I Have the Financial Aid Award Offer - What to do Next?
Once you have your Financial Aid Award Offer and understand all of the funding offered to you, the next step is to determine how much it will cost for you to attend the University of New Haven. The financial aid offered will likely not cover the entire costs of the university, so families should begin with determining the Direct costs of the school in order to know how much they will be expected to pay for the student to attend the University of New Haven.
Step 1: How much are my direct costs?
Direct costs are charges such as Tuition & Fees, and for those students living on-campus, you will also have charges for Room & Meals. Direct costs are charges that will appear on the student's bill from the Bursar's Office. However, when calculating financial aid, direct costs do NOT include items such as parking tickets and fines.
At the University of New Haven there are Lab Fees and Tuition Differentials which are additional fees that are associated with particular courses. These courses (for example, engineering, chemistry and computer courses) require additional resources to operate. It is similar in concept to a lab fee although the course in question does not necessarily have a laboratory component. Lab Fees and Tuition Differentials are noted on the academic schedule. Students will see the additional charge on their student account for the Lab Fee or Tuition Differential after they register for the class.
Books are NOT charged on the student's bill but families may also want to factor in an amount for books to ensure they have enough funds to cover the basic necessities for the student to attend the university for that year.
Step 2: How much are my books?
An average amount for books for a student enrolled full-time for one semester is $500 however the books for sciences, engineering and some other classes may be more expensive. Books may be purchased from the University Bookstore. For more information, you may visit the Bookstore website.
Step 3: How much will my bill be after financial aid is deducted?
Families should subtract the financial aid offered that you want to accept, from the amount you will be billed to determine how much, if anything, you will need to pay for the student to attend the university. To assist you with this process, you should refer to the Cost Worksheet & Award Information brochure sent to you by the Financial Aid Office along with your Award Offer and the instructions to view your financial aid online. The Cost Worksheet will help you determine the estimated amount you will be expected to pay for the student to attend the University of New Haven.
Note: If Federal Work Study is listed as part of the Financial Aid Award Offer, do NOT deduct the amount of the Federal Work Study from the student's charges. Federal Work Study is money a student must work to earn. This money is slowly earned throughout the semester as the student works part-time, and submits time sheets for payment. This money is paid directly to the student for the hours they work therefore it is not posted as a credit to the Bursar's bill like other types of financial aid.
Step 4: What are some options to pay the portion of my bill that is not covered by financial aid?
Some options for paying the balance due are:
The Bursar's Office offers payment options which includes a Tuition Payment Plan (Monthly Installment Plan).
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The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a Federal credit-based Loan for parents to borrow
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A Private Alternative Student Loan which is a credit-based loan for the student to borrow that usually requires a credit-worthy co-signer.