2014-2015 Financial Aid Brochure (Gallaudet University)

Financial Aid made simple Gallaudet is serious about helping you find the right financial support. With a few simple steps, the staff in the Financial Aid office will work on your behalf to determine which financial assistance you qualify for.

Let us help you tailor a financial plan that works for you.

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y completing three easy steps, you will receive a customized financial aid package.

The Financial Aid staff works toward meeting your financial needs with some of the following resources.

Merit-based Scholarships Gallaudet’s merit-based scholarships are open to all deaf and hard of hearing undergraduates with exemplary scholastic and personal achievements.

These scholarships may be awarded for up to four years of study, or three years for transfer students. All newly admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarships, which are awarded on a rolling basis. However, to be considered for President’s Honors Distinction or Provost’s Honors scholarships, you must apply to both the University and the Honors Program

by February 15, 2015.

Vocational Rehabilitation Many students at Gallaudet receive some type of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) support. For more information about what VR is and how a student can benefit, see page 2.

Private Scholarships Private scholarships can come from outside sources such as your high school, church, community organization, or private businesses.

To download a list of private scholarship opportunities, visit gallaudet.edu/financial_aid/ scholarships. There are also several commercial scholarship search engines that can assist with a nationwide search for private scholarship programs.

Institutional Scholarships The Financial Aid office awards scholarships through gift funds that are administered by the University.

Gallaudet’s Distribution of Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students

Federal Work-Study (FWS) allows you to earn money during the fall and spring semesters through part-time employment.

Other Financial Resources: On-campus employment not supported by Federal Work Study Off-campus employment Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance Private loan programs *Initial award offers/packages do not include Federal Stafford or PLUS loans.

Percentage of Undergraduate Students Who Received Financial Aid in 2012-2013 69%

74%

57% 45%

45% 30% 15% 0

Other 2%

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Federal Loans are monies that must be repaid with interest after graduation or withdrawal from college.

Federal loan programs include: Federal Perkins Loans Federal Stafford Loans* Federal PLUS Loans*

60%

VR 44%

Federal Grant 13%

Federal Financial Aid Grants are federal monies that do not have to be repaid. Federal grants include: Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

75%

Federal Loans 17% Grants/Scholarships 24%

The Financial Aid staff matches students with scholarship criteria based on the information you provide on your IFAA. The IFAA is Step 2 in the financial aid application process detailed on page 4.

13%

Other

Federal Loans

Federal Grants

VR

Institutional Scholarships

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Three Steps

to receive your customized financial aid package Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after January 1.

You can: Apply online at fafsa.gov (recommended) Download a printed application from www.fafsa.ed.gov/options.htm Call 1-800-4-FED-AID/1-800-433-3243 (voice) or 1-800-730-8913 (TTY) to request that one be mailed to you.

IMPORTANT: Remember to enter the following code on your FAFSA to ensure Gallaudet receives your results!

001443 Complete the IFAA (Institutional Financial Aid Application).

Gallaudet helps accepted students determine their eligibility for aid and scholarships. In the IFAA, we ask for additional information necessary to determine your eligibility for aid and scholarships that are a unique match for you. Use the BISON (bison.gallaudet.edu) login username and password provided to you in your acceptance packet to complete your IFAA online.

Once Step 2 is completed, Financial Aid will notify you of your eligibility for grants and scholarships. Use Gallaudet’s Schedule of Tuition and Fees on page 3 to calculate an estimate of what your total cost will be per semester if the grants, scholarships, and VR support you are expecting will not cover your expenses.

Proceed to Step 3.

Complete student/parent loan request forms.

These forms can be found under the “Applications and Other Useful Links” section of the Financial Aid website at financial aid.gallaudet.edu. Financial Aid staff will contact you to inform you of your loan status.

Contact the Financial Aid office today to get a head start on understanding how affordable Gallaudet can be!

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and

about financial aid The financial aid process is surrounded by myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings. Please know that our Financial Aid staff is always available to clarify any questions you may have.

MYTH: Middle-class families do not qualify for financial aid.

FACT: Many middle-class families do, in fact, qualify for financial aid. Many factors other than income are considered when determining a financial aid package.

MYTH: I don’t need to apply for financial aid. VR will pay for my education.

FACT: Per VR requirements, students must complete the financial aid process regardless of whether they will get VR support.

MYTH: Grants/scholarships and/or VR will pay for all of my educational expenses.

FACT: The primary responsibility for financing a college education, regardless of hearing status, falls on the student and/or parent(s). For families that cannot afford to make payments out of pocket, there are several federal loan programs that can assist you with educational expenses not covered by “gift” aid.

MYTH: It is not worth taking out a student loan for a college degree.

FACT: Pursuing a college education is an investment.

Studies show that people with bachelor’s degrees have significantly higher earnings, on average, than people who only hold high school diplomas.

Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation is a federally funded state program designed to help state residents who meet specific requirements and have disabilities get the training and education necessary to secure employment. Many Gallaudet students receive funding from their state VR agencies.

Here are some tips for establishing a strong relationship with your VR counselor.

Meet with your VR counselor early. Establish your career goals as early as your junior year of high school.

Discuss expectations and goals. Decide how and when you will communicate with each other. Make sure to get a copy of your individualized rehabilitation plan for services.

Get a copy of your VR authorizations if possible. These are your evidence that your VR agency has agreed to support your education at Gallaudet and will help you with your financial planning.

Keep a personal file for all your VR paperwork. This includes agreements, copies of authorizations, financial aid awards (grants, scholarships, and loans) and personal budget plans. Plan in advance and refer to your file periodically to ensure your expenses are always covered.

For a list of VR agencies in your state, visit admissions.gallaudet.edu/VRagencies.

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Contact us Gallaudet’s Financial Aid staff is here to help you navigate the process of applying for financial aid.

Feel free to contact us if you need information or have any questions.

Website financialaid.gallaudet.edu This site includes in-depth application instructions and information as well as policies, information about how your eligibility is determined, and additional resources to help you educate yourself about financial aid.

Email financial.aid@gallaudet.edu Email us anytime!

Call 202-651-5290 (voice) 202-618-6844 (videophone) Office hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday

Write

Financial Aid Office Gallaudet University 800 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002

2014-2015 Tuition and Fee Schedule: Basic Costs Per Semester * United States Citizen/Permanent Resident

InternationalStudent**

Tuition

$7,249.00

$14,498.00

Unit Fee

$138.00

$138.00

Room***

$3,540.00

$3,540.00

Board

$2,640.00

$2,640.00

Health Insurance Fee****

$3,404.00

$3,404.00

$125.00

$125.00

$17,096.00

$24,345.00

Health Service Fee Total

*Fees subject to change; undergraduate only **Tuition and fees for international students may vary depending on the country of origin. ***Cost may vary by dorm/residence hall. For more specific information and pricing, visit www.gallaudet.edu/finance_office/student_financial_services/tuition_and_fees.html. ****Waived for students who provide proof of private insurance coverage.

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Important dates to remember Available online January 1, 2015

FAFSA Admission application deadline for Honors Scholarship consideration Admission application deadline for hearing undergraduate (HUG) students

Rolling until all spaces are filled

Admission application deadline for interpretation students (BAI) Admission application deadline for international students

800 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Undergraduate Admissions Edward Miner Gallaudet Building 800-995-0550 (tty, voice) 202-250-2474 (vp) 202-651-5744 (fax) admissions.office@gallaudet.edu facebook.com/gallaudet1864 twitter.com/gallaudetu youtube.com/gallaudetvideo Š 2014 Office of Communications and Public Relations Gallaudet University

February 15, 2015

April 30, 2015 May 29, 2015 (Fall 2015) October 30, 2015 (Spring 2016)

Undergraduate Open Houses Fall 2014 Monday, October 13 No ACT

Monday, November 10

ACT administered on Saturday, November 9

Spring 2015 Monday, March 9

ACT administered on Sunday, March 8

Monday, April 13

ACT administered on Sunday, April 12