JMU - Financial Assistance

Each year, James Madison University makes available approximately 2.25 million dollars for graduate study tuition assistance and stipends through the graduate assistantship program. Although limited in number, assistantships are available in academic and non-academic areas. All categories, described in the �Classification of Assistantships� section, are referred to as graduate assistantships unless otherwise indicated. Assistantships are managed by the College of Graduate and Professional Programs and are distributed among academic departments, administrative offices, athletics and student services areas.

Students will be awarded assistantships for a maximum of four academic semesters (exclusive of summer session) in most masters� and educational specialist degree programs and a maximum of three years in the Master of Fine Arts and doctoral programs. Assistantships are limited to nine paid graduate hours of tuition each fall and spring semester, although contracts are usually written for an academic year. Students must pay for any additional hours each semester at the tuition rate based on residency status. Under no circumstances will payment from assistantship funds be used for audited course work or undergraduate hours. Assistantships do not cover students� room and board expenses. No tuition or stipend is paid through the assistantship program for summer sessions.

Deadlines

Some departments, schools or programs may require specific deadlines for assistantship applications. Consult the appropriate department or school for their application deadline.

Criteria

To be eligible for assistantship consideration, students must:

�� Be conditionally or unconditionally accepted into a specific graduate program.

�� Have official transcripts on file indicating completion of the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.

�� Carry a full course load during the period of the assistantship.

Academic Load

The following academic load guidelines apply to all graduate assistants.

Graduate assistants must:

�� Carry nine credit hours each semester.

�� Receive prior approval from the graduate program coordinator when planning to register for more than nine credit hours

�� Pay for any additional credit hours above the nine paid for by their assistantships.

�� Not take fewerthan nine credit hours without prior written approval from the dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Programs. This underload of classes to no fewer than six credit hours is allowed only once during a graduate career.

For tuition to be covered by the assistantship, all graduate assistants must register each semester for all courses during the regular registration period(s) and prior to the tuition refund date as outlined in the Registration and Student Record Services Handbook. Students who register for any additional courses after this time will be held personally responsible for additional tuition and fees. Students who drop courses after the add/drop deadline but before the end of the course adjustment deadline will be held personally responsible for fees and will receive a grade of �W� for the course. A grade of �WP� or �WF� (according to the status of the student at the time of withdrawal) will be assigned to students who withdraw after the course adjustment deadline at the discretion of the instructor. The �WP� or �WF� will be recorded and remain on the student�s transcript. Exceptions will be made only for documented extenuating circumstances and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Classification of Assistantships

Graduate Assistants in Academic Areas

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available in most academic units offering programs of graduate study. Graduate assistants are assigned to an academic unit to assist faculty members in preparing for instruction, grading papers, conducting research, preparing laboratories, performing departmental or school administrative tasks, etc. Application forms may be obtained from the College of Graduate and Professional Programs office. Graduate assistants undertake various academic unit assignments requiring approximately 20 hours a week. While at times it is necessary for GAs to perform administrative duties, there is a concerted effort to limit the assistantship duties to activities relevant to the students� field of training.

Graduate Assistants in Nonacademic Areas

Graduate assistants are employed in a nonacademic departments or administrative offices and their duties vary according to the needs of their assigned area. Specific responsibilities will vary, but in general assistants will aid in the administrative duties of a supervisor approximately 20 hours per week.

Graduate Assistants in Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs offers appointments to the university staff for graduate students interested in working in a student personnel position. The employment site will depend on training, experience and interest.

Teaching Assistants

A limited number of teaching assistantships are available in academic units offering major programs of graduate study. Teaching assistants must:

�� Have earned at least 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline in which they are teaching.

�� Be under the direct supervision of an experienced faculty member.

�� Receive training in teaching methods.

Teaching assistants are assigned to an academic unit and are expected to instruct three to six credit hours of course work or an equivalent of three to six credit hours of laboratory instruction. Application forms may be obtained from the College of Graduate and Professional Programs office.

Doctoral Assistantships

Some Doctoral Assistantships may cover more than nine hours per semester tuition. These assistantships may pay a higher stipend and may be in effect through the summer semesters. Doctoral students seeking assistantships should contact the individual program.

Federal Financial Assistance Programs

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships helps qualified students secure a financial aid package designed to meet their financial needs. The award package may consist of grants, scholarships loans and work-study.

Students interested in information on financial assistance programs should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the above address or send e-mail to fin aid@jmu.edu.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

All financial aid applicants must undergo a standardized federal �needs analysis� by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA). Because of intense competition for scholarships and grants at JMU, it is essential that applicants ensure their FAFSA has reached the federal government by March 1 prior to the academic year for which you are seeking financial assistance to receive priority consideration for the coming school year. Failing to file by the priority filing date may cause delays in receiving aid and can result in lower aid packages.

A student must complete a FAFSA before financial aid eligibility can be determined for the following sources of aid:

�� Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan

�� Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

�� Federal Work-Study Program

�� Need-based Foundation Scholarships

When a student files the FAFSA, the federal processor calculates their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is an estimate of the family�s ability to contribute to the student�s overall educational expenses for one year. The student�s financial aid �need� is JMU�s computation of educational expenses minus the EFC. Due to limited funding, state and federal grants must be awarded to students who have the highest financial need, and in many cases who met the priority FAFSA filing date.

Financial aid recipients must complete the FAFSA each school year. Amounts and types of assistance may vary from year to year. If funds are available, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships continues to assist students who meet the following conditions:

�� Complete the FAFSA, with priority given to those who apply by the priority fling date of March 1, prior to the academic year for which you are seeking financial assistance.

�� Meet the general eligibility requirements for aid as defined by the FAFSA

�� Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (described later)

Students who are offered financial assistance by JMU will receive a financial aid award notice indicating the source(s) and amount(s) of assistance. The aid notice has important information, so the recipient should read it very carefully before returning the appropriate copies to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. If any of the information is not correct, the student should immediately notify the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Financial aid is awarded based on FAFSA information, as well as the student�s status at JMU (e.g. class status, enrollment level, and residency). Federal and state regulations also require the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to consider any outside sources of aid when awarding financial aid. These outside sources can be JMU scholarships, private scholarships, veteran�s benefits, tuition waivers, etc. It is possible for a student�s financial aid award to fluctuate throughout the year if any of the FAFSA information, JMU status, or outside aid status changes. Financial aid notices are usually sent to returning students during the spring. New students may receive aid notices in the spring prior to enrollment.

Cost of Attendance

An important part of determining a student�s eligibility for financial aid is determining a Cost of Attendance. In accordance with federal regulations, JMU has developed a Cost of Attendance (i.e. budget) for anticipated expenses a student may incur during the current school year. These expenses include tuition, room, board, books and supplies, travel expenses, and personal expenses. Room and board can be residence hall or off-campus housing expenses depending a student�s response on the FAFSA. Expenses are also considered for students who live at home with parents or relatives, but it�s a lesser dollar amount than for those living elsewhere. Travel expenses include items such as gasoline, vehicle maintenance and insurance. Personal expenses include things such as laundry, entertainment and clothing. Many items in the Cost of Attendance are estimates, so it�s possible for a student to spend more or less than we anticipate during any given year.

Employment

The College of Graduate and Professional Programs recognizes that many graduate students depend upon part-time or full-time employment to meet expenses. Though there is no limit to the maximum number of credit hours employed students may take, students and advisers should realize that a course schedule should take into consideration the demands of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

James Madison University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment or admissions, or in connection with its programs or activities.

Inquiries or requests for reasonable accommodation may be directed to the activity coordinator, the appropriate university office, or the Office of Affirmative Action, MSC 7802, JMU, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, phone (540) 568-6991 or (540) 568-6991 TDD, or 540-568-7992 FAX. More information is available through the Office of Affirmative Action Web site at http://www.jmu.edu/affirmact/ .

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Web site: http://www.jmu.edu/finaid/wm_library/sap_policy.pdf

To be academically eligible to receive financial assistance, students must be making satisfactory progress toward graduation as defined by the College of Graduate and Professional Programs.

Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loan Program

Web site: http://www.jmu.edu/finaid

The Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized) is a long-term, low-interest loan, for which undergraduate, graduate and professional students may apply. The interest rate is variable, but is capped at 8.25 percent. For a subsidized loan, the government will pay the interest while the student is in school. For an unsubsidized loan, the student can either pay the interest in school or have it capitalized (i.e. added into the principle). Payments on the principle amount do not begin until the student graduates or drops below half-time status.

Graduate students may borrow no more than $18,500 per year. Eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Alternative Loans

Many banks are now offering credit-based alternative loans to students and parents who either don�t qualify for the Stafford loan or who cannot receive enough money through these loan programs to cover their educational expenses. Terms of these private loans vary, but interest rates are normally higher than the Stafford loan The financial aid office strongly encourages students to exhaust other sources of aid before pursuing an alternative loan; however, brochures and applications are available in our office for those needing more information on these types of loans.

Donald E. Gardner Memorial Loan Fund

The Donald E. Gardner Memorial Loan Fund is a short-term loan program named in memory of Donald E. Gardner, who served as university comptroller for nine years. The program provides students with a resource to meet short-term financial needs. These short-term loans, which range from $200 to $600, are available to undergraduate and graduate students who meet the following criteria:

�� Are currently enrolled

�� Are degree-seeking

�� Are full- or part-time (taking at least six hours of course work)

�� Are making satisfactory academic progress

�� Can repay the loan within 90 days

Tuition must be paid in full prior to applying for the Donald E. Gardner loan. Loan applications and other eligibility information may be obtained in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

JMU Scholarships

Web site: www.jmu.edu/finaid

Many scholarships for students are established through the JMU Foundation and other individual departments. All scholarships are awarded through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships or by the appropriate college or division according to criteria set by the scholarship donor. Scholarships are awarded based upon either merit and/or need. To be considered for need-based scholarships, students must complete the FAFSA.

A listing of scholarships is available through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. For information on specific scholarships, we encourage you to visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office or check the Web site.

Private Off-Campus Scholarships

Private off-campus scholarships include those scholarships awarded to specific students by outside (non-JMU) organizations. These scholarships are credited to the student�s account upon receipt of the funds. If this type of scholarship is to be used to pay tuition and fees, the funds must be received prior to the semester due date for payment of fees. Please mail all off-campus scholarships to:

University Business Office, MSC 3516

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA 22807

The student is responsible for compliance with the provisions of the scholarship (i.e., grade reporting, notification of attendance, etc.).

Student Employment

JMU employs both graduate and undergraduate students in academic, administrative or service oriented areas. Students must be degree seeking and currently enrolled to be employed in these positions. They receive payment for their services via direct deposit twice a month. There are two work programs at JMU.

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study jobs can be part of the financial aid package for students who demonstrate high financial need as determined by their FAFSA. This is an opportunity for students to have a meaningful work experience; however, employment is not guaranteed. The student will still need to interview with the appropriate employers to secure a position. These jobs provide a student with the opportunity to earn a paycheck throughout the year, and the money earned through this program is not counted as income when the student applies for financial aid next year.

Institutional Employment

Institutional Employment is also available to students at JMU. These jobs are very similar to the FWS jobs with two main exceptions. A student does not have to establish financial need to apply for an institutional job. Secondly, these jobs are not awarded to students. Students must apply for an institutional job through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

University Withdrawal

If you withdraw from the university, the University Business Office may adjust your charges based upon your withdrawal date and the JMU Refund Policy. For the university refund policy, please refer to the University Business Office Web site at http://www.jmu.edu/ubo.

Regardless of any adjustment to your charges, if you withdraw from the university, your financial aid may be adjusted based on the percentage of the semester you completed before withdrawing. In some cases, Federal Return of Title IV Funds regulations may require that aid be returned to the federal government for students who completely withdraw from JMU before 60% of a term has been completed. Financial aid is awarded for the entire term, which is generally a 15 week period. If a student does not complete the entire 15 weeks, then the Return of Title IV Fund rules will determine how much financial aid has been earned. The student can keep that amount for the term, but the unearned part must be immediately returned to the federal government. In some situations, this will leave the student with a balance owed to the university. Funds are returned to the federal government in following order: Unsubsidized Stafford, Subsidized Stafford, PLUS, Perkins, Pell and SEOG. See the terms and conditions of Financial Aid at www.jmu.edu/finaid for a sample calculation.

Additionally, certain state grant programs cannot exceed tuition, or the cost of tuition and books. If a student�s tuition is reduced based on the JMU Refund Policy, it�s very possible that state grant funds will be reduced by the same amount. In most cases, this will not impact a student�s bill, as the reduction to state grants is generally equal to the remaining tuition balance.