2009-10 Financial Aid Guide

The Financial Aid Guide contains detailed information about your financial aid eligibility and your rights and responsibilities. It is your responsibility to review the information provided.

NOTE: As a KU student, you are required to register an email account or utilize a university-provided email account throughout your attendance. In most cases, the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) will send information regarding your financial aid to your registered KU email address. It is your responsibility to regularly check your registered email account for these notifications. You may establish your registered KU email account at www.ku.edu/computing/services.

In some cases, however, the OSFA must correspond with you in writing. It is your responsibility to keep your mailing addresses up to date. Addresses may be updated through the Enroll & Pay system at https://sa.ku.edu > Student Center.

Jayhawk, Permanent: Where you will receive mail while not in school.
Jayhawk, Resident: Where you will receive mail while in school.

I have questions about...

Applying for Aid

Who should apply for financial aid?
The OSFA encourages all students to apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For Fall 2009, Spring 2010, and Summer 2010, complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. The priority date to be considered for limited funds is March 1, 2009. For a more detailed explanation of how to apply for financial aid, please review the 2009-2010 Application Process Checklist for Undergraduate Students or the 2009-2010 Application Process Checklist for Graduate Students.

Do I need to be admitted to KU before I receive financial aid?
Yes. The OSFA will not award financial aid to students who are not admitted to KU.

Undergraduate Students: Apply online at www.admissions.ku.edu/apply or send a completed paper application with the $30 application fee to the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. For more information, review the 2009-2010 Application Process Checklist for Undergraduate Students.
Graduate/Professional/Law Students: All applicants other than those applying to the School of Law or the School of Social Welfare apply online through the Graduate Application Processing Center (GAPC) at www.graduate.ku.edu/apply/index. School of Law applicants apply online at http://www.law.ku.edu/prospective/admissions/howtoapply/. School of Social Welfare applicants apply online at www.socwel.ku.edu/admissions/MSW/applyonline.shtml. Pay all applicable fees. For more information, review the 2009-2010 Application Process Checklist for Graduate/Professional/Law Students.

Can I get an estimate of my financial aid before applying?
Yes. If you want to begin exploring your financial aid options and get an early start on the financial aid process, fafsa4caster is for you! By using fafsa4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid. When you are ready to apply for aid, you can easily transfer your information from fafsa4caster to FAFSA. You can access fafsa4caster online at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.

How do I apply for federal financial aid?
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education recommends that you file online at www.fafsa.gov, but paper applications are also available. If applying online, you will need to request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. KU's priority date for filing the 2009-2010 FAFSA is March 1st, 2009.

What is a PIN?
The U.S. Department of Education can assign students and parents a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that may be used to:

Electronically sign the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov)
View loan history (www.nslds.ed.gov)
Electronically sign promissory notes for Federal Direct Loans (www.dlenote.ed.gov)

How do I apply for a PIN?
You may apply for a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov. PINs are created instantaneously and you will have the option to display the PIN online or have it sent via email. You will also have the option to receive a system-generated PIN or create your own personalized PIN. Your PIN is confidential and should not be shared with anyone. Parents of dependent students should also request their own PIN.

What information will I need in order to fill out the FAFSA?

Social Security Number. Double-check for accuracy.
Driver's License Number, if you have one
2008 W-2 Form(s) and other records of money earned
2008 Federal income tax return (you and your spouse, if married)
Your parents' 2008 Federal income tax return (if you are a dependent student)
Your 2008 untaxed income records
Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, and other investments
Business and/or farm records, if applicable
Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Dependent students will need parental information and independent students who are married will need spousal information, including:

Social Security number(s)
Income and financial records (as listed above)

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes. Each year, complete and submit the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. Note that your eligibility for financial aid may change significantly from year to year.

When should I fill out my FAFSA for 2010 - 2011?
You may apply any time after January 1st, 2010, preferably after you receive your W-2 form(s) and/or complete your Federal income tax return for 2009. KU's priority date for filing the 2010-2011 FAFSA is March 1st, 2010. If you want to begin exploring your financial aid options and get an early start on the financial aid process, visit www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov. By using fafsa4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid.

Why does KU have a March 1st priority date?
KU receives a limited amount of certain types of grant, work-study, and loan funding to award students each academic year. Establishing a priority date allows the OSFA to consider the neediest students for the most funding from these limited programs. Everyone who applies by the priority date and meets eligibility criteria is considered for these funds.

How does KU receive my FAFSA information?
The federal processor sends your information to the schools you specify on the FAFSA. KU's federal school code is 001948.

How do I make corrections to my Student Aid Report (SAR)?
You may make corrections online at www.fafsa.gov using your PIN as your electronic signature. For questions about the correction process, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

How do I know if my financial aid application is complete?
Your financial aid application is complete once all of the necessary information has been received and processed by the OSFA. If additional information is required, you will be sent an email notification from the OSFA. You may also check the items on your "To Do List" at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > To Do List. You should submit requested documentation in a timely manner to the OSFA. Failure to respond in a timely manner could change your eligibility for some limited funded programs. Aid will not be awarded until all required additional information is received and processed.

Verification

My application has been selected for verification, what do I do now?

Please review the OSFA Verification Information Sheet for complete instructions on how to proceed.

Summer

How do I apply for financial aid for Summer 2010?
Complete the Summer Financial Aid Request form, available in the OSFA or on our website. Summer applications are typically available in mid-February. You must have a FAFSA on file for 2009-2010 in order to be awarded summer financial aid.

How is Cost of Attendance (COA) determined for the summer term?
Summer cost of attendance, also known as a budget, is a standardized estimate of what it will cost you to attend KU for the summer. Summer budgets are based on an enrollment of 6 credit hours for undergraduate students and 4 credit hours for graduate/professional students (except for pharmacy and law students, whose budgets are based on what is reported on the Summer Financial Aid Request form). If you are an undergraduate who is enrolled in more than 6 credit hours for the summer term or a graduate/professional student (excluding pharmacy and law) who is enrolled in more than 4 hours for the summer term, you may request an increase in your budget based on the number of hours in which you are enrolled. However, this adjustment will not be processed until approximately ten days after the first day of summer classes. Please note that an increase in COA does not guarantee eligibility for additional financial aid.

Transferring

I am transferring to/from KU. What do I need to do in order to get financial aid at my new institution?
Please review our information on Transferring from One School to Another.

Independent Student Status

How do I know if I am an independent or a dependent student?
To be considered "independent" for financial aid purposes you must be able to answer "yes" to at least one of the following questions found in Step 3 on the paper FAFSA or Section 2 of the online FAFSA (questions 48-60):

Were you born before January 1, 1986?
As of today, are you married?
At the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, Ph.D., Ed.D, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010?
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you now and through June 30, 2010?
When you were age 13 or older were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent/ward of the court?
As of today, are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
As of today, are you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If you (the student) cannot answer, "yes" to one of these questions then you are considered "dependent" and must provide parental information. However, if you are unable to provide your parents' information or your parents are unwilling to provide their information and unwilling to support you financially, contact the OSFA to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor to discuss your situation.

Back to Top

Eligibility for Aid

How is my eligibility for financial aid determined?
Your eligibility is determined by subtracting your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from your estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). To be eligible for federal or state financial aid, you must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, be in a degree-seeking program, and must not be in default or owe a refund on a federal grant or educational loan.

What is my Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and how is it calculated?
Your EFC is the combined expected contributions from you and your parents, if dependent, or spouse, if married. It is determined by information provided on the FAFSA using a need analysis formula developed by the federal government. The analysis takes into consideration a variety of factors including income from work, adjusted gross income, family size, and number of family members in college.

How is my Cost of Attendance (COA) calculated?
Your COA (or Budget) is determined by the KU OSFA and is a standardized estimate of what it will cost you to attend KU for the academic year. The COA is comprised of the following components:

Tuition
Required Campus Fees
Room and Board
Books and Supplies
Transportation
Personal Expenses

All 4-year public universities in Kansas, along with the Kansas Board of Regents, re-evaluate tuition rates annually. Information regarding KU tuition and fees, including information about the Four-year Tuition Compact, may be reviewed at www.tuition.ku.edu.

Generally, financial aid awards cannot exceed the estimated COA. If standard tuition rates do not increase as projected, the COA and financial aid awards will be adjusted accordingly. Students may access the revised information at https://sa.ku.edu > Student Center > Financial Aid Status Summary when tuition rates are finalized and awards are adjusted.

Course fees vary by school and individual course and therefore are not included in the estimated COA figures (except Pharmacy and Law). If you are assessed course fees based on your enrollment, you may submit a request in writing for consideration of a COA adjustment. If approved, we will adjust the COA and recalculate aid eligibility based on your written request. However, this does not necessarily mean you will be eligible for additional financial aid.

If you have other additional educational expenses, please review the Special Circumstance Re-evaluation publication.

Enrollment/Academic Performance

Does my academic performance have an effect on my financial aid?
Yes. Please review the OSFA policy on Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.

What happens if I drop classes or withdraw from KU?
Please review the publication on Withdrawing and/or Dropping Classes.

For information about how to withdraw from the university visit www.withdraw.ku.edu. For information about the Refund/Adjustment policy, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 785-864-4422 or visit www.registrar.ku.edu.

Do I need to notify the OSFA if I will be enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours (undergraduate students)?
Yes. You may not qualify for all of your financial aid awards if you are not enrolled in at least 12 hours. Therefore, your aid may need to be adjusted accordingly before it can be disbursed. You should indicate your expected hours of enrollment at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > Accept/Decline Awards > Award Package page 2. For information on the minimum number of hours required for a particular program, please see the Enrollment Requirements for Financial Aid Programs page or view the 2009-2010 Financial Aid Programs at a Glance information sheet.

I am not enrolled in 12 hours today, but plan to add hours at a later date. Do I need to notify the OSFA?
No. However, aid that requires a minimum enrollment of 12 hours will not appear as anticipated aid, nor will it be applied to your university account until you add hours.

Do I need to notify the OSFA if I will be enrolled in fewer than 9 credit hours (graduate students)?
Yes. You may not qualify for your entire financial aid package if you are not enrolled in at least 9 hours. Therefore, your aid may need to be adjusted accordingly before it can be disbursed. You should indicate your expected hours of enrollment at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > Accept/Decline Awards > Award Package page 2. For information on the minimum number of hours required for a particular program, please see the Enrollment Requirements for Financial Aid Programs page or view the Enrollment Requirements for Financial Aid Programs page or view the 2009-2010 Financial Aid Programs at a Glance information sheet.

I am not enrolled in 9 hours, but plan to add hours at a later date. Do I need to notify the OSFA?
No. However, aid that requires a minimum enrollment of 9 hours will not appear as anticipated aid, nor will it be applied to your university account until you add hours.

Award Notifications and Acceptance of Financial Aid

What does my Financial Aid Status Summary tell me?
Your Financial Aid Status Summary advises you of your eligibility for financial aid. For descriptions of financial aid programs , please review the 2009-2010 Financial Aid Programs at a Glance

How will I know when I have been awarded?
You will receive an email notification when your eligibility for financial aid has been determined and your awards are available for you to review. You will need to accept or decline your financial aid awards at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > Accept/Decline Awards. You will have 30 days from the email date to accept financial aid before it is canceled.

Do I have to accept all of the awards offered on my Accept/Decline Awards page?
No. You have the option to accept or decline each award on the Accept/Decline Awards page. If you wish to accept only part of a loan, simply reduce the loan amount. Check the accept box and then indicate a specific dollar amount in the field provided. In some cases you may change your eligibility for Federal Work-Study to loan eligibility, and vice versa. Contact the OSFA for details. The KU OSFA will process all Federal loans (Stafford Subsidized/Unsubsidized, PLUS, and Graduate PLUS) through the Direct Loan Servicing Center (DLSC) administered by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about Direct Loans, visit www.dl.ed.gov. To select a different lender, please contact the OSFA.

Cancellations/Adjustments of Aid

Can my financial aid be adjusted/canceled after I have completed the acceptance process?
Yes. The OSFA has the responsibility to adjust and/or cancel your awards in a number of different circumstances. Your award may be adjusted if:

You receive any other assistance not listed on your Financial Aid Status Summary. Other assistance includes scholarships, fellowships, loans or benefits from the university, veteran's benefits, vocational rehabilitation, social security, ROTC scholarships, fee remissions/reductions and local, state, or national scholarships;
Your enrollment changes or your status changes from undergraduate to graduate or vice versa;
Your residency status changes;
Your degree status changes;
Your tuition and fees are adjusted and/or paid by another source (this includes students receiving tuition/fee reductions due to their employment at KU);
You do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards;
You withdraw;
You fail all of your classes;
You estimate income on the FAFSA (you should correct the data as soon as your tax information is available);
Your EFC changes because of other corrections to your FAFSA data or
Allocations of funds from the university, state or federal government should change.

If you anticipate any of these circumstances, contact the OSFA immediately. Failure to report additional assistance in a timely manner may result in you being required to repay financial aid. You may report additional assistance at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > Accept/Decline Awards > Award Package Page 2.

What happens to my financial aid if I fail to pay my enrollment deposit?
If you do not pay your enrollment deposit by the due date, your financial aid will be cancelled. For details about the enrollment deposit including payment instructions, go to www.admissions.ku.edu/deposit.

Financial Aid Programs

What aid programs are available at the University of Kansas?
The University of Kansas OSFA administers many federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. You can review the Financial Aid Programs at a Glance or obtain more detailed information about grant, work-study, and loan programs at www.financialaid.ku.edu/programs.

Need Based versus Non-Need Based Awards

Need Based versus Non-Need Based Awards
Type of Award	Need or Non-Need Based
Scholarships	Can be both Need Based and Non-Need Based
Grants	Generally Need Based
Federal Work-Study	Need Based
Kansas Career Work-Study	Non-Need Based
Federal Perkins Student Loan	Need Based
Federal Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL)	Need Based
Federal Loan for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)	Need Based
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan	Need Based
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan	Non-Need Based
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)	Non-Need Based
Graduate PLUS Loan	Non-Need Based
KU Endowment Association (KUEA) Loan	Non-Need Based
Private/Alternative Loans	Non-Need Based

Loans

What if I decide to borrow?
Choosing to borrow a student loan has significant consequences for you, both now and in the future. A student loan must be repaid after you leave school even if you do not complete your academic program. The OSFA encourages you to borrow only what is necessary based on careful evaluation of your expenses and funding options.

I plan to borrow a Stafford loan. Who will be my lender?
The University of Kansas utilizes the Direct Loan Servicing Center (DLSC) to process Federal Stafford Loans for undergraduate and graduate/professional/law students. For questions regarding interest accrual and repayment, please contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at (800) 848-0979. If you want to select a different lender, please contact the OSFA.

When will I have to begin repayment on my Federal Stafford Loans?
Repayment on Federal Stafford Loans begins 6 months after you graduate or drop below 6 credit hours (during the academic year). These loans are automatically deferred while you are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during the academic year.

How much can I borrow through student loan programs?
See the chart below for federal maximums. Your individual maximum per academic year is established by the OSFA based on information from your FAFSA, the number of hours you have completed and your estimated COA. Your individual maximum may be lower, but cannot be higher than the maximums listed.

What fees are associated with borrowing a Federal Direct Stafford loan?
For all Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, there is a 1.5% loan origination fee. There is also an up-front 1% rebate, which means 0.5% of the total amount of the loan is automatically deducted upon disbursement by the U.S. Department of Education. To retain the up-front rebate, borrowers who are in loan repayment must make the initial 12 consecutive monthly payments on time. For more information about retaining the loan rebate, contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at (800) 848-0979.

Annual and Aggregate Limits for Federal Student Loan Programs

Annual Limits for Federal Stafford Loans
Fixed interest rates are as follows: Undergraduates: 5.6% for subsidized*, 6.8% for unsubsidized
(Graduates: 6.8% for subsidized and/or unsubsidized)
Dependent Undergraduates	Subsidized*	Subsidized* + Unsubsidized
0-29 Hours Completed	$3,500	$5,500
30-59 Hours Completed	$4,500	$6,500
60 + Hours Completed	$5,500	$7,500

Independent Students	Subsidized*	Subsidized* + Unsubsidized
0-29 Hours Completed	$3,500	$9,500
30-59 Hours Completed	$4,500	$10,500
60 + Hours Completed	$5,500	$12,500
Graduate & Professional Students	$8,500	$20,500

*For loans first disbursed 7/1/2008 - 6/30/2009, interest rates are fixed at 6.0%. For loans first disbursed 7/1/2009 - 6/30/2010, interest rates are fixed at 5.6%. This 5.6% interest rate for the 2009-2010 academic year is available only to undergraduate students, not graduate students, and only for Subsidized Stafford loans, not Unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Annual Limits for Perkins Loans (fixed 5% interest rate)
Undergraduates	$4,000
Graduates	$6,000

Annual Limits for Other Federal Loans
Loan Program	Restrictions	Loan Limit
HPSL/LDS (fixed 5% interest rate)	Pharmacy Students Only	COA minus other aid
Federal Direct PLUS (fixed 7.9% interest rate)	Parent borrowers only	COA minus other aid
Federal Direct Grad PLUS (fixed 7.9% interest rate)	Graduate students who have received the federal limit in sub/unsub loans	COA minus other aid

Aggregate Limits for Federal Stafford Loans
Student Type	Subsidized	Subsidized + Unsubsidized
Dependent Undergraduates	$23,000	$31,000
Independent Undergraduates	$23,000	$57,500
Graduate & Professional Students	$65,500	$138,500

Perkins Loan Aggregate Limits
Undergraduates (3rd year and beyond)	$27,500
Graduates	$60,000

Aggregate Limits for Other Federal Loan Programs
Loan Program	Restrictions	Loan Limit
HPSL/LDS	Pharmacy Students Only	none
PLUS	Parent Borrowers Only	none
Grad Plus	Graduate student borrowers	none

Can my parents apply for a loan on my behalf?
Yes. Parents of dependent students may be eligible to apply for a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Please review the Parent Loan Checklist for details on how to apply. The PLUS Request process includes a credit check.

What fees are associated with borrowing a Federal Direct PLUS loan?
For all Federal Direct PLUS loans, there is a 4.0% loan origination fee. There is also an up-front 1.5% rebate, which means 2.5% of the total amount of the loan is automatically deducted upon disbursement by the U.S. Department of Education. To retain the up-front rebate, borrowers who are in loan repayment must make the initial 12 consecutive monthly payments on time. For more information about retaining the loan rebate, contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at (800) 848-0979.

I am a graduate student and plan to borrow a Graduate Plus loan. Who will be my lender?
The University of Kansas utilizes the Direct Loan Servicing Center (DLSC) to process Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans. For questions regarding interest accrual and repayment, please contact the DLSC at (800) 848-0979. If you want to select a different lender, please contact the OSFA.

When will I have to begin repayment on my Federal Graduate PLUS Loans?
Graduate PLUS loans are automatically deferred while you are enrolled (in at least 6 credit hours during the academic year) and repayment begins 60 days after you graduate or drop below 6 credit hours (during the academic year).

What fees are associated with borrowing a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan?
For all Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans, there is a 4.0% loan origination fee. There is also an up-front 1.5% rebate, which means 2.5% of the total amount of the loan is automatically deducted upon disbursement by the U.S. Department of Education. To retain the up-front rebate, borrowers who are in loan repayment must make the initial 12 consecutive monthly payments on time. For more information about retaining the loan rebate, contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at (800) 848-0979.

What is a Master Promissory Note?
A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal binding document that must be signed by the student or parent borrower before loan funds are disbursed. The promissory note states the terms and conditions of the loan, including interest rate, fees, repayment schedule, deferment, and cancellation policies. The OSFA recommends students and parents sign applicable MPNs electronically. Completing a paper MPN will greatly increase the processing time to receive loan funds. A parent borrowing for more than one student must complete a PLUS MPN for each student. A MPN may be valid for up to 10 years.

How often am I required to sign a MPN?
MPNs are lender specific. Therefore, a new MPN is required if you change lenders or are borrowing a Federal Stafford subsidized/unsubsidized or PLUS Loan for the first time. A MPN must be completed before funds will be available.

What if I move or leave school?
It is your responsibility to keep your lender(s) informed about your status as a student and your current address. If you are unable to make your loan payments for any reason after leaving school, you should contact your lender(s) immediately. By doing so, you may be able to avoid defaulting on your loan.

What if my parents or I have a dispute about my loans?
If there is a dispute regarding your Federal Student Loans at KU and the dispute is not resolved, you are entitled to contact the FSA Student Loan Ombudsman's Office via the following:

Email: fsaombudsmanoffice@ed.gov
Web site: http://www.ombudsman.ed.gov
Telephone: 1-877-557-2575 (toll free) or 1-202-377-3800
Fax: 1-202-275-0549
Mail: U.S. Department of Education, FSA Ombudsman, 830 First Street, NE, Washington, D. C. 20202-5144

Are there any private/alternative loans available to students?
Yes, please review our Private/Alternative Loans publication.

Scholarships

Where can I find information about applying for scholarships?
For information about KU and outside/private scholarships please visit www.scholarships.ku.edu or view our Searching for Scholarships publication.

Why do I have to report my outside/private scholarships to the OSFA?
Outside/private scholarships are considered educational resources and therefore must be included in your financial aid award package. It is your responsibility to report all scholarship/fellowship/sponsorship assistance to the OSFA. We encourage you to report any additional assistance as soon as possible to avoid being required to repay financial assistance at a later date.

How do I report outside/private scholarships?
You should report scholarship information at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > Accept/Decline Awards > Award Package Page 2. You may also provide scholarship information in writing by completing the Scholarship Reporting Form and returning it to the OSFA.

Where should the donor send my check?
If you are receiving a scholarship from a donor outside KU, please instruct the donor to send the scholarship check directly to:

The University of Kansas
Office of Student Financial Aid
Strong Hall
1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 50
Lawrence, KS 66045-7535

What happens after the OSFA receives my scholarship check?
The scholarship check will be reviewed and if the check does not require your signature, the check will be forwarded to the Bursar's Office to be deposited into your student account. If your signature is required on the check, you will be sent an email notification.

What do I do if the donor sends the check directly to me?
If the donor sends the check directly to you, please endorse the check (if applicable) and attach it to a Scholarship Reporting Form. Submit the check and the completed form to the OSFA for processing.

The OSFA has not received my scholarship check, what should I do?
It is your responsibility to ensure the funds are sent to KU. You should contact your donor if your check has not been received by KU.

Will the outside/private scholarship be applied to my eBill?
Outside/Private scholarships that have been received and processed by the OSFA will be applied to your eBill. These scholarships will be listed on the eBill as "Outside Schol/SFA Payment," and the amount will be subtracted from the amount owed. Sometimes donors do not send the funds to the OSFA until after the fee payment due date. If the check will not be processed by the due date, you will need to select another payment option to avoid late payment fees. If your KU account is paid in full when the scholarship check is processed, you will receive a refund through the KU Bursar's Office.

How do I report scholarships I have received from a KU department?
The OSFA is notified directly of scholarship awards from units at KU. There is no need to report these scholarships.

eBills

Where can I view my billing information?
Bills are generated once a month by the Bursar's Office or you can view your most recent charges to your account in Enroll & Pay at https://sa.ku.edu (Student Center > Payment/Inquiry/Recharge KU Card > Charges Due). Additional information is available at www.bursar.ku.edu.

Why is my financial aid not appearing on my eBill?
Check your To Do List at https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > To Do List. Complete all necessary steps to ensure that aid will be available.

Who do I contact with questions about my eBill?

In Person:

The University of Kansas
Bursar's Office
Carruth-O'Leary
1246 West Campus Rd., Room 20
Lawrence, KS 66045

OR

The University of Kansas
Bursar's Office
Strong Hall
1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 23
Lawrence, KS 66045

Bursar's Office Phone: 785-864-3322
Email: bursar@ku.edu
Web site: www.bursar.ku.edu

Back to Top

Disbursement of Aid

How will financial aid pay my university charges?
In most cases, financial aid and scholarships will automatically apply toward current tuition, fees, and housing charges. If your financial aid does not cover the total of these charges, you must pay the remaining balance by the appropriate due date to avoid late payment fees.

What if I have optional fee charges on my bill?
Financial aid will apply toward current tuition, fees and housing charges first. As a service and convenience to you, KU will apply any excess federal financial aid to other charges (such as bus passes, sports passes, library fees, etc). You may accept this service by checking Apply Aid to All Charges on https://sa.ku.edu > Enroll & Pay > Student Center > Accept/Decline Awards > Award Package page 2.

NOTE:

If you accept this service after your financial aid has already been disbursed, the change will take effect the following semester.
If you decline this service, you will still be responsible for any outstanding charges and will continue to be billed for these charges. The university may place holds on your enrollment and/or academic transcripts until charges are paid in full.
Non-federal aid will automatically apply toward current term tuition, fees, and housing charges first, then to all other charges.
Financial aid for the 2009-2010 academic year WILL NOT automatically apply to charges incurred during a prior academic year (i.e. Spring 2009, Summer 2009). You are responsible for paying any outstanding charges to which your financial aid does not automatically apply.

How will I receive my outside/private scholarship check?
You will receive your scholarship check through the established refund process or by picking up a check from the OSFA. Review the Scholarships section of this guide for more information about how a scholarship is received and processed by KU.

My financial aid/scholarship awards exceed my university charges. How can I receive these excess funds?
Prior to the beginning of each semester, the OSFA conducts Financial Aid and Scholarship Distribution (FASD) activities.

If you would like to authorize KU to deposit your excess financial aid into your bank account, you must complete and submit the Direct Deposit Authorization Form to the Bursar's office, which allows financial aid, scholarships, and/or other credit balances to be electronically deposited into your bank account. This is an easy and convenient way to receive a credit balance refund. You may complete the form online in Enroll & Pay at http://sa.ku.edu (Student Center > Finances > Set Up Direct Deposit). If your parent would like any excess PLUS refund direct deposited, he/she must complete and submit the Parent PLUS Direct Deposit Authorization Form to the Bursar's Office. If you have questions about Direct Deposit, please contact the Bursar's Office at 785-864-3322.
If you do not select direct deposit, all financial aid refunds in the form of paper checks will be mailed to the student's billing address (except for PLUS loan refunds, which are mailed to the parent). Verify your address in Enroll & Pay.

How will I receive my Federal Work-Study (FWS)?
Federal Work-Study (FWS) awards are earned through on-campus employment and are paid in the form of a bi-weekly paycheck. Notify your employer if you have received and accepted an FWS award. You are responsible for finding your own job and meeting hiring eligibility criteria. For additional information about on-campus jobs, search online at https://jobs.ku.edu. Click Search Postings and then select Student Work Study under Job Category.

Some jobs are defined as Community Service positions. These jobs allow you to work in an office/department that serves the residents of Lawrence. If you would like to know more about Community Service positions, contact the OSFA.

If you have not been awarded FWS but are interested in this program, please access the OSFA Website at www.financialaid.ku.edu in August or January regarding the possibility of an Open Request Period. FWS funds may be awarded based on fund availability and individual eligibility at that time. Please review the Work-Study Programs publication for additional information.

Note: FWS earnings will be monitored throughout the year and awards will be canceled if you are not working.

Security and Privacy

The KU Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) protects the confidentiality and privacy of student financial aid records, following guidance and regulations found in the Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended), often referred to as the Buckley Amendment, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 2003 (GLB).

KU Student Records Policies and forms are available online:

The University of Kansas Policy Library
Authorization to Release Information Form
KU Student Records & Privacy Policy
Request to Place/Remove Restrictions of Public Information
Information Technology Security Policy, including Financial (GLB) privacy policy

Authorization to Release Information - FERPA

What is FERPA?
A student's financial aid information is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The OSFA staff will release specific data only when the student is present and provides proper picture identification or over the phone when the student can correctly respond to certain personal identification questions. FERPA restricts OSFA staff members in the information that may be released to outside third parties.

What if I want to authorize someone to contact the OSFA on my behalf to discuss my financial aid information?
You may complete an Authorization to Release Student Information Form if you would like to authorize another person to discuss your financial aid information with our office. However, you should never share your U.S. Department of Education PIN or KU Online ID with anyone else. If anyone other than the student utilizes the student's PIN and/or KU Online ID with or without the student's knowledge, that person may be committing fraud.

International Students

What types of financial aid are available to international students attending KU?

Federal Financial Aid

You must meet one of the following classifications to receive federal student aid:

U.S. citizen
U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain's Island)
U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card)

If you are not in one of these categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing one of the following designations in order to be eligible:

"Refugee"
"Asylum Granted"
"Parolee" (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired)
"Cuban-Haitian Entrant"

If you have a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464) only, you are ineligible for federal student aid.

If you are in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa only, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa only, you are not eligible for federal student aid. Also, persons with G series visas (pertaining to international organizations) are not eligible.

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOGs, and/or Federal Work-Study only. These applicants should contact the OSFA for more information.

Institutional Financial Aid

International students may apply for funding through the following programs at KU:

Tax Compliance for International Students

Students whose permanent residence is outside the U.S. may be subject to both Federal and State income taxes. To determine this, the University of Kansas utilizes a tax analysis system, known as Glacier, to monitor your taxes. You will be contacted if you need to enter your personal information in Glacier. For more information about tax compliance for international students, visit the Bursars Office website at www.bursar.ku.edu.

Scholarships & Grants for International Students

The Scholarships and Grants for International Students Checklist is designed to assist you in understanding the steps associated with receiving a scholarship/grant from the University of Kansas. Additional steps may be necessary for any fellowships, assistantships (GTA/GRA), sponsorships, or outside scholarships.

KU International Student Tuition Grant (KUISTG)

The KU International Student Tuition Grant (KUISTG) is a limited funded institutional grant. Students whose tuition is waived or paid by a third party are not eligible for the KUISTG. To qualify for the 2009-10 KUISTG, you must:

Submit a completed International Student Need Analysis Worksheet (ISNAW) to the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA). Due to limited funding, priority consideration is given to students who submit their applications by the March 1, 2009 priority date.
Be an F-1 or J-1 international student.
Be admitted to a degree program.
Have unmet need after all gift aid has been awarded (gift aid includes federal, state, and institutional grants, fellowships, scholarships, sponsorships, fee reductions, and other benefits).
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
Be enrolled in a minimum of 9 (graduate) or 12 (undergraduate) KU hours for a full award or a minimum of 6 KU hours for a partial award.
Have completed your first full academic year at KU by the beginning of Fall 2009.

Special Situations

My current financial situation was not accurately reflected on the FAFSA. Is there anything I can do to be reconsidered for additional aid?
In some cases, adjustments can be made. You may request a re-evaluation of your financial aid file by completing a Special Circumstance Re-evaluation Request Form. Forms are also available in the OSFA. The deadline for reconsideration of your 2009-2010 financial aid is April 1st, 2010.

How can I become a legal resident of Kansas?
Please review the residency information from the Office of the University Registrar at http://www.registrar.ku.edu/residency/.

Can I use my financial aid to study abroad?
In most cases financial aid can be utilized for studying abroad. Please review the Study Abroad Checklist for Federal Financial Aid.

I have already completed my first bachelor's degree and I'm taking classes for another bachelor's degree. Can I receive financial aid?
Yes. You may be eligible for financial aid. However, some aid programs are only available to students seeking their first bachelor's degree. Please review the 2009-2010 Financial Aid Programs at a Glance. Additionally, review our Satisfactory Academic Progress policy regarding limits on hours for second degrees.

Can I receive financial aid if I am not degree-seeking?
Typically, you must be a degree-seeking student to receive federal financial aid. Please review the Non-Degree Seeking Students publication for exceptions. Contact the OSFA if you feel you qualify for aid based on at least one of the circumstances listed in this publication.

Am I allowed to receive financial aid from more than one institution at the same time?

No. Please contact the OSFA to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor if you are interested in receiving aid from KU for classes that you plan to take at another institution.

Are there special guidelines regarding the treatment of federal aid for military personnel who are activated or reassigned?
The U.S. Department of Education has established guidelines regarding the treatment of military personnel who are activated or reassigned for a period of more than 30 days. For more information on these guidelines, see the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator's website.

Volunteer Service Loan Deferment

Volunteer Service loan deferments may be available for particular programs, such as the Peace Corps, Americorps, and various programs for teachers. Please contact the applicable program to determine if you are eligible for a loan deferment.

Financial Literacy

It is recommended that students carefully plan how much money they should borrow. A budget should be prepared each year to itemize expenses such as tuition/fees, books, room/board, transportation, and personal expenses. Consider all resources such as part-time jobs, family contributions, summer earnings, and all sources of financial aid including grants, work-study, and loans. The KU Financial Literacy Guide can serve as a resource to guide you through personal financial decisions before, during, and after college.

Continuing Education

May I use financial aid to pay for KU Independent Study coursework?

Generally, enrollment in KU Independent Study coursework (KU Continuing Education) does not qualify for financial aid. Students who are Pell-eligible, however, may be able to receive some Pell Grant funding based on KU Independent Study enrollment. Before enrolling, please contact the OSFA to determine your eligibility.

Contact Information

My question is not addressed here. How can I contact your office?

Please review our Contact Information.