Types of Aid at Salisbury University

Scholarships

A scholarship is gift aid given to you to help fund your education. Most scholarships awarded at SU come from Salisbury University and the SU Foundation’s endowments with unique eligibility and scholarship renewal requirements. There are also many scholarships available to you from other, external organizations. Keep in mind, scholarship money does not have to be repaid.

Grants

A grant is essentially free money or gift aid given to you to finance your education. It can come from the state or federal government, from SU or from private sources and it doesn’t have to be repaid.

Loans

If scholarships and grants can’t cover the entire cost of your education, you can secure a loan from the federal government or from a private institution like a bank to cover the difference. Generally speaking, Federal student loans include many benefits (such as fixed interest rates and income-driven repayment plans) not typically offered with private loans. In contrast, private loans are generally more expensive than federal student loans.

For more federal Direct loan information
For more Federal Parent PLUS loan information.
For more information about Private vs Federal Loans

Entrance Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers

First time borrowers must complete an entrance counseling session as well as sign a master promissory note for any loans that they choose to accept. The entrance counseling sessions can be completed online and usually only needs to be done once. Entrance counseling covers comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and of the borrower’s responsibilities. Most promissory notes will also only need to be completed once. Both requirements must be completed before the loan can be disbursed. Login to StudentAid.gov to complete entrance counseling.

Exit Counseling for Student Loan Borrowers

Students who have received a loan(s) under the Direct Loan Program or Perkins Loan Program, must complete exit counseling each time they drop below half-time enrollment, graduate, or leave school. Exit counseling provides important information in preparation to repay your federal student loan(s). Login to StudentAid.gov to complete exit counseling.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work-Study Program at Salisbury University

The Federal Work-Study Program increases students' opportunities to earn money by working part-time during the school year (up to 10-15 hours per week).

The Federal Work-study (FWS) program allows eligible students to earn paychecks to help support their educational expenses by getting part-time jobs with Salisbury University departments. This program helps create additional job opportunities for FWS students by providing federal funding that is used to pay their wages.

FWS funds are limited and require financial need from FAFSA. If your financial aid award notification includes a FWS award, then you are eligible to pursue FWS jobs. Your total earnings cannot exceed your FWS award amount, and your actual earnings will depend on your hours worked and your hourly wage.

The hourly rate for on-campus employment will be at least the current Maryland minimum wage ($12.50).

Eligibility Requirements for Federal Work-Study

The university receives an annual budget of FWS funds from the federal government and offers the available funds to students who demonstrate higher levels of financial need. Students without FWS awards may still pursue many other part-time job opportunities both on and off-campus.

You must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at studentaid.gov.
You must meet general eligibility requirements which include: Official FAFSA for current aid year (verification must be completed if required)
You must have financial need from FAFSA
You must enroll at least half-time (six credits or more) for each semester
You must accept your federal work study if you wish to pursue a position
You must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and be a degree-seeking undergraduate student
After accepting your Federal work study offer, please complete the candidate registration form by visiting Career Connections Website . After clicking the Career Connections link you will be prompted to enter in your SU username and password. Then you will be prompted to complete a candidate registration form – You must follow the steps outlined on the page. Starting in early April you may begin looking for available FWS job opportunities. Be sure to check back on the Career Connections website often as FWS supervisors continue posting FWS job openings. It is your responsibility to contact the supervisor regarding an open FWS job positing.

Why choose Federal Work–Study?

There are many benefits:

Income: Extra money for things you want and need.
Opportunity: Although you are not guaranteed a job if you are awarded Work–Study, you are much more likely to be hired if you have Work–Study eligibility. In addition, your job will be close to where you study.
Student–Friendly Schedule: Your employer knows your first priority is as a college student. Employers try to be as flexible as possible in scheduling work hours around your class schedule.
Future Financial Aid Eligibility: As a financial aid need-based program, Work–Study income (although taxable) does not affect your future financial aid eligibility in the next tax year.
Work Experience: Students who have job experience and who have worked while attending school are more attractive to future employers. Your supervisor may become an excellent reference.
Academic Success: Campus research has shown that Work–Study students connect with the campus community, learn about resources available to students, and establish stronger relationships with faculty and staff. This correlates with the fact that students with Work–Study jobs are more likely to stay in school, perform better academically, and graduate.

If you decide not to use your Work–Study award, there is no effect on your grant aid. If you have not been awarded your maximum loan amount, you could qualify for more loan money. If you wish to cancel your Work-Study award and request remaining loan eligibility please contact the Office of Financial & Scholarships.

To review FWS frequently asked questions FWS FAQ's

Food Stamps-SNAP Resources

The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 temporarily expands SNAP eligibility to include students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education, who either:
1. Are eligible to participate in state or federally financed work-study during the regular school year, as determined by the institution of higher education, or
2. Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0 in the current academic year.

Students who indicated “Yes” on the 22/23 FAFSA that they are interested in Federal Work-Study and are eligible, were automatically awarded Federal Work-Study in their financial aid award. Students who do not have a work-study award, can email The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at finaid@salisbury.edu for additional information on seeking federal work-study eligibility information.

Please note: *Per the USDA: Under SNAP regular rules, only students who actually participate in state or federally funded work study are eligible. The new, temporary exemption expands SNAP eligibility to students who are eligible to participate in federal work study during the regular school year, without the requirement that they actually participate. *

Additional guidance will be updated, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (USDA) SNAP COVID-19 guidance is shared. You may also find the most current FAQs, concerning the student provisions related to SNAP expansion.

Federal Work-Study Employment Forms

Forms Completed Between Supervisor and FWS Student

FWS Student Contract – submit to Financial Aid and Human Resources
Statement of Eligibility – submit to Financial Aid
Statement of Confidentiality – submit to Financial Aid
Statement of Responsibility – submit to Financial Aid
Federal Work-Study Handbook (for your reference)
FWS Contractual Time Sheet (for your reference)
FWS Pay Schedule (for your reference)

Forms Completed Between Human Resources and FWS Student

Student Hire Checklist (for your reference)
I-9 Form
W-4 Federal Withholding Form
MW507 – Maryland State Withholding Form
Direct Deposit Authorization
SU Policy Sign-Off Sheet

529 Prepaid Tuition Plans

The Maryland Prepaid Tuition Plan is a savings plan that allows parents to set aside funds to pay college tuition for their dependents. The university does not bill the tuition plan directly. Normally, once the first bill of the semester is received, parents forward a copy of the bill to the Maryland Prepaid Tuition Plan and the tuition plan sends payment to the university on behalf of the student.

For more information about the State of Maryland's plan, visit www.collegesavingsmd.org. Prepaid tuition plans are also available in many states and procedures for requesting payment from the tuition plan may vary. For information regarding prepaid tuition plans outside the State of Maryland, please contact a representative from your individual state program.

Tuition Waivers

Some companies offer tuition remission for their employees or dependents of employees. We encourage students to investigate tuition remission programs through their employer or with their parent's employer.

Regular, benefit-eligible employees within the University System of Maryland (USM) may take advantage of tuition remission for themselves or their dependent children. Tuition remission, if applicable, is a benefit where tuition or a portion thereof is paid by the employer. The level of benefit depends upon the hire date of the employee.

Contact Human Resources at your place of employment for more information.

Veteran's Educational Benefits

VA benefits are administered by the Registrar's office so to begin using your VA Education Benefits, supporting documents are needed for the University to certify your enrollment with the VA. To access your benefits, you must first complete an Application for Education Benefits online through the VA’s website. If you have not received your Certificate of Eligibility, please provide the Veteran's Office with a copy of your completed Application.

Once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility, to receive enrollment certification at SU, the Veterans Benefit Certification Request needs to be completed each semester.

Maryland State Financial Aid

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) awards a variety of grants and scholarships to students that are Maryland residents. These awards are based on merit and/or financial need and are in addition to aid awarded by the institution. Students who wish to be considered for state aid must submit the FAFSA by March 1 each year. For a full list of programs, deadlines, separate application and eligibility requirements please visit the MHEC website

Completed Credits	Estimated Award Amount
23 or Less	$0
24	$13,500
25	$14,000
26	$14,600
27	$15,200
28	$15,700
29	$16,300
30 or More	$16,900

Completed Credits	Estimated Award Amount
23 or Less	$0
24	$2,400
25	$2,500
26	$2,600
27	$2,700
28	$2,800
29	$2,900
30 or More	$3,000

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer is eligible, under the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, to receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant award.

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to both full- and part-time undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelors or professional degree. In certain situations, an eligible student can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Federal Pell Grant for an award year.

Please note that any changes to the FAFSA data may result in an adjustment to your Federal Pell Grant, including but not limited to:

Review of your FAFSA due to Verification.
Enrollment less than full-time (12 credits for undergraduate).
Corrections made by staff due to conflicting university data.

To qualify, a student must:

Be otherwise Pell-eligible.
Have a Pell-eligible EFC greater than $0.
Be less than 24 years of age OR enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of their parent or guardian’s death.

A public safety officer is defined as:

An individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or chaplain;
An employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who is performing official duties of the agency, if those official duties–
- are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
- are determined by FEMA to be hazardous duties;
An employee of a state, local, or tribal emergency management or civil defense agency who is performing official duties in cooperation with FEMA, if those official duties–
- are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
- are determined by the agency to be hazardous duties;
A member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew who, as authorized or licensed by law and by the applicable agency or entity, is engaging in rescue activity or in the provision of emergency medical services; or
A fire police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with state or local law as an officially-recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned, special event.

A parent or guardian includes non-custodial parents, step-parents, and parents of independent students. In all cases, the parent/guardian status at the time of death is the qualifying eligibility criterion. This may be different from the current parent/guardian status.

If you meet the above criteria please contact our office for the application and documentation required to apply for this scholarship.

Assistantships

Maryland Success Grant

The Maryland Success Grant is awarded to full time Maryland undergraduate and graduate students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) up to $9,999 from the current FAFSA. Students must also be meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for financial aid eligibility. This is a one-time only non-renewable grant.