Financial Aid

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Payment of all assessed fees at the times designated is prerequisite to official enrollment. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Ohio University in the exact amount of the fees. Postdated checks are not acceptable. Checks not paid upon presentation to the bank will automatically cancel any receipts given and result in assessment of penalties. It is important that you retain all fee receipts.

Ohio University reserves the right to make, without prior notice, any fee adjustments that may become necessary. Graduate students carrying more than eight hours are eligible for the Monthly Payment Plan, which equalizes the academic year’s fees into nine monthly payments.

• Graduate Appointments
• Traineeships and Fellowships
• Tuition Scholarships
• Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships

Approximately 1,500 full and partial graduate, research, and teaching assistantships are available for graduate students in degree programs at Ohio University. Students who have been admitted to a master or a doctoral degree are selected for these appointments on the basis of scholarly merit.

Graduate appointments normally become effective the first day of each quarter and end on the official closing date of the quarter. Individual schools or departments may, at their discretion, request that newly appointed assistants report for orientation up to a week prior to the beginning of the quarter.

The assistantship provides a stipend for services as prescribed by the individual school or department and requires a minimum academic course load of 12 graduate credits a quarter. The assistantship usually includes a tuition scholarship for the length of the contract. The stipends vary from academic area to academic area, but generally range from $6,150 to $12,000 for three quarters (i.e., from September to June) and $8,000 to $15,000 for a 12-month appointment. Contact the individual school or department for details on assistantships and tuition scholarships.

Students who have assistantships generally fulfill academic responsibilities and serve as prescribed by the school or department. There are three types of assistantships: Teaching Assistantships (TA), Graduate Assistantships (GA), and Research Assistantships (RA). Teaching assistants generally have teaching related duties, graduate assistants have administrative and non-teaching duties, and research assistants work on research or creative projects for the school or department.

Some graduate assistants are funded from non-academic department resources. These assistants engage in duties varying from residence hall directorships to service in the library and University administrative offices.

Appointment of graduate resident directors and graduate assistant resident directors are made on the recommendation of the director of residence life and are available to single or married men and women. Compensation includes a furnished apartment and board (when the dining halls are operating) for the appointee (and for his or her family, if applicable) and a stipend of $9,600 plus a tuition scholarship for graduate resident directors. Graduate assistant resident directors will have the same compensation and a stipend of $5,600 plus a tuition scholarship. The appointment requires payment of the general fee and technology fee, if applicable, each quarter. The graduate resident director and graduate assistant resident director supervise functions of the residence hall. Apply for these appointments by letter and submission of your vita to the director of residence life.

Some schools or departments offer an alternative form of assistance, the Recruitment Scholarship/Stipend. Recruitment scholarship/stipend consists of a partial tuition scholarship and a stipend of $600 per quarter. They require six hours of service per week each quarter of the appointment. Together, the scholarship and the stipend cover most of the tuition costs for a quarter.

Students who are awarded a Recruitment scholarship/stipend are required to register for an academic course load of a minimum of 15 graduate credits per quarter.

The graduate appointment will be discontinued if your cumulative and/or term GPA as a graduate student at Ohio University falls below 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Some schools or departments require a higher average.

The graduate appointment may be discontinued if duties are not performed satisfactorily as defined by the immediate supervisor or department/school.

Graduate students seeking continuation of stipend and scholarship support must follow all departmental policies and procedures pertaining to renewal of that support. Additionally, Graduate Council guidelines state that graduate students holding graduate appointments written for an academic year must receive notice of renewal or non-renewal of that appointment no later than the end of spring quarter. This provision does not apply to contracts terminated early or not renewed for academic or service performance reasons. In such cases, no prior notification is required.

Graduate students holding graduate appointments written on a quarterly basis must receive notice of renewal or non-renewal of contract at least one quarter before the end of that contract period. Graduate students holding spring quarter appointments must be notified no later than the end of the spring quarter of renewal or non-renewal for fall quarter. This provision does not apply to contracts terminated early or not renewed for academic or service performance reasons. In such cases, no prior notification is required. Notification of summer quarter appointments can be made as early as practicable.

Ohio University is a signatory to the Council of Graduate School’s Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants. Full text of the resolution can be found at www.cgsnet.org/pdf/resolution.pdf.

Time Limits

Time limits for financial support of graduate students through assistantships and fellowships are determined by the school or department responsible for the individual program. Once a student exceeds 260 subsidy hours, that student no longer qualifies for a tuition scholarship. Generally, the University will provide stipend support after a student exceeds 260 graduate hours only with the approval of the dean of the college. The 260 hour subsidy limit is defined as graduate course credit taken at Ohio University and credit earned for work performed prior to admission to Ohio University. This constraint does not apply to stipends provided through research grants or other non-university funding sources.

Ohio University has a limited number of named fellowships such as the Hiram Roy Wilson Fellowships in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Environmental and Plant Biology. The following fellowships are awarded by the associate provost for graduate studies, with the advice of the Graduate Council: the John Cady Graduate Fellowship, the Donald Clippinger Graduate Fellowship, the Claude Kantner Graduate Fellowship, the Anthony Trisolini Graduate Fellowship, and the Office of Graduate Studies Fellowship. Stocker Fellowships are available in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. The University also participates in available federal fellowship programs.

The African Studies Program and the Southeast Asia Studies Program at the Center for International Studies offer Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships to U.S. residents who demonstrate a strong Africa/Southeast Asia career and/or research interest. If the applicant has no previous graduate study, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required. Interest in applying for FLAS funding should be indicated on the application to the Center for International Studies.

Additional fellowship opportunities may be found at the Graduate Studies Web site: www.ohio.edu/graduate

Full or partial tuition scholarships are available in conjunction with a graduate appointment or fellowship. These are granted on a competitive basis to incoming graduate students who have maintained high undergraduate averages, or to graduate students who have maintained at least a 3.0 graduate GPA. These scholarships require full-time study (12 graduate credits per quarter for RA, TA, or GA; 15 graduate credits per quarter for Recruitment scholarship/stipends, fellowships, or tuition scholarships). Students receiving a tuition scholarship also receive a subsidy toward the general fee. Payment of the remainder of the general fee is the student’s responsibility.

Tuition scholarships may be available for the summer quarter to those students who have a scholarship for the spring quarter preceding or the fall quarter following the summer quarter. You must carry an academic course load of 15 graduate hours and pay the general fee for the summer quarter.

The tuition scholarship will be discontinued if your academic average as a graduate student at Ohio University falls below a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Some schools or departments may require a higher average. Tuition scholarships are not available to students who have enrolled in more than 260 hours of graduate-level courses as described in the preceding section.

Financial aid available to graduate students through the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships consists of loan assistance and employment opportunities.

Need-Based Assistance

To apply for need-based aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will be notified of your eligibility by the Ohio University Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. The need-based programs available to graduate students are: (1) the William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (Stafford), (2) the Federal Perkins Loan, and (3) Federal Work-Study (FWS). March 15 is the first-priority deadline date that has been set for consideration for campus- based aid- the Federal Perkins Loan and Federal Work-Study. The Federal Perkins Loan and Federal Work-Study are awarded differently than the Stafford Loans. The funds are sent directly to Ohio University to be awarded to the most needy students. Ohio University awards the funds directly, and funding for these programs is limited. Late applicants (after March 15) most likely will not receive awards for either the Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Work-Study.

Cost of Attendance Each year, the Ohio University Board of Trustees determines the fixed costs (tuition and fees, plus an out-of- state surcharge, and room and board rates) for graduate students. Variable costs consist of books and supplies, transportation, personal, and miscellaneous expenses. Variable expenses are estimated and are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and biannual budget surveys. You must provide documentation in writing to the financial aid office for individual consideration. The combined fixed and variable costs make up your total cost (budget) for the academic year.

Determining Eligibility

Graduate students are considered independent. You (and your spouse, if you are married) are expected to assist in financing your educational costs. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated from your previous year’s earnings, untaxed income, benefits, and a percentage of personal savings and assets. The following equation is used to determine financial need:

Award Package

After the FAFSA results and other documents have been received and reviewed for accuracy (verified if applicable), an award offer is made to all eligible applicants. The award package can be a combination of gift assistance (fellowships, scholarships, graduate teaching/ research assistantships, etc.), federal loans, and employment to offset costs.

Notification of Aid Offers

All applicants who are eligible for aid will receive notification from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Award notification will be emailed to enrolled students and awards are available online. Certain students will have award letters mailed to permanent or local addresses.

Award Disbursements

Federal aid recipients must be officially enrolled through the Registrar’s Office and fulfill all other requirements (verification of the FAFSA data, etc.) before disbursement of aid.

Disbursement of funds will vary depending on the type of financial aid awards you have been offered. The Federal Perkins Loan requires a promissory note to be signed before the funds can be disbursed. Stafford Loans require a completed Electronic Master Promissory Note or online loan confirmation prior to disbursement of funds. Federal Work Study awards are not credited to your account because the award must be earned before being paid. You will receive a FWS payroll check every two weeks for the hours worked and approved by the hiring department for the pay period. Total financial aid credits greater than the University charges will result in a refund being generated in the amount of the excess funds. Refunds will be mailed to your local address or direct deposited to your bank account to assist you in meeting other expenses related to your education. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more detailed information concerning actual dates of disbursement for each quarter.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive financial aid, graduate students must be enrolled at least half time (minimum of five graduate credit hours) per quarter. In certain circumstances, a student’s department may determine that a graduate internship or practicum that is required for a student’s degree is the equivalent of being enrolled half time. This definition of half-time enrollment must be used for all students in the same program and must be used for all student financial aid related purposes. A Graduate Internship/Practicum Verification Form must be completed by the department certifying the student’s eligibility.

All Title IV federal aid recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the financial aid office and the University.

All federal aid recipients must comply with financial aid office procedures for adjusting over awards if the total federal aid received exceeds the financial need or cost of attendance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

Federal regulations require that all financial aid applicants meet Ohio University’s satisfactory academic progress standards: (1) minimum credit hours earned for the appropriate enrollment; (2) maximum time frame during which a degree or certificate must be granted; and (3) minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Minimum credit hour standards require you to earn a minimum number of hours based on your enrollment status. As a graduate student, the minimum credit hours required are: full-time= nine credit hours, half-time=five credit hours. Maximum time frame standards (MTF) are determined by your enrollment status. Federal regulations allow a student to be eligible to receive aid up to 150% of the time that it normally would take to complete a degree. For graduate students to remain eligible, they must complete their program by the time their maximum time frame value reaches 216 hours. Once your MTF total reaches 216 hours, you are no longer eligible to receive Title IV and selected other types of financial assistance, regardless of periods during which you received no financial aid. Also, a 3.0 minimum grade point average must be met by the end of the second academic year (spring quarter) of enrollment.

Student Loans

Student loans are playing an increasingly significant role in financing postsecondary education. Because of the favorable terms and conditions of educational loans, you should not be hesitant to borrow as an investment in your future. On the other hand, loans represent debts that must be repaid, and failure to repay can result in substantial penalties. The federal government has expanded the limits on these vital loan programs to assure that students will have access to and a choice among educational institutions. All applicants for student loans must file a FAFSA to determine their eligibility.

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan is a federal loan for students enrolled at least half time in a degree- granting or certificate program at a participating postsecondary institution.

The Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan maximum for graduate students is $8,500 per academic year. To qualify for the Subsidized Stafford Loans, you must demonstrate unmet need after other types of assistance, such as tuition scholarships, fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, and graduate research assistantships, have been considered. Eligibility is determined by the Federal Methodology need analysis on the FAFSA and must not exceed the difference between the cost of education (budget) minus the expected family contribution and other aid estimated to be made available.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan may be available if you do not qualify for the maximum Subsidized Stafford Loans or in addition to the maximum subsidized loan. You are responsible for the interest, and if you choose not to pay the interest while you attend school it will accrue on the loan principal. Interest rates for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are variable and will not exceed 8.25 percent. The interest rate changes annually on July 1 and is equal to the rate on 91-day Treasury Bills plus 3.1 percent.

Graduate students may be eligible to borrow up to $12,000 in additional Direct Unsubsidized Loans. All loan proceeds are disbursed in equal installments by term.

Loan repayment may be deferred for certain conditions, and loan consolidation is possible under the Reauthorization Act. If you are a first-time borrower, you will be required to complete Entrance Counseling regarding your rights and responsibilities. You also must complete Exit Counseling once nearing completion of your program or withdrawal from the University.

The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is for a graduate student enrolled at least half time in a degree-seeking program who is making Satisfactory Academic Progress. All applicants for the Grad PLUS Loan must file the FAFSA. The maximum Grad PLUS Loan eligibility is the difference between the total estimated cost of attendance minus all other aid, including any tuition scholarships and/or the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, if applicable. In order to apply, a graduate student must complete a Grad PLUS application, pass a credit check, and go online at www.dlenote.ed.gov to complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note.

Ohio University Loans are institutional funds that are made available to students on a temporary basis to provide cash while waiting for disbursement of financial aid or earnings from employment. You must complete a one-page loan application and have it approved before a loan check is issued. If you are in default on previous Ohio University loans or federal loans, you are not eligible to receive a new institutional loan. All borrowers are charged a $5 processing fee. An interest rate of 9 percent also is charged if your source of repayment is not financial aid. An Ohio University short-term loan must be repaid during the same quarter in which it is borrowed.

Employment Opportunities

Centralized Student Employment Services was established by Ohio University to provide job opportunity information for all students. This service assists in hiring students for part-time jobs, maximizes employment opportunities and job placement, and coordinates student employment policies and procedures.

The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships serves as an employment clearinghouse for job posting and referrals for all hiring departments at Ohio University (Athens campus) and for private (off-campus) employers as well. When new positions are available or vacancies occur, all employment opportunities for students are posted on a jobs board located in the hallway near the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and at www.ohio.edu/financialaid under online services.

Graduate Assistance

Recipients of graduate awards in the form of assistantships (Graduate, Research, Teaching), tuition scholarships, and fellowships, will be reported to the financial aid office by the Office of Graduate Studies. All tuition scholarships will be included as part of the aid package when calculating federal need-based aid, if you are eligible. If you receive a loan for summer quarter and later receive a graduate scholarship, you may be considered over awarded according to federal guidelines. To avoid an over award, notify the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships of all additional resources (current and estimated, when possible).

Financial Aid Services

Services are available to students on a daily basis between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You also may choose to schedule an appointment with your counselor (counselor assignments are made alphabetically by your last name). Emergencies or schedule conflicts may be accommodated as needed. Some of the services provided by the counselor are confirmation of financial aid for preregistration, review of financial need and eligibility, and review of policies and procedures for different financial aid programs.

Federal regulations and institutional policies are subject to change without notice. The financial aid office will attempt to keep you updated through various media on campus, written notices, or e-mail. It is important that you update your permanent and local addresses with the Registrar’s Office and read your e-mail regularly to avoid delays that may be costly.

For more detailed information on financial aid programs, contact us: Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Chubb Hall 020; telephone 740.593.4141 (8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.); fax 740.593.4140; e-mail financial.aid@ohio.edu.; Web www.ohio.edu/financialaid