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FINANCIAL AID MANUAL
2014-15
NOTE: Financial application materials must be downloaded and printed from
http://dental.tufts.edu/admissions/financial-aid/applying-for-financial-aid-print-financial-aid-application-forms/
Click on the applicable link if you are a US Citizen/Permanent Resident or if you are a foreign student.
Please refer to enclosed Financial Aid Application Checklist to determine necessary forms to complete.
Section I (Pages 3 - 7)
Introduction
The Financial Aid Office..................................................................................................................................... 3
•
Overview of Financial Aid Application Process ................................................................... 6
Financial Aid Deadline/Award Notification Timeframe..................................................................................... 6
Section II (Pages 9 - 10)
The Financial Aid Package
Sources of Financial Aid ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Types of Financial Aid ........................................................................................................................................ 9
•
Scholarships and Grants ........................................................................................................ 9
•
Student Loans ...................................................................................................................... 10
Section III (Pages 11 - 17)
Tufts Dental School Financial Aid Programs
Institutional Financial Aid Programs ................................................................................................................ 11
•
Merit Scholarship ................................................................................................................ 11
•
Dental Endowed Scholarship Funds ................................................................................... 11
•
Tufts Grant .......................................................................................................................... 11
•
Tufts Loan ........................................................................................................................... 11
Federal Student Aid Programs .......................................................................................................................... 11
•
Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) ........................................................................... 11
•
Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) ........................................................................... 12
•
Federal Perkins Loan ........................................................................................................... 12
•
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program .................................................................. 13
o
o
•
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan .................................................................................. 13
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan ..................................................................................... 14
Federal Work Study Program .............................................................................................. 15
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•
Private Education Loan Programs ....................................................................................... 15
o
o
o
Borrower Credit History and Student Loan Access .......................................................... 16
Credit Bureau Reporting ................................................................................................ 16
Lender Credit Criteria .................................................................................................... 16
Section IV (Pages 19 - 23)
Educational Costs
2013-14 Billed Costs ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Tentative Academic Year and Billing Due Dates ............................................................................................. 20
Living Expense Allowance ............................................................................................................................... 21
Books, Supplies and Other Indirect Costs ......................................................................................................... 21
Planning Payment of Your Educational Costs .................................................................................................. 22
Section V (Pages 24 - 46)
Financial Aid Application Procedures
Determining Financial Need ............................................................................................................................. 24
Submission of Parent Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 24
Required Financial Aid Application Materials ................................................................................................. 26
FAFSA Application Instructions....................................................................................................................... 29
Student Aid Reports (SARs) ............................................................................................................................. 29
CSS Profile Application Instructions ................................................................................................................ 32
Other Financial Aid Application Policies ......................................................................................................... 33
Section VI (Pages 37 – 38)
Common Errors on Financial Aid Application Forms
Section VII (Page 39)
Financial Aid Availability for Foreign Students
Section VIII (Pages 40-45)
Financial Aid Policies
Section IX (Page 46)
Military Health Professions Scholarship &
Other Public Health Service Programs
Contact Information
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SECTION I
INTRODUCTION
ENROLLMENT SERVICES – FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
SANDRA M. PEARSON
[email protected]
DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT SERVICES
(Financial Aid and Registration)
NIKKI LOWE LANE
[email protected]
ASSOC. DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
(Coordinator for D2017, D2015 and PG)
ROSEMARY HILLIARD
[email protected]
ASST. DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL AID
(Coordinator for D2018, D2016 and DIS)
Students interested in applying for financial aid to support their educational costs while enrolled at
Tufts Dental School must read this Financial Aid Manual prior to completion of any financial aid
application materials. This manual provides instructions as to the sources and types of financial aid
programs available to Tufts Dental students, estimated educational costs, and financial aid application
instructions. In addition, the manual contains the policies and procedures of the Financial Aid Office
applicable to the financial aid application process and determination of financial aid eligibility.
.
The Financial Aid Office coordinates all federal, private, and institutional financial aid programs within the
School of Dental Medicine. This entails determining student eligibility for the various financial aid
programs, assisting students in trying to determine their best financing options, processing student loan
applications, as well as providing financial aid, budgeting, and student loan debt management counseling.
While managing these challenges, the Financial Aid Office is responsible for maintaining compliance with
federal student financial aid regulations as well as university and dental school policies and procedures.
Sources for financial aid for graduate/professional students consist mainly of federal student loans or
private education loan programs. The Federal government does not provide federal grant assistance at the
graduate/professional level. Financial aid programs at TUSDM consist of these federal student loans
combined with very limited institutional grants, scholarships and low-interest loans through the school.
Financial aid resources at TUSDM are made up of about 84% student loans, 5% institutional scholarships and
grants (merit and needs-based). The remainder of funding comes from federal “return of service” contracts
through the military health professions student programs and the National Health Service Corps or privately
sponsored scholarships and grants.
Because the main source of financial aid funding is student loans, those who require financial support for
their educational costs will need to rely on these as their main source of funding in the absence of their own
resources. This can result in a heavy debt burden by the time the student graduates and begins their career in
dentistry. Although student loan borrowers are generally not required to repay the their student loans until
after they graduate, withdraw or drop below half-time status, acquiring student loan debt will impact their
future earnings. Student loans generally have more flexible repayment terms when compared to other types
of consumer credit. This allows student loan repayment to be more affordable especially soon after
graduation when the borrower’s income is most likely at its lowest point. Still, it’s important to remember
that student loans must be repaid regardless of whether or not the student graduates or practices dentistry.
The average student loan debt for the Class of D2014 (based on all students including those that didn’t
borrow) was approximately $258,000 with 89% of the class having borrowed loans while in attendance. The
average debt for Class of D2014 based on only those who borrowed was about $290,000. These statistics
represent an approximate 5% increase from the prior year’s graduating class. Based on the level of
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borrowing of those students currently enrolled, average debt levels will continue to increase if family
financial resources remain limited.
Applying for financial aid and understanding the information contained in this manual is certainly no small
task. Although we understand parents and sometimes students’ spouses often need to be involved in the
process, we consider the student 100% responsible for their application and completing all necessary steps
that will be required of them when applying for financial aid and, subsequently, student loans. To this end,
our primary contact concerning financial aid-related matters will always be the student. We expect the
student to become familiar with the terms of their student loans because incurring such debt will impact their
future financial health. We understand that students can be very intimidated by the financial aid application
and borrowing process because these are oftentimes regarded as “unfamiliar territory.” Realize the Financial
Aid Office is available to provide guidance with each step of the process if students should need additional
assistance after reviewing the written materials provided. Realize, too, that if the student does find it
necessary to contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance throughout the application process, our peak
season is usually during the spring/summer months. As a result, we may not always be immediately
available to answer phone calls. Please leave a message with your financial aid coordinator and someone
from the Financial Aid Office will return your call as soon as possible.
WHO CAN RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
Any student who is enrolled in an accredited program at the dental school and is considered in attendance at
least half time may apply for financial aid. However, eligibility for financial aid is based on a number of
factors such as citizenship, financial information provided by both student and family and the student’s
academic progress towards their degree.
The student’s citizenship status can have an impact on their eligibility to participate in certain types of
financial aid programs. In order to receive federal and most types of institutional financial aid, the student
must be either a U.S. citizen, a naturalized citizen of the United States, a permanent resident, or an eligible
non-citizen. Citizenship status must be documented where the student is required to show evidence of status
in the form of a birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, or proof of permanent residence (such as a
valid Permanent Registration Card or I-94 Departure/Arrival Record stamped appropriately). Note that the
Financial Aid Office is required to review the documentation submitted to determine if the student qualifies
to apply for federal student aid in accordance with federal student aid regulations. If the student is not
considered eligible to apply for federal student aid due to inadequate documentation for citizenship, they are
considered a foreign student.
Although financial aid is limited for foreign students, they can receive merit scholarship as well as private
education loans through private lenders. The primary resource of financial aid for foreign students is through
private education loans sponsored through private lenders such as banks and other student loan providers.
However, private education loan lenders will require the student to have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
of the U.S. act as a co-signer for the loan. Tufts University does not provide co-signers for any student.
In order to receive any financial assistance, whether from institutional, federal, or private sources, the student
must be making satisfactory progress towards their degree program. Satisfactory academic progress is
defined by the school. The current satisfactory progress policy is outlined in The Student Handbook which
can be found at http://dental.tufts.edu/student-gateway/student-forms-and-policies/#general. Merit-based aid
and certain endowed scholarship programs are based on outstanding academic achievement.
Most financial aid programs are considered “needs-based” where the student must demonstrate financial
need. Financial need is determined by using the data requested on the financial aid application materials the
student is required to submit in order to apply for financial aid. The student’s (and spouse’s) income and
assets as well as those of their parents are used to determine eligibility for needs-based financial aid
programs.
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A person generally isn’t eligible for Federal Student Aid funds if they are in default on a federal student loan
or they owe an overpayment on a federal grant or loan and not made a repayment arrangement for the default
or overpayment. Having an adverse credit history can impact availability of certain federal student loans as
well as credit-based private education loans.
There are other factors used to determine eligibility for federal student aid which include registration with
selective service and having a valid social security number reflecting the student’s legal name. When
completing the application for federal student aid, certain data matches are conducted between the
Department of Education, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Student Loan Data System
(NSLDS), the Social Security Administration, and Selective Service Administration. These agencies provide
information to the US Department of Education indicating whether or not that data provided on the student’s
application material match with their records. If data does not match, the student is required to provide
additional documentation to the Financial Aid Office for resolution. Usually exceptions surround selective
service registration and citizenship status.
Selective Service Registration
Selective Service Registration is a requirement of all males who are at least Permanent Residents, if not
Citizens, of the United States between the ages of 18-26. In order for a male student to receive federal
student aid, they must be registered with the Selective Service System. To check if you are registered, you
may go to www.sss.gov. You may also use this website to register if you find you are not in the system.
There are circumstances where a student may not have been required to register with Selective Service.
Circumstances include, if the student:






is female.
is in the armed services on active duty. NOTE: This does not apply to members of the Reserves and
National Guard who are NOT considered on active duty.
has not reached their 18th birthday.
was born prior to 1960.
is a permanent resident of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands or Northern Mariana Islands.
was above the age of 26 when entered the United States as a Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen*.
*Documentation must be obtained by the student verifying they were not required to register with Selective Service
upon entry into the U.S. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Selective Service Administration (SSA) to obtain
such documentation, (i.e. Letter of Exemption) and submit to the Financial Aid Office. Contact SSA at 888-655-1825 or
www.sss.gov. Federal Student Aid cannot be received until official proof is submitted to the Financial Aid Office.
Citizenship Status
Preliminary documentation of a student’s citizenship status is collected via the Admissions process where
students are required to complete a Verification of Citizenship status attaching required documentation as
outlined on the verification form. Citizens of the US must prove citizenship by submitting a copy of their
birth certificate or copy of their US Passport containing their biographical data. Naturalized citizens must
submit a copy of their certification of naturalization to the Financial Aid Office. Note that any student who
has changed their name must contact the Social Security Administration to begin the process of a legal name
change.
Permanent residents are required to submit a copy of their alien registration card reflecting a valid expiration
date or other evidence indicating they are considered a permanent resident of the US such as a photocopy of
their passport biography page indicating a stamp “processed for I-551” and an expiration date. The length of
time the document remains valid is dependent on whether or not the permanent resident has a conditional
status in which case the documentation normally expires within 2 years from the date it was issued.
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Permanent resident documentation without a conditional status normally expires within 10 years from the
date issued.
Eligible non-citizen status is usually documented by submitting a copy of the student’s I-94
Arrival/Departure Record which is stamped with appropriate language and dates. Eligible non-citizens are
encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office prior to completion of any financial aid application materials
so further guidance can be given regarding whether or not the student qualifies as an eligible non-citizen to
apply for federal student aid.
Students who are permanent residents or eligible non-citizens remain eligible for federal financial aid as long
as their permanent resident documentation has not expired. As soon as the expiration date occurs the
documentation previously submitted is invalid thus making the student ineligible for financial aid. The
student is required to submit proof of continued permanent resident status (or naturalized citizenship) upon
the expiration date of the previously submitted documentation. Failure to submit this proof can have
profound negative effects precluding the student’s ability to receive financial aid. Keep in mind the
expiration date may occur in the midst of the academic year so a student might be eligible for financial aid for
the first semester but lose eligibility the second semester if they have not submitted proof of continued status.
OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS
There are actually three steps in applying for financial aid. The first step involves the completion of the
financial aid application forms. Once the student’s application is complete, the Financial Aid Office will
review the student’s eligibility for financial aid and notify the student of their eligibility by sending them a
Financial Aid Award Notification Letter and award packet. The award packet contains several items
including further detailed instructions on how to complete step two of the financial aid application process.
Step two of the process involves the student completing the Financial Aid Award Notification Letter and
other student loan application materials depending upon what the student is eligible to receive and what
financial aid awards they choose to accept. Finally, the third step involves the disbursement of financial aid
funds, which occurs just prior to the start of the academic year for which the student has applied for aid.
The Financial Aid Manual is meant to provide instructions for completing the first step of the financial aid
application process. The manual provides information on the student’s estimated cost of education,
instructions on how to apply for financial aid, and an overview of the variety of financial aid programs
available to students attending Tufts Dental School. The second and third steps of the financial aid
application process are fully detailed in the Student Loan Handbook, which is sent to students as part of their
financial aid award packet.
Students apply for financial aid on a yearly basis for each academic year they expect to be enrolled and need
financial assistance. Financial aid application materials for the next academic year are normally distributed
in January of the current year. Hence application materials for the 2014-15 academic year are made available
to students in January 2014. Incoming students will receive application materials by US mail sent to their
mailing address provided to the Admissions Office. Currently enrolled students will receive their application
materials in their student mailboxes at the school.
FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE/AWARD NOTIFICATION TIMEFRAME
The deadline to apply for financial aid at Tufts Dental School is May 1st each year or the next business day if
the first should fall on a weekend. The deadline to apply for financial aid for the 2014-15 academic year is
Thursday, May 1, 2014. The Financial Aid Office must receive all of the required application materials by
the deadline date. Students are urged to start the application process as soon after January 1st as possible.
Some of the required forms must be processed by external agencies where it might take several weeks for the
Financial Aid Office to receive the necessary results. Therefore, we strongly urge all financial aid applicants
to begin the application process no later than March 20th or 6 weeks prior to the financial aid deadline. Late
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applications will still be considered, however the student might lose the opportunity to receive the most
favorable types of financial aid (such as grants or low-interest loans) if their application is completed after the
deadline.
Students can expect to receive their financial aid award packets beginning June 15th each year. The Financial
Aid Office will begin reviewing all completed applications that were submitted by the deadline throughout
the month of May. After a review of all on-time applications, the Financial Aid Office will review any late
applications by order of completion date. We encourage foreign nationals to apply for private education
loans beginning in late May of each year. By mid-June, the Financial Aid Office normally will begin
processing student loan applications including those for foreign students.
For obvious reasons, the Financial Aid Office’s busiest times are from early spring through the month of
September. The financial aid application process can be confusing and intimidating. Prior to completing of
any financial aid application materials, we urge students to read the Financial Aid Manual along with the
other instructional materials that have been provided on individual forms. Understandably, to review the
manual all at once might be too large a task. Therefore, it is recommended that you digest the information in
sections being mindful of the suggested filing dates and application deadlines. If, after reviewing the manual
and other instructions, you need clarification, contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance. It helps a great
deal if the student has read all the materials first before calling to ask for help.
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SECTION II
THE FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid for students comes from three separate sources:
The federal government financially supports the majority of financial aid programs (mostly in the form of
federal student loans) through the federal budget process. The U.S. Department of Education and U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services regulate student eligibility requirements. The Financial Aid
Office must abide by federal regulations when determining eligibility for all federal student aid programs.
The second source of financial aid funding comes from institutional resources. Tufts Dental School does
have a financially limited university loan program, and offers grants and scholarships to qualified students as
funding permits. The Financial Aid Office must adhere to university and dental school policy, and oftentimes
a donor’s wishes, in order to distribute institutional loans, scholarships, and grants.
The final source of financial aid comes from the private sector, normally banks or other lenders, who offer
private education loans. Although US Citizens and permanent residents can access private education loans as
an alternative to receiving federal student aid, these types of programs are usually accessed by foreign
students who are not eligible to receive federal and most types of institutional financial aid programs.
Foreign students who apply for private education loans will most likely need to provide a US citizen or
permanent resident as a co-borrower for the loan. Students who are US citizens or permanent residents may
also need to provide a qualified co-borrower should they opt to apply for private education loans.
There are other sources of financial aid such as outside scholarships or loans awarded by private foundations.
These sources are limited and require the student to search for them. We encourage students to contact their
state and/or city dental societies, look for resources through their local library, their high school, and college.
In addition, the military and National Health Service Corps offer scholarship and/or loan repayment programs
in exchange for return of service. If the student receives any financial assistance from an outside source, they
are required to notify the Financial Aid Office immediately.
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
The financial aid “package” a student receives refers to the various financial aid programs the student has
been deemed eligible to receive. These programs are itemized on an Award Notification Letter, which is sent
to the student after the Financial Aid Office reviews the student’s financial aid application. Student financial
aid is categorized as either grant and scholarship funds or self-help financial aid. Grants and scholarships are
based on financial need, academic merit or a combination of both and do not need to be repaid by the student.
Self-help financial aid is comprised mainly of student loans with Federal Work Study as an exception.
Scholarships and Grants
Scholarship and grant funding are scarce for graduate and professional students. Most federal grant aid is
targeted toward the undergraduate student population. Tufts Dental School does have merit-based
scholarships as well as need-based grants, the latter of which are targeted toward the most financially-needy
students within the school. Both grant and scholarship funding is very limited and not all students will
qualify for those types of awards.
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Student Loans
Similar to any type of commercial loan, student loans must be repaid by the borrower. Repayment is usually
deferred until after the student graduates, drops below half-time status, or withdraws from school either
permanently or during a leave of absence. On average, student loans have lower interest rates than other
types of consumer loans. Additionally, some loans are interest-free while the student is enrolled in school,
during a grace period following graduation or withdrawal, or during a subsequent qualified deferment period.
Many student loans include a grace period before repayment begins after the student graduates, drops below
half time, or withdraws from school. This allows the borrower to prepare for repayment by becoming a
licensed dentist, finding employment, and getting their finances in order in preparation for student loan
repayment. In addition, a borrower who decides to continue their education may qualify for student loan
deferment (postponement of repayment) if they should decide to continue their education.
One misconception about borrowing student loans is that one might think the student will apply for one loan
to cover their entire cost of education. Although this sometimes is true, federal student aid applicants are
more likely to be offered (awarded), and subsequently borrow, a number of different types of loans through
different types of loan programs for which they’ve been deemed eligible. Note that private education loans
as well as some federal student loans are credit-based. Should the student have a poor credit history, they
will not be able to access certain loans without adding a qualified co-signer to the loan.
In general, student loans are considered the least expensive of all types of consumer loans. Although
borrowing student loans impacts a person’s credit history and credit score, they are considered “good debt”
because the borrower is investing in an education – a worthwhile investment. Student loans can be further
categorized as favorable or unfavorable. Consider the following when determining types of loans to borrow:
Favorable Student Loans - A favorable loan is generally interest-free while the student is in school. This loan
is referred to as “subsidized” because the federal government pays the interest on behalf of the student until
the student enters repayment on the loan after they graduate, drop below half time, or are considered to have
withdrawn from school. Another feature of a favorable loan is that it has an interest rate cap which means the
interest rate may fluctuate (called variable interest rate) but will never go above a certain percentage rate. A
fixed rate loan (a loan whose interest rate does not fluctuate) can also be considered favorable. Most fixed
rate student loan interest rates range between 5% - 7%. Federal and institutional loans are usually considered
favorable; even though not all of them are subsidized, they carry a fixed interest rate.
Unfavorable Student Loans – An unfavorable student loan is one that will normally accrue interest while the
student is in school. This means that the student is charged interest on the loan while they are in school,
during a grace period, and during any eligible deferment period. Although the student is charged interest on
the loan during these times, payment of that interest can usually be deferred until after the student graduates
or withdraws from school (although paying the interest while enrolled and during any grace or deferment
period can substantially reduce the overall cost of the loan for a borrower). A student loan is considered
especially unfavorable if it does not have an interest rate cap. Although most unfavorable student loan
interest rates are still below other commercial loan rates, on average, the interest rate is normally higher than
other federal or institutional loans. Alternative education loans such as private education loans (including
direct to consumer loans) or the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan are normally considered unfavorable.
However, it should be noted that the Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan is a bit “safer” as it has a fixed rate of
interest while private education loans normally have variable interest rates with no interest rate caps.
A student’s financial aid package will usually consist of a mix of favorable and unfavorable loan programs
based on the student’s federal student aid eligibility and funding availability. Unfortunately not every student
will receive the most favorable of student loans nor will everyone be eligible to receive a grant or scholarship.
In general terms, most federal and university loan programs are considered favorable. Alternative education
loans such as private education loans or the Grad PLUS Loan are considered unfavorable yet oftentimes they
are a necessary evil if the student or their family is unable to contribute financially towards educational costs.
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SECTION III
TUFTS DENTAL SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
Merit Scholarship Program
Incoming students are awarded Merit Scholarships as determined by the Admissions Office. These
scholarships are offered strictly on the basis of academic merit and are awarded in subsequent years based on
academic performance as determined by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions.
Although these scholarship awards are based on merit, they are considered a form of financial aid as it
decreases the student's cost of education. The scholarships, therefore, are considered a part of the student's
financial aid package and generally range from $4,000 to $7,000 per academic year.
Dental Endowed Scholarship Funds
Through the generosity of several donors, endowed scholarship funds are awarded by the Financial Aid
Office in conjunction with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions. Financial need plays a
role in determining eligibility these scholarships. Other criteria such as, but not limited to, academic
performance, active citizenship, professional areas of interest and specialty are also considered.
Tufts Grant
Tufts Grants are awarded based solely on financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
Determination of eligibility fluctuates yearly based on funding limitations. During the 2013-14 academic
year, Tufts Grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $11,000 and were awarded to those students who had the
greatest financial need as determined by a federal and institutional needs analysis. Funding levels and
eligibility criteria fluctuate each year based on available funding.
Tufts Loan
The Tufts Loan is a broad term used when discussing the University's institutional loan programs. These loan
funds are made possible by generous contributions made by various donors to the School of Dental Medicine.
The interest rate on all Tufts Loans is 7%. The loan is interest-free while the student is enrolled at Tufts
University attending their DMD program and during the 6-month grace period following graduation or
withdrawal from the program. Deferments for post-graduate areas of study (e.g. attendance in post-graduate
specialty program, internship, or residency) are available for a maximum period of 5 years during which
interest will accrue. Tufts Loans have a maximum 10-year repayment schedule excluding eligible deferment
periods. The maximum Tufts Loan awarded in 2013-14 was $9,200. This amount is subject to change based
on availability of funds. This loan is considered a favorable source of funding since it is interest free while
the student is in school and has a fixed interest rate.
FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS
Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)
The Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) program is a federal campus-based loan. The interest rate of
this favorable loan is 5% with no interest accruing until 1 year after the student withdraws or graduates. The
loan may be deferred for the following reasons:
• General Practice Residency (GPR) - maximum 2 years
• Pursuing full-time study at an institution eligible to participate in the LDS program.
• Full-time active duty member of the Armed Forces or Peace Corp - maximum 3 years.
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Loan amounts fluctuate each year based on the availability of funds. Funding may not be available each year.
Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL)
The Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) is a favorable loan that has a 5% interest rate and has no
interest accruing during the enrollment period. Repayment begins 1 year after graduation or withdrawal.
HPSL is a federal campus-based loan program. Repayment is 10 years in length and can be deferred for the
following reasons:
• Full-time study at a health professions school eligible for participation in the HPSL program.
• GPR training
• Full-time active duty member of the Armed Forces or Peace Corps - maximum 3 years.
The maximum HPSL award during 2013-14 academic year was $11,000. Loan amounts are subject to
change based on funding levels.
Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins Loan program, also a federal campus-based loan, is interest-free during the student’s
enrollment period or any allowable deferment period. The student is allowed a 9-month grace period after
they graduate or withdraw before repayment begins and receives a 6-month post-deferment grace period after
an eligible deferment period. Interest does not accrue during any grace period time. During repayment, the
interest rate for the Perkins Loan is 5% and students have a maximum 10 years to repay the loan (minimum
payment is $40.00 per month). This loan is considered favorable.
Allowable deferment periods are as follows:
•
A student who is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution (one that participates in Federal Student Aid
Programs);
•
A student who is enrolled in and attending an approved graduate fellowship program;
•
A student who is enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate fellowship-supported study outside the United States;
•
A student enrolled in a course of study that is part of an approved rehabilitation training program for disabled
individuals;
•
3 Years maximum deferment allowed for those serving qualified active duty in the US Military or serving qualified
active duty in the National Guard;
•
A person seeking and is unable to find full-time employment (cannot exceed 3 years);
•
A person suffering an economic hardship (cannot exceed 3 years and must meet qualifications as defined by federal
regulations);
•
A person engaged in certain types of service, which qualifies the borrower for cancellation of the loan such as
teaching or law enforcement.
The annual loan amount limit is $8,000 per academic year with an aggregate limit of $60,000. Due to this
loan programs limited funding, the maximum loan amount provided in 2013-14 academic year was $4,000.
NOTE: Tufts University is considered the lender for all the afore-mentioned loan programs (Tufts Loans, Perkins, LDS and HPSL).
Perkins, LDS and HPSL are federal campus-based loan funds where a portion of the funding was allocated to the school by the
Federal government while the school has also paid into the loan program as a condition to participate in the program. Note that
funding for Perkins, LDS and HPSL is extremely limited because very little or no new federal loan funding has been awarded to the
school through the federal budget process. New awards are made to currently enrolled borrowers based on what funds are repaid by
those who have graduated and entered repayment.
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William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Tufts University participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. Funding for the Federal
Direct Loan comes directly from the federal government where the US Dept. of Education is considered the
lender. In July 2011, Congress passed the Budget Control Act where graduate and professional students can
no longer receive the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. This regulation is effective for any loan that is
disbursed on or after July 1, 2012. The interest subsidy on loans previously borrowed remains in effect for
students that borrowed Direct Subsidized Loans prior to 7/1/2012. The terms of the Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Loan are described below:
Federal Direct (Unsubsidized) Loan
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan has a grace period of 6 months after graduation or withdrawal.
 For loans disbursed July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2013, the interest rate is 6.8% fixed for the life of the loan.
 For loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2013, the interest rate will fluctuate yearly based on the 10-year
Treasury Note auctioned just prior to June 1st annually; however the interest rate that you receive during
an academic year will be fixed for life on that loan. When you borrow a Direct Loan in a subsequent
academic year, you will likely have a different interest rate on that new loan. For the Direct Unsubsidized
Loan, the interest rate will be the Treasury Note Index plus 3.60%.
Direct Loans disbursed between July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014: the interest rate is 5.41% fixed for the life of
those loans. The rate for loans borrowed between July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 will be available on or around
June 1, 2014.
There are a number of flexible repayment plan options available to help borrowers manage student loan
repayment. These include graduated repayment options, income-based repayment, and extended repayment
schedules of up to 25 years depending on the borrowers total federal student loan debt.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans accrue interest during the student’s enrollment, grace and eligible
deferment periods. The annual Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit is prorated based upon the number of months
in the student’s academic period. See the below chart for details.
Academic Program
DMD or DIS: Year 1 (10 months)
Year 2 (11 months)
Year 3 (11 months)
Year 4 (10 months)
Post-Graduate: All Years
Annual Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limit*
$42,722
$44,944
$44,944
$42,722
$20,500
*The annual Unsubsidized Direct Loan for those enrolled in the DMD or DIS program is prorated by the number of
months in the student’s enrollment period.
The student’s aggregate Federal Direct Loan limit is $224,000 (for first time health professions degree
candidates), which includes all prior Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct and Stafford Loans.
Federal Direct Loans are considered favorable but if at all possible, students should try to limit the amount
they borrow. Interest does accrue on the Unsubsidized Direct Loan while the student is in school as well as
during grace and deferment periods though the borrower/student is not required to make payments towards
accruing interest during these periods. Making interest payments during these times can substantially reduce
the overall cost of this loan to the borrower.
Eligible Deferments for Federal Direct Loan Program Borrowers:
14
•
A student who is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution;
•
A student who is enrolled in and attending an approved graduate fellowship program;
•
A student who is enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate fellowship-supported study outside the United States;
•
A student enrolled in a course of study that is part of an approved rehabilitation training program for disabled
individuals;
•
Deferment allowed for those serving qualified active duty in the US Military or serving qualified active duty in the
National Guard;
•
A person seeking and is unable to find full-time employment (cannot exceed 3 years);
•
A person suffering an economic hardship (as defined by law);
•
A person engaged in certain types of service, which qualifies the borrower for cancellation of the loan such as
teaching or law enforcement.
Note that Federal Direct or Stafford Loans received in prior years might have different deferment provisions.
and Loan borrowers should refer to their promissory notes those deferment provisions.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan can be used to fill the gap that may exist between the student’s cost of
attendance and other aid awarded including institutional programs and other federal student loans including
the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. For federal aid applicants, Federal Direct Grad PLUS may be
considered a “safer” alternative than borrowing a variable rate private education loan. However, students are
welcome to explore private loan options versus borrowing Direct Grad PLUS or other types of federal or
institutional loans.
Like the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Direct Grad PLUS is a non-needs based loan therefore the
amount the student is eligible to receive is based on the student’s cost of attendance less other financial aid
the student will be receiving. There is no annual or aggregate limit on Grad PLUS however, unlike
other Federal student loans, the Grad PLUS recipient cannot have an adverse credit history. If a Grad
PLUS application is denied because of credit history, the student may add an endorser (co-signer) to the loan
in an attempt to gain approval.
 For Federal Direct Grad PLUS loans disbursed July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2013, the interest rate is fixed at
7.9% for the life of the loan.
 For Federal Direct Grad PLUS loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2013, the interest rate will fluctuate
yearly based on the 10-year Treasury Note auctioned just prior to June 1st annually, however the interest
rate that you receive during an academic year will be fixed for life on that loan. When you borrow a
Grad PLUS loan in subsequent academic year, you will likely have a different interest rate on that new
loan. For the Direct Grad PLUS Loan, the interest rate will be the Treasury Note Index plus 4.60%.
Grad PLUS loans disbursed between July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014: the interest rate is 6.41% fixed for the life
of those loans. The rate for loans borrowed between July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 will be available on or
around June 1, 2014.
Maximum time for repayment is 10 years. Similar to Direct Loans, Grad PLUS loans also have flexible
repayment plan options including income-based repayment schedules and 25- year extended repayment
schedules if the borrower’s total federal student loan debt exceeds $30,000. Direct Grad PLUS can also be
included in a Federal Consolidation Loan should students wish to pursue this option when they enter
repayment of their student loans. Interest accrues on the Federal Direct Grad PLUS while the student is
enrolled yet payments of principal or interest can be postponed until after the student graduates, withdraws,
15
or is enrolled less than half time status. There is no grace period for Federal Direct Grad PLUS borrowers
however the student can request a post-enrollment deferment of 6 months following graduation, dropping
below half time status or withdrawal. Additionally, borrowers may request to postpone payments by
requesting an economic hardship deferment or forbearance if payments become due and the borrower is
unable make payments when they become due.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS borrowers may defer payments on their Grad PLUS should they qualify for the
following deferments:
•
A student who is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution;
•
A student who is enrolled in and attending an approved graduate fellowship program;
•
A student who is enrolled in a graduate or post-graduate fellowship-supported study outside the United States;
•
A student enrolled in a course of study that is part of an approved rehabilitation training program for disabled
individuals;
•
3 Years maximum deferment allowed for those serving qualified active duty in the US Military or serving qualified
active duty in the National Guard;
•
A person seeking and is unable to find full-time employment (cannot exceed 3 years);
•
A person suffering an economic hardship (cannot exceed 3 years and must meet qualifications as defined by federal
regulations);
Federal Work Study (FWS)
The Federal Work-Study Program is a type of self-help financial aid program as it allows qualified students
to work at various positions on campus. The money students earn replaces what they might have borrowed in
loans to meet some of their living costs. A percentage of the students’ wages is paid with federal funds while
the remainder is supported by institutional dollars. Examples of positions normally available include clerical
work within administrative departments, tutoring, research and laboratory assistants, and library aides. The
pay scale range for student workers for the 2012-13 academic year ranged was $9.00/hr - $12.00/hr. Federal
Work-Study positions normally have very flexible hours to accommodate class time and exam schedules.
Unlike an undergraduate school where a Financial Aid Office might award FWS funds to a student as part of
their initial financial aid package, we do not assume our students have time available to work yet some find
that they can manage working a limited number of hours per week. The benefit to FWS is that it provides the
student with pocket money without increasing their student loan debt. Additionally, FWS earnings earned by
the student in one calendar year are excluded in determining the student’s eligibility for financial aid the
following academic year. Income earned through non-FWS positions, even if the job is within the university,
must be used to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Students interested in FWS should contact
the
Financial
Aid
Office.
Additional
information
is
also
available
online at
http://uss.tufts.edu/stuemp/WorkStudy.asp.
PRIVATE EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAMS
Private education loans borrowed through private lending institutions such as a bank are the only source of
funding for foreign students other than merit-based financial aid. However, students who are US citizens or
permanent residents may opt to apply for a private education loan instead of federal student loans to meet
their educational costs. In order to borrow private education loans students will generally need to provide a
qualified US citizen or Permanent Resident of the US. If the student has a co-signer available, they may
receive very competitive interest rates on private education loans depending on a number of factors including
the student’s and co-borrower’s respective credit histories and credit scores. However, private education
loans are different from federal student loans in terms of loan fees, interest rate calculations, deferment
eligibility and options for repayment and loan forgiveness. The student should consider all of these factors
16
when making the decision to borrow federal student loans versus private. TUSDM’s Guide to Supplemental
Loans located at http://dental.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/Guide-to-Supplemental-Loans.pdf should be
helpful to students as they explore their financial options.
The Financial Aid Office does not provide any private education lender recommendations but would advise
students to search “Private Education Loan Programs” for health professions students on the internet.
Because private education loans are heavily credit-based what might be a great alternative for one student
does not measure up for another student. TUSDM currently has few students borrowing private education
loans so any statistical information such as approval ratings would most likely be unhelpful. Finally, if
students do opt to apply for a private education loan, they should do so after they’ve received their financial
aid award notice or, if foreign, on or around May 1st.
BORROWER CREDIT HISTORY AND STUDENT LOAN ACCESS
After reviewing the financial aid programs available to graduate and professional students, it should be
apparent that students who need financial assistance to pay for all or part of their educational costs will need
to access student loans. Applying for certain types of student loans requires a lender to perform a credit
check to ensure that the borrower (and, if applicable, their co-borrower) has a good credit history and, in
some cases, a healthy credit score. Although not all students are dependent upon certain credit-based loans,
some may find they will need to access these types of loans due to a change in financial circumstances. An
unexpected absence of financial support will most likely require the student to access a credit-based student
loan. The student may not be able to remain in school if they are unable to access credit-based loans and if
they have no personal financial resources.
As a measure to circumvent student loan access issues, all incoming students are required to obtain a
copy of their credit bureau report by June 1, 2014 per their Admissions contract. Please do NOT send
either the Admissions Office or the Financial Aid Office a copy of your credit bureau report. The credit
report is for your information only so that you have an opportunity to review and correct any discrepancies or
inconsistencies on your credit report that may affect your ability to borrow student loans. A negative credit
bureau report will not alter your admission to TUSDM as that is based purely on academic accomplishments.
However, if you are applying for student financial assistance to pay for any of your educational costs, failing
to have a solid credit rating can seriously affect your ability to obtain adequate funding to finance those costs.
Although only incoming students are required to pull a copy of their credit report, the Financial Aid Office
recommends that all students review their credit history annually. Credit reporting agencies and creditors
may make errors that can be time consuming to resolve. Late payments to creditors can also affect the
student’s ability to access student loans. A student having too much credit outstanding can be considered
negative as well. Situations which were thought to have been resolved years ago may still be reflected in a
person’s credit history. Although most would like to avoid having to tackle these issues, it’s best to be
proactive in trying to resolve these situations.
Students can request one free credit report per year from each of the following credit bureaus by going to
www.annualcreditreport.com. Should you find discrepancies or inconsistencies, you can file a dispute with
the specific credit bureau reporting agency whose contact information is provided below:
Trans Union Credit Info
(800) 888-4213
www.transunion.com
Experian Credit Bureau
(888) 397-3742
www.experian.com
Equifax
(800) 997-2493
www.equifax.com
Credit Criteria for Student Loans
The credit criteria for Federal student loans can fluctuate yearly. Below are the standards that were used
during the 2013-14 academic year. You will receive additional information on the financial aid application
17
process for the 2014-15 academic year from the Financial Aid Office where all of these and other financial
aid programs will be thoroughly reviewed. You can also visit the Financial Aid Office’s website to review
general descriptions of these loan programs (http://dental.tufts.edu/financial-aid).
•
Federal Direct Loan
Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized) DO NOT require a credit check. However, the borrower can’t
be in default of a Federal Student Aid Program loan or have an unresolved overpayment of a Federal
Student Aid grant or loan unless the borrower has made satisfactory payment arrangements to repay
the default or overpayment. Additionally, a borrower having a drug conviction can also preclude
them from receiving Federal Student Aid.
•
Federal Grad PLUS
Grad PLUS loans DO require a credit check. In addition to meeting the qualifications described
under the previous bullet, borrowers can’t have “adverse credit history”. Currently, adverse credit
history is defined as the borrower being 90 days or more delinquent on any debt or, during the five
years preceding the date of the credit report, the borrower has been determined to be in default of a
debt, have discharged debts due to bankruptcy or the borrower has been the subject of foreclosure,
repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment or a write-off on a Federal Student Aid debt. A borrower
having “no credit history” does not imply having “adverse credit history”.
If the borrower is denied Grad PLUS because of adverse credit history, they have the right to appeal
the decision. If the appeal is not approved, the borrower has the right to add an endorser to the Grad
PLUS loan who must meet the same credit criteria of any Grad PLUS borrower.
•
Private Education Loans
Private education loans offered by private lenders, such as banks or other lending agencies, are
subject to credit checks and, more than likely, requiring the borrower (and co-borrower) to have a
minimum credit score. Credit standards are set by the lenders and can be more stringent than what is
required to borrow federal student loans. A borrower’s credit history and credit score can be used to
determine the terms of the loan (such as the interest rate of the loan). Borrowers may choose to add a
qualified co-signer to the loan to obtain approval and/or receive better terms. In some cases, you
might be required to add a co-signer to gain approval of the loan. The private education loan lender
should be able to provide information on their credit standards to borrowers.
Students can work with creditors who reflect their accounts as past due. Bankruptcy claims will negatively
impact the student’s ability to access student loans as will default claims or liens. The student should actively
work on repairing poor credit BEFORE they attempt to apply for student loans yet, if the loan is denied for
any reason, the lender will usually give the borrower an opportunity to appeal the loan denial.
In the case of applying for a Grad PLUS Loan, if the student isn’t able to rectify the denial, they are given the
opportunity to add an endorser (co-signer). Most private education loan programs require a co-signer as part
of the application process. Applicants whose co-signers are denied can provide a different qualified co-signer
if necessary. Note that a co-signer shares responsibility of making the loan payments should the
primary borrower (the student) default. The loan will be included on the co-borrower’s credit history as
well. Additionally, if the student is going to be dependent on a co-signer, note that the co-signer’s credit
history and, in the case of a private education loan, their credit score are usually reviewed at the time of each
application. It’s recommended that students have more than one qualified co-signer available to them if at all
possible.
18
19
SECTION IV
EDUCATIONAL COSTS
The student’s annual cost of education is a monetary amount the Financial Aid Office uses to determine the
amount of financial aid a student can receive in a given academic year. Regulations dictate that no student
can receive financial aid funds in excess of their educational costs although students can certainly choose to
receive less than their total educational costs.
The student’s educational costs are comprised of two components. The first of these two components are
considered billed costs. Students are billed for tuition and mandatory fees for each of the two semesters of
the academic year. These bills are generated by the Health Science Campus Bursar’s Office through an
electronic billing process (referred to as e-Bills). Tuition bills are normally sent out in July and November.
The tuition bills include “direct” charges for tuition and various fees such as dental kits, sterilization, health
administrative fee, health insurance, disability insurance, preclinical fees, activity fee, technology fee, and the
clinic gown fee. The fees students are charged are dependent on the year of the program in which they will
be enrolled. The information on the following pages details the charges for the 2013-14 academic year
categorized by year of graduation and by term (Fall and Spring semesters). Please note that the Board of
Trustees of Tufts University does not finalize tuition charges until May each year. Therefore, actual 201415 tuition and fees can’t be provided at this time. Students can expect costs to increase slightly from year to
year, generally between 4-6%. Once known (usually in late spring), 2014-15 educational costs will be
distributed to students and made available on the Financial Aid Office’s website.
The second component of a student’s educational costs includes indirect costs such as living expenses, books,
and supplies. Although not billed by the school directly, these are costs that the student is expected to incur
while enrolled at school. Indirect costs, such as living expenses incurred while the student is attending
school, are considered legitimate expenses and therefore students can receive financial aid to support indirect
costs as defined by the school. Living expense allowances are based upon surveys of currently enrolled
students supported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ moderate living costs for the Boston metropolitan area.
The monthly allowance is comprised of estimated costs for rent, utilities, transportation, food, and
miscellaneous items such as clothing, laundry, and entertainment. Monthly allowances differ depending on
where the student intends to reside while enrolled (should they choose to live off-campus in an apartment or
at home with a parent or relative other than their spouse). A student who is living in at home with parents has
a lower living expense component within their educational budget since surveys suggest their costs are much
lower than those of students that live in an off-campus apartment. Details regarding the living expense
component of the student’s educational costs are detailed in the following pages. Note that living expense
allowances are not “customized” according to individual student expenses. The maximum allowances are set
by the school and each student must live within the school-established budget. If a student’s living costs
exceed the limit set by the school, he or she will not receive financial aid funds to cover the excess amount.
Books and supplies are also considered an indirect cost, as are certain board examination fees that the student
is required to take as part of their degree program. Books and supplies allowances are estimates of both
required and recommended books which are based on actual prices for the 2013-14 price lists increased
slightly for inflation. Also included is the cost to support various examinations such as National Boards Part
I and II which are required elements of the student’s degree program. Details regarding the books and
supplies allowances and other indirect costs are included on the following pages.
20
2013-14 BILLED COSTS
DMD Program
DMD 2017
DMD 2016
DMD 2015
DMD 2014
FIRST SEMESTER
Tuition
Fees*
TOTAL Billed Costs - Sem 1
$31,966
8,696
$40,662
$31,966
$31,966
$31,966
9,241
$41,207
4,206
$36,172
4,086
$36,052
SECOND SEMESTER
Tuition
Fees*
TOTAL Billed Costs - Sem 2
$31,966
4,445
$36,411
$31,966
4,640
$36,606
$31,966
4,035
$36,001
$31,966
4,035
$36,001
TOTAL BILLED COSTS 2013-14
$77,073
$77,813
$72,173
$72,053
*Health insurance premium ($3264) may be subject to waiver. Premium is based on single student policy. There is an
additional charge for spouse and family policies.
2013-14 BILLED COSTS
Dental International Student (DIS) Program
DIS 2016
DIS 2015
FIRST SEMESTER
Tuition
Fees*
TOTAL Billed Costs - Sem 1
SECOND SEMESTER
Tuition
Fees*
TOTAL Billed Costs - Sem 2
DIS 2014
$31,966
$31,966
4,206
$36,172
4,086
$36,052
$21,311
17,015
$38,326
$31,966
4,035
$36,001
$31,966
4,035
$36,001
$38,326
$72,173
$72,053
INCOMING DIS
CHARGES
APRIL 2014 –
AUGUST 2014 TERM
TOTAL BILLED COSTS AY 2013-14
*Health insurance premium ($3,264) may be subject to waiver. Premium is based on single student policy. There is an
additional charge for spouse and family policies.
Tentative Academic Year and Billing Due Dates for 2014-15
DMD/DIS Class
Academic Period*
1st Semester Bill Due*
2nd Semester Bill Due*
Class of 2018
Class of 2017
Class of 2016/DIS16
August 25, 2014 – June 26, 2015
September 2, 2014 – July 3, 2015
September 8, 2014 – July 24, 2015
August 3, 2014
August 3, 2014
August 3, 2014
December 1, 2014
December 1, 2014
December 1, 2014
August 3, 2014
Class of 2015/DIS15 August 25, 2014 - May 15, 2015
April 14, 2015 – July 31, 2015
March 9, 2015
Class of DIS 2017
*NOTE: THESE DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
December 1, 2014
21
Average Allowable Living Expenses – 2013-14 Academic Year
The information below provides the detail of the living cost allowance component of the student’s
educational budget (or cost of attendance). Remember no student can receive financial aid above his/her cost
of attendance as determined by the school. Therefore, should a student’s monthly living costs exceed the
allowance, they cannot receive financial aid to support the excess. Keep in mind that the individual
components of the living expense budget (such as rent, food, transportation) are flexible as long as the student
doesn’t exceed the total monthly allowance. In other words, if the student’s monthly rent for their offcampus apartment is $1,425, they need to spend $195 less on utilities, transportation, food and/or
miscellaneous items such as entertainment so they don’t exceed the $2,100 total maximum monthly
allowance.
It is anticipated that there will be two different living expense budgets for the 2013-14 academic year
depending on whether the student lives off-campus or with their parents or other relative (excluding a
spouse). Living expense budgets are based upon student surveys of living costs and the Bureau of Labor
Statistics’ area living costs for the Boston metropolitan area. Students can use the following tables in order to
estimate their living costs. Bear in mind that living expense budgets are reviewed annually and adjusted if
necessary.
Monthly Living Expense Budget Table – 2013-14
Monthly Rent/Dorm charge
Utilities
Food
Transportation
Miscellaneous Expenses
(clothing, entertainment, laundry)
TOTAL
Offcampus
Apartment
or House
$1230
145
350
100
275
Living w/ Parents or
Relatives
$2100
$275
50
225
175
175
$900
Yearly Living Expense Budget Table – 2013-14
D2017
D2016
D2015
D2014
DIS2016
DIS2015
DIS2014
PG-12 months
Off-campus
$21,000
$25,200
$23,100
$18,900
$ 9,450
$23,100
$18,900
$25,200
Parent/Relative
$9,000
$10,800
$9,900
$ 8,100
$ 4,050
$9,900
$ 8,100
$10,800
Other Indirect Educational Costs:
Estimated Books, Supplies, Regional and National Board Exam Fees – 2013-14
D2017
D2016
D2015
D2014/DIS14
DIS15
DIS14
$3,350
$2,355
$4,200
$850
$3,450
$850
22
PLANNING PAYMENT OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL COSTS
The preceding material outlines basic educational costs for each class arranged by billing periods (i.e. Fall
and Spring terms). In order for you to meet these costs on time, you must carefully plan the timely
submission of financial aid applications, student loan applications, the organization of family support and
coordination of other sources and funds.
The Bursar's Office coordinates the preparation of bills and monitors student payments. Please be aware of
the following:
1. Student electronic bills are sent to the student’s Tufts e-mail address twice per year itemizing each
semester’s costs. Incoming students will have been required to activate their username and establish their
password in order for them to access their e-Bill. The student is charged one half the annual tuition and
fees per semester with the exception of some fees that are charged entirely the first semester. The student
is required to have health insurance and will be charged accordingly. However, the student has the
option to waive the health insurance charge if they are covered under a comparable policy.
2. As stated previously, the financial aid application process is actually accomplished in 3 phases. The first
phase entails the student submitting various financial aid application materials to the Financial Aid Office
who, in turn, will determine eligibility for financial aid. Since graduate and professional students’
financial aid programs consist largely of student loan programs, the second phase requires the completion
of various student loan applications and/or promissory notes. If the student fails to follow through with
required loan application procedures, the student will not receive necessary funds to cover their
educational costs. The third and final phase of the financial aid application process is when various types
of financial aid programs (largely consisting of student loans) are disbursed onto the student’s account
crediting financial aid funds (including loan proceeds) to the student’s tuition account at the Bursar’s
Office.
With these steps in mind, students should consider the following information:
A. Although students are billed for costs twice per year, they apply for financial aid once per year
adhering to the financial aid deadline of May 1st. When doing so, students are applying for aid for
the entire academic year and subsequently completing student loan applications for the entire year as
well. If students miscalculate the amount of financial aid they need, students can request
supplemental loans be processed during the academic year or request loans be reduced or cancelled.
B. The deadline for all financial aid applications is May 1st. As a general rule Award Notification
Letters are distributed beginning on or around June 15th each year and student loan requests must be
submitted to the Financial Aid Office for completion and certification during the summer months.
Students who are planning on using student loans to pay for all or a portion of their billed costs for
each semester must have all loan applications approved and certified by the Financial Aid Office and
their education loan lender by the billing due date.
C. If the student miscalculates their need to apply for financial aid (including the need for additional
student loan funds), the final date to submit requests for supplemental loan requests is March 31st of
the current academic year. These supplemental loan requests will be processed by the Financial Aid
Office provided the student has remaining eligibility for financial aid.
Please note the Award Notification Letter will be accompanied by the Student Loan Handbook, which
provides instructions on the Award Notification Letter, the student loan request process, and financial aid
disbursement in greater detail.
Students who complete their financial aid applications after the financial aid application deadline date or
who do not properly complete their student loan requirements, jeopardize receipt of the most favorable
financial aid funding. In addition, late financial aid applications and loan requests not submitted within
23
the proper timeframe might prevent the student from using those “expected” financial aid funds towards
their term bill.
The initial financial aid application phase can take the student up to 4-6 weeks to complete. The student
then receives their Award Notification Letter from the Financial Aid Office and submits the various
student loan applications/promissory notes for processing. Because of the volume of loan requests
submitted over a peak period during the summer months, the Financial Aid Office can take up to an
additional 4 weeks before students’ loan applications are certified and receive final approval from the
student’s lender. It is imperative that the student recognizes the length of time it can take to receive the
necessary funds for payment of their educational costs, including living costs, as it is the student’s
responsibility to plan for payment of these costs.
3. Once the Financial Aid Office certifies any student loan request, the Bursar’s Office is notified through
the use of provisional (expected) credits that “feed” onto the student’s account at the Bursar’s Office. In
addition, any other type of student aid that is awarded to the student including campus-based or
institutional loans, grants and/or scholarships are also noted on the student’s account once these awards
are approved. Federal regulations prevent the disbursement of actual federal student loan funds until 10
days prior to the start of each semester. However, once the Financial Aid Office has processed and
certified a loan application for the student, the Bursar’s Office is notified that the student has a “loan in
process”. These provisional credits will be considered as payment towards the student’s educational
costs.
4. The Bursar’s Office is charged with monitoring student payments and billing procedures. The Bursar’s
Office will impose a late payment fine for any balance not paid by the billing due date. The current late
payment fine policy charges 10% of the outstanding balance with a maximum fine not to exceed $750.
Any student who has a “loan in process” thus showing a provisional credit on their account by their
billing due date will not be subject to late fines as long as the loan covers the amount owed to the school.
Should the provisional credit not evolve into an actual loan disbursement after late fines are posted (i.e.
the loan is subsequently denied for whatever the reason), the student will be subject to late fines at that
point.
5. Any student who is having difficulties in making payments by the billing due dates for each term is
advised to contact the Bursar’s Office. The Financial Aid Office is also available to discuss possible
student loan financing options and should be kept apprised of any difficulty the student might be having
concerning his loan application(s) or ability to apply for a loan.
24
SECTION V
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Attending Tufts Dental School can be a costly endeavor and financing such an education can be a major
financial burden for families and students. However, absence of family financial support will result in
substantial debt and obligation of future income to repay student loans. It is the policy of the school that
students and parents bear the primary responsibility of financing the student’s educational costs. Financial
aid should only be used to supplement the family's maximum financial effort.
DETERMINING FINANCIAL NEED
The student’s financial need is based on their cost of education less their student (and, if applicable, parents)
contribution. The student can receive financial aid up to their cost of attendance. However, their financial
need will dictate what types of financial aid programs they are eligible to receive.
The student’s eligibility for financial aid is based on the student’s financial need as determined by a standard
methodology that is applied to all financial aid applicants. There are two formulas that are used depending on
which types of financial aid programs the student is applying. The federal methodology formula is prescribed
by federal regulations and is used to determine eligibility for most federal student aid programs. Federal
methodology only uses the student’s financial information and recognizes the student’s “independent”
student status based on the federal definition of an independent student. When a student applies for most
federal student financial aid programs they are considered independent from their parents because they are
considered enrolled in a graduate/professional program at TUSDM. These programs do not consider parents’
financial information when determining eligibility.
Institutional methodology is applied to determine eligibility for institutional financial aid programs and some
federal low-interest loan programs. These programs require that the Financial Aid Office uses both student
and parent financial information. The federal programs which require the use of a parent contribution to
determine eligibility also requires the Financial Aid Office consider all possible resources of financial
contribution that the student may have available to them. Institutional methodology does not recognize the
student’s “independent” student status and considers the student “dependent” regardless of their age, marital
status or number of dependents.
When determining student or parent contribution, the Financial Aid Office is really determining the family’s
ABILITY to contribute towards the student’s cost of attendance regardless of the family’s intention to
actually contribute monetarily. By measuring the family’s ability to pay, the Financial Aid Office is able to
distinguish between families that truly don’t have the financial resources from those that do. The most
favorable types of financial aid programs will be targeted to those students whose families have minimal
means to provide financial support.
SUBMISSION OF PARENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
As indicated in the preceding section, there are several financial aid programs where the parent’s financial
information is not used to determine the student’s eligibility. For these programs, the student is considered
“independent” from their parents. Alternatively, there are some financial aid programs where the student’s
eligibility is based on their parent’s financial data (custodial and non-custodial) as well as that of perhaps a
step-parent or even an intended spouse. By federal definition, all of TUSDM’s students are considered
“independent” because they are graduate/professional students. However, if the student is applying for
certain institutional or federal loan programs (as detailed below), Tufts Dental School requires parent
financial information be disclosed on the application materials regardless if the student is considered
“independent”. The Financial Aid Office will only use this financial information to determine eligibility for
these particular financial aid programs as required by federal or university policy. For other federal or
25
private financial aid programs the student’s independent student status will be recognized and the parent
contribution will not/cannot be considered to determine the student’s eligibility.
A parent contribution will be considered in the determination of eligibility if the student wishes to apply for
the following financial aid programs:
•
•
Tufts Grant
Tufts Loan
•
•
Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL)
Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)
When using the parent contribution to determine eligibility for these programs, the Financial Aid Office is
actually measuring the parents’ ability to contribute to the student’s educational costs as compared to others
competing for the same type of funding. The Financial Aid Office understands that, in many situations, this
parent contribution is unrealized by the student. An unrealized contribution means that the parents are not
contributing any money towards the student’s costs or perhaps not as much as we have determined they can
contribute based upon the needs analysis formula. However, by using this formula, the Financial Aid Office
can uniformly compare parent contribution figures among all aid applicants to truly determine the neediest of
students. The Financial Aid Office is required to utilize the parent financial information as well as any other
potential financial resource (e.g. intended spouse or step-parent) in accordance with federal and university
policies for these particular programs as specified above.
Please note that if either of the student’s parents, regardless of marital status, reside outside the United
States, the student cannot apply for LDS, HPSL, Tufts Loan, or Tufts Grant per federal and university
policy. The student may be required to submit documentation that indicates both of their parents
reside permanently in the United States.
There are several financial aid programs, however, that require the Financial Aid Office to utilize solely the
student contribution (thereby considering ONLY the student’s – including their spouse’s - financial
information) when determining eligibility. Parental information is not required to apply for these programs.
If the student’s application for financial aid includes parental information, the Financial Aid Office disregards
this information when determining eligibility for these particular programs. These programs are as follows:
•
•
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan*
•
•
Federal Direct Grad PLUS*
Private Education Loan Programs*
*Non-needs based programs; Credit history of borrower (and co-borrower, if applicable) is considered.
When determining the student’s eligibility for any of the above programs, only the student’s (and spouse’s)
financial information will be utilized to determine the student’s contribution. Any parental information
submitted will be ignored when determining eligibility for these programs. The student contribution is based
solely on the student’s (and spouse’s) financial information and is calculated using a federally-mandated
formula called federal methodology.
Students are not required to disclose parent information as part of their financial aid application. By not
submitting parent information, students will be applying only for Federal Perkins, Federal Direct
Unsubsidized, Grad PLUS, or Private Education Loans. The Financial Aid Office recommends that first-time
financial aid applicants include parent information so as not to limit the number of financial aid programs for
which they can be considered and to maximize their opportunity to possibly receive funding from favorable
sources. If, in their first year, the student is determined ineligible for those programs requiring parent
information, they can decide if they wish to include parent information on future financial aid applications. If
the student is found ineligible for those programs requiring the use of the parent’s financial information, the
Financial Aid Office will automatically check eligibility for those programs requiring only student (and
spouse’s) financial information.
26
REQUIRED FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION MATERIALS
NOTE: Financial aid applicants are now REQUIIRED to download and print out all
pertinent financial aid application forms at http://dental.tufts.edu/admissions/financialaid/applying-for-financial-aid-print-financial-aid-application-forms/.
Please refer to the
following information and the Financial Aid Application Checklist which accompanied the
Financial Aid Manual.
***To be submitted by the deadline of May 1, 2014***
FORMS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR:
TUFTS GRANT, TUFTS LOAN, HPSL, and LDS in addition to Federal
Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loan, and Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
Note: Parent information must be provided in addition to student information
1) 2014-15 FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) or Renewal FOTW – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) is an web-based federal student financial aid application. Prior federal student aid applicants may
complete their Renewal FOTW if the student previously completed the FAFSA. Applicants using the
Renewal FOTW must utilize their PIN provided to them by the US Dept. of Education. Once they gain
access to the renewal application, they must update their application data including using the correct federal
school code so that Tufts Dental School will be sent the electronic data results. TUSDM’s Federal School
Code is E00519. Both parent and student sections of the FAFSA must be completed based on the
financial aid programs for which the student is applying (see previous section). Please note that the
student’s name used on the student’s FAFSA application must be the name that’s on the student’s social
security card. For those completing the Renewal FOTW application, please be sure to update the name
fields if necessary.
A. FAFSA Electronic Data - Student Aid Report (SAR) – Provided the student used the correct
Federal School Code number of E00519, the FAFSA Electronic Data (the results of the student’s
FAFSA application) will be sent to Tufts Dental School’s Financial Aid Office automatically.
After the student’s FAFSA is processed, the student is sent an electronic Student Aid Report
(SAR). The SAR is sent to the student electronically if they provided a valid email address,
otherwise a paper copy of the SAR is mailed to the student. The student should review the SAR
and make any necessary corrections. It is not necessary to send a copy of the SAR to the
Financial Aid Office unless requested to do so. More information regarding the FAFSA
Electronic Data and SAR can be found on page 29.
B. 2013 IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process – As parents and students complete the FAFSA, they
will be given the option to have FAFSA questions pertaining to 2013 federal tax return
information be automatically updated with information on record with the IRS. Although not all
parents and students will be eligible to use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process option, students
and parents are encouraged to use this feature when possible as they complete their FAFSA. In
the event that students initially provide estimated information on the FAFSA, they can update
their FAFSA using the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process a few weeks after they’ve filed their US
Tax Return electronically. Additional information regarding the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process
can be found on page 30.
2) 2014-15 CSS Profile Application – Specific instructions concerning the Profile application process can be
found on page 32. In order for the Financial Aid Office to receive the student’s Profile Needs Analysis
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Report, students must list the school’s College Scholarship Service (CSS) code number 8865 on the
application. Note that both parent and student sections of the Profile application must be completed and it
can take 2-3 weeks for the Profile results to be sent to the school.
3) Tufts Application for Financial Aid – Parent and student sections must be completed. Download from the
FAO website.
4) Parents signed 2013 U.S. Income Tax Return, including all schedules (& Form 8863 if applicable) filed
with the IRS.
If the parents are not required to file a 2013 U.S. Tax Return, they must submit the Parent
Non-Tax Filing Status Statement with documentation of any untaxed income and/or W-2’s
received in 2013 attached.
5) All Parent 2013 W-2 Forms (must equal wages reported on U.S. Tax Return).
6) Student Disclosure Authorization Form. – Download from the FAO website.
7) Parent Disclosure Authorization Form. – Download from the FAO website.
8)
Signed copy of Social Security Card – Applicable only to first-time applicants for aid at TUSDM. NOTE:
The name used on the student’s FAFSA application must be the name that’s on the student’s social security
card.
9)
Copy of Student’s Permanent Registration Card (both sides) – Applicable only to
Residents, not U.S. Citizens.
U.S. Permanent
10) Non-Custodial Parents Statement (with Non-Custodial Tax Return/W-2’s) – Must be completed by the
student’s non-custodial parent (and their current spouse if applicable). The non-custodial parent’s/spouse’s
signed 2013 U.S. Income Tax Return including all schedules (& Form 8863 if applicable) and 2013 W-2
forms must be attached to the Non-Custodial Parents Statement. Applicable only to students whose
biological/adopted parents are divorced, separated, or never married. See page 33 for further instruction.
11) Intended Spouse signed 2013 U.S. Income Tax Return, including all schedules (& Form 8863 if
applicable) filed with the IRS. Applicable only to students who are currently single, yet intend to marry
between 7/1/13 and 6/30/14. See page 35 for more information.
FORMS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR ONLY:
FEDERAL PERKINS, FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED, AND FEDERAL
DIRECT GRAD PLUS LOAN PROGRAMS
Note: Requires only student information, NO parent information required
1) 2014-15 FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) or Renewal FOTW – Prior federal student aid applicants may
complete their Renewal FOTW if the student previously completed the FAFSA. Applicants using the Renewal
FOTW must utilize their PIN provided to them by the Dept. of Education. Once they gain access to the renewal
application, they must update their application data as well use the correct federal school code so that Tufts
Dental School will be sent the electronic data results. TUSDM’s Federal School Code is E00519. Note that
only student sections of the FAFSA must be completed based on the financial aid programs for which the
student is applying (see previous section). Please note that the student’s name used on the student’s FAFSA
application must be the name that’s on the student’s social security card. For those completing the Renewal
FOTW application, please be sure to update the name fields if necessary.
28
A. FAFSA Electronic Data - Student Aid Report (SAR) – Provided the student used the correct
Federal School Code number of E00519, the FAFSA Electronic Data (the results of the student’s
FAFSA application, will be sent to Tufts Dental School’s Financial Aid Office automatically. After
the student’s FAFSA is processed, the student is sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). Normally this is
sent to the student electronically if they provided a valid email address, otherwise a hard copy of the
SAR is mailed to the student. The student should review the SAR and make any necessary
corrections. It is not necessary to send a copy of the SAR to the Financial Aid Office unless
requested to do so. More information regarding the FAFSA Electronic Data and SAR can be found
below.
B. 2013 IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process – As students complete the FAFSA, they will be given the
option to have FAFSA questions pertaining to 2013 federal tax return information be automatically
updated with information on record with the IRS. Use of the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process may
reduce the need for the student to submit additional information and documentation to the Financial
Aid Office after the FAFSA has been processed by the US Dept. of Education’s Central Processor
(CPS) hence they are encouraged to use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process when possible. Please
note not all students will be eligible to use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process option. In the event
that students initially provide estimated information on the FAFSA, they can update their FAFSA
using the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process a few weeks after they’ve filed their US Tax Return
electronically. Additional information regarding the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process can be found on
page 30.
2) Tufts Application for Financial Aid – Only student sections must be completed. Download from the FAO
website.
3) Student Disclosure Authorization Form. – Download from the FAO website.
4) Signed copy of Social Security Card – Applicable only to first-time applicants for aid at TUSDM. Note the
name used on the FAFSA application must be the same name on the student’s social security card.
5) Copy of Student’s Permanent Registration Card (both sides) – Applicable only to U.S. Permanent
Residents, not U.S. Citizens
Students selected for Verification by the US Dept. of Education’s Central Processor (CPS) will be
required to submit the following documentation to the Financial Aid Office (the Financial Aid Office
will notify the student if they’ve been selected for Verification after receipt of their FAFSA results):
1) 2014-15 Verification Worksheet – Complete worksheet in entirety submitting the required documentation as
specified on the worksheet AND the following items:
A. Complete the 2013 IRS Tax Retrieval Process (when completing the FAFSA or through the
FAFSA Corrections process (www.fafsa.ed.gov) OR submit the student/spouse 2013 IRS Tax
Transcript – In certain situations, the student may not be eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval
Process or may choose not to use it. In these instances, the student must provide their (and their
spouse’s) IRS Tax Transcript. See page 30 for further details.
B. Student (and spouse if applicable) Non-Tax Filing Status Statement. If student/spouse DID
NOT and WILL NOT file a 2013 US Tax Return, the non-tax filing status statement must be
completed by the student attaching documentation of any taxable/untaxed income received in 2013
29
including student/spouse 2013 W-2 Form(s). This statement and documentation is submitted in lieu
of items listed in (A) above.
Verification only applies to STUDENT information as explained above. Parents are not required to
utilize the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process (although it is recommended) nor must they submit their
IRS Tax Transcript unless the Financial Aid Office has made a specific request for this information
directly. Parents, however, do need to submit a complete signed copy of their 2013 US Tax return
including all schedules filed with the IRS and all 2013 W-2 Form(s) to the Financial Aid Office or a
Non-tax Filing Status Statement as the instructions indicate if applying for financial aid program
which require parent financial information.
FAFSA APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a web-based federal student aid application.
Students access this application by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov and completing the appropriate sections based
on the financial aid programs for which they are applying. Parent information is necessary only if the student
is applying for Tufts loan, Tufts Grant, Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) or Loans for Disadvantaged
Students (LDS). Applicants should use the FOTW Worksheet prior to completing the online application.
The worksheet can be found on the fafsa.ed.gov website or at
https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1415/pdf/fafsaws14c.pdf.
Students who have previously filed the FAFSA may complete a Renewal FAFSA on the Web. Although
prior FAFSA filers may complete a regular FAFSA on the Web, they’ll find that the Renewal FAFSA on the
Web takes less time to complete and it requires simple review and update of information filed previously.
Renewal FAFSA on the Web filers are required to have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in order to
access their Renewal FAFSA on the Web. A PIN serves as a personal identifier and as the student’s
“electronic signature” when completing the web-based application or making corrections on the web. The
PIN has other uses as well including being able to access personal student loan histories on the National
Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and completing master promissory notes for loans such as Federal
Direct Loans and Grad PLUS. Students should keep their PIN in a safe place and never release their PIN to
another party. If the student does not have their PIN, the student can request Federal Student Aid Programs
to send it to them by going to http://pin.ed.gov. It often takes a few days to receive the PIN in this manner
therefore be cognizant of the May 1st deadline.
When completing either the FAFSA on the Web or Renewal FAFSA on the Web, it’s important that the
student provide their LEGAL name per their social security card. Failure to use your legal name on this form
may result in conflicts of information down the road when completing other documents such as promissory
notes and could delay disbursement of financial aid funds. It is especially important that when a student is
updating a Renewal FAFSA that their name previously listed on the Renewal FAFSA is their legal name.
Otherwise the name fields must be updated on the Renewal FAFSA to reflect the student’s current legal name
per Social Security Administration records. Note that all legal name changes must be done through the
Social Security Administration and, if applicable, the Department of Homeland Security should the student
be a naturalized citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
Please note that a comprehensive web site that provides links to the sites noted above as well as other helpful
information is http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/, or the Financial Aid Office’s website at
http://dental.tufts.edu/financial-aid.
FAFSA Electronic Data - Student Aid Reports (SARs)
After Federal Student Aid Programs receives your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA and processes it, the student
will be sent notification that their electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) is available to them to review and
print out at www.fafsa.ed.gov. A paper SAR will be mailed to the student by Federal Student Aid Programs
30
if they fail to provide a valid email address. It is recommended that the student provide a valid email address
which they check often when completing the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA.
The SAR contains the results of the student’s FAFSA application and includes a summary of the information
the applicant provided on their FAFSA (or Renewal FAFSA). As long as the student entered the correct
Federal School Code number of E00519, the Financial Aid Office should receive the FAFSA results directly
electronically. Therefore, there is no need to send the Financial Aid Office the paper version of the SAR.
However, from time to time, the Financial Aid Office may require the student to send a hard copy of the SAR
if the electronic results are not received. Normally, however, under these circumstances, the Financial Aid
Office will direct the student to contact Federal Student Aid Programs to have an electronic version released
to Tufts Dental School directly.
It is very important that the student carefully read the SAR to ensure the accuracy of the information
contained on the SAR. In the upper right hand corner there should be a number, next to the letters “EFC”. If
no number is there (if the space is blank), it means the SAR is “unofficial” and additional information is
required by Federal Student Aid Programs in order to process your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA application.
The Financial Aid Office cannot accept an unofficial SAR or process any aid application using an unofficial
SAR.
Another important piece of information on the SAR is the student’s “DRN” number. The DRN number is a
unique number used by Federal Student Aid Programs to identify the student’s particular application,
ensuring privacy. The student must use their DRN number if, for instance, the student would like a particular
school to be added to the original list of school’s that they wished to receive the FAFSA data electronically or
if the student wishes to update their address.
Finally, be sure that the school code and address printed on the SAR is that of Tufts Dental School (E00519).
Unless the student provided the correct code number on the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, Tufts Dental
School’s Financial Aid Office will not receive the FAFSA electronic data. If the code says another school
within Tufts University or just “Tufts University,” the correct code was not provided. It is especially
important that students who filed Renewal FAFSAs check this item as sometimes the code number is
inadvertently changed without the student’s or the school’s knowledge or the school listed is the one the
student attended previously.
IRS TAX DATA RETRIEVAL PROCESS
The US Dept. of Education Federal Student Aid Programs provides the option for students and parents to
retrieve 2013 federal tax return information directly from the IRS transferring the data to the student’s
FAFSA. As the student completes the FAFSA on the Web, they will be prompted by a series of questions to
determine their (and their parent’s if applying for Tufts Loan, HPSL, LDS or Tufts Grant) eligibility to use
the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process.
If the student (or their parents) has not yet filed their 2013 US Tax Return at the time they’re completing the
FAFSA, they may use estimated income figures on the FAFSA. However, the student (and their parents if
applicable) must update their FAFSA using the “Corrections” process available on www.fafsa.ed.gov. Using
the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process may reduce the need for students to submit additional documentation to
the Financial Aid Office as it reduces the chance of errors.
Note that if the tax returns are filed electronically it will generally take the IRS roughly 2 weeks to process
them and make the data available to the student so they may use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process.
Therefore, if the student or parent provided estimated information, they will need to initiate the IRS Data
Retrieval Process within a few weeks after they’ve submitted their tax return using the corrections process on
the www.FAFSA.gov website. The deadline to file a US tax return is April 15th and, if waiting until that date
to file tax returns, the IRS Data Retrieval Process may not be available in time for the student to meet the
31
May 1st financial aid deadline. It is suggested that the student (and parents if applicable) file their 2013 US
Tax Returns with the IRS about 4 weeks prior to the financial aid application deadline at the latest. Note also
that if the student or parent files a paper US Tax Return with the IRS, it will take several weeks for the tax
data to be available.
IRS TAX TRANSCRIPT REQUEST
In some cases, the student (or their parents) may be ineligible to use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process. If
the student (or their parents) filed a US Tax Return as “Married Filing Separately” or if they filed an amended
tax return, they will not be able to utilize the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process when completing the FAFSA.
Although using the retrieval process is the preferred and fastest method for completing the FAFSA, a student
or their parents may choose to instead request an IRS Tax Return Transcript.
To request an IRS Tax Transcript, the student (and parents if applicable) can request a copy online at
www.IRS.gov, call (800) 908-9946 or complete IRS Form 4506T-EZ also available at www.IRS.gov.
VERIFICATION
Students who complete a FAFSA to apply for Federal Student Aid are subject to a process called
“verification.” The US Dept. of Education randomly selects applicants for verification or targets certain
applications for verification if there appears to be inconsistent with other information which the application
provided on their FAFSA. A student is notified if they’ve been selected for verification by reviewing the
comments section of their Student Aid Report (SAR). If the student is selected for verification, the Financial
Aid Office will also notify the student.
If selected for Verification, the Financial Aid Office is required to collect certain documentation from the
applicant. The student must submit the following but could also be required to submit additional
documentation as the US Dept. of Education has dictated:
1. 2014-15 Verification Worksheet – Student must complete all data elements providing
documentation and information as specified on the worksheet; AND
2. Complete/Submit ONE of the following as applicable:
•
Complete the IRS Data Retrieval Process (see page 30 for details); OR
•
Submit their (and their spouse) 2013 IRS Tax Transcript;
OR
•
Submit a Statement of Non-tax Filing Status if the student (and their spouse) has not
and will not file a 2013 US Tax Return. They must document all taxed and untaxed
income received in 2013 including all 2013 student (and spouse) W-2 Form(s).
•
Other documentation as specified by the US Dept. of Education.
Please note that signed copies of student/spouse US Tax Returns are no longer acceptable proof of income
IF the student is selected for Verification.
FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS CONTACT INFORMATION
The student can contact Federal Student Aid Programs by calling (800) 4-FED-AID to:
•
Check on the status of their FAFSA (no DRN needed)
32
•
•
•
•
•
Receive a duplicate SAR that will be sent to the same address that is listed on the SAR (no DRN needed)
Receive a duplicate SAR that will be sent to an address different than that listed on the SAR (DRN
needed)
Request the release of electronic data to a school (DRN needed)
Change their address or other contact information (DRN needed)*
Ask questions related to the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process
*NOTE: All students should routinely update their address (physical and email) with Federal Student Aid
Programs in order to receive their PIN reminder for the following year.
TUFTS DENTAL SCHOOL’S FEDERAL SCHOOL CODE NUMBER
To ensure that the student’s FAFSA electronic results are sent to Tufts Dental School, the student must use
the correct school code number of E00519. If, upon checking the SAR, the student finds any school other
than Tufts Dental School (even another school within Tufts University) listed, they must contact Federal
Student Aid Programs (800-4-FED-AID) to authorize the release of their FAFSA results to Tufts Dental
School. The FAFSA electronic results must be received by the Financial Aid Office by the financial aid
deadline of May 1st.
PROFILE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The PROFILE application process is a two-step process for the student because prior to completing the actual
PROFILE application, the student must REGISTER with The College Board in order to log into their
customized PROFILE application form. The results from this online application (called a Financial Needs
Analysis Report or FNAR) must be received in the Financial Aid Office by May 1, 2014. Please note that
The College Board only provides a web-based registration and application process.
STEP 1: Profile Registration Process
You must register for the PROFILE at the https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp. The College
Board’s online registration and application process offers registration 24 hours a day and a credit card is
necessary since there is a nominal fee associated with completing the Profile application. In order to ensure
Tufts Dental School receives the FNAR results, applicants must use Tufts Dental School’s College Board’s
School Code “8865” on the registration form. A PROFILE Registration Guide has been enclosed in your
financial aid application packet for your reference. If you have any questions concerning the Profile
Registration/Application Process, call CSS at (305) 829-9793.
STEP 2: Completion of the Profile Application
Once The College Board has processed your registration, a PROFILE application form will immediately
become available to you online. You can complete the Registration and Application processes in one sitting,
or you can log back into your customized PROFILE later. The student and/or their parents may use estimated
income information.
Processing Time
Students and parents should keep in mind that the College Board may take over 2 weeks to process a Profile
Application before releasing the results, Financial Needs Analysis Report, to Tufts Dental School. The
Financial Aid Office must receive the Financial Needs Analysis Report by May 1, 2014.
If the student wishes to check the status of their Profile application or has questions concerning the
application, they can call (305) 829-9793 or email them at [email protected].
33
Profile Application Acknowledgment
Upon processing your PROFILE application, the College Board will send you via email an acknowledgment
letter listing the school(s) that you had originally listed on your registration form. You may send additional
Financial Needs Analysis Reports to schools not originally listed on the registration form. You can do so by
using your user name and password to log back into your online PROFILE, and instructing The College
Board to send your Needs Analysis Report to additional schools. ATTENTION INCOMING STUDENTS:
If you have already completed a PROFILE registration but did not list Tufts Dental School, you can log back
into your PROFILE and add school code “8865” to your school list in order to have your Needs Analysis
Report sent directly to TUSDM.
OTHER FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION POLICIES
ESTIMATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION and TIMELY FILING
The Financial Aid Office will not accept estimated 2013 US Tax Returns in lieu of actual tax returns. The
IRS may have granted an extension to tax filers however this does not grant a student an extension for their
financial aid application. The Financial Aid Office must receive a signed copy of the actual tax returns by the
financial aid deadline of May 1st along with the other financial aid application materials.
Students may use estimated data on the Profile application. If the data should change, the student may update
the Profile as appropriate otherwise the Financial Aid Office will make the corrections using the tax return
documents or a letter from the student or their parents. The results of the Profile must be received by the
Financial Aid Office by the financial aid deadline.
Estimated income and tax data may be entered on the FAFSA however the student MUST update the FAFSA
by using the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process or submit an IRS Tax Transcript if they filed a US Tax Return.
The results of the student’s FAFSA must be received AND be properly coded as a result of the student using
the IRS Data Retrieval Process by the financial aid deadline. If the student was required to file a tax return
and could not (or chose not) to use the IRS Tax Data Retrieval Process to update their FAFSA, they must
submit the IRS Tax Transcript by the financial aid deadline.
TREATMENT OF DIVORCED, SEPARATED or NEVER MARRIED PARENTS
If the student is applying for Tufts Loan, Tufts Grant, HPSL, or LDS and the student’s parents are separated,
divorced, or never married please review the following procedures taking note of the following definitions of
custodial and non-custodial parent.
Custodial parent: The parent with whom the student resided for more than 6 months of the prior year
(2013).
Non-custodial parent: The parent with whom the student did not reside for more than 6 months of the prior
year (2013).
NOTE: If the student did not reside with either parent during the prior year (2013) because they lived at
school or they had their own residence, please consider the “custodial” parent the one with whom you
WOULD have resided if given the choice.
Non-Custodial Parent Information
In order to determine eligibility for the aforementioned programs, the Financial Aid Office is required by
university and federal regulations to collect parent information from BOTH parents and their spouse(s)
regardless of whether or not the non-custodial parent and/or step-parents financially support the student. The
34
student is required to complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA with the financial and household information
of the CUSTODIAL parent (including custodial parent’s spouse information if applicable). The PROFILE
application should also be completed with just the CUSTODIAL parent’s (and their spouse) information. In
addition, the NON-CUSTODIAL parent (and their spouse if applicable) is required to complete the NONCUSTODIAL PARENT’S STATEMENT that has been enclosed with the student’s financial aid application
packet. The NON-CUSTODIAL parent (and their spouse if applicable) is required to attach a copy of their
signed 2013 U.S. Tax Return including W-2 forms and all schedules filed with the IRS sending all documents
directly to the Financial Aid Office. All documents must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by May 1,
2014.
If the student has extenuating circumstances that they wish for the Financial Aid Office to consider when
reviewing the non-custodial parent’s information, they must make their request in writing presenting detailed
information as to why the Financial Aid Office should not consider the non-custodial parent’s financial
information. Note that students, who in the past have received a waiver of non-custodial parent information,
are required to re-document the situation each year.
If the non-custodial parent’s whereabouts is unknown, please send a statement to that effect to the Financial
Aid Office specifying dates of last contact, last known address, last year in which that parent last claimed the
student as an income tax exemption, the amount of child support paid on behalf of the student in previous
years (or paid for other siblings), and any other documentation that may be helpful to support the fact the
student has no contact and/or receives no financial support from the non-custodial parent. This information is
required by the May 1, 2014 deadline.
ADMISSIONS CANDIDATES ACCEPTED AFTER MARCH 20, 2014
Any admissions or alternate admissions candidate that has been accepted by the Admissions Office after
March 20th is allowed 6 weeks from the date their initial deposit was received by the Admissions Office to
complete their file and to be considered on time.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Any application file that is completed after the May 1st deadline will be considered late. Although the student
may still apply for and receive Federal Direct Loan, Direct Grad PLUS, and private education loans, their
ability to receive HPSL, Tufts Grant, Perkins Loan, or Tufts Loan may be compromised. If the student’s
application is completed after the deadline, the Financial Aid Office will still review eligibility for the
aforementioned financial aid programs. If found eligible yet no available funding exists, the student’s name
will be placed on the Student Aid Waiting List. If and when more favorable aid becomes available
throughout the academic year, students are awarded based on the earliest completion date of the applications.
Students placed on the waiting list for aid receive no guarantees that they will receive HPSL, Tufts Loan,
Tufts Grant, or Perkins Loan funding at any point during the academic year. Therefore, the student must
meet their costs by applying for less favorable loans or relying on their own finances to meet their billing due
date. If additional funding becomes available, the Financial Aid Office will notify the student and reduce the
least favorable loan as required and as federal regulations permit.
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION STATUS
Students are primarily responsible for checking the progress of their financial aid application status. This
should be done routinely throughout the application process as well as after the student has received an award
notification letter. Students who are currently enrolled or are intending to be enrolled and have placed a
deposit with the Admissions Office will be able to check the status of their financial aid application materials
online using the school’s student information system (referred to as iSIS) student portal. In order to access
the iSIS student portal, the student must have activated their Tufts username and password. The Admissions
Office distributes these instructions to incoming students. Continuing students will use the same username
35
and password as if logging into their Tufts email account. If you’ve forgotten your password and/or
username, please go to http://tuftstools.tufts.edu/.
To access the iSIS student portal, go to http://go.tufts.edu/iSIS entering your Tufts username and password.
Once logged in, click on the “Financial Aid” tab at the top of the page then to “Documents”. You will then
see the required documents for your financial aid application and the status of each as indicated below:
•
•
Red Exclamation Points
indicate documents that are missing.
“Incomplete” Status indicates documents that have been received but contain item(s) that are
incomplete.
•
Green Check Marks
indicate documents that are Received and Complete.
Realize that as the student submits their application materials, the Financial Aid Office will thoroughly
review the documents to ensure they are completed accurately. If documents remain missing, incomplete or
not signed, the status of these documents will be posted. Additional required documents could also be added
once the student has indicated on their application materials what type of financial aid programs for which
they are applying. Lastly, it can take the Financial Aid Office 3-5 business days upon receipt of application
materials to update the status of documents especially during the peak application season in March and April.
Please continue to check the iSIS student portal for updates to your application status.
NOTICE OF MISSING OR INCOMPLETE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION MATERIALS
The student has the primary responsibility for checking the status of their financial aid application. As a
courtesy, the Financial Aid Office may send “missing information emails” to all students during the peak
financial aid application periods prior to the May 1st deadline. These emails are usually sent beginning on or
around March 1st. The email notices will be sent to students’ Tufts email addresses. It is extremely
important that students establish and maintain access to their Tufts Email accounts.
Go to
http://tuftstools.tufts.edu/ to reset your password or if you forgot your username.
ALTERNATE ADMISSIONS CANDIDATES
Students placed on the waiting list for Admissions will be sent a Financial Aid Information Packet which will
include the Financial Aid Manual and a checklist of forms required to apply for financial aid. Students are
required
to
download
and
print
out
financial
aid
application
materials
at
http://dental.tufts.edu/admissions/financial-aid/applying-for-financial-aid-print-financial-aid-applicationforms/us-citizens-and-permanent-residents/
If you are an alternate admissions candidate, please DO NOT SEND any financial aid application materials
UNTIL AFTER BEING FORMALLY ACCEPTED INTO THE CLASS AND HAVE PAID A DEPOSIT
TO THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE. Application materials received for alternate candidates may be discarded
by the Financial Aid Office. If the student is formally accepted AFTER March 20th, they are provided a
unique financial aid application deadline of 6 weeks from the date the deposit was received by the
Admissions Office to apply for financial aid.
INTENDED SPOUSE INFORMATION
Students who expect to get married during the academic year must submit “intended spouse” documentation
to the Financial Aid Office if they are applying for Tufts Loan, Tufts Grant, Health Professions Student Loan
(HPSL), or Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS). A signed copy of the spouse's or intended spouse's
2013 U.S. Tax Return, including all schedules (including Form 8863, if applicable) filed with the IRS, or a
statement of Non-Tax Filing Status signed by the intended spouse must be submitted. If, during the academic
year, the student got married yet didn’t previously report that information on their financial aid application
materials, the same information must be submitted. The student/intended spouse contribution will be
prorated by the number of months the student will be married during the academic year.
36
The Profile Application should be completed with intended spouse information. If the student is NOT
married at the time they are completing the FAFSA, the student is to be treated as unmarried and no intended
spouse information should be included on that form. Of course, if the student is married at the time of
completing any application materials, s/he must include all spouse financial information as the forms require.
STUDENTS EXPECTING CHILDREN
A student expecting to have a dependent child (contributing to more than one half their support) at any point
during the 2014-15 academic year may claim that child as a family member on the FAFSA and PROFILE
Application Form. The due date should be listed under the special circumstances section on the Tufts
Application for Financial Aid. We will also accept a letter in writing from the student if the Tufts Aid
Application had been previously submitted.
AWARD NOTIFICATION
After the student's application is reviewed by the Financial Aid Office, the student is notified of his/her
eligibility for financial aid programs through an Award Notification Letter. Award Notification Letters are
normally released mid-June. The Award Acceptance Agreement contained on the letter must be signed and
returned to the Financial Aid Office within 15 days of the date on the letter. Please notify the Financial Aid
Office if the student will be late in returning the Award Notification Letter. The student is also sent a copy of
the Student Loan Handbook along with a “Student Loan Application Checklist” which outlines the next steps
required of the student to complete other than returning the Award Notification Letter. Note that most of
these next steps can be done online but MUST be done prior to the Financial Aid Office actually processing
any awards or loans which the student has accepted per their Award Notification Letter. The Student Loan
Handbook will provide complete details and instruction.
APPEALS
Appeals to initial awards are generally made by students seeking an increase to Tufts Loan, Tufts Grant,
HPSL, LDS, or Perkins Loans. If the student believes his/her financial aid application warrants further review
based on a change in the family's financial situation, an appeal letter must be submitted to the Financial Aid
Office. The letter must contain specifics as to why an appeal is being made along with supporting
documentation. The Financial Aid Office will not review appeals until September or after all other financial
aid applications are considered. Students will be notified of appeal decisions at the beginning of the
academic year. Unless there is a change in financial circumstance (unemployment, unexpected retirement,
illness, or death in the family) the initial award a student receives stands as is, with little room for adjustment.
37
SECTION VI
COMMON ERRORS MADE ON FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS
Listed below are some common errors or misconceptions made by students when applying for financial aid.
Please be sure to read all application instructions entirely before attempting to complete the application.
Common FAFSA Errors:
•
Leaving fields blank when the answer should really be “0”. Be sure to write in “0” and don’t leave any
fields blank as it will result in an unofficial SAR (which the Financial Aid Office can’t use).
•
Not writing in Tufts Dental School’s Federal School Code number, which is “E00519” on the FAFSA.
As a result the Financial Aid Office will not receive the electronic version of the SAR and it could result
in the student missing the financial aid deadline of May 1, 2014. If you left the code number off of the
FAFSA application, call (800) 4-FED AID with your paper SAR in hand to have the electronic version of
the SAR released to Tufts Dental School.
•
Not reading the SAR where it tells the student whether certain data matches have occurred with agencies
such as Department of Homeland Security, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), or Social
Security Administration. Additionally, the SAR will inform the student if their SAR is unofficial or if
Federal Student Aid Programs requires additional information from the student before they can complete
processing of the FAFSA. Solution – read the SAR and do what it says to do.
•
Not including parent information on the FAFSA if the student IS applying for Tufts Loan, Tufts Grant,
HPSL, or LDS programs. Even though graduate and professional students are independent, Tufts Dental
School and the Dept. of Health and Human Services require that parent information be considered to
determine the student’s eligibility for these programs. Even though the FAFSA might say you don’t
need to supply parent information, some health professions schools require completion of parental
information - Tufts Dental School is one of those schools.
•
Including parent information on the FAFSA if the student IS ONLY APPLYING FOR PERKINS,
FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN, DIRECT GRAD PLUS AND PRIVATE LOANS. Don’t disclose
information you don’t have to. If you are only applying for these aforementioned programs, only student
(and spouse) financial information needs to be included on the FAFSA.
•
Make sure if you need to print, sign and send in a signature page (if you are doing a web-based version of
the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA), do so immediately otherwise it will delay processing your SAR.
Common Profile Application Errors:
•
Completing (and paying for) a Profile application where none was required. The Profile is only required
if the student is applying for Tufts Loan, Tufts Grant, HPSL, and LDS programs.
•
Not listing parent information on the Profile Application – the purpose of this form is to collect parent
information not collected on the FAFSA. Complete the entire Profile Application form.
Common Errors on Tufts Application Materials and Other Required Documentation:
•
Parents failing to send in their complete federal U.S. tax return – we need ALL of the schedules (& Form
8863 if applicable) and ALL W-2 forms.
38
•
Parent signatures missing on their respective tax return(s).
•
Submitting state tax returns or estimated tax returns. It’s OK to estimate income tax figures on the
FAFSA and Profile but the Financial Aid Office can only accept actual federal 2013 U.S. Tax Returns
and W-2 forms. Should the student have estimated financial information on their FAFSA and Profile
applications, the student should use the FAFSA corrections process using the IRS Data Retrieval System
to update student and/or parent information on the FAFSA.
•
Students and parents often complete the “# in household” and “# in college” sections of not only the
Tufts Application for Financial Aid but also on the Profile Application and FAFSA incorrectly.
Carefully read the instructions provided! If this section is incorrect it could hurt the student’s chances of
receiving certain favorable forms of financial aid.
•
Not completing the Non-tax Filing Status Statement correctly (parents and/or students need to write out
why they did not or were not required to file a tax return in 2013).
•
Not submitting W-2 Forms. Although the parent(s) might not have been required to file a tax return in
2013, they might have earned money by working (they simply didn’t earn enough to have to file a tax
return). The W-2 form(s) must be attached to the non-tax filing status statement. Also, documentation of
any untaxed income such as social security benefits earned in 2013 must be attached to the statement.
Failure to provide such documentation will result in delays in completing your application.
•
Not submitting the Student Disclosure Authorization Form or Parent Disclosure Authorization Form.
Since our students are of legal age, the Financial Aid Office is prohibited from discussing the student’s
financial aid application or award with anyone other than the student. Likewise, the Financial Aid Office
is unable to discuss the student’s parents’ financial situation with the student unless they are authorized to
do so. Since this is an important legal matter, the Financial Aid Office requires the disclosure forms to be
completed as part of the student’s financial aid application.
•
Forms containing signature inconsistencies where a parent or student/spouse signature does not look
consistent with signatures provided on other forms (submitted for the current or prior year’s application
cycle) will not be accepted. Legally, no one is permitted to sign a name other than their own. One
can ONLY sign someone else’s name on their behalf if they have been granted legal power of attorney
for which they are given documentation from the courts. Oftentimes time-sensitive financial aid
application materials, all of which are made available on line, that require signatures can be faxed or
emailed to the Financial Aid Office.
Common Misconceptions:
•
The deadline for financial aid is May 1, 2014 however students can still receive financial aid if their
application is completed after that date. A consequence, however, is that they will probably only be
initially considered for non needs-based aid. If funding is available, the Financial Aid Office will revise
aid packages for those students who were placed on the Student Aid Waiting List.
•
Because it can take 2-3 weeks for the Profile Application and FAFSA to be processed, it is SUGGESTED
that students file those applications by mid-March. The RESULTS of these applications are DUE in the
Financial Aid Office by May 1st.
39
SECTION VII
FINANCIAL AID AVAILABILITY FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS
Financial aid is limited for foreign students. The primary resource of financial aid for foreign students is
through private education loans sponsored through private lenders such as banks and other student loan
providers. However, private education loan lenders will require the student to have a U.S. citizen or
permanent resident of the U.S. act as a co-signer for the loan. Tufts University does not provide co-signers
for any student. Foreign students may also receive merit scholarship should they qualify yet they are not
eligible for any other type of institutional or federal financial aid program.
For those foreign students interested in applying for a private education loan, please refer to Section III –
Private Education Loan Programs of this handbook.
Obtaining Permanent Resident or Eligible Non-citizen Status During Academic Year
If the student’s citizenship status changes during the academic year, students are encouraged to contact the
Financial Aid Office as they may be able to apply for federal student aid as opposed to a private education
loan. Students should be prepared to submit documentation/evidence of their current citizenship status. If
the documentation indicates eligibility, the Financial Aid Office will provide the student with federal aid
application materials. Note that depending on the date the student becomes a permanent resident; the
availability of institutional and some federal student financial aid programs may be limited or unavailable.
The student should be aware that if they received a private education loan already for the academic year in
payment of educational costs, those funds will affect the student’s eligibility of federal student aid programs.
For example, if the student received a private education loan for the 2013-14 academic year to cover their
entire cost of education for the year, the student will have already met his or her cost of education for the
academic year. As a result, they could not apply for federal student aid until the next academic year.
However, if the student applied for a private loan to cover one semester’s cost of education, they can apply
for federal student aid to cover costs for the second semester.
The Financial Aid Office cannot recommend postponement of tuition and fees until the student gains
eligibility to apply for federal student aid. The student is responsible for payment of tuition and fees by the
billing due date.
40
SECTION VIII
FINANCIAL AID POLICIES
Deferment of Prior Educational Loans
Students who have received federal education loans prior to attending Tufts Dental School can be defer those
loans while in attendance at Tufts Dental School. The student must be enrolled at least half time during the
period of enrollment for which the student is seeking deferment. The Registrar’s Office at Tufts will certify
enrollment when the student actually matriculates at the beginning of the academic year. Students are
certified as enrolled as of the first day of their academic year and are considered full-time unless they have
extenuating circumstances that cause them not to follow the curriculum as scheduled.
Students who have received private education loans prior to attending TUSDM must check with their
lender(s) to ensure that their loan payments can be deferred while enrolled at TUSDM. Although many
private education loans allow payments to be deferred provided the borrower is at least a half-time student,
some lenders require payments on either principal, interest, or both be made regardless of the student’s
enrollment status at TUSDM. Note that the Financial Aid Office will not provide any additional financial aid
to the student to cover such payments.
Tufts University contracts with the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). In doing so, the school provides
enrollment data (enrollment start date, enrollment status and anticipated date of graduation) on all enrolled
students to the clearinghouse on a monthly basis, including those attending the dental school. Federal student
loan lenders/servicers will “sweep” the clearinghouse data files for “matches” using the student’s SSN and
date of birth per their records. Using this information, lenders/loan servicers will update their records
automatically placing a student into an “in-school deferment.” All federal loan servicers use NSC[ as a
means to update their databases but it is recommended that students contact their loan servicers to verify this
If, for any reason, the servicer does not participate in NSC or if they have failed to receive enrollment data for
any reason, the student should provide a paper in-school deferment form to the Registrar’s Office for
completion.
Private education loan servicers may not use clearinghouse data. Some of these lenders will apply the inschool deferment on a borrower’s private education loan if they are also servicing the borrower’s federal
student loans. If the loan servicer does not participate in the clearinghouse, the student must file a paper InSchool Deferment form from their loan servicer with the Registrar’s Office who, in turn, will certify
enrollment and mail it back to the loan servicer. Students will have to do this process each and every
academic year they qualify for an In-School Deferment. Some servicers require it be done each semester the
student is enrolled.
It is ultimately the borrower’s responsibility to notify their federal or private loan servicer of any
changes in their enrollment status and/or inquire about deferment opportunities. Therefore, if a student
is returning to school after having graduated they should simply contact all of their loan servicers to receive
additional instruction. DO NOT IGNORE STUDENT LOAN BILLS because doing so may jeopardize the
opportunity to get additional student loans!
Denial of Financial Aid for Default/Refund/Repayment Status
No student will receive financial aid if they are in default on a National Direct/Defense Student Loan, Perkins
Loan, Guaranteed Student Loan, PLUS/ALAS, or SLS received for attendance at any institution. In addition,
a student who owes a refund or repayment of a Pell Grant, SEOG, LEAP, or SLEAP (formally known as
State Student Incentive Grants) will be denied financial aid at Tufts Dental School.
41
Receipt of Outside Scholarships or Loans
Any student who fails to disclose receipt of an outside scholarship or loan to the Financial Aid Office will be
denied financial aid while in attendance at Tufts Dental School. Failure to disclose such information may
also be perceived as a violation of Tufts Dental School’s code of ethics and professionalism.
Statement of Educational Purpose/Falsifying Information
A student who applies for and receives financial aid must use those funds towards educational costs as
outlined in this manual. The Financial Aid Office will require that any financial aid funds (federal,
institutional or private education financial aid funds) utilized for purposes other than for payment of the
student’s educational costs be returned. This situation may be perceived as a violation of Tufts Dental
School’s code of ethics and professionalism. Any person that knowingly and willingly provides false or
misleading information on any financial aid application forms will be subject to penalties. Such penalties
may include, but are not limited to, disciplinary actions on the part of the school and reporting the violation to
the Dept. of Education and/or the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Past Due Balances
Students who have a prior balance on their student account from a prior academic year may be precluded
from receiving financial aid for a future academic year. Semester bills must be paid in full by the billing due
date and are otherwise subject to late fines. Student financial aid can only be granted for the current term or
academic year and the Financial Aid Office cannot include prior charges or expenses incurred in a prior year
when determining eligibility. Financial aid received in the current term cannot be used to pay for a prior
balance incurred in a prior academic year without the student’s written permission.
The student is solely responsible for payment of their educational costs and the timely submission of financial
aid application materials, Award Notification Letters, education loan promissory notes, and private education
loan application materials. Failure to take this responsibility may preclude the student from receiving
financial aid or maintaining enrollment at Tufts Dental School. When possible, the Financial Aid Office will
provide reminders of when application materials are due, what forms remain missing from the student’s
application file, etc…yet, at times, it has not always been possible to extend these courtesies.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
It is the policy of this University not to discriminate on the basis of sex, age, religion, handicap, race, color,
national or ethnic origin, status of a disabled veteran, or status of a veteran of Vietnam in the administration
of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and
athletic or other University sponsored programs.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents the Financial Aid Office from releasing any
details regarding the student’s financial aid award to any party other than the student with the exception of
the following:
•
•
•
Offices of the Federal government (including the Federal Dept. of Education and Dept. of Health and
Human Services)
Student loan lenders and student loan guarantee agencies
Federal, state and local courts
Information is made available to these agencies upon request.
42
We may provide public information to a third party (e.g. parent, sibling, friend, or spouse) such as, but not
limited to, the financial aid application process, financial aid programs and general eligibility guidelines.
Because Tufts Dental School students are not minors, the Financial Aid Office is prevented from disclosing
any specific information on an individual student’s financial aid award. This includes, but is not limited to,
the status of a student’s financial aid application, financial aid award (such as what types of loans or grants
the student has received or for what types of programs they have applied), details on expected living expense
refunds due to the student, whether the student has applied for aid or if their application is complete, the
specifics regarding what financial aid has been disbursed on behalf of the student or a student’s educational
indebtedness.
The Financial Aid Office understands that many of our students’ parents assist them with their financial aid
application materials. Although we can certainly help guide the parents or other “third parties” such as a
sibling our spouse through the process of applying for financial aid, students must take note that any of the
awarding/eligibility specifics will only be discussed with them and not their parents or other third party
unless the student provides written permission. Unfortunately, federal law prevents us from disclosing those
details to anyone but the student in order to protect the privacy of students. Although this can certainly be
frustrating to the family as well as the student, the Financial Aid Office has no choice in the matter so we ask
for your patience.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
The Financial Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act,” or GLB Act,
includes provisions to protect consumers’ personal financial information held by financial institutions.
The GLB Act gives authority to eight federal agencies and states to administer and enforce the “Financial
Privacy Rule” and the “Safeguards Rule.” These two regulations apply to “financial institutions,” which
include not only banks, securities firms, and insurance companies, but also companies providing many other
types of financial products and services to consumers, including universities who administer loans and other
financial aid.
The Financial Privacy Rule governs the collection and disclosure of customers’ personal financial
information by financial institutions. It also applies to companies, whether or not they are financial
institutions, who receive such information. Because universities are already subject to the privacy provisions
in the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), the Federal Trade Commission decided that
institutions of higher education that are complying with FERPA in protecting the privacy of their student
financial aid records will be deemed to be in compliance with the GLB Act.
The Safeguards Rule requires all financial institutions that collect or receive customer financial information
to design, implement and maintain safeguards to protect such information. Tufts University maintains
safeguards to protect student financial information and generally requires that third parties who provide
services to the University which requires them to have access to student financial information maintain
safeguards that comply with the GLB Act.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Students must be considered as making satisfactory progress towards their degree in order to receive or
continue to receive any financial aid including federal, institutional or private education loan programs.
TUSDM’s policy regarding what constitutes satisfactory academic progress can be found in the Student
Handbook (http://dental.tufts.edu/student-gateway/student-forms-and-policies/#general). Eligibility for
financial aid can be re-established once the student is deemed making satisfactory progress.
43
Withdrawal and Leave of Absence
Students who take a leave of absence may be responsible for tuition and fees for the term in which their
effective leave takes place. The Tuition Refund Policy is explained later in this section and should be
carefully reviewed prior to the student’s withdrawal or leave of absence.
Financial aid a student receives may be impacted if the student decides to withdraw or take a leave of
absence:
A. Withdrawn Students – A student who is considered withdrawn from the school is not entitled to
financial aid after the point they have withdrawn. Financial aid received up to the point the student has
withdrawn may be prorated in accordance to the Financial Aid Refund Policy that is outlined later in this
section. Students should review this policy closely realizing that its application is exclusive of the
Tuition Refund Policy. Any student loans the student has received are not entitled to in-school deferment
status. Withdrawn students who received financial aid while in attendance are required to complete
financial aid exit counseling as part of the administrative clearance process.
B. Students on a Leave of Absence – A student who has received federal student financial aid that is
considered on a leave of absence may be required to be treated as though they have withdrawn from
school. Federal financial aid regulations dictate this decision and have established criteria which the
period of leave must meet in order for the student to remain “in student status” thereby eligible to retain
financial aid received and for their student loans to continue to receive in-school deferment status.
Students who are considered “in student status” while on a leave may not receive any additional financial
aid for the term in which the leave is taken nor would they be entitled to receive any additional financial
aid disbursements during their period of leave. Upon their return, the student may be eligible for
financial aid based on a revised cost of attendance. Student loans, however, will continue to receive inschool deferment during the period of leave.
Students who fail to return from a leave of absence as expected whereas the student was kept “in student
status” during the period of leave, will be considered to have withdrawn from the school effective the
date their leave of absence began. Both the Tuition Refund Policy and the Financial Aid Refund Policy
will be applied in accordance with university policy and federal financial aid regulations.
Oftentimes the Financial Aid Office will be required to treat a student that is considered on a leave of
absence as though they have withdrawn from the school since the period of leave does not meet the
federal criteria. The reasons for this include (but are not limited to) the fact the leave extends over 180
days, the student is unable to resume their academic program at the same point they left prior to taking
leave or the student’s return to school is conditional.
Tuition Refund Policy
In the event a registered student withdraws from the university after the beginning of the enrollment period,
tuition and fee refunds are prorated as follows:
1st – 12th calendar day of term
13th – 19th calendar day of term
20th – 26th calendar day of term
27th – 33rd calendar day of term
34th calendar day of term and thereafter
80%
60%
40%
20%
No refund
44
Student Financial Aid Refund Policy
A. Title IV Federal Refund Policy
In accordance with federal regulations governing Federal Student Financial Aid programs, a student receiving
Title IV Federal Student Financial Aid is subject to Title IV Refund Policy rules. This policy is applied to
situations where a student received Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Direct Grad
PLUS Loans and is considered to have withdrawn from the school or has dropped below half time status at
the school.
The Title IV Federal Refund Policy states that any student who withdraws at or prior to the 60% point of the
term for which they were enrolled and received Title IV financial aid for that term, will have their federal
financial aid prorated based on the percentage of time they were enrolled for that term. The application of the
TIV Refund Policy determines the amount of federal student financial aid that the school and, in some cases,
the student, is required to return to the student’s lender(s). The funds are returned to repay the federal student
aid received by the student in the following prescribed order:
1) Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
2) Federal Perkins Loan
3) Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
Any student who has withdrawn after the 60% point of the term is said to have “earned” all Title IV financial
aid received and the school cannot apply the Title IV Federal Refund Policy. However, upon receipt of
written authorization from the student, the Financial Aid Office can facilitate returning unused or unwanted
loan funding to the student’s lender(s).
Please note that Title VII funding (Health Professions Student Loan and Loans for Disadvantaged Students)
will also be prorated in a similar manner as Title IV financial aid unless the student received 100% tuition
reversal. In that case, all Title VII financial aid funding as well as institutional funding (such as, but not
limited to, Tufts Grant and Tufts Loan) will be rescinded from the student. In the event that HPSL and LDS
funding is prorated, these funds will be repaid after all Title IV aid the student received has been repaid
(including Grad PLUS loan proceeds).
B. Treatment of Private Education Loans and Institutional Financial Aid
Treatment of private education loans a withdrawn student has received or is due to receive is subject to the
private education loan lender’s policies. Normally, if funds have been disbursed to the student, lenders
usually do not require the student or the school to return funds. If the student withdraws or drops below half
time prior to the funds being received, the Financial Aid Office is required to return 100% of the loan
disbursement.
Similarly, outside scholarships or loans awarded to a student are subject to the awarding organization’s
policies. Institutional financial aid such as grants, loans or scholarships may or may not be prorated or
require 100% reversal depending on the circumstances.
It is important to note that the application of the Tuition Refund Policy and that of the TIV Federal
Refund Policies are mutually exclusive. The student is responsible for payment of any balance that remains
on his or her student account after the Student Financial Aid Refund policy is applied. The Financial Aid
Office will delay the student’s exit counseling session until after the applicable student aid refund is
determined as it will be reviewed in detail during the student’s exit counseling session.
Financial Aid Entrance and Exit Counseling Requirements
The student is required to complete financial aid entrance counseling if they receive certain types of federal
and institutional loans. Further explanation of these requirements and detailed instructions will be provided
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in the Student Loan Handbook that accompanies the Award Notification Letter. Entrance counseling is
provided to help the student understand their rights and responsibilities concerning their student loans.
Any student that has received federal or institutional student loans while in attendance at Tufts Dental School
must attend financial aid exit counseling. Exit counseling is provided in the final semester of the student’s
final year prior to graduation or upon the student’s withdrawal or leave of absence from the school. During
the exit counseling session, the student’s right and responsibilities towards repayment of their loan(s) are
reviewed. In addition, the student can expect to receive information pertaining to their personal student loan
borrowing history, current interest rates on loans, grace periods and deferment rights, loan consolidation
options, general repayment options, the consequences of not repaying student loans, and options to avoid
default. The exit interview is very informative yet it remains the student’s responsibility to keep apprised of
their student loan debt and keep in contact with their lenders or loan servicers should they have any questions
or concerns regarding their loans while they’re enrolled and throughout repayment. Such information should
include, at minimum, name, address, and phone number of each lender, principal amount borrowed from each
loan program, grace period time allowed upon graduation, interest rate on the loan(s), interest accrued on
principal balance of the loan outstanding, and any payments made on the loan.
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SECTION IX
MILITARY HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP &
OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE PROGRAMS
An increasing number of health professions students are interested in participating in the various scholarship
programs offered by the United States military. Participation in a military health professions program will
generally involve the receipt of a full-tuition scholarship and living expense stipend, or post-graduation loan
repayment, in exchange for service as a health professions officer. Please contact each military branch for
specific information. Although recruiters from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and National Guard often visit
Tufts Dental School to meet with prospective applicants, students interested in the various military
scholarship programs should contact the respective recruiters directly to ensure that they do not miss
important application deadlines. Students awarded any scholarship funding are required to notify the
Financial Aid Office immediately upon acceptance of the award.
MILITARY CONTACT INFORMATION:
Air Force
Air Force Recruiting Office
50 Burlington Mall Rd., Suite G-18A
Burlington, MA 01803
(781) 270-4134
www.airforce.com
Army
U.S. Army Health Care Recruiting Station
495 Summer St., Room 112
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 753-3015
www.healthcare.goarmy.com
Navy
U.S. Navy Recruiting District, New England
495 Summer St., Barnes Building 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 753-4592
www.navy.com
National Guard
National Guard Recruiting
275 Union Street
Braintree, MA 02184
(508) 889-8590
www.1-800-go-guard.com
OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE PROGRAMS:
Additional public service programs for health professions students, with associated scholarships or loan
repayment opportunities attached, are available through the National Health Service Corps
(http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/) and the U.S. Public Health Service (www.usphs.gov), including the Indian Health
Service (www.dentist.ihs.gov). Also, state public health service websites may have information available
regarding loan repayment programs available through the state or federal levels. Please contact the above
programs directly for further information.