Financing Your Mercyhurst Education

Carrie NewmanDirector of Student Financial Services

Office of Student Financial Services

A Mercyhurst College education is the investment of a lifetime. We focus on helping students afford a Mercyhurst College education by offering a variety of grant and scholarship programs, in-school employment opportunities, and a wide range of loan programs and payment options.

By now, most of you already received your award letter showing your scholarships, grants, and other eligibility, such as Federal Stafford

Loans .

What’s next?

Term Tentative

Billing Date

Tentative

Due Date

Fall 2009 July 21, 2009 Aug. 21, 2009

Winter 2010 Oct. 31, 2009 Nov. 24, 2009

Spring 2010 Jan. 30, 2010 Feb. 25, 2010

Student Billing Schedule

Living on Campus

Commuter (living with parents)

Tuition ($758/credit) $23,498 $23,498

Fees 1,596 1,596

Room 5,250 ----------

Board 4,281 4,281

Direct Costs $34,625 $29,375

Books & Supplies 1,000 1,000

Transport. 1,000 2,100

Misc. 600 600

Total Direct & Indirect Costs

$37,225 $33,075

Estimated Academic Year Cost of Attendance - 31credits

Trimester System & Billing Per Credit• Mercyhurst College is on a 3 term or trimester system• Students are able to spread classes over 3 manageable terms (3 - 4 classes

per term) • Bill reflects exact number of credits for which a student registers• Some majors require labs for which additional charges may apply. For

yearly budgeting purposes, it is common to budget an average of 31 credits per academic year.

• Aid is applied evenly over the 3 terms. Some terms may result in a credit/refund, other terms a balance may be owed to the school.

Financial Aid on the Student Bill• Financial aid reflected as “pending” on the student bill, until eligibility is

confirmed, verification is completed and enrollment is certified. Aid is crediting the 1st day after drop/add period (usually around the 8th day of the term).

• For Direct Student Loans to credit, a promissory note must be signed online, and online Entrance Counseling must be complete.

• Crediting of financial aid occurs no earlier than the 8th day of the term (the 1st day after drop/add period).

Sample Fall Bill

Meal Plans & One Card Service• The meal plan the student selects will roll over from one term to the next

unless the student initiates a change with the One Card Office• If student has a credit as a result of financial aid, it can be transferred to

the student’s One Card Account• Parents may apply money directly to the student’s One Card Account by

sending it to the One Card Office

Payment Methods

• Personal Checks• Money Orders• Cash• TMS Monthly Payment Plan (AMEX, MasterCard & Discover Credit

cards are accepted)• Apply by calling 1-888-285-3052 or online at www.afford.com

TMS Payment PlanSpread your education expenses over 12 or 9 monthly payments. Interest

Free. Annual enrollment fee applies.# Payments Start Date

Fee*

Annual 12, 9 5/1, 8/1 $60Re-enrollment 12 5/1 $60

Balanced budget payments will be recalculated during winter term

Great for balanced budgeting & avoiding late fees

Financing Options

• Federal Direct PLUS Loans (COA – other aid, 7.9% Interest Rate)

• Educational Alternative Loans (Chase, CitiAssist, PNC)

• Home Equity Loans*• Lines of Credit Borrowing from Life Insurance*

•Borrowing from a retirement or 401(k) plan*•Other Bank Loans*

*check with your Accountant or Financial Advisor about possible tax implications

•

How to Fill the Gap• Use our Budget Pre-Planning Worksheet provided in your

handouts today to help you determine the amount needed to fill the gap between the resources you saved, financial aid/loans, and the charges on the student account.

• Link to the Borrow Smart website from finaid.mercyhurst.edu

Borrow Smart

Borrow Smart

Borrow Smart

Borrow Smart

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. • Please be sure to have student fill out the FERPA form from the Registrar’s office to ensure that we may release information to you.

Unpaid Student Bill

An unpaid bill results in the student being placed on Business Office Hold:• Student is unable to register for classes for upcoming term• Official Academic Transcript cannot be released• Late Fees will be assessed

Recalculation Policies• The Office of SFS may be required to make necessary recalculation

adjustments to the student’s charges and financial aid when the student adds, drops, or withdraws from course(s), or ceases enrollment at the College.

• Complete details on withdrawal and refund policies are in the Academic Catalog.

Role of the Student• File FAFSA annually (by March 15)• Respond to requests for information and documentation promptly and within

prescribed deadlines• Understand Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid

(Quantitative & Qualitative requirements)• Understand terms & conditions of financial aid awards and all other policies in

Mercyhurst Reference Guide to Financing Your Education, 2009-2010– Some awards require certain GPA’s be maintained, or are available for only a limited

time

• Maintain Current Address in student record

Special Circumstances• Occasionally, family circumstances change, which could lead to increased

eligibility for aid. Samples include income loss or reduction due to:– Unemployment– Disability– Divorce– Death

• Appeal Forms are located at: finaid.mercyhurst.edu, click on Forms

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Reminder: FAFSA must be filed annually at www.fafsa.ed.gov• Preferred Filing Deadline – March 15 prior to award year• Automatically apply for PHEAA Grant when filing FAFSA

If you haven’t applied for aid for

the Fall term, including loans, it isn’t too late!

Mercyhurst Financial Aid Award Letter

• Details the financial aid awards by name.

• Additional details about the award are available in the Mercyhurst College Reference Guide to Financing Your Education at finaid.mercyhurst.edu (click on Policy & Procedures link).

⁻ Contains terms & conditions of financial aid and all policies related to billing and financial aid.

Office of SFS Contact Information

Customer Service Office/HotlineOffice: Old Main Rm. 115

Phone: (814) 824-2288Fax: (814) 824-2072

E-mail: studentfinsvcs@mercyhurst.edu

Website: finaid.mercyhurst.edu

Questions