A | C | D | E | F | G | I | L | N | O | P | R | S | U | V
A
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)
Need-based grant. Awarded to in-state students pursuing their first undergraduate degrees. Eligibility: based on exceptional need, availability of funds and Federal Pell eligibility. Funds are limited.
Academic Year
Starts with fall semester and ends with the spring semester. Summer is a separate term.
Alabama GI
If you are the child, spouse or widow(er) of a service related disabled or deceased Alabama veteran, you may qualify for benefits when you attend any state supported college located in Alabama. Veterans Service Officers of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs maintain an office in each county of the State. They can furnish information and assist in filing application for educational benefits. You may also receive additional information by writing: Alabama GI Dependents’ Scholarship Program, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 1509, Montgomery, AL, 36102-1509 or phone (334) 242-5126.
C
Campus-Based Programs
Sources of financial aid which include the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Federal Work Study. These programs have limited funds and are awarded, based on financial need.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The estimated total amount it will cost to attend The University of Alabama for federal funding. It is determined by Student Financial Aid using rules established by the U.S. Congress. It is based on average costs incurred by students. Amounts are included for tuition, housing, food, books, travel and personal miscellaneous expenses.
D
Dependent Student
Established by the Federal Government, dependency is based on:
You’re a dependent student for the academic year if all of the following apply to you:
- you are younger than age 24;
- you are not married;
- you are enrolled in an undergraduate program of study towards your first bachelor’s degree;
- you have no legal dependents;
- you are not an orphan or ward of the court; or
- you are not a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (veteran includes a student who attended a U.S. military academy who was released under a condition other than dishonorable).
E
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The amount you and/or your parents are expected to contribute toward your educational expenses as determined by a federally-mandated formula, which uses the information you provide on your FAFSA. Your EFC is used to determine your financial need.
Education Abroad
Federal financial aid may be used toward an approved education abroad program. Students may use federal aid for an education abroad program if it applies to their degree. If you are participating in an education abroad program AND will receive federal financial aid; obtain a budget sheet for your education abroad program from Education Abroad, submit it to an advisor in Student Financial Aid. This will ensure that your cost of attendance accurately reflects your enrollment in the education abroad program. If you fail to meet with an advisor, your cost of attendance and award will reflect on-campus attendance. For more information, see the Education Abroad section under FAQ.
Entrance Counseling
A requirement for first time borrowers to learn about the rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Federal Stafford Loan entrance counseling must be completed online at studentaid.gov.
F
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The application used to determine financial need. When completing this form for The University of Alabama, it is not necessary to complete any supplement you may have received with the FAFSA, or to pay any fees for processing.
FSA ID
An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov.
If you are a parent of a dependent student, you will need your own FSA ID to sign your child’s FAFSA electronically. If you have more than one child attending college, you can use the same FSA ID to sign all applications. Please note: Each FSA ID user must have a unique email address.
FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
Awarded on basis of financial need as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA. Awarded to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Amounts vary according to need. The maximum grant awarded by UA for an academic year is $1,500. Funds are limited. Students are strongly encouraged to have a complete application on file by the December 1 priority date. Students apply for SEOG by submitting a FAFSA.
Federal Direct Loan
Federal Direct Loans can be subsidized, unsubsidized or the optional Graduate PLUS for the student or the optional Parent PLUS loan for parents of dependent undergraduate students. All Federal Direct Loans charge an origination fee. View more information on fees and interest rates. For other information, visit our Loans page.
Federal PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students)
The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is not based on financial need. Only parents or dependent undergraduate students may apply for this loan. A parent is currently defined as a student’s natural or adoptive mother or father or step-parent. Parents are required to pass a credit check. The annual limit is equal to the student’s cost of attendance, as defined by The University of Alabama, minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan disburses, or the borrower may request to defer repayment until the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. For more information, visit our Loans page.
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded on basis of financial need as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA. Awarded to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Amounts vary according to enrollment status and need. The maximum grant for 2024-2025 is $7,395. Grant amounts are based on Expected Family Contribution and enrollment status: full time (12+ credit hours), three-quarter time (9-11 credit hours), one-half time (6-8 credit hours), and less than half time (fewer than 6 credit hours). Students apply for the Federal Pell Grant by submitting a FAFSA.
Federal Work Study
A form of financial aid which must be earned. Federal Work Study is need-based aid. Funds are limited. You indicate your interest in Federal Work Study on the FAFSA.
Financial Aid Package
An offer of financial aid usually comprised of a combination of aid programs which may include scholarships, grants, loans and/or Federal Work Study funds.
Financial Need
The difference between your cost of attendance as established by The University of Alabama and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by information provided on the FAFSA.
G
Gift Aid
A form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid or earned.
Grace Period
A period of time granted to loan borrowers during which no payment of principal is due. After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time you enter a grace period. This grace period is usually six months (check with your lender).
Grant
A form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid or earned.
I
Independent Student
You’re an independent student for the academic year if at least one of the following applies to you:
- you are 24 years old;
- you are married;
- you are enrolled in a graduate or professional educational program (beyond a bachelor’s degree);
- you have legal dependents other than a spouse;
- you are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18) or
- you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (veteran includes a student who attended a U.S. military academy who was released under a condition other than dishonorable).
L
Loan
Loans must be repaid. Loans are available to help with your educational expenses.
- The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. Currently, if you qualify for this loan, the government pays the interest on the loan until you begin repayment and authorized periods of deferment thereafter. There are yearly and aggregate limits and interest on the loans. This information can be reviewed at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized. You apply for this loan by submitting a FAFSA. Repayment does not begin until the student is below half-time enrollment
- The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not awarded on the basis of need. However, students must complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for this loan. Interest is charged on the loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students may elect to pay the interest while in school or allow it to accumulate and be added to the principal loan amount. There are yearly and aggregate limits and interest on the loans. This information can be reviewed at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized. You apply for this loan by submitting a FAFSA. Repayment does not begin until the student is below- time enrollment
- The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is not based on financial need. Only parents or dependent undergraduate students may apply for this loan. A parent is currently defined as a student’s natural or adoptive mother or father or step-parent. Parents are required to pass a credit check. The annual limit is equal to the student’s cost of attendance, as defined by The University of Alabama, minus any other financial aid the student is receiving. There are two methods of repayment. Borrowers may begin repayment 60 days after the loan disburses, or may request that repayment be deferred until the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Interest will accrue during the deferment period. Interested parents can also print a Federal PLUS loan application from our Forms page.
N
Need-based Aid
Aid programs for which you must demonstrate financial need in order to qualify. Students must complete the FAFSA. Financial need is determined from answers you provide on the FAFSA.
O
Origination Fee
A fee which is applied to Federal Direct Loans. This fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is deducted from the amount approved before the Direct Loans disburses the funds. Origination fees and interest rates can be reviewed at https://studentaid.gov.
P
Priority Date
The priority date to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year is December 1.
R
Refund
A refund will typically be processed by direct deposit from any funds remaining in your student account after aid has been disbursed and fees paid. You may contact Student Account Services for any questions related to refund processing – 205-348-5350 or studentaccounts@ua.edu.
S
Student Aid Report (SAR)
The report you receive as a result of filing the FAFSA.
Student Account
An account to which your financial aid is disbursed. These funds pay your tuition and fees or receivables owed to The University of Alabama.
Subsidized Loan
The Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. Currently, if you qualify for this loan, the government pays the interest on the loan until you begin repayment and authorized periods of deferment thereafter. There are yearly and aggregate limits and interest on the loans. There is a loan origination fee charged before the loan disburses. This information can be reviewed at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized. You apply for this loan by submitting a FAFSA. Repayment does not begin until the student is below half-time enrollment.
U
Unsubsidized Loan
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not awarded on the basis of financial need. Interest must be paid while the student is in school or added to the balance of the loan. Repayment does not begin until the student is below half-time enrollment. There are yearly and aggregate limits and interest on the loans. There is a loan origination fee charged before the loan disburses. This information can be reviewed at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized. You apply for this loan by submitting a FAFSA.
V
Veteran’s Education Benefits
Educational benefits for qualified veterans and their dependents. Amounts vary according to the type of benefit. Visit the Veteran and Military Affairs website for more information.