Student Financial Aid

Student Financial Services
Craig Fennell, Director, Student Services
Conwell Hall, Ground Floor
215-204-8760
http://sfs.temple.edu/
sfs@temple.edu

Application Procedures

Documents Needed to Apply

The only document required is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A FAFSA must be filed each year a student expects to receive financial aid. Applications are available at all Student Financial Services (SFS) locations and also may be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/. The federal code for Temple University, Main Campus is 003371. Locations and phone numbers for Temple University's SFS offices are listed at http://sfs.temple.edu/.

Application Deadline

March 1st
Priority consideration is given to new and renewal applications received by the federal processor by this date. Late applicants will be considered, but all funding sources may not be available.

Verification

Federal regulations require that the Office of Student Financial Services reviews all student financial aid applications (FAFSA information) to make sure it is accurate. The Office of Student Financial Services is required to resolve any conflicting information, inconsistencies or errors made on FAFSA applications to ensure the integrity of federal student financial aid programs. You may be selected for verification if:

• Your Social Security number, veteran status, or citizenship status reported on the FAFSA does not match the federal government's data.
• You completed the FAFSA using estimated income information or income information is inconsistent (i.e., your reported adjusted gross income is less than taxes paid). You may be asked to supply copies of federal tax returns.

Temple University operates as a Quality Assurance School in association with the U.S. Department of Education. As a result, please do not submit verification documents unless the University's Office of Student Financial Services contacts you.

If verification documents are requested, you will be required to submit all of them within thirty days. If all documents are not received by the deadline, all federal and university need-based aid will be removed from the award.

Your financial package will be outlined in an award letter mailed to your home (freshman and transfer students only). Continuing students will receive an e-mail notification to view the award letter online on the Financial Aid Channel located on Temple's TUportal.

International Students

The Office of International Services, 215-204-7229, offers limited financial assistance to persons holding non-immigrant visas. Federal regulations limit most financial aid to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens (http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/Glossary.jsp).

Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholars Services for more information (www.temple.edu/isss/).

Academic Requirements

Applicants for Federal, State, and University financial aid programs administered by Temple University must be accepted for admission or currently enrolled as a matriculated student in a degree program.

A student may apply for a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (or a parent may apply for a PLUS Loan on behalf of a dependent student for coursework that is documented as a prerequisite for admission into a degree-seeking program. If enrolled at least half time in these prerequisite courses, the student is eligible for loans for one consecutive 12 month period.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial aid funds are restricted to students who make satisfactory academic progress.  The qualitative standard is defined as being in good academic standing as defined by the school or college in which the student is enrolled. The quantitative component of the satisfactory academic progress standard requires students to successfully complete 67% of all attempted credits. For more information, see http://sfs.temple.edu/apply/eligibility-determination/academic-progress-standards.

Enrollment Status

Some financial aid programs are restricted to full-time students. Other aid programs are available to both full-time and part-time students. (NOTE: High school students accepted under the Early Admissions Program are not eligible for financial aid until they receive their high school diploma.)

Students should be aware that dropping and adding courses can affect financial aid eligibility, and they must notify the Office of Student Financial Services of any change in enrollment status.

Academic Dismissal/Reinstatement

Eligibility for financial aid, including federal work-study, ends if a student is academically dismissed or ceases to be enrolled.

Financial Aid Eligibility -- Need Analysis

Financial aid is offered to students based on financial need. Need is determined by the following formula:

(Estimated cost of attendance) minus (Expected Family Contribution*) minus (Expected Financial Aid) equals Need

*The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by a federal formula based on information reported on the student's FAFSA application. The EFC is the number that's used to determine a student's eligibility for federal student financial aid. This number results from the financial information a student and/or parent provided in the FAFSA application. The student's EFC is reported to the student on the Student Aid Report (SAR).

The result of a need determination is met by a combination of awards called a financial aid package.

Other sources exist that may be available to students for educational assistance. Some of these are private scholarship programs, Cooperative Education programs, Veterans Administration benefits, public assistance, and Social Security benefits. If outside assistance is received, financial aid awarded by the university may be adjusted.

Independent Student Definition

2013-14 Financial Aid Applicants: Federal regulations define an independent student if he/she meets one of the following criteria:

1. You were born before January 1, 1990.
2. You will be enrolled in a master's or doctoral program for the 2013-14 academic year.

3. You are married.

4. You have children and/or dependents who receive more than half of their support from you.

5. You are a ward of the court, or both your parents are deceased.

6. You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Federal regulations require that a student not meeting the definition of independent apply as a dependent. These students must provide income, asset, and household information for themselves and their parent(s), (including stepparent[s]).

Educational Budget

Financing a college education takes planning and budgeting. Students should try to plan ahead, anticipating costs and resources, and should request aid for the entire academic year. The basic budget for a year at Temple should include tuition and fees, books and supplies, living expenses, and transportation. Tuition shown in the following example is for undergraduates attending Main Campus. Financial aid awards will be adjusted accordingly for programs having different tuition rates. The figures in the table are based on estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The economy and one's style of living may make actual costs higher or lower.

Financial Aid Notification and Refund Policy

Applicants are notified of aid eligibility by letter or electronic letter after applications have been reviewed. Financial aid may consist of a combination of grant, loan, and/or work assistance.

Recipients receiving aid in excess of institution charges will receive a refund. Checks are issued according to the university's established schedule, starting just prior to the first week of classes each semester. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit to expedite the receipt of refund payment. This can be done online via the TUportal.

Student Employment

Academic Year

The Federal Work Study (FWS) program at Temple promotes part-time employment of college students with demonstrated financial need. FWS is awarded as part of the student's financial aid package, but the award is not credited to the student's tuition account.

Employment may be within the university or at other public and private non-profit organizations. All university work-study job openings are posted on StudentJobs@Temple. Students can reach StudentJobs@Temple via the TUPortal.

FWS jobs which are available from Off Campus employers are listed on the Work Study Job Bank of the Student Financial Services (SFS) web site at http://sfs.temple.edu/.

Summer Sessions

Summer Federal Work-Study Program awards need-based funds to full-time students currently enrolled in degree or certificate programs who have a current FAFSA on file. Summer positions are posted in the same manner as the regular academic year. University employers list openings on StudentJobs@temple.edu. Off campus openings are posted on the "Work Study Job Bank" link on the SFS web site: http://sfs.temple.edu/. You must arrange your own employment. You must complete a separate Temple Summer Financial Aid application. Summer Financial Aid applications are available by selecting the "Forms" link from the SFS home page.