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US Citizens Financial Aid
Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens is administered by the Heinz College Financial Aid Office in Pittsburgh.
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Apply for US Federal Financial Aid Student Account Refunds (for federal loan borrowers) |
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Our Staff |
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David Eber, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Catherine Demchak, Associate Director of Financial Aid Julie Glaser, Financial Aid Coordinator Contact Us: Heinz College,Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue, Hamburg Hall 1119 Pittsburgh, Pa 15213-3890 Phone: 412-268-4162 Fax: 412-268-7036 Email: hzfinaid@andrew.cmu.edu |
Student Expenses
Tuition and Estimated Cost of Attendance for Calculating US Federal Loan Eligibility beginning January 2011:
US federal financial loan eligibility is determined based on the Heinz College estimated cost of attendance less Heinz scholarships and financial aid from other sources. When we calculate a student's federal loan eligibility, we convert tuition and scholarshps to US dollars using a conversion rate of .988228 for the sole purpose of determining loan eligibility, which is always calculated in US dollars. The conversion rate is updated periodically. When US federal loans are disbursed to the student account, they are converted from US dollars to Australian dollars using the actual conversion rate in effect at the time of disbursement. Allowable costs included in the estimated cost of attendance are tuition, books and supplies, room and board, health insurance (medical), transportation, estimated loan fees and miscellaneous expenses. Allowable childcare costs may be added to the cost of attendance, if applicable. Please note that adjustments to financial aid occur when the student enrolls in a different number of units than the number of units originally used to calculate financial aid eligibility.
TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
· Adelaide MSIT
· Adelaide to Pittsburgh Exchange Program
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Program |
Tuition Rate in Australian Dollars |
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Adelaide MSIT |
$454.32 per unit ($472.50 per unit for cohorts beginning after 8/1/2011) |
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Adelaide to Pittsburgh Exchange |
$454.32 per unit ($472.50 per unit for cohorts beginning after 8/1/2011) |
TUITION AND SCHOLARSHIPS
· Pittsburgh to Adelaide Exchange Program
Tuition, scholarships, and all student account entries post to your university student account in US dollars and do not convert to Australian dollars. Tuition is charged on a semester basis when enrolled for 36 or more units. Scholarships for the Pittsburgh to Adelaide exchange program are flat rate.
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Program |
Tuition Rate |
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Pittsburgh to Adelaide Exchange |
$19,448 US dollars per semester for enrollment of 36 or more units |
OTHER ESTIMATED COSTS FOR FULL TIME STUDENTS:
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Item |
Estimated Amount in US Dollars |
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Books & Supplies |
$356 per semester |
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Room and Board |
$5,936 per semester |
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Required Overseas Student Health Coverage |
$388 per semester |
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Transportation |
$324 per semester |
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Miscellaneous |
$750 per semester |
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| Estimated Loan Fees | $184 per semester |
Federal regulations govern which items must be included in the estimated cost of attendance. The above items are based on federal requirements. Individual borrowers may request additions to the cost of attendance for calculating US federal loan eligibility by contacting the Heinz Pittsburgh Financial Aid Office. Allowable additions to the cost of attendance may include education-related travel between the US and Australia, additional health insurance, the cost to purchase a computer for school use and other education-related expenses due to unusual circumstances that are not the result of a lifestyle choice. When an additional expense request is made, the Heinz Pittsburgh Financial Aid Office determines whether there is additional loan eligibility and advises the student.
If students borrow in excess of student account charges, they generally receive a student account refund in the same currency in which their tuition is charged. Students may make a request to have their student account refunds converted and paid in the currency of their choice (US dollars or Australian dollars). The conversion rate used to calculate refunds to another currency is the conversion rate in effect at the time of the refund.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
Scholarships for students whose home school is Heinz Australia are awarded as a percentage of tuition at the time of admission and are based on the number of enrolled units. Scholarships for Adelaide exchange students whose home school is Heinz Pittsburgh are awarded scholarships as a flat rate. Typically, scholarships or scholarship percentages offered by Heinz College are renewable for subsequent semesters of enrollment however; any scholarship or fellowship offered may be reduced or rescinded for any of the following reasons:
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Changing the academic program of study
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A difference in the number of enrolled units originally used to calculate eligibility
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Extending the normal program length
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Deferment of offer of admission
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Failure to make satisfactory academic progress
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Financial aid overaward*
SCHOLARSHIP DISBURSEMENT
Tuition and scholarships post to student accounts on a mini-semester basis after each add/drop period at the Heinz Australia campus. Also note that for purposes of calculating your financial aid eligibility in US dollars, scholarship amounts in your financial aid award letter are converted from Australian dollars to US dollars using a .988228 conversion rate. The conversion rate used to calculate US federal financial aid eligibility is updated periodically throughout the year.
*Total scholarship from all sources generally may not exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Total financial aid from all sources must not exceed the total cost of attendance.
STUDENT LOANS
Federal Loan Eligibility
U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens may apply for federal student loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program (DL) . Students need to be enrolled on at least a half time basis (18 units or more) as a regular degree-seeking student. Continuing students must meet the academic progress guidelines of their program of study to be eligible for any type of federal financial aid.
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct Graduate Student PLUS loan
Code of Conduct
Addison H. Gibson Foundation Loan Trust
Alternative (non-federal) Loan Lenders
Ombudsman Information
Federal Perkins Loans
The Perkins Loan program is a federal loan program that provides low interest (5%) loans to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. No interest accrues on the loan while the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis, during the nine month grace period, and during periods of deferment. Repayment begins nine months after the student graduates or is no longer enrolled on at least a half time basis. Perkins loans are administered through Heinz College and funds are limited; highest consideration is given to applicants who complete the financial aid application process by the suggested deadline. A separate loan application is not required but students must complete a Perkins Loan Promissory Note and Federal Perkins Loan Entrance Counseling (separate from Federal Direct Loan Promissory Notes and Entrance Counseling).
Carnegie Mellon University's HUB contacts students who have been awarded Perkins loans prior to the start of the semester in which they are receiving their first Perkins loan at Heinz College to request that borrowers sign the Perkins Loan Promissory Note and complete Perkins Loan Entrance Counseling via our Perkins Loan servicer website, ECSI.net. Students generally are able to access these documents shortly before the start of their first semester as a Perkins borrower. Continuing students must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements in order to be eligible for federal Perkins Loans.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a need-based, federally subsidized loan that enables eligible graduate students to borrow a maximum of $8,500 every two semesters. Interest is paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled on at least a half time basis in an eligible program, during the six month grace period, and during periods of deferment. New Federal Direct Subsidized Loans have a fixed interest rate of 6.8 % for the life of the loan; a loan origination fee is deducted at disbursement. The loan term may be either one or two semesters in length. When borrowing a two-semester loan, students receive half of the total loan amount less appropriate loan fees each semester. Repayment of principal and interest begins six months after the borrower graduates or six months after the borrower drops below half time status (18 units). Continuing students must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements of their program of study in order to be eligible for any type of federal financial aid.
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Interest Rate |
Loan Origination Fee |
Repayment Incentives |
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fixed interest rate of 6.8% |
1% |
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Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is similar to the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan, except the interest for the unsubsidized loan is not paid by the federal government during in-school, grace, and deferment periods. Borrowers may make quarterly interest payments or have the interest capitalized at the time of repayment. Eligible graduate students may borrow a combined maximum total of $20,500 every two semesters from the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan programs. The interest rate, loan term, academic progress requirements and repayment information is the same as stated above for the subsidized loan.
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Interest Rate |
Loan Origination Fee |
Repayment Incentive |
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fixed interest rate of 6.8% |
1% |
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Federal Direct Graduate Student PLUS Loans
The Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan allows eligible students to borrow up to the published cost of attendance less financial aid from all other sources. Borrowers are required to pass a basic credit test; the credit decision is valid for a 90-day period. Students who are denied the loan because of adverse credit history, may obtain an endorser. The interest rate is fixed at 7.9%, which begins accruing upon disbursement.
Borrowers are charged an origination fee, which is deducted from the loan amount at disbursement. The loan term may be one or more semesters in length and the loan disburses equally for each semester included in the loan period. Repayment begins when the loan is fully disbursed, however if the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis, the loan enters in-school deferment status until the student graduates or drops below half-time status.
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Interest Rate |
Loan Origination Fee |
Repayment Incentive |
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fixed interest rate of 7.9% |
4% |
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The Addison H. Gibson Foundation Loan Trust (For long-term PA residents)
The Addison H. Gibson Foundation provides low interest education loans to long term (approx. 10 year) PA residents who are U.S. citizens and in their second year (or 3rd semester) of their graduate program.
Alternative Education Loans
Alternative (non-federal) loans are loans extended to students by private lending institutions on the basis of creditworthiness. A cosigner is required in some cases.
Students may choose any participating lender for their education loans.
Carnegie Mellon’s recommended Alternative (non-federal) Loan lenders: www.cmu.edu/finaid/loans/private.html
Carnegie Mellon’s Lender Relationship Code of Conduct
Ombudsman Information
If you have a problem with your loans that you believe has not been fully resolved by the Heinz College Financial Aid Office, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid Ombudsman. The OSFA Ombudsman will informally investigate borrowers' complaints. Although they do not have the authority to reverse decisions, they can offer solutions and can work to bring about changes to prevent future problems.
Office of Student Financial Aid Ombudsman General Contact Information:
U.S. Department of Education
FSA Ombudsman
830 First Street, NEFourth Floor
Washington, DC 20202-5144
Web site: http://www.fsahelp.ed.gov/about/contactus.html
Telephone: 1-877-557-2575
Apply for US Federal Financial Aid
We suggest completing your federal income tax return before filing your financial aid forms to avoid processing delays.
The following deadlines are suggested for optimal consideration for the types of financial aid that have limited funds available. If you want to apply for financial aid and do not meet the suggested deadlines, you may still submit your financial aid application materials after these dates.
March 1: Deadline to submit FAFSA to the federal processor using federal code E00073.
March 1: Deadline to submit Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
June 1: Deadline to submit required federal entrance counseling for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and Direct Grad Plus loans. (May be completed prior to receiving your award letter.)
June 1: Deadline to submit the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Master Promissory Note to the U. S. Department of Education. (May be completed prior to receiving your award letter.)
June 1: Deadline to submit the Federal Direct Grad Plus loan application to the U. S. Department of Education. (Completed after receiving your award letter.)
June 1: Deadline to submit the Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan Master Promissory Note to the U. S. Department of Education. (Completed after receiving your award letter.)
Heinz College Financial Aid Application
Federal Perkins Loan Application
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Application
Federal Direct Graduate Student Plus Loan Application
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus Loan Entrance Counseling
Heinz College Financial Aid Application
In order to be considered for federal financial aid, please submit The Heinz College Financial Aid Application. Some types of financial aid are limited, so it's best to submit this form to the Financial Aid Office by the above suggested deadline.
Which Financial Aid Application to submit:
- New Students BEGINNING in January 2011: Complete 2010-2011 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- New Students BEGINNING in May 2011, August 2011, or January 2012: Complete 2011-2012 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2011: Complete 2010-2011 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- Students CONTINUING BUT NOT GRADUATING in August 2011: Complete 2011-2012 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2012: Complete 2011-2012 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be submitted to the federal processor as early as possible after Jan 1, but not before you file your federal income tax return. The FAFSA will be used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid, including work study, Perkins loans and/or Stafford loans.
You may file this application electronically. The electronic process has prompts that are easy to follow and the system will edit your application for errors. If you're unable to file your FAFSA electronically, request the paper application by contacting the Heinz College Financial Aid Office. If you file your FAFSA electronically, use your U.S. Department of Education PIN to sign your FAFSA.
Please note: You must list Carnegie Mellon University - Heinz College code (E00073) on the FAFSA.
Which FAFSA to submit:
- New Students BEGINNING in January 2011: Complete 2010-2011 FAFSA.
- New Students BEGINNING in May 2011, August 2011, or January 2012: Complete 2010-2012 FAFSA.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2011: Complete 2010-2011 FAFSA.
- Students CONTINUING BUT NOT GRADUATING in August 2011: Complete 2011-2012 FAFSA.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2011: Complete 2011-2012 FAFSA.
SAR
Within a few weeks of submitting your FAFSA to the federal processor, review and print your Student Aid Report (SAR).
- 3-5 days after submission - if you used a PIN to sign your application or
- 7-10 days after submission - if you printed, signed and mailed a signature page.
Make any changes online using your U.S. Department of Education PIN. The Financial Aid Office will receive your FAFSA data electronically.
Verification
If you're selected for a process called "verification," it is noted on your SAR. In this case, you are required to submit to Heinz College a signed copy of your federal income tax return (and a signed copy of your spouse's federal income tax return if you are married), copies of all W-2 Wage and Tax statements used to complete your tax return and a completed Verification Worksheet for the year that corresponds with the FAFSA. All required and requested documents must be submitted prior to disbursement of federal aid.
2010-2011 Verification Worksheet
Heinz College has the right to request any documentation it determines necessary to verify information provided on the FAFSA and/or financial aid other application materials. Failure to submit requested documents within the award year will result in a decision to deny federal aid. If your financial aid awards change as a result of the verification process, the school notifies you in writing within 30 days of the award change.
Financial Aid Award Letter
Once your financial aid package has been determined, a Financial Aid Award Letter is mailed to you. The award letter lists all financial aid for which you are eligible. It is not necessary to return this letter unless you want to reduce or deny any of the financial aid offered. In this case, you're asked to indicate on the award letter the financial aid you wish to accept and to sign, date and return the award letter to us. If you do not return the award letter, Heinz College originates your federal loan(s) for the maximum loan amount(s) listed on the letter provided you have submitted all the necessary application materials.
Federal Perkins Loan Application
The Federal Perkins Loan interest rate is fixed at 5%. To accept this award, first time Perkins borrowers at Heinz must electronically sign a master promissory note and complete electronic federal Perkins loan entrance counseling. Carnegie Mellon University's HUB contacts students who have been awarded Perkins loans prior to the start of the semester in which they are receiving their first Perkins Loan at Heinz College to request that students sign the Perkins Loan Promissory Note and complete Perkins Loan Entrance Counseling via our Perkins Loan servicer website, www.ecsi.net. Students are able to access these documents shortly before the start of their first semester as a Perkins borrower.
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Application*
The Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. Direct subsidized/unsubsidized loan borrowers are required to submit a Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a multi-year loan application. You may submit a Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan MPN via www.studentloans.gov. You need to have your U. S. Department of Education PIN (FAFSA PIN) in order to submit an e-MPN.
Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan Application*
The Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan interest rate is fixed at 7.9%. If a Grad Plus Loan is offered in your award letter, you may apply by completing both a Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan Application and Master Promissory Note. Unlike other federal loan programs, the Grad Plus Loan program requires students to pass a basic credit test in order to qualify for the loan offered in the award letter. The credit check is valid for a 90-day period, after which a new application is required for any loan changes. You may submit a Grad Plus Loan Application/Promissory Note via www.studentloans.gov after June 1st. You need to have your U. S. Department of Education PIN (FAFSA PIN) in order to submit an online Grad Plus Loan Application/Promissory Note.
*Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan Entrance Counseling:
Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and/or Grad Plus Entrance Counseling is required for all Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and/or Grad Plus Loan borrowers prior to loan disbursement. Please complete your required Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and/or Direct Grad Plus entrance counseling via www.studentloans.gov. Click on "Entrance & Exit Counseling" and log in using your U. S. Department of Education PIN (FAFSA PIN).
Loan Approval
After you have submitted your completed forms and the school has determined your loan eligibility, the school origiates your loans with the U. S. Department of Education and schedules equal disbursements to occur just before the start of each semester covered by the loan. The U. S. Department of Education sends a loan disclosure statement to you on or before the first disbursement date, one for each loan type. Please feel free to contact the Heinz College Financial Aid Office if you have any questions about your loan approval.
Right to Cancel
Please note that you have the right to cancel all or part of your federal loan(s) within 30 days of the start of the enrollment period for which the loan is intended or 30 days from the date the school notifies you of receipt of the loan funds. To cancel, call or write the Heinz College Financial Aid Office.
Loan Disbursement
When you receive an invoice from Carnegie Mellon University or when you view your student account through Student Information Online (once you have been assigned an andrew ID and password by Carnegie Mellon University) you may find that your loan amount does not show as a credit on your student account. This is because loan disbursements do not appear on the student account until the loan funds actually disburse to the University. If your funds arrive via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), your loans credit directly to your student account, generally during the first week or so of classes. Loan disbursements are disbursed by the lenders in US dollars and then converted to Australian dollars by the University when posting to the student account using the actual currency conversion rate that is in effect at the time of posting to the student account. Keep in mind that loans covering two semesters are disbursed in two equal payments, one at the beginning of each semester of enrollment for which the loan is intended. Applicable loan fees of up to 4% are deducted before disbursement to your student account. If your lender does not participate in EFT with Carnegie Mellon, paper checks are mailed to the Pittsburgh campus and the Heinz Pittsburgh Financial Aid Office contacts the student to make arrangements for getting the loan checks endorsed by the student before posting to the student account. All of the above lenders disburse to Carnegie Mellon University via EFT. For more information about Carnegie Mellon billing, visit http://www.cmu.edu/hub.
Student Account Refunds (for federal loan borrowers)
Student account refunds for US federal loan borrowers whose home school is Heinz Australia are processed via wire transfer by the Heinz Pittsburgh Financial Aid Office. Students who have a credit balance on their student account, which may be viewed via Student Information Online (once you have been assigned an andrew ID and password by Carnegie Mellon University), may request a refund by submitting a Wire Transfer Request Form to:
- The Heinz College Financial Aid Office in Pittsburgh, fax # 412-268-7036 (US federal loan borrowers only)
- It is important for the student to indicate on the form whether the refund is to be disbursed in US dollars or Australian dollars. Also, please verify with your bank whether they are able to accept the transfer in your chosen currency type.
- Please note that the $25 processing fee indicated on the wire transfer form is waived.
Upon the school’s receipt of the Wire Transfer Request Form, a student account refund is calculated and disbursed via wire transfer to the student’s bank account indicated on the form. This process may take up to 10 business days. A separate Wire Transfer Request Form is required for each refund request.
Questions about student account refunds for US federal loan borrowers should be emailed to hzfinaid@andrew.cmu.edu.
US Tax Benefits for Education
Am I eligible for a tax benefit for education?
Is my Scholarship or Stipend taxable?
Is my student loan interest tax deductable?