Below is a breakdown of the financial aid offer, section by section, so you can get an idea of that your offer will look like. Compare it to yours to understand the different sections. Definitions and more information is available on the Understanding Your Aid Offer webpage.

Student Profile

This section outlines the information used to determine your eligibility. 

Gift Aid

The information listed in the gift aid section does not require repayment. This will be any scholarship, grant and/or additional resources The gift aid may include funding from federal, state or institutional sources. The amount below is for the Fall & Spring aid period, meaning the amount offered will be split in half between the two terms.This is an example; not all students are guaranteed to be offered similar aid.

Cost of Attendance

Your Cost of Attendance is an estimated budget based on a variety of expenses you may incur. This is typically divided into Direct Costs (i.e., expenses that are paid directly to the University) and Indirect Costs (expenses that are incurred by students by not billed through the university). Students who report that they will live on-campus or in an off-campus apartment are given a housing budget; off-campus students are not charged housing costs through the university, but you may need to budget for that expense if you plan on using financial aid to pay your rent.

Estimated Balance Due Minus Gift Aid vs. Estimated Net Cost Minus Gift Aid

This section presents two ways of estimating your costs. 

The Estimated Balance Due Minus Gift Aid considers your billable charges (tuition, housing, food) minus your gift aid. This is similar to how your printable Student Account Statement will show charges assessed through the university, minus your gift aid, will appear.

The Estimated Net Cost Minus Gift Aid takes into consideration your indirect costs in addition to the billable charges. If you are considering additional funds or loans to cover expenses such as books, supplies, or personal items, this figure gives you a better idea of what that amount is once your gift aid is considered.

These costs are calculated for the fall and spring combined. We encourage you to think in terms of the full year, even though the university bills one semester at a time.

Federal Work Study

Work-study is a need-based opportunity that offers students the option to secure a job on or off campus. The student is compensated directly for the hours worked. This is not grant funding that applies to billable charges at the university. Students apply for positions and if hired, earn funding in a biweekly paycheck to use for educational costs. The amount offered is for the fall and spring tmers combined.

Federal Work Study is a need-based program, so not all students qualify. It is not guaranteed to be offered to all students.

Financial Aid Options to Pay Your Estimated Balance Due

Federal educational loans are funding available to eligible students and requires repayment. Federal student loan amounts are determined based on total completed credits, financial need and remaining eligibility. 

• Federal Subsidized student loans are available to eligible undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need. The federal government pays the interest on the loan during your enrollment as long as certain requirements are met. This is a need-based loan, and not offered to all students depending on their financial need.
• Federal Unsubsidized student loans are available to eligible undergraduate, graduate and professional students, but in this case, the student does not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan. You are responsible for paying all interest on the loan.
• All loan funding is processed for the full year, and is split evenly between semesters.

If you obtain a private loan or a federal Parent PLUS loan, it will appear in this section once it is added to your account.