Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Office is located in Room 107, Davidson Hall. Students applying for financial aid should go online to www.fafsa.ed.gov and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list CCSU’s Federal ID Number which is 001378. The FAFSA may be completed starting as early as January 1 for the next academic year beginning in the fall. It is suggested that all students access the Financial Aid Web site at www.ccsu.edu/finaid to learn about any posted priority processing deadlines and read the “Reference Guide to Financing Your Education at CCSU,” to better understand the financial aid process at CCSU.

Financial aid for graduate students at CCSU is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need as determined by the data provided vis a vis the FAFSA, subject to availability of  funds.

Eligibility Criteria. To be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid assistance, a student must : (1) be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen; (2) be matriculated; i.e., admitted to a graduate program and enrolled in courses applicable to the program; (3) be attending classes for at least six semester credit hours; (4) be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward the degree as defined by the University and in the Graduate Catalog; and (5) have demonstrable financial need.

Eligibility for financial aid can be determined only after the FAFSA has been filed and all other pertinent requested documentation has been submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Students will be notified if they qualify for any financial aid programs via an Award Letter by mail and/or on the student’s CCSU Central Pipeline account.

Graduate students may enroll in courses offered by other institutions by completing a Planned Program Course Substitution Form and having it approved by the graduate advisor and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies or Designee. If students intend for these courses to count toward part-time or full-time status for financial aid, the Financial Aid Office requires the completion and approval of a Consortium Agreement Form prior to enrollment at the host institution. Consortium Agreement Forms may be obtained on the Financial Aid Office Web site at www.ccsu.edu/finaid.

Sources of  Financial Assistance. The Federal Stafford Loan Program of subsidized and unsubsidized loans is the primary source of financial assistance for graduate students. Other sources, such as university grants, federal Perkins loans, and federal work study, are available to graduate students only if and when all undergraduate students’ financial needs are met and funds remain, or if the individual financial need of the particular graduate student cannot be fully met by the federal Stafford loans normally available.

• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan—Subsidized loans are based on need. Loan repayment begins following a six-month grace period after studies have been terminated or have dropped below the six semester credit hour minimum. The variable interest rate is capped at 8.25 percent. The graduate student annual limit is $8,500, and the aggregate loan amount is $65,500.

• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan—Unsubsidized loans are awarded to students without demonstrated financial need. The student is responsible for the accruing interest while in school, with an option to capitalize the interest payment. Loan repayment begins following a six-month grace period after studies have been terminated or have dropped below the six semester credit hour minimum. The variable interest rate is currently capped at 8.25 percent. The graduate student annual limit is $10,000, and the aggregate loan amount is $73,000.

• Other Sources—In addition to the federal Stafford loans, student are encouraged to explore other sources of financial aid assistance, including graduate assistantships, private scholarships, Veteran/GI Bill benefits, and the National Guard and Army Reserve. A variety of part-time jobs referrals, on and off campus, are often available at the offices of Financial Aid and Personnel and Employee Relations. Contact the Financial Aid office about personal, low interest alternative signature loans which may be available.

Award Notification. Upon determining financial aid eligibility, an Award Letter outlining the types and amounts of aid offered will be sent by mail and/or over the student’s CCSU Central Pipeline account. It is important that the student respond, before the deadline indicated in the Award Letter, and accept and/or decline the aid offered. Failure to respond may delay the posting of aid awarded and accepted to the student’s Bursar’s Office billing or cancellation of the aid altogether. The Award Letter may indicate the necessity of completing a master promissory note and entrance counseling interview upon acceptance of a federal Stafford loan.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). To remain eligible for financial aid, a student must earn a minimum of semester credit hours during a given academic year and remain in good academic standing. In addition, a student must be making satisfactory progress toward degree completion. Failed and audited courses will not be counted toward the minimum number of semester credit hours required for SAP.

• Full-time Graduate Students—SAP is defined as the successful completion of at least 18 semester credit hours of academic work toward the graduate degree or approved program each academic year for students who initially enroll for the fall semester. Full-time students initially enrolling for the spring semester, or for the fall semester or Summer Session only, must complete nine semester credit hours during the academic year. They must maintain a 3.00 GPA to remain in good academic standing. Full-time students are eligible for financial assistance for up to four semesters of full-time attendance, or until certified for graduation, whichever comes first.

• Part-time Graduate Students—SAP is defined as the successful completion of at least 12 semester credit hours of academic work toward the graduate degree or approved program each academic year for students who initially enroll for the fall semester. Part-time students initially enrolling for the spring semester, or for fall semester or Summer Session only, must complete six semester credit hours during the academic year. They must maintain a 3.00 GPA to remain in good academic standing. Part-time students are eligible for up to eight semesters of part-time attendance, or until certified for graduation, whichever comes first.

Students who do not successfully complete the required number of semester credit hours during the fall and spring semesters may complete the needed credits during the Summer Session, but without utilizing Title IV financial assistance. Any student who does not complete the needed credits will be ineligible for financial aid assistance the following academic year.

Upon presentation of evidence of medical or other legitimate personal or family emergencies, a student denied financial assistance under this policy may appeal to the campus officer designated by the University President.

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