All students must reapply every year for continuation of financial aid, and are required to report to the Financial Aid Office any new scholarships, loans, grants and earnings from employment not recorded on the original, initial financial aid application. This information is used to reassess students' financial needs and if needs are reduced, aid will be reduced accordingly. When aid must be reduced, the Financial Aid Office attempts to adjust the amount students will receive for the upcoming semester in that semester. But in cases where such adjustments cannot be made in time and students receive aid in excess of assessed need, the University bills students in the amount of the over award.

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Application Procedures for University Financial Aid Programs

Students who wish to apply for financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating that Salisbury University (Title IV Code 002091) is to receive the information. They may be asked to submit signed and dated copies of students' and parents' income tax forms from the previous year, as well as any other relevant information required by the Financial Aid Office. No application will be considered official until all of these forms are received by Financial Aid Office.

The University's priority funding deadline is March 1st for the following academic year. Students may apply as early as January 1st but no later than two weeks in advance of the deadline data. This allows time for the government to process the FAFSA and have the results forwarded to the Financial Aid Office. Although incoming freshmen and transfer students are not offered financial aid until they have been formally admitted to the University, they must meet the same application deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline are processed on a rolling basis. Because we work with limited funds in the campus-based federal and university programs, all of the need-based grant aid will go to eligible students who meet the priority deadline.

Financial Aid Offer and Acceptance
Students who receive financial aid are notified in an award notice and must, in turn, respond on-line to the offer.

Transfer Students
Most college-administered financial aid programs do not transfer from one college to another. This, however, does not apply to the Federal Pell Grant and some state scholarships. Students planning to transfer should anticipate the move by contacting their institution's Financial Aid Office before leaving college.

The Salisbury University Financial Aid Office requires that entering transfers observe the normal application process. Midyear transfers anticipating their move should follow the regular process noting that aid will be needed only for the particular semester they enter.

Independent Students
The federal government defines an independent student as one who meets one or more of the following criteria for the 2009-2010 academic year:

Born before January 1, 1986
Working on a graduate master's degree
Married student
Have legal dependents (other than a spouse) receiving more than half of their support from you
Since you turned 13, both were parents deceased, you were in foster care or dependent or ward of the court?
Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
You are or were an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residency
You are or were in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residency
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, your high school or school district homeless liaison determed that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, a director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development determined you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, a director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self supporting and at risk of being homeless

If you do not meet at least one of the above definitions, you are considered a dependent student by federal regulations.

Enrolled at Two Institutions Simultaneously
You are not permitted to receive federal/state financial aid at two different institutions simultaneously.

Foreign Students
Federal financial aid programs are reserved for U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

Male Students
All male students between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service. Those who fail to register are ineligible for student financial aid from the Title IV federal programs (Pell grant, ACG and SMART grants, SEOG, Carl Perkins Loan, Federal College Work Study, Federal Direct Student Loan programs). You may register on-line at: www.sss.gov.

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Financial Aid Programs

Federal Grants and Loans:

Federal Pell Grant -- The Federal Pell Grant is an "entitlement" program for; first-time bachelor's degree candidates who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Degree seeking students are eligible to apply for the grants ranging from $609 to $5,350 depending on the federal formula. The grant is awarded by the federal government, not Salisbury University. All students applying for financial aid from SU are required to apply for the Federal Pell Grant. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be used to apply for the Maryland State Scholarships, campus-based aid and the Federal Pell Grant.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) -- is available to first or second year students with less than 59 credits, Pell grant eligible, and have completed a rigorous secondary school program (as defined by the Department of Education). First year students can be awarded up to $750 per year and second year students can be awarded up to $1,300 per year. In addition, second year students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Grade level classifications effective July 1, 2009.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) -- is available to third (60-89 credits) and fourth (90+) year undergraduate students, who are Pell grant eligible. Students must be in one of the following majors: Physical, Life, or Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Technology, Engineering, or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students may only receive one award at each grade level for up to $4,000 over two semesters. Grade level classifications effective July 1, 2009.

TEACH Grant Program -- Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants to students who intend to teach full-time, as a highly qualified teacher, in a high-need subject, in a school that serves low-income students. Click here to learn more about this program.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs -- Salisbury University participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Programs (Direct Loan). NOTE: Salisbury University only participates in PLUS and Stafford Loans from the Federal Government (William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs). We do not accept applications from the FFELP.

The Direct Loan enables degree-seeking students enrolled in at least six credit hours to borrow money directly from the federal government rather than private lending institutions (i.e. banks, credit unions). Loans can easily and quickly be obtained by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and completing an Electronic Promissory Note on-line. Undergraduate students can borrow up to $5,500 for the freshman year, $6,500 for the sophomore year and $7,500 for the third through fifth year. Graduate Master's Degree seeking students can borrow up to $8,500 per annum in the base loan and up to $12,000 in the additional unsubsidized loan program. The repayment begins six months after recipients leave the institution or drops below half-time.

Parents, of dependent students, also may borrow through the William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS program (provided the parents do not have adverse credit history) by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and completing an Electronic Promissory Note on-line. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance at the institution minus other estimated financial assistance for the student. The interest rate is capped at 7.90 percent. Parents may choose to defer payments until 6 months after the date the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Accruing interest could either be paid by the borrower monthly or quarterly, or be capitalized quarterly.

Information on the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Programs is available in the Financial Aid Office.

Direct Loan Servicing System Web Site

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) -- These are outright grants of up to $1,000 for undergraduate, first degree-candidates with exceptional financial need. These grants do not have to repaid.

Federal Carl Perkins Loan (FCPL) -- This program provides up to $3,000 on a loan basis to undergraduate students who are enrolled fulltime and have demonstrated exceptional financial need. There is no interest charge on this loan as long as the borrower continues in at least a halftime student status. Repayment begins nine months after graduation or withdrawal from school. Students may be allowed up to 10 years to repay the loan, based on the amount borrowed. The interest rate is 5 percent per annum on the unpaid balance. Repayment may be deferred while students are enrolled on at least a half-time basis or serving in the military, Peace Corps or VISTA. Special education teachers and teachers in designated economically deprived areas may receive up to 100 percent cancellation for teaching over a period of five years. A borrower who is temporarily disabled, or whose spouse is temporarily totally disabled and requires the borrower's care, may defer payments for up to three years.

Federal College Work Study (FCWS) -- The Federal College Work Study Program provides jobs on and off campus to full time, degree-seeking, undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. These jobs are usually assigned as part of the financial aid package. If possible, students are employed in positions related to their academic major or special interest. Students receive at least minimum wage and are paid every two weeks for hours worked.

University Aid Program:

Salisbury University Fund -- The Salisbury University Fund is for full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students who have established financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid. These grants are awarded in combination with other financial aid awards, considering academic performance and financial need. The grant is a one-year award and is subject to change if additional aid resources are secured or if demonstrated financial need is reduced.

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Disbursement of Financial Aid

Confirmed aid recipients who pre-register (thereby generating an early bill) will receive financial aid credit directly on the statement of fees. Any balance still due the student after all charges have been deducted will be disbursed to the student as a refund check during the first week of the classes each semester.

Recipients who must register in person (thereby generating a bill at the time of registration) will receive any refund amount due after all charges have been deducted. (allow 10-15 days). Adjustments require additional time.

If the financial aid amount credited (or refunded) includes a Federal Carl Perkins Loan (FCPL), the recipient MUST sign the appropriate loan forms in the Business and Finance Office during the first full week of classes each semester. Recipients with FCPL credit who either receive no refund or have a "0" balance also MUST sign the loan forms before the end of the first full week of classes each semester. Each loan disbursement/credit requires a signature as receipt of the FCPL amount. Loan forms must be properly completed and signed by the deadline or the FCPL credit will be withdrawn and the recipient will be responsible for the FCPL amount previously credited. Students who do not have their bills cleared and finalized run the risk of having their classes canceled and permission withdrawn for registering the following semester.

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Return of Title IV Funds Policy for students who have withdrawn from SU

The federal government's policy states that if Title IV aid recipient (Direct Stafford Loan, Direct PLUS loan, Carl Perkins Loan, Pell Grant, ACG, SMART, TEACH and/or SEOG) ceases attendance (officially withdraws or unofficially withdraws-drops out) from the institution during a period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must calculate the percentage and amount of Title IV assistance the student did not earn and return those funds to the Title IV programs. Once 60% of the enrollment period as elapsed, 100% of the aid is determined to be earned and no calculation is required.

Download Calculation form

NOTE:

Maryland State Scholarship(s) will be adjusted according to the Maryland State Scholarship Administration's Regulations. Call 1-800-974-1024 for further guidance. Exception: Maryland Part-time Grant may be canceled entirely when a withdraw occurs.

Salisbury University's Academic Scholarships will be adjusted according to the Refund Policy as defined in the SU Catalogue.

Access FAFSA (On-line Application)
Estimate your family contribution or search for outside scholarships/grants

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Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy for Undergraduate Students

Federal regulations require that institutions of higher education establish minimum standards of "Satisfactory Academic Progress" for potential and current financial aid recipients. Financial Aid Applicants must comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy as a condition of initial or continued eligibility. Please note that your prior academic progress will be measured to determine your eligibility. Our office will review SAP at the end of the fall and spring semester.

Financial aid programs which are affected by the SAP Policy include: Federal Pell, Federal Carl Perkins Loan, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, Federal ACG and SMART Grants, Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Direct PLUS Loan, Salisbury University Fund, Partnership for Success Grant and State grants/scholarships.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for undergraduates is measured in three areas: maintaining a satisfactory cumulative grade point average, successfully completing a required percentage of attempted credits, and receiving a degree within a maximum timeframe.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average

Undergraduate students must maintain the required cumulative grade point average necessary for continued enrollment at Salisbury University (SU). Therefore, they must maintain an academic standing consistent to the Undergraduate Scholastic Standards as outlined below:

Credits Earned Toward a Degree Minimum SU Cumulative GPA
(Including transfer credits)

Fewer than 30	1.400
30 - 35	1.500
36 - 41	1.600
42 - 47	1.700
48 - 53	1.800
54 - 59	1.900
60 or more	2.000

Minimum Credit Requirement

All undergraduate students must have successfully completed at least 67% of all credits attempted at SU.

How do I calculate my percentage completed?

An attempted credit includes graded courses (A, B, C, D, F,) and non graded courses (I, PS, S, CS, AU, W, WF, WP, NR, IP, RA, RB, RC, RD, RF, X, Advanced Placement, CLEP, Departmental Challenge Exams, International Baccalaureate Exams and Military Education Credit).

To calculate the percentage of credits you have completed, total all attempted SU credits and total all completed SU credits (See Repeat Course section in the University Catalog for further information regarding repeating of courses). Then, divide the number of completed credits by the number of attempted credits.

Total Completed Credits / Total Attempted Credits = Percentage Completed

Students placed on probation after the first occurrence for one or both of the above requirements (Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average/Minimum Credit Requirement) must meet all SAP requirements after the next consecutive semester or financial aid eligibility will be terminated.

Maximum Time Frame

Undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor's degree must earn their degree, regardless of their program of study, within their first 180 attempted credits. Students who have not earned a degree within their first 180 attempted credits, whether they have previously received financial aid or not, will lose their financial aid eligibility.

What Counts as Attempted Credits?

An attempted credit includes graded courses (A, B, C, D, F,), non graded courses (I, PS, S, CS, AU, W, WF, WP, NR, IP, RA, RB, RC, RD, RF, XD, XF, Advanced Placement, CLEP, Departmental Challenge Exams, International Baccalaureate Exams and Military Education Credit); and all transfer credits accepted by SU.

Ex. John has 30 transfer credits accepted by SU and had registered for 15 credits at SU for the fall 2007 semester but only obtained 12 credits at the conclusion of the fall 2007 semester. His attempted credits are 45.

Undergraduates seeking their first bachelor's degree

A financial aid eligibility termination letter will be sent to those students who have attempted more than 180 credits.

Undergraduates seeking their second bachelor's degree

A financial aid eligibility termination letter will be sent to those students who have attempted (includes attempted credits/transfer credits from first bachelor's degree) more than 270 credits.

Appeal Process

If a student is placed on probation, he or she does not need to appeal, because financial aid eligibility has not been revoked. A student who has had his/her financial aid eligibility terminated has the right to make a written appeal if extenuating circumstances exist and can be documented.

Additional Information

Academic dismissal or disciplinary suspension from SU will result in the automatic cancellation of financial aid eligibility.

Only matriculating students (formally admitted) can receive financial aid.

Students ceasing attendance at SU, either officially by withdrawing through the Registrar's Office or unofficially by dropping out, will have their financial aid adjusted in accordance with the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Refund Policy.

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Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy for Graduate Students

Financial aid programs which are affected by the SAP Policy include the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and State grants/scholarships.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for graduates is measured in three areas: maintaining a satisfactory cumulative grade point average, successfully completing a required percentage of attempted credits, and receiving a degree within a maximum timeframe.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average Requirement

Graduate students must maintain the required cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0.

Minimum Credit Requirement

All graduate students must have successfully completed at least 67% of all credits attempted at SU.

How do I calculate my percentage completed?

An attempted credit includes graded courses (A, B, B+, C, C+, D, F,) and non graded courses (I, AU, W, WF, WP, NR, IP, RA, RB, RB+, RC, RC+, RD, RF, and Departmental Challenge Exams)

To calculate the percentage of credits you have completed, total all attempted SU credits and total all completed SU credits. (See Repeat Course section in the University Catalog for further information regarding repeating of courses). Then, divide the number of completed credits by the number of attempted credits.

Total Completed Credits / Total Attempted Credits = Percentage Completed

Maximum Time Frame Requirement

The federal government requires a graduate student to obtain his/her degree within a given time frame to remain eligible to receive financial aid. A student is allowed to have attempted up to 150% of the required credits for a graduate degree and still receive financial aid. The published length for a student to obtain his/her degree varies according to the degree sought. Refer to the SU Catalogue to determine the published length required for the degree you are seeking.

What Counts as Attempted Credits?

An attempted credit includes graded courses (A, B, B+, C, C+, D, F,), non graded courses (I, AU, W, WF, WP, NR, IP, RA, RB, RB+, RC, RC+, RD, RF, and Departmental Challenge Exams) and all transfer credits accepted by SU.

Ex. John has 3 transfer credits accepted by SU and had registered for 9 credits at SU for the fall 2007 semester but only obtained 6 credits at the conclusion of the fall 2007 semester. His attempted credits are 12.

A financial aid eligibility termination letter will be sent to those students of have attempted more than 150% of the required credits necessary to obtain a degree.

Appeal Process

Additional Information

Academic dismissal or disciplinary suspension from SU will result in the automatic cancellation of financial aid eligibility.

Only matriculating (formally admitted) students can receive financial aid.

Veteran's Benefits

Financial aid is available for veterans and their dependents who are eligible for GI benefits. These benefits are implemented by the Salisbury University Office of Veteran Affairs, located in the Registrar's Office, 120 Holloway Hall, 410-543-6150.

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Work Experience

Campus employment is available through the Work Experience Office. Students can apply for jobs without having to apply for financial aid and are hired based on job availability and skills. Visit at www.salisbury.edu/careerservices or call 410-543-6216.

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