Office of Financial Aid

"Funding Future"

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Graduate Allied Health: 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 determines whether or not I will receive need-based financial aid?
The primary factor is financial need. Financial need is computed by determining the educational costs (tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and a personal allowance) less family contribution (measure of your financial resources available to help pay for school).
Does more than one student in college at the same time increase the amount of need-based financial aid?
When there is more than one child in college simultaneously, enrolled at least half-time, your family contribution is divided among the college students. So, if there were two children in college one year, the family contribution is divided between the two. If there is only one the following year, 100% of the family contribution would be expected to be available for this one student.
Why does my award change each year?
At Emory, eligibility for financial aid is based on federal and institutional estimates of your family's ability to contribute to the cost of education on a yearly basis. A typical award may include grant, loan and work. Also, consistent with federal guidelines, students are asked to assume a larger proportion of their expenses as they move closer to graduation. Keep in mind that your award is likely to change each year for one or more of the following reasons:
  • You miss the priority deadlines.
  • A change in family income
  • A change in family assets
  • A change in the number of children in college
  • A change in enrollment
  • A change in the cost of education
  • Your loan amount may increase as you continue through school.
  • Availability of institutional funding
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.
Is financial aid available for international students?
Students must be citizens or eligible non-citizens of the United States to be eligible to receive federal aid and/or need-based financial aid from Emory. For additional information please see Citizen/Eligible Non-Citizen in our glossary and the How To Apply/International section for your academic career on the Financial Aid website.
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.
What are some of the mistakes people make in applying for financial aid?
Four of the most common are:
  • Late filing of the FAFSA or PROFILE or submitting tax documents late
  • Failing to read all instructions
  • Incomplete applications
  • Incorrect Social Security Numbers
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.
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.
How much cash will I need the first few weeks of school?
This amount will vary. If your financial aid award creates a credit balance on your account, you will receive a refund from Student Financial Services. However, it may not be available to you the first few weeks of school. Please anticipate you may need money for books, living expenses and other incidentals.
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
How can I find out about my credit history?
Since approval of some non-need-based student loans and most parent loans is based upon credit history, you may want to order a credit report if you will need these loans to finance part of your cost of education. Check the report closely for accuracy and resolve any erroneous information prior to applying for educational loans. 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.