OVERAWARDS

The Financial Aid office is charged with the responsibility or compliance with the federal aid program guidelines, which include ensuring that students do not receive more than that for which they are eligible (exceeding the financial need amount).  In some cases where a student has been awarded financial aid and other financial assistance received exceeds the financial need amount, the Financial Aid Office must reduce or cancel any aid it has awarded to avoid “over awards” of federal aid.  Students who are awarded institutional grants, and subsequently receive departmental assistantships, stipends, VR support, waivers, or outside assistance, may have their institutional grants reduced.  Institutional grants are limited, and if awarded without knowledge of other assistance may be reduced to make grant funds available to students who do not receive such other assistance.  It is essential that students notify the Financial Aid Office of any assistance expected or received from outside sources (private scholarships, VR); or from other university departments or offices (such as tuition scholarships or waivers, stipends, grants, or other assistance or scholarships) to determine what effect, if any, this assistance will have on aid awarded by the Financial Aid Office.