Grants, Workstudy, Loans
Private (Alternative) Loans for Education
Rights and Responsibilities
Accepting and Maintaining your Award
Veterans Benefits
2011-2012 Financial Aid Forms

Federal student assistance is available to students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Federal student assistance can be used for educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and personal expenses. The FAFSA form is used to determine eligibility.

Pell Grants
Pell Grants are awarded to students with very low family contributions (high-need) and can range from $659-$5,550 per academic year. The amount of Pell Grant you are awarded is also based on your enrollment status (full-time, part-time). If you change your expected enrollment from what you put on your FAFSA, your Pell award will be adjusted. You may be eligible for Pell if you are enrolled less than half time.

Supplemental Educational Grants
FSEOG is awarded to high-need students who attend at least half time and have also received a Pell Grant.

Federal Work-Study Program
If you are awarded Federal Work-study and need assistance in locating a campus job, you should contact the Human Resources office. You will receive a paycheck twice a month, provided that you have worked during the period and turned in a time sheet.

Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins Loan is a pool of funds originating from the federal government, the Conservatory, and the repayment of prior loans by alumni. When you are enrolled at least halftime, no interest accrues. Nine months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half time, interest accrues at a rate of 5% with required minimum monthly payments and maximum repayment of ten years. If you are receiving a Perkins award, please complete and sign a separate promissory note and return it with your award letter. Perkins Loans are credited to your account as soon as the promissory note is completed and signed.

LOANS
The Conservatory now uses the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. The Federal Direct Loan (DL) program is one of the Federal Stafford Loan programs. The direct type of loan was created by the federal government to help finance all or part of educational costs. The loans are certified by the Conservatory and funded directly by the US Department of Education. The interest rate for new subsidized loans for undergraduate students is fixed at 3.4% and for graduate students is fixed at 6.8% (beginning July 1, 2009). The interest rate for new unsubsidized loans is fixed at 6.8%. Monthly repayment generally begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time, graduates, or leaves school. All studentS need to carefully consider potential debt before accepting loans.

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans are based on financial need, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and the Cost of Attendance (COA) at SFCM. The federal government pays the interest on these loans while the student is in school and for the first 6 months after the student leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. After this 6-month grace period, the student is required to make payments on the loan including interest.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans have no interest subsidy, and therefore they accrue interest while the student is in school and during the 6-month grace period. The student may pay the interest while in school or may choose to postpone interest payments. Any accrued interest will be added to the original loan amount (capitalization).

All new Stafford Loan borrowers are required to complete the Entrance Counseling online at http://www.studentloans.gov before receiving their first loan disbursement. Complete the Entrance Counseling as early as possible to avoid funding delays. The proof of completion form is for your records, SFCM will electronically receive notification.

The Financial Aid Office will certify the loan and transmit the information to the US Department of Education beginning in early July. All new students receiving a direct loan for the first time must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) electronically at http://www.studentloans.gov. The MPN is not available to sign until the financial aid office transmits your loan information beginning in July. This is the contract between you (the borrower) and the lender (the Department of Education). The Conservatory encourages you to check your emails often. Once you have completed the MPN, print or request a copy for your records.

The loan funds cannot be transmitted until the MPN and Entrance Counseling are completed. When the DL program receives the promissory note (MPN), and you have completed the loan entrance counseling, the loan funds will be electronically transmitted to SFCM in your student billing account. Please note that money in excess of total charges will be refunded on registration day, and that all borrowers receive a disclosure statement when you sign your MPN; you are also sent a letter in your student mailbox at the time of disbursement to remind you of your right to cancel this loan.

The Direct Loan program will charge a 1% loan fee on all Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. The loan fee is a percentage of the amount of each loan you receive.

For more information on the Direct Stafford Loan program (both subsidized and unsubsidized loans), visit http://www.studentloans.gov.

Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan
The Federal direct PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) helps parents of dependent students pay college expenses. Parents may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any financial aid received by the student. The interest rate for new loans is fixed at 7.9%. There will be a 4% origination fee on this loan. This fee will be taken from each disbursement of the loan. Payments on this loan begin when the loan has been fully disbursed. If you are interested in borrowing the PLUS, the PLUS award must be accepted on the student’s financial aid awards. One parent must also complete the PLUS request form. The Conservatory Financial Aid Office will transmit the credit check request beginning in July 2011. Once the PLUS is approved, the parent must sign the PLUS master promissory note at http://www.studentloans.gov.

To qualify for a PLUS, a parent must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen, have a valid Social Security number and a favorable credit history. Parents with an adverse credit history may still be able to borrow a PLUS loan with a co-signer. Dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan may apply for an additional unsubsidized Stafford loan and should contact the Financial Aid Office. For more information on the Direct PLUS program, visit http://www.studentloans.gov.

Federal Direct GRAD PLUS Loan
A federally insured, credit based educational loan similar to the Federal Parent PLUS Loan program. The Grad PLUS Loan helps graduate students with loan assistance beyond the Federal Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized Loan Program. Graduate students may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus financial aid received. The Grad PLUS Loan has a 7.9% fixed rate, a higher rate than the Stafford Loans. Eligibility requires you to pass a financial credit review. It has more advantageous benefits than most alternative or private loan options. We encourage you to first use your annual Stafford Loan eligibility before borrowing through the Grad PLUS program. If you wish to borrow through the Grad PLUS program, accept the Grad PLUS loan on your award letter, complete the Grad PLUS application and return all forms to the SFCM financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will transmit the credit check request beginning in July 2011.

For more information on the Direct Grad PLUS program, please visit http://www.studentloans.gov.

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A private alternative loan is a non-federal education loan, through a private lender, typically in the student’s name and requiring a co-signer. Approval and interest rates are based on the creditworthiness of the borrower and co-signer. Each alternative lender has different eligibility requirements, loan rates, terms and conditions.

Exhaust Federal Student Aid Options First
Students who are eligible for federal student aid should complete the FAFSA and exhaust all federal and state options, including federal loans, before applying for a private alternative loan. Federal student loans generally have more favorable terms and conditions than private loans. We recommend that you utilize all federal loan eligibility prior to turning to a private loan.

Be Sure To Plan Ahead
Recent amendments to the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) require that you complete a self-certification form and submit it to your lender for each alternative loan you apply for. If your lender does not provide you with the form, print the Private Loan Self-Certification form and refer to your award letter to obtain your cost of attendance and your estimated financial assistance for the period of enrollment covered by the loan. Return the self-certification form to your lender upon completion. TILA also requires lenders to provide you with three disclosures: 1) upon your application, 2) when you are approved, and 3) at least three days prior to disbursement. Timing of the last disclosure may delay loan disbursements by an additional one to two weeks. Please plan accordingly.

Do Your Research

• Compare the Federal Direct PLUS Loan to Alternative Loans.
• Ask Questions of Your Lender.
• Borrow only what you absolutely need.
• Calculate your estimated monthly payment and total repayment amount.

An alternative loan is an agreement between the borrower, co-signer (if required) and the lender. The Conservatory cannot in any way be held liable in the event the borrower is dissatisfied with the rates, terms or service provided by any lender, nor is the Conservatory responsible for any damages incurred by the student as a result of the student's choice of lender. Apply for your alternative loan within 90 days of the beginning of the semester so your lender’s credit does not expire. You have the right to select the alternative lender of your choice.

All students applying for financial aid should be aware of these rights and obligations:

Students have the right to receive full information about the financial aid programs available, how to apply for aid, and the process by which aid is awarded.

Students have the right to know the costs of attendance, the tuition refund policy of the Conservatory, its academic program, faculty, and physical facilities.

Students have the right to discuss their financial aid eligibility, award, or cancellation with the Financial Aid Office. Students have the right to appeal the financial aid decision.

Students who borrow money have the right to know what their loan obligations are.

Students are responsible for applying annually for financial aid.

Students are responsible for telling the truth in their application for financial aid. Misrepresentation is considered a serious infraction and may result in withdrawal of aid, repayment of all funds already disbursed, permanent disqualification in the future, fine, and/or imprisonment.

Students are responsible for understanding their loan obligation(s) and for repaying their loan(s) promptly. A good source for a listing of all your federal student loans borrowed is www.nslds.ed.gov

Students on federal financial aid are required to make satisfactory academic progress as defined below in step 4.

Federal financial aid funds may be used only to meet educational costs. Any other use of funds is prohibited by law. Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of their acceptance of awards by signing the financial aid award and acceptance letter.

Students are responsible for meeting all deadline requirements and for submitting all documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

After you have been accepted, the following steps need to be taken to accept your award:

1. Complete and return your award letter. Each accepted student is sent a financial aid packet which includes two copies of your award letter. You must complete and return one copy to the Financial Aid Office and retain the other copy for your records. Please Accept or Decline awards by circling where appropriate. If you wish to lower the amount, please write in the new amount as clearly as possible in this area. Be sure to sign the bottom of the acceptance letter, and return immediately to the financial aid office.
   
   
2. For loans, please see above.
   
   
3. Register at least half time at the Conservatory. To be eligible for federal loans, you must first be accepted in a degree program and enrolled at least half time. If you indicated that you would attend the Conservatory full time on your FAFSA and only enroll halftime, your financial aid award will be adjusted accordingly. Please notify the Financial Aid Office if you are enrolling for more or less units than previously indicated.
   
   
4. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students on federal financial aid are required to make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree in order to be considered for need-based federal financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education requires that qualitative and quantitative standards are kept. The requirements are as follows:
   
   
   • You must be admitted to the Conservatory and accepted in a degree or eligible certificate-producing program.
   • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA. The cumulative GPA requirement is the same as that required by the Conservatory (2.5 for undergraduate students, 3.0 for graduate students).
   • Completion of 67% of units attempted.
   • Students must complete their degree within 150% of the timeframe required for the degree.
     
   • Students who fail to meet these criteria are given a financial aid warning for one semester. A student with a financial aid warning status must bring up his/her GPA and completion rate or else lose eligibility for federal financial aid in the next semester. Students may re-establish eligibility by completing the required units and raising their GPA. If satisfactory academic progress is not met after the warning period, the student may appeal this decision. In the appeal the student must submit a letter explaining the reason(s) for not attaining the minimum required number of units, as well as an academic plan from the student's academic advisor stating how and when the student will make up the deficiency. If the appeal is accepted, the student would then be put on Financial Aid Probation for the next payment period. If the appeal is not accepted, the student will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid until such time as satisfactory academic progress is re-established.

Veterans and their eligible dependents should contact their local Veterans Administration for information about benefits available for attendance at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.