Q & A - Financial Aid Eligibility What does the estimated cost of attendance budget include?
ECU’s cost of attendance budget includes an estimate of the total cost to support yourself for one year while you are a student. These costs include direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include tuition, student fees, books and supplies. ECU adds indirect costs such as living expenses, using an estimated cost of living based on Greenville and the surrounding area. Students taking all Distance Education coursework should be aware that their cost of attendance may be different from the regular campus coursework cost of attendance. This difference may result in a change in your eligibility for financial aid.
What does full-time, 3/4-time, and half-time mean? Students are classified by the number of hours registered each semester. For undergraduate students, 12+ hours equals full-time, 9-11 equals three-quarter time, 6-8 equals half-time, and 1-5 equals less than half-time enrollment. With the exception of the Pell Grant Program (some students will be eligible for Pell Grant with enrollment of 1-5 credits), an undergraduate student must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid. Undergraduate students may not receive aid for graduate coursework.
For graduate students, 9+ equals full-time, 6-8 equals three-quarter time, 5 equals half-time, and 1-4 equals less than half-time enrollment. A graduate student must be enrolled at least half-time to receive financial aid. Graduate students may not receive financial aid for undergraduate coursework.
I have a bachelor's degree. Am I considered a graduate student? Not necessarily. Only a student admitted officially to a graduate program leading to a master's, doctorate, medical degree, or the equivalent is officially a graduate student.
I am not a full-time student this term. Am I still eligible for financial aid? You may be eligible for certain types of aid, providing that you do not drop below half-time. In addition, scholarships awarded based on full-time attendance may be reduced or completely withdrawn.
I am not admitted to a degree or certificate program. Can I get aid? No, you are not eligible for financial aid unless you are taking courses for entry into a degree or eligible certificate program?
Are non-citizens eligible for financial aid? A non-citizen who is in the United States as a permanent resident is eligible for federal student assistance. A non-citizen in the United States on a temporary visa is not eligible for federal aid, but may be eligible for assistance through the University's grants, scholarships, or employment postings.
I am admitted to a degree program at the University beginning in fall. Can I receive financial aid for classes during the summer term before the fall semester begins? No, you must be officially admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to receive financial aid. If your admission is effective for the fall semester, you will not be eligible before the fall semester.
I am admitted into a teacher certification program. Am I eligible for financial aid? Yes, students who are working on their initial teacher certification are listed as non-degree seeking students. Only students working on teacher certifications and a few other well-defined certificate programs identified as non-degree are eligible for federal Title IV program funds.
I am admitted into a second undergraduate degree program. Am I eligible for financial aid? Yes, but in order for ECU to determine your eligibility, you will need to submit some specific information from your academic advisor.
- Total number of hours required for the second degree
- Total number of hours from the first degree that counts toward the second degree
- Anticipated date of completion of the second degree
Please have your academic advisor send us this information with your name and ECU (Banner) ID in order for us to continue to process your request for financial aid.
Why must I provide my parents' information on the FAFSA? The basic premise of federal student aid is that the family is responsible for educational expenses. Be sure to include yourself when entering your parents' family size. Read the FAFSA instructions carefully to determine whether you are dependent or independent for aid purposes.
My (or my parents') circumstances are going to change. Do I enter what is true now or what will be true on the FAFSA? Enter what is true now using 2007 Federal 1040 tax information. If you or your family has a significant decrease in income in 2008, of if a change occurs such as death or divorce, contact the financial aid office after you receive the results of your FAFSA from the central processor. We may be able to adjust your award package.
My parents have not filed their tax return yet. Can they estimate their income? Yes, they may use estimates, but the information must be corrected later or match the exact figures from the actual return before aid is paid to you.
My parents are divorced. Which parent should complete the FAFSA? The parent you lived with the most during the last 12 months should complete the FAFSA. If you did not live with either parent or if you lived with each parent an equal amount of time, then use the parent who provided the most support to you in the most recent calendar year.
What do I do if I made a mistake on the FAFSA and want to make corrections? You should consult a Counselor in the financial aid office before making changes. Not all changes require resubmitting the change to the processor.
I have a trust fund that I cannot touch until I am 21 years old. Do I report it on the FAFSA? Yes, a trust fund must be reported because it represents your financial strength.
Is there any special funding for students in health profession programs? Yes, check with the financial aid office to determine what you may be eligible to receive.
What happens if I increase my credit hours after the end of the drop/add period? Will I receive more aid? No, your aid is based on your enrollment at the end of the drop/add period. Aid is not adjusted after that date.
I plan to attend summer term 2009. Can I use my 2008-2009 financial aid awards? No, you must complete a summer aid application. The 2009 Summer School Aid Application will be available on this site, under Forms.
I plan to participate in a study abroad program. Can I receive financial aid? Students interested in Study Abroad should contact the Office of International Affairs. You can visit their website at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/intlaffairs/IAabroadwelcome.cfm. Please schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor at least one semester prior to your study abroad experience, if your plan is to fund your experience by qualifying for financial assistance. Also, visit the Scholarship and Support for Student Exchanges site at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/intlaffairs/studyabroadscholarships.cfm.
I would like to take a class at another university/community college while I am attending ECU. Can I receive financial aid? Students interested in taking a class at another university/community college while attending ECU, should schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor at least one semester prior to taking the class, if your plan is to fund the class by qualifying for financial assistance. Students should contact the Center for Academic Services, 210 Whichard Building, to obtain permission to take courses at another institution. A permission form and instructions are available at
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/advising/Advising-Forms.cfm.
I have been readmitted to the university under the Forgiveness Policy. Can I receive financial aid? The Department of Education does not recognize any forgiveness policy. As a result, all of the hours you have attempted will count toward your Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid. This may impact your eligibility for financial aid. Additional information on ECU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is available on this site.
