Financial Aid

Oregon State University has established comprehensive aid programs to help you and your family meet the cost of higher education. Most of our students receive some form of financial aid to help offset their expenses regardless of the family income and assets. Aid programs provided through the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Financial Aid and Scholarships
A218 Kerr Administration Bldg.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-2241
E-mail: financial.aid@oregonstate.edu
Web site: http://oregonstate.edu/admin/finaid/

Administration

Doug Severs, Director
John Snyder, Associate Director
Patti Brady-Glassman, Associate Director
Tip Ryan, Assistant Director
Kristin Welch, Assistant Director 
Bill Bereskin, Manager of Information Technology
B.J. Williams, Office Manager
Lois DeGhetto, Financial Aid Advisor
Jessica Abblitt, Financial Aid Advisor

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, a national or permanent resident of the U.S. or be in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program, e.g. not special admit.
• Have a valid Social Security number.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by Oregon State University.
• Comply with the Selective Service registration requirements if required.
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards the state establishes that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as a home school or private school under state law.
• Sign a statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
• Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant.
• Demonstrate financial need based on the methodology written into law by the U.S. Congress. (Except for some loans programs.)

To determine eligibility for specific programs, students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The application is sent to the Department of Education's Central Processing System that analyzes the information according to a method prescribed by Congress. A detailed financial analysis is then forwarded to Oregon State University.

Parent information is required for most undergraduate students because the U.S. Congress has said that families have the primary responsibility for funding college. Your dependency status is determined by answers to a series of questions on the FAFSA Application. Contact the OSU Financial Aid and Scholarships office if you have concerns regarding your family situation.

If the information you provide indicates you are a dependent of your parents, your ability and your parents ability to contribute to your education is evaluated. Otherwise, only your resources are evaluated, and if married, those of your spouse.

The major factors considered in the evaluation of your parent's ability to contribute are their income, net assets (excluding home and farm), household size, and number in college. To evaluate the amount you are expected to contribute, the analysis considers the amount you earned from work in the previous calendar year (excluding work-study earnings), as well as a portion of assets including cash, savings, checking accounts, equity in real estate (excluding farm and home), stocks, bonds, trust funds and other securities. If you have dependent children, your student contribution will reflect an allowance for the additional expenses for your dependent children.

The amount that is figured from this needs analysis is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This figure is then used in an equation to determine your financial need: Cost of Education minus your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) equals need.

Once your aid eligibility has been established, an award package is then assigned to meet your financial need.

Application Procedures

Students must apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal Application and list Oregon State University as one of their first six choices. (Federal School code is 003210.) FAFSA applications are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Oregon State University requires that the FAFSA be completed and received at the processor by February 28. Money is limited and deadlines are established to award financial aid funds.

All entering undergraduate and graduate students are required to apply for admission to the university before their FAFSA will be reviewed by the financial aid office. When your FAFSA has been received and processed by the Department of Education Central Processing System, you will be mailed a Student Aid Report (SAR) or an information acknowledgment by e-mail if you file online. The SAR will report the information from your aid application and report your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the number used in determining your aid eligibility for federal student aid. The results are mailed to you and the schools that you listed on your application. Upon reviewing the SAR and if no corrections are necessary, you may receive financial aid on the basis of that information. If any changes to your SAR are necessary, you may make changes in a few ways. You can make corrections on Part 2 of the SAR and return it to the address given at the end of Part 2. If you have a PIN number, you may make corrections online through the Department of Education's FAFSA on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Types of Financial Aid

Undergraduate students are eligible for grants, scholarships, loans and Federal Work-Study. Graduate and post-baccalaureate students are eligible for loans and Federal Work-Study. Graduate students should also apply through their departments for assistantships and/or research grants.

The provisions of all financial aid programs are subject to change without notice based on final determination of the regulations by the federal government and funding limits.

Grants and Scholarships

Funds that do not have to be repaid.

All-Campus Scholarships
These scholarships are need-based awards administered by the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships with eligible undergraduate students being considered for these awards during the financial aid process. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis based on a combination of financial need, academic merit, and a specified criteria for students who have completed fewer than 12 terms and whose FAFSA is completed and processed by February 28 at the federal processor.

Departmental Scholarships
Each department on campus administers scholarship funds associated with its college and its programs of study. Scholarship committees within the college select recipients in accordance with the bequest of the donors. Students should contact their college or department directly for information and applications. Graduate students should contact their department for information on assistantships, fellowships and graduate scholarships.

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant made by the federal government directly to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. Each student's award amount is determined on the basis of family circumstances and cost of attendance. The Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) approximately four weeks after the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed that indicates if you are Pell eligible. The maximum award for 2006–2007 was $4,050.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is a federal grant administered by the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Funds are awarded to full-time undergraduates with Pell eligibility and exceptional financial need as determined by the institution. The award amount for 2006–2007 was $200 to $3,000.

Supplemental Tuition Waiver (SCW)
The SCW is a state system tuition waiver program. The program provides limited funds to full-time resident undergraduates to help offset tuition. The award amount for 2008–2009 was $500 to $2,000.

Tuition Grand Award
The tuition grant award is a tuition waiver program. The program provides limited funds to non-resident undergraduates to help offset tuition cost. Eligibility is limited to undergraduates with financial need and a 3.0 or greater GPA. Award amounts vary and range up to $5,000.

State of Oregon Opportunity Grant
The Opportunity Grant is a state grant administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC) and awarded to full-time undergraduate Oregon residents. Twelve terms of eligibility are possible based on need and allowable funding. This grant may be transferred to other eligible Oregon institutions. Award amounts vary and range up to $3,200.

Loans

Borrowed money you repay with interest.

• Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins Loan is a need-based, university administered federal loan with a 5 percent interest rate. The Federal Perkins Loan is interest-free while the student is enrolled at least half time. Repayment begins nine months after graduation or withdrawal. Students are considered for the Federal Perkins Loan on the basis of their financial aid application (FAFSA). The loan is made available to full-time undergraduates, post-baccalaureate and graduate students with high financial need. The maximum loan amount per year at OSU depends on available funds and may not meet the federal maximum. The maximum amount for undergraduates is $4,000 per academic year, up to a maximum of $20,000. Graduate students may borrow a maximum of $6,000 per academic year, up to a limit of $40,000 for both undergraduate and graduate study. Payments and the length of the repayment period depend on the size of your debt with up to 10 years to repay. Deferments are possible under certain conditions and are handled by the OSU Business Affairs Office.

• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
The following loans are awarded by the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to students on the basis of their financial aid application (FAFSA). Under this program, the loan funds come directly from the U.S. Government. A fee of up to 1.5 percent of the loan is deducted proportionately from each disbursement.

• Federal Direct Subsidized Ford Loan
This is a need-based federal loan with a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent for new borrowers. The government pays the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled at least half time. Repayment begins six months after graduation, withdrawal, or if a student drops below half time.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Ford Loan
This is a non-need-based federal loan with the same interest terms as the Subsidized Ford Loan. The student is responsible for paying the interest while enrolled, but may choose to defer the interest payment until repayment begins six months after graduation, withdrawal, or if a student drops below half time.

• $3,500 for the first year of undergraduate study;
• $4,500 for the second year of undergraduate study;
• $5,500 per academic year for the remaining years of undergraduate study;
• $8,500 per academic year for graduate students.

Independent undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to borrow an additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Ford Loan amount. The additional loan limits are:

• $4,000 for the first year and second year of undergraduate study;
• $5,000 per academic year for the remaining years of undergraduate study;
• $12,000 per academic year for graduate students.

• $31,000 as a dependent undergraduate;
• $57,500 and an independent undergraduate;
• $138,500 as a graduate or professional student, which includes all loan amounts received for undergraduate study.

• Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (FDPLUS)
The FDPLUS is a federal loan borrowed by the parent on behalf of a dependent student to assist with educational expenses. Parents are required to fill out a Direct PLUS Loan Application and Promissory Note that is mailed out by the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships upon request.

It is a non-need-based loan with a fixed interest rate of 7.9 percent. Interest is charged on the loan to the borrower from the date the first disbursement is made until the loan is paid in full. Repayment generally begins within 60 days after the final loan disbursement. A 3 percent administrative fee is deducted proportionately by the federal government each time a loan payment is made.

Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance as determined by the university, minus any other financial aid the student may receive.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP)

Other Financial Assistance

Part-time Employment
Part-time employment enables many students to pay rent or to earn spending money. The Career Services Office assists students in locating employment opportunities. Career Services is located in 8 Kerr Administration Building, 541-737-4085. The Web site is http://oregonstate.edu/career/.

Emergency Loans
The Emergency Loan Program is administered by the Business Affairs Office and is designed for students who anticipate a temporary cash flow problem or encounter an unexpected financial difficulty related to educational expenses. You may borrow up to a maximum of $250 per term.

The interest rate is 1 percent per month on the outstanding balance and accrues on the 15th of each month. You may repay the loan early if you like, but emergency loans are due in full by the end of the term.

To request an emergency loan, you must complete the Emergency Loan Application available at the Cashier's Window. Emergency loans are available between terms if subsequent term registration exists and no prior emergency exists.

Aid Packages

Awards are based on full time enrollment (12 credits or more for undergraduate students, 9 for graduate students). You must contact the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in writing if you are enrolled less than full time.

The type of package you receive depends on your need, the maximum limits within individual aid programs, the availability of funding, as well as the receipt date of your aid application.

There are three types of financial aid funds: grants and scholarships; loans; and work-study. The policy at Oregon State University is first to award grants and scholarships when eligible and then loans and work-study.

Other resources such as grants and scholarships from outside agencies, ROTC awards, veterans benefits, vocational rehabilitation assistance, graduate assistantships and fellowships, tuition waivers, room and board assistance, and outside loan assistance are also considered and included in your total aid package to meet your established need.

A student's aid package can be revised at any point during the academic year for changes including but not limited to: changes in funding; changes in an aid application; changes resulting from the verification process; enrollment changes; receipt of additional sources of funding; changes affecting eligibility for awards.

Award Notification

The award notification will show the type and amount of aid available to you for the coming school year. To reserve these funds, the student must read, sign, and accept the award within 30 days. The accepted award indicates the student has read and agrees to the terms of the award as outlined.

Once you have been awarded financial aid, you are responsible for notifying the OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in the event that you receive any additional awards from any other source. The OSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will then make any required revisions to your aid package. The receipt of additional aid may result in a reduction or elimination of aid from university-administered programs.

Receipt of Aid Funds

Federal Work-Study earnings are paid each month by check for the hours worked in the pay period.

Some private scholarship awards made available to students by check will be available at the OSU Student Accounts Office.

Expenses

The standard student budget includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and miscellaneous personal expenses. OSU uses one standard budget for on- and off-campus living arrangements.

2008–09 Budget Figures

Financial aid applicants are assigned the appropriate student budget. The standard student budget may be adjusted for costs associated with the study resource fee assessed and the origination fee for a student loan. Additional adjustments for child care expenses for children 12 and under; medical, dental and/or commuting costs; students with disabilities; study abroad programs; or personal computer expenses may be considered by meeting with a financial aid advisor.

Return of Title IV Funds and Withdrawal Record

If a return of aid amount is calculated, the funds must be repaid to the financial aid programs in the following order:

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Ford Loan
Federal Direct Ford Loans
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Federal Pell Grant
Academic Competitiveness Grant
National SMART Grant
FSEOG

Once all financial aid programs have been repaid (other federal, state, and private institutional funds), and all tuition adjustments have been finalized, if any funds remain, only then may a student request a refund.

Student Responsibilities

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

Maximum Time Frame

• You reach this maximum time frame, or
• The cumulative number of credits you have attempted (whether or not earned) is greater than the number of minimum credits required for degree completion, regardless of whether you have received financial aid.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Credits

• Most aid programs require full-time enrollment, which is 12 credits per term for undergraduates or 36 credits for the academic year, and 9 credits per term for graduate students or 27 credits for the year.
• Part-time students are evaluated on the basis of their part-time enrollment and should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to verify their individual status.
• Letter grades of I, F, N, and U do not count as completed classes.
• Withdrawal and repeated courses do not count toward earned credits for any term.
• In addition to financial aid requirements, students must meet the university's academic regulations as outlined in the OSU General Catalog under Academic Regulations.

Appeal Process

• If aid is withheld, you can appeal to reinstate aid by petitioning in writing, explaining the extenuating circumstances that caused you to not meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• A financial aid advisor determines if an exception will be made to allow aid to continue based on the petition statement, supporting documents, and past academic progress history.
• Appeals must be approved within the enrollment period you are requesting aid.
• A decision to uphold aid denial may be appealed first to the financial aid director. Further appeals are to the financial aid committee and the vice provost for Student Affairs.

Reporting Changes

• Additional financial assistance: scholarships, grants, loans, fee waivers, GI Bill, Tribal Assistance, VA benefits and/or VA Vocational Rehabilitation, tuition/book, support, social security benefits or any other monetary award not reported previously.
• Receipt of graduate teaching or research assistantship, and/or fellowship.
• Receipt of resident advisor position or ROTC stipend and scholarship
• Changes in enrollment hours and/or withdrawal from the university
• Changes in residency status for tuition purposes.
• Change in course load if below full time.

Entrance and Exit Interview

Applying Annually

Appeals