What is Financial NEED?

Need is defined as the difference between the cost of education and what the parents and student might reasonably be expected to contribute to college costs. This contribution (Expected Family Contribution or EFC) is determined by using the federal methodology as administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The EFC is calculated based on data provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The figure determines a student's eligibility for need-based financial aid only.

Need Reduction Gap

Due to limited funding the University of Connecticut is unable to meet 100% of a student's established financial need. Therefore, a predetermined amount will be subtracted from a student's need prior to awarding financial aid.
 

The application must be submitted to the Federal Processor as soon after January 1 as possible. In order to receive "on-time" financial aid application status, the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA must be received and logged in at the Federal Processor on or before March 1. On-time status will NOT be determined by postmark dates or postage receipts.

List the University of Connecticut and Title IV School Code, 001417, on the FAFSA, Section G. Use 233 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269-4116 as the college address.

Do not wait for final income figures. Use estimated previous year income figures if necessary in order to ensure on-time application status.

2) Complete the University of Connecticut Undergraduate Financial Aid Application and submit it to the Student Financial Aid Office. Although there is no priority deadline, this application is required in order to process your request for financial aid.

3) Mid-year transfer students from other colleges or universities entering UConn for the spring semester must submit a paper Financial Aid Transcript (FAT) from each previously attended school. Financial Aid Transcript forms are available at any Student Financial Aid Office and must be submitted whether or not a student received financial aid at the previous institutions.

Award Notification Letter

The Student Financial Aid Office mails an award notification to each student after all required documents have been received and the financial aid application has been processed. The award notification indicates types and amounts of aid offered. Students must either accept or decline each award offer and return the Reply Copy to the Student Financial Aid Office within 21 days.

Verification

Verification is the federal process which requires the comparison of data reported on the FAFSA with income tax returns and other requested documents. The Student Financial Aid Office will notify you if you have been selected to submit income documentation.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Guidelines

SAP is the University policy based on federal regulations which requires that all aid applicants maintain a designated grade point average (GPA) and satisfactorily complete a percentage of the number of credit hours attempted in each award year. A complete text of this policy is available from the Student Financial Aid Office.

Federal Stafford Loans (FSL) are offered to students attending the University at least half-time. "Subsidized" FSL eligibility is based on financial need. Interest is subsidized by the federal government. If a student does not qualify for a subsidized FSL, he/she may borrow an "Unsubsidized" FSL. The student is responsible for the interest which accrues on the loan and has the option to either pay the interest while in school or defer payment of the interest until principal payments begin six months following graduation.

Annual loan limits for dependent undergraduate students are: $2,625 for freshmen (0-25 credits), $3,500 for sophomores (26-53 credits), $5,500 for other undergraduates (54+ credits). Eligible independent undergraduate students may receive up to $4,000 additional Unsubsidized FSL in the first and second years, and $5,000 additional Unsubsidized FSL in the third year and beyond.

Students requiring less than an academic year to graduate will have eligibility prorated in accordance with federal regulations.

Federal Perkins Loans are offered to eligible full-time students. These funds are awarded in classification order. Typically all funds are exhausted
after freshmen and sophomore classes are awarded. These funds must be repaid.

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) enables parents with good credit histories to borrow for each dependent child who is enrolled at least half-time. The yearly loan limit is the cost of education minus any financial aid a student receives. If a parent is denied a Federal PLUS Loan (documentation required each academic year), the dependent student would then be eligible to receive an additional Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan.

Both FSL and FPLUS are made copayable to the student/parent and the University of Connecticut and disbursed in at least two payments. Four percent is deducted from the amount borrowed (1% insurance and 3% origination fee).

Grants

Federal Pell Grants are offered to qualified students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. They do not require repayment.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants are offered to full-time undergraduates with exceptional financial need (typically Pell Grant recipients). They do not require repayment.

University Grants and Tuition Remission Grants are offered to eligible full-time undergraduates pursuing their first undergraduate degree. These funds do not require repayment.

University of Connecticut Scholarships are offered to incoming students through the Admissions Office. These are merit-based and all students are considered according to grade point average, SAT scores and rank in class. The Admissions Office notifies students if they are eligible for any of these awards. Upper class students with high academic achievement should inquire at their academic departments for scholarships within their field of study. The University of Connecticut Foundation and Alumni Office also offer numerous scholarships. Applications can be obtained by contacting their offices directly. Other information about scholarships is listed under Prizes, Awards, Scholarships in this Catalog.

Please note: if a student receives any award or scholarship from a local high school or other outside agency, he/she must notify the Student Financial Aid Office in writing. The student's financial aid package may be subject to change.

An excellent, detailed source of information regarding Federal aid programs and the financial aid process is The Student Guide, available at the University of Connecticut Student Financial Aid Office, 233 Glenbrook Rd., U-116, Room 208, Storrs, CT 06269-4116, (860) 486-2819. For more informationn you can access our website at: www.ucc.uconn.edu/~wwwfaid

Part-time Employment

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Federal Work Study is a federally funded financial aid work program for students with a demonstrated financial need. Unlike other forms of financial aid, a Federal Work Study award is not applied to a student's fee bill; students receive bi-weekly paychecks for hours worked.

Students awarded Federal Work Study may work in positions at the Storrs and regional campuses or at approved off campus non profit, state, municipal or federal agencies. Off campus Community Service positions are also available.

Student Labor Program

The Student Labor Program is a work program open to all University of Connecticut students and is designed to supplement regular staff with students seeking part-time employment.

The Student Employment Office advertises available positions through a job referral system. Students identify their job choices and are given a list of supervisors seeking candidates for those jobs. Students then arrange interviews with prospective employers to discuss the details of the job. For more information regarding on-campus work opportunities along with off-campus state, municipal and non-profit organizations, contact the Student Employment Staff, Wilbur Cross Building, 233 Glenbrook Road, U-141, Room 203, Storrs, CT 06269-4141, (860) 486-3474. For a complete listing of on campus jobs, you can access our web site at: www.ucc.uconn.edu/~wwwjobs

Veterans Administration Educational Assistance and Tuition Waiver Program

The Veterans Center provides information concerning benefits under the various educational assistance programs provided by the Veterans Administration. Students who attend the University and receive educational assistance under the following chapters must contact the Veterans Center prior to the beginning of each semester: Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation Training Act for disabled veterans); Chapter 32 (Veterans Educational Assistance Program); Chapter 34 (Post Korean G.I. Education Bill); Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance Act: children, wives, and widows of totally disabled and deceased veterans - service connected deaths); Chapter 106 (Montgomery G.I. Bill - Selected Reserve); Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty). Veterans must notify the Veterans Center every semester of their registration for certification of enrollment. Any changes in veteran status (credit load, withdrawal, number of dependents, etc.) must be reported promptly to the Veterans Center.

Additionally, veterans may qualify for a tuition waiver under the State of Connecticut tuition waiver program. Veterans must provide a certified form DD214 (separation of service) and must be recognized as a minimum one year resident of Connecticut at the time of admission or readmission to the University. Please see the tuition waiver criteria in the "Fees and Expenses" section of the Catalog. Contact the Veterans Center for an application for the waiver.

The Veterans Center is located in the Wilbur Cross Building, Room 221, telephone (860) 486-2442.