Understanding your Awards
- Newly admitted students to Shippensburg University will check their Financial Aid status on the Student myShip portal. See Financial Aid Student Portal for more information. You must accept, reduce or decline your financial aid offer and complete all additional requirements in order for your aid to disburse.
- Returning students will also be able to check their Financial Aid requirements on the Student myShip portal. However, returning students will not receive a financial aid award offer until after grades post and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) has been evaluated. You must accept, reduce or decline your financial aid offer and complete all additional requirements in order for your aid to disburse.
- Award offers indicate your eligibility for all aid programs. All awards are based upon eligibility which is calculated using the information you provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your aid offer is based on fulltime attendance. Changes in enrollment status may affect your eligibility for financial aid.
Types of aid commonly offered:
Federal Pell Grant and Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant): These are federal grants that do not have to be repaid.
PHEAA State Grant: This is a grant for Pennsylvania residents and does not have to be repaid. Award amounts on the Student Portal are estimates until official notification is sent by PHEAA. If you do not receive notification directly from PHEAA, your award is only an estimate.
Federal Perkins Loan: A loan that must be repaid with interest (currently 5%). The loan is interest-free until you enter repayment. You must sign a promissory note before any funds will be disbursed. If you accept this loan, you will be sent an e-mail instructing you when and where to sign the promissory note.
Federal Stafford Loan: A loan from the Federal Government. If a Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loan and/or a Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loan is listed as part of your award, it is an estimate of what you may be eligible to borrow.
Subsidized Stafford Loan: A need-based loan for which the government pays the interest on the loan while you are in school. Repayment begins six months after leaving school or graduating.
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: The student is responsible for the interest on the loan. You have the option to either pay the interest while in school, or have the interest capitalized (deferred) until six months after leaving school or graduating. You will be asked your preference when you complete your electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN).
The amount borrowed under the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program will be issued via electronic funds transfer to Shippensburg University. The funds are generally received within the first few weeks of the semester if the student has completed all requirements such as the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling for first time borrowers at www.studentloans.gov. All information regarding student billing, tuition charges, status of refund checks and outside scholarships should be directed to Student Accounts at (717) 477-1211 or studentaccts@ship.edu
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): This is a loan that one of your parents may apply for to help with educational costs. This loan does require a credit check. If your parent is denied a PLUS loan you may be eligible for additional Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loan.
PLUS Loans CAN'T be used as a credit toward a bill unless the loan has already been approved.
Student Employment: This is an on-campus job working 8-10 hours per week. Your assigned employer will contact you and provide training for the position. Student employment is intended to assist in paying for personal expenses. It cannot be used as a credit on the billing statement.
Other Aid NOT Appearing as part of your Award: If you will be receiving any other aid from an off-campus source (such as a private scholarship or a fee waiver), you must provide written confirmation of this aid to the Student Accounts Office as soon as possible.
It is important that you report the source of the aid and the amount of the aid because this could impact your financial aid eligibility.
Cost of Attendance
The Financial Aid Office uses an estimated cost of education based on full-time enrollment for one academic year (two semesters). The budget consists of direct charges paid to the university such as Tuition, Student Fees, room and meal plans if living on campus and various indirect costs. An overview of Shippensburg University's Cost of Attendance can be found at the bottom of the Tuition and Costs page.
DIRECT COSTS
Actual tuition and fees are listed on the Student Accounts Webpage
Please contact Student Accounts for any billing issues, charges, questions regarding disbursement of funds or refund checks.
INDIRECT COSTS
These are costs that you DO NOT pay directly to the university. The Financial Aid Office uses these estimated costs when determining aid eligibility. Travel to and from campus, books and supplies and other personal expenses will vary from student to student. The Financial Aid Office uses an average cost for each.
Making Satisfactory Academic Progress:
Federal and State regulations require that you make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a degree. Please see the minimum requirements listed on our web page as well as in the Financial Aid section of the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
Please feel free to contact us at 717 477-1131 if you have any questions.