Federal Financial Aid for the Military Community
Federal Financial Aid and other educational assistance programs are available to service members, veterans, and other eligible family members to help cover the cost of tuition. The following is an overview of Title IV Federal Student Aid and benefit programs through the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense.
Title IV Federal Student Aid
What is the maximum amount of Federal grant and loan aid available to students under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Title IV)?
The Federal government offers a variety of grants and loans to students. The Federal Student Aid Gateway (http://studentaid.ed.gov/) provides detailed information about Title IV Federal Financial Aid programs and loans and how you can apply for these programs.
Grants and Scholarships are often referred to as “gift aid” because these programs provide students with financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Federal Grants and Scholarships (http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships) including Federal Pell Grant, Teach Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants & the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.
The Federal Direct Student Loan Program (http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans) provides students with subsidized and unsubsidized loans (http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized) based on a student’s year in college as either a dependent or independent undergraduate or at the graduate degree level.
The amount (http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans#how-much-money-can-i-borrow-in-federal-student-loans) a student can borrow is determined by their grade level and prior student loan borrowing.
In addition to subsidized and unsubsidized loans some students may qualify for a Federal Direct PLUS loan (http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/plus) based on the cost of attendance (http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/next-steps/how-calculated).
How can you qualify for loans and other Title IV assistance?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA (http:// studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa) is required for the school to determine your eligibility for Title IV financial aid. Undergraduate dependency (http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency) status for federal aid is determined by the questions on the FAFSA.
Title IV eligibility is automatically packaged by CMU, usually within 10 business days of receiving the FAFSA as long as there are no flags on student data. Once a student receives their award notification, they have the option of declining all or part of the loan. Student may either use the Federal Student Loan Adjustment Form found on the Financial Aid Forms page https://www.cmich.edu/ess/OSFA/Pages/OSFA_Forms.aspx or contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid via email at FinancialAid@cmich.edu
Why may Title IV student loans be more favorable than private educational loans?
“Student loans can come from the federal government or from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources.” See http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/federal-vs-private to compare the terms and conditions of federal student loans and private lender loans.
CMU Withdrawal Information and Satisfactory Academic Progress
Refer to the CMU Withdrawal page for Return of Title IV Financial Aid Refund and Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy information:
https://www.cmich.edu/fas/fsr/student_acct_university_billing/Pages/Withdrawal-Information.aspx
Also refer to Military Drop/Withdrawal Refund Policy for exceptions.
Additional Information on Title IV Federal Financial Aid
Refer to the CMU Financial Aid Manual (https://www.cmich.edu/ess/OSFA/Documents/Student_Guide_to_Your_Financial_Aid_Award.pdf) or contact OSFA via email at FinancialAid@cmich.edu or by phone at 989-774-3674.
A number of tools are available to assist you in understanding and evaluating your options as a student:
Upon admission to CMU the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is also available to students through Central Link.
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense
What types of education benefit programs are offered by the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense?
If you are currently serving in the military, you may be eligible for funding offered through the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/).
- Check your eligibility status and the amount for which you qualify with your service prior to enrolling.
- If you served on active duty, you might be eligible for education benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp) provides financial support for educational and housing expenses to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days.
- You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
- If you are the spouse or child of a service member who is serving on active duty Title 10 orders in the paygrades of E1-E5, O1-O2, or W1-W2, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Department of Defense for education, training, and/or the occupational license and credentials necessary for a portable career.
- If you are the spouse or child of a service member, you may be eligible for transfer of the service member’s Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to you.
Additional Information on Military Educational Benefits