FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Below are descriptions of the financial aid programs available at UWest for qualifying undergraduate students. For further information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

 

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides a foundation of assistance to which other forms of aid may be added. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant Program is determined by a standard need-analysis formula that is revised and approved every year by the federal government. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for 2018-2019 is $6,095 per academic year. A student can receive a Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent.

 

Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

The Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is offered to students who are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of their Expected Family Contribution as calculated from FAFSA data, but meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements. In order to qualify, students must have had a parent or guardian in the U.S. armed forces that died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. The student must have been under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent or guardian’s death.

 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are available to a limited number of students with exceptional financial need. Grants are based on funds available and do not have to be repaid. Need is determined by the financial resources of the student and parents and the cost of attendance.

 

Federal Work-Study Grant (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work related to the student’s course of study. Funds under this program are limited and do not have to be repaid.

 

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Under the Federal Direct Loan (FDL) program the University certifies eligibility for each loan, and sends the loan details to the U.S. Department of Education. Loan proceeds are disbursed to the University electronically and then posted to the student’s account. Interest rates and origination fees are set by the U.S. Department of Education. Students repay the loan to the servicer assigned by the U.S. Department of Education after the loan is disbursed.

 

Federal Subsidized Direct Loan

Federal Subsidized loans area available to undergraduate students with financial need. Students may borrow up to $3,500 for their first academic year, $4,500 for the second academic year, and $5,500 for the third and fourth academic years at a fixed interest rate which is established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found by clicking here. The interest is paid by the federal government while students are in school. Interest begins accruing at the time students cease enrollment or fail to carry at least one-half the normal full-time University workload. Students who first borrowed federal student loans on or after July 1, 2015 may not receive this type of loan for more than 150 percent of the length of their program of study; U.S. Department of Education may stop paying interest if student who received Direct Subsidized Loans for maximum period continues enrollment.

 

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan

Unsubsidized direct loans are available for students to borrow for education costs. Independent undergraduate students can borrow up to $9,500 for their first academic year, $10,500 for the second academic year, and $12,500 for their third and fourth academic years. Dependent undergraduate students can borrow up to $5,500 for their first academic year, $6,500 for their second academic year and $7,500 for their third and fourth academic years, as a combined total with the Federal Subsidized Direct loan each year.

With the exception of demonstrating financial need, Unsubsidized Loan borrowers must meet all eligibility criteria of the Federal Subsidized Loan program. Interest payments begin immediately after the loan is fully disbursed or may be added to the principal balance. Regular payments begin six (6) months after students cease enrollment or fail to carry at least one-half the normal full-time school workload. Interest rates are fixed and established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found by clicking here.

 

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students provide additional funds for parents to help pay for students’ educational expenses. Parents must pass a credit check, or have a credit-worthy endorser. Interest rates are fixed and established annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Current interest rates can be found by clicking here. Repayment begins immediately after the loan is fully disbursed.

Policy

Your FAFSA may be selected by the Department of Education for a review process known as Federal Verification. University of the West (UWest) may also select a student for Federal Verification. The Federal Verification process requires the UWest to verify items such as your family’s household and financial information.

Students who are selected for verification by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) based on the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) information will also be subjected to the same verification process outlined below.

 

Procedure

Students selected for federal verification will be notified with instructions for completing the verification process via email by the Financial Aid Office during the financial aid application process. Financial aid awards will not be finalized and federal funds will not be disbursed until after the verification process is completed. Requested documentation should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible to avoid delays in the processing of your financial aid application.

Students selected for Verification Group 1 are required to submit a completed and signed verification worksheet along with verification of parent and student income. (See instructions for IRS Data Retrieval and requesting tax transcripts and non-filing letter below.)
Students selected for Verification Groups 4 and 5 are required to provide other documentation including verification of high school completion status, identity and statement of educational purpose. The email from the Financial Aid Office will include instructions detailing how to complete this process.

Requested documents may be submitted to UWest Financial Aid Office in-person, by mail, email, or fax.

Once all of the required documentation has been received, the Financial Aid Office will complete the verification of a student’s file and send an ‘Offer’ or an ‘Award’ letter by mail, typically within two weeks of the date the completed documentation was received. The process may take longer depending on the accuracy of the information provided, the student’s expected entry term and seasonal variation in volume. If there are any differences found between information reported on the FAFSA and the information provided on the verification documents, the Financial Aid Office will contact the student to make corrections on their FAFSA. The financial aid award will be based on the corrected information. Note that if conflicting information is identified at any time during the aid year, a student’s financial aid file will be reviewed and additional verification may be required.

Failure to submit requested verification materials within 45 days of the requested date may result in the loss of institutional scholarships, campus-based aid and federal loans for the semester. Pell grant eligibility will be forfeited if requested verification documents are not received by September 30th of the year trailing the aid year, or within 120 days of the last day of the enrollment, whichever comes first. California state grants will be forfeited if verification is not complete prior to the end of the semester of eligibility, or the last day of enrollment, whichever comes first.

 

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) process:

If you and/or your parent(s) have filed a US tax return with the IRS, the DRT allows you to access the tax return information needed to complete the FAFSA and transfer the data directly into your FAFSA. Log in to your FAFSA online in order to access the DRT.

  • Once logged in, choose “make corrections”
  • Click on “Financial Information”
  • On the question “Did you file a tax return,” select “ already completed”
  • View “option to link to the IRS”
  • Click “transfer now”
  • Resubmit FAFSA when complete

Students and parents who are unable to use the IRS DRT must provide either an IRS tax return transcript or a non-filing letter issued by the IRS.

 

Request an official tax transcript online:
  • Go to irs.gov
  • Under “Get Your Tax Record”, select “Get Tax Transcript Online” or “Get Tax Transcript by Mail”
  • Follow the instructions and request “Tax Return Transcript”
  • For “Tax Year,” select the year appropriate for the academic year.

 

Request Non-Filing Letter online:
  • Go to irs.gov
  • Under “Get Your Tax Record”, select “Get Tax Transcript Online” or “Get Tax Transcript by Mail”
  • Follow the instructions and request “Verification of Non-Filing Letter”

 

Request by Mail:
  • Print IRS Form 4506-T
  • Check the appropriate box on either Line 6a for Tax Return Transcript or Line 7 for Verification of Nonfiling
  • Include appropriate ending date of the year or period requested
  • Sign and date the form
  • Mail or fax the completed IRS Form 4506-T to the address (or FAX number) provided on page 2 of Form 4506-T.

 

Note: When requesting Tax Return Transcript or Verification of Non-Filing Letter from using Form 4506-T, please do not request that it be mailed to a third party (UWest Financial Aid Office). Have the letter sent to you and submit it to the Financial Aid Office upon receipt with your signature and UWest ID number listed on form.