Office of Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid at Framingham State University exists in order to assist students and their families in meeting the costs of a college education. Framingham State University participates in a variety of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.

General Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for financial aid at Framingham State University, an applicant must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in a degree program at Framingham State University. Additionally, the applicant must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress towards a degree, must be in compliance with the Selective Service Law, must not be in default on any educational loans or owe a refund on any federal grants to any institution, and must have all documents required for a completed financial aid application on file in the Office of Financial Aid.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

In order to be given priority consideration for financial aid, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or a renewal FAFSA, if the student is a current aid recipient, should be filed at www.fafsa.gov by March 1st. Students must include Framingham State University’s FICE (Federal Interagency Committee on Education) school code number: 002185.

Additional documents may be required for students who are selected for verification by the Federal Government. These documents include completing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data retrieval process for parent and student or providing official IRS tax transcripts, a verification worksheet and other documents as requested. Students will be contacted if this information is required.

Financial Aid Awards

Once financial aid eligibility is determined, a financial aid package is prepared. The package may be a combination of grant, work, and/or loan programs. The following is a list of the most common programs.

Visit www.framingham.edu/financialaid for more information.

The amount of financial aid eligibility that is met depends upon the availability of funds, the number of eligible applicants, the date the FAFSA is filed and the financial aid file is completed. FAFSAs received by March 1st will be given priority consideration, while files completed after that date are subject to available funding. A financial aid award letter will be mailed to all students who complete an application for financial aid.

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Financial Aid Office of all financial assistance received from any other sources. Types of assistance that must be reported include private scholarships, tuition waivers, veteran’s benefits, Massachusetts Rehabilitation assistance, etc.

All forms of outside assistance must be considered in the financial aid package. Outside assistance received after the awards are made by the Financial Aid Office may cause the financial aid package to be adjusted.

Financial Aid Special Circumstances Appeals

Financial decisions can be appealed if the family situation changes after the financial aid award has been made. Students must complete a Special Circumstances Appeal Request Form available at the Office of Financial Aid or found on the Office’s web pages. Grounds for an appeal may include, but are not limited to: loss of job, loss of other income, death in the family, divorce or separation in the family, or unusually high medical bills. All appeals are handled on an individual basis.

Some programs are subject to the availability of funding.

Payment of Financial Aid Awards

Financial Aid awarded prior to the due date of the student bill, excluding Federal Work Study, will be posted directly to the student’s account.

If more aid is awarded than is required to meet the financial obligation to the University, the student will be refunded this amount and it can be used to meet other educational expenses. Financial aid refunds are not usually available until the mid-point of the term. It is the policy of the Business Office to credit the first money received to the student bill. A student who withdraws from the University during the term may not be eligible for the entire financial aid award. The refund policy of the University is included with the Student Bill in the All About Tuition and Fees document and can be viewed online.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Federal regulations require Framingham State University to develop and apply a consistent and reasonable standard of academic progress, which must contain elements specified in the regulations. The following standards apply to any student receiving Federal or State financial aid.

Grade Point Average Standards

Students must meet FSU academic standards by earning an overall grade point average (GPA) of 1.70 until they have passed 8 course-credits (32 semester hours), and an overall GPA of 2.00 after that, or after four (4) semesters (excluding winter intercession but including summer courses) at FSU (whichever comes first).

Pace of Completion and Maximum Timeframe

The maximum time frame for completing an undergraduate degree is 150% of the published length of the program. To ensure that students meet this requirement, schools must measure how many courses students complete against how many they attempt. To be making satisfactory academic progress at FSU, students must successfully complete 67% of the courses attempted. This is a cumulative measurement, and the number of courses attempted and earned will be reviewed at the end of each year at the conclusion of the spring semester.

Since a degree at FSU requires 32 course-credits (128 semester hours), 48 course-credits (192 semester hours) is the maximum amount that students can attempt within the 150% completion time frame. Students who have attempted 48 course-credits (including semester hour credits transferred to FSU that count toward the student’s degree program) and have not yet earned a Bachelor’s degree will become ineligible for financial aid.

Courses transferred to FSU are counted towards the number of course credits/semester hours attempted and completed but are not included in the calculation of the GPA.

Examples:

A student has taken a total of 30 course credits (120 semester hours) and passed 18 course credits (72 semester hours). The student is not making satisfactory progress because the student is passing at the rate of 60% (18 divided by 30).

A student has attempted 40 course credits (160 semester hours) at FSU and has transferred in 10 course credits (40 semester hours) from another institution, but has not yet earned a degree. The student is not eligible for financial aid because the student has attempted 50 course credits (200 semester hours), or more than 150% of the allowable amount for the program.

Additional Elements

Course Withdrawals: If a student withdraws from one or more courses before the end of the Add/Drop period, the course(s) will not be counted as a course attempt. Any courses dropped with a notation of ‘W’ (Withdrawn) after the Course Add/Drop period will be counted as credits attempted for determining academic progress.

Incompletes: A grade of incomplete will count as an attempted course. Once the course work is completed and a grade is determined, the completion rate and GPA may change based on the grade that is earned. The time frame to remedy an incomplete grade for satisfactory progress is the same as that for all students (see the Incomplete Grade Policy in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog).

Repeated courses: Courses taken more than once will count as attempted courses for each attempt, but will count only once as earned course credit toward degree completion. Please note that additional federal regulations restrict the number of courses that students can repeat while receiving financial aid. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you plan to repeat courses.

Non-credit courses: Non-credit courses are acceptable as courses attempted and courses earned.

Standards are Cumulative

Satisfactory academic progress standards are cumulative and include all periods of the student's enrollment, including those for which the student did not receive financial aid.

Financial Aid Appeal Process

Students who are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress may appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Office. The appeal should include a detailed account of why the student did not meet the required academic standards and should include any information on special circumstances that may have affected the student’s academic performance. Examples of special circumstances include but are not limited to: an injury to a student, an illness of the student, or the death of a close relative of the student. The appeal should also include information on what has changed to allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress in the future.

If a student’s appeal is approved, they will receive a semester of financial aid probation, and may also be placed on an academic plan. Academic progress will be checked again at the end of the probationary semester.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid
If financial aid is lost because satisfactory progress has not been achieved, some ways that the student can repair his or her record over time include:

• Raising the cumulative GPA to the required level

• Raising the completion rate to the required level by earning passing grades in all attempted courses

• Successfully appealing and improving academic performance while on Financial Aid Probation or adhering to the requirements of the assigned academic plan.

Although satisfactory progress is monitored once per year at the conclusion of the spring semester, eligibility may be restored at any time throughout the year. If a student’s GPA or completion rate changes due to grade changes, repeated courses, or courses transferred in from other schools, the student should notify the Financial Aid Office.

OFFICES OF VETERANS SERVICES & UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR

Framingham State University is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for veterans’ benefits, and for the education of veterans, war orphans, and the dependents of 100% disabled veterans.

When filing for benefits at the University, eligible veterans are required to submit a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility or other applicable federal government documentation.

The University seeks to provide assistance in obtaining benefits, financial aid, and other services for full and part-time students. Filing the chapter benefits is done through the Office of Veteran Services and certification of enrollment is done through the Offices of the University Registrar.

Categorical Tuition Waiver for Veterans and Active Duty Members

To be eligible for a Categorical Tuition Waiver, a student must:

• Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year;

• Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen;

• Be in compliance with applicable Selective Service Registration laws;

• Not be in default of any federal or state student loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid;

• Present documentation of categorical tuition waiver eligibility to the Office of the University Registrar;

• Enroll in at least three undergraduate course-credits per semester in a statesupported undergraduate degree or certificate program; and

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with federal and institutional standards.

• Be a member of an eligible category as defined below:

  Veteran: As provided in M.G.L. Chapter 4, Section 7(43), shall mean:

  (1) any person whose last discharge or release was under honorable conditions, and who served for not less than 180 days active service;
  or

  (2) Any person whose last discharge or release was under honorable conditions and who served in the army, navy, marine corps, coast guard, or air force of the United States, or on full time national guard duty under Titles 10 or 32 of the United States Code or under sections 38, 40 and 41 of chapter 33 for not less than 90 days active service, at least 1 day of which was for wartime service, including: Spanish War, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Lebanese peace keeping force, Grenada rescue mission, the Panamanian intervention force, or the Persian Gulf. For purposes of the categorical tuition waivers, “veteran” shall also include any individual who served for not less than ninety days at least one of which was served in theatre for "Operation Restore Hope" and whose last discharge or release was under honorable conditions.

  Armed Forces: An active member of the Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force or Coast Guard stationed and residing in Massachusetts.

Unlike the G.I. Bill®, the Categorical Tuition Waiver does not expire. Assistance can continue as long as the student meets the eligibility criteria. Specific definitions of "veteran" in each category can be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar. Those who are eligible must complete and submit a Certificate of Tuition Waiver Form, along with a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility or other applicable federal government documentation displaying their separation from service (DD214) and proof of Massachusetts residency, prior to the billing deadline. Request for the Wavier must be submitted prior to billing each semester. Veterans not requesting the Waiver will be charged tuition. A refund will be processed upon receipt and approval of the Waiver.

‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official United States Government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."

Massachusetts National Guard Tuition Waiver and Federal Tuition Assistance Program

The Massachusetts National Guard Education Assistance Program provides a 100% tuition and fee waiver for active members of the Massachusetts Army National Guard attending a state university or community college program. Assistance can continue as long as the student is in good academic standing and until they have reached 130 semester hours.

To apply, the student must request a Certificate of Eligibility (TAGMA Form 621-3) every semester from the Massachusetts National Guard Education Office by calling that office at 508-968-5889.

Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014

In compliance with the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113- 146), the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-251), and the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-68), our institution adheres to the federal mandate regarding tuition and fee charges for veterans and their dependents.

The amendment requires that for all courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2022, public institutions of higher education must charge qualifying veterans, dependents and eligible individuals the in-state resident rate for tuition and fees. Institutions not meeting this requirement will be disapproved by the Veteran Administration (VA) for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E).

Individuals qualifying for in-state tuition under Public Law 113-146 are:

• Veterans receiving benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 1606), or the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31) who live in the state where the institution is located, regardless of their legal state of residence.

• Spouses or children using transferred benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) who live in the state where the institution is located, regardless of their legal state of residence.

• Spouses or children using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33) who live in the state where the institution is located, regardless of their legal state of residence.

• Survivors and dependents (Chapter 35) as defined by Public Law 117-68, ensuring that they are eligible for in-state tuition regardless of their legal state of residence.

• Anyone described above while they remain continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution, regardless of their legal state of residence. The person must be using educational benefits under Chapter 31, Chapter 33, Chapter 35, or Chapter 1606 of Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.). Additional categories as defined by Public Law 115-251, including expanded eligibility periods for individuals post-service.

Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315, which modifies 38 U.S.C. 3679(c).

Section 1010 (Effective: August 1, 2021). Verification of enrollment to receive Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits creates a dual certification for the receipt of Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits. The school will certify the student’s enrollment after the add-drop date, and then each month thereafter, the student would be required to electronically verify with VA their continued enrollment in that school. If a student fails to certify for two consecutive months, VA will withhold monthly housing allowance payments until the student certifies.

Yellow Ribbon Program - Veterans Benefits

Students that are 100% eligible for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 benefits and are being charged Out-of-State tuition may be eligible to receive funding via the Yellow Ribbon program. The maximum Yellow Ribbon funding amount per student per year is:

‘‘GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official United States Government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill."