Office of Financial Aid

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Theology: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cost of Attendance (COA) and how is it established?
Cost of Attendance is an estimate of the total amount it will cost you to go to school for an academic period. It includes tuition and fees that will be charged to your student account, books and supplies, and very moderate living expenses based on figures for the Atlanta area. The standard academic year includes nine months of living expenses.
Is it possible to get an adjustment to the Cost of Attendance?
Students are encouraged to look for ways to cut their monthly expenses to make it possible to live within the budget as set by the Emory University Office of Financial Aid. While you may submit an appeal to increase your cost of attendance to include certain expenses, the decision to approve or deny the appeal is guided by professional judgment and federal guidelines. Items that may be considered on appeal with appropriate documentation include: cost of a computer (not to exceed $2500) one time for an academic program of study, childcare expense if the student is a single parent or if spouse is employed, cost of dental insurance (student only), out-of-pocket medical, vision, and dental expenses incurred by the student during the period of enrollment, automobile insurance and repairs incurred during the period of enrollment for the student's car and mileage for students who commute 400+ miles per week and/or who incur expenses related to rotation assignments. The cost of attendance cannot be increased to cover the cost of consumer debt (i.e. credit card payments, automobile payments). To request a copy of the Appeal for Budget Adjustment form, contact the Financial Aid Office.
What are my rights and responsibilities as a student?
You have the right to know:
  • The cost of attendance.
  • The refund policy for students who withdraw.
  • What financial assistance is available from federal, state, and institutional sources.
  • Procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid.
  • How financial aid recipients are selected.
  • How your eligibility was determined, including all resources the aid office considered available to you.
  • An explanation of each type of award you receive and how and when funds will be disbursed to you.
  • For any student loan you receive: the interest rate, total amount you must repay, when your repayment begins, the length of your repayment period, and the cancellation or deferment provisions of your loan.
  • For any Federal Work-Study job: a description of the job, the hours you must work, the rate of pay, and how and when you will be paid.
  • The satisfactory academic progress policy.
  • How to appeal a decision by the Office of Financial Aid concerning your aid award.
  • Campus crime statistics (See Annual Security Report and Statement of Campus Security Policy)
It is your responsibility to:
  • Read directions thoroughly, complete all application forms accurately, and to comply with any deadlines.
  • Provide any supplemental information or documentation required by the Office of Financial Aid or other agency if applicable.
  • Read, understand, and keep copies of any forms you are required to sign.
  • Repay any student loans you may receive.
  • Complete an entrance interview and an exit interview if you receive federal, state, or Emory University loans while in attendance at Emory.
  • Notify the Office of Financial Aid of any change in your enrollment status or financial status (including any scholarships or grants received from outside sources). Changes of address and enrollment status must also be reported to your lender if you have a loan.
  • Satisfactorily perform the work agreed upon in a Federal Work-Study job.
  • Know and comply with all requirements for continuation of financial aid, including satisfactory academic progress requirements.
What is OPUS and how does it work?
The Online Pathway to University Students is Emory's web-based student information system by which students register for classes, check the status of their financial aid, view their student account, and update their addresses. A student must have an OPUS ID in order to access his/her information. Contact OPUS Help to get additional information relating to OPUS access.
How can I find out the status of my aid application?
You can monitor the status of your aid application through OPUS. Your To Do List will indicate any outstanding items needed by our office. We cannot determine your final eligibility for financial aid until all required documents have been submitted.
After I have completed the aid application process, how will I be notified of my aid package?
Once you have been awarded, you will be sent an email to your Emory email address informing you that your awards may be viewed and accepted online via OPUS. Acceptance of your Direct Stafford loans is required before the loans can be processed. When accepting a loan, be sure to accept the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan before accepting the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and/or the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan. Further instructions can be found under the Financing link for your specific career.
How will my award letter be delivered?
Your award letter will be delivered electronically on OPUS. You will receive an email at your Emory email address advising you when your financial aid award is available on OPUS.
My Student Aid Report (SAR) isn't accurate. Do I need to correct it?
Yes, you should review your SAR and make corrections as necessary. If you need to make corrections to the SAR, you can make them online under Make Corrections To a Processed FAFSA at FAFSA on the Web.
How do I add Emory to my Student Aid Report (SAR)?
If Emory was not listed, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID. Emory's school code is 001564.
How do I get a PIN?
You can register online for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) The PIN is an electronic access code that serves as your identifier with the federal processor. The PIN allows you to apply online for federal aid, "sign" your application electronically, make corrections to your FAFSA and access your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Are the PROFILE & FAFSA required to apply for the courtesy scholarship?
No, only the courtesy application is needed.
How are the financial aid process and my aid package affected if I enroll in a dual-degree program?
As soon as you begin to consider enrolling in an integrated dual-degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised. Admission representatives from your school as well as Financial Aid staff members are available to help explain program costs, the financial aid process, funding options, and how to apply for financial aid. You are advised to check the "How To Apply" section of the Financial Aid website for filing requirements of both programs that are part of your dual-degree track. Required documents and application deadlines are sometimes different depending on which degrees you are pursuing. In addition, your aid package may vary depending on the aid awarding policy and funding resources of the different schools you are enrolled in each term.
What is IRS Data Retrieval?
It is an easier, faster way to provide tax information for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you complete the FAFSA after Jan. 30, 2012 you will be prompted to enter your PIN and link to the IRS web site. The retrieval process will display your tax information and allow you to transfer it to your FAFSA. Our office encourages everyone to retrieve their tax data if you and your parent(s), if applicable, have filed your 2011 tax return(s) prior to completing the FAFSA. Students/families that do not use the IRS Data Retrieval process may be required to submit an IRS tax transcript directly from the IRS to complete the federal verification process.
How will Financial Aid contact me throughout the year?
Please keep in mind our primary means of communicating with you throughout the year is to the email address marked as preferred in OPUS. In addition, it is also very important that we have your correct mailing address. Email and mailing addresses can be updated and reviewed on OPUS under your Personal Information.
How do I contact the Office of Financial Aid?
Address: 200 Dowman Drive, Boisfeuillet Jones Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Phone: (404) 727-6039 Fax: (404) 727-6709
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Advisors are available to see students from 9:00am - 12:00pm and from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.
Staff may be contacted at above phone number or via email.
When will I receive a bill?
Please consult Student Financial Services for information on their billing schedule. Student Financial Services can also be reached at (404)727-6095.
May I use a credit card to pay my charges?
Please visit the Student Financial Services website for information regarding payments.
Are there banks on campus?
SunTrust and Wells Fargo are immediately adjacent to the main campus. The Emory Alliance Credit Union and ATM machines are located on campus as well.
When will aid be credited to my student account?
Before aid will credit to your account, you must have no outstanding Financial Aid To Do items on OPUS and you must be enrolled. Federal regulation allows disbursement of funds to begin 10 days from the official start of term as decided by the University's Board of Trustees. The actual start date of courses for each program may vary from the official University calendar.
Why has Emory provided me with a form 1098T?
If you (or your dependent) paid qualified expenses during the last tax year for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent to enroll in or attend an eligible educational institution, you may be able to take an education tax credit. The University cannot provide tax advice concerning income taxes. Please contact a tax professional or the IRS for any tax questions. For more information, please visit the IRS Web site at: www.irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040. Learn more about 1098T & 1098E processing at Emory University.
How can I obtain a copy of my 1098T and 1098E?
Student Financial Services will mail a 1098T form (tuition payments) and 1098E form (student loan interest) to all students who have paid tuition or student loan interest. For further information regarding 1098T and 1098E processing, please visit the Student Financial Services website.
What is a Direct Stafford Loan?
The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is a loan made by the U.S. Department of Education.
What is the difference between the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan?
Direct Subsidized Stafford - federal loan with interest paid by the government while you are in school at least half-time. Beginning with the 2012-13 aid year, this loan is for undergraduates only and has been discontinued for graduate students.
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford - federal loan with interest accruing while you are in school. You have the option of paying the interest or deferring it until after you begin repayment.
When does repayment begin on Federal Direct Stafford Loans?
Repayment of subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans begins six months from the date you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half-time. These six months are called a "grace period". The subsidized portion of your loan does not accrue interest during this time. There is no penalty for early repayment.
What is a Graduate Direct PLUS loan?
The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan may be an important funding source for students who need more loan funds than the Federal Direct Stafford Loan can provide. To qualify for a Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, degree-seeking and enrolled at least half-time. The Direct Graduate PLUS loan has a fixed interest rate of 7.9%. The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans are charged a fee by the federal government. This fee is 4.0%. In addition, there is a 1.5% interest rebate that is added back to the loan amount. The loan does require credit approval as defined by federal regulation. However, the credit criteria for the Graduate PLUS are less stringent than for private educational loans. Repayment begins 6 months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. This loan may be included in the Federal Consolidation Loan. More information and instructions can be found under the Financing link for your specific career.
What are private education loans?
There are a number of lenders who offer a private education loan to help students meet the remainder of the cost of attendance, not met with Federal Stafford Loan. In order to qualify, however, you must be able to pass a credit and/or debt-to-income check. These loans do not go into repayment until six to nine months after you cease to be enrolled. Interest does accrue on private education loans from the date of disbursement until the loan is paid in full. More information about lenders who offer private/alternative loans and the terms of the loans is available under Financing for your career on the Financial Aid website.
What do I need to know about private educational loans?
To receive a private educational loan, you must have a valid credit history as defined by the lender of the loan. Before applying for one of these loans, we recommend you order a credit history report, check it closely for accuracy, and resolve any erroneous information. The following agencies can provide you with a credit report:
Equifax Credit Information Services
(800) 685-1111
Experian
(888) 397-3742
TransUnion Corporation
(800) 888-4213
Can I have two Federal Work-Study jobs at the same time?
Students are allowed employment in only one Federal Work-Study (FWS) job at a time with one exception; a student may be employed in two FWS jobs if one of the positions is in the Emory Reads tutoring program (a division of the America Reads program). For more information on Emory Reads, please contact the Student Employment Office.
A student can be employed as a regular student worker (which is funded entirely by the hiring department) and as a Federal Work-Study student worker simultaneously.
How many hours can I work per week?
Federal Work-Study students are limited to working 20 hours per week during periods of enrollment and 40 hours per week during periods of non-enrollment, such as winter and spring breaks. For further clarification regarding periods of non-enrollment, please contact Student Employment at (404) 727-6039.
NOTE: Students who work over 20 hours per week (among all campus jobs) are subject to FICA (Social Security) taxes being deducted from his/her wages. Therefore, 20 hours per week is the maximum number of hours recommended for academic reasons as well as tax reasons.
May I change Federal Work-Study jobs during the academic year?
Yes, at any point during the academic year a student may change Federal Work-Study jobs. However, it is recommended that you give your employer at least two weeks notice to process all necessary paperwork. You must be properly terminated from your previous position prior to being hired into a new position. For accurate recordkeeping purposes, it is imperative that you advise your new employer that you have recently changed positions.
Are Federal Work-Study earnings taxable?
Yes, Federal Work-Study earnings are taxable income. Emory Human Resources provides each student employee with a W-2 form after the end of the calendar year, which can also be accessed online.
How will I receive my Federal Work-Study funds?
You must be hired for an Emory Federal Work-Study job and work to earn your award. You will earn the award by working and receiving biweekly paychecks paid directly to you from the Emory Payroll Department. The maximum you may earn during the academic year is the amount of your FWS award. The earnings you receive are intended to offset your living expenses as an Emory student. How you choose to use these funds is entirely at your discretion. You will earn FWS funds for your work at an hourly rate (ranging from $7.50-$9.00 per hour for undergraduates and from $11.00-$12.50 per hour for graduate students).
What happens when I reach my Federal Work-Study award maximum?
Your department should notify you when you reach your award maximum. The department has the option of either continuing your assignment and paying you 100% from its departmental budget or ending your assignment altogether. If funding permits, most departments will make every attempt to continue your assignment.