Financial Aid

What types of aid are available?

Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships

Grants are usually based on your financial need, while scholarship awards are based on academic achievement and promise as well as financial need. These types of aid do not have to be repaid. Most grants and scholarships are designed for undergraduate students.

Pell Grant

The federal Pell Grant is a grant for undergraduates to help start paying college costs. Since this grant is based on financial need, every undergraduate should apply for it. Once you have applied, the federal processor will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating whether you qualify for a federal Pell Grant. Federal Pell Grants range up to $3,300 for the 2001 - 2002 school year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This is a grant for exceptionally needy undergraduate students. FSEOGs at UAF could range from $400 to $1,000 each year.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) grants

The BIA offers federal grants to undergraduate full-time students. You must be at least one-quarter American Indian or Alaska Native to apply. These grants are based on financial need and supplement other financial aid. Grants range from $50 to $3,000 or more each year. The average grant at UAF is $1,600. Further information on BIA grants can be obtained from the BIA Regional Office, 1675 C Street, Anchorage, Alaska, 99501-5198, telephone (907) 271-4115.

Native Corporation Scholarships

Some regional and village corporations provide scholarships to shareholders. Contact your local corporation for details on eligibility and application procedures. Also see Rural Student Services in the Student Services section of this catalog.

University of Alaska Scholars Program

The UA Scholars Award is a four-year, $11,000 scholarship offered to Alaskan high school students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class as determined by qualifying high schools. The determination is based on academic criteria at the end of the junior year. Contact the UA Scholars Program, telephone (877)-257-2465 or (907) 474-5105, e-mail scholars@alaska.edu, or web www.alaska.edu/scholars/.

UAF Privately Funded Scholarships

The deadline for applying for UAF privately funded scholarships is February 15. Early applications are strongly encouraged. The Financial Aid Office coordinates scholarship applications with the various departments which evaluate the applications for appropriate scholarships. Applications are available at the UAF Financial Office, or web www.uaf.edu/finaid/scholarships.html.

University of Alaska Foundation Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students attending any campus in the UA system. The deadline is March 1. Applications are available in the UAF Financial Aid Office or at the UA Foundation Office, 206 Butrovich Building. For information telephone (907) 474-7687, e-mail sdfnd@alaska.edu, or web www.alaska.edu/uafound/.

Human Achievement Award

Awards are for graduating high school seniors and transfer students who demonstrate a record of volunteerism, humanitarianism or community service. To request an application, contact the Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 757480, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, telephone (907) 474-7500 or 1-800-478-1823, or web www.uaf.edu/admrec/admissions/financial_aid/. The deadline is February 15.

Chancellor's Scholarships and Talent Awards

These awards are available in limited numbers to first-time freshmen. To request an application, contact the Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 757480, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, telephone (907) 474-7500 or 1-800-478-1823, or web www.uaf.edu/admrec/admissions/financial_aid/. The deadline is February 15.

Alaska State Room Scholarship

The Alaska State Room Scholarship is a two-year waiver of room charges awarded to the highest academically ranked graduating senior at each Alaska high school. The determination is based on academic criteria at the end of the seventh semester of high school. For information on the designation process contact your high school counselor, or contact the State Room Scholarship Office telephone (877)-257-2465 or (907) 474-5105.

UAF Merit Scholarship

This four-year scholarship is available to National Merit Finalists (as determined by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation) who have selected UAF as their first-choice institution. For information contact the Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 757480, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, telephone (907) 474-7500 or 1-800-478-1823, e-mail uaf-admissions@alaska.edu, or web www.uaf.edu/admrec/admissions/financial_aid/.

Army ROTC Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to thousands of students annually on a competitive basis nationwide. The amount and length of the scholarships are based on the quality of the applicant. Scholarship awards range from $3,000 to $12,500 annually and may range from two to four years. In addition to tuition, each recipient receives $450 for books and supplies and up to $2,000 in spending money, tax free.

For further information about the Army Scholarship program, eligibility requirements and the application process, contact the Department of Military Science at (907) 474-6852 or e-mail fyrotc@uaf.edu.

Graduate Fellowships

Fellowships are available through the University of Alaska Foundation, the Graduate School and private organizations. There are a limited number of these awards granted each year and the amount of the awards varies. For information, contact the UA Foundation, (907) 474-7687 or the Graduate School, (907) 474-7464, or web www.uaf.edu/gradsch/.

Graduate Assistantships

Research and teaching assistantships are awarded to qualified graduate students by each department or program. For application information, contact the department or program directly.

Graduate assistants generally receive stipends of up to $8,500 to $10,500 for the academic year. Graduate assistants can be paid for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session. Students with assistantships must be registered for at least nine credits during the fall and spring semesters and six credits during the summer (audited credits are not counted toward workload).

Teaching assistantships include a tuition payment by the university for no more than 10 credits to cover three courses during each semester if the workload is 15 to 20 hours per week. If the workload is 10 to 14 hours per week, no more than five credits will be included. No tuition will be included if the workload is less than 10 hours per week.

Research assistantships include a tuition payment by grants/contracts for no more than 10 credits to cover three courses during each semester if the workload is 15 to 20 hours per week. If the workload is 10 to 14 hours per week, no more than five credits will be included. No tuition will be included if the workload is less than 10 hours per week.

Tuition supplements may be used for tuition only. All fees are the responsibility of the student unless the department or grant makes other arrangements with UAF Business Office prior to registration.

Students who have a 10-20 hour per week research or teaching assistantship during the summer semester may apply for a Summer Tuition Scholarship. Students must have been registered for 9 credits (3 of which must be at the graduate level) during the preceding fall and spring semesters and be registered for 6 credits of research or thesis during the summer to eligible for this scholarship. Please see the Graduate School for further information or an application.

A graduate student with a GPA less than 3.0 for one semester will be allowed to petition to continue as a graduate assistant for the next semester. A maximum one semester exception will be allowed per student. The petition by the student must be approved by the student's advisory committee chair, the department head and dean.

Student Employment

Campus jobs help many UAF students pay for college costs. Approximately 1,000 students are employed in campus jobs. There are many student positions currently available across campus. Some student vacancy announcements have been posted as continuous recruitment. Full-time student status is not required unless specified by a department. However, students that are less than full time are subject to FICA withholding and those departments which hire part time student employees are subject to the applicable benefit rate charge.

Student employees can work up to 20 hours each week while classes are in session and up to 40 hours when classes are not in session. Pay rates are based on the job classification, and the average pay can vary from $150 to $400 each month. Since there is no "pool" for workers, students apply directly to the departments with position vacancies. Job announcements and more information can be obtained from Career Services, fifth floor Gruening Building, (907) 474-7596, or from Human Resources, Administrative Services Center, (907) 474-7700.

The Federal Work Study (FWS) program provides jobs for graduate and undergraduate students with financial need. Job placement and working conditions are similar to regular student employment. To qualify for FWS, students must be eligible for federal financial aid as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Loans

A loan for college costs is money that must be repaid. Loans represent a major source of assistance you should consider as you try to meet the full costs of your education. Educational loans generally have long-term repayment schedules, offer low interest rates, often have provisions for deferring payments and may offer additional benefits related to financial need.

Before you borrow money for college, you should understand the specific conditions and requirements regarding disbursements, deferments and repayment options. If you fail to meet the conditions of the promissory note, you may be denied all federal aid, lose your good credit rating and be unable to borrow money to buy a car or home. Loan terms are subject to change at any time.

UAF participates in two types of federal student loans: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan and the federal Stafford Loan Programs. The direct loan program provides loans from the U.S. Department of Education through UAF. The Stafford loan program provides loans from a lender such as a bank, through a guarantee agency and UAF. Each has two types of loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. You qualify for a subsidized loan if you have financial need. Subsidized means the government makes interest payments on your loan while you are in school, in your grace period, or in deferment. Unsubsidized means that you are responsible for interest payments, even while you are in school.

Students must be enrolled in at least six credits to qualify for a federal loan. Yearly limits for dependent students are $2,625 for first-year students, $3,500 for second-year students and $5,500 for upper-level undergraduates. Independent students may borrow, including the subsidized federal loan, up to $6,625 as a first-year student, $7,500 as a second-year student and $10,500 as third or fourth-year students. Graduate students may borrow $18,500, of which $8,500 can be a subsidized loan. The interest rate varies annually and is capped at 8.25 percent. The interest rate for 2000-2001 was 5.99 percent.

The following table outlines what your monthly payments would be over a 10-year repayment period.

Total Loan	Monthly Payments	8.25 Percent Interest	Total Repayment
$ 5,000	$ 61	$ 2,359	$ 7,359
10,000	123	4,718	14,718
15,000	184	7,098	23,078
20,000	233	8,965	28,965
25,000	307	11,796	36,796

The federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a program for parents of dependent students. The cost of attending UAF determines the annual and aggregate loan limits. A variable interest rate or finance charge, not to exceed 9 percent, is determined each year for the federal PLUS programs.

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) offers both federal and state loan programs through AlaskAdvantage. These loans are available to all students attending UAF. Through its federal component, AlaskAdvantage offers Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) and PLUS Loans. State loans offered through AlaskAdvantage include the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan (ASEL), the Family Education Loan, the Teacher Scholarship Loan and the Winn Brindle Scholarship Loan.

Students seeking an AlaskAdvantage Stafford loan must apply using the FAFSA. Students who complete a FAFSA do not need to complete a separate application to receive additional funds from the ASEL program. Applicants who do not complete the FAFSA will be eligible for the ASEL only.

The ASEL can be used as a supplement to any other aid, provided the total amount of aid does not exceed the costs of attendance. The ASEL requires a credit check. Students may borrow up to $8,500 as an undergraduate and up to $9,500 as a graduate student. Repayment begins no later than six months after the borrower ceases attending school at least half time. The interest rate is variable and based on the Federal Family Education Loan Program interest rate which is made public in July of every year. Interest will be charged from the day of disbursement.

The Family Education Loan Program is a state loan program that allows the student's family to share the cost of the student's education. The family member can borrow up to $8,500 for an undergraduate and up to $9,500 for a graduate. The interest rate is 5 percent and the borrower begins repayment immediately.

The Teacher Scholarship and Winn Brindle Scholarship loans can only be used for specific fields of study. For more specific information regarding these two programs, please contact ACPE .

Applicants must apply each year and applications are available for all AlaskAdvantage loan programs via the ACPE website or through their offices. UAF receives ACPE loan disbursements via electronic fund transfer (EFT). Loans are processed within 7-10 days from time of receipt at ACPE offices in Juneau or Anchorage and can be disbursed to a student's UAF account within two days of approval. Further information can be obtained from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, 3030 Vintage Boulevard, Juneau, Alaska 99801, telephone (800) 441-2962, or web www.state.ak.us/acpe.

Emergency Loans are administered by UAF for enrolled students who have unexpected financial demands. These short-term loans allow students to borrow up to $500. Information about these loans can be obtained at the Business Office. To apply for an emergency loan, you must be in good academic standing and have no outstanding debt with UAF. You are required to verify your need for the loan. Applications will be accepted from the first day of registration until Nov. 1 for the fall semester and until April 1 for the spring semester. A service charge of $10 will be charged for each loan.