Awarding of Federal (Title IV) Aid at MUIH

1.  All Title IV funds are awarded based on the information received from the FAFSA. You must complete the FAFSA to be eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid

2.  MUIH’s academic year, for the purposes of administering federal Title IV financial aid programs is defined as:

  • Three consecutive 14 weeks trimesters during which graduate students must enroll in at least 3 credit hours per trimester(half-time) to qualify for financial aid.
  • Enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term is required in order to be considered a full-time student for Title IV federal aid purposes.
  • The Academic Year starts in Fall and ends in Summer. For students who start their program in Spring or Summer they will get awarded financial aid for the remaining of the trimesters in within that academic/award year and then will have to reapply by completing the new FAFSA to continue receiving financial aid for the following academic year.
  • Once the student’s FAFSA is received and there are no issues preventing awarding Financial aid office sends out award letters 2-3 months before the start of the trimester and the process can go as late as a week before. If the Trimester has started already awarding take place in 1-3 business days.

3.  Based on a student’s academic program and enrollment status, an estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) will be assigned for packaging purposes.  The COA includes the following items:

  • Tuition and Fees
  • Housing and Meal (Living Expenses)
  • Books and Supplies
  • Transportation Cost
  • Other Educational Cost

4. The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the COA to determine each student’s demonstrated financial need.

  • COA – EFC = NEED
    • The sum of all need-based awards will not exceed the need of the student.
    • The sum of all awards (need and non-need) will not exceed the COA.

The packaging methodology for graduate students at MUIH:

  • All Students that apply for financial aid and have no issues preventing the award process will be offered the Direct Unsubsidized loan in the amount of $20,500.00 for the academic year. The award will be divided in three equal amounts among the three trimesters. Student can customize their awards however they cannot receive more than $10,250.00 per trimester in Direct Unsubsidized loan.
  • For additional funding to cover school related expenses students can apply for the Direct PLUS loan. Student can get awarded up to the Cost of Attendance if their application is approved. Please visit the link for more information and to apply for the Direct PLUS loan. Student must notify the Financial Aid office once approved in order to be reviewed for additional awards.
  • Federal Work Study Program (FWS) is also available for students that demonstrate financial need. Need is determined by an evaluation of the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are awarded FWS funds upon completion of the FAFSA if they have checked the interest in the work-study box, and as long as funds are available.
  • Students also have the option to apply for Institutional Scholarships and Grants. Students who are interested in applying for one or more scholarships must submit an online application.  Each scholarship and/or grant will be based on the following including, but not limited to specific program, need based, or diversity If any is awarded will be added to the student’s award letter.
  • Students who are not eligible for Federal aid or have exhausted their aggregate limit have the choice to apply and receive an alternative loan up to the Cost of Attendance based on their enrollment status.

Please Note: Federal regulations require colleges to consider all educational financial assistance to be calculated in determining student eligibility. Financial assistance includes grants, loans, scholarships, work study, and similar programs used to cover postsecondary educational expenses. When a student receives more aid than his/her financial need or our cost of attendance, the result may be an over offer.

Over offers must be resolved and may result in funds being returned to an aid program and a student owing the university money.

When the total of all aid received by the student exceeds the student’s cost of attendance budget, offers in the package will be adjusted (cancelled or reduced) in order to eliminate the over award. Loans will be reduced before any reduction is made to any other awards.