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Financial Aid

There are a variety of factors that are considered when AU offers financial aid to students including:

• High School GPA
• ACT and/or SAT scores
• FAFSA results
• Departmental selection of scholarship recipients

If you are an incoming undergraduate or graduate student, the Financial Aid Office will begin the awarding process in November for undergraduates and March for graduates. We will continue to award on a weekly basis for the duration of the year.

If you are a returning undergraduate or graduate student, the Financial Aid Office will begin the awarding process in the spring for the upcoming academic year.

Ashland University’s school code (003012) must be included on your FAFSA, and your social security number on your FAFSA and on file in AU’s system must match. Check with your Admissions Representative or the Registrar's Office to ensure your social security number is correct.

If we’ve received all required paperwork, aid will disburse to your account before the beginning of the term to which it applies. Please note: Federal aid and private education loans aren’t credited to your account until 10 days before each term begins. If you are eligible for a refund, it will be available after you attend your first class or complete an academic activity in an online course.

It is important that you check with the Financial Aid Office before you finalize your plans to live off-campus, especially if you are changing your housing plans from on-campus to off-campus after your financial aid offer letter was finalized. If you do not have this conversation in advance, you may find yourself owing money back to the university later in the semester.

Students attending less than full-time may still qualify for some types of aid, including the Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans. Ashland University institutional aid is only available to full-time students who pay the undergraduate, traditional comprehensive tuition rate.

The federal government pays the interest on Federal Direct Subsidized loans for undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time. Interest accrues on Unsubsidized Loans for undergraduates and graduates upon disbursement and until paid in full. See studentaid.gov for more information about federal loans.

The maximum amount an undergraduate student can borrow each year ranges from $5,500 to $12,500, depending on their year in college and their dependency status. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours or more) to borrow Federal Direct Loans.
The maximum amount a graduate student can borrow each academic year is $20,500 (two consecutive terms). Students must be enrolled at least half-time to borrow Federal Direct Loans.

If you are not enrolled at least half-time, your six-month grace period will begin. If you resume half-time enrollment, your loans will again be deferred as long as you remain enrolled at least half-time.

You must be enrolled in at least one class for AU to process your financial aid. If you are enrolled at AU and another school simultaneously, a consortium agreement may be needed so you can receive your full eligibility for federal aid.

You may or may not be eligible for AU grants or scholarships while enrolled in study abroad. However, you may be eligible for federal and/or state aid.