Admissions

Who is eligible to receive financial aid?
What happens if my eligibility for Financial Aid changes?
How do I apply for financial aid?
What is Chester College of New England's Federal school code?
How long does it take to get my Student Aid Report once I submit my FAFSA?
How do I check the status of my FAFSA?
How do I add Chester College to my Student Aid Report?
How is Federal financial aid awarded?
What is financial need?
Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?
Do I need to send my tax returns to the Financial Aid Office?
What is verification?
How do I know if I am selected for verification?
What happens if I don't have a copy of my tax return?
What should I do if I feel my FAFSA does not accurately reflect my current financial circumstances?
When does my financial aid award become final?
Do you offer a monthly tuition payment plan?
Will I be billed for everything listed on the Cost of Attendance?
What kind of financial aid can I get that is not Federal?
How do I apply for Federal Work Study?
Can I get a job on-campus even if I don't have a Federal Work Study award?
What kind of jobs are available on campus?
What is the difference between a Subsidized DIRECT Loan and an Unsubsidized DIRECT Loan?
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress and how does it affect my Financial Aid?
What happens if I withdraw or take a leave of absence?
What are my rights and responsibilities?

• Be a U.S. Citizen, or eligible non-Citizen with a valid Social Security Number;
• Have a high school diploma or GED;
• Register, or have registered, with Selective Service if you are a male and between the ages of 18 and 25.
• Not be in default on a Federal student loan and not owe money on a Federal student grant.
• Enroll in an eligible program as a regular degree-seeking student;
• Be enrolled at least half-time (At Chester College, a half-time student takes at least 6 credit hours)
• Make satisfactory progress towards a degree.

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What happens if my eligibility for Financial Aid changes?
The Financial Aid Office will notify you in writing if your eligibility for federal financial aid changes. If you have already received a disbursement of federal aid funds when your eligibility changes, it could result in the return of funds received to the Federal Government. This could result in funds being owed to the College, the Government, or both.

How do I apply for financial aid?
If you are interested in applying for Federal financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Don't forget to indicate Chester College of New England on your school list! Our school code is 004733. You can complete and sign your FAFSA online by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. To sign your FAFSA online, you will need a PIN number. You can apply for a PIN number at www.pin.ed.gov.

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What is Chester College's Federal school code?
Our school code is 004733.

How long does it take to get my Student Aid Report once I submit my FAFSA?
If you submit a paper application and mail it in to the federal processor, it will take about 4-6 weeks for your Student Aid Report to be generated. You may also mail your FAFSA to Chester College's Financial Aid Office. We have the ability to enter your FAFSA here and applications submitted this way are typically processed in 5-7 business days. Students who complete the FAFSA on the Web should have their application processed in 3-5 business days.

How do I check the status of my FAFSA?
Call 1-800-4FEDAID, or visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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How do I add Chester College to my Student Aid Report?
You can submit corrections to your FAFSA online, your Student Aid Report received in the mail, or by contacting the Financial Aid Office with your Social Security Number and DRN. Our federal school code is 004733. If you choose to contact the Financial Aid Office, please have both your Social Security Number and DRN ready. Your DRN can be found on your Student Aid Report near your EFC. For help submitting changes to your FAFSA online and your Student Aid Report, please contact FAFSA customer service at 1-800-4FEDAID.

How is Federal financial aid awarded?
Federal financial aid is awarded based on financial need using the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report (SAR). Your EFC is determined by the information submitted on your FAFSA and according to a federally regulated formula. Students with the greatest need and students whose applications were received by the federal processor by the March 15th deadline are given first priority.

What is financial need?
Financial need is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance and the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?
YES! You must submit an application (FAFSA) for each year you wish to receive federal financial aid.

Do I need to send my tax returns to the Financial Aid Office?
You only need to send your tax returns if they are requested by the Financial Aid Office.

What is verification?
Verification is the process by which the information reported on your FAFSA is checked for accuracy. Students whose applications are selected for verification must provide all necessary documentation and complete the process before federal funds will be disbursed to h/her account. Students who do not submit the necessary documentation will be considered ineligible to receive federal funds until their application is verified. The following information reported on the FAFSA will be verified:

• Household size (number of persons in household)
• Number of household members enrolled in a postsecondary institution at least half-time
• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), or income earned from work if your AGI has not been calculated
• U.S. Income Tax paid for the year
• Certain untaxed income and benefits for the year, including but not limited to Social Security benefits, child support received, untaxed payments to the IRS, foreign income, and earned income credit

How do I know if I am selected for verification?
If your application is selected, you will be notified by the Financial Aid Office. Please send all materials by the date requested.

What happens if I don't have a copy of my tax return?
If you cannot locate a copy of your tax return, you may request a copy from the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

What should I do if I feel my FAFSA does not accurately reflect my current financial circumstances?
You may appeal to the Financial Aid Director in cases of extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, loss of employment and large medical expenses/debts. All appeals must be submitted in writing. The Director considers appeals on a case-by-case basis and will reply in writing within 14 business days of receiving an appeal. Please submit appropriate documentation with your appeal. You will be notified if additional documentation is required. A submission of an appeal, does not guarantee approval and if approved, an adjustment may be made to the Cost of Attendance or the information used to calculate your EFC. The decision of the Financial Aid Director is final and can not be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

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When does my financial aid award become final?
Your financial aid award becomes final when your eligibility for each award is verified. This typically comes after your major, enrollment status, housing status, class standing, and satisfactory academic progress are verified by the Financial Aid Office. Satisfactory academic progress is verified at the end of each enrollment period. Other items listed are verified by the day after add/drop. The items listed can directly affect cost of attendance, Stafford loan limits, and eligibility to receive federal financial aid. If any of these items change after being verified, your financial aid award may be adjusted. You will be notified in writing of all changes made to your award letter.

Do you offer a monthly tuition payment plan?
Yes! Chester College has partnered with Tuition Management Systems (TMS) to offer you the option of making tuition payments over 8,9, or 10 months. To enroll, you can visit http://www.afford.com/chestercollege or call 1-800-356-8329.

Will I be billed for everything listed on the Cost of Attendance?
No, not all the items included in the cost of attendance are billed. You will only be billed your specific applicable charges. Questions regarding balances due and your account statement should be directed to the Business Office at 1-800-974-6372 ext. 7413.

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What kind of financial aid can I get that is not Federal?
All students who apply and are accepted for admission are automatically given consideration for merit-based scholarships, which are based on your academic and artistic achievements. To be considered, you must submit a portfolio. These scholarships range from $500 to full-tuition. All New Hampshire residents are encouraged to contact the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for information on their grant, scholarship, and loan programs. Their website is www.nhcf.org. You can also contact your high school guidance office, visit the public library, and search online for other aid sources. Also, students may apply for private, alternative education loans. If approved, these loans will offer higher loan limits and another option for financing your college education.

How do I apply for Federal Work Study?
You apply for Federal Work Study through your FAFSA. If you indicate on your FAFSA that you are interested in student employment you will be considered for a Federal Work Study award. However, indicating your interest on the FAFSA does not guarantee you will be given a Federal Work Study award.

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Can I get a job on-campus even if I don't have a Federal Work Study award?
Yes! Jobs are posted in a binder located in the Financial Aid Office.

What kind of jobs are available on campus?
On campus jobs are typically posted for the Library, Photo Barn, Art Studio, Computer Labs, Student Activities, Creative and Professional Writing Department, Bookstore, and more.

What is the difference between a Subsidized DIRECT Loan and an Unsubsidized DIRECT Loan?
With a Subsidized DIRECT loan the government pays the interest while you are in school. This means that you are essentially getting a no-interest loan. With the Unsubsidized loan, you are responsible for the interest that accrues while you are in school.

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What is Satisfactory Academic Progress and how does it affect my Financial Aid?
The U.S. Department of Education requires that Federal (Title IV) financial aid recipients maintain satisfactory academic progress towards a degree or certificate. The Financial Aid Office monitors academic progress for all financial aid recipients for each enrollment period. To receive financial aid a student must:
1. Complete his/her degree within the maximum length of time (150% of the published length of the program)
2. Maintain the credit hour completion rate determined by the College
3. Maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) set by the academic policies of the College.

Students who fail to meet any of the above criteria are not making satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes and will be subject to academic sanctions such as probation, suspension, or dismissal from the College. Students placed on academic probation will be eligible for Federal financial aid for one probationary period only. Students placed on suspension are ineligible to receive Federal financial during the suspension period. The probationary period for financial aid purposes is defined at any enrollment period after which the student is placed on probation and for which a student accepts Federal financial aid funds. An open enrollment period, such as summer or winter session, may count as a probationary period for Federal financial aid purposes. Students on academic probation may elect not to receive Federal financial aid funds for an enrollment period and may contact the Financial Aid Office for other payment options. For the full Satisfactory Academic progress policy, please refer to the College Catalog and/or student handbook.

What happens if I withdraw or take a leave of absence?
Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw or take a leave of absence are subject to the College's Return of Title IV (Federal) Financial Aid Policy. The full policy is stated in the College Catalog. It states that students who withdraw or take a leave of absence before the 60% point of the semester may only keep the financial aid they have earned up to that time of withdrawal/leave. Title IV funds that were disbursed in excess of the earned amount must be returned by the College and/or the student to the Federal Government. This could result in the student owing funds to the College, the Government, or both.

All students are subject to the College's refund policy stated in the Catalog. However, the Return of Title IV Financial Aid Policy will be applied first for students who received Federal financial aid.

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What are my rights and responsibilities?
All students at Chester College are considered to be responsible adults. With regard to Financial Aid, you have certain rights and responsibilities.

You have a right to:

• Know what financial aid programs are available
• Know financial aid application deadlines and priority dates
• Know what the cost of attendance is and to know the College refund policy
• Be treated equitably in the determination of your financial aid eligibility
• Know how your financial aid eligibility is determined
• Request an explanation of the aid awarded to you
• Accept or reject all or a portion of the financial aid awarded
• Know how the College determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress
• Appeal to the Financial Aid Director
• Have all personal information kept confidential according to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
• Request a review of financial aid eligibility based on special circumstances