Suffolk University - Information About Your Financial Aid Award

Be enrolled in a degree granting program*
Be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits per semester (except for select Pell Grant recipients)
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Be a US citizen or permanent resident**
Not be in default on prior educational loans
Not owe a refund on a federal Pell grant, SEOG or SSIG
If required, be registered with Selective Service

* Undergraduate students enrolled in Certificate Programs are eligible for Pell Grants, Federal Direct/Stafford and PLUS loans.

** International Students should refer to the International Student Financial Aid for financial aid options.

Note: A financial aid application will not be reviewed until the student has been admitted to a degree or certificate program

Appeals

Each student has the right to appeal his/her financial aid decision. Appeals should only be based on new or changing information which was not included on the original financial aid application. Appeal applications are available in the Financial Aid Office and must be accompanied with supporting documentation. Additional funding received through the appeal process MAY NOT be renewable every year.

Payment Plans

The Suffolk University Student Accounts Office is willing to work with students and their families to arrange a manageable tuition payment plan. Please contact the Student Account Office at 617-573-8407 or http://www.tuitionpay.com for additional information.

Outside (Private) Scholarships

Numerous private scholarships are available through outside organization and can be an invaluable source of assistance. Information on such scholarships is available at your local library or the Guidance Office of your local high school. In addition, the Financial Aid Office often lists outside scholarships in the weekly edition of The Suffolk Journal.

You must report the receipt of any private award to the Financial Aid Office as your award package may be affected. If an outside award is received, it may necessitate a reduction in other forms of funding previously awarded to you by the Financial Aid Office. In most cases, if a reduction is required, self-help awards (loans and/or employment) are often reduced before grant/scholarship funding is decreased.

Books

The Office of Financial Aid issues Book Vouchers, on request, if a student’s financial aid exceeds tuition and related charges by $400 each semester. However, before a book voucher can be authorized, all funding must have been received from Federal, State, and outside sources.

The maximum amount of a book voucher is $300. Since most students do not qualify for a book voucher, students should plan to use their own resources to purchase books each semester.

Co-op and Financial Aid

A student participating in the Co-op Program is eligible for financial aid consideration provided he/she maintains part-time enrollment of at least 6 credits per semester.

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Changes in Enrollment

Changes in your enrollment status may effect your financial aid. If any changes are made after your financial aid award has been determined, you will need to fill out a change of enrollment form.

Refunds

Occasionally, an applicant may receive financial aid in excess of tuition costs. In such cases, a refund check for the difference is issued to the student, but not until all funding has been received by the University and "ADD/Drop" period is over, usually six (6) weeks after the start of each semester.

Therefore, it is important to make your financial plans accordingly, since you may need to utilize your own resources to cover fees, books and other related expenses.

Financial Aid and your Tuition Bill

With the exception of employment awards, most forms of aid are applied directly to your tuition account. This is normally done twice a year, after the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. Loans are normally disbursed twice a year and recipients may be required to sign a promissory note for the loan before it can be applied to the tuition account.

Scholarships/grants and loans from sources other than Suffolk University (i.e. Federal Pell Grants, State Scholarships, Federal Stafford, Federal PLUS etc.) are not posted to a student’s tuition account until the funding is received by Suffolk.

Therefore, it is important to complete all required paperwork as soon as possible so that funding is transferred to the University in a timely manner.

Renewal of Aid

Applicants must reapply for funding each year and can generally expect to receive the same level of funding (although the composition may change) providing

University funding levels remain the same
Application deadlines are met
Satisfactory academic progress is maintained
Enrollment status remains the same

Note: Additional funding received through the appeal process may not be renewed every year.

Study Abroad

Suffolk University is pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in Study Aboard programs. Students electing to participate in a study abroad program should be fully prepared to absorb ADDITIONAL costs since loans may be the only financing option available through the Financial Aid Office. It is most important to resolve financial issues prior to leaving the country. If a student is receiving aid, that funding (with the exception of employment) can normally be used for study abroad.

As mentioned previously, Stafford, PLUS, or credit based loans are available for study abroad. To apply, you should contact the Financial Aid Office for application information. Students studying abroad through the Madrid or Senegal Campus, Regents College, or Inter-future need only notify the Financial Aid Office in writing of their plans and submit a written approval from their advisor. Students not studying through Senegal, Madrid, Regents, or Inter-future will need to supply the Financial Aid Office with the following:

If you need financial aid transferred to a college or university other than a Suffolk sponsored program, you must have the Financial Aid Office at the other college complete a Consortium Agreement. Consortium Agreements are available at the Suffolk University Financial Aid Office or here for download in PDF format.
Written Program cost information
A written breakdown of any other costs (plane ticket, etc.) you might absorb.
A written program approval from the Dean’s Office. Approval should indicate that credits earned through study abroad will be accepted as credits toward your degree. An approval section is included on the Consortium Agreement.

Most scholarships and grants can easily be applied toward your study abroad bill. Employment awards such as Work-Study may not be used for Study Abroad Programs. You may retain your employment award for any semesters you are at Suffolk, but employment awards will be revoked for any semester(s) you are studying abroad. Loans may also be used, however you need to plan ahead. You may be required to sign a promissory note which must be done prior to your departure. If you are also required to endorse loan checks, you may want to consider signing a power of attorney over to someone you trust, such as a parent or sibling so that they can sign your loan checks.

Although you are involved in a study abroad program, you should still be aware of all financial aid deadlines and do your best to meet them. You should also know if you are interested in applying for scholarships which require an interview it may not be possible to make special arrangements for you.

Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional details on how a study abroad program could affect your financial aid situation. You can reach us by phone at (617) 573-8470, by fax at (617) 720-3579, email, or by visiting our office at 41 Temple Street, Boston, MA 02114.

Withdrawal/Leave of Absence

If you must leave the University, be sure to file the appropriate withdrawal or leave of absence forms, available from the Dean of Students. Not completing the appropriate forms can prove costly, since you may be assessed tuition charges for a semester you do not complete. In order to be sure that your tuition charges are posted correctly, check in with the Dean of Students Office before you leave the University.

Also, if you leave the University before the end of the semester or do not successfully complete a semester, your financial aid package may need to be adjusted. Details on Refund and Pro Rata refund Formulas are available in the university Catalog.

I.R.S. Regulations on Financial Aid

Scholarships, grants, and employment awards may be considered taxable income. Check with your accountant or the IRS for specific tax information.