Sofia University maintains a broad-based financial aid program of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment for students who require financial assistance. Financial aid eligibility policies are set in accordance with federal and state requirements and with definitions of academic standards at Sofia University.
While complying with all applicable governmental and donor regulations, Sofia makes a serious attempt to extend a personalized, concerned approach to a student’s financial needs. The University encourages everyone to read the financial aid website (https://www.sofia.edu/admissions/financial-aid) for complete information about aid sources and policies.
Title IV Federal Financial Aid Eligibility:
To be eligible for this program you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen
- Be registered with Selective Service (if required)
- Be working toward a degree
- Be making satisfactory academic progress toward an eligible degree program
- Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan
- Not have filed for bankruptcy
Title IV loans are available to students enrolled at least half-time in Sofia aid-eligible degree programs. Students taking single courses, or the Coaching Certification while not enrolled in the master’s program, are not eligible for Title IV aid.
Financial Aid Free Application:
To apply for Title IV aid, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). To complete the FAFSA, applicants will need:
- A tax return or W-2 forms if not required to file a return
- W-2 forms and other records of money earned in the previous year
- Records of untaxed income such as welfare, social security, AFDC or ADC, or veterans’ benefits
- Green card (eligible non-citizens)
- Driver’s license and social security card
The FAFSA is filed electronically. For details, students should visit the Department of Education’s website https://studentaid.gov/ and be sure to include Sofia’s school code when completing the FAFSA. Sofia’s school code is G22676.
A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be returned to the applicant when the FAFSA has been processed. Sofia will receive an electronic version called an ISIR if the student has designated the school on the FAFSA.
Title IV Financial Aid Deadlines:
One month prior to initial enrollment is the minimum lead-time to submit the FAFSA, receive an award, and complete the loan application process. The FAFSA processing cycle lasts 21 months. For the 2023 – 2024 award year (October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024), applications may be completed on or after October 1, 2022. Processing begins October 2, 2022. FAFSA forms for that award year will be accepted until June 30, 2024.
Note: Most states have application deadlines within the first three to six months for students who want to be considered for state aid. Some states’ deadlines are even earlier, indicated as “as soon as possible after October 1 [2022].” Students can check state deadlines at https://studentaid.gov/. Additionally, some schools have limited institutional funds that are awarded on a “first come, first-served” basis to eligible students. Students should fill out the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize chances of being awarded first come, first-served aid.
|
FAFSA Important Dates |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Academic Year |
FAFSA Open Date |
Federal FAFSA Deadline |
Tax Year Information to Use |
|
2023–2024 |
Oct. 1, 2022 |
Jun. 30, 2024 |
2022 |
Awarding Aid:
Sofia awards federal aid to all eligible students on a “first come, first served” basis. An award letter describing eligibility for aid will be returned to the student. If a student obtains a loan to pay for an education program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund. If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the monies not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.
Grants:
Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are available for students with exceptional financial need.
Federal Loans:
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to eligible students. Both annual and aggregate limits exist for these types of loans and are based upon the student’s level of enrollment (graduate or undergraduate) and their year in school (first year, second year, etc.). Repayment begins six months after students graduate or after they drop below half-time enrollment status.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students who meet the credit criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. Payments may be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available to students who meet the credit criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. Students who do not meet the credit criteria may apply with an endorser (co-borrower) who does. There is no grace period on the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Repayment begins the day after the loan is fully disbursed; however, students can defer repayment while enrolled in school at least half-time, and for an additional six months after they graduate or drop below half-time status.
Federal Work Study:
The Federal Work-Study Program was established by Congress to assist students in earning money to meet their educational costs while providing experience related to the student’s academic major or career interests. Students are allowed to have flexible work schedules which permit academics to be their priority.
Participation in the Federal Work Study Program is limited. It is determined by the student’s financial need and is awarded on a “first come, first served” basis. Students must re-apply for financial aid each year and remain eligible for Federal Work Study in order to continue working in a work-study position.
Students are awarded a maximum of $4,800 in available work-study funds per year. This award authorizes a maximum earnings limit for the academic year. Students may work a maximum of 20 hours a week. It is the student’s responsibility to work enough hours to reach the earnings limit.
Some position titles that may be funded through Federal Work-study have included:
- Library Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Teaching Assistant
- Special Project Coordinator
- Community Service/Tutor/Reading
On-campus student employment positions are limited, and not all available positions are funded through Federal Work Study. Interested students should consult the University’s job announcements for details and contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions about how accepting a position may impact financial aid awards.
Veterans Benefits:
Eligible veterans may receive benefits for the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
- Master of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Computer Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Transpersonal Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
Eligibility: Eligibility and rules governing the receipt of benefits vary according to enlistment dates and length of service. Students are encouraged to contact the Benefits Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for details by calling 888-GIBILL1 (888-442-4551) or by visiting www.benefits.va.gov. Applications are available on the VA’s website.
Loss of Eligibility: Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress will be placed on Academic Probation for one quarter. If at the end of the probation period the student is still not meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements but is allowed to continue in the program, Veterans Benefits will be terminated. Once the student has achieved satisfactory academic progress, benefits can be reinstated.
Veterans Benefits – Prior Credit Policy for Veterans:
Sofia University will conduct an evaluation of previous education and training for all veterans and eligible persons, grant appropriate credit, and shorten the training period proportionately. All official transcripts of prior training will be requested. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard now use the centralized Joint Services Transcript System (JST), which will electronically send an official transcript to Sofia University. The transcript includes military training and occupational experience along with the American Council on Education college credit recommendations.
Upon receipt, the applicant’s JST transcript will be reviewed for prior learning credit eligible for transfer to Sofia University. Veterans should visit jst.doded.mil/official.html to request a Joint Services Transcript.
The Air Force uses the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). Service members of the Air Force should visit https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts/ to request a CCAF.
Sofia University may award academic credit to United States Military personnel for courses, and their job specialty, based on the American Council of Education (ACE) Guide for Military Transfer Credit. Job specialties (MOS, AFSC, Rate) must have a recommendation evaluation by ACE (in the ACE Guide) for credit to be awarded. The admissions and/or academic programs determine course equivalencies and credit hours awarded for a particular degree.
Awarding Aid: Eligible veterans and eligible persons must notify the Office of the Registrar of their eligibility so that an enrollment certification may be submitted to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Receipt of Aid: Eligible students will receive benefits directly from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Yellow Ribbon Program:
Sofia University participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon program. Applicants must qualify for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. To qualify, at least one of these must be true. The student veteran:
- Served at least 36 months on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service), or
- Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and be honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
- Received a Fry Scholarship on or after August 1, 2018, or
- Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break) on or after September 11, 2001, and be discharged after 60 days with a service-connected disability, or
- Is a dependent child using benefits transferred by a Veteran or a service member who has served for at least 36 months on active duty and qualifies at the 100% level (transferring Post-9/11 GI Billl® benefit information available at (www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits), or
- Receives the Fry Scholarship (www.va.gov/education/survivor-dependent-benefits/fry-scholarship) beginning August 1, 2018
Note: Individuals are not eligible for the maximum benefit rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® if they are an active-duty service member or the spouse of an active-duty service member. But, as of August 1, 2022, these individuals may become eligible if they are an active-duty service member who qualifies at the 100% level, or the spouse using the transferred benefits of an active-duty service member who qualifies at the 100% level.
Canadian Students Educational Benefits:
Citizens of Canada may be eligible to receive student benefits from their provincial or territorial Ministry of Education.
Eligibility: Canadian students attending an approved institution may receive grants or loans through the provincial or territorial Ministry of Education. Canadian students should contact their provincial or territorial Ministry of Education for application information.
Sofia’s Canadian institution code is MPZZ for all provinces and territories except Quebec.
Receipt of Aid: Students generally receive an aid check directly from the Education Ministry. Canadian students should contact their provincial or territorial Ministry of Education for details.
Scholarship Information:
Please visit the Sofia University website for Scholarship information- Scholarship Page