Overview
The intent of Drew University 's financial assistance program is to provide assistance to eligible full- and part-time students on the basis of demonstrated financial need and academic achievement. Financial need is defined as the difference between the comprehensive cost of attending Drew and the student's ability to pay. Ability to pay is determined annually by using a nationally applied needs analysis system. Drew's comprehensive cost includes tuition, fees, room and board, textbooks, travel, and personal expenses.
Students seeking financial assistance should file for aid at the time of their application for admission. Students must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal student aid processor no later than February 15. The application may be filled out on-line at www.fafsa.org. A Drew Supplemental Form must also be completed and returned to the Office of Financial Assistance http://depts.drew.edu/finaid/faforms/. The Committee on Financial Assistance meets monthly beginning in mid-March to review completed applications for new students, and the FAFSA form and Drew Supplemental Form must have been filed before any aid can be awarded.
Financial aid is offered in a combination of grants (scholarships and other nonrepayable awards), loans (usually at lower than prevailing interest rates), and part-time employment (on and off campus). Each financial aid package is tailored to meet the specific needs of the recipient. The grant portion of the package can range from 20 to 100 percent of tuition.
One-half of a student's annual grant award and loan amount is credited to the student's account each semester. Those with federal work-study jobs or other campus employment receive regular paychecks for time worked. Work-study is NOT credited to the student's account.
Consequences of Noncompliance with Verification Deadlines. Federal regulations require aid administrators to verify selected financial aid applications by comparing reported data with income tax returns and other documentation. Federal aid awards cannot be credited to student accounts until verification is completed. Failure to provide the requested documentation within the specified time period may thus result in the following:
- Denial of financial aid for a semester or academic year;
- Drew's inability to process your future financial aid applications;
- Delay in forwarding of your financial aid application materials to the U.S. Department of Education for review.
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International Students
International students who qualify for financial aid will find resources limited. If a student is not an American citizen or permanent resident alien, he or she is not eligible to receive aid under any federal program. This includes the federally funded on-campus work-study program. The need-based grants made are restricted to assisting with tuition only. All other expenses associated with study at Drew, including room and board, books, fees, and personal expenses, must be borne by the student.
Because of the stringent financial reporting prerequisite by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) (formerly the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS]) to the granting of a visa for prospective students and their families, students are required to submit financial documentation, such as sponsor support forms, bank statements, or certifications from other outside funding sources to certify all funds are available to cover the cost of attendance at Drew for one calendar year. Part of these funds can include Drew scholarship assistance and on-campus employment if the student has been appointed to a job prior to arrival.
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Scholarships and Awards
Drew graduate scholarships are available to a number of students. The student's academic record determines the amount of scholarship awarded by the Office of Admissions. Scholarship awards range from 20 percent of tuition to full tuition plus stipend for full-time students. Please be aware that not all scholarships listed below are available to students in all programs.
Graduate Academic Merit Scholarships. These scholarships range from 35 to 85 percent of first year tuition and are offered to incoming graduate students. Recipients for the scholarships are nominated by the area faculty in consultation with the Office of Financial Assistance and the dean of the Caspersen School. To retain the scholarship, students must be enrolled full time and shall display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Named Merit Scholarships. Several full-tuition (with stipend at the discretion of the dean) scholarships - the Will Herberg, Robert G. Smith, John W. Bicknell, Shirley Sugerman, Bard Thompson, President's, and Alumni Awards - are given to entering Caspersen School students. Recipients for the scholarships are nominated by the area faculty in consultation with the Office of Financial Assistance and the dean of the Caspersen School. To retain the scholarship, students must be enrolled full time and shall display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Dean's Awards. Several merit awards of 85 percent of tuition are provided to entering students, selected by the dean for academic excellence. To retain the scholarship, students must be enrolled full time and shall display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Masters of Arts in Teaching Awards. These scholarships range from 20 percent to full tuition and are offered to incoming M.A.T. students. To retain these scholarships, students must be enrolled full-time and display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Outstanding International Student Awards. Two full-tuition scholarships are awarded annually to entering international students to recognize past academic performance and promise for continued achievement in the Caspersen School. To retain the scholarship, the student must be enrolled full time and shall display meritorious progress toward the degree.
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in New Jersey Award (AICUNJ). This award provides a 50 percent scholarship to all full-time employees of the member institutions of this state-wide association of colleges. Interested applicants should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for the required certification form.
Outside Awards/Resources. Any funds received from sources such as civic organizations or foundations, and other benefits, must be reported to the Office of Financial Assistance. Federal regulations require that these awards be treated as educational resources meeting the financial aid applicant's need. Drew University 's policy is that such resources are used first to reduce unmet need, then loan eligibility, the work eligibility and, only if necessary, scholarships and grants.
Teaching Assistantships, in the traditional sense, are limited at Drew. The College of Liberal Arts has always prided itself on its small student-faculty ratio, and the need for student instructors is, therefore, not acute. The Caspersen School does make provisions for a few teaching and research fellowships in each program of study. Those selected for these fellowships assist professors in the Caspersen School, Theological School, or College and serve as scholar apprentices. Fellows are compensated modestly, and the honor of their selection is included in their papers and credentials.
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Named Awards
Funding for many Drew Scholarships comes from the earnings of endowed scholarships created by trustees, alumni/ae, and friends of the University.
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Sponsored Scholarships and Grants
Educational Opportunity Scholar (EOS) grants are administered by the state of New Jersey to New Jersey residents. Students who were eligible for/or participated in the EOS program as undergraduates may be awarded EOS scholarships of $2,500 per year for graduate level study and should contact Drew's Educational Opportunity Scholars Program.
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Loans
United Methodist loans frequently are available to students through the United Methodist Conferences and the Board of Education of the United Methodist Church. Applications to the United Methodist Church are made through the Office of Financial Assistance, after the student is in residence and has demonstrated a high quality of academic work.
The Federal Family Education Loan Program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program provide need-based federal student loans that require repayment and have favorable interest rates and a generous repayment period, beginning after enrollment ends. Additional information is available in the Office of Financial Assistance.
The Federal Perkins Loan (if available) is offered to students who have significant need on a funds-available basis. The interest rate during repayment is 5 percent, and aggregate borrowing is limited to a total of $18,000 for graduate/professional study (including all undergraduate loans). This loan is awarded as part of a financial aid package by the Office of Financial Assistance.
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Part-Time Employment
Graduate students may participate in any of several part-time employment programs of the University. The federal government appropriates funds for post-secondary institutions under the Federal College Work-Study and Community Service Program. Under the FWSP, students are hired on campus in part-time jobs that range from clerical positions to career-related work. Eligibility is determined through the filing of the FAFSA.
A number of other campus-based, part-time employment opportunities are available to graduate students through the Office of Student Employment. In addition, a variety of off-campus employment opportunities may be available through the Career Center.
The Federal Immigration and Control Act of 1986 requires Drew to certify identity and determine eligibility of every employee, including students who work at Drew or in a Drew-referred job. Therefore, all students who work at Drew (and/or their spouses who work) must file in advance of their employment an I-9 form with the Student Employment Office.
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Financial Assistance Academic Progress Policy
Students must be making qualitative and quantitative academic progress to maintain financial assistance eligibility.
Qualitative Progress. Students who are subject to academic review (see Academic Standards and The Regulations of the CSGS) are also subject to financial assistance review. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in master's programs and a 3.1 G.P.A. in doctoral programs to remain in good academic standing. Failure to maintain this average will result in a letter of warning in the first semester after the average fails to meet the standard. Continued failure to attain the minimum G.P.A. can result in academic probation, awarding of a terminal M.A. in the case of doctoral students, or termination from the program.
Quantitative Progress. Students must maintain full-time status to be eligible for financial assistance. Students carrying two courses per semester are eligible for reduced financial assistance. Students carrying one course per semester or less than 6 credits, are not eligible for financial assistance. For a detailed description of the Caspersen School 's Quantitative Progress policy, please refer to the Regulations of the Caspersen School, which are available in the Caspersen School Dean's Office.
Appeals. Appeals of decisions made by the Committee on Academic Standing and Curriculum must be made in writing by the student to the committee or to the dean of the Caspersen School.
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