Financial Aid Processing
Financial aid will be disbursed only when the University add/drop period is completed and student enrollment is verified. Financial aid is based on student enrollment status as of the last day of the add/drop period. In addition, all required documentation must be received (e.g., tax transcripts) before aid will be released for individual students. All financial aid administered by the University must first be used to cover University charges; refunds of financial aid will not be given to students until all semester charges are satisfied. All grants and scholarships are credited directly to students' accounts. Loan checks for Federal Stafford, Perkins, and PLUS loans must be endorsed by the borrower, if not received electronically, and submitted to the University cashier so that the loans can be credited against charges. Loan checks may not be deposited into private checking or savings accounts, or otherwise negotiated by students. Because financial aid is not disbursed at the beginning of the semester or released to students as a refund until all charges are satisfied, it is essential that students be financially prepared to cover expenses for books and usual living costs with personal funds.
Overawards
The Financial Aid Office is charged with the responsibility for compliance with federal aid program guidelines, which include ensuring that students do not receive more aid than that for which they are eligible (exceeding the "financial need" amount). In cases where a student has been awarded financial aid and other financial assistance received exceeds the financial need amount, the Financial Aid Office must reduce or cancel any aid it has awarded to avoid "overawards" of federal aid.
Students who are awarded institutional grants, and subsequently receive departmental assistantships, stipends, VR support, waivers, or outside assistance, may have their institutional grants reduced. Institutional grants are limited, and if awarded without knowledge of "other" assistance, may be reduced to make grant funds available to students who do not receive such other assistance.
It is essential that students notify the Financial Aid Office of any assistance expected or received from outside sources (private scholarships, VR); or from other University departments or offices (such as tuition scholarships/waivers, stipends, grants, or other assistance/scholarships) in order to determine what effect, if any, this assistance will have on aid awarded by the Financial Aid Office.
Campus Communication
All students are issued a campus post office box and e-mail account. Students are advised that all communications from the Financial Aid Office are sent to the campus post office box or via campus e-mail once the semester has started. Students need to check their paper mail and e-mail frequently in order to get essential information from this Office. Financial aid will be delayed or terminated if students do not respond to requests for information or other required activities sent to the post office box or through Gallaudet e-mail.
Gallaudet post office boxes, addresses, and e-mail accounts are maintained in Gallaudet's central database, and this information determines where our communications are sent. Students must be sure that this information is current and accurate. Any changes to this information should be made through the Registrar's Office