Financial Aid
Eligibility Requirements | Sources of Financial Aid | Scholarships | How to Apply for Financial Aid
How Financial Aid Is Distributed | Change in Enrollment | Unofficial Withdrawals
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards | Study Abroad | International Students | Privacy Notice
The Financial Aid Office provides information, guidance, education, and support for individuals and families applying for federal aid and seeking other sources of financial assistance in pursuing a higher education. It is expected that a student, and his or her family, will first contribute to the cost of education through their own resources. Need-based aid, such as grants, loans, and part-time employment are available to help fill the gap between students’ financial resources and educational expenses. Scholarships are available to students who have demonstrated academic merit or skill in a particular area of interest or discipline of study.
The information contained in this publication reflects current procedures and rules affecting the delivery of financial aid. The University reserves the right to change, at any time, schedules, rules and regulations. Appropriate notice of such changes is given, whenever possible, before they become effective. More information about financial aid is available on the Web at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/. General information is also available through the U.S. Department of Education’s publication, 2011-12 Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid. Copies can be obtained at the Financial Aid Office or at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
The following sections describe the eligibility requirements for receiving federal aid, the types of financial aid available at Boise State University, procedures for distributing aid, and procedures for applying for financial aid. The rights and responsibilities of students who receive financial aid are included within the following information.
Eligibility Requirements
The following is a summary of the most common criteria affecting student eligibility for financial aid. Eligibility requirements are explained in more details at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/aidhandbook.shtml
- Complete the application process in the spring prior to each aid year for which you desire to be considered for financial aid (see details under How to Apply for Financial Aid).
- Be admitted to Boise State University, and be matriculated into a degree-seeking program or a certificate program approved for financial aid.
- Classes must be added by the 10th day of the semester in order to count towards eligibility for the Federal Pell grant.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
- Have a high school diploma, or GED. In most cases, students who have been home-schooled and have been admitted to Boise State into an approved degree or certificate program are also eligible.
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen. Students attending Boise State on a student visa are ineligible for federal aid, but may apply for scholarships.
- If you are male, you must be registered with Selective Service.
- You must not owe a repayment of any federal aid to Boise State, to any other school previously attended, or to the U.S. Department of Education.
- You must not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment of grant funds.
- Submit all materials requested by the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible, but no later than the specified deadlines. Examples of requested documents include copies of federal tax returns and W-2 forms, citizenship documents, or proof of untaxed income.
- You must meet all other eligibility requirements. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
Sources of Financial Aid
The foundation for financial aid is the Federal Pell Grant, a federal grant available to undergraduate students with documented financial need. Pell Grants range from $555 to $5,550 for eligible full-time students. Pell Grants are also available to most pell-eligible part-time students. Some Pell recipients also qualify for other types of grant aid, including a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) or a Leveraging Education Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP) Grant. Students who meet priority filing deadlines are among the first to be considered for these grants. (See How to Apply for Financial Aid.)
Federal Perkins Loans are long-term, low-interest loans that must be repaid to the university according to federal guidelines. Repayment begins nine months after you graduate or after your enrollment drops below half-time.
| Federal Perkins Loans Estimated Repayment Schedule (based on 5% interest rate) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Loan Amount |
Number of Payments |
Monthly Payment |
Total Interest |
Total Amount |
$ 4,000.00 |
120 |
$ 42.43 |
$1,091.01 |
$ 5,091.01 |
$ 8,000.00 |
120 |
$ 84.85 |
$2,182.00 |
$10,182.00 |
$15,000.00 |
120 |
$159.10 |
$4,091.73 |
$19,091.73 |
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans are long-term loans available to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time. There are two types of Direct Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Borrowers of unsubsidized loans are responsible for the interest while attending school. The Financial Aid Office will determine which loan you will receive, based on your federal financial aid application and financial need. First time recipients of a Direct Loan must complete a loan entrance counseling session available on the Web before Boise State University releases loan funds. All Direct Loan recipients must complete a Master Promissory Note, which will be valid for borrowing during subsequent semesters. In addition, you must complete an exit loan counseling session when you graduate or withdraw from the University. Repayment of a Direct Loan begins six months after you graduate or six months after your enrollment drops below half-time. The table shows estimated repayment schedules for Direct Loans in various amounts. Please see the exit counseling information link on the following website for more information: http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/loancounseling.shtml. The interest rate is set annually, and is set at 3.4% for subsidized loans made between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. The interest rate for unsubsidized loans is 6.8%.
| Federal Direct Loan Estimated Repayment Schedule (based on 6.8% interest rate) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Loan Amount |
Number of Payments |
Monthly Payment |
Total Interest |
Total Amount |
$ 2,625.00 |
63 |
$50.00 |
$495.00 |
$3,120.00 |
$ 5,000.00 |
120 |
$57.54 |
$1,905.00 |
$6,905.00 |
$10,000.00 |
120 |
$115.08 |
$3,810.00 |
$13,810.00 |
$15,000.00 |
120 |
$172.52 |
$5,714.00 |
$20,714.00 |
$25,000.00 |
120 |
$287.70 |
$9,524.00 |
$34,524.00 |
Emergency Short-Term Loans are available to students with a minimum grade-point average of 2.00. These loans are made only to students who experience a significant financial emergency during the academic year and require a $25 processing fee. The loan must be repaid within 90 days. Only one loan is given per semester. The maximum amount available is $250. Applications are available in the Account Maintenance Office, Room 211 Administration Building.
The Federal Work-Study Program provides employment opportunities for selected undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrated financial need. The Atwell J. Parry Idaho Work-study program also provides employment opportunities for students; only Idaho residents are eligible to participate in the program.
Scholarships
Many students finance part of their education with scholarships, which may be awarded for academic achievement, special skills, or talent, or because of the recipient’s financial need. Most scholarship decisions are based on information contained in the student’s admissions application, or for a continuing student, his or her academic record. However, some scholarships require a separate application. A complete listing of scholarship information is available at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships.
The university scholarship deadline is February 15 for incoming freshmen and transfer students, and March 15 for continuing students. All new freshmen and transfer students who have completed the admission application by the deadline and who have at least a 3.0 GPA will be considered. Continuing students need a 3.0 GPA to be considered.
Brown Honors Scholarships offer awards in amounts worth up to $12,000 each year for incoming honors students. The award is renewable for four consecutive years. Contact the Honors College for more information, call (208) 426-1122 or online at www.boisestate.edu/honors.
Capital Scholars The Capital Scholars Program recognizes outstanding Idaho students during their junior year of high school. Students are selected as Capital Scholars based on academic excellence in high school and high scores on a college entrance examination. Each student who is selected as a Capital Scholar is invited to an on-campus program to learn more about Boise State University. Capital Scholars attending the on-campus program are presented with a $1,000 scholarship renewable for up to five years as a full-time student at Boise State University.
Department Scholarships are available from each department. Departments set the criteria and the scholarship amounts. All students with a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 will be considered. A list of departments requiring additional information is available at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships/DepartmentalCollege.shtml.
Gem Scholarships (in the amount of the nonresident portion of tuition) are available to new nonresident undergraduate and graduate students with strong academic records (3.0 or higher). Students must complete 24 credits during fall and spring semesters, and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Recipients of Gem Scholarships may qualify to have their awards renewed as long as they continue to make reasonable progress toward an eligible degree and meet the minimum GPA and credit completion requirements, checked at the end of each spring term. Simply submit all admissions materials by February 15 to be considered. After February 15, or for spring semester admission, submit all admissions materials by the admission deadline for the semester you want to begin taking classes. Qualified individuals will be considered on a space-available basis. Final selection is competitive. Please visit the nonresident tuition assistance programs website for additional information http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships/NonResident.shtml.
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship The Idaho State Board of Education manages the application and award process for a new scholarship for Idaho’s neediest Pell Grant recipients. The award value can be as much as $3,000 per year for four years. If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, you must enroll in 12 or more credits during fall and spring semesters in order to receive the award and to remain eligible for renewal. More information is available at www.boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/opportunity.asp.
Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships are available to a limited number of first year students enrolling directly from high school or first year transfer students; to be eligible, you must be an Idaho resident. Awarded for one year, these scholarships are given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement. To apply, complete the admissions application.
Robert R. Lee Idaho Promise Scholarship This award is available to Idaho residents who have completed secondary school or its equivalent in Idaho, have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA or a minimum 20 ACT score, and meet other criteria. Students who meet initial eligibility requirements and maintain eligibility can receive this award for up to four semesters. An application is not required for this award.
State of Idaho Scholarship Awards are available to incoming first-year students who are Idaho residents. Applications can be obtained from high school counselors or from the Office of the Idaho State Board of Education, PO Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0037. Most of these scholarships have a January 15 deadline. Apply at http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarship/opportunity.asp.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Awards reduce the cost of the nonresident portion of tuition for students with strong academic records who enroll directly at Boise State after completing high school. Participating states limits eligibility to residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming. Students must complete 24 credits during fall and spring semesters, and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Award recipients may qualify to have their awards renewed as long as they continue to make reasonable progress toward their degree and meet the minimum GPA and credit completion requirements, checked at the end of each spring term. Simply submit all admissions materials by February 15 to be considered. For spring semester admission, submit all admissions materials by the admission deadline for the semester you want to begin taking classes. Qualified individuals will be considered on a space-available basis. Final selection is competitive. More detailed information is available at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships/NonResident.shtml.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). You must submit the FAFSA each year to be determined eligible for most grant, loan, work-study, or need-based scholarship programs. You may use one of the following methods to apply:
- Apply using FAFSA on the web (www.FAFSA.gov). If you have applied for aid in prior award years, use your PIN number. If you have forgotten your PIN number, you may request a duplicate at www.pin.ed.gov. If this is your first time completing the FAFSA, you will be able to get a PIN as part of the FAFSA application process. If you are a dependent student and need to provide parental information, your parent can also get a PIN during the application process. Only one parent needs a PIN to complete the FAFSA.
- Apply using renewal FAFSA on the web (also at www.fafsa.gov). If you applied for aid the previous year, the renewal application is simply a FAFSA that contains most of the information you provided last year. Updating the information may be faster for you than filling out a new FAFSA. You will need your PIN to complete the renewal FAFSA on the web.
- Apply using the paper FAFSA. The paper FAFSA or a FAFSA form that you can print from the federal website (www.FAFSA.gov) is available for students who prefer to apply by mail. However, students are warned that filing a paper FAFSA may add weeks to the time required to process an application.
Tips in Completing the FAFSA:
- Boise State University Title IV Code is 001616.
- Boise State University Financial Aid address: 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID, 83725-1315.
- Ensure that all information you provide on the application is entered correctly.
- Provide all required signatures; use your PIN number as a signature.
- Do not send tax documents or other materials with your application or signature page.
- If you provided an e-mail address on the FAFSA, you will receive an e-mail with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you left the e-mail address question blank, then you will receive your SAR through the regular mail. Review your SAR and make any necessary corrections. Please note that marital status the FAFSA.
- Submit additional materials, if requested. The Financial Aid Office uses BroncoWeb and BroncoMail to alert students of the need to provide additional materials, if required. Certain applicants are requested to provide documents to verify information reported on the FAFSA. Examples of requested documents include:
- Verification Form.
- Tax Forms. Submit a signed copy of your federal income tax return. Submit a signed copy of your spouse’s federal income tax return if you are married, but your spouse filed a separate return. If you are a dependent student, submit a copy of your parents’ federal income tax return(s).
- W-2 Forms. A copy of all W-2 forms corresponding to the requested tax returns.
- Citizenship documents. A birth certificate, passport, Alien Registration Card, or a Social Security Card.
- Complete actions identified on BroncoWeb.
- Loan entrance counseling and Master Promissory Note online activities will be identified as “To Do” items if you need to complete them.
- Award acceptance. Once processing of your application is complete, your award information will appear on BroncoWeb. You may accept, reduce, or decline your awards on BroncoWeb.
- Be aware of the following deadlines:
February 15 Deadline for incoming freshmen and transfer students to submit application materials, the FASFA, and the supplemental scholarship application. Students who meet this deadline will be considered for scholarships, and are given priority status for federal aid programs such as the Perkins Loan, work-study, and certain grant programs with limited funding.
March 15 Deadline for continuing students to submit the FAFSA and the supplemental scholarship application. Students who submit the FAFSA by this date are given priority status, and are among the first to be considered for Perkins Loans, work-study, and certain grants with limited funding.
June 1 All documents and other information requested by the Financial Aid Office must be submitted by this date in order to retain priority status and to ensure that your financial aid will be available for the first disbursement of fall semester.
Students who miss these deadlines may still apply for federal aid. However, processing of FAFSA applications received after the deadlines may not be completed in time for aid availability by fee payment deadline or when classes begin.
- Applying for Scholarships. Most scholarship decisions are based on information contained in the student’s admissions application, or for a continuing student, his or her academic record. However, some scholarships require a separate application. A complete listing of scholarship information is available at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships. Need-based scholarships require a student to submit the FAFSA by the deadlines described above.
- Applying for Summer Aid. Most financial aid is awarded for use during the fall or spring semester. Changes to the Federal Pell Grant program may allow additional Pell Grant funds to be awarded during summer semester. Otherwise, the University has limited financial aid available for the summer session, and not all students have remaining eligibility for summer. See http://financialaid.boisestate.edu and click on “Timely Tips” for details on applying for summer aid, deadlines, etc.
You should complete both award year FAFSAs by March 15 to apply for summer aid for the upcoming summer term. For example, you should complete both the 2011/12 FAFSA and the 2012/13 FAFSA to be considered for aid eligibility for the summer 2012 term.
- Staying Informed. Most official correspondence will be sent to your student e-mail account. Remember to check your BroncoMail at least weekly to determine if additional information is needed. To easily find financial aid updates, look at the “Timely Tips” at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu or click on the Financial Aid Recipients link on BroncoWeb. Information is updated regularly on policy changes or other important information that might affect your financial aid. If you wish to be notified directly when “Timely Tips” are updated, e-mail FAQuest@boisestate.edu, provide your name and student ID number, and indicate “count me in” in the subject line of your e-mail. You can also be a fan of the Boise State Financial Aid Facebook page to receive updates.
How Financial Aid Is Distributed
In March, the Financial Aid Office begins awarding aid for the following year. Students should check their BroncoWeb account regularly for financial aid information and updates.
Financial aid is first applied to your outstanding registration fees for the current semester, any current University housing charges, or other standard University charges; any remaining financial aid is then refunded to you. The refund will be electronically deposited to your bank account about one week before your classes begin, if you signed up for direct deposit, or a check will be mailed to your mailing address as shown on BroncoWeb. Electronic deposit or mailing of refunds continues throughout the semester, if your financial aid should disburse after the term begins.
Change in Enrollment
Any change in your enrollment status may affect your ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress (see “Satisfactory Academic Progress” below).
Partial Withdrawals
Adjustments may be made to your financial aid eligibility if enrollment changes after disbursement of aid has occurred. You may be required to repay a portion of the aid disbursed to you or to your account. Also, please be aware that withdrawals will negatively impact your satisfactory academic progress performance (see below).
Complete Withdrawals
In general, students receive no refund of fees if they withdraw from the university after the 10th day of classroom instruction. Federal financial aid regulations state that eligibility for aid be recalculated whenever a student withdraws from Boise State University, either officially or unofficially. The recalculation determines the amount of aid a student has “earned,” by prorating according to the percent of the term completed before withdrawing. For example, a student who withdraws after completing only 30 percent of the term will have “earned” only 30 percent of original aid eligibility. A student who completes more than 60 percent of the term is considered to have “earned” 100 percent of his/her aid eligibility.
Once a student officially withdraws, the Financial Aid Office will determine if/what is owed and will provide notification of adjustments to financial aid funding. Students may be asked to provide proof of class attendance. For more information, including examples of calculations, go to http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/forms/completewithdrawalpolicy.pdf. If you have questions after reviewing that information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Unofficial Withdrawals
Students who receive failing grades for all graded courses within a semester are, for financial aid purposes, considered to have unofficially withdrawn from that semester. Students who unofficially withdraw without attending classes may be required to repay all aid disbursed for the semester. Students who attend only a portion of the semester will have their aid eligibility recalculated according to the description under the “complete withdrawals” section above. Please note that if you are determined not to be eligible for all, or a portion of, the aid previously disbursed to your account, you may have a registration hold placed on your record until the balance of aid is repaid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
The U.S. Department of Education recently issued new regulations regarding minimum standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress. As of the publishing of this catalog, these standards were being incorporated into Boise State policy. For a complete description of satisfactory standards, please refer to http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/forms/sappolicy.pdf.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Review
The University reviews your satisfactory academic progress following the end of each semester. If you fall below any of the minimum standards (as defined in the policy), you will be ineligible for financial aid until you are once again making satisfactory academic progress.
Appeals
If there were extenuating circumstances impacting your ability to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, you have the right to file a written appeal for temporary exemption from this policy. Examples of extenuating circumstances include the death of an immediate family member, illness or injury to the student, or similar circumstances. In filing an appeal, you must document any extenuating circumstances that prevented you from making satisfactory academic progress. Appeal forms may be downloaded from the web at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/forms/sappolicy.pdf.
Study Abroad
Federal financial aid is available to qualified students who wish to participate in a study abroad program approved for credit by Boise State. Students must complete the FAFSA and meet all eligibility requirements pertaining to the federal aid programs.
International Students
If you are an international student and encounter financial difficulties, contact International Student Services, 2nd floor Student Union Building, (208) 426-3652. International students who are in the United States with a visa or who plan to attend Boise State with the F-1 student visa are ineligible for all federal financial aid programs. International students may apply for any scholarships that are not federally funded, are not need based (do not require the FAFSA to be filed), or do not require U.S. citizenship. Scholarship information is available on the web at http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/scholarships/. A limited number of nonresident tuition waivers are available. New international students should contact International Student Services for information about these waivers; continuing students should contact the International Student Admissions Office, (208) 426-1757.
Privacy Notice
The Financial Aid Office will release no information to your parents, your spouse, or any other individual without first obtaining your written permission. If you wish to give your permission to release this information, obtain a release form from the Financial Aid web site or the Registrar’s Office. For more information about the university’s privacy policy, see General Policies and Procedures.