Stephens College Undergraduate Admissions
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Common Financial Aid Definitions

SCHOLARSHIPS/AWARDS
Gift aid awarded based on any number of criteria, such as academics, achievements, hobbies, talents, and affiliations with various groups, or career aspirations. There is no repayment of scholarships.

GRANTS
Gift aid based on criteria such as need analysis, geographic factors, or other family members attending Stephens. There is no repayment of grants.

LOANS
A subsidized Stafford loan is self-help aid awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, whereas an unsubsidized Stafford loan is more widely available. Conditions are the same for these loans, with the exception that unsubsidized loans require a student to repay the interest that accrues while in school. As long as students remain enrolled at least half time, repayment does not begin until six months after graduation. Parents of dependent students may take up to the student's cost of attendance less aid received in a federal PLUS loan. A credit check is required. If denied, the student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford loan funds. Repayment is required and begins 60 days after the funds are fully disbursed. For more information about PLUS loans, please view the PLUS loan guide.

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
Jobs, generally on campus, wherein students are paid for hours worked and are expected to apply their earnings toward educational purposes.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
A need analysis form provided and specified by the Department of Education to collect each family's personal information in order to calculate the family's ability to contribute to the student's educational costs. The Stephens College FAFSA code is 002512. The FAFSA form can be found on the FAFSA Web site.

EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC)
The amount a student's family is expected to contribute to the student's education, regardless of the college attended. A very specific formula developed by Congress, this amount is determined when you complete and submit the FAFSA to the Department of Education.

STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Department of Education form, indicating the calculated EFC, which is sent to the student. The college the student has coded on the FAFSA receives an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).

EARLY FINANCIAL AID ESTIMATOR
A form you may submit to Stephens College that provides an approximate measure of a student's future financial aid award based on cumulative GPA, estimated income, income taxes paid, number of family members, number of family members attending college, and current tuition, fees, room and board at Stephens (only available Sept. 15 through Jan. 1).

COST OF ATTENDANCE
A budget used to award need-based financial aid which includes tuition and fees, and the average cost of room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

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Updated: May 28, 2009