Financial Aid FAQ
How much Financial Aid is available to THSU students?
The amount of available financial aid a student may be eligible for depends on each student’s Cost of Attendance, as well as his/her enrollment status, year in school, and Expected Family Contribution. The Cost of Attendance consists of the direct costs for a program, such as tuition and fees, as well as estimated living expenses for the period of enrollment/term.
A student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an index number found on your processed FAFSA/Student Aid Report that is calculated by the government according to a formula established by law. This formula takes into account various factors such as income, assets, benefits received, family size, and number of family members in college. The EFC, despite its name, is not the amount of money a student will have to pay for college nor is it the amount of aid you will receive. It is a number that is used in the eligibility formula for how much aid a student can receive.
From this link you can view a chart explaining the financial aid programs offered by THSU, as well as the maximum amounts students may be eligible to receive.
For further explanation of these terms and how eligibility is calculated, please see the following section on StudentAid.gov’s website.
What Financial Programs are available to THSU students?
Some financial aid programs that THSU offers, such as Federal Work-Study, Pell Grants, and Direct Subsidized Loans, are need-based aid. Your financial need determines how much need-based aid, if any, you may be eligible to receive. Need-based aid may not exceed the amount of your financial need.
Financial need is calculated by subtracting your EFC from your Cost of Attendance.
COA – EFC = Financial Need
Example: If your COA is $10,000 and your EFC from the FAFSA is $2500, then your financial need is limited to $7,500.
For determining non-need-based aid amounts, such as Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Parent PLUS/Grad PLUS loans, any other financial aid you’ve already been awarded (Estimated Financial Assistance, or EFA), such as private scholarships or Federal Work-Study, is subtracted from your Cost of Attendance. Non-need-based aid is NOT based on your EFC.
COA – EFA = Non-Need-Based Aid Eligibility
Example: If your COA is $10,000 and you’ve been awarded $3000 in need-based aid via Federal Work-Study, then you can receive up to $7,000 in non-need-based aid, such as by borrowing an Unsubsidized Direct Loan, subject to annual loan limits.
Can I request to borrow loan funds beyond the cost of attendance?
No. Federal guidelines restrict a student’s ability to receive more than the Cost of Attendance established by a school. However, THSU will authorize a student to request a Professional Judgment on account of Special Circumstances – which is an increase to their individual COA budget for expenses not covered in the COA. Uncovered expenses include childcare expenses, vehicle repairs, medical and dental expenses not covered by the student’s health insurance plan, and a one-time only computer replacement. Professional Judgment requests for an increase to an individual’s COA must be accompanied by the requisite receipts and documentation. Final decision-making authority rests with the THSU Financial Aid Office and the decision cannot be appealed to the Department of Education. Likewise, a request is not guaranteed to be granted, but will be considered when proper documentation has been submitted.
For further information about requesting a Professional Judgment, please contact the THSU Financial Aid Office.
Does THSU offer any scholarships
Yes, please see Alternative Sources for Financial Aid.