This document provides information about graduate financial aid options at UNH, including loans, grants, and assistantships. It discusses how to apply for federal student loans through filing the FAFSA, loan limits, repayment terms, and additional loan options like the Graduate PLUS loan. It also describes the competitive Graduate Work Program which provides tuition reductions and stipends for graduate students. Contact information is provided for the Financial Aid Office.

1. Graduate Financial Aid at UNH
Presented by
Elizabeth Desi, Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid
Linda Kessler, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment

2. Most Common Questions…
“Can I afford to go to Grad School?”
“Will I qualify for financial aid?”

3. What is Financial Aid
• Money to assist students with paying their
expenses for school
• The primary financial aid source:
– Federal Loans
• Have to repay loans
• Repayment begins 6 months after you
graduate or cease half-time enrollment
(less than 5 credits)

4. How to Apply for Financial Aid
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid –
FAFSA
• Go to www.fafsa.gov
• “Priority deadline” for Fall 2012 enrollment is
March 1, 2012.
• Can apply after date – we determine your eligibility
as we receive your application

5. The Process
• FAFSA is reviewed by the Financial Aid
Office once you are fully admitted and
matriculated into a degree or approved
certificate program

6. The Process
• Our Office may request documentation
– You can review your Student Aid Report
(SAR) at www.fafsa.gov for information
• Citizenship issue
• Social Security Number mismatch
• Selective Service issue

7. The Process
• A financial aid award notification is sent
• You decide what part of the Award you want to
Accept/Decline
• Financial Aid Office processes the aid and
requests the disbursement
• Aid disburses to your Bursar’s bill - You MUST
BE ENROLLED AT LEAST HALF-TIME (5
credits per trimester)

8. Federal Direct Student Loans
• $20,500 maximum per academic year
• New federal regulation: Loan will be
Unsubsidized Direct Loan
– interest accrues from the time the loan disburses
– Interest billed quarterly
– Principal is deferred until after you graduate or cease
to enroll at least half time

9. Federal Direct Student Loans
• Fixed Interest rate - 6.8%
• Is NOT a credit based loan
• Is a FEDERALLY funded loan - Cannot be in
default or owe a refund on another student loan
• Does not go into repayment until 6 months after
you graduate (or cease half-time enrollment less
than 5 credits)

10. Loans vs. Basic Tuition Costs
For 2012/2013 … traditional 3 credit Graduate
course is $775/ per credit or $ 2,325 per course.*
Full-time Students Half-time Students
3 classes per trimester X 3 trimesters 2 classes per trimester X 3 trimesters
$20,500 Direct loan $20,500 Direct loan
- $20,925 Tuition Charge - $ 13,950 Tuition Charge
--------------------------- --------------------------
$ 425.00 approx balance $6,550 approx credit
* Cohort programs and EMBA per credit cost differs

11. What if I need more than the
$20,500 Federal Student Loan?
– You can borrow additional funds through the
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program.
May want to consider if you are enrolling full-
time
• Review Bursar’s bill – costs
• Determine if you need additional assistance for
living expenses

12. Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
• Graduate PLUS is a Federal student loan
program provided for graduate students
• Fixed interest rate of 7.90%
• Can be deferred while in school
• Credit -based loan – Credit history is checked for
Adverse credit
• May need a Endorser (co-signer)

13. Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
• Financial Aid Office determines Cost of
Attendance (COA) - Includes tuition, estimated
book costs & independent living allowance
based on this area
• Can have financial aid up to the COA
• COA minus Aid (including student loans) =
Amount of Federal Graduate PLUS Loan you
may borrow for the year

14. Graduate Student
Cost of Attendance 2011-2012
Full-time Student Half-time Student
Tuition $20,925 Tuition $13,950
Books (estimate) $900 Books (estimate) $600
Student Allowance $20,728 Student Allowance $20,728
Fees $135 Fees $135
---------- ----------
$42,688 $35,413

15. Graduate Work Program
Open to full-time graduate students
(9 or more credits per trimester):
• Can work up to 20 hours per week-15 hours per
week are required.
• Will receive a grant for 50% off of tuition and
weekly stipend for hours worked per week.
• Maximum earning potential is $1650 each
trimester based on working 200 hours

16. Graduate Work Program
Three types of positions:
• Teaching Assistantships
• Research Assistantships
• Administrative Awards
Same application process and same benefits!

17. Graduate Work Program is
Competitive!!
• Student completes a common application at
www.newhaven.edu/assistantships
• Can review types of positions open at same site.
• Applications posted for supervisors to review.
• Must be accepted into graduate program before
they can apply for GWP position.
• Recommend applying to graduate program early
because of competitive nature of positions.

18. Why Graduate Assistantships are
the most affordable alternative….
Based on full academic year ….
Graduate Work Program Grant $10,462.50
Gross total of loan funds $20,500
------------
Total Resources $30,962.50
Full time tuition $20,925
Estimate of available “excess funds” $10,037.50
PLUS Work Stipend (earnings) $4,950

19. Filing the FAFSA
• Graduate students are “independent” – only
need your financial information (not parents)
• Have 2011 federal tax return information handy
to complete 2012-13 FAFSA – Now have IRS
Data Retrieval Tool available
• UNH school code is 001397

20. Filing the FAFSA
• Take time to complete the FAFSA
carefully
• Fields left blank or incorrect data will result
in discrepancies that need resolution
and/or correction causing delays

21. Financial Aid Office
• Office location: Maxcy Hall Room
118B
• OFFICE HOURS: M-F 8:30-4:30
• Phone (203) 932-7315 or
(800) DIAL-UNH ext. 7315
• Fax (203) 931-6050
• Email address:
financialaid@newhaven.edu
• Website- www.newhaven.edu
– Select Financial Aid - Quick Links
Menu
– Select “Graduate”