Financial Aid INFORMATION GUIDE - OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES - Brandeis University
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Financial Aid INFORMATION GUIDE OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES 2021-22
HOW WAS MY ELIGIBILITY
DETERMINED?
Your eligibility for need-based financial aid
has been determined according to federal-
government regulations and university
policies governing financial aid programs.
Using the information that you reported on
the 2021-22 CSS Profile, the 2021-22 Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
student and parent tax returns (if submitted
to our office prior to review), and other
supporting documentation, the Office of
Student Financial Services has calculated
your Expected Family Contribution, the
amount of family financial resources you and
your parent(s) are expected to contribute
toward your educational costs. (Note: Your
Expected Family Contribution is not a predic-
tion of how much cash you actually have on
hand, nor a value judgment about how much
you “ought” to be able to pull from your current
income, nor a measure of your liquidity. Rather,
it is our best estimate of your capacity to absorb
some of the costs of education over time.) The
Expected Family Contribution is subtracted
from a standard budget of expected
educational expenses, or Cost of Attendance.
The difference between the Expected Family
Contribution and the Cost of Attendance
is your maximum eligibility for need-based
assistance. Federal law prohibits a student
from receiving financial assistance in excess
of her/his calculated eligibility.
PHOTOGRAPH BY KEN SCHLES
In most cases, your Expected Family
Contribution consists of a contribution from
your income and assets and a contribution
from your parent(s)’ income and assets. In
cases of divorce or separation, a contribution
is normally expected of both biological/
adoptive parents for purposes of institutional
scholarship and from the custodial parent
(the parent with whom you live) and his
or her new spouse, if he or she has remar-
ried, for federal financial aid purposes.
This statue of Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis stands (Unmarried biological parents who live
at the center of campus. Justice Brandeis was a champion of civil together are considered married for purposes
rights and social justice, and his commitment to these principles is
shared by the university that bears his name. While an education
at Brandeis University’s level of quality cannot be offered without
significant cost, we honor our commitment to these principles by
striving to make a Brandeis education financially possible for all
students who are offered admission.HOW WAS MY AWARD
DETERMINED?
of institutional and federal financial aid.) Demonstrated financial need determines the requirements of federal verification.
Please note that, in determining eligibility for the amount of grant/scholarship assistance For more information regarding verifica-
assistance, all assets are assumed to belong offered. Brandeis University meets the full tion deadlines, consequences for non-
to the person who reports the interest and/ calculated financial need of its students with compliance and notification procedures for
or dividends earned from those assets on a combination of need-based grant, loan and verification award changes, please refer to
his or her tax return. The formulas used to work awards. To meet this need, no more the University Bulletin at brandeis.edu/reg-
determine your eligibility expect all students than $19,000 in federal subsidized loans will istrar/bulletin. Students who do not submit
to use 20–25% of their assets each year for be awarded to a student over their four-year a financial aid application before they have
educational expenses. Your Expected Family career, which is far below the national average been admitted will be placed on a waiting list
Contribution has been based upon the upon graduation. for grant and scholarship funds.
assumption that the information contained
in your financial aid application has been Financial aid may come from one or more Please be advised that any changes to the
reported accurately to us. The university of the sources detailed below. Your award information provided and used to determine
may request verification of certain applica- letter assumes a level of federal and state your eligibility for your initial financial
tion items, including, but not limited to, your appropriations that is frequently not aid award may result in its revision. If any
and/or your family’s income and assets, your finalized at the time the awards are made; changes to your financial aid award are
academic-year residency status (i.e., living therefore, if funds fail to be appropriated as necessary, you will be notified immediately
on campus, off campus or commuting from anticipated, offers may have to be reduced via a financial aid award letter.
home/relative’s home) and your sibling(s)’ or canceled. Your initial financial aid award
enrollment in an undergraduate program is tentative and cannot be finalized until
at another postsecondary institution. you have listed Brandeis University as a
Please be advised that any changes to the recipient of the information on your FAFSA.
information originally provided to us may You may be required to submit copies of
result in a revision of your Expected Family your and/or your parent(s)’ 2019 federal
Contribution. income tax returns to verify the income
figures listed on the CSS Profile and FAFSA.
If you have qualified to have your aid In addition, if your FAFSA application is
eligibility determined as an independent selected for standard verification, you will
student, you may not have an expected also be required to submit a Verification
parent contribution. In order to be consid- Worksheet (available on our website at
ered independent, you must meet specific brandeis.edu/sfs/forms.html), and to
federal-government criteria. You may not submit copies of 2019 Federal Income Tax
declare yourself independent for reasons Returns to verify the income reported
other than those outlined on the FAFSA. on the FAFSA (nonfilers must submit a
Even though you may meet federal criteria non-filer statement along with income
for independence and therefore receive documentation). You may also be required
federal funds as an independent student, to sign a statement of educational purpose,
the university requires parental information and provide proof of identification and
from all students unless they are orphans proof of high school completion to satisfy
or wards of the court (or were wards of the
court until age 18) and may, in fact, expect
a parent contribution before awarding any
institutional funds.GRANTS AND
SCHOLARSHIPS STUDENT LOANS
Alumni and Friends grant elementary or secondary school that serves Federal Direct Stafford Loan
The Alumni and Friends Grant is direct-gift students from low-income families. To be The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is a
aid from the university that a student does eligible for this grant, a student must be a low-interest, long-term educational loan
not need to repay. Eligibility for this fund is U.S. citizen, be an undergraduate or graduate available to students. Loan capital is supplied
based on financial need. Generous gifts and student, be enrolled in coursework neces- directly by the federal government. The
donations from alumni, parents and friends sary to begin a career in teaching (or plan federal government also serves as the
of the university provide funds for this grant, to complete such coursework), have a 3.25 guarantor. There are two different forms of
including several endowed scholarships, as a cumulative GPA or have scored in the 75th this loan: the Federal Direct Subsidized
symbol of their commitment and dedication percentile on at least one admissions test, Stafford Loan and the Federal Direct
to future Brandeis graduates. Select students and complete annual entrance counseling, as Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Please note
receive recognition of their achievements, well as a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve. that a student cannot receive Federal Direct
generally as part of their financial aid pack- If a TEACH Grant recipient does not complete Subsidized Stafford Loan funds for more
age, as recipients of these special awards. the four-year service obligation within eight than 150% of the published length of his or
Students may not apply for specific endowed calendar years of completing the program her program. Borrowers of the Federal Direct
scholarships; recipients of these awards will of study for which the TEACH Grant was Subsidized Stafford Loan do not have to
be selected and notified by the university. awarded, all TEACH Grants received will be pay the interest that accrues on this loan
converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized while they are in school; instead, the federal
Federal Supplemental Stafford Loan. This loan must be repaid to government forgives the interest on this
Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) the U.S. Department of Education, with portion of the loan. Borrowers of the Federal
The Federal Supplemental Educational interest charged from the date the grant Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan are
Opportunity Grant is a federally and insti- was disbursed. For more information about assessed interest on the loan from the time
tutionally funded grant program. Brandeis this award, or to determine eligibility for this the loan funds are disbursed. The interest
selects recipients who demonstrate grant, students should contact the Office of may be deferred and capitalized. For the
significant financial eligibility. This grant is Student Financial Services. 2020-21 academic year, the interest rate on
generally awarded only to those students both versions of this loan was a fixed rate
eligible for a Pell Grant. The maximum State Scholarship/Grant of 2.75%, and the origination fee, which is
award is $4,000 per year; however, awards The State Scholarship/Grant is an award deducted from the gross amount of the loan,
generally do not exceed $1,000. from the student’s state of legal residence. was 1.057%. Repayment of the principal of
Any amount indicated on the financial aid the loan is deferred while a student is enrolled
Federal Pell Grant award letter is estimated on the basis of the in school at least half time. Once a student
The Federal Pell Grant is funded by the information provided on the CSS Profile and ceases at least half-time enrollment, he or
federal government and provides awards FAFSA. (Please note that state scholarships she enters a grace period of six months.
from $639 to $6,345 to eligible undergradu- require full-time enrollment.) University Repayment begins at the conclusion of the
ate students. (Please note that amounts funds cannot replace any state funds for grace period.
will be prorated for students enrolled less which a student is eligible but fails to apply,
than full time.) Any amount indicated on the so it is important that the student file the First-time borrowers of the Federal Direct
financial aid award letter is estimated on the FAFSA prior to the deadline designated by Stafford Loan must complete the required
basis of the information provided on the CSS his or her state. multiyear Master Promissory Note, as well
Profile application and the federal appropria- as entrance counseling, online at student-
tion levels available at the time of the award. Gilbert Grant loans.gov at the beginning of their entering
Please note that eligibility for the Pell Grant The Gilbert Grant is funding provided to semester upon receipt of correspondence
is limited to 12 semesters. Brandeis University by the Commonwealth from the Office of Student Financial Services.
of Massachusetts. The university Loan funds will be tentatively credited to
awards this grant to legal residents of the billing statement pending the comple-
TEACH Grant tion of the documents mentioned above.
The Teacher Education Assistance for Massachusetts who are enrolled full time
and qualify for both a Federal Pell Grant Anticipated credits on a student’s account
College and Higher Education (TEACH) will be canceled if all required forms are not
Grant Program is funded by the federal and a MASSGrant. The maximum award is
$2,500 per year; however, awards generally completed.
government and provides up to $3,772 per
year to students who intend to teach full do not exceed $1,000.
time in a high-need field in a public or privateSTUDENT EMPLOYMENT UNIVERSITY EMPLOYMENT
Federal Work-Study (FWS) University Employment is a work program
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a work funded entirely by the university. It is
program funded by Brandeis and the federal available to students who do not qualify for
government. Students may work either at Federal Work-Study funds. Students who
an on-campus department or office or at an are not awarded University Employment
approved off-campus community-service or Federal Work-Study as part of their
agency. The FWS allotment is not credited financial aid packages must wait until
to the student’s account. Instead, students after October 1 to seek employment. The
receive a weekly paycheck based upon actual University Employment allotment is not
hours worked. FWS awards are generally credited to the student’s account. Instead,
used toward indirect expenses such as books, students receive a weekly paycheck based
supplies, transportation and miscellaneous on actual hours worked. A student’s actual
personal spending. Although FWS earnings earnings will depend on the availability of
are taxable, any wages earned under the FWS hours involved in any given position.
program will be excluded from the student’s
income when he or she is considered for Although the Office of Student Financial
financial aid for the following year. The Services provides students with listings of
Federal Work-Study allotment offered to available positions on campus, it cannot
a student represents the maximum gross guarantee employment. (Job listings can
earnings that he or she may receive. (In some be viewed online at careers.brandeis.edu/
cases, it may be possible to increase the studentjobs.) It is the student’s responsibility
amount of this allotment or to receive funding to secure and maintain a position that will
under the University Employment Program.) allow him or her to fulfill the work allocation.
A student’s actual earnings will depend upon Any work allocation not earned by the end of
the availability of hours involved in any given the academic year will be forfeited.
position(s).
In order to obtain a job on campus, students
Although the Office of Student Financial must be able to present identification to
Services provides students with listings of the university that satisfies the require-
available positions on campus, it cannot ments of Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility
guarantee employment. (Job listings can Verification). Appropriate forms of
be viewed online at careers.brandeis.edu/ identification include a U.S. passport, an
studentjobs.) It is the student’s responsibility alien registration card, a foreign passport
to secure and maintain a position that will with employment authorization, or a driver’s
allow him or her to fulfill the work allocation. license with an original Social Security card
Any work allocation not earned by the end of or birth certificate.
the academic year will be forfeited.
In order to obtain a job on campus,
students must be able to present to the
university identification that satisfies the
requirements of Form I-9 (Employment
Eligibility Verification). Appropriate forms
of identification include a U.S. passport,
an alien registration card, a foreign passport
with employment authorization, or a
PHOTOGRAPH BY LIZ LINDER
driver’s license with an original Social
Security card or birth certificate.WHAT DO I OWE? HOW DO I PAY WHAT I OWE?
Knowing your eligibility for financial aid is There are many options available for pay- Early Decision students must submit
only half the process in determining what ment of the final balance due to the univer- appeals by March 1 and Regular Decision
you will owe for a year’s education at sity. If you and/or your family are financially students by April 15. Requests for reconsid-
Brandeis. The Office of Student Financial able, you may pay the balance due for each eration are considered on a first come, first
Services issues billing statements prior semester in full by the deadlines set by the served basis.
to the beginning of each semester. Fall- Office of Student Financial Services. If you
semester bills will be due August 6, 2021, and/or your family cannot pay the balance For more information about the recon-
and spring-semester bills will be due due at the beginning of each semester but sideration process, go to brandeis.edu/
December 10, 2021. can set aside a certain amount of money student-financial-services/financial-aid/
from monthly income to pay toward the bill, financial-aid-appeal.html.
An interactive worksheet is available online then you may wish to consider a payment
at brandeis.edu/sfs/tuition-calculator to plan. If you and/or your family need addi-
help you estimate your yearly cost. tional assistance, you may wish to consider a
parent- or student-education loan that allows WHAT IF I RECEIVE AN
You will need to consult each semester’s for an extended period of payment. For more
billing statements for your actual costs. information about financing options, please
OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIP?
Please note that Brandeis estimates $2,500 visit go.brandeis.edu/financing.
for a student’s books and personal expenses If you receive an outside scholarship from
and that travel expenses are calculated an individual, a business, a foundation or
on the basis of two round-trip airfares to your high school, you must report this assis-
the state in which the student resides. No CAN I APPEAL FOR RECONSID- tance to the university. Please send copies
travel expenses are included in the cost
of attendance for students who live within
ERATION OF MY FINANCIAL of your scholarship award letters directly to
the Office of Student Financial Services. The
driving distance of the campus. Books and AID PACKAGE?
federal government requires that outside
personal and travel expenses should be scholarships be included in need-based aid
considered in determining your full cost of packages. They may not be used to replace
attendance. All need-based financial aid packages are
your or your family’s contribution. Any
determined based upon the federal and
outside award amount will first reduce the
If the net cost to you and your family is institutional calculation of financial need.
need-based self-help (loan and/or work)
positive, there will be a balance due for each used to meet institutional financial need,
semester that must be paid by the deadlines Using the information that you provided on
any unmet federal financial need, and then
set by the Office of Student Financial the FAFSA, CSS Profile, student and parent
the grant components of the student’s need-
Services. The balance due indicated on each tax returns, if applicable, and other support-
based award. Students receiving need-based
bill must be paid by the stated deadlines to ing documentation, we have calculated your
financial aid or scholarship will not be
avoid assessment of late fees and so that Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and
permitted to keep outside awards in excess
you may register. awarded financial aid to meet full calculated
of the total cost of attendance.
institutional financial need.
If the net cost is zero or negative, no
payment should be due from you or your We recognize that a family’s income is not
family. A refund of any credit balance always consistent and that financial situa-
may be requested only after all funds are tions change throughout the academic year
finalized/actual (e.g., all loan promissory due to unforeseen circumstances. If you or
notes are signed) and after you have your family have experienced a change in
registered. Checks for credit refunds will your financial circumstances since filing
not be available until at least 10 days before the FAFSA and Profile, you may request
the start of each semester; therefore, you reconsideration of your need-based financial
should budget your finances accordingly aid decision.
for payment of off-campus living expenses,
books, transportation and so on.PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE LOVETT
HOW DO I DECLINE A LOAN
OR WORK-STUDY AWARD?
In order to decline a loan or work-study
allotment that has been awarded to you in
your financial aid award letter, you must
submit a written request to the Office of
Student Financial Services. If you choose to
decline all or a portion of your loan funds,
they will not be replaced by grant assistance.
All students who receive need-based aid
are expected to borrow in order to meet a
portion of their calculated eligibility. If you
choose to decline all or a portion of your
work-study award, it will not be replaced
with grant assistance. Although it may be
possible to replace your work-study award
with a student loan, failure to utilize your
work-study award will usually result in
forfeiture of the amount allotted to you.
HOW WILL MY AID BE
AFFECTED IF I DEFER
MY ENROLLMENT?
Your financial aid is awarded for one year
at a time. If you defer enrollment for a
year, you reapply for financial aid if you
wish to be considered for assistance. The
amount of financial aid you receive for your
enrollment year may vary from your initial
financial aid award, reflecting changes in
your financial need from the previous year,
the cost of attending Brandeis and changes
in the availability of funding.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE LOVETTHOW DO I RENEW MY AID WHAT IF I WISH TO STUDY IS ANY OF MY FINANCIAL AID
EACH YEAR? ABROAD OR CHANGE MY TAXABLE?
ACADEMIC PROGRAM?
Your financial aid is awarded only for one If you make a change to your academic pro- In accordance with the Tax Reform Act of
year at a time. You must reapply for financial gram (for example, taking fewer than four 1986, if your aggregate scholarship and
aid each academic year for which you wish standard credit courses, studying abroad grant assistance exceeds tuition, required
to be considered for assistance. The amount or elsewhere domestically, participating in fees for course instruction or academic
of financial aid that you receive after the first the Justice Brandeis Semester, graduating enrollment, and books/supplies (for which
year may vary, reflecting changes in your in fewer than four years, graduating in receipts have been kept), the amount in
family’s financial strength (changes in more than four years or taking a leave of excess must be included in your taxable
income and assets, number of siblings in col- absence), there may be implications for the income. You are responsible for determining
lege, etc.), the costs of attending Brandeis, amount and type of financial aid you can whether your scholarship, in whole or in
your residency status (i.e., on campus, off receive. If you are considering any of the part, should be included as taxable income.
campus or with parents/relatives) and the above options, you should first consult your
availability of funding, which may affect financial aid counselor to discuss the impact Wages earned through the Federal Work-
the amount of increase in your Alumni and it may have on your financial aid eligibility. Study and University Employment programs
Friends or other need-based scholarship are taxable wage income and must be
from year to year. Since Brandeis meets full If you withdraw from the university during reported on your income-tax forms if you are
calculated financial need for undergradu- a semester, you may be charged a prorated required to file. You will receive a W-2 Wage
ate students, financial aid packages will amount of tuition and fees and may be and Income Statement from the university
be increased each year by the amount of eligible for a prorated portion of your financial by January 31 for the previous tax year.
the tuition increase, subject to the actual aid for that semester. If you withdraw during
cost of attendance and any changes in the a period in which you are eligible for a refund Please contact the Internal Revenue Service
calculated expected family contribution. against your student account, part or all of or a tax preparer for further information or
You should expect the loan amount in your that refund will be used to repay financial aid assistance with these tax issues.
package to increase as you progress through programs from which funds were received for
your academic career at the university. that semester. Full information regarding the
Continued eligibility for aid from federal university’s withdrawal and refund policies is
sources requires that you maintain satisfac- available in the Brandeis University Bulletin
tory academic progress toward your degree. and from the Office of Student Financial
Services.
If you are currently receiving financial aid,
an email detailing the required renewal
materials will be sent to you during the
winter intersession. A list of required
renewal documents also will be available
on our website at brandeis.edu/sfs/finaid/
filing.html. Renewal applications should be
filed by March 1 of each year. Failure to file
all financial aid application materials by the
appropriate deadline may result in a limited
or partial award, registration complications,
and/or late fees on your student account.FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions or problems related to your
financial aid, student account, student loans
or student employment, please contact our
office at sfs@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3700.
Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty Brandeis University
and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and Office of Student Financial Services
where all people are treated with respect and dignity. Toward that end, 415 South Street, MS 027
it is essential that Brandeis be free from discrimination and harassment
Waltham, MA 02453-2728
on the basis of race; color; ancestry; religious creed; gender identity
and expression; national or ethnic origin; sex; sexual orientation; age;
genetic information; disability; Vietnam-era veteran, qualified special, 781-736-3700
disabled veteran, or other eligible veteran status; or any other category sfs@brandeis.edu
protected by law. The following person has been designated to handle brandeis.edu/sfs
inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Vice President of
Human Resources, Bernstein-Marcus building, 781-736-4464.
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