Graduate Funding and Financial Aid

Financial assistance falls within three major categories - Graduate Appointments, Fellowships, and federal loans. Graduate Appointments and Fellowships are merit awards, loans are based on financial need. Financial aid is generally available only to students admitted to a degree-seeking program. Campus-based employment is also available based on hiring unit budgets and needs.

1. Graduate Appointments & Fellowships
   1. Eligibility
   2. Application Procedure
   3. Assistantships
   4. Graduate Recruitment Scholarship/Stipend
   5. Fellowships & Traineeships
   6. Tuition Scholarships
   7. Requirements to Maintain a Graduate Appointment
   8. Graduate Appointments & Federal Financial Aid Eligibility
2. Federal Student Loans (Title IV Funds)
   1. Eligibility
   2. Application for Federal Student Loans
   3. Cost of Attendance
   4. Determining Need
   5. Notification of Aid Offers
   6. Award Disbursements
   7. Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
   8. Federal Student Loans
   9. Withdrawal for Title IV Fund Recipients
   10. Unofficial Withdrawals
   11. Financial Aid Services
3. Campus Employment
4. Short Term Loans

Approximately 1,700 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 term. 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 semester. Ending dates of an appointment vary by department and assigned duties.

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 online at http://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf

No person may hold simultaneous appointment as an Ohio University employee and a graduate assistant.

Eligibility

To receive a Graduate Appointment or Fellowship, you must:

1. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree-seeking program.
2. Be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by Ohio University.
3. Not have exceeded the number of terms of eligibility for an appointment.
4. Demonstrate sufficient English proficiency as described in the Admissions section of this catalog.

Application Procedure

Students seeking funding from their academic program should indicate their interest by completing the appropriate section on the degree-seeking application. Some programs require a supplemental application. Review the program information provided in this catalog.

Official English proficiency test scores must be received by the Graduate College before a Graduate Appointment can be confirmed.

Application processes for fellowships vary by fellowship program.

Assistantships

Students who have assistantships generally fulfill academic responsibilities and serve as prescribed by the school, department, or administrative office. There are three types of assistantships:

Teaching Assistantships (TA) This designation is used for students receiving stipend support when 50% or more of the duties are directly related to the teaching mission of the department or school. All Teaching Assistants must meet oral English proficiency requirements as outlined in the Application and Admissions section of this catalog. See “Post-Admission Procedures and Requirements”.

Graduate Assistantships (GA) This designation is used for students receiving stipend support with 50% or more of the duties are primarily administrative in character and/or their duties are not directly related to either the instructional or research mission of the university, but to professional training.

Research Assistantships (RA) This designation is used for students receiving stipend support when 50% or more of their duties are directly related to research or creative activities.

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 semester for fall and spring, and nine graduate credits for summer in any term covered by the assistantship*. Stipend amounts vary across academic programs and departments. The assistantship usually includes a tuition scholarship for the length of the graduate appointment. Contact the individual school, academic department, or administrative office for details on assistantships and tuition scholarships.

*Students who have exceeded the total number of terms of tuition scholarship eligibility may retain a stipend appointment and register for a minimum of one graduate credit hour.

Graduate Recruitment Scholarship/Stipend

Some schools or academic departments offer an alternative form of assistance, the Graduate Recruitment Scholarship/Stipend (GRS). The GRS consists of a partial tuition scholarship and a stipend of $900 per semester. A GRS appointment requires six hours of service per week each semester of the appointment. Together, the scholarship and the stipend cover most of the tuition costs for a semester.

Traineeships and Fellowships

The Ohio University Graduate College funds five Named Fellowships:

• John Cady Graduate Fellowship,
• Donald Clippinger Graduate Fellowship
• Claude Kantner Graduate Fellowship
• Anthony Trisolini Graduate Fellowship
• Graduate College Fellowship

The fellowships are awarded through a competitive nomination basis. Additional information about the Named Fellowships may be found on the Graduate College Web site: www.ohio.edu/graduate/fellowships.cfm.  

Ohio University participates in available federal fellowship programs and offers assistance with graduate student fellowship and grant proposal development. For more information, see Graduate College Web site: http:www.ohio.edu/graduate/grantdev/

Tuition Scholarships

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 demonstrated academic merit, or to continuing graduate students who have maintained at least a 3.0 graduate GPA. 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 semester as special tuition scholarships.

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). Schools or departments may require a higher average. Tuition scholarships are not available to students who have exceeded the maximum number of funded semesters.

Requirements to Maintain a Graduate Appointment

Requirements for maintaining a Graduate Appointment are listed in Graduate Appointment Information and Policies, found on the Graduate College website at https://www.ohio.edu/graduate/current/apptsDetail.cfm.

Students holding a Graduate Appointment or GRS are limited to a maximum of 20 hours work hours per week. Graduate Assistants may not accept other full-time employment, either within or outside of the University.

Graduate Appointments and Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

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 Graduate College. 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 semester 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).

Student loans are a significant source of financing postsecondary education. All loans, including student loans, represent debts that must be repaid; however, most student loans do not go in to repayment until after you graduate or cease half-time enrollment. In addition to delayed repayment, most student loans have relatively low interest rates, several repayment options from which to choose, circumstances under which you can postpone repayment, and other favorable terms and conditions. Student loans can be thought of as an investment in your future as long as you are prepared to meet your repayment responsibilities. Failure to repay your student loans will have serious adverse consequences. All applicants for federal student loans must file a FAFSA to determine their eligibility. Loan origination fees apply.

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. Failure to complete your Exit Interview will result in a “HOLD” being placed on your grades, diploma, etc.

Federal Direct Student Loan - All students who complete the FAFSA and are eligible to be considered for financial aid may receive the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You will be charged interest on this loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. You may allow interest to accumulate until repayment, at which time it will be capitalized. We encourage you to make quarterly interest payments, if possible.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan - The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is available to graduate students enrolled for at least five credit hours in a degree program. You must file a FAFSA and the Grad PLUS Application and Master Promissory Note available online at www.studentloans.gov.  This loan requires a credit check to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive a federal student loan, you must:

1. Be a U.S. citizen (U.S. national or permanent resident) or provide documentation of other eligible noncitizen status.
2. Comply with U.S. Selective Service registration requirements.
3. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree-seeking program. Teacher certification/recertification programs or preparatory coursework cases should be discussed with a financial aid administrator.
4. Be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by Ohio University and the Office of Student Financial Aid. (See Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, http://www.ohio.edu/financialaid/postapply/postapply_sap.cfm)
5. Graduate students must be enrolled at least half time (minimum of five graduate credit hours) per semester. 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.
6. Not be in default on a Federal Perkins Loan, a Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL), Federal Direct Student Loan, or Federal Supplemental Loan for Undergraduate Students (SLS), from any school, agency, or lender, or owe repayment on any Title IV funds.

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.

Alternative loans are an option for students who do not qualify for federal loans. The Office of Student Financial Aid provides a reference list of alternative loan providers (https://www.ohio.edu/financialaid/loans/loans_alt.cfm). Before initiating an alternative loan, read and understand all of the conditions of the loan and repayment. Ohio University recommends that students borrow wisely.

Application for Federal Student Loans

To apply for federal student loans, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1 each year. You will be notified of your eligibility by the Ohio University Office of Student Financial Aid once your FAFSA has been processed beginning in mid-May each year.

Federal regulations and institutional policies are subject to change without prior notice. The Office of Student Financial Aid will attempt to keep you updated through various media on campus, such as our website, student email, and/or written notices. To avoid costly delays, it is vital that you update your home and mailing addresses with the Office of the University Registrar by accessing My OHIO Student Center (https://sis.ohio.edu/student), and regularly access your University e-mail account.

Cost of Attendance

Each year, the Ohio University Board of Trustees determines the fixed costs (tuition and fees, out–of–state surcharge, and room and board rates on campus). Variable indirect costs (books and supplies, travel, and personal and miscellaneous) are estimated by the Office of Student Financial Aid to arrive at a reasonable estimate of the total cost for the academic year. Estimates are based on the Consumer Price Index and surveys. The total fixed and variable costs make up your total Cost of Attendance (Budget) for the academic year. Final annual budgets are available from the Office Student Financial Aid after July 1 of each award year.

Determining Need

Completion of the FAFSA will determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This EFC does not indicate the actual amount your family is expected to contribute toward your postsecondary expenses. Rather, it is an index number used to determine your aid eligibility. The EFC is the result of all information provided on your FAFSA and is calculated according to a formula established by federal regulations.

Special circumstances, such as divorce, separation, unemployment, or death in the family, should be discussed with a financial aid administrator to determine if adjustments should be made to your FAFSA information.

The following formula is used for calculating financial need:

Cost of Attendance (Budget) - Expected Family Contribution = Calculated Financial Need

Graduate students are considered independent. You are expected to finance your educational costs that exceed your financial aid awards.

Notification of Financial Aid Offers

After the FAFSA results and other requested documents have been received, reviewed for accuracy, and verified (if applicable), an award offer is made to all eligible applicants. The award package can be a combination of Graduate Appointments/Fellowships and federal loans.

Students awarded financial aid will receive notification from the Office of Student Financial Aid. Award notification will be emailed to students and is available online at sis.ohio.edu/student. If you are adjusting or declining any of the awards, you can do so through your My OHIO Student Center. All awards are subject to revision because of changes in federal allocations, student eligibility (EFC), clerical errors, failure to provide requested documents, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Award Disbursements

Federal aid recipients must be officially enrolled in a degree-seeking program to receive any type of financial assistance. All requested documents (e.g., income tax returns and W-2s) used in verifying the data provided on the FAFSA must be received before financial aid can be disbursed. Disbursement dates and procedures will vary depending on the type of awards offered. Specific dates and information regarding the disbursement of financial aid are listed in each term’s Schedule of Classes. In general, financial aid awards will be credited to your account each semester and any financial aid exceeding your University charges will be refunded to you. For direct deposits, refunds from our student account are processed multiple times each week. Checks are mailed on Fridays once classes have begun.

Disbursement of funds will vary depending on the type of financial aid awards you have been offered. Federal Direct loans require students to complete an Electronic Master Promissory Note, online Entrance Counseling and online loan acceptance prior to disbursement of funds. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more detailed information concerning actual dates of disbursement for each term.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

Federal regulations require that all financial aid applicants meet Ohio University’s satisfactory academic progress standards: (1) minimum completion percentage of 67% for courses attempted; (2) maximum time frame during which a degree or certificate must be granted; and (3) minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

All students must successfully complete, at least, 67% of the courses in which they enroll. 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 90 semester hours. Once your MTF total reaches 90 hours, you are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid 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 each academic year (spring semester).

Withdrawal Policy for Title IV Fund Recipients

You are a Title IV financial aid recipient if you receive a Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or PLUS), Federal Perkins Load, or other federal financial aid. If you receive Title IV financial aid and withdraw from Ohio University, the amount of aid earned and unearned will be calculated using the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy. This policy is a formula that measures the percentage of days enrolled during a semester. The percentage is determined by dividing the number of days enrolled by the number of calendar days in the semester, including weekends and holidays. Based on this percentage, Title IV financial aid will be prorated to reflect the amount of aid that was earned during the period of enrollment. The amount of aid that is earned will remain on your student account and the amount of aid that is unearned will be returned to the appropriate program. Once the attendance percentage reaches 60 percent, all Title IV aid is considered to be earned.

Unofficial Withdrawals

If you stop attending the University and do not officially withdraw, it is considered to be an official withdrawal and will be subject to the above Withdrawal Policies. The date of withdrawal will be the latest date based on a student’s attendance at an academically related event. If the last date of attendance is not known, the midpoint of the semester will be used as the withdrawal date. If you never attended all of the courses you have registered for, you are considered to be an official withdrawal. It is determined you have not earned any financial aid. Therefore, all aid will be returned to the appropriate program.

If you are receiving financial aid, a change in your enrollment status or your withdrawal from the University may result in you having to repay programs from which you received financial assistance. In addition, you may owe fees to the University after funds are returned to the financial aid programs.

A student is not eligible for a refund until all Federal Title IV programs and other grants and scholarships are reimbursed as required and all outstanding balances with the University have been cleared.

Financial Aid Services

Office of Student Financial Aid
Ohio University
Chubb Hall 020
Athens, OH 45701–2979
Telephone: 740.593.4141 (M–F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Fax: 740.593.4140
financial.aid@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/financialaid/

If you have specific questions in relation to your federal student loan award, please feel free to visit our website at www.ohio.edu/financialaid or you may email or call our office. You may also visit our office. For complex questions, you may need to schedule an appointment with your assigned financial aid administrator (assignments are made alphabetically by your last name). Emergencies or schedule conflicts may be accommodated as needed.

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, including email. It is important that you update your permanent and local addresses with the Registrar’s Office and read your email regularly to avoid delays that may be costly.

Short Term Loans

Ohio University Short Term Loans (STL) 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 meet eligibility requirements and have a guaranteed source of repayment to receive a STL. You can obtain an STL application from the client services area of the Office of Student Financial Aid or the Student Services Office at any of the regional campuses.

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. Full details about the Short Term Loan program are available at www.ohio.edu/financialaid/loans/loans_stl.cfm.

Student Hourly Employment (SHE) was established by Ohio University to provide job opportunity information for all students. To view available jobs, please visit www.ohio.edu/hr/employment/student.cfm.