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.