Financial Aid Processing
Financial Aid Disbursement
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 applied toward institutional charges as outlined below:
Institutional Charges
- Tuition
- Mandatory Fees
- Room
- Board
- Books via ECampus
To apply their remaining Title IV funds—federal funds such as Pell and SEOG grants and federal student loans—to current outstanding non-institutional charges, students must check a box in Workday (federal student aid authorization).
Non-Institutional Charges
- GU Health Insurance
- Dorm Fines
If a student did not check to use federal funds for non-institutional charges and received a refund check, the student may use the refund check to pay back Gallaudet to cover any remaining charges. If a student has any past balances, they cannot authorize the use of federal funds to pay those past balances. This is where the student may receive a refund check, if any, and then pay Gallaudet back to cover any past balances.
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.
Financial Aid Office Communication
The Financial Aid Office will communicate any updates or changes to the financial aid awards via Workday or email. Be sure to stay up to date about financial aid awards by regularly checking Workday and any emails from the Financial Aid Office. Additionally, complete any related financial action items to help streamline the process and ensure everything is done in a timely manner.