As you're applying, you may encounter some new-to-you terms related to financial aid. We put together a glossary of terms for some of the common words and phrases that will help you as you apply for aid.
This is not an extensive list of terms so if you have any questions, please reach out to the Office Of Financial Aid and we are happy to help.
Glossary of Financial Aid Terms
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a college's estimate of a student's total yearly educational expenses, including both billed (direct) costs like tuition, fees, and on-campus housing, and living (indirect) costs such as books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Direct Subsidized Loan: Loans that the U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on while you’re in school at least half-time, for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period), and during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments). Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Loans that the borrower is responsible for paying the interest on during all periods. If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, your interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan).
A number used by your school to calculate the amount of federal student aid you are eligible to receive. It is based on the financial information provided in your Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA). This is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive.
A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while the student is enrolled in school to help pay his or her education expenses. The student must seek out and apply for work-study jobs at his or her school. The student will be paid directly for the hours he or she works and may not automatically be credited to pay for institutional tuition or fees. The amount you earn cannot exceed the total amount awarded by the school for the award year. The availability of work-study jobs varies by school. Please note that Federal Work-Study earnings may be taxed in certain scenarios; however the income you earn will not be counted against you when calculating your Student Aid Index on the FASFA.
The percentage of students who graduate from an institution. This shows students who began their studies as first-time, full-time degree- or certificate-seeking students and completed their degree or certificate within 150 percent of "normal time." For example, for a four-year school, the graduation rate would be the percentage of students who completed that program within six years or less.
Student aid funds that do not have to be repaid. Grants are often need-based, while scholarships are usually merit-based. Occasionally, you might have to pay back part or all of a grant if, for example, you withdraw from school before finishing a semester. If you use a grant or scholarship to cover your living expenses, the amount of your scholarship may be counted as taxable income on your tax return.
Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Loans from the federal government typically have a lower interest rate than loans from private lenders. Federal loans, listed from most advantageous to least advantageous, are called Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans. You can find more information about federal loans at StudentAid.gov.
The percentage of student borrowers who are more than 270 days late on their federal student loan payments.
The amount in federal loans the typical undergraduate student takes out at a particular institution. It also indicates the monthly payments that an average student would pay on that amount using a 10-year repayment plan.
An estimate of the actual cost that a student and his or her family need to pay in a given year to cover education expenses for the student to attend a particular school. Net price is determined by taking the institution's cost of attendance and subtracting any grants and scholarships for which the student may be eligible.
Non-Federal Private Education Loan
A private education loan is a loan issued expressly for postsecondary education expenses to a borrower (either through the educational institution or directly to the borrower) from a private educational lender, rather than as a Title IV, HEA loan offered by the Department of Education.
An upfront fee charged by a lender for processing a new loan application. It is compensation for putting the loan in place. Origination fees are quoted as a percentage of the total loan.
A loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students for which the borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest regardless of the loan status.
Provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement. Service obligation information can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach.
An arrangement that divides a student's total education costs (like tuition, fees, housing) into smaller, manageable monthly installments, making it easier to budget and pay over a semester or year, often interest-free, and serving as an alternative to paying the full bill upfront or taking out loans. These plans usually involve an enrollment fee and require automatic payments, with options to pay via bank account or card.
Benefits that help Veterans, service members, and their qualified family members with needs like paying college tuition, finding the right school or training program, and getting career counseling. You can find more information here: https://www.va.gov/education/.
