The Student Financial Aid Office is available to assist students in
obtaining funds to attend the university. Aid is available in the form
of loans, grants, and part time employment or any combination of those
programs. Limited numbers of scholarships are available. The total amount
of aid the student receives depends on the level of financial need,
submission of appropriate financial information and applications, academic
records, and the availability of funds.
Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office to obtain
appropriate application materials and to determine eligibility for the
various forms of aid available. The Financial Aid Office is located
in the lower level of the McDermott Library, (972)883- 2941. Students
may also apply for financial aid, check the status of their application,
or contact the Financial Aid Office through our website at http://financial-aid.utdallas.edu/.
Information concerning student financial aid is accurate at the time
of printing. Changes in regulations or policy on a federal, state, university,
private lending, or donor level could affect the types of programs and
amounts available, and/or program requirements.
Eligibility
Most of the aid listed in this catalog is awarded on the basis of
financial need. Students are encouraged to determine the amount of
resources that they can provide toward their education and to compare
it with the average cost of attending the university. Student budgets
are reviewed annually in accordance with federal and state guidelines.
Federal guidelines outline what can be included in student budgets.
The costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies, an average room
and board cost, in city transportation, and a limited amount for other
personal expenses are the basic components of student budgets. When
documentation is presented, the cost of childcare and costs of the
student’s out-of-pocket expenses related to the student’s
medical disability can also be included.
Financial need is the difference between the costs of attending the
university and the amount a student and/or family can reasonably provide.
The amount of the expected family contribution is based on federal
guidelines reflecting total family income, assets, and number of dependent
children currently attending post secondary educational institutions.
Family contribution is expected unless it is clearly established that
the student is independent of any family support.
In determining whether a student is considered independent or self
supporting, the Financial Aid Office adheres to the standards set
by the Department of Education to establish applicant’s dependency
status. Students 24 years or older are considered financially independent.
Students under the age of 24 are considered financially dependent
unless they are orphans, wards of the court, veterans, graduate students,
married, or unmarried but with legal dependents. Both self supporting
and dependent students must submit a Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) form in order that a determination can be made
of the expected resources available to the applicants.
Renewal of Financial Aid
For a student to be considered for a renewal of financial aid, a
new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and supporting
documents must be submitted for each academic year. The FAFSA for
the new academic year is available on January 1st of the calendar
year for that particular upcoming fall. The awarding of renewal aid
is subject to the same considerations used in awarding all previous
financial assistance.
Required Course Load
The course load requirement for students receiving each type of
aid is at least one half the normal course load. Aid recipients should
not reduce their course loads below the qualifying minimum hours as
it may affect receiving financial assistance at a later date. Undergraduate
students must maintain no fewer than 6 credit hours for each term
of enrollment. There is no distinction between a regular, long semester
and a short summer term when determining the required course load.
Students should contact the Financial Aid Office before they reduce
their course load to determine what effect the reduced course load
will have on current and future financial aid eligibility.
Revocation of Financial Aid
Financial aid packages are reviewed by the Financial Aid Office
and canceled if the student fails to maintain a satisfactory record
of academic progress, or to enroll for and maintain the minimum number
of course load hours. Aid packages may also be revoked because of
changes in financial status. Partial or full repayment of awards may
be required. In some instances, immediate repayment may be required.
Any change in a recipient’s financial situation, such as additional
scholarships, loans, or change in employment status, must be reported
to the Financial Aid Office, because compliance with federal regulations
may require a revision of awards.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for
Federal Financial Aid
The University of Texas at Dallas has a “Satisfactory Academic
Progress” policy for a student receiving federal student financial
assistance.
Generally, the student is expected to remain in good standing by
the satisfactory completion of a minimum number of credit hours, based
on a percentage of the credit hours attempted and completed for each
term of enrollment. This completion rate may vary depending on the
student’s academic level and credit hour load. In addition,
undergraduate students must maintain a GPA of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale)
or above on all course work completed at the university. For more
detailed information the student should contact the Financial Aid
office. This information is also available online at the Financial
Aid Office web site. A copy of the Satisfactory Academic Progress
policy is made available to all recipients of financial aid with their
award letter.
Selective Service
Male students between the ages of 18 and 26 must be registered with
Selective Service to qualify for Federal student loans or grant programs.
This includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal College Work Study, Federal
Stafford Student/Plus Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans. The Selective
Service requirement also applies to Texas student loans and grant
programs. Students may register with Selective Service by visiting
their local postal office or using the World Wide Web at http://www4.sss.gov/regver/Register1.asp.
Students wanting to verify their Selective Service registration may
do so through the World Wide Web at http://www4.sss.gov/regver/verify.asp.
