Frequently Asked Questions

General Information:

How do I apply for financial aid?

You should apply for financial aid each academic year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

How do I file the FAFSA?

You must file your online FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. FAFSA paper applications may be obtained by calling (800-433-3243). Applications are no longer sent to the College. Processing time for the FAFSA application is approximately two weeks if you file online. If you choose to mail the FAFSA, processing takes about four to eight weeks. Once the application has been received by the Financial Aid Office, please allow sufficient time for processing.

Who should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

All students who plan to attend Bucks should file, even if you are not sure if you will need financial aid. The FAFSA form is also used to determine some scholarship eligibilty. All students applying for any loan programs are required to complete a FAFSA at Bucks. This form is completed and used for the entire academic school year.

I know I don't qualify for aid, should I still complete the FAFSA?

Yes. Remember, your family's size, income, and the number of family members enrolled in college are factors taken into consideration when determining your eligibility. And even if you don't qualify for grants, you still need to have the FAFSA completed to be considered for certain scholarships, work study, and Federal Stafford and PLUS Loans.

Can I file the FAFSA if my parent(s) or I have not yet filed our taxes for the tax year?

To avoid delay in processing of your application, you should have a completed income tax return. However, if you or your parent(s) have not filed taxes, you can estimate the tax information by using your W-2 forms. Note: corrections may be needed after you file your taxes, which can delay the processing of your financial aid.

What is a PIN number and how do I get one?

The PIN is a four digit number assigned by the U.S. Department of Education for the duration of your college career. This PIN serves as your electronic signature for online documents such as the FAFSA, and Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note. If filing the FAFSA online, the student and one parent (if the student is dependent) will need a PIN number in order to sign it. You can request a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov.

What is Bucks's Title IV school code?

Bucks's Title IV school code is 003239. This code identifies Bucks as the school you wish to attend on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

When is the deadline for financial aid at Bucks? When should I apply?

Apply as soon as possible. The FAFSA for the upcoming academic year is available every January. You should apply before May 1st of each academic year to meet Pennsylvania's deadline date for a PHEAA State Grant.

You can complete the FAFSA anytime during your period of enrollment but no later than June 30 of the end of the academic year whichever comes first, for consideration for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant(ACG), Federal Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS Loan.

What happens once I file my FAFSA form?

After the FAFSA form has been filed, your Student Aid Report (SAR) will be mailed to you. If you filed electronically, your SAR will be sent electronically. The SAR indicates your expected family contribution (EFC) and Federal Pell Grant eligibility. The information is sent to the institutions listed on your FAFSA. The school will notify you of your eligibility in an award letter.

Are there any other forms that I have to fill out in addition to the FAFSA?

Students who choose to borrow through the Stafford Loan Program will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is the loan application. We also require all students complete a Loan Request Form available on our website. A separate MPN is required for parents borrowing through the PLUS Loan Program.

How is financial aid awarded to students?

Students qualify for most financial aid based on their financial need. A student's financial need is based on the following formula:
Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) equals Financial Need
Cost of Attendance: An average cost of attendance is calculated for each student based on their program of study, enrollment, and their residency status. The cost of attendance consists of costs for tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation, and other associated educational costs.

What is Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?

The EFC is calculated through the completion of the FAFSA. The EFC reflects the federal estimate of what a family and/or student can afford to contribute toward the cost of college on a yearly basis.

Do I have to be a full-time student to be eligible for financial aid?

No. Generally, for most financial aid programs, an enrollment status of six (6) credits is required.

How is enrollment status defined?

Full-time 12 or more credits per term
3/4 time 9 - 11 credits per term
Half time 6 - 8 credits per term
Less than half time 1 - 5 credits per term

Are English as a Second Language (ESL) classes eligible for financial aid?

Yes, but there are limitations for grants. This is according to your program and number of credits in ESL classes completed.

I am not a U.S. Citizen will I qualify for financial aid?

To qualify for aid, non-U.S. Citizens must have an "eligible noncitizen" status. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information and eligibility requirements.

I earned a Bachelor's degree in another country, would I qualify for financial aid?

If you have an official transcript that has been evaluated and translated by an approved agency, you may only be eligible to apply for a Stafford Loan. Any student, regardless of their citizenship status, with a bachelor's degree is not eligible for federal or state grants.

What is Verification? Why was I selected for this process?

Verification is the process by which the information that you and your parents supplied on the FAFSA form is verified by the Financial Aid Office. We will request copies of you and your parent's tax forms and W-2's. A verification form is also required, which will be mailed to you from your school. Most cases of verification will require corrections to your information and will delay the processing of your aid. Verification is a random selection process of the Department of Education similar to being audited by the IRS.

Do I have to attend my classes to get Financial Aid?

Yes, and maintain all academic progress policies as listed in the catalog as well as the website under Academic Progress.

I withdrew from all my classes. Do I have to pay any money back?

Students must earn Title IV Funds that are received. The amount of aid earned is determined by the length of time the student was enrolled. Students who withdraw during the 60% point of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of their financial aid funds. Students withdrawing prior to that period may need to have financial aid funds returned.

Do I have to meet any academic requirements for financial aid?

Yes, you must be enrolled for at least six credits (half-time) for most programs. Only certain Federal Pell grant recipients can receive a grant for a less than half-time enrollment. The Financial Aid Office does not count audited courses for financial aid. You must also maintain academic progress towards your program of study by completing at least 67% of all attempted credits, plus maintain a certain grade point average. Also you must complete your program within a 150% timeframe. Once a student attempts more than 150% of the credits that it normally takes to complete his/ her program of study, he/she is no longer eligible for financial aid. The Financial Aid Office counts all withdrawals and incomplete grades as non-completed course work. If for any reason financial aid is reduced or lost, the student is still obligated to pay any balance due to their college account. Students have the right to appeal a determination of ineligibility for financial aid based on lack of academic progress.

What types of financial aid are available at Bucks?

You can apply for grants, scholarships, loans and work-study at Bucks.

Grants:

Money which is awarded based on financial need and does not have to be paid back such as the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Happ Grover, and the PHEAA State Grant.

If I am not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, what other types of Financial Aid is available?

The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal grants, state grants, federal work study and loans. When students are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, they may be eligible for the state grant. Students also have the option to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, which you must pay back.

How do I apply for a PHEAA state grant and what is the deadline?

Students must file a FAFSA application by May 1. The information from the FAFSA is automatically submitted to PHEAA.

When will I receive my PHEAA State Grant?

Students receive a letter from PHEAA several weeks after the FAFSA has been processed. If a student is eligible, their grant will be applied to their account in approximately the 10th week of class. Students that have not received their PHEAA state grant by mid-November may check with the Financial Aid Office for the status. A student must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) credit hours to be eligible for the PHEAA state grant.

Scholarships:

Money generally awarded based on some sort of academic criteria, but can also be based on financial need. Scholarships do not have to be repaid. There are separate applications for each scholarship. Bucks offers a large selection of scholarships on the web at http://www.bucks.edu/financialaid/scholarships.html

How do I find out about scholarships?

Scholarship information can be found on our web site. Outside scholarship opportunities may be obtained from researching at libraries, civic organizations, churches as well as researching online. Listed below are some of the national Web-based searches.

Where and when can I look for scholarships?

Scholarships for the upcoming academic year are usually available starting in February. It is important to start looking as early as you can. Check with your High School Guidance Office, the Financial Aid Office of the college you plan on attending, local newspapers, the library, local business/organizations, and the Internet. Do not participate in any scholarship searches that require you to pay a fee. You can get the same information for free from free Internet searches and your college Financial Aid Office.

Are there scholarships available for Single Mothers?

There may be, you will need to do some research. Try using the free web scholarship searches and apply for any scholarships that are appropriate to your situation.

Loans:

Money which a student must repay, but the school determines the amount and types of loans the student is eligible for such as the Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. To apply go to www.aessuccess.org

How do I apply for a Federal Stafford Loan?

Students must complete a FAFSA form, even if they are not eligible for a Pell Grant, and a Stafford Loan application. Applications (Federal Master Promissory Notes) can be obtained from any bank or on the web at www.aessuccess.org. Students may also apply online at www.pheaa.org. You must be enrolled for a minimum of six credits (half time enrollment) in order to get a loan. Students should indicate on the FAFSA that they are interested in student loans.

What is the difference between a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan and an unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan?

Subsidized loans are need based loans. The interest is paid by the federal government while the student is attending school at least half time (six credits). Unsubsidized loans are not need based, and the student is responsible for the interest while attending school. Students have the option to defer making the interest payments if he/she is enrolled part time. Academic progress requirements also apply to Stafford Loans.

What is entrance counseling?

Entrance counseling is for all first-time borrowers at Bucks and is required by law. It is used to educate students on the types of funds they are borrowing, the amount students may borrow, interest rates, repayment options and debt consolidation. Students may complete entrance counseling online at www.pheaa.org or www.aessuccess.org.

Why do I have to complete exit counseling?

Exit counseling is a federal requirement for all students that stop attending an institution on at least a half-time basis (6crs) or for students transferring to another institution. The purpose of exit counseling is to educate borrowers about their rights and responsibilities. The exit interview process will have no affect on future loans.

If I am not exiting or transferring from the College, do I still have to complete exit counseling?

Exit counseling is not required for these situations. However, students must complete a Certification Request form and forward it to the Office of Records and Registration. This notifies your lender that you are still enrolled in school.

Federal Work-Study:

A federal award based on financial need that provides the student the opportunity to earn money through a part-time job offered through the college.

How do I apply for the Federal Work-Study Program?

Students should file the FAFSA application by May 1 to be eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program. A student's enrollment must be at least six (6) credit hours to be employed on the FWSP. Interested students need to meet with a Financial Aid Representative to complete their required documents. Students should indicate on the FAFSA that they are interested in Federal Work-Study.

If eligible for Federal Work-Study, how many hours can I work?

The number of hours depends on the amount you have been awarded, normally no more than 20 hours during the academic year. Eligible students can normally work more than 20 hours a week during the summer.

Under the Federal Work-Study Program, what is the hourly pay rate?

The on-campus rate of pay is $7.50 per hour. Off-Campus rates vary from $7.50-$15.00 per hour.

When will I find out about how much financial aid I will be receiving from Bucks?

About 1 - 2 weeks after you complete the FAFSA on-line, you will receive an e-mail from the federal processor indicating your FAFSA has been processed. This is called your Student Aid Report (SAR). Read over the SAR and make any necessary corrections. PHEAA will notify you separately about your State grant eligibility. Bucks mails out award letters for the upcoming year starting in June.

When will I receive my refund check?

If you were an on-time applicant and your file has been awarded, refund checks are mailed to students after the third week of classes. Students who change enrollment status may experience a delay in receipt of their refund. Refund checks are mailed to students and cannot be picked up.

Do not make any changes to your FAFSA/SAR after you receive an award letter from Bucks.

If you find you made an error and you have already received an award letter from Bucks, contact the Financial Aid Office.

My family's income has decreased since I filed the FAFSA. Can my eligibility for financial aid be re-evaluated?

Yes. If your family has unusual circumstances such as loss of employment, loss of untaxed income or death of a parent or spouse, and the family income is significantly reduced, contact the Financial Aid Office to request a Special Condition Form.

I have developed a serious medical illness/ injury during the semester and cannot continue attending classes. What do I do?

If you are a current student and are unable to continue your classes due to a serious illness or injury, you must contact the Admission's office and ask for an Application for Tuition Appeal. You can also print a copy from the Bucks website at http://www.bucks.edu/admission/forms.html. If your application is denied, you will be responsible for payment of any unpaid balance due for the current semester.

In order for a tuition appeal to be considered, all financial aid refunds for the semester must be returned to the Student Account's Office. The student must specify that the payment is for a tuition appeal.

Frequently Used Telephone Numbers
FAFSA(800) 433-3243
PHEAA State Grant(800) 692-7392
AES (800) 233-0557
DEFAULT(800) 233-0751
IRS(800)829-1040

Dependency:

My parents no longer support me and I live on my own. Why do I still need to supply their information on the FAFSA?

Despite living on your own and receiving no support from your parents, you are not considered independent for financial aid purposes.

What requirements must I meet to be considered independent?

There are seven requirements which determine whether a student is independent. However, the student only needs to meet one of the following criteria to qualify as an independent student:

  • 24 years of age on or before the January 1 preceding the academic year
  • A graduate student
  • Married
  • Have legal dependents for whom you provide more than 50% of their support
  • An orphan or ward of the court
  • A veteran of the armed forces
  • You have dependent children for which you provide more than 50% of their support throughout the year

If you do not meet any of these requirements and there are special circumstances regarding your situation, contact the Financial Aid Office to have your dependency status determined.

Do I need my parent's tax information if I do not live with them?

Yes, if you don't meet the requirements for independent status.

Billing:

I've just recently been accepted to Bucks and just applied for financial aid and classes start soon -- What should I do about my bill?

You can still attend Bucks, however if you do not have financial aid present at the time your bill is due, you will need to make a payment to the college. You may either pay your bill in full or utilize the college's tuition payment plan. You could also contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you may qualify for a deferment of your tuition and fees.

What do I do if I cannot pay my tuition in full by the tuition due date?

If you have not applied for financial aid yet, please make sure that you complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. You can use the college's payment plan. The payment plan requires students to pay 50% at the time of registration and the remaining balance is due a month into the semester.

I am expecting financial aid. Do I need to make any payments for tuition and fees?

If you have received a financial aid award letter from the Bucks Financial Aid Office prior to the tuition due date, and the semester award is enough to cover your bill in full, you do not need to make any additional payments. Note that amounts awarded for a future semester or college work study cannot be used to pay for the current semester bill.

If your award is not enough to pay your semester bill in full, you must pay your balance in full or complete the tuition payment plan with the Student Accounts Office. This must be done prior to the tuition due date.

I applied for financial aid--why did I receive a bill?

You may have received a bill for several reasons:

  • If your Bucks financial aid application was received after the May 1 deadline, the aid may not be processed by the tuition due date. If you do not receive a Bucks award letter by the tuition due date, then we recommend you enroll in the tuition payment plan. Your account will be adjusted after the award is received and any credit balance will be refunded to you.
  • Your financial aid may not cover the bill in full.
  • All students will receive a statement of account/bill on a monthly basis.

My financial aid award is greater than my semester bill; can I use the excess amount of my aid for books?

If you have a credit balance from excess financial aid award (aid must be awarded), you can come to the Financial Aid Office on the first day of the semester to receive a bookstore voucher. The voucher will allow you to charge your books by using this card. The Bookstore will require appropriate ID, in addition to the card, to charge against your account. If your purchases are in excess of the aid amount your can spend, you will need to pay for the balance out-of-pocket.

What happens to my excess financial aid?

Any credit balance on your account after books are purchased will be refunded approximately 3-4 weeks after the semester start date. Remember, enrollment status changes can delay the refund process.

I enrolled in the tuition payment plan because my financial aid was not awarded by the tuition due date. What will happen after my financial aid is awarded?

Any credit balance (overpayments and/or excess financial aid) will be refunded to you.

I dropped one or more of my courses during the refund period, are my charges adjusted and does my Financial Aid awards change?

Yes if you drop during the refund period the first week of classes your tuition and fees will be adjusted according to the % being refunded at the time you drop. Some fees are non refundable. Financial Aid is adjusted to the enrollment status after the first week of classes, after the refund period is over.

I dropped a course(s) after the refund period, what do I owe to Bucks?

Courses dropped after the refund period will be handled as a Withdrawal and you will not be eligible for any adjustment or refund of tuition and fees. Any balance remaining on your account, after the withdrawal, is due in full.

I dropped my course(s), why do I still owe money?

While Bucks makes the decision of whether or not to run each class based on the number of students registered in each class at the beginning of the semester, we understand that your situation may change. Our refund policy allows you to drop your course during the 1st week and receive partial credit. Your tuition and fees are adjusted according to this refund policy. If you drop your course during the refund period, you will get the stated % refund. After the refund period, you are responsible for 100% of the balance due, since you reserved a seat in the class that cannot be filled by another student.

What is the Technology fees used for?

The technology fees are charged for the student to use the vast technology at the college. All students have an email account, access to Web Advisor, and use of the many computer labs at the college.

Summer Financial Aid:

Is Financial Aid available for the summer semester?

Summer financial aid may be available to students that have not used their financial aid in full during the regular academic year.

A summer application is required for students who would like to be considered for a Pell Grant, Work-Study, or Student Loan. An additional Summer Loan Request Form (LRF) is required for students interested in a Stafford Loan. Applications are available in the Financial aid Office starting in mid-April. Summer Applications are also placed on the Bucks Financial Aid website under Applications (this form is only available at certain times of year as needed).

If a student did not borrow the maximum amount of student loans during the academic year, they may be eligible to borrow up to their remaining balance of loan funds.

To be eligible a student must take at least 3 credits during summer session I. If the student is taking out a loan, they must take 6 credits total. Students receiving loan funds are required to take at least 3 credits during summer session 1 and the 3 remaining credits can be taken in any of the other summer sessions.

If a student was full time both Fall and Spring semester the student will have no grant money available to them.

Are book cards available for summer?

If a student has been awarded financial aid in excess of their tuition and fees for the summer, they may qualify for a book voucher for Summer Session I only. This is due to the fact that refunds will be sent prior to the beginning of Summer Session II if the student has provided us with all required information prior to Summer Session starting.

It is the student's responsibility to save any refunds they receive from Summer Session I to pay for books in later summer sessions.

Can I receive summer aid at Bucks if I attend another school during the regular academic year?

You may only receive financial aid at Bucks if you are seeking a degree at our institution. Students that enroll in courses at Bucks for the summer semester only, with plans of returning to their "home school" during the academic year, would not qualify for any financial aid.

Can't Find The Answer To Your Question?

Feel free to contact the Financial Aid office at 215-968-8200. Or you can stop in Monday through Thursday 8:00 - 4:30, Friday from 8:00-4:00. Summer Hours are: 8:00-4:30 Monday through Thursday. The Financial Aid Office will be closed on Fridays. We are located in the HUB.

Last updated 6/2/08-NY