Glossary

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance includes direct costs for which you receive a billing statement from the Business Office (tuition, fees and on-campus room and board), and indirect costs not billed to you by the University (books, supplies, personal expenses, transportation and off-campus room and board). The difference between the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the Cost of Attendance is your maximum eligibility for need-based assistance.

Custodial Parent

As defined in the final divorce decree or the parent with whom you lived the majority of time during the last 12 months.

CSS Profile Application

Salve Regina's school code for the CSS Profile is 3759. To register and complete a Profile application online, use the Profile link from the Salve Regina Web site or visit www.collegeboard.com. Use estimated figures if your 2010 tax returns are not completed.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Your eligibility for need-based financial aid has been determined according to federal Department of Education regulations and University policies governing financial aid programs. Using the information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other required documentation, the Office of Financial Aid uses a resource known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is defined as your family's financial strength and is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid during one school year.

Federal Pell Grants

These grants are federally-funded student entitlements. Amounts can vary depending on annual federal appropriations.

Federal Perkins and Nursing Loans

These loans generally have the best terms of all loans offered in your Salve Regina financial aid package, and are awarded to students who demonstrate need. Nursing loans are available only to eligible upperclass nursing majors. The federal government subsidizes the 5 percent interest rate until repayment begins and repayment of these loans is deferred until nine months after a student leaves school, leaves the nursing program, or drops below half time. If you accept, you are required to complete a master promissory note and disclosure statement before we can process and disburse the loan.

Federal Direct William D. Ford Loans

Federal Direct Loans are guaranteed student loans. As long as a student is enrolled at least half-time during normal enrollment periods, repayment of these loans is deferred until six months after a student leaves school. Need-based Direct loans are subsidized, which means the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time. If a student does not qualify for a need-based federal loan, unsubsidized Direct loans are available. The student is responsible for the payment of interest on these loans while in school, or interest can be deferred and added to the principal of the loan. Limits for Federal Direct Loans are: Freshmen $3,500, Sophomores $4,500, and Juniors and Seniors, $5,500. In addition to these loan limits, an unsubsidized $2,000 Direct loan is available annually.

Before we can process your initial Federal Direct Loan, you will need to complete both the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling Questionnaire and the Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note. You may use the links from the Salve Regina Web site to complete both of these online forms.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

These grants are distributed by the Office of Financial Aid to students who are also eligible for the Pell Grant.

Federal Methodology (FM)

Federal Methodology is used by the federal government to compute your family contribution to college expenses. Using FAFSA information, Federal Methodology is our basis for awarding federal financial aid dollars. Because the formula is standard, you can expect that your family contribution will be the same at all of the schools to which you apply for financial assistance.

Federal Student Employment or Salve Regina Employment

Federal student employment will be awarded to students who have demonstrated federal need as part of the self-help component of the financial aid package. Students who do not qualify for federal student employment are eligible to apply for institutional student employment. This money is not deducted from the bill, but is intended for personal expenses such as books, transportation or laundry. Students are given the opportunity to apply for available jobs through the Office of Career Development when they arrive on campus.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

This form provides colleges and universities with data to determine your family's ability to contribute to your educational expenses. Be sure to use the student's Social Security number when applying online. Salve Regina's federal school code (section H) is 003411.

Gap

Gap is defined as the balance between financial aid (merit, need-based, federal and outside scholarships) and direct-billed charges. Salve Regina federal and institutional financial aid dollars are limited. We do not guarantee to meet your full financial need. As a result, there may be a gap between your federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the amount of our offered financial aid package and the total cost of education.

Outside Scholarships/Veteran and Employee Benefits

These types of funding come from a variety of sources such as parents' employers, local charitable organizations or hometown sponsors. We urge you to pursue these awards by contacting your guidance counselor, visiting your library or researching Web sites (see the outside scholarship page of our Web site for a list of helpful sites). Veterans, or individuals on active duty, should contact the Veterans' Administration.

Noncustodial Parent

The parent with whom the student does not reside.

Salve Regina Academic Scholarships

Academic/merit scholarships are awarded through the admissions process, at the time of acceptance and are based on specific criteria as outlined in the academic scholarship section of the Web site. They are guaranteed for four years, as long as the student maintains the specific criteria from one year to the next.

Salve Regina University Grants

Grants are need-based awards funded directly by the University. Eligibility is determined from your initial CSS Profile and current year FAFSA. Salve Regina University Grants are prorated for students who are enrolled less than full-time in their final semester. All other students must maintain full-time status to remain eligible.

Self Help

This term is used to describe financial aid that a student must earn through federal student employment or loans borrowed in the student's name.

State Grants

Students residing in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts may be eligible. State grants are estimated until eligibility and amounts are verified by the state granting the awards. Students who file the FAFSA by the state deadline are automatically considered for these grants. The state agency then notifies students of their potential eligibility.