Financial Aid for Extended Studies Programs

Currently there are very few extended studies programs that are eligible for financial aid.
The programs that are eligible are:

• Distant MBA
• Superintendent Licensure Program
• Online Principal Licensure Program
• Certificate in Early Literacy

If you are going to be attending one of these programs the department in the college you are attending must admit you formally into the program. It will states that on the student information system (SIS) that the University uses to recognize students programs.

When paying for a class that is available to receive federal funding, the payment method still needs to be taken care of upfront before you can register for the class. Financial Aid does not disburse until after the census date for extended studies programs. In most cases, it is best to pay the bill upfront and then have your financial aid reimburse you. If this is not possible please contact the Financial Aid office for special arrangements to be made. When you contact the financial aid office you must tell them that you are an extended studies student so they will know how to help you since your classes will not show up on the regular system that financial aid uses.

If you intend to borrow a Federal Stafford loan for that program then you must apply with a FAFSA to the Department of Education in order to be considered for the loan. This is done like any other student applying for financial aid and you must have the information sent to the school via our school code of 004509. This process takes 2-6 weeks and should be done prior to the time you plan on attending classes. Once the financial aid office receives your information from the Department of Education, your file is complete, and you are formally admitted through admissions and records you may turn in an loan application to our office. This loan application is the only one that will be accepted for extended studies programs, and is processed for one semester at a time. You are required to take a minimum of 3 graduate credit hours as a graduate student to be eligible for aid.

If you are not admitted onto one of the above listed programs then you are not in an eligible program that is funded through Federal financial aid. If you need to borrow money then you may apply for an alternative student loan through the bank of your choice. Usually you may go on-line to the lenders’ website and find information on their alternative school loans. The bank will take you through the process of receiving a loan for you educational studies.