HOW STUDENTS APPLY FOR AID

The institution maintains available resources that include the federal grant and loan programs, and student loans from private lenders. 
For additional information regarding the following resources contact financialservices@ucdh.edu.

Federal assistance programs are administered through the U.S. Department of Education. Any U.S. citizen, national, or person in the United States for other than temporary reasons who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment may apply for these programs. Grant forms of financial assistance are available for each July 1 - June 30 award period. Every student considering application for financial aid should request a copy of the current Student Guide, published by the U.S. Department of Education. This important document may be obtained from the institution’s Financial Services Office to help assist in understanding eligibility requirements, the application process, deadlines, and the various forms of grants and loans available. Students are seeking financial aid are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). At http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students should renew the FAFSA application annually.

During the admission and enrollment process, each applicant is given the opportunity to meet with the Institution’s Financial Services Officer. The staff member can provide all necessary application forms and information necessary to apply for the available sources of grant and loan programs available to the institution’s students and their parents.

After the student completes the FAFSA, the institution receives the results of the FAFSA and the staff member reviews the applicant’s prior financial aid history. The staff member will then develop an estimated financial aid award package for the applicant or current student.

This package of estimated financial aid will outline a plan for each applicant and will contain a combination of grant and “self-help” sources available to pay the applicant’s Cost of Attendance.

“Self Help” includes loans, and student tuition payments options.

Students are generally scheduled for a minimum of two separate appointments with the Financial Services Office staff to complete the necessary paperwork and award acceptance process. Parents of dependent students may also need to actively participate in the financial aid application process in terms of completing the FAFSA and matters related to PLUS loan application and approval process.

NOTICE OF NSLDS DATA SUBMISSION

Any student applying for and accepting Title IV Federal Student Aid must understand that the loan information will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools as determined to be authorized users of the system. The Cost of Attendance includes both direct and indirect costs of attending the program. For more information, consult your Financial Services Office.

HOW AID ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED

• Students must be U.S citizens or eligible non-citizens.
• Students must be enrolled in an eligible program.
• Students must meet all admissions requirements.
• Students must not owe money back to a federal grant program.
• Students must not be in default or delinquent on payment on a federal student loan.
• There are more specific eligibility requirement applicable particular aid programs. Please consult your catalog for details.
• Student must complete and submit all applicable paperwork as required by the institution and as communicated in the initial or subsequent meeting and/or correspondence, both written and oral, with the institution’s Financial Services Officer.
• The result of the FAFSA helps the institution to assess a student’s eligibility based on a valid processed Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a measure of a student’s and student’s families resources that may be available to help pay for educational costs. Generally budgeted Cost of Attendance less EFC = Financial Need.
• A financial aid award letter will be provided to the student which will indicate need and non-need based aid.
• Students must be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress in accordance with the institution’s policies.
• Students must have resolved any prior drug conviction in accordance with Department of Education guidelines.
• Students may not have property subject to a judgment or lien for a debt owed the federal government.
• Students may not obtain loan amounts that exceed annual or aggregate loan amounts.
• Students must file a Statement of Educational Purpose.
• Students must have a valid and correct Social Security Number.
• Students must satisfy the Selective Service Registration requirements, if applicable.