What else do I need to know to get started with the financial aid process?

• It is important that you select a degree or certificate program that is eligible for federal financial aid funding (programs that are less than 6 months in duration, and/or do not lead to a certificate or degree are not eligible programs.)

• Enrollment status is important, too. All federal financial aid requires a student to be enrolled in a 6 or more credit/load hours, with the exception of the Federal Pell Grant.

  You may receive Federal Pell Grant enrolling in 3 to 5 credit/load hours.

• There are numerous institutional scholarships that allow for less than half-time status also. The credit/load hours defines enrollment status as follows:

  Full-time: 12 or more semester hours
  Three-quarter time: 9 to11 semester hours
  Half-time: 6 to 8 semester hours
  Less than half-time: 3 to 5 semester hours

• If you do not have a high school diploma or GED certificate, you still may be eligible for federal financial aid by passing an ability to benefit test. This is a nationally approved test administered by the college. If you do not hold one of the above mentioned credentials, please contact the Director of Financial Aid for more details.

• Also, if you are a male student and are at least 18 years of age, you may be required to register with Selective Service.

• If awarded a Federal Perkins Loan, you will be required to complete an Entrance Interview. This interview will explain your rights and responsibilities as a loan borrower, require you to complete a personal data sheet and repayment, deferment, forbearance information, how to avoid defaulting, and the consequences of defaulting on a federally subsidized loan. If you are packaged with a Federal Perkins Loan, upon repayment, you may be eligible for a deferment or cancellation of a portion of your loan. During a deferment period, the interest of your loan does not accrue, and repayment of the principal is not required. Please review your Entrance Interview for more information regarding this type of loan. Our loan service is University Accounting Services. They can be reached at 800-999-6227.

• Finally, in order to be offered a financial aid award, you must register for classes the semester for which you are requesting aid. Contact Student Services to make an appointment to see one of our academic advisors 410-822-5400 Ext. 5829.

If there is inaccurate information on this page, please send correction or comments to:  finaid@chesapeake.edu