91èÏÈÉú

The Financial Aid Process for Graduate Students

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at StudentAid.gov.

2. Respond to any correspondence (email, text) you receive from the Student Financial Services Office.

3. Check your 91èÏÈÉú email regularly for your financial aid package notification.

4. Determine what type of aid you will be using and how much loan money you will need. (See details below.)

5. For those students using Direct Loans for the first time, complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note by logging into StudentAid.gov.  (We will automatically receive notification when it has been completed.)

• View Current Graduate Tuition Costs

Types of aid available:

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

• File your FAFSA.
• Students must be enrolled at least half-time each semester. 
• Review loan interest rate and loan fee information on Federal Student Aid's website. 
• Maximum amount available per academic year: $20,500. 
• The cost of borrowing is less if you make interest payments while in school (not required).
• Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate or are no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans

• Used to supplement Direct Unsubsidized Loans if additional loan money is needed. 
• Borrower is a student in a graduate program. 
• Can be discharged in the event of death or disability. 
• Student must pass a credit check. 
• Can borrow up to the cost of education less any other aid received. 
• Review loan interest rate and loan fee information on Federal Student Aid's website. 
• Automatic deferment for Grad PLUS borrower while enrolled. 
• Can be consolidated at fixed rate with other federal loans. 
• To apply, log in using your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov. We will be notified of the credit decision within 1-3 business days and will notify you by email once the loan has been added to the account. 

Private Educational Loans

• For those students with good credit, a private educational loan may be another good option. 
• We recommend applying several weeks in advance to allow for ample processing time.

Assistantships

If you have been granted an assistantship through your program, they will notify us of the amount. If we become aware of the assistantship after your loans have been awarded, your loans may need to be adjusted and you will be notified of any changes by email.

Payment Plans

Payment Plan information is available on your Student Account page. 

Employer Reimbursement

All students who are eligible for employer reimbursement can complete the Employer Tuition Reimbursement form with the Student Financial Services office to pay 30% in advance of the semester and then the remaining balance according to the terms of the agreement. Please discuss these details with the Student Financial Services Office in advance if you have any questions. 

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Benefits are available for most 91èÏÈÉú programs. Please view the information on our Veterans Service Center for complete details.  

The Trade Act allows workers whose jobs have been affected by foreign competition to receive a variety of benefits and reemployment services.

The goal of the Trade Act is to assist dislocated workers in obtaining suitable (family-sustaining) employment from a combination of reemployment services and possibly training. This program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry's Workforce Development Office.

Additional information about the approval process can be found online at:  https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Workforce-Development/resources/Pages/Trade-Act.aspx.

91èÏÈÉú is pleased to participate in this program and below is a list of majors currently approved for this program:

• Master of Business Administration
• Bachelor of Professional Studies in Human Resources
• Bachelor of Professional Organizational Leadership
• Bachelor of Professional Child and Family Services
• Bachelor of Professional Studies Management

The first step in receiving this benefit is for an employer, three workers, union representative, or state agency representative to complete a trade petition (see website above for details).

Once that has been approved, please contact Student Financial Services at 724.847.6530 to discuss next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I expect my refund?
If your financial aid package more than covers the charges on your student account, you should receive a refund check or direct deposit (if you have signed up through your Nelnet account) within approximately 2 weeks assuming all steps to finalize your financial aid have been completed. It is important to make sure you have completed all necessary paperwork, and that you are aware of the loan disbursement dates. Please keep this in mind when calculating the amount and approximate date of your refund.  If you have questions regarding your refund, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 724-847-6530.

Can I check my student account online?
Yes! You can access your Nelnet Student account at my.geneva.edu. You can also find information about your NelNet Student Account.  

My loan hasn't come in. What should I do?
Did you…

• Accept your awards through your Financial Aid Portal?
• Complete all requested documents?
• Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling?
• Sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note?

If you have done all these and still need assistance, please contact our office at 724-847-6530.

Helpful Links

www.bestplaces.net/col/

Provides a helpful cost of living calculator so that you can estimate living expenses when moving to Beaver Falls.

https://studentaid.gov

Sign in with your FSA ID to keep track of the details of all of your federal student loans.