Eligibility

Complete Verification

Must be in a degree seeking program

Show academic progress

Aid Application Verification

Some applications are selected for a process called "verification," either by random selection or because of conflicting information on the FAFSA. If your application is selected for verification by our office we will request certain documents from you beginning with the Verification Worksheet, signed copies of your federal tax return, and your parents’ signed tax return (if you are a dependent student). The purpose of verification is to make sure accurate information is provided on the FAFSA. The bottom line is that we want to make sure you’re receiving the very most in financial aid for which you’re eligible, and verification helps ensure that you are.

Q: I thought I already turned everything in for verification. Why are you telling me I need to send more information?

A: Verification is an ongoing process. For many students it goes no further than turning in the tax returns and the Verification Worksheet. But sometimes we uncover inconsistencies which we need to resolve and document for your file. It’s a good idea to check back with us after submitting your taxes and Verification Worksheet to see if you will need to turn in anything else. We typically send requests for additional information out through the mail.

Degree Programs 

It’s OK to be undecided about your specific major, but federal guidelines require that students be enrolled in programs leading to a recognized academic degree or certificate to receive aid.

Examples of degree-seeking programs include: Associate, Bachelor, Masters, Specialist and Doctorate degrees, as well as Teacher's Certification.

Federal Financial Aid Information for Graduate Students

 Provisional or Special Student Admission Status

To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be admitted in a degree-seeking program.  If you have been admitted under “provisional” or “special student” status, you will not be eligible for federal financial aid funds. 

Enrollment Status

If you intend to enroll in undergraduate or mixed level courses, it could affect your eligibility for federal financial aid.  As a graduate student, you must be enrolled and attend at least six graduate level credit hours each semester to be eligible for federal loans.

Students in the licensure alternative master’s program or career and technical education program who are enrolled less than six graduate level credit hours, but are enrolled at least six credit hours total, may be eligible for a federal loan at the undergraduate level.

 Additional Funding

Graduate students may find it necessary to borrow additional loan funds beyond their Stafford Loans.  As a result of a change in federal regulations, graduate students now also have an opportunity to borrow Grad PLUS Loans.  Graduate students may borrow up to the total estimated cost of attendance less any other financial aid/resources received.

• The application for the Grad PLUS Loan is available at the Office of Student Financial Aid.

• You must pass a credit check that is conducted by your lender.

• The interest rate for the Grad PLUS Loan is fixed at 8.5% and begins to accrue at the time of disbursement (your rate may be lower depending on the lender that you select).

• Origination fees are set by the lender that you select.

• Repayment of the Grad PLUS Loan begins 60 days after the final disbursement for the loan period, unless you contact your lender to apply for a deferment.  You must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) to apply for a deferment.

• You will also need to complete a Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) with your lender (this is not the same as the MPN for Stafford Loans).

 Alternative Loans

Graduate students not eligible for federal financial aid may find it necessary to borrow loan funds through alternative loan sources.  For information about alternative loans, please visit our website at www.financialaid.utoledo.edu/student_loan_process.html.   

If you have questions regarding financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 419.530.8700.

For more information, contact the Graduate College.

Transient Students

Students who are pursuing degrees from another institution but are studying at UT for just a term or two cannot be considered degree-seeking students through our office. In this case such students' best bet for receiving aid would be to contact the aid office at their "home" school, or the school they plan on transferring back to once they are finished at UT.
 

Academic Progress

The Office of Student Financial Aid wants to see you earn your degree as quickly as possible. But not everybody’s academic career follows a smooth path to graduation. What follows is a list of the minimum academic standards which must be met in order to continue receiving financial aid. Should you find that you aren’t meeting these standards, you will always have the option of appealing to regain your eligibility. 

Please see "SAP Test and Fact Sheet" for eligibility requirements.