Financial Aid Application Deadlines
Undergraduate, Graduate, and Online Students
Incoming Undergraduate Students: Priority Filing Date March 1
Returning Undergraduate Students: Priority Filing Date April 1
Keeping to these deadlines when filing ensures maximum financial aid eligibility. The online FAFSA takes approximately one to two weeks to process and is the preferred submission method. The 2024-2025 FAFSA, which is required for new and returning students for the Fall 2024 semester will be opening in December 2023.
When you complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA, you will be applying for financial aid assistance for the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters. In order to determine your financial need, the FAFSA will use your family’s 2022 income. All students, and parents of dependent students, must consent to using the Direct Data Exchange tool within the FAFSA to have their financial information transferred to their application.
We understand that many families may have experienced financial changes or hardship since 2022. If this applies to you or your family, the Office of Financial Aid encourages you to complete our Special Circumstance Appeal Form once you have received your official Financial Aid Offer Letter so we can consider your extenuating circumstances.
If you have any questions along the way, please contact the Financial Aid Office by email at financialaid@annamaria.edu or by phone at (508) 849-3366.
More Information
Undergraduate Financial AidUndergraduate Financial Aid
Full-time day undergraduate students in a Bachelor’s Degree program are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if applying for need-based or Federal/State aid. The FAFSA determines a student’s need for financial aid by examining the family’s income and assets.
Before completing the FAFSA, it is important to register for a username and password for both the student and parent at http://studentaid.gov/. Include Anna Maria College’s school code #002117 to ensure information is sent to Anna Maria electronically. This username and password will be used every year. The FAFSA can also be filed using a paper application. To request a paper application, call the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FEDAID.
All students in the Undergraduate Day Program who complete a FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements for Federal Direct Student Loans will have loans included in their financial aid offer. If a student wishes to decline or reduce the amount of student loans they are offered, they must complete the Direct Loan Decline Form to notify us. All first-time borrowers must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note on www.studentaid.gov before their loans can be processed.
Students are encouraged to exhaust all grants and scholarships available to them before utilizing student loans. Please visit the Outside Scholarship section of our website to learn more about external scholarship opportunities.
Financial Aid staff members, including a Loan Specialist are available for individualized counseling. Please visit us or reach out at 508-849-3366 or financialaid@annamaria.edu during our business hours of 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday. Virtual and in-person appointments are available to all current and prospective students upon request.
Graduate and Continuing Education Financial Aid
There are three steps necessary for Graduate and Online students who wish to receive financial aid. They are:
- Be formally accepted into a program of study
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Federal, State, or need-based aid. Note that you must be enrolled at least half-time (two courses/six credits) per semester for undergraduates; (one course/three credits) per semester for graduates, in order to be eligible for Direct Loans.
Before completing the FAFSA, it is important to register for a username and password for both the student and parent at http://studentaid.gov/. Include Anna Maria College’s school code #002117 to ensure information is sent to Anna Maria electronically. This username and password will be used every year. The FAFSA can also be filed using a paper application. To request a paper application, call the Federal Student Aid Hotline at 1-800-4FEDAID.
All online and graduate students who complete a FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements for Federal Direct Student Loans will have loans included in their financial aid offer. Students must accept the full amount, accept a reduced amount, or decline their student loan offer before their loans will be processed. Students can complete this in their WebAMC student portal. All first-time borrowers must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note on www.studentaid.gov before their loans can be processed.
Students are encouraged to exhaust all grants and scholarships available to them before utilizing student loans. Please visit the Outside Scholarship section of our website to learn more about external scholarship opportunities
Financial Aid staff members, including a Loan Specialist are available for individualized counseling. Please visit us or reach out at 508-849-3366 or financialaid@annamaria.edu during our business hours of 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday. Virtual and in-person appointments are available to all current and prospective students upon request.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, students are required to meet the academic standards as outlined in our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and Form
Financial Aid Terms and Definitions
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The estimated cost of attending this institution for one academic year. This amount includes the following:
- Expected charges for one year of tuition and fees
- Tuition – Charges assessed for classes
- Fees – Charges assessed for other College services
- Room and board
- Estimated living expense — allowance for rent, utilities, and food for off-campus living
- Estimated transportation costs
- Estimated books and supplies
- Miscellaneous costs
Direct Costs
Expenses the student/family pays to the College.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
In order to be eligible for financial aid at Anna Maria College, a student must maintain SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress). All students are evaluated for academic progress on an annual basis, after spring semester grades are posted, for financial aid purposes. The Federal Government requires that students be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Click here for the full Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and Appeal
Click here for the full Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and Appeal
Educational Loan
A form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. Educational loans have varying interest rates and repayment terms. Students and/or parents are required to sign a promissory note when accepting an educational loan.
Student Loan
Funds awarded to the student that must eventually be paid back to the lender by the student.
Federal Direct Student Loan
Loan funds provided to the student by the U.S. Department of Education, through the school. Repayment of principal begins six months after the borrower ceases to be a student on at least a half-time basis. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the annual application. There are two types of Federal Direct Student Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Students with financial need can qualify for a subsidized loan, and the government pays the interest on the loan while the student remains enrolled at least half time. Students who don’t demonstrate financial need qualify for an unsubsidized loan and interest accrues while the student is in school.
Federal Grad PLUS Loan
Loan funds provided to graduate students by the U.S. Department of Education, through the school. This federal loan program allows graduate students with no adverse credit history to apply for up to their Cost of Attendance each year, less any financial aid. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled at least half time in an eligible program of study and first borrow the maximum allowable through the Federal Direct Student Loan program. Repayment of principal and interest begins 30 to 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed with deferment and forbearance options available.
Private (Alternative) Loan
A loan from a commercial, state-affiliated or institutional lender used to pay for up to the annual cost of education, less any financial aid received. Private loans usually require the applicant to be creditworthy or have a co-signer and have varying interest rates, fees and repayment options. Repayment of interest (and often principal) generally begins immediately, with some lenders offering deferment options for in-school periods.
Federal Parent Loan (PLUS)
A federal loan program that allows parents who have no adverse credit history to apply for up to the Cost of Attendance each year, less any financial aid. PLUS loans must be repaid with interest.
Enrollment Level
Level of the degree-granting program in which a student is enrolled. Basic levels of enrollment include: undergraduate (students seeking an associate’s degree, a certificate, or a baccalaureate degree); post-baccalaureate (such as teacher certification); graduate (students working on a master’s degree or professional degree); and post-graduate (such as students enrolled in a doctoral program). The amounts and types of financial aid a student is eligible for is determined, in part, by their enrollment level.
Enrollment Status
Academic workload (or course load), as defined by the institution, that a student is carrying for a defined academic period. This normally relates to the number of credit hours or clock hours taken by a student during a given academic period. For most traditional undergraduate term-based schools:
- Full-time status = at least 12 credit hours
- Three-quarter time status = at least 9-11 credit hours
- Half-time status = at least 6-8 credit hours.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
A measure of how much the student and his or her family can be expected to contribute to the cost of the student’s education for the year. The EFC is calculated according to a formula specified in the law and is based upon the information provided by the student and his or her family during the FASFA filing process.
Federal Pell Grant
A grant provided by the federal government to qualified undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and have an Expected Family Contribution below a threshold designated annually by the U.S. Department of Education, based on the amount of program funds appropriated by Congress.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
A program that provides part-time employment to students attending institutions of higher education who need the earnings to help meet their costs of postsecondary education and encourages students receiving FWS assistance to participate in community service activities.
Grant
Gift aid awarded to the student that does not need to be repaid. Grants are typically based on financial need.
Net Cost
Amount of direct and indirect costs remaining after all gift aid (scholarship and grant) is subtracted.
Scholarship
Gift aid awarded to the student that does not need to be repaid. Scholarship awards are typically based on academic merit.
Verification
Process to confirm the accuracy of data provided by the applicant on the FAFSA. In order to complete the verification process, students are required to provide certain documents to the school for review.
FAQs
When can I apply for financial aid?
Students can typically file for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning Oct. 1. The FAFSA is available at https://studentaid.gov. However, due to changes to the FAFSA form, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available until December 2023.
When should I file?
Anna Maria College encourages new first year students to file the FAFSA before March 1. Transfer students should submit the FAFSA before July 1.
When will I receive my financial-aid offer?
In order to receive the earliest possible notification of your financial aid offer, please submit your FAFSA no later than the admission application deadline you have chosen.
What is a merit-based scholarship?
Merit-based scholarships are based on a holistic review of a student’s admission record. Notification of scholarship awards are included with acceptance materials.
What is need-based financial aid?
Need-based grants, loans and work programs are available from the federal and state government and Anna Maria College own sources. To apply, students must complete the FAFSA, available at https://studentaid.gov.
What is the process for transfer students?
Transfer scholarships are awarded at the time of acceptance with the admission decision. To apply for need-based consideration, including federal and state grants, loans and work programs, applicants must file the FAFSA, available online at https://studentaid.gov.
I am an international student, can I apply for need based financial aid?
Yes, please follow the steps outlined here.