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Home>Australia>Public Policy Management (MSPPM)>Costs & Financial Aid>US Citizens Financial Aid
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 TMS (Tuition Management Systems) Payment Plan Student Account Refunds (for federal loan borrowers)
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Contact Us: Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue, Hamburg Hall 1119 Pittsburgh, Pa 15213-3890 Phone: 412-268-4162/412-268-4162 Fax: 412-268-7036 Email: hzfinaid@andrew.cmu.edu |
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Our Staff |
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Elizabeth Casale, Director Catherine Demchak, Assistant Director Julie Glaser, Financial Aid Coordinator |
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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are renewable for subsequent semesters of enrollment however; any scholarship or fellowship offered may be reduced or rescinded for any of the following reasons:
- Changing the academic program of study
- A difference in the number of enrolled units originally used to calculate eligibility
- Extending the normal program length
- Deferment of offer of admission
- Failure to make satisfactory academic progress
- 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 .903253 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 and eligible non-citizens may apply for US federal student loans. 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 Subsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Addison H. Gibson Foundation Loan Trust
Alternative (non-federal) Loan Lenders
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. Maximum annual eligibility is $8,000 US dollars, based on availability of funds. 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 the Heinz College and funds are limited; highest consideration is given to applicants who complete the financial aid application process by the suggested deadline. To accept this award, the student must electronically sign a master promissory note and complete Perkins Loan federal loan counseling at the beginning of the first semester in which they receive a Perkins loan at Heinz College. Continuing students must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements to be eligible for federal Perkins loans.
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
The Stafford loan program is a need-based, federally subsidized program that enables eligible graduate students to borrow a maximum of $8,500 US dollars every two semesters. Interest is subsidized by the federal government while the student is enrolled on at least a half time basis, during the six month grace period, and during periods of deferment. New federal Stafford loans have a fixed interest rate of 6.8 % for the life of the loan; loan origination and federal default fees of up to 4% may be deducted from the loan proceeds. The loan term can 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 to be eligible for any type of federal financial aid.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
The unsubsidized Stafford loan is similar to the subsidized Stafford loan, except the interest for the unsubsidized Stafford loan is not paid by the federal government. 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 US dollars every two semesters from the subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loan programs. The interest rate, fees, loan term, academic progress requirements and repayment information is the same as stated above for the subsidized loan.
Graduate Student PLUS Loans
The graduate student PLUS Loan allows eligible students to borrow up to the Heinz College cost of attendance less financial aid from all other sources. PLUS loan borrowers are required to pass a basic credit test. Students who are denied the loan because of adverse credit history, may obtain an endorser. The PLUS loan interest rate is fixed at 8.5%, which begins accruing upon disbursement.
Borrowers are charged a 3% origination fee and, in some cases, a 1% federal default fee. The fees are deducted from the loan amount before 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.
Carnegie Mellon University Federal and Private Loans and Lender Relationships Code of Conduct
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 loans are loans extended to students by private lending institutions on the basis of creditworthiness. Applications are available through many banks and lenders; the college, in most cases, must certify your eligibility. A cosigner is required in some cases.
Alternative (Non-federal) Loan Lenders
| LENDER | LOAN NAME | WHERE TO APPLY |
| SALLIE MAE | SMART OPTION LOAN | VIEW DETAILS AND APPLY |
| WELLS FARGO | WELLS FARGO GRADUATE LOAN | VIEW DETAILS AND APPLY |
| CHASE | CHASE SELECT LOAN | VIEW DETAILS AND APPLY |
| CITIBANK | CITIASSIST LOAN | VIEW DETAILS AND APPLY |
| CITIZENS BANK | TRUFIT STUDENT LOAN | VIEW DETAILS AND APPLY |
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, NE
Fourth 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 US 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.
March 1: Deadline to submit Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
May 1: Deadline to submit Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note to your lender. (May be completed prior to receiving your award letter.)
May 1: Deadline to submit required federal entrance counseling for Stafford and Graduate Student PLUS loans. (May be completed prior to receiving your award letter.)
May 1: Deadline to submit Graduate Student PLUS loan MPN to your lender. (Completed after receiving your award letter.)
Heinz College Financial Aid Application
Graduate Student PLUS Loan Application
Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling
Federal Stafford and Graduate Student PLUS Loan Lenders
Heinz College Financial Aid Application
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 2010: Complete 2009-2010 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- New Students BEGINNING in May 2010, August 2010, or January 2011: Complete 2010-2011 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2010: Complete 2009-2010 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- Students CONTINUING BUT NOT GRADUATING in August 2010: Complete 2010-2011 Heinz College Financial Aid Application.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2010: Complete 2009-2010 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 2010: Complete 2009-2010 FAFSA.
- New Students BEGINNING in May 2010, August 2010, or January 2011: Complete 2010-2011 FAFSA.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2010: Complete 2009-2010 FAFSA.
- Students CONTINUING BUT NOT GRADUATING in August 2010: Complete 2010-2011 FAFSA.
- Students GRADUATING in August 2010: Complete 2009-2010 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 prior to disbursement of federal aid.
- 2009-2010 Verification Worksheet
- 2010-2011 Verification Worksheet (not yet available)
The College has the right to request any documentation it determines necessary to verify information provided on the FAFSA and/or other application materials. Failure to submit requested documents within the award year will result in a decision to deny federal aid. If your award changes as a result of the verification process, the school will notify 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 sent 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 certifies your federal loan(s) for the maximum loan amount(s) listed on the letter.
Stafford Loan Application*
Stafford loan borrowers are required to submit a Stafford Master Promissory Note (MPN). The Stafford MPN is a multi-year loan application. If you have submitted a Stafford MPN in a prior semester, even if you have attended a different school, it is not necessary to complete another one unless that MPN has expired or you have chosen a new lender. You may submit an online Stafford MPN by clicking on one of the lender links below OR on the AES website using your US Department of Education PIN . If choosing a lender not listed here or on the AES site, please submit your completed paper MPN to the Heinz College Financial Aid Office.
Graduate Student PLUS Loan Application*
If a Graduate Student PLUS Loan is offered in your award letter, you may apply for the loan online by clicking on one of the lender links below OR on the AES website using your US Department of Education PIN. The Grad PLUS Loan application in NOT a multi-year note. Students must submit a new promissory note every time they apply for a Grad PLUS loan. If choosing a lender not listed here or on the AES website, please submit your completed paper Grad PLUS Promissory Note to the Heinz College Financial Aid Office.
*ENTRANCE COUNSELING: Students who are borrowing Stafford and/or Plus loans must complete federal loan entrance counseling the first time they borrow while attending Heinz College. Entrance counseling must be completed prior to the school certifying the loan. If the lender you select is not listed below, please complete your federal entrance counseling requirement through American Education Services (AES). If you do not have access to a computer, please contact the financial aid office to make other arrangements.
Federal Stafford & Graduate Student PLUS Lenders
Although student borrowers may choose any participating lender for their education loans, the Heinz College has developed the following rotating alphabetical listing of lenders for students who want assistance in selecting a lender. The Federal Stafford Loan and Federal Grad PLUS Loan lenders were selected through a “Request for Information” (RFI) process asking lenders to provide details about their affiliates, their customer service standards and history, and their financial benefits to students. A separate RFI process was used to collect information about (non-federal) education loans.
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LENDER |
LENDER CODE |
WHERE TO APPLY |
WHERE TO COMPLETE REQUIRED FEDERAL ENTRANCE COUNSELING |
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SALLIE MAE |
802218 |
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CHASE |
811571KB |
Included in the application process |
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CITIBANK |
808942 |
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CITIZENS |
833880KB |
Included in the application process |
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PNC |
809921KB |
Included in the application process |
Loan Approval
After you have submitted your completed forms and the school has determined your loan eligibility, the school certifies your federal Stafford and/or PLUS loan(s) and sends you a loan certification confirmation letter. Part-time students must be enrolled for at least 18 units before loan certification. Shortly after loan certification you should receive a loan approval and disclosure statement(s) from your lender, one for each type of loan borrowed. Please feel free to contact the Heinz College Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
Right to Cancel
Please note that you have the right to cancel all or part of your federal Stafford and/or PLUS 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.
TMS (Tuition Management Systems) Payment Plan
The TMS Payment Plan is a monthly payment plan which may be used as an alternative to borrowing. Participants pay an annual enrollment fee. The plan enables participants to pay for Fall and Spring tuition charges over a 10-month period and is open to all Carnegie Mellon students. The plan is not available for the Summer semester.
To enroll, please contact one of the TMS Education Payment Counselors at 1-800-722-4867, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). Click here for more information.