2020-2021 Graduate Bulletin > Policies and General Information > Financial Policies and Information > Scholarships and Financial Aid > General Requirements for Loans and Work Study

General Requirements for Loans and Work Study

Academic Eligibility

Graduate students must register for at least five graduate credit hours per semester at CMU to be eligible for federal student aid programs. Credit hours are determined after the close of the Drop/Add period.

Policy and Award Revision

CMU reserves the right to revise a student's financial aid award if government regulations, university policy or sources of funding change prior to or during an academic year; if overpayment occurs; or if acceptance of the award is made after the acceptance date.

Debt and Default

Federal aid recipients may not owe a refund from any grant or loan or be in default on any federal loan to be eligible for assistance.

Financial Aid Assessment

The federal need analysis is utilized to determine the student's contribution and the student's spousal contribution, if applicable. Students and their spouses are expected to assist in meeting educational costs. The expected contribution is calculated from earnings, untaxed income, and a percentage of personal savings and assets.

Student loan requirements and regulations can be quite complex; all students are encouraged to work closely with the CMU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. The financial aid office has publications that provide detailed information on loan programs, and financial aid advisors are available to answer questions and offer information and advice concerning student loans. Financial aid advisors are available on a walk-in basis in the Student Service Court in the Bovee UC or by appointment in Warriner 202.

The total amount of all loans borrowed may not exceed the student’s estimated cost of attendance minus the financial aid awarded for the period of enrollment.