Grants are based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. Chadron State College offers several types of grants:

• Federal Pell Grants
  Pell grants are awarded only to undergraduate students seeking first bachelor’s degree. Eligibility is based on enrollment status, cost of attendance, and expected family contribution.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to undergraduate students seeking first bachelor’s degree who have exceptional financial need. These funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come-first-serve-basis.
• Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)
  NOG is awarded to undergraduate students seeking first bachelor’s degree, who are residents of Nebraska, and who demonstrate financial need as defined by state statutes. NOG is awarded on a first-come first-serve basis and needs to be approved with the State of Nebraska before it can be disbursed.

• Federal Work Study (FWS) program is awarded to undergraduate students based on financial need and availability of funds. When you submit the FAFSA to Chadron State College, you must indicate you are interested in Federal Work Study to be considered.
• This program provides job opportunities for you to earn money to help pay for educational expenses for the academic year. These funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who submit a FAFSA by the priority deadline February 1st.
• A variety of positions are available at our Human Resources site
• Work Study permits and information regarding employment opportunities are emailed to your EagleMail at the beginning of each semester and will need to be presented to your employer before you can start work. Please print this document to bring to your employer after you have been hired.

Federal Direct Student Loan

The Federal Direct Student Loan provides both need-based (Subsidized) and non-need-based loans (Unsubsidized) for undergraduate students. These funds must be repaid. You must submit the FAFSA to determine if you qualify. Eligibility depends upon the student’s enrollment status, grade level, and prior borrowing.

• Subsidized Direct Loans are need-based and interest free while the student is enrolled at least half time.
• Unsubsidized Direct Loans are non-need-based and interest accrues while the student is enrolled in school.
  
  

  Note: Repayment begins 6 months following your last date attended or dropped below half time (6 credit hours). The minimum amount of your payment will depend on the total amount borrowed over your college career.

Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans

The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is available for parents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the total cost of attendance less other financial aid received. Proceeds are to be used for educational expenses. For more information on the parent loan process please click here.

Repayment begins within 60 days after the second disbursement is made. However, interest begins to accrue on the date the first disbursement is made. Minimum monthly payments are $50. The borrower may be allowed up to 10 years to repay the loan.

PLUS Loans are subject to credit approval. You will receive your credit decision via email.

If your PLUS Loan is denied, you have additional options:

1. You may pursue an Endorser (co-signer)
   • Your Endorser will need to log into studentaid.gov using their own FSA ID and Password
   • Your Endorser will click "Complete an Endorser Addendum" on the HOME page menu.
   • You will need to provide your Endorser the Endorser Code or Award ID Number
2. If an endorser is not obtained, a student can request consideration for additional unsubsidized loans. Students must request this in writing by emailing start@zo23.com.

Direct Student and Parent (PLUS) Loan additional requirements

• Entrance Counseling & Master Promissory Note
  All first time student and parent loan borrowers are required to complete student loan entrance counseling. This task will be assigned to your To Dos once you have accepted your loans on your MyCSC. You will need your FSA ID to complete these electronic documents. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for more information regarding entrance loan counseling.

• Exit Counseling
  All STUDENT loan borrowers leaving CSC, or drop below half time status (less than 6 credit hours) must complete Exit Counseling. This includes graduating, transferring and withdrawing. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for more information regarding exit loan counseling.
  
  Need help with your Federal Direct Loans? 
  The Federal Student Aid Ombudsman (FSA Ombudsman) of the Department of Education helps resolve disputes and solve other problems with federal student loans.

Alternative/Private Educational Student Loans

 Alternative student loans are offered through a private lending institution and are not a part of federal student aid programs. Interest rates and fees for private loans vary between lenders and are typically based on the credit of the borrower and cosigner. It is the responsibility of the student to research and understand the implications of borrowing an alternative educational loan. Keep in mind that alternative loans, along with other aid and educational resources, can never be more than the cost of attendance.

We strongly encourage students to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal student aid before considering alternative loan options. To compare alternative loan lenders, Chadron State College uses ELM Select. This allows students to compare various alternative loans, their interest rates, and other important details. This is a common listing of lenders used by our students. Students are encouraged to compare these loans with one another, as well as with alternative student loan products offered by other lenders. Students have the right to use a lender that is not listed at ELM Select.

TRIO Grants

In order to receive this grant aid, students must:

• Be current participants in Project Strive
• Be in their first two years of post secondary education
• Be currently receiving Federal Pell Grants
• Participate actively in Project Strive to ensure academic success
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average

Please visit our TRIO site for more information.

Financial Aid is available for summer sessions. Taking courses over the summer is a fantastic opportunity to keep you on track with graduating, enrolling in a hands-on internship, or increasing your GPA. 

• Pell Grant recipients may qualify for the Year-Round Pell Grant, which includes summer. To qualify, students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during the summer term to receive this Pell Grant.
• Student Loan recipients may qualify provided you have remaining eligibility following the fall and spring semesters. In other words, you have not borrowed the maximum annual amount during your fall and spring semesters. See annual maximum chart above.
• Other grants. Depending upon availability of funds, students may also qualify additional grants during the summer. Must be Pell Grant eligible to qualify.
• More information about Summer Financial Aid can be found on the CSC Summer page. 

Studying at a foreign institution involves a lot of pre-departure planning so be prepared for the time it takes. It can take up to 6-8 months depending upon the type of Study Abroad program.

If you are seeking additional financial aid consideration for Study Abroad, additional funding is typically federal or private student loans.

Study Abroad Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

Short Term Based

Financial Aid is available for eligible students who choose to participate in a faculty led/sponsored travel abroad. Students can receive financial aid for tuition, fees, room/hotel, meals, books, transportation and some personal expenses. Study Abroad Course(s) are required toward student’s plan of study to qualify.

Scholarship Opportunities

The Team George Scholarship is available to Justice Studies student(s) participating in the London trip.

Semester/Year Based

Financial Aid is available for eligible students who wish to study abroad at a foreign institution for a semester or a year. All courses taken at the foreign institution must be applicable toward CSC programs and pre-approved prior to traveling abroad. Students can receive financial aid for tuition, fees, books, transportation, meals, room and some personal expenses.

Scholarship Opportunities

• Scholarships are available for semester/year based study abroad opportunities by submitting the Stephen & Janice Taylor Study Abroad Scholarship application.
• The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is available to students receiving Pell Grants.
• Students from the Nebraska State College System can apply for the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship and if eligible can use that scholarship towards their study abroad experience.
• Students studying abroad with our third-party-provider, ISA, also have access to ISA Scholarships and Grants to fund their program.
• This is not an exhaustive list; there are more scholarships available to students who are interested in studying abroad.

For more information about Financial Aid for Study Abroad opportunities contact:

START Office
Crites Hall 114
308-432-4123
start@zo23.com

For more information about Study Abroad opportunities contact:

Kate Pope
Project Coordinator
Telephone: 308-432-7079
Email: studyabroad@zo23.com

• Eligibility
  Once all required documents have been submitted (verification, transcripts etc.), your file is reviewed to determine which types of financial aid you qualify for and how much. The following information is how financial aid is calculated:
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  Your EFC is the amount of money you and your family are expected to contribute toward your college education according to the Department of Education. This information can found on your FAFSA results. Your EFC is how institutions calculate your ‘need’ for financial aid purposes.
• Cost of Attendance (COA)
  COA is an estimated amount of what it would cost you to attend CSC. It takes into consideration the costs for tuition, fees, room, meals, books, an allowance for transportation and an allowance for personal expenses. It is calculated for the year (2 semesters) Here is how it works. We calculate your COA and then subtract your EFC and the difference is what you are eligible for financial aid awards. COA – EFC = Financial aid eligibility/need To calculate your Cost of Attendance per semester, please use our COA Calculator . Note: If families are unable to contribute what is calculated by the USDE for Expected Family Contribution (EFC), there are student and parent loans available to help.
• Your Enrollment status
  Undergraduate students are considered full time when enrolled in 12+ credit hours. Graduate students are considered full time when enrolled in 9+ credit hours. If your enrollment status drops below full time status, this could affect your financial aid eligibility.
• Your class level
  Dependent and Independent students have different annual and lifetime loan limits depending on their class level (verified by credit hours completed). Here is a chart to help you know what your annual limits are for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans:
  

  Year	DEPENDENT STUDENTS (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)	INDEPENDENT STUDENTS (and dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)
  First-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit	$5,500-No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$9,500-No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
  Second-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit	$6,500-No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$10,500-No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans
  Third-Year and Beyond Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit	$7,500-No more than $5,500 of this may be in subsidized loans	$12,500-No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
  Graduate or Professional Students Annual Loan Limit	Not Applicable (all graduate and professional students are considered independent)	$20,500(unsubsidized only)
  Subsidized and Unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limit	$31,000-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$57,500 for undergraduates-No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. $138,500 for graduate or professional students-No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

• Your Satisfactory Academic Progress status
  Federal Financial Aid regulations require financial aid recipients to make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a degree. In order to be offered and retain financial aid, recipients must comply with all of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). For more information, please visit our SAP page.
• Outside Scholarships
  If you receive any scholarships, grants, tuition assistance etc. from an agency or organization, you are required to report this information as it needs to be included in your total financial aid package. Complete the CSC Outside Scholarship Notification Form  to report your outside scholarship etc. information.
  
  As a financial aid recipient, you are legally required to keep the CSC informed of all resources received from outside agencies or organizations. If you receive additional awards from other agencies or organizations any time during the award year, we may have to adjust your Federal Student Financial Aid award or you may be required to return a portion of your Federal Student Financial Aid.

Tracking your loans is easy on your Federal Student Aid Dashboard at www.studentaid.gov. When logging in to your account on this site, which is the same site where you complete your FAFSA, you can manage and track your student loans. 

Simply visit the Federal Student Aid site, choose if you are starting school, about to graduate, or have already graduated, and the new Federal Student Aid site can help you track previous loans, balances, help find  your loan servicer, manage payments and complete exit and entrance loan counseling. 

Chadron State College offers financial aid to students in two ways, Estimated Financial Aid Offers and Official Financial Aid Offers.

An Estimated Financial Aid Offer will be sent to students if our office is still awaiting additional documentation for verification purposes. Once our office has received all required documentation, we will update the Estimated Financial Aid Offer to an Official Financial Offer, and sent an updated notice to the student via their EagleMail. 

The notification will provide instructions on how to accept and/or decline your financial aid awards on your MyCSC.

Awards you DO NOT need to accept:

• Grants
  Federal Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funding is automatically accepted on your behalf by CSC.
• The Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)
  NOG will appear as "unaccepted" but will be accepted, on your behalf, once approval is granted from the State of Nebraska.
• Outside Scholarships
  These are awards reported to CSC using the Outside Scholarship Notification Form . Outside Scholarships will show as "accepted" once the scholarship funds are received by CSC from the scholarship donor/foundation. You do not need to accept Outside Scholarships via MyCSC.

Awards you DO need to accept

• CSC Scholarships
  Students must accept scholarships awarded by CSC. Thank You letters may be required for certain awards and will be put on your To Do list for you to complete.
• Direct Student Loans
  Students must accept loans offered to you if you plan to use them for your college expenses. Be sure to accept an amount appropriate for the YEAR. The amount you accept is divided in half—between the fall and spring semesters. For example, if you accept a $1000 loan, you will receive $500 in the fall and $500 in the spring.
  If you are starting at CSC in the spring, your loans will be prorated, and you will receive the full amount you accept for the spring term.
• Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans
  Parent Loans must be accepted via MyCSC. Although parents do not have the ability to accept their loan on your MyCSC, the student will need to accept on their behalf. Once the PLUS loan is accepted, the parent PLUS MPN and Entrance Loan Counseling will be assigned to the students To Dos. Your parent will then to apply for the PLUS loan at studentaid.gov with the amount they wish to borrow the entire aid year. Only one parent can sign for the Parent Loan. Parents can complete separate Parent loans applications if they choose, which are subject to credit approval. If you have any questions about parent PLUS loans, please contact us at start@zo23.com. Note: Parent Loans are subject to credit checks.

For information about Parent PLUS loans, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

Information for New Borrowers

Students who accept Direct Student Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized) for the first time, and are NEW to CSC, are required to complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). These will appear on your MyCSC To Do list approximately 3-5 days after you accept your student loans.

CSC Average Debt Load

Monthly and Total Payments on the Standard Payment Plan

If you wish to view your personal Direct Loan outstanding debt, login to your MyCSC. Click Financial Aid on the left hand side, and click View Loan Information. You may also access this information by logging in to studentaid.gov with your FSA ID.

Learn more about Teacher Loan Forgiveness for student loan programs.

Purchasing Textbooks

• Students are encouraged to order your textbooks from the CSC Online Bookstore.
• Textbooks can average about $600 per term.
• Your textbook costs are not automatically included on your CSC bill

Book Advances are available for those who qualify:

• Complete the FAFSA 90 days prior to the start of the term/session.
• Be awarded financial aid and have aid accepted on your MyCSC.
• Complete ALL To Do List Items on your MyCSC prior to the start of the term.
• Have enough financial aid to cover your entire semester bill to CSC and the cost of your books.
• If a student is eligible for a Book Advance, you will be notified via EagleMail and provided with a Voucher ID.
  • If you do not receive an email from MBS, you are not eligible.

NOTE: The Book Advance/Voucher ID allows you to charge the cost of your textbooks to your CSC Spring Bill.

If you utilize the Book Advance, the book charges will be reflected on your CSC bill and the balance due will update to include these charges--thus reducing the amount of any anticipated refund. The Voucher ID is only valid for textbook purchases through the CSC Online Bookstore

Most financial aid awards (grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) do not disburse/apply to your CSC account balance until the SECOND WEEK of the term/semester/session and after course participation has been verified.

If you do not have enough financial aid to cover your estimated bill OR if you prefer to pay out of pocket, we have payment plans available.

Here are some tips to help you know how much you will owe after your financial aid is disbursed during the second week of classes:

1. Complete the FAFSA at least 90 days prior to the start of the term.
2. Estimate your CSC costs by using the Estimated Cost Calculator, or view your bill on your MyCSC. Bills are available 30 days prior to the start of the term; you will be notified via your EagleMail.
3. View the Plan to Pay Tutorial  to help understand the payment process.

Have questions? Please contact our Business Office at businessoffice@zo23.com or by phone 308-432-6240.

For information regarding Chadron State College’s Refund Policy, please review the attached document.