Shippensburg
Financial Aid
 

As a member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education, Shippensburg University can offer you a quality education at a surprisingly affordable cost. However, many qualified students still need financial aid in order to attend college. Shippensburg University awards extensive financial aid to students who desire a college education, but cannot pay the full cost.
 

How much will you pay?

To determine how much financial assistance you need in order to attend Shippensburg University, a "need analysis" is performed by the Financial Aid Office. It is based upon confidential information you provide in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These applications are available either from your high school guidance office or from the Financial Aid Office. This analysis takes into consideration your own assets, any supplemental income you earn, and any scholarships or awards other than those administered by the university. It considers your family's income, debts, assets, number of dependents, number of family members presently attending college, and other factors that affect your family's ability to help you with your education.

If you would like the Financial Aid Office to calculate an estimated financial aid package for you for the 1999-2000 academic year, complete the Shippensburg University Financial Aid Estimator located at the end of this brochure. This estimator is intended to provide the Financial Aid Office with the information necessary to perform an estimated need analysis before the actual financial aid applications become available on January 1.

Therefore, submit the estimator to the Financial Aid Office by December 31, 1998. (Note: The estimator does not replace the actual application! To apply for financial aid, you will still need to complete a 1999-2000 Free Application for Federal Student Aid after January 1, 1999).
 



Total Costs at Shippensburg University
At Shippensburg University, the costs for the 1998-99 academic year were $7,850 for Pennsylvania residents. Contact the Financial Aid Office for current costs.
 
 
Tuition and Fees  In-state Out-of-state



Tuition  $ 1,734 $ 4,412
Room and Board  2,006* 2,004* 
Educational Services Fee  173  173 
Student Activity Fee  100  100 
Student Union Fee  102  102 
Health Services Fee  64  64 



Total Per Semester  $ 4,179  $ 6,857 
Total Per Academic Year  $ 8,358  $ 13,714 
* Price is for the 15 meals per week plan, our most popular. Other food options are available.

**These figures reflect the direct costs of attending Shippensburg University. They only include the estimated amount you will be billed for tuition, fees, room and board. These figures do not include the cost of books and personal expenses. For purposes of awarding financial aid, we estimate your books will cost $550 per year, and your personal expenses will be $1,694. Therefore, we estimate a total cost of attendance of $10,602 for instate students and $15,958 for outofstate students.


Types of Financial Aid

There are four categories of financial aid, which are awarded based on financial need, academic accomplishment, or both.

Almost every student can receive some type of financial assistance. If you are admitted to SU, are a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, are not in default on any previous student loans, and are in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements, you will be eligible for some type of financial aid. Contrary to popular belief, students are not immediately excluded from consideration if the family's income is "too high." Every applicant is different; a lowincome student may qualify for grants, workstudy, and loans, while a wealthier student may qualify only for student and parent loans. Everyone who meets the criteria listed above will qualify for financial aid; the family's financial situation will determine what kind of aid it will be.

Grants: Grants are monies made available by state and/or federal governments. Grants do not need to be repaid. The amount of a grant depends upon your degree of financial need, available funding, and program limits.

Loans: Loans are made available by state and/or federal governments. They must be paid back. In some cases interest is not charged until after graduation. The rate of interest depends on the type of loan borrowed.

Employment: Student employment programs are funded with state and federal dollars. Many students find employment opportunities related to their major field of study and gain valuable practical experience.

Scholarships: Scholarships are funded by foundations, community, religious, civic, or business organizations. They often are awarded on the basis of excellent academic or extracurricular accomplishments, and not on the basis of financial need alone. For a listing of scholarships offered at Shippensburg University, consult the scholarship section of this brochure. You are also encouraged to do research at your local library and in your community for outside, private scholarship sources.

Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on financial need. Awards range from $100 to $3,000 annually.

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to the neediest students. Awards vary depending upon fund availability and financial need. The results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must reach the Financial Aid Office by May 1, 1999 in order for you to be considered for this grant.

The PHEAA Grant is awarded by the Commonwealth to needy Pennsylvania residents who are attending college. Apply for this grant by completing the FAFSA by May 1, 1999.

Loans

The Federal Perkins Loan is awarded based on financial need. The loan is interest-free during in-school periods, and will be repaid at an annual interest rate of 5 percent. Repayment begins nine months after the student leaves school. The results of your FAFSA must reach the Financial Aid Office by May 1, 1999 in order for you to be considered for this loan.

The Federal Stafford Loan is a longterm, lowinterest loan authorized by the federal government for the educational expenses of students who are enrolled at least halftime. Students borrow the loan from a private lender (participating bank or credit union).

There are two types of Stafford Loans. The subsidized Stafford Loan is interestfree to the student while in school. On the unsubsidized Stafford Loan, the student is charged interest while enrolled in school. The student may opt to pay it as it accrues, or allow it to accrue and capitalize. The interest rate is variable annually, with a cap of 8.25 percent. Repayment of both principal and interest begins six months after the student leaves school.
Any student can qualify for a Stafford Loan, regardless of financial need. The family's income and financial situation will determine if the applicant qualifies for a subsidized and/or an unsubsidized loan. Needier students generally qualify for subsidized loans, while less needy students qualify for unsubsidized loans. Between the two programs, a dependent student may borrow up to $2,625 per academic year as a freshman (029 credits completed); up to $3,500 per academic year as a sophomore (3059 credits completed); and up to $5,500 per academic year as a junior or senior (60 or more credits completed). Independent students may borrow an additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan if necessary (up to $4,000 per year as a freshman or sophomore, and up to $5,000 per academic year as a junior or senior).

The Federal PLUS Loan allows parents of dependent students to borrow up to the total cost of attendance, less any other aid received. Parents borrow the loan from a private lender (participating banks and credit unions).

The interest rate on the PLUS Loan is variable, with a cap of 9 percent. Repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after disbursement, generally with a 510 year repayment period.
 
Program Basis of Award Amount of Annual Award Application Deadline Remarks
Grants
PHEAA Grant  Need  Varies  May 1, 1999  PHEAA must receive the FAFSA by May 1 
Federal PELL Grant Need  Maximum $2,700  May 1 , 1999  Federal funds 
Federal SEOG Grant  Exceptional need  Average $300  May 1 , 1999* awarded are based on the need analysis
Loans
Federal Perkins Loan  Need  Average $1,000  May 1, 1999 *  Federal funds awarded are based on the need analysis 
Federal Stafford  Up to $2,625 in fr. yr., up to $3,500 in so. yr., up to $5,500 in jr./sr. yrs.  Apply 4-8 weeks prior to the start of enrollment period   
Federal Plus Loan  Up to cost of education less other aid received  Apply 4-8 weeks prior to the start of enrollment period   
Alumni Student Loan  Need  Up to tuition costs  No deadline  Available to academically outstanding students 
Bush Student Loan  Need  Up to $2,500  No deadline  Available to academically outstanding students 
Employment
Federal Work Study  Need  Varies  May 1, 1999  
Campus Employment  Open  Varies  May 1, 1999 70% of amount earned minus taxes reflected as a part of student's contribution for next academic year 
Other
Veterans G.I. Bill  Military service  Varies   Allow 4-6 weeks for processing 
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits  Disability Varies   Contact the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation 
 * Indicates the date by which the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received in the Shippensburg University Financial Aid Office. Allow four to six weeks processing time prior to the May 1 deadline.

Student Employment

Work-study employment opportunities are available in a variety of settings on campus. Students may work 10-15 hours per week and earn money toward their book and personal expenses.

Athletic Grants-In-Aid

In accordance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) provisions governing athletic scholarships, Shippensburg University provides grants-in-aid to outstanding student athletes in selected intercollegiate sports programs, for both women and men. The amount of funds available for athletic grants-in-aid varies from sport to sport. Men's and women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming, and track and field. Women's sports include field hockey, lacrosse, softball, tennis, and volleyball. Men's sports include football, wrestling, and baseball.
Grants-in-aid to student athletes are recommended by coaches and processed through the Financial Aid Office in accordance with NCAA guidelines.

Additional Scholarships and Grants for Upperclassmen

In addition to scholarships, grants, and loans to incoming freshmen, Shippensburg University provides a number of financial awards of varying amounts to upperclassmen. These financial awards are made for outstanding academic achievement, leadership in extracurricular activities, or athletic accomplishment. For a list of these awards, please contact your academic department.


HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

To apply for federal and state grants, workstudy, and loans:
 
  1. Complete the 1999-2000 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . You must complete the FAFSA even if you only plan to apply for student loans. You can obtain a FAFSA from your high school guidance counselor or at a public library. It may be completed after January 1, 1999. In order to be considered for the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal SEOG, and WorkStudy, the SU Financial Aid Office must receive the results of the FAFSA by May 1, 1999. Therefore, it should be submitted by the beginning or middle of March to allow for 46 weeks processing.

  2.  
    You do not need to be accepted at SU before you complete the FAFSA, although you should have at least applied for admission. You also do not need to have completed your 1998 tax returns before you file the FAFSA. You may complete it using estimates if the actual information is not available. Do not miss deadlines because you are waiting for completion of your tax returns. You can always change the information you reported; it is most important to get the application in on time.

     

  3. To apply for a Federal Stafford Loan and/or a Federal PLUS Loan, about 48 weeks prior to the start of your enrollment, you should obtain a loan application from the lender of your choice or the Financial Aid Office at SU, and complete the student section. If you are using a Pennsylvania lender, return the completed application to the lender (or, if it is a preprinted application, mail it to the lender's address on the application). If you are using an outofstate lender, submit the application to the Financial Aid Office at SU.
  4.  

  5. To apply for workstudy, submit an Application for Campus Employment to the Financial Aid Office by May 1, 1999. This application becomes available in March. An application will be mailed to you after March 1 if you have been accepted at SU. However, if you don't receive one, you may contact the Financial Aid Office and one will be mailed to you.
  6.  

  7. Additional information (e.g., copies of your tax returns, or additional forms) may be requested from you and your parents throughout the financial aid process. Please respond to all requests in a timely manner.
  8.  

  9. If at any time during the financial aid application process, your family's financial status changes, contact the Financial Aid Office. Often, when extenuating circumstances exist, adjustments can be made to consider those situations.
  10.  

  11. Contact our Financial Aid Office staff if you have any additional questions about the financial assistance available at Shippensburg University.


A member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education
 
Office of Admissions 
Shippensburg University 
1871 Old Main Drive 
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299 
717-532-1231 1-800-822-8028 toll free 
FAX: 717-530-4016 
E-mail admiss@ship.edu 
Web site: http://www.ship.edu 
Office of Financial Aid 
Shippensburg University 
1871 Old Main Drive 
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299 
717-532-1131 
1-800-447-1389 toll free 
FAX: 717-530-4028 
E-mail finaid@ship.edu 


Shippensburg University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Several undergraduate programs are also accredited by national organizations in their fields, including chemistry (the American Chemical Society), social work (the Council on Social Work Education), and business (the AACSB, International Association for Management Education).

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, in compliance with federal and state laws and university policy, provides equal educational, employment, and economic opportunities for all persons without regard to race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or marital, veteran, or disability status. Direct requests for disability accommodations and other inquiries to the Office of Social Equity, Old Main 109, Shippensburg University, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299, (717) 532-1161.
 


BACK TO APPLICATION MENU