FOR TIMELY PROCESSING TO TAKE PLACE. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS – APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT TO THE STUDENT SERVICE COURT BY FAX TO (989) 774-3634 OR BY E-MAIL TO CMUOSFA@cmich.edu

We will begin reviewing for Summer awards the week beginning March 16^th.
 

• Aid eligibility is based on the 2008-2009 FAFSA – for students who have not previously filed the 08-09 FAFSA please note that CMU must receive the FAFSA by May 1 to be considered for Summer 2009 financial aid – refer to the Financial Aid Checklist at www.cel.cmich.edu/financial-aid/application.html for details.

• Students who have used their annual eligibility for 08-09 in Fall/Spring (Refer to Direct Loan Limits below) will not have direct loan eligibility for Summer.

• Graduate students can apply for the Federal Graduate PLUS assistance, www.cel.cmich.edu/financial-aid/Grad-PLUS-App.pdf (this application must accompany the Summer 2009 Financial Aid Application).
  
  This program is for students in graduate level programs only. You must be enrolled at least half-time to receive the loan. This loan is a non-need-based loan for students with good credit histories. Applicants may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial assistance. A FAFSA is required. A Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling are also required. Refer to the application for details.

• Parents of Undergraduate "Dependent" students can apply for a Federal Parent PLUS loan, www.cel.cmich.edu/financial-aid/PLUS-App.pdf, (this application must accompany the Summer 2009 Financial Aid Application).
  
  These loans are non-need-based loans for parents with good credit histories who choose to borrow for their dependent students. A Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling are required. Refer to the application for details.

• Alternative Loans are an option for Undergraduate or Graduate students – refer to http://financialaid.cmich.edu/loans.shtml#ALTL for additional information and application instructions. You must apply online through the lender of your choice for an alternative loan.
  
  Only alternative loans that are approved by the lender are sent to CMU for school Certification/Approval. Please notify Off-Campus Programs Financial Aid Office at celfa@cmich.edu if you apply for AND are approved for an alternative loan so we can monitor for certification.

• REMEMBER that the Federal Graduate PLUS loan, Federal Parent PLUS loan and alternative loans are non-need-based student loans meaning they are based on credit approval from the lender. Direct Loans will notify the student by mail if the loan is denied.

Transfer students – remember that you must consider any loan funds you received from your previous college from Fall 2008 and/or Spring 2009 to determine if you've used your annual limit.

Undergraduates who have moved up a grade level between freshman, sophomore, and junior must use the 2008-2009 Federal Loan Adjustment Form to request a review of their eligibility.
 

Avoiding Refund and Deferment Delays (what happens if you are registered below half-time) – Students should be registered for the entire semester at the first available registration period. There are many avoidable problems that center on students registered below half-time.

• Financial aid will not disburse and prior loan deferment will not take place until minimum half-time status is established:

Undergraduate half-time minimum is 6 credit hours per semester
Graduate half-time minimum is 5 credit hours per semester

• Eligibility for federal student loans requires minimum half-time enrollment if you are only registered for 3 credit hours your loans will not release to your student account.
   

• Expecting to defer prior federal student loans? CMU electronically transmits to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse each month. If you are registered for 3 credit hours only at the time the enrollment information is transmitted, any loans that require an In-School Deferment will not qualify for deferment until minimum half-time enrollment is reported.
   

• If you add a class AFTER your refund is generated you will be responsible for paying for that added class or classes from the refund. To AVOID this problem, register for the full semester.

• Although MBS has a book voucher program that is part of the textbook payment options available for students, CMU Off-Campus Programs does not participate in this program. BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR YOUR BOOKS OUT-OF-POCKET.

• It is unlikely your refund will be available for book purchases before the start of the first class in the semester since many variables are involved before a refund is released.

• Plan for this initial cost out-of-pocket, then once a refund is received you can reimburse yourself but do not forget to plan accordingly for upcoming semesters.