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WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?

FINANCIAL AID

WELCOME TO UNHT he University of New Haven is a private, top-tier,

comprehensive institution recognized as a national leader in experiential education. Founded in 1920 on the campus of Yale University in cooperation with

Northeastern University, UNH moved to its current West Haven campus in 1960. The University provides its students with a unique combination of a solid liberal arts education and real-world, hands-on career and research opportunities.

You already know that a college education is a valuable invest-ment and, while you must carefully consider the commitment it demands, a UNH education is an investment in your future. Financing a college education is one of the most significant investments for a family. Although the thought of financing a college education may seem overwhelming, it can become more affordable with financial aid.

There are many choices for financing this investment, and we want to be sure you find the option that works best for you. This brochure will take you through some of the financing options available for families.

Most financial aid awards are based on an individual’s demon-stration of need after careful consideration of the application for assistance. In calculating need, the Office of Financial Aid consid-ers all aspects of a student’s financial circumstances. Need-based awards are available only to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Some funds are available on a merit basis for students who have exceptional academic records or athletic ability.

The financial aid process can be confusing. To help you, this brochure organizes the process into steps and answers many common questions. In addition, our financial aid staff is here to support you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?

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Financial aid is awarded to students to assist them with paying college expenses. Approximately 85% of the University of New Haven’s full-time undergraduate students receive some type of financial assis-tance in the form of academic and merit scholarships, grants, and student loans. In addition, there are numerous campus employment opportunities for students.

The University does its best to work with families to make the cost of higher education an affordable investment in your future. Do not hesitate to contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions you may have about financing your education.

Financial aid comes in the form of:• Scholarships: Free money that you don’t have to repay

• Grants: Free money that you don’t have to repay

• Loans: Money you borrow that you must repay

• Student Employment: Money you earn by working in a part-time job on campus or through community service

You can apply for financial aid from these sources:• Federal: Money from the federal government

• State: Money from the state in which you reside

• Institutional: Money from the University. Examples are: merit-based (based on academic performance) or “need-based” (based on the results of the FAFSA).

• Private: Money from private agencies, organizations, civic groups, high schools, churches, etc.

Use the Net Price CalculatorStudents considering attending the University of New Haven can use our Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of their potential financial aid eligibility. Families will need to provide some information regarding income, number of family members, SAT/ACT test scores, etc. to obtain the estimate. The Net Price Calculator is only an ESTIMATE of the potential financial aid for which you could be eligible. Some funding is limited and may not be offered in your actual financial aid award. Also, students must complete the full financial aid application process to be considered for any of the financial aid programs.

To try the Net Price Calculator, visit: https://newhaven.studentaidcalculator.com/survey.aspx

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HOW TO APPLY

YOUR FAFSA RESULTS AND EFC CALCULATIONThe federal processing center processes the FAFSA with a fed-

erally mandated calculation called “Need Analysis.” The result of

the processed FAFSA is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

UNH then uses the EFC to determine the types of financial aid

and amounts we can offer to a student.

The University of New Haven is not able to meet the full financial

need of students. UNH has a limited amount of resources that

we distribute as equitably as possible to all of our financial aid

applicants. Most families will need to supplement their EFC and

unmet need through a variety of resources, such as the tuition pay-

ment plan through Tuition Management Systems (TMS), the Federal

Direct Parent PLUS Loan program, or a private alternative loan.

The Office of Financial Aid acts as the “liaison” between the

federal government and the family. Under federal guidelines,

UNH determines the student’s eligibility for the federal financial

aid programs and, at the same time, determines the student’s

eligibility for institutional financial aid. UNH will use a Financial

Aid Award Notification to communicate with you, directing you

to view your award online. The award indicates the amount

of financial assistance that can be offered to help pay your

expenses at UNH.

Complete these TWO steps:1. Beginning in October, students may complete the 2015-2016

CSS Profile form at https://profileonline.collegeboard.org. This form will be used to provide an estimated Financial Aid Award by the end of January to students who have been accepted for admission. This allows students who are accepted for Early Decision or Early Action to know the expected family costs to attend UNH, before paying the Early Decision or Early Action enrollment and housing deposit to UNH. To receive an early estimated Financial Aid Award, families may complete the CSS Profile form up to February 1, 2015. The UNH school code for the CSS profile form is 3663.

2. To fully complete the financial aid process, families MUST also complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is a federal application that is FREE and should be completed at the federal government’s website www.fafsa.gov. This form MUST BE COMPLETED EACH YEAR for which the student is seeking financial assistance.

Meet the deadlines:The UNH priority date for submitting the 2015–2016 FAFSA is March 1, 2015. Additional paperwork requested by UNH is required by May 1, 2015. Applications may be completed after those dates*, however, the applications will be considered on a rolling basis, depending upon the availability of funds. Applications must be received, not postmarked, by the dates mentioned above. The Office of Financial Aid will communicate with students via email to request any required additional paperwork.

The University of New Haven uses the FAFSA to determine a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. UNH also uses the FAFSA to determine the amount of institutional “need-based” financial aid to offer students. In addition, many states use the FAFSA to determine a student’s eligibility for state financial aid.

Enter the FAFSA code:The University of New Haven’s Office of Financial Aid will receive the results of your FAFSA, providing you have entered our school code (001397) in the school code section of the FAFSA.

*Financial aid applications must be completed and loans certified prior to the last day of the term for which the student is seeking aid.

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CALCULATING FINANCIAL NEEDCost of AttendanceTo determine the amount of financial aid a student can receive, the school must first determine the Cost of Attendance. It is important to remember that costs will vary from one college to another. For 2014–2015, the Cost of Attendance for a full-time undergraduate student at UNH is as follows:

RESIDENT COMMUTER (on Campus) (off Campus)

Tuition & Fees $34,630 $34,630

Room & Board (meals) $14,410 $0

Direct Cost to UNH* $49,040 $34,630

Estimate for Books $1,000 $1,000

Personal/Misc. Expenses $1,000 $3,962

Transportation Costs $404 $2,366

Federal Student Loan Fees $60 $60

Estimated Total $51,504 $42,018 Cost of Attendance

* Direct costs are charges that will appear on the student’s bill from the Bursar’s Office. However, when calculating financial aid, direct costs do NOT include items such as parking tickets and fines.

Estimated costs for a student living on-campus (Resident) are different from a student who is commuting, since a commuter student has different direct educational costs. For example, a commuter student is not charged for on-campus housing. The Cost of Atten-dance for part-time students is pro-rated and calculated based on part-time costs.

The Bursar’s Office provides a full listing of the undergraduate costs on its website. The Bursar’s Office website can be found at www.newhaven.edu/bursar.

NOTE: The costs provided here do not include lab fees, overtime charges for course loads over 17 credit hours, or tuition differentials. The room-and-board cost noted is based on the amount normally assessed to most of our residential students. Amounts listed for books, personal expenses, and transportation are estimated costs that may be incurred during the academic year and will not be directly reflected on your student billing account.

At UNH, there are lab fees and tuition differentials, which are additional costs that may be reflected on a student’s bill. Tuition differentials are additional fees associated with particular courses. These courses (usually engineering and computer courses) require additional resources to operate. It is similar in concept to a lab fee, although the course in question does not necessarily have a laboratory component. Differential fees are noted on the course listings. Students will see the additional charge for the lab fee or tuition differential on their bill once they register for the class.

DETERMINING FINANCIAL AIDIf your EFC is less than the Cost of Attendance, you may be eligible for some subsidized financial aid such as grants, scholarships, the subsidized student loan, and the federal parent loan.

If your EFC is greater than the Cost of Attendance, you may be eligible for unsubsidized financial aid such as the unsubsidized student loan and the federal parent loan.

NOTE: Merit scholarships are based on a student’s academic or athletic performance and can be awarded regardless of the EFC. However, the Office of Financial Aid must take into consideration the amount of your merit scholarships when determining the amount of need-based financial aid for which you are eligible.

Cost of Attendance

— Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Financial Need

The UNH Office of Financial Aid subtracts your EFC (results of your FAFSA) from the Cost of Attendance to determine your “financial need.”

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MERIT SCHOLARSHIPSStudents will automatically be considered for merit (academic) awards when they apply for full-time undergraduate admission. Students who apply under Early Decision or Early Action and are accepted are given priority consideration for all merit-based scholarships.

The following are awarded at the discretion of the University of New Haven and, unless otherwise noted, require no special application. Award decisions will be based upon the student’s academic credentials at the time of the student’s admissions decision. Students who qualify for these scholarships will be notified by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at the time of their acceptance to the University.

These awards are renewable for a maximum of 8 semesters and are applied to only tuition. The amounts indicated for the merit awards are based on awards offered for the 2015–2016 academic year.

Presidential Scholarship A student who has achieved academic success in high school and on the SAT or ACT is considered for the Presidential Scholarship. The amount varies, depending on the combination of the applicant’s SAT/ACT score and cumulative GPA. If the Presidential Scholarship is awarded, it is guaranteed for your first year and renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement.

Distinguished Scholar Award Students who have achieved academic success in high school, but have not achieved the SAT or ACT requirements for the Fresh-man Presidential Scholarship, are eligible for the Distinguished Scholar Award. The amount of this award varies, depending on the student’s SAT or ACT score and GPA. If the Distinguished Scholar Award is awarded, it is guaranteed for your first year, and renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement.

Charger AwardThe Charger Award is presented to students who exhibit strong and consistent academic performance but do not qualify for the Presidential or Distinguished Scholar awards. If awarded the Charger Award, it is guaranteed for your first year and renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement.

$20,000 to

$24,000

$15,000 to

$18,000

$10,000 to

$14,000

Dean’s Scholarship Dean’s Scholarships are chosen by the dean of each of the four undergraduate colleges at UNH: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, and the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences. To be considered, applicants must have a complete application on file with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the Early Action deadline of December 1. The selection criteria will be made by each college, based on the applicant pool. Recipients will be notified directly by the college of study. For those selected for this award, it is awarded in addition to any of the other merit-based scholarships. If the Dean’s Scholarship is awarded, it is guaranteed for your first year and renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement.

Transfer Presidential Scholarship The Transfer Presidential Scholarship is intended for students who are transferring from another college or university and have completed 12 credit hours at their transferring institution and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship awards vary depending on the student’s GPA. If a transferring student demonstrates academic success, but has less than 12 credit hours completed, the student will be evaluated for a scholarship based on the freshmen academic scholarships. If the Transfer Presidential Scholarship is awarded, it is renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship A student who has been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society may be considered for the Phi Theta Kappa Scholar-ship. For those selected for this award, it is in addition to being considered for the Transfer Presidential Scholarship. If the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is awarded, it is renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement. Proof of membership in Phi Theta Kappa is required for scholarship consideration.

Honors Scholarship The Honors Scholarship is for students who have been selected and have chosen to enroll in the Honors Program at the University of New Haven. Students who are accepted will be notified and the scholarship amount will be additional to any merit-based scholarship awarded. Supplemental documentation may be required for this scholarship. The Honors Scholarship is renewable if you maintain the requirements of the UNH Honors Program.

*Please note that students meeting certain minimum requirements will be invited to apply to the Honors Program. Students are not automatically selected to participate.

Leadership Award The Leadership Award is presented to students who have demonstrated excellence in areas such as community service, volunteer work, or student leadership. For those selected for this award, it is offered in addition to any other merit-based award a student receives. Leadership awards are extremely selective and offered to only 50 students each year. If the Leadership Award is awarded, it is guaranteed for your first year and renewable each year, provided you remain a full-time undergraduate student while maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a bachelor’s degree and meet a certain minimum grade point average requirement.

$1,000

$1,000 to

$3,000

$10,000 to

$20,000

$2,000

$2,000

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FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMSFederal Pell GrantsThe Pell Grant program is a need-based federal program providing grant assistance to low-income students. Grants for the 2014–15 academic year range from $400 – $5,730, with the student’s eligibility being determined by the U.S. Department of Education, based on the results of the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)SEOG is a need-based federal program to provide additional assistance to students eligible for the federal Pell grant. Students are selected by the University to receive this grant. These funds are limited, so not all students who are eligible for this grant will receive it.

Connecticut Governor’s Scholarship Grant ProgramFunds provided by the Connecticut General Assembly are awarded to Connecticut residents attending UNH. Eligibility is based on the student’s EFC as determined by the FAFSA. The annual grant amount is set each year by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

Connecticut Governor’s Scholarship ProgramConnecticut students who have finished in the top 20 percent of their junior year high-school class and/or who have scored 1800 or higher on their combined Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or scored 27 on their ACT and demonstrate financial need, may be eligible for this Scholarship. Students must obtain an application from their high school guidance office or at www.ctdhe.org. Eligible students may receive up to $5,000.

University Grant-in-AidThe University Grant-in-Aid is institutional money from UNH that is awarded based on the results of the FAFSA.

Athletic Grant-in-AidAthletic grants are non-need-based grants provided to students for participation in sports, with recipient selection made by the Athletic Department, based on students’ athletic ability. Athletic grants are available in the following sports:

• Men: Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, soccer, track & field

• Women: Basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, volleyball

Federal Work-StudyFederal Work-Study is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Eligible students are able to select from a wide range of positions, including the option to work off campus in a community service capacity. Generally, students work between 10 to 12 hours a week and earn $9.15 per hour. Students are paid weekly for the hours they work. These funds are limited, so not all students eligible for Federal Work-Study will receive it.

Many students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study obtain positions on campus through the Bursary Student Employment program. Bursary posi-tions are posted on ChargerLink, the UNH online career management system.

Federal Perkins LoanThe Perkins Loan is a low-interest (fixed 5%), federal loan program awarded to needy students. Loan amounts can range from $1,000 to a maximum of $5,500 per year. The Federal Perkins Loan is a loan the student borrows, and it must be repaid. New borrowers are required to complete a Perkins Loan Entrance Counseling session and a Perkins Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to receiving their first disbursement. Students awarded the Perkins Loan will be provided with the required information prior to their enrollment. Repayment on the Perkins Loan begins nine months after a recipient leaves school. Students are selected by the University to receive Perkins loans. These funds are limited, so not all students eligible for the Perkins Loan will receive it.

Yellow Ribbon Program for VeteransThe University of New Haven participates in the Yellow Ribbon Pro-

gram for military veterans and/or their eligible dependents. Veterans should first complete all necessary applications and paperwork with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Once approved for educational

benefits by Veterans Affairs, students should contact the University Registrar’s Office to indicate they are expecting to receive benefits from Veterans Affairs.

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FEDERAL & PRIVATE LOANSFederal Direct Student LoansFederal Direct Student Loans are low-interest-rate federal loans offered to undergraduate students attending accredited colleges and universities. There are two types of Federal Direct Student Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. The Federal Direct Student Loans are loans the student borrows, and they must be repaid. Prior to receiving their first disbursement, new loan borrowers are required to:

1. Complete Entrance Counseling

2. Sign a Master Promissory Note

The federal government requires students to complete Entrance Counseling so that they will know and understand their rights and responsibilities. A Master Promissory Note must be signed by students as their promise to repay the loan. Students must go to www.studentloans.gov to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note once they decide to attend UNH.

Reminder: Federal regulations require a 30-day delay in the disbursement of federal loans for first-time student loan borrowers.

The Subsidized student loan is a federally subsidized loan program available on the basis of financial need to students enrolled at least half-time and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. For students who are eligible, the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during other specified periods. The interest rate is fixed and is set each year by the federal government. For 2014-2015, the interest rate is 4.66%. A FAFSA must be completed to determine a student’s eligibility for the loan.

The Unsubsidized student loan does not require a student to have financial need. The U.S. Department of Education does NOT pay interest on this type of loan. The interest rate is 4.66% as of July 1, 2014, and the interest will start accruing on the date of the first disbursement. The student has the option to pay the interest while in school. A FAFSA must be completed to determine a student’s eligibility for the Unsubsidized Federal Student Loan. A student must be maintaining satisfactory academic prog-ress and be enrolled at least half-time to be considered for this loan.

NOTE: Students who have the Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans on their award need only complete one Entrance Counseling session and sign only one Master Promissory Note.

Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS)The PLUS Loan is a financing option available to parents of a dependent undergraduate student who is enrolled in school at least half-time and is making satisfactory academic progress. For 2014–2015, the interest rate on the PLUS loan is fixed at 7.21%. Parents who do not have an adverse credit history may borrow up to the annual total Cost of Attendance, less other financial aid received.

Private Alternative LoansPrivate Alternative Loans are private credit-based loans where the student is the borrower. These loans will likely require a credit-worthy co-signer for the student to be approved. These loans must be repaid, and normally the student must be at least 18 years old to apply. Private loans offer varying terms and conditions set by the individual lender of the loan program. Private loans typically cost more than the educational loans offered by the federal government. The interest rates are pegged to either the Prime Lending Rate or the LIBOR index and may be fixed or variable.

PAYMENT OPTIONSPay with credit card, debit card, or checkThe University Bursar’s Office uses ePay, a quick, easy, and secure way to pay your bills online using Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, a debit card, or U.S. checking account.

10 month payment planTuition Management Systems (TMS), the nation’s top-ranked provider of education payment services, offers a convenient option of making payments on a monthly basis. The TMS Monthly Payment Option is an interest-free alternative to lump-sum payments that are due at bill time. This option allows you to spread out your payments over a period of 10 months (July – April) and can limit the amount of loan money you may need to borrow to meet the costs of education. The annual enrollment fee is $70. For information on enrolling in the TMS payment plan, select “Payment Options” from the Bursar’s Office webpage www.newhaven.edu/bursar.

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THE FINANCIAL AID AWARD

How it worksOnce the student is accepted for admissions, the Office of Financial Aid will review the results of your FAFSA, and UNH will communicate with the student via a Financial Aid Award.

The University determines the amount of federal and institutional financial aid that can be awarded to you. The awards offered make up a “Financial Aid Package.” Families should review the Financial Aid Package and all literature provided to be sure they understand each award listed.

NOTE: Federal Work-Study awards are funds a student must earn by working. This money is slowly earned throughout the academic year as the student works hours and submits time sheets for pay-ment. This money is paid directly to the student for the hours he or she works, therefore, it is not posted as a credit to the Bursar’s bill the way other types of financial aid are. Therefore, if Federal Work-Study is listed in your Financial Aid Award, do NOT deduct this award from the student’s charges.

There is limited funding for the University grants and for some of the federal programs, such as Federal Work-Study, Supplemental Edu-cational Opportunity Grant, and the Federal Perkins Loan program. If your award does NOT include these programs, you were either determined to not be eligible for these programs or UNH did not have enough funds to offer these programs to you.

What to do nextOnce you have your financial aid award, the next step is to deter-mine how much it will cost for you to attend the University of New Haven. The financial aid offered is not likely to cover the entire costs of the University, so families should begin with determining the Direct Costs in order to know how much they will be expected to pay for the student to attend UNH:

1. Subtract your aid award from the Cost of Attendance (see page 5) to determine the balance you still owe.

2. Review your options in order to pay the balance (see “Payment Options” on page 9).

3. Don’t forget to factor in an amount for books to be sure you are considering all mandatory costs that the student will incur when attending the University. An average amount for books for a student enrolled full-time for one semester is $500; however, the books for sciences, engineering, and some other classes may be more expensive. Books may be pur-chased from the University Bookstore. The University Bookstore also offers a textbook rental program. For more information, you may contact the Bookstore at 203.933.4000, or visit their website at www.newhaven.edu/bookstore.

COMPLETING YOUR FINANCIAL AID FILEThe initial Financial Aid award a student receives from UNH should not change unless the student is selected for a process called Verification (by the FAFSA processing center or by UNH) OR if the University receives information that causes a change to a student’s eligibility. Information which may cause an adjustment to a student’s eligibility can include, but is not limited to: a change in the results of the FAFSA, a change from living on campus to living off campus (or vice-versa), notification of an outside scholarship, receipt of benefits from an employer, etc. Students NOT selected for Verification must only Accept/Decline the awards offered for the aid to be processed. However, other steps are necessary before loans can be processed by the Office of Financial Aid.

Those students selected for Verification must submit the following additional documents to the Office of Financial Aid:

1. An Accept or Decline of the awards offered*

2. Student’s IRS Tax Return Transcript (if tax return was filed) or use the Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA.

3. Parents IRS Tax Return Transcript (if parent information was required on the FAFSA and if tax return was filed) or use the Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA.

4. Completed & Signed Verification Worksheet

5. Other documents noted with the Award, except for Entrance Counseling or Master Promissory Notes

* Accepted Awards do NOT commit the student to attending the University of New Haven. If a student decides to not accept an offer of admission, the student should inform the Office of Undergraduate Admissions that they are not planning to attend UNH. The Office of Financial Aid will update its records once the information has been received from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCESThe FAFSA requires families to provide prior-year income on

the application; however, the University of New Haven recog-

nizes that families may experience extenuating or unusual

circumstances that are not reflected in the information

on the FAFSA or happen after the FAFSA has been filed.

Families who encounter a significant change in income, a

change in marital status, the loss of a job, or other extenuating

circumstances that are affecting their current financial situation

should notify the Office of Financial Aid. Once all required

documentation is received by the Office of Financial Aid, it

will be reviewed to determine if additional financial assistance

can be offered to the student.

Items that families will need to provide will vary, but, in

general, for a student’s file to be re-evaluated for Special

Circumstances, the following MUST be provided to the Office

of Financial Aid:

• Special Circumstances Form

• Letter explaining the Extenuating Circumstances

• Supporting Documentation (examples are listed on the Special Circumstances Appeal form)

PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPSStudents should also consider searching for private scholarships on their own for additional financial assistance. A private scholarship is an award a student receives from a source outside of the University. Private scholarships are also called “Outside Scholarships” and are awarded by businesses, organizations, civic groups, high schools, churches, and many other agencies.

Students apply for these scholarships on their own by communicat-ing directly with the agency offering the award.

How do you search for private scholarships?1. Students should contact their High School Guidance Counselor’s

office during their senior year of high school to determine if there are any scholarship opportunities available for which they can apply.

2. Students may want to check with community service organizations, churches, or civic groups in which they are involved to ask if they offer scholarships.

3. A student’s parent may want to check with his or her employer or union to determine if the employer/union offers scholarships for the dependent children of their employees.

4. Students can visit the Office of Financial Aid to view the scholarship bulletin board and binders for scholarship opportunities.

5. Students may search for scholarships on their own on the Internet. There are several sites available on which to search for scholarships. Some of the popular sites are:

Let us know if you receive a private scholarship.Once you have received a letter from the agency indicating the amount of the scholarship you have been awarded, you should forward a copy of that letter to the Office of Financial Aid. Private scholarships may affect your eligibility for the other financial aid programs you have already been awarded. The sooner you provide a copy of the letter from the agency regarding your private scholarship award, the quicker the Office of Financial Aid can determine if adjustments to your financial aid award are necessary. If an adjustment to a student’s current finan-cial aid award is necessary, the Office of Financial Aid will communicate the changes to the student via a revised financial aid award notification.

Outside scholarships do NOT include: tuition exchange scholarships, any or all tuition remission benefits, ROTC, or Vocational Rehabilitation benefits. These types of awards will be substituted dollar for dollar from institutional grant eligibility, including merit awards.

BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS Some of the scholarship opportunities that are offered through online scholarship searches may be scams. Keep the following tips in mind before applying for a scholarship. If you receive information stating any of the following, chances are it is a SCAM!

1. “A service needs your credit card or checking account information”: Applying for scholarships should be FREE! You should NOT pay money to apply for scholarships!

2. “A scholarship is guaranteed”: No service can guarantee it will get you money.

3. “The service will do all the work”: No service can provide all of the personal information required, fill out essays, or supply the references a scholarship may require.

4. “You can only find this information here”: Scholarships, grants, and awards for school are available in directories and all over the web. No one organization has a monopoly on the information.

5. “Being a finalist in a contest you never entered or randomly being selected by a national foundation to receive an award”: Most organizations only contact you AFTER you have made an inquiry.

www.fastweb.com

www.freschinfo.com

www.collegeanswer.com

www.finaid.org

www.zinch.com

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RENEWING YOUR FINANCIAL AIDBe sure to file your FAFSA each year by March 1.Renewing your financial aid from year to year is NOT automatic. You must complete the FAFSA by March 1 each year and provide all required documentation to the Office of Financial Aid by May 1 each year for priority consideration of financial aid. “if your family’s financial circumstances remain approximately the same from year to year, and you submit all application materials on time, your financial aid award should remain approximately the same from year to year. Students can renew their FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov each year after January 1.

In addition, students must meet certain academic standards each year to be eligible for financial aid for the following academic year. Academic progress is checked each year at the end of the spring term. Students must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards their degree and be in good academic standing in order to remain eligible to receive financial aid.

What are Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements?The Office of Financial Aid will review your academic transcript in May to make sure you:

• have achieved a certain number of credit hours over a period of time

• have successfully earned a specfic percent of the credit hours you attempted (“pace”)

• have a certain cumulative grade point average (CGPA)

• are not on academic probation

All financial aid, including federal student loans, federal parent loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study are subject to meeting the minimum SAP standards set by the University.

To renew financial aid, full-time undergraduate students must:

• successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits per academic year

• maintain a specific cumulative GPA as determined by the number of their attempted credit hours,

• maintain a minimum cumulative quality point ratio (QPR)

• successfully complete at least 67% of the credits they attempt

More information about the SAP requirements can be found in the Financial Aid Policies section of the Financial Aid web site at: www.newhaven.edu/admissions/ugrad/affordable/5091/

HELPFUL WEBSITES• www.newhaven.edu/financialaid — UNH Office of

Financial Aid

• www.fafsa.gov — To complete your FAFSA electronically

• www.pin.ed.gov — To apply for your PIN, which is used as your electronic signature on the FAFSA

• https://profileonline.collegeboard.org — To complete the CSS Profile form electronically

• www.studentaid.ed.gov — U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website

• www.finaid.org — A comprehensive collection of information about financial aid

• www.gibill.va.gov/benefits — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit programs

• www.sss.gov — To register or check your registration with Selective Service

• www.irs.gov — For information about education tax credits or to obtain a copy of your federal Tax Return Transcript

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CASE STUDIES

The following are case studies

to help provide you with informa-

tion regarding estimated financial

aid awards based on a family’s particu-

lar circumstance. Keep in mind that

these awards are ESTIMATES based

on 2014–2015 information. Financial

Aid offered to students is based on the

funding available at the time of award-

ing, as well as on meeting eligibility

requirements of individual programs,

and all priority application deadlines.

CASE STUDY 1: This first case study is a dependent student whose parents are divorced. The student lives with her mother and one sibling. Her mother’s income is $32,000 per year, and she receives child support of $7,200 per year. The family receives TANF benefits. The student does not earn any income. The student’s SAT combined score for Critical Reading & Math is 1050, and she has a 3.2 grade point average in high school. This student plans to live on campus while attending UNH. The results of the FAFSA indicate the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is $312.

The estimated financial aid offered to the student:• Federal Pell Grant

$5,380

• UNH Distinguished Scholar Award $15,000

• UNH Grant-in-Aid $6,800

• Perkins Loan $3,500

• Federal Subsidized Student Loan $3,500

• Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan $2,000

The family would owe approximately $12,860 to UNH for the year. This student may also be offered a work-study position, so they may have the opportunity to earn some spending money while attending UNH. This student’s mother applied for the Federal Direct Parent Loan; however, due to poor credit, she was denied, and the family has no one to endorse (co-sign) the loan. The student is offered an additional $4,000 in a Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan to decrease the estimated amount owed to approximately $8,860.

CASE STUDY 2:This second case study is a dependent student whose parents are married. This student is a criminal justice major with a high school GPA of 3.7 and a combined score for Critical Reading and Math of 1220 on the SAT. There are 5 family members in the household, with the total parent income being $107,000. The parents also have approximately $6,000 in bank accounts and have no other investments. The student does not earn any income but has $300 in a bank account and plans to live on campus. The results of the FAFSA indi-cate the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is $15,399.

The estimated financial aid offered to the student:• UNH Presidential Scholarship

$20,000



The family would owe approximately $23,540 to UNH for the year. The parents are considering the options of applying for the Federal Direct Parent Loan and signing up for the tuition payment plan through TMS.

CASE STUDY 3:This third case study is a dependent student whose parents are married. This student is a computer science major with a high school GPA of 3.3 and a combined score for Critical Reading and Math of 1170 on the SAT. The parents’ income is $48,000, plus the father receives $17,000 in unemployment benefits for a total income of $65,000. The parents have $2,000 in bank accounts and have $10,000 in investments. There are 4 family members in the household, and the student earns $2,350 in income and has $200 in a bank account. This student plans to live on campus. The results of the FAFSA indicate the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is $5,145.


$602

• Distinguished Scholar Award $15,000

• UNH Grant-in-Aid $5,900



The family would owe approximately $22,038 to UNH for the year. The parents are considering the options of applying for the Federal Direct Parent Loan or finding a family member who will be a credit-worthy co-signer for the student on a private alternative loan.

CASE STUDY 4:The fourth case study is a dependent student whose parents are divorced. The student lives with her mother and her mother is remarried. This student plans to commute from home. The student has a 2.7 high school GPA and a combined score for Critical Reading and Math of 1220 on the SAT. The mother and step-father’s income is $122,000, and they have $11,000 in a bank account and $17,000 in investments. There are 5 family members in the household, and the student does not earn any income. The results of the FAFSA indicate the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribu-tion) is $21,244.

The estimated financial aid offered to the student:• Charger Award

$10,000



With the student living at home, the student would not be charged for room and meals on campus. Therefore, the family would owe approximately $19,130 to UNH for the year.

With the same family scenario above but with the student living on campus, the student’s estimated financial aid would be: Charger award $10,000, UNH Grant-in-aid $7,600, Federal Subsidized Student Loan $3,500, and Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan $2,000. The family would owe approximately $25,940 to UNH for the year.

CASE STUDY 5:The fifth case study is an independent student who plans to live on campus. This student has court documents indicat-ing that the student is in legal guardianship. This student has a 3.9 high school GPA and received a combined score for Critical Reading and Math of 1350 on the SAT. The student has $5,725 in income. The results of the FAFSA indicate the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is $0.


$5,730

• Presidential Scholarship $20,000

• UNH Grant-in-aid $2,300



The student would owe approximately $11,510 to UNH for the year. The student has the option of borrowing through a private alternative loan to assist with pay-ing the remaining balance but will need a credit-worthy co-signer. The student also has the option to use the tuition payment plan through TMS.

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