Change in Enrollment Status

Unless specifically designated otherwise, all awards are issued based upon the student's anticipated enrollment as a full-time undergraduate (completing 12 credits or more per semester, in a degree-granting program). Students who become less than full-time or who enroll as "no degree" may lose their eligibility for aid in full or in part.

The Financial Aid Office periodically reviews all student accounts and will immediately remove any aid credited to the account of a student who has failed to satisfy progress or enrollment requirements as above. Students who are considering withdrawing (either from the University or from individual classes) are urged to meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss the impact of the withdrawal on their eligibility for aid.

Please read the information about refunds in the "Tuition and Expenses" section of this Catalog. Students are reminded that withdrawing from their courses (either in full or in part) may cause them to lose their eligibility for aid in current and future semesters. To avoid unexpected balances, students must contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions pertaining to this subject.

Graduate Students

Graduate students are eligible to apply for Stafford loans and should refer to the section on student loans for further information. Graduate students may also be eligible for assistantships or fellowships through the department in which they are enrolled. Contact the departmental office for additional information and application instructions. Graduate students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to continue to receive financial aid as specified in this catalog.

Students who have attained a bachelor's degree or its equivalent are not eligible to receive Pell, PHEAA, SEOG, FWS, Perkins, and most other forms of financial aid including institutional grants. Graduate students who are in default on a federal student loan are not eligible to receive assistance of any type while enrolled at the University.

Summer MFA Students

Students who enroll at least half-time (4.5 credits) in the Summer MFA program may borrow under the Stafford Loan program.

Students who matriculated as of June and follow the 12, 4.5, 4.5 credit pattern are permitted to borrow during all semesters of enrollments and qualify for deferments; these students may borrow up to $18,500.

Students who matriculated prior to June and follow the 10, 3, 3 credit pattern are not permitted to borrow during the fall and spring semesters.
Summer MFA students who are enrolled less than half time are not permitted to borrow and do not qualify for deferments. For the summer, Summer MFA students who enroll for 10 credits may borrow up to $11,000, less any other aid.

Transfer Students

Transfer undergraduates are eligible for aid and should apply following the same application procedures as other undergraduates (with exceptions listed below). All transfer students may be required to submit a Financial Aid Transcript (FAT) from each prior post-secondary institution attended in the current year, whether or not financial aid was received while enrolled. This regulation applies to transfer students who enroll beginning in January. It does not apply to transfer students who enroll beginning in September.

If the student has previously borrowed under any of the student loan programs, he or she is encouraged to use the same bank to avoid having multiple loan payments upon graduation. (Pennsylvania borrowers are required to use the same lender.)

Transfer students who have borrowed the undergraduate maximum under the Stafford program are not eligible for continued Stafford assistance while enrolled at the University. Any transfer student who is in default on a federal loan is ineligible for financial aid of any type while enrolled at the University.

Transfer students who enroll for the spring semester should be aware that financial aid received for enrollment during the fall semester at another institution is not transferable. Students must reapply for most forms of aid at the University. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information and instructions.

Bachelor’s Degree Holders

Students who have earned a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and who enroll as undergraduates are eligible to apply for Stafford loans (with exceptions below). In some cases these students may also be eligible for University-sponsored aid. Students are not eligible to receive PELL, PHEAA, SEOG, and Perkins.

Students who have already borrowed the undergraduate maximum under the Stafford program are ineligible for continued Stafford assistance while enrolled at the University. Those who are in default on a federal student loan are not eligible for aid of any type while enrolled at the University.

Part-Time Students

Part-time students who are enrolled in degree programs may be eligible for Pell, University, and PHEAA grants, as well as Stafford loans. Part-time students are subject to all requirements governing the financial aid programs, except that they are enrolled full-time. Part-time students are not eligible for merit-based aid. Part-time students should follow application procedures as detailed in this catalog.

Continuing Education Students

Students who enroll through the Continuing Education program are eligible for a very limited selection of loan programs. Continuing Education students are not eligible for any other type of financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

International Students

Students who are neither U.S. citizens nor eligible no citizens (as confirmed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service) are not eligible to receive any form of Federal Title IV financial aid while enrolled at The University of the Arts.

International students will be reviewed for scholarships when offered admission. Those students who demonstrate exceptional artistic ability in their portfolio review or audition will be considered for the University's Merit Scholarship Program.

International students may be eligible to borrow money through a very limited selection of loan programs. International students must have a U.S. citizen co-signer. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

Study Abroad and Off-Campus Study

Students who wish to study abroad or at another U.S. school for one or two semesters as part of the degree program at UArts will need the advice and approval of their department chair, a written agreement in advance of the courses, and a description of how they will transfer back into the degree program.

This off-campus study is normally best done in the junior year. Interested students should begin by making an appointment in the Dean’s office to discuss their plans at least six months before the program begins. Appointments with the Registrar, Financial Aid, and Billing offices are also recommended at that time. If the student has financial aid, he/she should register during the normal registration period. While away, the student should keep the Financial Aid Office informed of any changes in status.

The following information should be used to assist in determining if study abroad will be a viable option, and to help plan for the financial responsibilities. Financial Aid that can be used abroad:

1. Federal Pell Grant
2. Federal SEOG
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. PHEAA State Grant
5. Federal Stafford Loan
6. Federal Plus Loan

These forms of aid are subject to reduction if costs for study abroad programs are less than costs at The University of the Arts. Financial Aid that cannot be used abroad includes all University sponsored aid, such as:

1. Talent Scholarship
2. Presidential Scholarship
3. University Grant
4. Promising Artist Award
5. Artist Grant
6. Named Scholarships
7. Graduate Grants, Scholarships, and Assistantships

Students who plan to study abroad should apply for financial aid adhering to normal deadlines and procedures. Additionally, such students must provide The University of the Arts’ Financial Aid Office with the following:

1. Contact person at coordinating university or college including their address, telephone, and fax numbers.
2. Power of Attorney, duly executed (if documents will require your signature in your absence.)
3. Consortium Agreement, completed. (available from the Financial Aid Office.)
4. Contact Financial Aid Office before final departure. It will be necessary to maintain close contact with our office to assure aid is processed before you leave the country.

Reminders:
1. The study abroad program must be approved by both the academic dean and the University’s Office of the Registrar. Contact those offices for additional information and procedures.
2. Students must begin all paperwork at least six months prior to the semester abroad.
3. In most countries students will not be permitted to earn wages, so they should be prepared to have sufficient spending money.
4. Students may not use financial aid for unapproved programs abroad. In order to be eligible for financial aid, the student must enroll through a college or university that is approved for participation in the Federal Title IV programs.
5. Students may not use the extended payment plan (TMS) to pay for tuition.