Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

Students are responsible for ensuring all eligibility requirements and any additional information needed for financial aid purposes are completed on time so that financial aid funds, including payments or aid from other outside resources, can be used to settle their bill by the university's stated due dates. Failure to do this may result in late fees or other penalties. 

Students are responsible for knowing the renewal eligibility requirements for their financial aid awards and if they need to apply annually. Renewal of financial aid awards is not guaranteed.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in their courses to remain eligible for federal and state financial aid funds. 

If a student becomes incarcerated at any time during enrollment must report this to the Financial Aid Office. Aid adjustments may occur as a result.

Students planning to attend two different colleges or universities during the same term must inform the Financial Aid Office and know the rules regarding this choice.

•  It violates federal law to receive federal financial aid funds at two schools during the same enrollment period.

Intentional false statements or misrepresentation on any application materials may subject the filer to university disciplinary action, referral to the U.S. Department of Education, a fine, imprisonment, or both, the latter two under provisions of the U.S. Criminal Code, or to comply with program regulations.

By logging into their Navigator account, students can access their Tasks (To-Do List items), official bill, and student aid information, including the expected disbursement date.

Student Notification

Salem State University provides every student with a secure, no-cost salemstate.edu email address. This is the official method of communication to and from the university. 

Students who are not currently enrolled at Salem State will be notified of any changes to their application using the email provided on the FAFSA. 

Enrollment Status

The Financial Aid Office defines full-time enrollment status for undergraduates as enrollment in twelve or more credit hours and graduate students as enrollment in nine or more credit hours. Department definitions may vary. Awarding assumes that an undergraduate student will enroll full-time and that a graduate student or an evening student will enroll at least half-time (six credits).

How Is Aid Awarded

All awarded aid will be divided equally between the Fall and the Spring terms. Students who do not enroll full-time in either major term (Fall or Spring) and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant or Federal Direct Loans may find they have remaining eligibility in those programs for the Summer term.

Federal Direct Loan eligibility will be reviewed for students scheduled to graduate in the Fall term.

Financial Assistance From Outside Sources

Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of any financial assistance from outside sources. Examples include:

• Scholarships
• Private student loans
• Non-federal or state grants
• Book allowances
• Tuition reimbursements or exemptions
• Veteran's benefits
• Funding from state agencies such as Mass Rehabilitation

How Financial Aid Is Applied To Your Account 

All financial aid awards will be applied directly to the student's account to pay tuition and fees along with any other student-authorized charges, including:

• Meal plans
• Health insurance
• Housing
• Parking fees, etc.

Federal financial aid may only cover courses listed in a student's program of study. If a student registers for a course outside of their program of study, those credits will not be recognized for financial aid purposes, and their federal financial aid may not cover the outside course charges.

Disbursement 

Disbursement of aid to a student account can only occur after all the credit-sensitive aid is adjusted to reflect the enrollment status held at the end of the Add/Drop Period on the Census date. Adjustments of existing aid may be required; the timing of this action could create a balance due to the university, which is the student's responsibility.

Adjustments To Aid 

Federal law requires that new or updated information or discovery of erroneous data related to a student's eligibility or academic status may result in a review of a student's financial aid file and award adjustments. 

Students will be notified by email of any changes made to their financial aid awards that result in a net impact on their aid package. 

Students need to become familiar with the Leaving the University and Return of Financial Aid Funds Policy (Return of Title IV Funds) as it affects all federal aid eligibility and, in general, be aware of the following:

• Students earn their aid based on the number of days they attend class. Because the law requires the university to return the unearned funds to the authorizing state or federal agency, a student who does this may have a balance due to Salem State. Students who entirely withdraw before attending at least 60% of the term will have their aid eligibility recalculated based on the number of days they attended classes within the term.
• When a failing grade is given due to a student not attending classes (or when a student stops attending), it is considered an unofficial withdrawal, which may mean the student must pay back some/all of their aid. More information regarding this subject can be found in the Leaving the University and Return of Financial Aid Funds Policy (Return of Title IV Funds).