Eligibility for Financial Aid

The cost of attending Radford Radford is primarily the responsibility of students and their families. However, many students need assistance to cover part or all of their university expenses. 

Some Graduate Assistantship programs, Foundation Scholarships, and Alternative Loans are available to international students. However, the majority of funds awarded by Radford are federal and need-based, several eligibility requirements are governed by federal regulations. 

• You must be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen. Non-citizens should visit the International Student Financial Aid Web Page.
• You must be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
• You must not be in default on a loan or owe a refund on a federal grant at any institution.
• You must be an Admitted Degree Seeking Student.*
• You must register for Selective Service, if required.
• You must at least be enrolled as a half-time student for certain program.

The difference between your student budget (as determined by the Financial Aid Office) and the resources available to you to meet those expenses is your financial need. Once that is established, your completed application is reviewed to determine your eligibility. Your preference for loans or for work-study is considered and your award is then based upon the requirements of the various programs. If available aid is not sufficient to meet the full financial need of all applicants, awards are made first to those who demonstrate the greatest need and who meet the deadline date of February 1. It is recommended that you submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at least four weeks prior to this deadline to be considered for any need-based financial aid. 

If you do not demonstrate financial need, you may still be eligible for some forms of financial assistance, including non-need based scholarships, employment opportunities and loans. 

*ADMISSION STATUS

Any student accepted by the Radford University Graduate College on a "Regular" graduate status will be given preference for financial assistance. Students admitted as "Special Non-Degree" status are not eligible to receive financial assistance. Professional Certification students or students required to take prerequisite coursework may be eligible to borrow under the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further Information.

FULL-TIME/PART-TIME STATUS

Financial assistance shall be available to eligible full-time and part-time students only as follows:

• For federally sponsored campus-based financial assistance programs, eligible full-time (nine semester hours or more) students will be considered first when awarding financial aid.  Students must be enrolled for at least 5 semester hours in order to be considered for federal financial aid programs.  Classes taken for audit do not count toward enrollment for financial aid purposes.
• There is limited financial assistance available to students enrolled less than half-time.
• For all federal aid programs, students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

LENGTH OF FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY

Establishing a maximum length of financial aid eligibility is necessary in providing equal and consistent treatment to all eligible students. Students should review the RU Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  Students who have extenuating circumstances that have affected their ability to meet the Progress policy should file an appeal for reconsideration.  This process is explained in the Progress Policy. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

SUMMER FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY

Students who wish to file for summer financial aid must file a separate summer financial aid application. This form is available on MY RU on the Financial Aid Tab.  The priority filing date for summer is March 1, 2010.

You will only be able to borrow the remainder of your annual Federal Stafford/ Direct Loan eligibility.  Amounts borrowed during the 2009-10 academic year are deducted from the annual limits of $20,500 (with no more than $8,500 allowed in subsidized Federal Stafford Loan eligibility).