academic year Federal Work-Study award canceled.

Student Employment: Other Work OpportunitiesThere are also non-work-study positions available on campus. Search for jobs, contact supervisors, and complete required forms through CORSAIR Jobs via the myUMassD portal. You may have a Federal Work-Study job as well as a non-work-study job but may not work more than 20 combined hours per week on campus. Many students find part-time work opportunities off campus. The Career Development Center is available to assist you in finding such employment at 508.999.8658, or online at www.umassd.edu/career

Admissions Merit Scholarship OpportunitiesThe Admissions Office awards the following merit scholarships to first year applicants and/or students transferring from a two-year colleges upon acceptance:• University Commonwealth Scholarship • Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship • Chancellor’s Transfer Scholarship• UMassD Community Living Scholarship More information about these scholarships is available online at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/scholarships/admissions

UMass Dartmouth Scholarship OpportunitiesUMass Dartmouth offers many scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarship application deadline each year is March 1 (unless otherwise noted). A complete listing of scholarships is available online at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/scholarships

Massachusetts Department of Higher Education ProgramsThe Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance offers various scholarships. Information is available at www.osfa.mass.edu• John & Abigail Adams Scholarship: This scholarship is a non-need-based, state supported undergraduate tuition credit program. Forward a copy of your letter from the Massachusetts Department of Education to the Financial Aid Office. If you have misplaced your letter, you may contact the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education at 781.338.3625 or 781.338.3640. You may also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at 617-391-6070. In order to receive this scholarship, eligible students must be enrolled full-time, annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. • Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Credit: This program is a non-need-based state-supported undergraduate tuition credit program. Eligibility requirements are available online at www.osfa.mass.edu Applications are available from the Koplik coordinator at your high school or contact the MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 781.338.3581. In order to receive this scholarship, eligible students must be enrolled full-time,

Grants and Scholarshipscontinued

annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA. Recipients of this award must submit a copy of their certificate to the Financial Aid Office, Foster Administration Building, 1st floor.


Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans • long-term federal student loans• must be repaid• available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need• First-time borrowers must complete Direct Loan entrance counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentloans.gov

ANNUAL DIRECT LOAN LIMITS

Grade Level Earned Units Maximum Subsidized Loan Portion* Unsubsidized Portion Total Direct Loans

Dependent Students:

Freshman 0-29 $3,500* $2,000 $5,500

Sophomore 30-59 $4,500* $2,000 $6,500

Junior 60-89 $5,500* $2,000 $7,500

Senior 90+ $5,500* $2,000 $7,500

Independent Students and Dependent Students Whose Parent is Unable to Obtain PLUS:

Freshman 0-29 $3,500* $6,000 $9,500

Sophomore 30-59 $4,500* $6,000 $10,500

Junior 60-89 $5,500* $7,000 $12,500

Senior 90+ $5,500* $7,000 $12,500

Graduate N/A N/A* $20,500 $20,500

*Subsidized loans require financial need. Students without sufficient financial need can still borrow the same total Direct Loanamounts, but more or all of their loans may be Unsubsidized. Graduate students are only eligible for Unsubsidized Direct Loans.

AGGREGATE (LIFETIME) DIRECT LOAN LIMITS

Students Maximum Subsidized Portion Additional Unsubsidized Portion Total Direct Loans

Dependent Undergraduates $23,000 $8,000 $31,000

Independent Undergraduates $23,000 $34,500 $57,500

Graduate Students N/A N/A $138,500*

*The graduate limit includes all undergraduate and graduate loans.

FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN INTEREST RATES

2016-2017 interest rates and fees will not be available until July 2016 at: www.studentloans.gov The rates listed below are 2015-2016 interest rates:

Interest Rates Disbursement Fees

Loans First Disbursed Between 7/1/15 to 6/30/16 10/1/15 to 9/30/16

Student Type Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students All Students

Direct Subsidized Loans 4.29 % N/A 1.068%

Direct Unsubsidized Loans 4.29% 5.84% 1.068%

Direct PLUS Loans (Parent and Graduate) 6.84% 6.84% 4.272%

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans • long-term federal student loan that must be repaid• available to all students regardless of financial need• student pays the interest during in-school and deferment periods or has it capitalized (added to principal at beginning of repayment.) • First-time borrowers must complete Direct Loan entrance counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentloans.gov


Financing Your Educational Expenses

The UMass Dartmouth Bursar’s Office provides electronic bills. Students receive an email to their UMass Dartmouth email account

notifying them that an invoice has been generated. Invoices are sent electronically in early July for fall semester and are due by mid-August. Bills for the spring semester are also sent electronically in early December and are due by mid-January. Specific due dates are printed on the invoice. Failure to meet the due date will result in the assessment of a late fee. Additional questions regarding bills and/or fees should be directed to the University Enrollment Center, 1st floor lobby, Foster Administration Building, 508.999.8857 or 508.999.8866 or the Bursar’s Office, 2nd floor, Foster Administration Building, 508.999.8832.

After you have reviewed your financial aid award, there are several ways to address any remaining balance. To determine which resource or combination of resources best suits your needs, we recommend considering the following options:

1. The TMS monthly budget payment plan:a payment option that allows you to spread your balance over 9 or 10 months. There is no interest charged on the plan. Your only cost to use this plan is a $45 enrollment fee for an annual plan. To learn more about the monthly payment plan, visit www.afford.com/umassd or call Tuition Management Systems directly at 800.722.4867.

2. The Federal Direct PLUS loan: a long-term finance option recommended for parents of undergraduate dependent students, and graduate students:• loan that must be repaid • fixed interest rate from 7/1/15 to 6/30/16 of 6.84% and an origination fee of 4.272%. 2016-17 interest rates will be set in June 2016.• not based on financial need, but rather on the credit worthiness of the applicant • annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any aid received (or eligible for)• origination fee deducted proportionally from each disbursement • repayment begins 60 days after second disbursement but may request in-school deferment• additional information for the 2016-2017 PLUS Loan application process is available at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/loans/loans-federal/ 3. Private/alternative educational loan: credit-based, available to students who need additional funding to cover tuition and fees and/or cost of living expenses. Visit online at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/loans/loans-private for additional information, including a suggested lender list.

4. A combination strategy: the best option for most families to limit debt. Combining the TMS monthly budget payment plan with a Federal Direct PLUS loan, a Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loan and/or private educational loans permits you to reduce debt while allowing for reasonable monthly payments.


Book Vouchers, Disbursements & Refunds

Book VouchersFinancial aid recipients who are expected to have funds remaining after tuition, fee, and housing costs are covered can use the excess to purchase books and supplies from the Campus Bookstore using a book voucher. The amount of the book voucher will be deducted from your financial aid refund. Eligible students will be sent an invitation email from theCampus Store. For further information visit www.umassd.edu/campusstore/textbooks/purchasingtextbooks

DisbursementsFinancial aid funds (grants, scholarships, educational loans) are credited to your student account after Financial Aid Services has confirmed your enrollment for each academic semester once the add/drop period has ended and all necessary requirements have been met (i.e. loan entrance counseling and/or promissory notes, etc.).

RefundsStudents whose financial aid awards exceed their charges will receive an email notification from the Bursar’s Office when refunds are available. Checks are distributed through the University Enrollment Center (UEC). Students can enroll for direct deposit of student refunds through COIN. This will eliminate the need to go to the University Enrollment Center to pick up your refund check. All students who wish to enroll for direct deposit can log into COIN via the myUMassD portal at https://my.umassd.edu/ to designate what bank account the funds will be deposited. A job aid to assist with the process can be found at my.umassd.edu/group/myumassd/coin-for-students.

No refunds will be distributed prior to the end of the add/drop period. If you have questions about your student account or the processing of a refund, you may contact the University Enrollment Center, 1st floor lobby, Foster Administration Building, 508.999.8857 or 508.999.8866.


Financial Aid Policies & Procedures

Changes in Award StatusUMass Dartmouth reserves the right to review, modify, or cancel financial assistance at any time based on information that affects financial aid eligibility. Some of the factors that may cause a change in your financial aid award are as follows:

Financial NeedYour financial aid award is based on the FAFSA and other information we have on file at the time of awarding. Changes made on your FAFSA, the availability of funds, outside scholarships or other assistance awarded, residency reclassification, etc. may result in a change in your eligibility.

VerificationAny student may be selected for verification by the Federal government or Financial Aid Services. Our office will notify you if you have been selected for verification. It is important to regularly check your COIN self-service To Do List and your UMD email account for reminder notifications of missing documents and the status of your application. This includes checking your COIN over the summer. The verification process requires Financial Aid Services to review the information reported on your FAFSA and to check for accuracy against documents you provide to our office. If your application is selected for verification, you will not be eligible for disbursement of financial aid until this process is finalized. To avoid unnecessary delays, please submit all required documents promptly. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing or updating your FAFSA will simplify and expedite the verification process. If your EFC changes upon completion of the verification process, this may result in a change to your financial aid award package.

Information on how to request a IRS tax transcript can be found at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/forms

Additional information on the verification process can be found at: www.umassd.edu/financialaid/policies

EnrollmentYour financial aid award is based on the number of credits for which you are expected to enroll. Some financial aid programs require only half-time status (6 credits for undergraduates, 4.5 credits for graduates), some require full-time status (12 credits for undergraduates, 9 credits for graduates) and some programs, like the Federal Pell Grant, may be awarded with a less than half-time status. Your financial aid award is subject to change if your enrollment status changes.

HousingYour financial aid award is based on the housing plan you indicated on your FAFSA. If there is a change in your housing status (for example, you decide to commute from your parents home rather than live on campus), you must notify our office immediately. Your financial aid award is subject to change if your housing status changes.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)The federal government views your educational information, both financial and academic, as yours, regardless of who pays your educational expenses. Therefore, federal guidelines require that students provide written permission before we can share financial information with any third party, including parents or spouses. A summary of university policy on the privacy of student records, which include rights under FERPA is available at UMass Dartmouth’s web site at www.umassd.edu/registrar/forms

Permission to share FERPA financial aid information can be found at: www.umassd.edu/financialaid/forms


Satisfactory Academic Progress Students receiving financial aid of any type are required to make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degree. Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined by regulations of the U.S. Department of Education as “proceeding in a positive manner toward fulfilling degree requirements.” Students are reviewed annually in June with regard to their continued eligibility for federal, state and/or university financial aid for the following year. Students not making satisfactory progress are allowed to appeal based on unusual circumstances (examples: health problems, family emergency, etc.).

Students whose appeal has been approved will be granted a probation status in order to obtain the necessary requirements for maintaining progress. If during the probation period the student does not maintain a satisfactory grade point average and/or does not meet the terms of their academic plan, aid eligibility will be discontinued for all future semesters until the student has re-established satisfactory academic status.

For the current Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, visit www.umassd.edu/financialaid/policies

Special CircumstancesIf you have unique circumstances or your family situation has changed significantly since the time you completed the FAFSA, you can bring your situation to our attention and request reconsideration AFTER you have received an initial financial aid award. Grounds for reconsideration may include, but are not limited to, loss of a job, a death in the family, divorce or separation in the family, or unusually high medical or dental bills not covered by insurance. To appeal a financial aid award, send a detailed letter with appropriate documentation to Financial Aid Services describing the reason for the appeal. Appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional information can be found at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/eligibility

Withdrawal/Leave of AbsenceIf you completely withdraw from all coursework during an academic term or take a UMass Dartmouth approved leave of absence, your financial aid award may be subject to change based upon federal and state refund regulations. Please consult our web site for the Financial Aid Withdrawal Policy at www.umassd.edu/financialaid/policies

Financial Aid Policies & Procedures

continued


Contact Information

By Phone General information regarding financial aid at UMass Dartmouth can be obtained by calling the UEC directly at 508.999.8857 or 508.999.8866.

By MailBe sure to include your name and student ID number on all correspondence. The mailing address is:

University Enrollment CenterUMass Dartmouth 285 Old Westport Road Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300

By InternetFinancial Aid Services maintains a homepage which contains useful information about financial aid at UMass Dartmouth and links to other financial aid websites: www.umassd.edu/financialaid

myUMassDThe myUMassD portal provides a single sign-on access to UMass Dartmouth email, COIN, myCourses, as well as additional web tools. Newly admitted students (who have paid their enrollment deposit) and currently enrolled students are encouraged to regularly login to their myUMassD portal at www.umassd.edu

COINCOIN provides access to your registration, financial aid, and billing information. You may view your financial aid award, decline your loans, identify required items on your To Do List, and review your account summary. Access COIN via the myUMassD portal.

In PersonThe University Enrollment Center (UEC) is the first stop for students and families. The UEC staff can answer your questions regarding financial aid, billing, and registration.

The UEC is located in the first floor lobby of the Foster Administration Building.

The UEC receives all financial aid forms, distributes checks, accepts billing payments, and certifies enrollment status. If you require further assistance, you will be referred to the appropriate office.

Online Resources

UMass Dartmouth Links

UMass Dartmouth homepagewww.umassd.edu

University Enrollment Center: www.umassd.edu/uec

Bursar’s Office: www.umassd.edu/bursar

Financial Aid: www.umassd.edu/financialaid

Scholarships: www.umassd.edu/financialaid/scholarships

Loans: www.umassd.edu/financialaid/loans

Student Employment: www.umassd.edu/financialaid/studentemployment

Federal Financial Aid Links

FAFSAwww.fafsa.ed.gov

Federal FSA ID Websitehttps://fsaid.ed.gov/

Student Loanswww.studentloans.gov

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): www.nslds.ed.gov

Federal Student Guide: studentaid.ed.gov

State Aid Links

Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)www.osfa.mass.edu

Massachusetts Board of Higher Education: www.mass.edu

Federal Financial Aid Links

FAFSAwww.fafsa.ed.gov

Federal FSA ID Websitehttps://fsaid.ed.gov/

Student Loanswww.studentloans.gov

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): www.nslds.ed.gov

Federal Student Guide: studentaid.ed.gov

UMass Dartmouth285 Old Westport Road

Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300

umass dartmouth guide to financial aid 2016

Documents