Graduate Students
Various forms of student assistance are available through the Bloomsburg University's Office of Financial Aid. For the Federal Stafford Loan Program, Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Program, or for Federal Work-Study Program, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed on an annual basis and the results forwarded to Bloomsburg University (003315 Federal Code). Information on graduate assistantships is available through the School of Graduate Studies (212 Centennial Hall) (570)389-4015. External scholarship opportunities may be explored through the web site www.finaid.org.
In order to receive Federal assistance, you must meet a number of eligibility requirements. Briefly stated, these include the following: you must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in a degree granting program; you must maintain satisfactory progress; you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; you cannot be in default of a federal educational loan or owe a repayment of federal grant funds. Male students must be registered with the Selective Service System. Federal verification requirements must also be completed for selected students.
Educational Loan Programs
Federal Stafford Loans are available to help meet educational expenses. Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 each academic year (summer, fall, spring). A FAFSA must be on file along with a Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). Loans for graduate students are generally processed for one semester at a time. Students wishing to have a loan processed for a subsequent semester in an academic year, must complete the "Request for Additional Federal Stafford Loan" form. Do not complete the request form until after the current semester's grades have been posted and the new semester's courses have been scheduled. There are numerous types of privately financed alternative loans, but it is recommended that students utilize the Federal Stafford Loan as their first borrowing option.
Federal regulations require that first time Federal Stafford Loan recipients at Bloomsburg University must complete entrance counseling requirements before receiving their loan funds. This must be completed online at: www.bloomu.edu/aid. Federal regulations also require a student to complete exit counseling prior to graduation or at the time a student either drops to less-than half-time enrollment or withdraws from Bloomsburg University. Exit counseling can provide you with valuable information on loan repayment and is available at the same web site.
Federal Graduate PLUS Loans are available to graduate students who have exhausted their Federal Stafford Loan eligibility. In addition to the eligibility requirements discussed previously, students must be credit worthy to receive this loan. The maximum students may borrow in Federal Graduate PLUS Loan per academic year is the difference between cost of education minus other financial aid received. Federal Graduate PLUS Loan repayment for both the principal and the interest generally begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. There is no grace period for these loans. This means interest starts to accrue as soon as the first disbursement is made. The student may qualify for an in-school deferment as long as they are enrolled at least on a half-time (six credits per semester) basis.
Student Employment
There are two employment programs that may be of interest to graduate students who do not have a graduate assistantship. These are the Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) and Institutional State Student Employment. FWSP is based on financial need as defined by the FAFSA. You must also complete an institutional work-study application available online at www.bloomu.edu/aid. A work-study award is an opportunity for employment but not a guarantee of placement. For all employment programs, students are responsible for securing their own positions but placement assistance is available online at www.bloomu.edu/aid. Wages are paid directly to the student every two weeks. Both types of employment programs permit working up to 20 hours per week during period of enrollment and 37.5 hours per week when classes are not in session.
Enrollment Status
Graduate students must register for at least six graduate credits per semester in order to be considered a half-time student, which is the minimum allowable for receipt of Federal Stafford Loans and deferment of repayment on previous student loans. Full-time status is nine graduate credits per semester. With the exception of study abroad programs, all coursework must be taken at Bloomsburg University - enrollment at other institutions is not counted for student aid purposes.
The Office of Financial Aid provides enrollment verification and information regarding the student's expected graduation date for Federal Stafford Loan purposes. All other requests for enrollment verification (i.e. Federal Perkins Loan, insurance) should be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar (150 Warren Student Services Center) (570)389-4263 along with the name and address of the agency or institution that is to receive the information.
Refunds of Student Aid
All student aid funds, with the exception of earnings, are applied directly to your account at Bloomsburg University. Refunds are generated by the Business Office (Waller Administration) (570)389-4013. Please refer to Availability of Funds for more information.
Additional Assistance
If you have any questions regarding your eligibility for student aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid (119 Warren Student Services Center) (570)389-4297 for assistance. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular University business hours.