UAH Financial Aid

GO. LEARN. BE. [ FINANCIAL AID ]

1

2013 – 2014 Cost of Attendance (Based on a full academic year, up to 15 hours per semester for two academic semesters)

RESIDENTS

NON-RESIDENTS

Tuition........................................ $ 9,192 Fees ................................................ 753 Residence Hall ............................. 5,753 Meal Plan ..................................... 2,680 Books & Supplies ........................ 1,592

Tuition ...................................... $21,506 Fees ................................................ 753 Residence Hall ............................. 5,753 Meal Plan ..................................... 2,680 Books & Supplies......................... 1,592

Yearly Total ............................$19,970*

Yearly Total.............................$32,284*

NOTE: Resident Tuition applies to Alabama residents and residents of the following Tennessee counties: Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore, and Marion. * The figures above represent the cost for students who live in a residence hall with a dining plan. Fees may be higher depending on the student’s major. A complete listing of all tuition, fees, and room & board charges can be found at uah.edu/bursar. These amounts are determined by the Board of Trustees, University of Alabama System, and are subject to change.

HELP IS AVAILABLE. Last year UAH shared more than $53 million in financial aid and scholarships with students just like you!

2

Your education is an investment in your future.

And there’s no better place to invest than in The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Why? Because UAH offers an affordable, high-quality education that results in secure, well-paying jobs. In fact, both the College Database and Affordable Colleges Online recently ranked UAH #1 for the best financial return on investment among all Alabama post-secondary schools, public and private. UAH graduates earn an average starting salary of over $47,000, which makes UAH a great place to invest in your future!

So GO to a school you can afford, LEARN without financial worry, and BE inspired to follow your passion – knowing that a good job awaits you after graduation.

Now that’s real value.

3

Scholarships & Financial Aid Timeline September 1 Scholarship application is available at uah.edu/scholarships November Get your FAFSA PIN at pin.ed.gov First round of Merit Tuition Scholarship award letters are sent December 1 Scholarship application deadline for priority consideration of Departmental Scholarships January 1 FAFSA application available at fafsa.gov February UAH receives your FAFSA results Departmental Scholarship notification letters mailed March FAFSA review for fall enrollment begins Financial Aid Fridays begin for newly admitted students April Federal aid award notifications for eligible students May 1 Deadline to accept scholarship awards May – August Complete loan entrance counseling and sign the master promissory note at studentloans.gov June 1 Admission deadline for priority consideration of Merit Tuition Scholarships August Federal work-study orientation for participating students

4

Frequently asked Questions // Q: Why is an education from UAH a good investment?

A: Education is something you’ll use all your life—and that makes it one of the best possible investments. UAH is a mid-sized university where you can connect with professors, make friends easily, and join a fun-filled community where you matter. UAH offers a full- service Student Success Center, strong academic programs, and extracurricular opportunities. Our location offers definite advantages, too! A high-tech community noted for NASA, Department of Defense, and biotech research, Huntsville features Cummings Research Park—the second largest research park in the U.S. What better place for internships, research opportunities, and hands-on experiences that can jumpstart your career?

Q: How much does UAH cost?

A: One-year costs vary depending on major, housing and meal plans, personal expenses (clothing, transportation, etc.), and spending habits. Costs for books and supplies also depend on your program of study. Approximate undergraduate costs appear on page 2.

Check out the Net Price Calculator at uah.studentaidcalculator.com for a better idea of your UAH education costs.

Q: Do I need to re-apply for need-based aid every year?

A: Yes, you must re-apply for financial aid each year. For priority consideration, you should file the FAFSA as soon as possible in early spring. We recommend using the IRS data retrieval tool to complete the FAFSA. This option is available two weeks after you complete your income tax return.

Q: What is a financial aid “package”?

A: The “package” is the combination of financial aid for which you qualify. At UAH, financial aid packages typically include grants, loans (for students and/ or parents), and student employment.

Q: How is financial aid determined?

A: When you apply for federal financial aid at fafsa.gov, you’ll receive an email outlining your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward education expenses.

Your EFC determines eligiblity for aid.

If you have a lower EFC, you should qualify for more need-based aid. But even if you have a higher EFC, you can still qualify for scholarships and loans, as most awards consider academic achievement (high school grades, ACT/SAT scores, etc.) rather than EFC.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? 1 Complete an application for admission to UAH. Financial aid can’t be awarded until you have been admitted.

2 Complete the scholarship application

by December 1.

3 File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 and no later than April 1. The FAFSA is available at fafsa.gov. UAH code is 001055.

4 Provide any required follow-up documents to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Scholarships // UAH FOUNDATION PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

MERIT TUITION Scholarships

This scholarship is based on academic merit and awarded each year to select incoming first-time freshmen graduating from public high schools in Huntsville/ Madison County, Alabama.

This four-year award is valued at full tuition (up to 16 credit hours per semester) for four years plus $500 toward course fees per year. Eligible candidates must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 in addition to a minimum ACT score of 25 or minimum SAT score of 1130. Candidates should submit a UAH Scholarship Application, be fully admitted by the scholarship priority date (December 1), and be recommended by either their high school counselor and/or an admissions counselor from UAH. Renewal is based on satisfactory academic progress and full-time student status. These awards will replace any UAH Merit Tuition Scholarship of equal or lesser value for which the student may qualify.

UAH recognizes incoming first-time freshmen who have demonstrated superior academic achievement in high school through a variety of merit tuition scholarships.

Students who submit an Application for Admission, official transcripts, and standardized test scores are automatically eligible for consideration. No separate scholarship application is required.

High school GPA and ACT/SAT scores are used to identify recipients. Final award eligibility will be determined by high school GPA at the end of the junior year, and by all ACT/SAT test scores submitted through and including the last testing date before the start of the fall semester.

Students must be admitted to UAH to be eligible for these awards. Priority consideration is given to students who are admitted to UAH by June 1. Students admitted after the priority deadline may be eligible for awards as funding is available.

In-state includes residents of Alabama and select counties in Tennessee (Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Moore and Marion).

HIGH SCHOOL GPA

TEST SCORES

2014–2015 MERIT TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS* ACT

25 – 27

28 – 29

30 – 33

34 – 36

SAT (CR+M)

1130 – 1240

1250 – 1320

1330 – 1480

1490 – 1600

4.0+

50%

67%

100%

100%**

3.5 – 3.99

40%

45%

100%

100%

3.0 – 3.49

35%

35%

45%

50%

Charger Excellence** 6

Charger Distinction

Charger Scholar

Charger Achievement

* Percentages represent tuition amount awarded ** Covers on-campus housing in addition to tuition

DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS To be considered for UAH scholarships, you must first apply for admission, which automatically qualifies you for our Merit Tuition Scholarships. However, to be considered for our 200+ Departmental Scholarships, you will also need to submit a separate scholarship application, located at uah.edu/scholarships.

National Merit Awards

Platinum Award of Academic Distinction Students who have been declared a National Merit Finalist, a National Achievement Finalist, or a National Merit Hispanic Scholar qualify for the Platinum Award of Academic Distinction. This four-year award is valued at full tuition (up to 16 credit hours per semester), and also includes a $500 course fee stipend, a $500 book stipend, an on-campus housing allowance, and a meal plan allowance.

Renewal is based on satisfactory academic progress and full-time student status.

These awards will replace any UAH Merit Tuition Scholarship of equal or lesser value for which the student may qualify.

Gold Award of Academic Distinction Students who have been declared a National Merit or National Achievement Semi-Finalist qualify for the UAH Gold Award of Academic Distinction. This four-year award is valued at full tuition (up to 16 credit hours per semester), a $500 course fee stipend, and a $500 book stipend. Renewal is based on satisfactory academic progress and full-time student status. These awards will replace any UAH Merit Tuition Scholarship of equal or lesser value for which the student may qualify.

Recipients of these competitive awards are selected based on the academic record and information submitted in the online scholarship application. Award values range from $500 up to total cost of attendance.

Priority consideration is given to admitted students who have submitted the scholarship application by December 1.

For a complete list of Departmental Scholarships and to complete the application, visit uah.edu/scholarships.

TRANSFER STUDENT Awards

UAH SUPER SCHOLAR SCHOLARSHIP Recipients of these awards are students transferring to UAH with a minimum 3.5 GPA and 24 hours of college credit from another school. Scholarship value is $3,000 per year for two years.

UAH TRANSFER MERIT SCHOLARSHIP Recipients of these awards are students transferring to UAH with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 24 hours of college credit from another school. Scholarship value is $1,500 per year for two years.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarship funding from sources beyond UAH should go through our Office of Student Financial Services. For details, visit uah.edu/finaid.

PLEASE NOTE: Scholarship percentages are the same for in-state and out-of-state students.

Full tuition covers 16 credit hours per semester for fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Merit Tuition Scholarships are four-year awards, renewable each year based on full-time student status and satisfactory academic progress. While award recipients are only required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, UAH encourages them to take full advantage of the award by taking the number of credit hours needed per semester to graduate in four years, resulting in significant cost savings for the completion of their degree.

7

Real-Life Examples How much aid you’ll recieve depends largely on your financial situation. Of course every student has unique circumstances, but these real-life examples from other students and their families may help illustrate what you can expect in terms of assistance.

Tyler A recent high school graduate, Tyler is an incoming undergraduate at UAH. His family is from Alabama and their household income last year was $84,000.

There are four people in the family. Tyler scored a 26 on his ACT and had a 3.2 high school GPA. He has received a UAH scholarship valued at $3,200 per year for four years and student loans totaling $5,500 per year.

Mike Mike graduated from high school in Maine this year and will be an undergraduate at UAH. His household also includes his mom and a brother still in high school. Their household income was $41,000 last year. Mike scored a 1300 on the SAT and had a 4.2 GPA in high school. Along with UAH scholarships of $9,000 per year for four years, Mike has received a Pell Grant valued at $3,400 and student loans totaling $5,500 per year.

Sidney Sidney is 25 years old and living on her own. She recently resigned from her job to return to school after time away, but she has saved $6,500 for college expenses. When Sidney took a break from college, she held junior standing with a 3.8 GPA. She will receive a Pell Grant of $5,750, $12,500 in student loans, and a UAH scholarship valued at $4,000 per year for two years.

Financial AId Options // Grants

Employment Opportunities

Grants are gift aid based on demonstrated financial need. Eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can access the FAFSA at fafsa.gov.

Students enjoy a number of opportunities to help pay for their studies.

Veteran Benefits Veterans and their families are valued members of the UAH community. You will find the Office of Veterans Affairs located within the Office of Student Financial Services in suite 212 of the University Center. This office is the certifying authority for veterans, service members, and their dependents. You can reach the Veteran Education Benefits Assistant at VAcontact@uah.edu or 256.824.2758.

Loans Direct Loans are available for students and parents to help pay for the cost of a college education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education. Student loans also provide a variety of deferment options and extended repayment terms. Although it is sometimes necessary to borrow money to finance an education, caution is advised. Generally, a student should not rely primarily on loans and is advised not to borrow more than what is needed to meet expenses. When looking at expenses a good tool to use is the UAH Net Price Calculator. You can find this at uah.studentaidcalculator.com.

Federal Work Study (FWS): Students may participate in the FWS program, which provides students with part-time employment to help meet college costs.

FWS is federally funded and need based. Your eligibility is determined from information you provide on your FAFSA. Visit uah.edu/workstudy to learn more.

Campus Employment: Students may apply for jobs within various departments on campus. Both degree- and nondegree- related positions are available and offer flexible work schedules.

Co-op: Qualified students have the opportunity to gain work experience while earning income and a degree.

Internships: Students can take advantage of UAH’s internship program and receive degree-related work experience.

Go Figure.

Over two-thirds of our students receive financial assistance in some form. For an estimate of your financial aid package, visit uah.studentaidcalculator.com.

It’s easy to use…and it’s free!

9

TAKING THE FIRST STEPs // VALUE FOR THE LONG HAUL

VISIT CAMPUS!

We deliver an education of the highest value—one that merges quality academics and rewarding campus experiences at a reasonable cost to you and your family.

It’s the best way to experience UAH and have your questions answered firsthand.

The campus visit program provides information on admission, financial aid, and student life, as well as an enlightening tour of campus itself. You can also personalize your visit, which will allow you to peek into classrooms, meet with faculty, and gain even more insight into life on campus. Tours can be arranged by calling 256.824.2773 or at uah.edu/visit.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL UAH is committed to making higher education accessible to students of all social and economic backgrounds.

Students are urged to contact the Office of Student Financial Services concerning eligibility for financial assistance. Special funds and part-time employment opportunities are designated to help students of exceptional need cover estimated costs of tuition, fees, room and board, and supplies. To confirm eligibility, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with additional documentation.

FINANCIAL AID FRIDAYS This is a special opportunity for admitted students and their families to have one-onone discussions about their aid package.

Admitted students will receive an invitation to Financial Aid Fridays, offered: March 7, 2014 March 14, 2014 March 21, 2014 April 11, 2014

GET STARTED TODAY! 1 Complete an application for admission to UAH. Financial aid can’t be awarded until you have been admitted.

2 Complete the scholarship application by December 1.

3 File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1 and no later than April 1.

The FAFSA is available at fafsa.gov. UAH code is 001055.

4 Provide any required follow-up documents to the Office of Student Financial Services.

10

gofour

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

All eligible students are encouraged to take part in Go Four, which is designed to contain tuition costs and reduce dependency on loans. Under the program, students agree to meet the requirements necessary to ensure degree completion in four years, including registering for classes early, meeting with their advisor regularly, and not dropping a needed class. In return, UAH guarantees the availability of needed classes or waives the requirement.

That can mean huge savings – not to mention the possibility of earning a salary that much sooner! Learn more by visiting uah.edu/gofour.

Financing your college education can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. At UAH, we offer numerous financial aid options, from scholarships and grants to loans and work-study opportunities, that can help lighten and sometimes even eliminate the burden.

Of course, we know how confusing the process can be for those going through it for the first time – or even the second or third time! That’s why we’ve created this helpful handout to address some of your most pressing concerns, including eligibility information and important deadlines.

We also have an office of trained financial aid professionals available to answer any additional questions you may have, and when the time comes to apply, ensure you’ve received the maximum amount of assistance for which you qualify. Because at UAH, your priority should be your education – and not how you’re going to pay for it.

Don’t hesitate to call us at 256.824.6241 or visit uah.edu/finaid.

11

Get Some Funding!

Office of Admissions 301 Sparkman Drive, EB 117 Huntsville, AL 35899 800.824.2255 256.824.2773 uahadmissions@uah.edu uah.edu/admissions

STUDENT DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL AID* 1% State 60% Federal

3% Private Loans 6% Other 7% Veteran

OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES 256.824.6650 (phone) 256.824.6212 (fax) finaid@uah.edu uah.edu/finaid

SCHOLARSHIPS uah.edu/scholarships

UAH COST CALCULATOR

23% Scholarship

QUICK FACTS*

4,894 or 65% of students received financial aid 2,060 students received scholarships

uah.studentaidcalculator.com

12 National Merit recipients

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)

4 National Hispanic and

fafsa.gov UAH code is 001055

facebook.com/UAHadmissions twitter.com/UAHadmissions

National Achievement recipients

* 2012 – 2013