Student Financial Services offer assistance
Judson DuRocher, a junior wildlife biology major, pays for his
credit card bill each semester with the money from his student
loans.
“I pay off my credit cards and by the end of the semester, I
ring them back up,” he said.
He realizes that the money will have to be paid back, but he
does not let it bother him.
“I’m just gonna have to deal with it,” he said.
Student Financial Services offers student loans, grants and
scholarships to students who show financial need while attending
CSU. To be eligible for a loan through CSU, students must first
fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to
be submitted to the government, said Christie Leighton, associate
director of Student Financial Services. A FAFSA form can be
downloaded on the web at www.FAFSA.ed.gov.
“Everyone should always start with the FAFSA because of the
lower interest rates,” Leighton said.
Student Financial Services determines a budget based on tuition
and fees, living allowances, books and supplies and other
miscellaneous items.
This amount is considered living at “modest but adequate”
standards, Leighton said.
The government then sends an estimated family contribution for
each student based on parent and student income and assets on the
FAFSA form.
The estimated family contribution is subtracted from the budget
and this number is considered the amount eligible for financial
aid.
Students are expected to begin paying back the loan six months
after graduation, or if a student decides to leave school for
longer than six months.
Justin Clark, a junior English major, is not worried about
paying back his student loans.
“I think I’ll have a good job to pay it back,” he said.
Students who receive eligibility for student loans can be
considered for either unsubsidized or subsidized loans. Students
with higher income levels receive unsubsidized loans with interest
occurring right away, Leighton said. This means that students have
to start paying the interest while in school.
Lower income students receive subsidized loans. The government
pays the interest rate while the student is attending school and
during the six-month grace period after graduation.
The money given to students is first deposited into their
student account and immediately pays for tuition and fees, Leighton
said. A refund check is then given to the student to be used for
whatever the student may need.
Brittany Dahl, a sophomore psychology student, uses her money
for living expenses.
“You get the money and put it towards what you need and I need
it for rent because it’s expensive,” she said.
Dahl is concerned about paying back her loans once she
graduates.
“I’m extremely worried. I’m poor and I’ll be in debt,” she
said.
Student Financial Services is located on the Oval in the
Administration Annex. Questions about student loans can be answered
by calling 491-6321.
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