1997-98 UAF Catalog

Financial Aid

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid can help pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies and living expenses. Financial aid provides choice, access and persistence. Choice means students can choose to pursue a college education without first looking at the price tag. Access means students will be able to pay costs of getting into college. Persistence means students will be able to stay in college long enough to complete their educational objectives.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply for financial aid if you're a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and are admitted or plan to be admitted to the university. Although students holding a F-1 or J-1 visa are not eligible to apply for federal or state financial assistance, they may apply for UAF scholarships, fellowships and assistantships and some work programs. Clarifications about student eligibility based on citizenship and residency can be obtained at the Financial Aid Office.

Who Receives Financial Aid?

Most full-time UAF students receive some type of financial aid. Even though students enrolled part time can receive some type of financial aid, the major programs require full-time enrollment.

To receive any financial aid, you must:

1. Be admitted by the Office of the Registrar.
2. Be enrolled in a program leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
3. Be making satisfactory academic progress toward your educational goal.
4. Submit an application to the proper agency administering the financial aid programs.

Where is the Financial Aid Office Located?

The Financial Aid Office is located on the first floor of the Eielson Building on the Fairbanks campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (907) 474-7256 and the fax number is (907) 474-7065.

How Do Students Apply?

Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for all financial aid programs except the Alaska Student Loan Program.

Completing this step constitutes application for any financial aid offered at UAF, except student loans, State of Alaska programs and scholarships. A separate application is required for each loan program. You may be required to submit other documents before aid is received. The forms needed to apply for federal, state and UAF financial aid programs are available at the Financial Aid Office at UAF.

You may apply for the federal Pell Grant and federal loans throughout the school year.

How is Eligibility Determined?

Submitting a completed application, along with necessary documents, begins the process of determining who will get federal aid. An analysis of your ability to pay is compared with UAF's standard expense budget. If the amount of money available is less than total college expenses, you have a financial need and are eligible for aid.

Residence and physical presence in Alaska for at least one year immediately before applying establishes eligibility for the Alaska Student Loan program. Additional information on residency and eligibility requirements can be obtained from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, P.O. Box 110505, Juneau, Alaska 99811.

What Does it Cost to Attend UAF?

Estimated expense budgets for typical full-time undergraduate students for the school year:

*Tuition for non-Alaska residents, add $4,500

Standard budgets do not always fit everyone. If you have unusual expenses such as medical bills, special child care or emergency items, the Financial Aid Office will try to provide methods of covering these additional expenses. Since eligibility is based on prior year income, you may request a review of your eligibility when your income changes from loss of job, divorce, death or disability.