Financial Aid Announcements

Important 2010-2011 Federal Student Loan Information
Please make sure you check your Union email account for important information relating to the changes in the Federal Student Loan Program.  Anyone wanting to apply for a Federal Student Loan for 2010-2011 will be REQUIRED to complete a new Master Promissory Note (MPN).   Look for the details in your inbox.  You can also access the information on our website.

Have You Filed Your 2010-2011 FAFSA?
If you will be enrolled at Union Institute & University during the 2010-2011 academic year (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011), it’s time to file your 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA! Remember, the federal school code number for Union Institute & University is 010923.

Click here for great information from fastweb.com regarding common errors on the FAFSA!

File your 2010-2011 FAFSA online from the Union Institute & University Web site.

Scholarship, Grant, and Fellowship Database
We have compiled a large list of external scholarships, grants, and fellowships that are available to many master’s and doctoral learners at Union. This database is meant to serve as a reference tool to aid you in your search efforts. Union Institute & University does not endorse, nor claim affiliation with the following agencies in any way.

Please view the database here

New GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a new educational benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001.  The new Post-9/11 GI benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. Eligible veterans enrolled full-time are entitled to a tuition benefit, monthly housing allowance, and a yearly books and supplies stipend. The tuition benefit covers up to the highest in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher learning. The monthly housing allowance is based on military housing benefit rates and the location of the receiving institution. Active duty members, veterans enrolled half-time or less, and veterans enrolled in distance education programs are not eligible for the housing allowance. The maximum yearly books and supplies stipend is $1,000. For in-depth information on the NEW GI Bill visit www.GIBILL.va.gov.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The American Opportunity Credit is worth up to $2,500 of the cost of tuition and related expenses.  You can claim it on your 2009 and 2010 tax returns.  The credit amount starts phasing out if you make more than $80,000, or $160,000 if you're filing a joint return.  Even if you don't make enough money to file a return, file anyway because you may get up to $1,000 back.

And if you have a section 529 college savings plan, you can spend those funds on a computer that's used for college.

Additional information may be found by visiting www.irs.gov/recovery, or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

FAFSA4caster
The US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, has launched a new tool to help students and families pay for college called FAFSA4caster. The FAFSA4caster provides students with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal student financial assistance. Using FAFSA4caster you can (1) calculate your eligibility for federal financial aid and (2) help reduce the time it will take to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information on the FAFSA4caster visit www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a new public service loan forgiveness program. This program discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2008.

For more information or to obtain a Direct Consolidation loan go to http://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/ or call the US Department of Education at 1-800-557-7392 (TDD 1-800-557-7395).