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Financial
Aid
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire offers financial
assistance through scholarships, grants, loans, and student work
experience. The majority of this assistance is awarded based on financial
need. There are, however, resources available through scholarships,
unsubsidized loans, and student employment for students who do not qualify
for need-based aid.
Financial need is based on the student’s educational
expenses and the contribution that is calculated using the financial
information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
For detailed information on financial aid, visit the UW-Eau Claire
Financial Aid homepage at:
http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/.
HOW
TO APPLY
All students must complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to apply for financial
aid. The FAFSA is required in order to apply for all need-based
programs as well as for the Direct Unsubsidized Ford Loan, and the
Parent Loan for undergraduate students. Prospective students may
obtain a FAFSA from their local high school or library. Most
UW-Eau Claire continuing students who applied for financial aid in
the previous year will be sent renewal information by the
Department of Education to apply for the next academic year.
Students who do not receive a renewal application by January 31
should obtain a standard FAFSA from the Financial Aid office or
apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Reminder: The Blugold System is
a resource for specific information about current financial aid
status and financial aid disbursed on students’ accounts.
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DEADLINES
Students must reapply each year they wish to be
considered for financial aid. To assure first consideration for
funding, the FAFSA should be submitted by April 15. Late
applications will be considered only for residual amounts.
Students who apply late or who do not turn in the required
additional paperwork need to be prepared to pay their
institutional charges by the due date if their financial aid is
not available.
A separate financial aid application is required
of students attending Winterim or Summer Session. This application
is available through the Blugold System. Students who do not have
access to the Blugold System may pick up an application at the
Financial Aid office.
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ENROLLMENT
STATUS
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to
qualify for most kinds of aid, although undergraduate students who
have very high need may qualify for a small Pell Grant at less
than half-time status.
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STANDARDS
OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
FOR FINANCIAL AID
Federal regulations require students to maintain
satisfactory academic progress toward a degree in order to receive
financial aid. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is required
to develop and apply a consistent and reasonable standard of
satisfactory progress for all students receiving federal financial
aid. These standards are applied to all periods of attendance,
regardless of whether or not a student has received financial aid
in the past. A complete copy of the University of Wisconsin-Eau
Claire’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is
available in the Services and Standards handbook. There are
three standards or components of satisfactory progress:
Standard for Grade Point Average
Students need to maintain a resident GPA of 2.00
according to the University’s Academic Standing and Progress
policy.
Standard for Minimum Credits Completed
Students must successfully complete 67 percent of
their enrolled credits. Failing a class or maintaining an
incomplete in a class is not considered successfully completing
the class.
Standard for Maximum Time Frame
Undergraduate students may receive financial aid
for a maximum of 180 attempted credits when enrolled in degree
programs which have a published minimum requirement for graduation
of 120 credits. Attempted credits are credits the student was
enrolled in at the end of the tenth day of classes, plus all
accepted transfer credits. A degree program that requires more
than 120 credits is an exception, and financial aid may be further
extended. An additional 90 credits of financial aid eligibility is
allowed for undergraduate students seeking a second degree.
Graduate students are allowed 54 credits, which represents three
years of full-time enrollment.
Monitoring Procedures and Reestablishment Options
These standards are monitored once per year at the
end of spring semester using Registrar’s information. Future
financial aid will be denied for students who fail to meet the
standards of academic progress.
Students may reestablish their financial aid
eligibility by earning an academic standing which meets the above
criteria. Students with extenuating circumstances that prevented
them from making satisfactory progress are encouraged to describe
and document those circumstances in writing. Their appeal will be
reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee to determine
whether financial aid eligibility should be reinstated. Students
will be notified of the appeal decision in writing.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Qualified UW-Eau Claire students are awarded a
combination of federal, state, university, and private
scholarships on the basis of academic excellence or special
talent. Some scholarship programs also specify financial need as a
requirement of eligibility. Award amounts and student eligibility
requirements vary depending on the individual scholarship
criteria.
UW-Eau Claire Foundation, Inc., Scholarships and
Other Named Scholarships and Awards: Detailed information on
scholarships is available on the Financial Aid office homepage.
Tuition Remission: Wisconsin Statutes provide
for awarding a limited number of scholarships to students who are
not residents of Wisconsin. These awards range in value and can be
up to the difference between resident and nonresident tuition.
Remissions for Nonresident Students:
Students who are not residents of Wisconsin are considered for
tuition remission by submitting the FAFSA.
Remissions for International Students:
Undergraduate international applicants are considered for an
annual award ranging from $2,000-$4,000. Awards are based on
academic merit and financial need, which is information provided
in the admission application. No separate application is
necessary.
Private Scholarships: Many private
scholarships are sponsored by civic organizations, clubs,
industries, and businesses. Students should contact their local
high school counselors or principals for information about private
scholarship programs available in the local community. The UW-Eau
Claire Financial Aid office homepage features links to free
scholarship search services. Visit this site at http://www.uwec.edu/finaid/.
A collection of private scholarship information is also available
in the Financial Aid office.
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GRANTS
A grant is gift assistance and does not have to be
repaid. Various grants are awarded to students who establish a
high financial need as determined by federal and state guidelines.
Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant is
a federal aid program designed to be awarded to high need
students. It may be combined with other forms of aid in order to
meet a student’s total financial need.
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): Native
American students with one-fourth or more American Indian blood,
as certified by the appropriate Indian Agency, may be eligible for
BIA funds. Students should contact their respective tribes and the
UW-Eau Claire Financial Aid office to obtain proper application
materials and instructions.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
(SEOG): This federal grant program is available to students
establishing an exceptionally high financial need. It is used to
supplement other types of aid in meeting a student’s total
financial need.
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-II (WHEG-II):
Wisconsin Statutes provide for the awarding of grants to residents
of the state who can establish a high financial need. The value of
these awards will vary with the financial need of each recipient.
Students who are not Wisconsin residents should
contact the agency in their home state regarding the availability
of state grant monies for attendance at out-of-state schools.
Wisconsin Indian Assistance (WIA): Native
American students who are residents of Wisconsin and have
one-fourth or more American Indian blood, as certified by the
appropriate Indian Agency, are eligible for WIA funds if they show
a financial need. Blood certification and WIA eligibility will be
required only once; after a student has received an initial award
at UW-Eau Claire, eligibility will continue, based upon an annual
evaluation of financial need.
Lawton Undergraduate Diversity Retention Grant:
These grants are awarded to students who demonstrate financial
need, are Wisconsin or Minnesota residents, have completed their
freshman year with at least 24 credits and with a resident GPA of
2.00 or higher, and can increase under-represented ethnic student
enrollment.
Talent Incentive Program (TIP): These are
need-based grants available to low income Wisconsin residents.
Students may receive up to $1,800 per year for a maximum of five
years. Students must complete an application for TIP which
includes additional selection criteria. For an application or
additional information, contact the UW-Eau Claire Financial Aid
office or your local Wisconsin Educational Opportunity office.
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LOANS
Federal Direct Ford Loan: Degree seeking
students who are enrolled at least half-time and who demonstrate
financial need are eligible. Depending on need, students may
borrow up to $2,625 as a freshman, $3,500 as a sophomore, and
$5,500 as a junior or senior, not to exceed a total of $23,000 as
an undergraduate. There is no interest charged while the student
is enrolled at least half-time. Six months after leaving school,
or falling below half-time, the borrower begins payment. The
interest rate for Federal Direct Ford Loans varies from year to
year but currently cannot exceed 8.25 percent per year.
Information on the interest rate, set each July 1st for the
following year, is available from the Financial Aid office.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Ford Loan:
Available to students who may not qualify for any, or may qualify
for only part, of the regular (subsidized) Federal Direct Loan. In
any year, the combined amounts of subsidized and unsubsidized
Federal Direct Ford Loans cannot exceed the loan limits for that
grade level. An independent undergraduate or graduate student has
additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Ford Loan eligibility. An
independent student may borrow up to the potential grade maximums
listed above plus a potential $4,000 for freshman and sophomores
and $5,000 per year thereafter as an undergraduate, and a
potential $10,000 per year as a graduate student.
This loan allows students to defer making payments
on the principal of the loan while they are in school, but
students are responsible for paying the interest on the loan once
the money is disbursed. Students can choose to either pay the
interest while they are in school or have it added to their
principal to be repaid after they are no longer in school,
understanding that allowing the interest to accumulate may be an
expensive option.
Federal Perkins Student Loan: The amount of
this loan is determined by the availability of funds and the
student’s financial need. Repayment must be completed within a
ten-year period at the rate of five percent per annum interest,
beginning nine months after the borrower ceases at least half-time
enrollment. A borrower of Perkins Loan may have all or part of
his/her loan (including interest) canceled for engaging in public
service such as teaching, law enforcement, service in the Peace
Corps or ACTION, or service in the military. Contact the Business
office for specific cancellation criteria.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate
Students (PLUS): This loan is available to parents of
dependent undergraduate students. The maximum loan amount that can
be borrowed is the difference between the cost of attendance and
other financial aid received. Financial need is not a criterion.
Repayment on principle and interest begins within
sixty days of the final disbursement. The interest rate is
variable from year to year but currently cannot exceed nine
percent per year. Federal Direct PLUS applications are available
from the Financial Aid office.
Student Educational Loan Fund (SELF):
Minnesota residents who have first exhausted other sources of
financial aid may apply for the SELF loan. Undergraduate students
may borrow up to $4,500 per year as freshmen and sophomores;
juniors and seniors up to $6,000 per year; and graduate students
up to $9,000 per year. The interest rate may vary quarterly
throughout the life of the loan, and a credit worthy co-signer is
required. Quarterly payment (interest only) begins 90 days after
disbursement, and continues as long as the student is in school.
At termination of study, monthly payment (interest only) begins
and continues for up to 12 months. On the 13th month out of
school, monthly payments of both principal and interest begin or
the student may make two additional years of interest-only
payments. Students interested in obtaining this loan should
contact the Financial Aid office.
Short Term Loans: An endowment fund in excess
of $300,000 was established, and the interest income is available
for short-term loans to students. Loans must be used for
educationally related expenses, not to exceed $200. Loans are to
be repaid within four weeks with no interest or service charges.
Ombudsman
The Department of Education has established an ombudsman to
work with student borrowers to informally resolve any loan
disputes or problems. If you have concerns about the terms of your
loan that cannot be resolved by talking to your lender, you are
encouraged to contact the Ombudsman Customer Service Line at
1-877-557-2575.
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EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Employment opportunities are available through the
University and in the local community. Available positions are
posted on the Job Placement Board, located across from the
Financial Aid office in Schofield Hall, and on the UW-Eau Claire
Financial Aid office homepage.
Work-Study and University Employment: The
University provides both Federal Work-Study (FWS) and
University-sponsored employment opportunities for students. FWS is
available for students who demonstrate financial need, and
eligibility for this program must be obtained before beginning
employment. FWS positions offer a wide range of opportunities and
are available in most departments across campus. Community service
placements are an option under FWS. UW-Eau Claire also offers a
substantial University-funded student employment program, referred
to as Non-Federal student employment. All currently enrolled
students are eligible to seek employment in the Non-Federal
positions, and financial need is not a criterion for employment.
Students may work up to 40 hours per week.
Off Campus Employment: Many positions are
available in the local community. Employers often call the
University to list job vacancies and those positions are posted on
the Job Placement Board, as well as on the UW-Eau Claire Financial
Aid homepage. Over 400 students are placed in community employment
through these listings each year.
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RETURN
OF FINANCIAL AID FUNDS
WHEN A STUDENT WITHDRAWS
When a student withdraws from the University
during the semester, federal regulations require that the
University determine whether a portion of the student’s federal
financial aid (other than work-study) must be returned. The amount
of aid the student may keep when withdrawing is in direct
proportion to the length of time the student remained enrolled
during the semester. If the student was enrolled for 20 percent of
the semester before withdrawing, 80 percent of the federal
financial aid must be returned to the aid programs. If the student
stays through 50 percent of the semester, 50 percent of the aid
must be returned. Once the student completes at least 60 percent
of the semester, the student may keep 100 percent of the aid
received.
Consequently, if a student withdraws before
completing at least 60 percent of the semester, the student may
owe a repayment. The student will be billed for any balance owed
as a result of returning the financial aid funds, and the
university will notify the student of the dollar amount owed.
Any financial aid that must be returned to the
federal aid programs will be used first to reimburse loans
received for the semester and then grant funds.
The specific repayment priority is:
1. Unsubsidized Ford Loan
2. Subsidized Ford Loan
3. Perkins Loan
4. Parent’s Loan for Undergraduate Students
5. Pell Grant
6. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
7. Other federal aid programs
Examples of the refund calculations are available
in the Financial Aid office. Actual, individualized calculations
are done in the Business office.
For state funds, institutional funds, and outside
resources:
Financial aid received from state, institutional,
and outside resources is not part of the federal return of funds
repayment calculation. If remaining funds are available from the
institutional refund after the federal return of funds
requirements are satisfied, the remaining refund will be
distributed in the following priority order:
1. State aid programs
2. Institutional programs
3. Outside financial aid resources, if
appropriate
4. Student
Credit Drop (but not withdrawal from the
University)
If a student drops credits before financial aid
has been disbursed, the aid must be adjusted, if necessary, to
correctly reflect the current enrollment status before aid can be
disbursed. If a student changes enrolled credits after aid is
disbursed, resulting in a change in the student’s eligibility, aid
will be adjusted. This could result in a student having to repay
some of the aid received for the term.
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FUNDS
FOR PURCHASING A COMPUTER
Students may be eligible for additional loan funds
to cover the purchase or rental of a computer. Contact the
Financial Aid office for details of this policy.
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ADDITIONAL
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
Graduate Students: Graduate students are
eligible for scholarships, fellowship assistantships, loans, and
employment programs. Contact the office of Admissions (attention:
Graduate Admissions), UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI 54701, or call
(715) 836-4733 for application procedures for graduate student
financial aid.
Veterans Administration Grants, G.I. Bill
Benefits, National Guard Tuition Grants, Wisconsin Veterans Grant,
Veterans’ Work Study: A Veterans Counselor is available in
Schofield 128 for students seeking information or assistance with
these programs.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Various financial
programs are available to students who qualify. Further
information is available from area Vocational Rehabilitation
offices.
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UW-Eau
Claire Foundation Scholarships and Awards
The UW-Eau Claire Foundation provided $950,000 in
scholarships to UW-Eau Claire students in 2002-03. Several hundred
different awards are available, all provided through the
generosity of alumni and friends of the university.
Information about the various scholarships,
including amounts, award criteria, and application and awarding
deadlines is now available on the Financial Aid office Web site.
Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements, so check
the information on each scholarship in which you are interested.
To access this information, go to
www.uwec.edu/finaid.
Awards are listed alphabetically by title and also
by department. Follow the application instructions for each award.
For more information about a specific scholarship or the
application procedure, contact the department responsible for the
award as listed in the criteria on the Web site. For other
scholarship related questions, contact Melissa Vogler, Financial
Aid Counselor, at (715) 836-3373 or
voglermm@uwec.edu.
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National
Merit Scholarship
The National Merit Scholarship is awarded to all
new freshmen who are National Merit Finalists and who specify
UW-Eau Claire as their first choice. The scholarship is in the
amount of resident tuition and fees for the academic year.
Renewable for four years. High school guidance counselors can
advise regarding the application process.
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