Navigating Financial Aid at American University: A Comprehensive Guide to FAFSA and CSS Profile Requirements

American University (AU) offers a comprehensive financial aid program that recognizes both academic excellence and demonstrated financial need. The purpose of financial aid is to assist those students who, without such aid, might not be able to attend AU. Financial aid funds are available to supplement whatever funds students and their families can reasonably provide, acknowledging that the primary responsibility for meeting the costs of education rests with individual students and their families. This guide provides a detailed overview of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CSS Profile requirements for students seeking financial aid at American University.

Understanding the FAFSA and CSS Profile

To be considered for need-based financial aid at American University, students must complete two primary applications: the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. For AU need-based aid consideration, both the CSS Profile and FAFSA must be received by the priority deadline of May 1. It is crucial to complete these applications accurately and by the specified deadlines. Do not wait to be admitted before filing your PROFILE and FAFSA.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal and state need-based aid. To expedite the processing of your application, complete your FAFSA online. The information provided on the FAFSA determines eligibility for various federal and state aid programs.

CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is a comprehensive application that is personalized for you based on information you provide when you register for the application. American University (AU) will use the information collected on the CSS Profile to assist us in offering institutional grant funding. Complete the CSS Profile online through the College Board. It delves deeper into a family's financial situation than the FAFSA, allowing AU to assess eligibility for institutional grant funding.

Important Note for Divorced or Separated Parents: For students with biological, or adoptive parents who are divorced, separated, never married, or living separately, each parent will be required to submit a CSS Profile Application.

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Completing the Applications: A Step-by-Step Guide

To ensure a smooth application process, follow these steps when completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile:

File accurately: It is important that information on the CSS Profile and FAFSA be as accurate as possible. Your financial aid offer will be based on the information provided on both applications. File your CSS Profile and FAFSA using your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security Card. Sign your FAFSA electronically.
Complete the CSS Profile First (Optional): You may wish to complete the CSS Profile first and use the College Board's pre-populated FAFSA Worksheet to assist you in completing the FAFSA. You will have the option to print the College Board FAFSA Worksheet upon completion of the CSS Profile.
Obtain PINs: Both you and a parent (dependent students only) may obtain unique Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) through the Department of Education.
Submit by the Priority Deadline: For AU need-based aid consideration, both the CSS Profile and FAFSA must be received by the deadline coinciding with how you are applying to AU. Fall and spring applicants who would like financial aid consideration must submit their financial aid applications by May 1. Note: Only Federal funds are guaranteed to spring applicants.

Types of Financial Aid Available at American University

American University participates in a variety of financial assistance programs, including grants, loans, scholarships and student employment. Once a student is admitted to American University, the Financial Aid Office assesses the student’s need and develops a financial aid award that includes funds from the programs for which the student qualifies. The financial aid award may include a combination of American University scholarships, grants, federal grants, federally subsidized or unsubsidized loans and/or student employment.

Grants

AU Grant: This grant is offered to students demonstrating exceptional financial need.
State Grants: Many states administer grant programs which residents may apply for and receive while attending American University.

Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarships: All admitted students, regardless of nationality, are considered for academic/merit scholarships for which they are eligible. The Admissions Committee makes all merit-based scholarship decisions and notifies students at the time they are admitted or shortly thereafter. Your admissions application is your application for a merit-based scholarship. In general, admitted students awarded scholarships have excellent academic credentials and exhibit exceptional leadership skills. Merit awards range from $3,000 to full tuition per year.
Additional Scholarship Funds: Additional scholarship funds are offered to students who qualify for admission to the AU Honors Program.
Endowment Scholarships: The university has a limited number of scholarships that are funded annually through endowments by donors.
Outside Scholarship Opportunities: Students are encouraged to seek outside scholarship opportunities to supplement their financial aid package.

Loans

Federal Direct Loans: This loan is guaranteed by the federal government. There are two types of Direct Loans: Subsidized Federal Loans are for eligible students who have demonstrated financial need; students who do not have demonstrated need are eligible for an Unsubsidized Federal Loan. No interest is charged on Subsidized Federal Loans while the student is enrolled at least half-time in a degree seeking program. Unsubsidized Federal Loans are interest bearing. Repayment for both begins six months after graduation or when the student drops below halftime enrollment status in any semester.
Federal PLUS Loans: This federal loan program is available to the parents of dependent undergraduate students to assist them in meeting educational expenses.
Non-Federal Education Loans: A non-federal education loan may allow a student to afford direct costs of tuition and fees and/or indirect costs of living not met by other sources. American University of Health Sciences encourages students to first pursue grants and scholarships, then exhaust access to federal loans before seeking private education loans. Non-federal lenders include banks, credit unions, and private companies. American University of Health Sciences does not make any recommendations regarding private loan lenders. Students may borrow from any lender. ELMSelect displays a roster of private lenders that have funded or are willing to fund education loans for students attending at American Un.

Student Employment

Federal Work-Study Program: This program for students with financial need provides the opportunity to work part-time and use earnings toward educational expenses. Income from work-study jobs is to be used exclusively for educational purposes.

Tuition Exchange Program

Tuition Exchange Program: American University participates in the Tuition Exchange Program, a competitive merit-based program available to faculty and staff members. Full-time faculty and staff members and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for tuition benefits.

Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

When you accept a financial aid offer, we are required by law to review your academic progress. This review policy is referred to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Progress is evaluated once per academic year at the end of the spring semester. For federal aid and American University (AU) need based aid, students must successfully complete 67% of all attempted credits and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. AU Merit recipients must successfully complete 67% of all attempted credits and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Students who have failed to maintain the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress standards may re-establish eligibility for financial aid funds by: the changing of a grade or the reporting of a missing grade. Students who are not meeting the SAP requirements for aid eligibility will be notified in writing of the loss of aid eligibility.

Students with extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Office to request a reinstatement of financial aid. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis. Course of action or change in situation that will allow them to make satisfactory progress at the next evaluation. In certain cases, the appeal letter should include supporting documentation to prove that the extenuating circumstances occurred. For example, if the extenuating circumstances were an illness, then the student would attach a note from a medical provider confirming the illness took place, that treatment was/is under way, and that the student is now able to return successfully to school.

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Additional Considerations

Financial Aid for Spring Applicants: Note: Only Federal funds are guaranteed to spring applicants.
Financial Aid Changes Based on Enrollment Status: Eligibility and disbursements of financial aid may change based on enrollment status each quarter. Because of federal financial aid regulations (excluding Pell), students whose enrollment status is less than half-time will have no financial aid eligibility for that quarter. Due to these eligibility requirements, it is important that students work with student affairs office to ensure full-time enrollment status each quarter. A change from full-time enrollment status could cause a loss of financial aid eligibility and create a cash pay situation for some students.
Indirect Costs: There are indirect costs while attending higher learning education. There may be other expenses that a student may incur while attending school that may be taken into consideration in the cost of attendance.
Net Price Calculator: The Net Price Calculator is a tool that is intended to provide you with an estimated amount that you might pay after grant aid and scholarships to attend AU. All colleges in the United States are required to determine a standard cost of attendance for students.
American University Refund Policy: The American University refund policy does not apply to first-time American University students. If a student leaves the institution prior to completing 60 percent of a payment period or term, the Financial Aid Office must recalculate eligibility for Title IV funds. Percentage of payment period or term completed = the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date divided by the total days in the payment period or term. If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. If a student earned more aid than was disbursed to him or her, the institution would owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be paid within 120 days of the student’s withdrawal.
Assigned Financial Aid Counselor: When you apply to American University, you’re automatically assigned an individual counselor from our team of dedicated financial aid staff members, here to help you navigate the financial aid process every step of the way.
Review and Accept Financial Aid Offer: Review and then accept or decline your financial aid offer online at your student portal.
Additional Forms: The following are the additional undergraduate financial aid forms that you may be asked to download and complete.

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