Parents & Family

Are you a parent who’s looking ahead to your child’s college years? Or just about to face the first tuition bill? Here are some resources to help parents save for college, learn about financial aid, understand the value of a college education and complete the application process.

The Value of a College Education

There are many benefits that stem from a college education, most of which justify the expenses to obtain a degree. According to statistical data from the U.S. Census Bureau people with bachelor’s degrees earn nearly 2.1 million USD, associate’s degrees nearly 1.6 million USD, and high school diplomas nearly 1.2 million USD in the course of their careers. In sheer monetary terms, a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree is expected to earn almost twice as much as a college dropout.

The advantages of a college degree are not limited to financial gain only. Society benefits from higher education. Some of these benefits include improved health and longevity, increased local, state and federal tax revenue, lower unemployment, increased community involvement, the opportunity to switch or retain a job, the ability to relocate based on lifestyle or geographical preferences, and more time for recreational activities.

While a college education is not the only means for upward social mobility, it is certainly an avenue for students to realize their lifelong goals.

Student Aid and Scholarships Policy

As a public university, Salisbury University receives limited support from the state. An outstanding academic experience for our students comes at a cost, and we recognize that SU may not be affordable to all who wish to enroll.

Students and their parents are encouraged to devise a financial plan for this important investment, and to determine the level of education loan debt that both parties are willing to incur. Student aid, including education loans, can help defray some costs, but students and parents have the primary responsibility of paying educational expenses. Please keep in mind that an offer of admission is not a guarantee of scholarship funding

Information about Your Student's Eligibility

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for student financial aid purposes dictates that students must successfully complete a specific number of credits within a given period of time with a certain GPA. Although the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) confidentiality policies do not allow us to release specific academic-related information to you without the written consent of your student, we encourage you to understand the student aid academic progress standard in general terms and be aware of your student's rights and responsibilities as a recipient of federal student aid.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Need Explained
Federal regulations require that your total student financial aid, including loans, not exceed your cost of attendance. For most students, financial aid only meets part of their financial need.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in determining the types of aid for which you are eligible.

Your cost of attendance minus your EFC equals your financial need

Once you have completed your FAFSA, your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated through a formula established by federal law. The EFC formula takes into account many variables including your (and your parents' if you are a dependent student):
- Income and assets
- Number of people living in your household
- Number of people in your household attending college
- State of residence
Keep in mind your EFC, which appears as a dollar amount, does not vary from school to school regardless of the actual cost of the institution you are attending. However, your financial need will vary according to each school's cost of attendance.
Available forms of Financial Aid
What is the Cost of Attendance to Attend SU?
Consumer Information

How Dropping or Withdrawing Can Affect Your Student Financial Aid

Tips to Manage Your Financial Aid

Plan Ahead: Minimize your financial risk by selecting classes carefully, balancing your most difficult classes against your other courses and family and work demands.
Understand the Rules for Your Award: Review financial aid policies to understand what is expected of you to maintain your eligibility and keep your financial aid.
Know the Consequences: Be sure that you understand what will happen if you drop, withdraw, or fail to complete your classes. A financial aid counselor can help determine your financial liability.
Consider Your Options Before You Drop or Withdraw: Talk to the faculty member teaching your class to see if there is anything you can do to complete the class. Make sure you have explored all options for assistance.

Types of Aid and Enrollment

Federal student financial aid is awarded under the assumption you will be enrolled full-time for the semester. Any time you change your enrollment, SU’s Financial Aid Office must review your record and recalculate your aid.

Keep in mind, enrollment changes can also affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress, which ultimately affects your aid eligibility. Learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress.

NOTE: Students who are withdrawn completely from classes during the tuition refund period will have their scholarship and institutional aid (which also includes tuition waivers for Non-Resident Nursing Students, Foster Care Recipients, and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth) prorated based on the tuition proration schedule. Maryland Higher Education Commission requires total cancellation of Maryland state award(s) when a student withdraws from all classes during the tuition refund period.
How Enrollment Changes Affect Your Aid
- Withdrawal Process
- If you drop or withdraw from classes (officially or unofficially-drop out), you may jeopardize future eligibility for student aid (including loans). Learn more about drop and withdrawal.
- If your enrollment drops below half-time, your financial aid awards may be adjusted, and the grace period before repayment of loans will begin.
- If you withdraw (officially or unofficially-drop out) and didn’t complete more than 60 percent of the semester, you may have to repay financial aid according to the Return of Title IV Funds policy.

Special Circumstances

Students and their families may face situations where the original application information does not accurately reflect their current circumstances and ability to pay for college. When students apply for financial aid, the financial data elements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) reflect the previous year's earnings of students and their parents, as reported on their federal income tax.

The FAFSA is considered to be a "snapshot" of the family's financial situation as of the date it is submitted. The expected family contribution (EFC) is calculated according to a federal formula that uses the household and financial information to determine a student/and or family's financial strength. The EFC represents the portion of a student's and their family's financial resources that can reasonably be expected to pay for college.

If you or your family’s current income situation is different than information reported on the FAFSA, please contact our office for more information concerning whether or not you may qualify for special circumstances consideration.