Financial Aid: Student Guide

Your complete guide to understanding and receiving financial aid at A-State.

This student-facing guide explains how financial aid works at A-State from start to finish. Students can access clear instructions on FAFSA processing, Pell Grants, federal student loans, verification, disbursements, refunds, work-study, and maintaining eligibility. Designed to answer common questions and support new and returning students throughout the academic year.

Federal Direct Student Loans

Federal Direct Student Loans

Federal Direct PLUS Loan - Parent PLUS

A Parent PLUS Loan allows a parent to borrow an amount up to the student’s cost of attendance minus all financial aid the student may receive for the enrollment period. This is a last to pay loan and all other aid must be accepted or denied before the loan will be processed. 

 

How to obtain a Parent PLUS Loan: 

  1. The student must complete their FAFSA for the current aid year before beginning any additional aid applications. 
  2. The parent listed on the student's FAFSA, should login to their parent Federal Student Aid account at: https://studentaid.gov/. Once the parent is logged into their account, they can navigate to the PLUS Loan Application page and complete the application. A credit check will be performed during the application process.  If the parent is approved for a Federal PLUS Loan, the information will be sent to Arkansas State University for processing.
  3. The parent will also need to complete a Parent PLUS Promissory Note at Federal Student Aid. If the loan is denied and the parent wishes to seek an endorser, please fill out the MPN before adding an endorser to the loan. 

 

What if my application is denied? 

If a parent receives a denied loan application, the student is eligible to fill out an Additional Unsubsidized Loan Form. An appeal or endorser may also be an option if a loan is denied. If an appeal or endorser is approved for the specific loan application, an MPN and PLUS Loan Credit Counseling is required to receive the loan funds.

Note: an MPN and Credit Counseling is required for each loan that is approved by appeal or endorser. If your loan is being endorsed please email our PLUS Loan coordinator. The Federal Student Aid does not notify us that the loan is being endorsed and we must pull it in manually. 

For summer session(s), you must complete a separate loan application, since it is a separate loan term. 

Credit applications only stay on file for 6 months. This is subject to change according to federal regulations. We recommend applying at least one month prior to the start of class. If the approval date is expired, the loan funds will not be disbursed.

Note: Loan applications take at least 24 hours to get to us and they will be processed in the order they were received.  

 

How Much Can Be Borrowed? 

Parents may borrow up to their student's total cost of attendance less other financial aid received such as grants, scholarships and loans. The total cost of attendance is determined by the Office of Financial Aid based on an average cost for tuition, books, room and board, travel, and miscellaneous expenses for the academic year.  

 

What is the Loan Processing Fee? 

The processing fee is a fee the lender charges up-front for providing you the loan. The processing fee for a loan disbursed: 

  1. Between October 1, 2020 and before October 1, 2025 is 4.228% 
  2. Between October 1, 2019 and before October 1, 2020 is 4.236% 

 

What is the Interest Rate? 

The fixed interest rate is 

  1. 9.08% for a loan disbursed between July 1, 2024 and before July 1, 2025. 
  2. 8.05% for a loan disbursed between July 1, 2023 and before July 1, 2024. 

*Interest begins accruing at the time of the first disbursement. 

When do I have to Repay? 

  1. Repayment begins within 60 days after the final disbursement for the loan period. 
  2. Deferment may be an option. 

 

For additional information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website at: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent 

 

 

 

 

Federal Direct Student Loans

Federal Direct PLUS Loan - Grad PLUS

A Grad PLUS Loan for Graduates allows a graduate student to borrow any amount up to the student's cost of attendance minus all financial aid the student may receive for the enrollment period. 

 

What is required to receive a Graduate PLUS Loan? 

  1. Complete the FAFSA.   
  2. Log into Federal Student Aid account with your FSA ID. 
  3. Complete the Grad PLUS loan application at: https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing 
  4. Complete the Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note. Note: If the loan is denied and the you wish to seek an endorser, please fill out the MPN before adding an endorser to the loan.

Note: Once our office has received and awarded your PLUS loan, you will need to login to your Financial Aid Offer page to accept your loan offer. You can access this page by logging into Banner 9 Student from https://pack.astate.edu/ 

 

What if my application is denied? 

An appeal or endorser may also be an option if a loan is denied. If an appeal or endorser is approved for the specific loan application, an MPN and PLUS Loan Credit Counseling is required to receive the loan funds.

Please note: an MPN and Credit Counseling is required for each loan that is approved by appeal or endorser. If your loan is being endorsed please email our PLUS Loan coordinator. The Federal Student Aid does not notify us that the loan is being endorsed and we must pull it in manually. 

 

For summer session(s), you must complete a separate loan application, since it is a separate loan term. 

Credit applications only stay on file for 6 months. This is subject to change according to federal regulations. We recommend to apply 1 month classes begins. If the approval date is expired, the loan funds will not disburse. Loans applications take at least 24 hours to get to us and they will be processed in the order they were received.  

 

How Much Can Be Borrowed? 

Graduates may borrow up to their total cost of attendance less other financial aid received such as grants, scholarships and loans. The total cost of attendance is determined by the Office of Financial Aid based on an average cost for tuition, books, room and board, travel, and miscellaneous expenses for the academic year.  

What is the Loan Processing Fee? 

The processing fee is a fee the lender charges up-front for providing you the loan. The processing fee for a loan disbursed: 

  1. Between October 1, 2020 and before October 1, 2025 is 4.228% 
  2. Between October 1, 2019 and before October 1, 2020 is 4.236% 

 

What is the Interest Rate? 

The fixed interest rate is 

  1. 9.08% for a loan disbursed between July 1, 2024 and before July 1, 2025. 
  2. 8.05% for a loan disbursed between July 1, 2023 and before July 1, 2024. 

*Interest begins accruing at the time of the first disbursement. 

 

When do I have to Repay? 

  1. Repayment begins within 60 days after the final disbursement for the loan period. 
  2. Deferment may be an option. 

For more information, visit Federal Student Aid's page at: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/grad 

 

 

 

Federal Direct Student Loans

Federal Direct Loans - Subsidized and Unsubsidized

What is a Federal Direct Student Loan?

Federal Direct Student Loans include Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These loans are offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help eligible students pay for college costs at universities, community colleges, and trade or technical schools. (You may also hear these loans called “Stafford Loans,” but that is not the official name.)

After a student completes the FAFSA, eligible loan funds are sent to the school listed on the FAFSA. Both undergraduate and graduate students may receive these loans to help cover their educational expenses. At Arkansas State University, loan funds are disbursed after the loans have been approved, processed, and the student’s classes have begun.


How to apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan?

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on Federal Student Aid's website at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Arkansas State University's school code is 001090.

2. Complete the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling on Federal Student Aid's website: https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling

3. Complete the Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note on Federal Student Aid's website: https://studentaid.gov/mpn/

4. Loans must be accepted online from your Financial Aid offer page. You can access this page by logging into Banner 9 Student through https://pack.astate.edu/ 

5. Loans will be disbursed directly to your Arkansas State University Student Account

Note: Students must complete the FAFSA every year to continue to apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan.

 

The Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan

Beginning July 1, 2012, only undergraduate students are eligible for Federal Subsidized Loans. Graduate students are no longer eligible to receive this type of loan. Eligibility for subsidized loans is based on financial need as determined by federal guidelines. A loan is called "subsidized" because the government pays interest for the student during:

At least half-time enrollment (6 or more hours) with A-State (Dual Enrollment hours will not count) and the six-month grace period after the student ceases attendance on at least a half-time basis.

 

The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan

This type of loan is available to students regardless of income or need. With an unsubsidized loan, you are responsible for all interest that accrues during in school, grace, and deferment periods. You may choose to pay the interest portion only while in school, which would keep your loan balance at principal. If you choose to defer such payments, the interest will be capitalized.


What is a Master Promissory Note?

A master promissory note is a signed agreement promising payment of a sum of money, i.e. by signing a master promissory note for a federal direct loan the student is agreeing to repay their loan proceeds to their designated servicer. Complete your master promissory note here.

 

Why must a student complete entrance counseling?

The Loan Entrance Counseling provides the student detailed information on the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. It is very important for the student to understand their rights and responsibilities when borrowing money for school. Complete your Loan Entrance Counseling here.

 

How much can I borrow?

Check out the Federal Student Aid Direct Loan website for information regarding loan amounts at: https://studentaid.gov/ 

 

Check on your Federal Loans

Information regarding your federal student loans is located on your Federal Student Aid account at: https://studentaid.gov/

Once you are logged into your Federal Student Aid account you can view your loans by clicking on "My Aid".

 

When do I begin to repay my Federal Direct Loans?

Each student is given a period of time before loan repayment begins; this is called a “grace period”. The federal direct loan grace period is six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status. Once a student exceeds their grace period, they must begin loan repayment. Federal direct loans are repaid to the holder of the loan, with 10-25 years to repay, depending on the total amount the student has borrowed.

For additional information, log in to https://studentaid.gov/

 

 

 

Federal Direct Student Loans

Transitioning from Undergraduate to Graduate Financial Aid (Same Academic Year)

Transitioning from Undergraduate to Graduate Financial Aid (Same Academic Year)

If you’re graduating during the Fall or Spring term and will be continuing your education as a graduate student within the same academic year, there are a few important steps you must complete to receive graduate-level financial aid.

1. Update Your FAFSA
Review your current year FAFSA and check how you answered the question:
“What is your current grade level?”

This update is required to reflect your new graduate student status and determine your eligibility for graduate-level financial aid.

2. Complete Graduate Loan Requirements
After submitting your FAFSA correction, you must complete the following graduate student loan requirements:

These steps are required before graduate loan funds can be processed.

3. Review Your Financial Aid Offer
Once your FAFSA correction has been processed:

You will then be able to review and accept your awards.

Need Help?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our office at 870-972-2310.

Private Student Loans

Private Student Loans

FastChoice - Arkansas State University

Private Student Loans 

A private student loan is a non-federal loan from a private lender like a bank or credit union, used to pay educational expenses. Unlike federal loans, these are credit-based, with terms like interest rates depending on your credit history. The terms and conditions of these credit-based loan programs vary, we encouraged students to review the details of the programs before selecting a lender. Some lenders may require a co-signer. 

How to Apply:

https://choice.fastproducts.org/FastChoice/home/109000 

2. Complete the Borrowing Essentials so you will be equipped with the knowledge to select which lender is best for you. 

3. Complete an application with the private loan lender you have a selected.

 

Note: These loans can take 2 - 4 weeks to process. Private loans are considered last to pay loans and all other aid must be accepted or declined before the private loan can be processed. To avoid delays in processing, please apply at least one month prior to your classes starting. If you apply for a loan, please use the appropriate start and end date you would like the loan applied for. Example: if you apply with the dates ( 08/2025 - 05/2026 ), it starts for the Fall term and ends in the Spring term. The loan amount you apply for using these dates will be split between the Fall and the Spring terms. Please double check the dates and amounts you are applying for before submitting. 

Fall term is August - December

Spring term is January - May

Summer term is May - August

 

After Applying 

If your loan is approved, we will award your loan in the order it was received. Once your loan has been awarded, you can check it's status by visiting your Financial Aid Offer page in your Banner 9 Student portal.

 

Note: Arkansas State University does not control your disbursement date. As part of the loan certification process, we request the earliest disbursement date allowed for the term, even if it is a past date. 

Arkansas State University has no say in the credit decision, interest rates or cosigner requirements made by the lenders. 

The amount you apply for may not be the amount you receive. Private loans must also be kept within Federal Budget Guidelines per semester. 

To reduce the cost of borrowing, consider making in-school interest or interest plus principal payments. 

Rules for repayment and deferment vary from lender to lender. Check with your lender for more information. 

 

 

 

Private Student Loans

Private Loan Resources


The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) makes significant changes to the federal student loan programs, many of which are likely to increase reliance on private education loans. NASFAA has created the resources below to help student and parent borrowers on the key differences between federal and private education loans, important information about private education loan terms and conditions, and information about how to choose a private education lender.

For Student and Parent Borrowers

Private Education Loans: Information For Students & Families
The basics of private education lending for prospective student and parent borrowers to help them understand the differences between federal and private loans.

Private Loan Checklist for Prospective Student and Parent Borrowers
A list of the critical questions borrowers should be asking private education lenders when they are researching their education financing options. 

(Information is from NASFAA - National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, published on 04/15/2026, www.nasfaa.org)

Federal Grants

Federal Grants: What They Are and How They Work
Information summarized from Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education — studentaid.gov.

The U.S. Department of Education offers several types of federal grants to help students pay for college or career school. Grants are a form of financial aid that usually do not need to be repaid, unlike student loans.

However, there are certain situations where a student may be required to repay some or all of their grant—for example, if they withdraw from classes early or, in the case of a TEACH Grant, if they do not complete the required teaching service.



Types of Federal Grants

The federal government provides different grant programs for eligible students attending universities, community colleges, and career or technical schools. Below is a summary of the main grant programs:



Federal Pell Grant

For undergraduate students with significant financial need

Student must not already have a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree

Maximum award for 2024–2025: up to $7,395



Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

For undergraduates with exceptional financial need

Must not have earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree

Maximum award: up to $1,000 per year



TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education)

For undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students preparing to teach in a high-need field at the elementary or secondary level

Award amount: up to $4,000 for grants first disbursed from Oct. 1, 2022–Sept. 30, 2024

Important: If service requirements are not completed, the grant converts into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, which must be repaid with interest.




Grant Eligibility

To be considered for any federal grant, students must submit the FAFSA® each year.
After you submit your FAFSA, your school will review your information and tell you:

Which grants you qualify for

The amount you may receive

When your grant will be disbursed

Some grants also have additional requirements. More details can be found on each specific grant’s page at studentaid.gov.



Keeping Your Grant Eligibility

Each grant has its own rules for maintaining eligibility. In general, students must:

Continue meeting financial-need or program requirements

Maintain satisfactory academic progress

Stay enrolled in eligible coursework

For exact rules, students should review the requirements for their specific grant program.




When a Grant May Need to Be Repaid

A federal grant may need to be partially or fully repaid if:

You withdraw from school before completing the term

Your enrollment drops (e.g., from full-time to part-time) and your grant amount changes

You receive outside scholarships or aid that reduce your federal aid eligibility

You received a TEACH Grant but did not complete the required teaching service

You received Pell Grant funds from more than one school at the same time





Grant Repayment Process

If you must repay a grant, your school will notify you. You will have 45 days to:

Repay the amount in full or

Set up an approved repayment plan

If you choose a repayment plan, your school may either collect payments directly or send the debt to the U.S. Department of Education for collection.

If you do not take action within the required timeframe, you will lose eligibility for future federal student aid until the debt is resolved.

Source: Reworded and summarized from Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education), available at studentaid.gov.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Information adapted from Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov).

 

Eligibility
Federal Pell Grants are generally awarded to undergraduate students who show significant financial need and who have not previously earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. In limited situations, students enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs may also qualify.

Students who are incarcerated or confined may be eligible if they are enrolled in an approved Prison Education Program. Students who are under an involuntary civil commitment after serving a sentence for a sexual offense may also qualify.

Federal Student Aid also warns students not to accept unexpected or suspicious offers of financial aid—such as “pandemic grants” or “Biden loan forgiveness”—without confirming with their school that the offer is legitimate.

Unlike loans, Pell Grants usually do not need to be repaid, unless certain conditions apply (such as withdrawing from classes or receiving more funds than allowed). Students may only receive Pell Grant funds from one school at a time.

How to Apply
To be considered for a Pell Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each year. Schools use the FAFSA information to determine whether a student qualifies and how much they can receive.

Understanding the cost of attendance (COA) at your school is important because COA—such as tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other expenses—helps determine how much financial aid you may need.

Award Amounts
Pell Grant amounts change each year.

Your exact amount depends on:

Some students may qualify for up to 150% of their scheduled Pell Grant in one academic year. This is sometimes called “year-round Pell.” For example, if you normally receive $2,000 for the full year, you could receive an additional $1,000 for extra terms if eligible.

Students can receive Pell Grants for no more than 12 full-time terms (about six years). Federal Student Aid notifies students who are approaching their limit.

If a student qualifies for Pell, the school receives enough federal funding to award the full eligible amount. Other forms of aid do not reduce Pell Grant eligibility.

Additional Eligibility
Students whose parent or guardian died while serving in the military or working as a public safety officer may be eligible for additional Pell Grant funds.

How Funds Are Delivered

Maintaining Eligibility
To continue receiving Pell Grants, students must:

Students become ineligible once they earn a bachelor’s or professional degree or once they use all 12 terms of Pell Grant eligibility.

 

 

Federal Grants

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a type of financial aid designed for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. This program is managed directly by Arkansas State University's Financial Aid Department.

How to Apply
To be considered for an FSEOG, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The information on the FAFSA helps the school determine each student’s level of financial need. Schools award FSEOG funds to students with the highest need first. Like other federal grants, the FSEOG generally does not need to be repaid unless certain repayment situations apply. (Source: Federal Student Aid)

Award Amounts
Eligible students may receive between $100 and $1,000 per year, depending on their financial need, the timing of their application, the amount of other aid they receive, and how much FSEOG funding the school has available. Arkansas State University receives a limited allocation of FSEOG funds from the U.S. Department of Education. Once our school has awarded all of its available funds for the year, no additional FSEOG grants can be given. This is different from the Federal Pell Grant, which guarantees funding for every eligible student. For this reason, it is important to submit the FAFSA as early as possible and pay attention to your school’s campus-based aid deadlines. (Source: Federal Student Aid)

How Funds Are Delivered
If you qualify for an FSEOG, your financial aid counselor can apply this grant towards your Financial Aid account.

Maintaining Eligibility
To continue receiving the FSEOG, students must remain enrolled as undergraduates and cannot already have a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility for any federal student aid—including the FSEOG—requires completing the FAFSA each academic year. (Source: Federal Student Aid)

Federal Grants

Federal TEACH Grant - Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a federal grant for students who plan to become teachers in certain high-need subject areas. Unlike most federal grants, the TEACH Grant requires you to complete a teaching service commitment after finishing your program. If you do not complete this service, the grant will be converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and you will have to repay it with interest.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

How TEACH Grant Communication Works

Students who receive a TEACH Grant now work directly with the U.S. Department of Education to:

Federal Student Aid Programs – TEACH
P.O. Box 300010
Greenville, TX 75403
Fax: 540-212-2415
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

Who Can Receive a TEACH Grant?

To qualify, a student must:

Undergraduate 

Graduate 

Academic Requirements 

Students must either earn a GPA of 3.25 or better) or have scored in the 75th percentile or better on a nationally-formed admission test (such as SAT or GRE) to qualify to receive and maintain the TEACH Grant award. 

*Current teachers are not required to meet the GPA requirements upon initial TEACH Grant award but must maintain the 3.25 GPA requirement to continue eligibility. 

Grant Amounts

The TEACH Grant can provide up to $4,000 per year.
Due to federal budget rules, awards for any grant first paid between Oct. 1, 2020, and Oct. 1, 2026 are reduced by 5.7%, meaning the maximum award during this period is $3,772.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

Grant disbursed on or after 

October 1, 2021 

(5.7% reduction rate) 

A-State Online 

Only Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Undergraduate 

Hours 

Award 

Amount 

Full-time 

9 and above 

9 and above 

12 and above 

$1,886 

Three-quarter time 

6 

7-11 

7-11 

$1,414 

Half-time 

3 

6 

6 

$943 

Below half-time 

n/a 

2 and below 

5 and below 

$0 

Summer Semester 

Enrollment Status 

A-State Online 

Only Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Undergraduate 

Hours 

Award 

Amount 

Full-time 

6 and above 

6 and above 

12 and above 

$1,886 

Three-quarter time 

n/a 

7-11 

7-11 

$1,414 

Half-time 

3 

3 

6 

$943 

Below-half-time 

n/a 

2 and below 

5 and below 

$0 

 

Grant disbursed on or after 

October 1, 2022 

(5.7% reduction rate) 

A-State Online 

Only Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Undergraduate 

Hours 

Award 

Amount 

Full-time 

9 and above 

9 and above 

12 and above 

$1,886 

Three-quarter time 

6 

7-11 

7-11 

$1,414 

Half-time 

3 

6 

6 

$943 

Below half-time 

n/a 

2 and below 

5 and below 

$0 

Summer Semester 

Enrollment Status 

A-State Online 

Only Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Graduate Hours 

Registered 

Undergraduate 

Hours 

Award 

Amount 

Full-time 

6 and above 

6 and above 

12 and above 

$1,886 

Three-quarter time 

n/a 

7-11 

7-11 

$1,414 

Half-time 

3 

3 

6 

$943 

Below-half-time 

n/a 

2 and below 

5 and below 

$0 

*Award amounts may change based upon sequestration amounts determined by the Federal Processor. 

Service Obligation (Your Teaching Requirement)

To keep the grant from turning into a loan, you must:

  1. Teach full-time for four years

  2. Work at a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students

  3. Teach in a high-need field (such as math, science, special education, foreign language, or another subject listed on the Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing)

  4. Complete your four years of teaching within eight years after leaving your program
    (Source: Federal Student Aid)

You must complete:

In some cases, the same teaching service period may count for both.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

What Happens If You Do NOT Meet the Requirements?

If you do not complete the required service:

You also have the option to request your grant be converted to a loan before completing the service if you already know you will not fulfill the teaching obligation.

**Please remember: Once a TEACH Grant has been converted to a loan, it cannot be converted back to a TEACH Grant. 
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

Programs That Qualify

A TEACH Grant-eligible program is one that:

Each college decides which of its programs qualify, so a program could be eligible at one school but not at another.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

What Counts as a High-Need Field?

High-need subject areas include:

To count, the subject must be listed:

Where You Must Teach

Your teaching must take place at a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students. These schools are listed in the Teacher Cancellation Low-Income Directory (TCLI).
Schools run by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) also qualify automatically.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

Suspensions of Your Service Deadline

You may request a temporary pause on the eight-year service window for reasons such as:

Each suspension type has time limits, usually up to 3 years.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

Your service obligation may be discharged (canceled) if:

Submitting Proof of Teaching

Each year you complete teaching service, you must submit documentation, certified by your school’s chief administrative officer, proving that:

Forms can be uploaded on StudentAid.gov or mailed/faxed to the address provided earlier.
(Source: Federal Student Aid)

 

For additional information regarding the TEACH Grant please go online to https://studentaid.gov/teach-grant-program. 

 

Federal Grants

Federal Work-Study

 

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) offers part-time job opportunities for eligible students to earn income that helps cover educational expenses while attending college or career school. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels who demonstrate financial need may participate. Work-Study positions can be on campus or with approved off-campus employers and, whenever possible, focus on community service or are related to the student’s field of study.

 

How Do I apply for Federal Work-Study Funds? 

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov and indicate they are interested in the work-study program. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible as funds for this program are limited. Students must complete the FAFSA every year to receive FWS. Receipt of FWS one year does not automatically imply that the student will receive FWS the next year. 

Types of Jobs

Federal Work-Study places emphasis on positions that involve community service or work connected to a student’s field of study. (Source: Federal Student Aid)

 

Where Students Work

Jobs may be located:

Because funding is limited, students interested in Work-Study should complete the FAFSA as early as possible. (Source: Federal Student Aid)

 

Earnings

Students participating in Work-Study will earn at least the federal minimum wage, though some jobs may pay more depending on the role and required skill level. A student’s total earnings are determined by:

(Source: Federal Student Aid)

 

How Students Are Paid

Payment methods differ based on student classification:

(Source: Federal Student Aid)

Students are paid every two weeks. Payment is applied to the student's account. Any excess funds will be processed as a refund by the Treasurer's Office. 

 

Work Hours

Students cannot work unlimited hours. Earnings may not exceed the total amount of the student’s Work-Study award. When assigning work schedules, the employer must consider the student’s class schedule and ensure that work does not interfere with academic progress. (Source: Federal Student Aid)

 

What are my responsibilities as a FWS worker? 

 

 

Withdraw from AState

Learn how withdrawing from Arkansas State University can affect your financial aid

Withdraw from AState

Financial Aid and Withdrawing from AState

Return to Title IV Funds Policy 

Federal Regulations mandate that students who receive federal financial aid, which may include Pell Grant, Supplemental Grant, ACG, Smart Grants, Subsidized Stafford loans, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Parent Plus Loans and Grad Plus Loans and withdraw from the university during the first 59% of the semester should be aware that a portion of these funds may have to be repaid. A student who remains enrolled and in attendance beyond the 60% point is considered to have earned all of their financial aid for the semester. 

If the amount of aid disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, unearned funds must be returned to the federal programs. If the amount of aid disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, the student will receive a post-withdrawal disbursement of earned aid. 

A-State will determine the withdrawal date based on the date the Registrar’s Office receives information that the student plans to withdraw. Students may withdraw from A-State by “Self Service Student” at any time during the scheduled registration periods. Students have until Sunday after the first week of classes in a regular semester or until Friday the first week of classes in a five week summer session term to withdraw. After this period has passed, students must obtain a withdrawal form in the Advisement Services Office located in Wilson Center. Students receiving financial aid must obtain an approval signature from the Financial Aid Office to complete the process. 

When a student ceases to attend classes but does not complete the official withdrawal process they are considered to have unofficially withdrawn. In the case of an unofficial withdrawal, the mid-point of the semester will be used for the calculation of a Title IV refund unless otherwise documented. 

A-State will return all unearned funds for which it is responsible within 45 days from the date the student is determined to have withdrawn. After the return of funds to Title IV financial aid is adjusted per the calculation, a balance may be owed on institutional charges. The Student Accounts Office will notify the student of any balances owed to A-State and it will be the student’s responsibility to pay any balance owed. 

The order the funds must be returned to Title IV programs is as follows: 
  1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan Funds 
  2. Subsidized Direct Loan Funds 
  3. Direct Loan Grad PLUS 
  4. Direct Loan PLUS Parent 
  5. Pell Grants 
  6. FSEOG 
  7. TEACH Grant 

Repaying Borrowed Funds 

The Financial Aid Office uses the Federal Student Aid R2T4 Calculator to calculate the amount of money that you owe back if you withdraw. 

If you have questions or need additional information please contact your Financial Aid Counselor. 


Withdraw from AState

2025- 2026 Aid Earned vs Aid Unearned Dates

Estimating What You Will Have to Repay 

The chart below shows an estimate of how much federal financial aid you may be required to return based on the date you withdraw from the university. Please review this carefully if you are thinking about withdrawing, as it may impact your financial responsibility.

If the university closes for five or more consecutive days due to inclement weather, withdrawal dates and the related percentages will be adjusted accordingly. These dates and percentages are tentative and subject to change.


**For On-Campus students only (includes Inclement Weather dates)

Fall 2026 – Full Term (One Break)

Payment Period Length

Total Fall Term Calendar days = 106 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Aug 20 – Aug 26 1% – 7% 99% – 93%
Aug 27 – Sep 2 8% – 13% 92% – 87%
Sep 3 – Sep 9 14% – 20% 86% – 80%
Sep 10 – Sep 16 21% – 26% 79% – 74%
Sep 17 – Sep 23 27% – 33% 73% – 67%
Sep 24 – Sep 30 34% – 40% 66% – 60%
Oct 1 – Oct 7 41% – 46% 59% – 54%
Oct 8 – Oct 14 47% – 53% 53% – 47%
Oct 15 – Oct 21 54% – 60% 46% – 40%
Oct 22 – Dec 12 60%+ 0% owed
🚫 Break (not counted) Nov 22 – Nov 30 —

Fall I Term Only

Payment Period Length

Total Fall Term Calendar days = 45 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Fall I R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Aug 20 – Aug 24 1% – 11% 99% – 89%
Aug 25 – Aug 31 12% – 27% 88% – 73%
Sep 1 – Sep 7 28% – 44% 72% – 56%
Sep 8 – Sep 14 45% – 60% 55% – 40%
Sep 15 – Oct 3 60%+ 0% owed

Fall II Term Only

Payment Period Length

Total Fall Term Calendar days = 52 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Fall II R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Oct 13 – Oct 18 1% – 11% 99% – 89%
Oct 19 – Oct 25 12% – 23% 88% – 77%
Oct 26 – Nov 1 24% – 35% 76% – 65%
Nov 2 – Nov 8 36% – 48% 64% – 52%
Nov 9 – Nov 13 49% – 60% 51% – 40%
Nov 13 (60% point) 60% 40%
Nov 14 – Dec 12 60%+ 0% owed

Spring 2026 – Full Term (One Break)

Payment Period Length

Total Spring Term Calendar days = 108 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Jan 12 – Jan 18 1% – 6% 99% – 94%
Jan 19 – Jan 25 7% – 12% 93% – 88%
Jan 26 – Feb 1 13% – 19% 87% – 81%
Feb 2 – Feb 8 20% – 25% 80% – 75%
Feb 9 – Feb 15 26% – 32% 74% – 68%
Feb 16 – Feb 22 33% – 38% 67% – 62%
Feb 23 – Mar 1 39% – 45% 61% – 55%
Mar 2 – Mar 8 46% – 51% 54% – 49%
Mar 9 – Mar 15 52% – 58% 48% – 42%
Mar 16 – Mar 20 59% – 60% 41% – 40%
🚫 Break (not counted) Mar 21 – Mar 29 —
Mar 30 – May 8 60%+ 0% owed


Spring 2026 – Full Term (Two Breaks)

Payment Period Length

Total Spring Term Calendar days = 99 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range Aid% Earned Aid% Unearned (Owed Back)
Jan 12 – Jan 16 1% – 5% 99% – 95%
Jan 17 – Jan 23 6% – 12% 94% – 88%
Jan 24 – Feb 1 🚫 Break (not counted) —
Feb 2 – Feb 8 13% – 19% 87% – 81%
Feb 9 – Feb 15 20% – 26% 80% – 74%
Feb 16 – Feb 22 27% – 33% 73% – 67%
Feb 23 – Feb 28 34% – 39% 66% – 61%
Mar 1 – Mar 7 40% – 46% 60% – 54%
Mar 8 – Mar 14 47% – 53% 53% – 47%
Mar 15 – Mar 20 54% – 59% 46% – 41%
Mar 21 – Mar 29 🚫 Break (not counted) —
Mar 30 60% 0% owed
Mar 31 – May 8 60%+ 0% owed

Spring I Term Only (One Break)

Payment Period Length

Total Spring Term Calendar days = 38 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Spring I R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Jan 12 – Jan 16 1% – 13% 99% – 87%
Jan 17 – Jan 23 14% – 32% 86% – 68%
Jan 24 – Feb 1 Excluded Break —
Feb 2 – Feb 5 33% – 45% 67% – 55%
Feb 6 – Feb 7 46% – 60% 54% – 40%
Feb 7 (60% point) 60% 40%
Feb 8 – Feb 27 60%+ 0% owed

Spring II Term Only (One Break)

Payment Period Length

Total Spring Term Calendar days = 52 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Spring II R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Mar 9 – Mar 13 1% – 9% 99% – 91%
Mar 14 – Mar 20 10% – 23% 90% – 77%
Mar 21 – Mar 29 Excluded Break (Spring Break) —
Mar 30 – Apr 2 24% – 32% 76% – 68%
Apr 3 – Apr 6 33% – 41% 67% – 59%
Apr 7 – Apr 8 42% – 58% 58% – 42%
Apr 9 (60% point) 60% 40%
Apr 10 – May 8 60%+ 0% owed

Summer 2026 – Full Term 

Payment Period Length

Total Summer Term Calendar days = 70 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
May 26 – May 31 1% – 9% 99% – 91%
Jun 1 – Jun 7 10% – 19% 90% – 81%
Jun 8 – Jun 14 20% – 29% 80% – 71%
Jun 15 – Jun 21 30% – 39% 70% – 61%
Jun 22 – Jun 28 40% – 49% 60% – 51%
Jun 29 – Jul 5 50% – 59% 50% – 41%
Jul 6 – Aug 3 60%+ 0% owed


Summer I Term ONLY

Payment Period Length

Total Summer I Term Calendar days = 31 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Summer I R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
May 26 – May 31 1% – 19% 99% – 81%
June 1 – June 5 20% – 35% 80% – 65%
June 6 – June 10 36% – 51% 64% – 49%
June 11 – June 13 52% – 60% 48% – 40%
June 14 – June 25 60%+ 0% owed

Summer II Term ONLY

Payment Period Length

Total Summer II Term Calendar days = 33 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Summer II R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
June 29 – July 3 1% – 15% 99% – 85%
July 4 – July 8 16% – 30% 84% – 70%
July 9 – July 13 31% – 45% 69% – 55%
July 14 – July 18 46% – 60% 54% – 40%
July 19 – July 31 60%+ 0% owed

**For Global (AState Online) students only

Fall 2026 – Full Term 

Payment Period Length

Total Fall Term Calendar days = 98 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned
Aug 20 – Aug 31 1% – 12% 99% – 88%
Sep 1 – Sep 14 13% – 27% 87% – 73%
Sep 15 – Sep 28 28% – 42% 72% – 58%
Sep 29 – Oct 12 43% – 57% 57% – 43%
Oct 13 – Oct 17 58% – 60% 42% – 40%
Oct 18 – Dec 4 60%+ 0% owed

Fall I Term Only 

Payment Period Length

Total Fall I Term Calendar days = 45 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Fall I R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned
Aug 20 – Aug 24 1% – 11% 99% – 89%
Aug 25 – Aug 31 12% – 27% 88% – 73%
Sep 1 – Sep 7 28% – 44% 72% – 56%
Sep 8 – Sep 14 45% – 60% 55% – 40%
Sep 15 – Oct 3 60%+ 0% owed

Fall II Term Only 

Payment Period Length

Total Fall II Term Calendar days = 44 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Fall II R2T4)


Date Range % Earned % Unearned
Oct 13 – Oct 18 1% – 14% 99% – 86%
Oct 19 – Oct 25 15% – 30% 85% – 70%
Oct 26 – Nov 1 31% – 46% 69% – 54%
Nov 2 – Nov 8 47% – 60% 53% – 40%
Nov 9 – Dec 4 60%+ 0% owed

Spring 2026 - Full Term

Payment Period Length

Total Fall II Term Calendar days = 101 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned
Jan 12 – Jan 23 1% – 12% 99% – 88%
Jan 24 – Feb 1 13% – 21% 87% – 79%
Feb 2 – Feb 15 22% – 36% 78% – 64%
Feb 16 – Feb 27 37% – 48% 63% – 52%
Feb 28 – Mar 8 49% – 58% 51% – 42%
Mar 9 – Mar 20 59% – 69% 41% – 31%
Mar 21 – Mar 29 Excluded Break  
Mar 30 – Mar 31 ~60%  
Apr 1 – May 1 60%+ 0% owed

Spring I Term Only

Payment Period Length

Total Spring I Term Calendar days = 47 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Spring I R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Jan 12 – Jan 16 1% – 11% 99% – 89%
Jan 17 – Jan 23 12% – 26% 88% – 74%
Jan 24 – Jan 30 27% – 41% 73% – 59%
Jan 31 – Feb 6 42% – 56% 58% – 44%
Feb 7 – Feb 9 57% – 60% 43% – 40%
Feb 9 (60% point) 60% 40%
Feb 10 – Feb 27 60%+ 0% owed

Spring II Term Only

Payment Period Length

Total Spring I Term Calendar days = 45 days

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (Spring II R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Mar 9 – Mar 13 1% – 11% 99% – 89%
Mar 14 – Mar 20 12% – 27% 88% – 73%
Mar 21 – Mar 29 Excluded (Spring Break) —
Mar 30 – Apr 2 28% – 38% 72% – 62%
Apr 3 – Apr 4 39% – 60% 61% – 40%
Apr 4 (60% point) 60% 40%
Apr 5 – May 1 60%+ 0% owed
Withdraw from AState

2026- 2027 Aid Earned vs Aid Unearned Dates

Estimating What You Will Have to Repay 

The chart below shows an estimate of how much federal financial aid you may be required to return based on the date you withdraw from the university. Please review this carefully if you are thinking about withdrawing, as it may impact your financial responsibility.

If the university closes for five or more consecutive days due to inclement weather, withdrawal dates and the related percentages will be adjusted accordingly. These dates and percentages are tentative and subject to change.

For On-Campus Students Only

Fall 2026 – Full Term

Payment Period Length

Term dates: August 19 – December 11, 2026 = 115 days
Break excluded: November 21 – November 29 = 9 days
Total Fall Term Calendar Days = 106 days

Each day: ≈ 0.94% earned aid (100 ÷ 106)
60% of 106 days ≈ Day 64 → October 21, 2026
Once a student completes more than 60% of the payment period, they are considered to have earned 100% of their federal financial aid for the payment period.

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range % Earned % Unearned (Owed Back)
Aug 19 – Aug 25 1% – 7% 99% – 93%
Aug 26 – Sep 1 8% – 13% 92% – 87%
Sep 2 – Sep 8 14% – 20% 86% – 80%
Sep 9 – Sep 15 21% – 26% 79% – 74%
Sep 16 – Sep 22 27% – 33% 73% – 67%
Sep 23 – Sep 29 34% – 40% 66% – 60%
Sep 30 – Oct 6 41% – 46% 59% – 54%
Oct 7 – Oct 13 47% – 53% 53% – 47%
Oct 14 – Oct 20 54% – 59% 46% – 41%
Oct 21 60% point Calculation required
Oct 22 – Dec 11 More than 60% 0%
Nov 21 – Nov 29 🚫 Break (not counted) —

Course Program of Study

Financial Aid and CPOS (Course Program of Study)

What is CPOS?
CPOS means Course Program of Study. This is the list of classes you must take to finish your degree (your major, minor, or concentration).

Why Does CPOS Matter?
Federal financial aid (like Pell Grants, Loans, and Work-Study) only pays for classes that count toward your degree.
If you take a class that does not count toward your major or minor, financial aid may:
Be reduced, OR
Not cover that class at all.


This could mean:
You lose some Pell Grant money.
You can’t get student loans.
You may owe money back.

Course Program of Study

Course Program of Study (CPOS)

Financial Aid and CPOS (Course Program of Study)

 

Requirements: 

You may not be aware, but there is an important emphasis in federal financial aid regulations that could cause federal grants, work study, loans, and some scholarships to be reduced if you enroll in ineligible coursework. Only courses that count toward a student’s program of study (your declared major/minor) can be considered when determining aid eligibility for federal financial aid programs such as grants, work-study, and loans. For federal aid to pay for a course in your major, minor, concentration, or other degree requirement, it must be part of your Course Program of Study (CPOS) or be necessary to help you earn the total hours required to complete your degree. For those depending upon federal aid to attend Arkansas State University, not paying attention to federal regulation could affect your full-time enrollment status and ultimately your financial aid. 

Why This is Important: 

Taking courses that are not required to complete your degree could result in you receiving reduced federal and state aid or not being eligible or owing money back that was already credited to your account and/or refunded to you. Taking classes that are not in your Course Program of Study for your officially declared major or minor may result in a reduction to your overall financial aid package. 

Make it Count! – Utilize your Academic Advisor: 

As a student, academic advisors are available to you to assist with discussing your short-term and long-term educational goals, the best degree fit for you at A-State, and planning which courses to take each term to help you complete your declared degree as efficiently and effectively as possible.  

Officially Declare Your Major: 

It is essential that your major, minor, or any concentration are officially declared and noted in your student record. If you have been planning to declare or change a major, minor, or concentration, but have not yet done so, you should consult your academic advisor immediately and complete the Change of Major form. Do not register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree is reflected in Banner. 

Courses can only be determined to be eligible based on the officially declared major, minor, or concentration as noted in your student record. Changes cannot be made retroactively, and most changes will not be approved once a determination is made that a course is not financial aid eligible.  

Financial Aid Offers: 

Financial aid offers are based on undergraduate students who enroll full-time (12 hrs.) and graduate students will enroll half-time (6 hrs.) in eligible coursework during Fall and Spring terms. Any enrollment level different than those listed above may create a recalculation of financial aid offers per term. However, in many cases, a student may enroll in less than 12 hours listed above and still receive financial aid. When awarding financial aid, A-State is required to calculate a cost of attendance (COA) each semester and for all terms of enrollment. Students will not be awarded beyond their COA for each term, or for the academic year as a whole. Changes to a student’s COA may result in a change to financial aid offers since total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance. 

Keep Your Eligibility: 

Remember that dropping or not attending your courses can negatively impact your eligibility for current and/or future aid. It is important that you discuss your Course Program of Study with your advisor when you enroll each semester. If your degree program is not listed correctly in Banner, work with your advisor to make them aware of your request and ensure you complete the Request for Change your Major/Minor/Concentration. Do not register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner. Do not register for classes toward the new major/minor/concentration until the update to your official degree on records is reflected in Banner. 

Contact your academic advisor to discuss options if your federal financial aid has been reduced due to enrollment in courses that did not apply toward outstanding requirements in your Course Program of Study. 

Enrollment Level and CPOS: 

Financial aid is initially awarded based on the assumption that undergraduate students will enroll full-time and graduate students will enroll half-time in eligible coursework during fall and spring semesters. Students may only receive federal financial aid for outstanding coursework that counts towards their officially declared program of study. State, institutional, and private aid requirements may vary when it comes to CPOS requirements. Please check with the Registrar’s Office to ensure you are meeting all requirements for funding. Dropping or not attending your courses can negatively impact your eligibility for current and/or future aid.  

  

Enrollment Status Types:  

Undergraduate: 

Graduate: 

Full Time  

12+ credits/semester 

9+ credits/semester 

Three Quarter Time  

9 – 11 credits/semester 

7 – 8 credits/semester 

Half Time   

6 – 8 credits/semester 

6 credits/semester 

Less Than Half Time  

1 – 5 credits/semester   

1 – 5 credits/semester 

  

If your federal financial aid has been reduced due to enrollment in coursework that does not apply toward outstanding requirements in your program of study, you should contact your academic advisor to discuss your academic options. Otherwise, if you have questions regarding financial aid, please email us at finaid@astate.edu or you can visit us on the on the second floor of the Student Union.   

Examples: 

If you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and enroll in 12 hours and only 9 of the 12 hours are required towards your officially declared program of study, the Federal Pell Grant will be reduced to a three-quarter time award based on 9 hours.  

Federal Direct Loans require 6 hours of enrollment for all student types. If you are enrolled for 6 hours and only 3 of the 6 hours are required for your program of study, you are not eligible to receive a Federal Direct Loan. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What is a program of study (as defined for financial aid purposes)?
What types of Aid are affected by CPOS? 
How will students be notified if impacted by CPOS? 
What about courses that will be substituted and thus become part of a student’s part of study? 
I contacted my academic advisor and they have submitted course substitution paperwork, is there a deadline for this request? 
How will courses needed for completion of minors or concentrations be treated? 
How will courses needed for dual majors be treated? 
What about capstone courses, internships, honors courses, and prerequisite coursework? 
What about students who are going to change their program of study? 
What if a student has put in a request to change their program of study and it is not yet processed? 
Can I change my program of study to receive federal financial aid for a course that does not apply toward my current program of study? 
What about graduating seniors in their last semester? 
How will this affect study abroad? 
How are scholarships affected? 
I’m enrolled in 12 undergraduate hours, but 4 of those hours don’t count towards my officially declared program of study. How does this affect my financial aid? 
I want federal student loans, but only 4 out of my 9 enrolled hours apply towards outstanding requirements in my officially declared program of study. Can I still get loans? 
For the upcoming semester, I plan to enroll in 17 hours, which includes a 3-hour class that doesn’t apply towards outstanding requirements in my officially declared program of student, Will financial aid pay for the ineligible 3-hour class? 
Some of the classes in which I’m enrolled do not apply toward my program of study. What do I need to do next? 

Your federal aid is based on coursework that applies toward outstanding requirements in your program of study. Therefore, your federal aid may be reduced. You have two options: 

  1. Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your academic options. If the semester has not started, it may be in your best interest to drop the ineligible course(s) and enroll only in courses in your officially declared program that will be eligible for federal financial aid. 
  2. If the semester has already begun and your financial aid does not cover all your tuition costs, you will be responsible for the outstanding balance owed. In some instances, your financial aid, although it has been reduced, is still enough to pay for your course(s) that are not in your program. If not, the ineligible coursework can be paid for out of pocket, or you can set up a payment plan in accordance with the Nelnet payment plan terms, conditions, and deadlines. 
None of my courses apply toward outstanding requirements in my officially declared program of study, but I still want to take them. What does this mean for me? 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Answers to Frequently Asked Financial Aid Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Office Information 

How do I contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships office? 

The Financial Aid & Scholarships office is located on the 2nd floor of the Carl R. Reng Student Union, room 2078. 

Mail: 
P.O Box 1620 
State University, AR 72467 

Ph: 870-972-2310 
Fax: 870-972-2794 
Email: finaid@astate.edu 
 

What are the office's hours? 

The office is open Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. 

 

Do I need an appointment to meet with a counselor? 

No. You can stop by or you can book an appointment by clicking HERE. 

There are a variety of options for tuition assistance for undergraduate students at ASU, including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Cost of Attendance

2025-2026 Academic Year

Dependent Students (In-State Tuition Rate)

The figures below represent fall and spring terms full-time enrollment based upon 15 credit hours.

  Residence Hall Off Campus With Parent Graduate*
Tuition & Fees 10,430 10,430 10,430 7,556
Books 1,250 1,250 1,250 1,250
Room & Board 11,950 11,925 2,720 13,190
Personal 2,790 2,790 2,790 2,790
Transportation 3,570 5,406 5,406 3,570
Total 29,990 31,801 22,596 28,356


Undergraduate Non-Residents Add: $8,310

Graduate Non-Residents Add: $5,922

*Graduate tuition and fees are based upon 9 credit hours and On-Campus.

Note: This is an estimated cost of attendance for a Fall/Spring semester.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Financial Aid Book Money

Book Money Information

 Book Money Process has changed!!

Beginning Summer 2022, if you have an anticipated refund, you should be able to charge your books with our campus bookstore provider, Textbook Brokers.  Depending on your program (which can differentiate the amounts) your anticipated refund is available to be used.  NOTE: If you do not have accepted aid on your account that is more than your student account balance, you will not be able to charge books to your financial aid account.

When shopping at the bookstore, notify the cashier you would like to charge your books against your refund. 

When shopping online (AStateBookstore.com) select "Financial Aid" as your payment option during checkout. To charge your books towards your Financial Aid account, you must have a backup payment account saved. (Credit Card / Bank Account). This account is used for rentals not returned or returned damaged.

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When disbursement of funds occur, the bookstore charges will be deducted from your refund.

 

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships

A scholarship is an award of financial aid that is awarded on various criteria, including but not limited to academic achievement and/or financial need. Scholarship money does not have to be paid back.

Grants

Grants do not have to be paid back and are awarded to students based on financial need and availability of funding.

Work Study

The work-study program provides part-time employment to undergraduates and graduates to allow them to earn money to help pay for college expenses.  Work-study is based upon financial need and availability of funding.

Loans

Loans are borrowed money for college expenses that must be paid back, oftentimes, after graduation.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Disbursements and Refunds

Disbursement:

This is an automated process. All accepted financial aid funds will apply towards your student account balance based off your enrollment term listed below.

Timing

Students Enrolled in Full Term ( August - December / January - May )

Disbursement will occur after enrollment is locked on the 11th day of class.

Students Enrolled in Second Part of Term ( October - December / March - May )

Disbursement will occur after enrollment is locked on the 5th day of class.

Summer ( May - August )

Disbursement will occur on the 5th day of class

 

Issues

There are several issues that can prevent financial aid from disbursing

Missing Documents
Have you checked your tracking requirements to ensure you have completed missing documents? You might need to submit forms, complete your loan's Master Promissory Note, or your loan's Entrance Counseling?
Enrollment
Are you enrolled in enough hours to receive your loan? Graduate and Undergraduate students must be enrolled at least half-time to recieve their federal aid (Unsubsidized Loans, Subsidized Loans, Parent PLUS Loan, etc....)
Course Program of Study
Do all your courses count towards your program of study / degree? If you are taking courses that do not count, this will affect your federal aid and possibly your disbursement if you do not meet the minimum enrollment hours due to courses not counting.

 

If none of the issues above apply to you, please reach out to our team so we can further review your account and assist you.

 

Refunds

Refunds are issued because the aid is excess, and credits are automatically applied to students' accounts through an automated process in the Treasurer's Office. For further information, please visit the Treasurer's Office Knowledge Base Shelf or contact their office at  sasbillpayment@astate.edu for assistance.

 

How to Receive a Refund

Direct Deposits

To sign up for direct deposit go to myBill and select the Refund Tab. Your account must be verified before refunds are issued to receive a direct deposit. The verification process can take up to 6 business days. Once a refund is issued to a direct deposit account, funds are available within 48 hours, depending on the process time of the individual's bank.

Checks

For accounts without direct deposit setup, a check will be printed and mailed to the Billing or Mailing address type on file. Students are responsible for entering and ensuring their address is correct. If a check is lost in the mail or not received, students must wait 14 business days before completing a Student Affidavit Form to have the funds reissued. To check your Billing and Mailing address type, login to Self Service Banner.

 

Timing

Financial Aid Disbursement

Once financial aid disburses in a large batch at the beginning or middle of the term, the refund process is ran the following day to issue funds to students. This is usually a 3 day process: aid disburses, refunds are processed the next day, checks mailed/direct deposits sent to students on the third day.

Weekly

After the initial aid disbursement, refunds are processed twice a week: Tuesday and Thursday. Checks are mailed and direct deposits are sent to students the following day after each run (Wednesday and Friday).

Example: If your refund is processed on Tuesday, your check will be mailed or your direct deposit will be sent to you on Wednesday.

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (S.A.P.)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) are the standards for progression toward a degree or certificate. The Financial Aid Office reviews SAP at the end of each semester after grades have been posted for all students. In order to receive Title IV aid, federal regulation requires that a student must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP).

Satisfactory Academic Progress (S.A.P.)

S.A.P. Policy

WHY MONITOR ACADEMIC PROGRESS?

Federal Regulations require that students that apply for and/or receive Title IV Aid must be monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Title IV Aid includes the following programs:
  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Federal Work Study (FWS)
  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
  • Federal PLUS Loans (Parent and Grad)

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed each semester for undergraduate students (including summer) and annually for graduate students (at the end of the spring).

HOW IS PROGRESS MEASURED?

Satisfactory Academic Progress determination will be based on the following:

Qualitative Progress
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for undergraduate students/3.0 for graduate students.
Quantitative Progress
  • Successfully completing at least 67% of cumulative hours attempted
    • Developmental/Remedial Hours
    • Repeat/Incomplete Hours
    • Academic Clemency Hours
    • Transfer Hours/Concurrent (High School) Enrollment
    • All hours regardless of whether a student received Financial Aid
    • Attempted Hours includes:
  • Students seeking their first undergraduate degree must complete their program within 150% of the published timeframe of their degree program.
    • Ex: Degree program that requires 120 hours. 120 X 150% = 180 hours maximum

Undergraduate Student Eligibility

  • Undergraduate student eligibility will be reviewed at the end of each semester (including summer).
  • Undergraduate students must be admitted and enrolled in an eligible degree program.
  • Undergraduate students must complete at least 67% of cumulative hours attempted and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
  • Undergraduate students may not exceed 150% of the published length of their degree program.

Graduate Student Eligibility

  • Graduate student eligibility will be reviewed annually at the end of the spring semester.
  • Graduate students must be accepted into the Graduate School and enrolled in an eligible degree program.
  • Graduate students must complete at least 67% of cumulative hours attempted and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Additional Eligibility Information

  • Incomplete Coursework will be evaluated as unearned hours until the course has been satisfactorily completed
    • Incomplete coursework must be completed by the end of the next semester.
  • Students who have repeat coursework must contact the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration to have their academic transcript recalculated.

Prerequisite Coursework

  • Students taking prerequisite coursework to gain admission to a graduate or post degree program must submit a Preparatory Coursework Form and Degree Completion Plan to the Financial Aid Office to determine financial aid eligibility.
    • Prerequisite coursework must be completed within one calendar year to be eligible for Federal Student Aid
    • Please Note: Taking coursework to improve the students GPA to gain admission to a program is not considered prerequisite coursework and therefore is not eligible for Federal Student Aid.

Failure to meet SAP requirements (Undergraduate Students)

  • Undergraduate students who do not meet cumulative GPA requirements will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for their next semester of enrollment.
  • Undergraduate students who do not successfully complete 67% of their cumulative attempted hours will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for their next semester of enrollment.
  • Undergraduate students who do not complete their program within 150% of the published timeframe will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.
  • If at any point it is clear that a student will not be able to complete their degree within the allotted timeframe, they will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.
  • Although a student may be pursuing more than one degree, only one degree will be considered in the maximum timeframe calculation.
    • Changing degrees does not affect the formula used in calculating the maximum timeframe.
  • Students receiving all FNs for a semester will be required to return a portion of the Federal Financial Aid funds they received for the semester.

Failure to Meet SAP requirements (Graduate Students)

  • Graduate students who do not meet cumulative GPA requirements will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.
  • Graduate students who do not successfully complete 67% of their cumulative attempted hours will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Warning

  • Undergraduate students placed on Financial Aid Warning must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and have completed at least 67% of their cumulative hours attempted by the end of the semester.
  • Failure to meet these requirements by the end of the Financial Aid Warning period will result in Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension

  • Students placed on Financial Aid Suspension are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid until they meet cumulative SAP requirements or are approved through the appeals process.
  • To regain Federal Financial Aid eligibility, there are two options:
    • If there were no extenuating circumstances, the student must complete coursework until they meet cumulative SAP requirements.
    • If there were extenuating circumstances that affected their academic performance, students must submit an appeal to attempt to have their eligibility restored.

Notifications of Financial Aid Status

  • Students that do not meet SAP requirements will be notified via A-State email within 7 days of the posting of final grades for the semester.
    • This information is also available on the Financial Aid Checklist found on the Pack Portal at pack.astate.edu.
  • For transfer students, notifications will be sent once all transfer work has been reviewed and evaluated by the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration.
  • Failure to receive notification does not dispute or reverse the termination of a student’s eligibility to receive Financial Aid.

Submitting an Appeal

  • Students may appeal to have their eligibility restored if there are extenuating circumstances that affected their academic performance.
    • Extenuating circumstances may be defined as situations beyond the student’s control that do not allow them to successfully complete their semester.
      • Examples include: prolonged illness, accidents that require hospitalization of the student or immediate family member, death of an immediate family member, or divorce of the student or the student’s parents.
  • Students must appeal to have their eligibility restored once they have brought their academic record back in line with the cumulative SAP policy.
    • Sitting out for a semester or extended period of time does not restore eligibility to a student who failed to make Satisfactory Academic Progress or had their appeal denied.
    • If hours were completed at another institution, the student must submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions, Records, and Registration for evaluation.
  • Appeals must include:
    • An appeal request form, which is available online. Download the Appeal Form >>
    • A letter explaining the circumstances that affected the student’s academic performance, as well as an explanation as to what has changed that will allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress.
    • An Academic Plan, stating what specific steps the student will take to get back in line with the SAP policy.
    • Undergraduate students who have attempted 90 hours or more must submit a Degree Completion Plan, which is available online. Download the Degree Completion Plan >>
      • Incomplete or unsigned Degree Completion Plans will not be reviewed.
      • Deviation from the Degree Completion Plan may result in loss of financial aid eligibility.
  • Supporting documentation that can validate the student’s situation must be submitted with the appeal.
    • Documentation may include: medical records, police reports, court records, letter from your physician.
  • Submission of an appeal does not guarantee that financial aid eligibility will be restored.

Appeal Meeting Information

Appeal deadlines will be the Wednesday before each semester begins.  See the  S.A.P. Important Dates | A-State Knowledge Base.

  • Documents are also available in the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, Room 2078 in the Student Union.
  • Appeals will be reviewed prior to the start of each semester.
  • No new appeals will be reviewed once the semester begins.
  • Appeals received after the published deadline will not be reviewed.

Appeal Decisions

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee will notify the students of their appeal decision through their A-State email address.

  • Decision results will not be released until the committee has reviewed all appeals.
  • Decision information may also be found on the MyCampus portal.
  • If the student’s A-State email address is not available a letter will be mailed to the student.
  • Results will not be given over the phone.

Scholarship Appeals

Please note that the above appeal process is for Financial Aid only. Students appealing the loss of a scholarship due to extenuating circumstances should contact the Scholarship Coordinator at scholarships@astate.edu for additional information.

 

Revision effective July 1, 2026

Satisfactory Academic Progress (S.A.P.)

S.A.P. Important Dates

2026 - 2027 Fall Term Appeal Deadline

2026 - 2027 Spring Term Appeal Deadline

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

Federal Student Aid Changes Coming in 2026

 

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), passed by Congress on July 3, 2025 and signed into law on July 4, 2025, contained several provisions impacting federal student loans. These updates are highlighted below. Additional details will be added to this site in the coming months. Unless otherwise noted, these changes will be effective July 1, 2026.

What’s Changing on July 1, 2026

 

New Federal Loan Rules

  • Graduate PLUS Loans will no longer be available for new borrowers.
  • Annual and lifetime borrowing limits are changing:
    • Graduate students: Up to $20,500 per year, $100,000 lifetime total.
    • Professional programs (UDM programs: JD, DDS, OD, & Clinical Psychology PhD): Up to $50,000 per year, $200,000 lifetime total.
  • All new federal student loan borrowers will have a lifetime borrowing maximum on all federal student loans of $257,500 ($57,500 as an undergraduate student), excluding borrowed Parent PLUS Loan amounts.
  • Loan amounts will be prorated if you are enrolled less than full time.

 

Parent PLUS Loan Updates

  • Parents may borrow up to $20,000 per year and $65,000 total for each dependent undergraduate.
  • Families will want to plan ahead if these limits don’t fully cover costs.

Repayment Plan Changes

  • New loans disbursed after July 1, 2026 will have only two repayment options:
    1. Standard Repayment Plan
    2. Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) – income-based with forgiveness after consistent payments.
  • Students with older loans will keep their existing repayment choices.

 

Pell Grant & Grant Eligibility

  • Students whose Student Aid Index (SAI) is more than twice the maximum Pell Grant amount will no longer qualify.
  • If your scholarships or other grants already cover your full cost of attendance, you may not receive additional Pell funding.
  • If you or your contributors have foreign income, all foreign income is required to be included in the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) used to calculate Pell Grant eligibility.

 

What This Means for You

 

If you’re an undergraduate student

 

If you’re a parent

If you attend part-time

 

If your student loans are in repayment

  • Current Borrowers:
    • If no new loans are made on or after July 1, 2026, you are eligible to enroll in the current Standard, Graduated, Extended, or income based (IBR) repayment plan, or you may opt into the new RAP.
    • If you are currently enrolled in ICR, PAYE, or SAVE, you must transition to a different repayment plan by July 1, 2028, (either current income based repayment plan, current standard plan, or RAP). If no selection is made, you will be moved to RAP automatically.
    • It's important to note that all loans must be repaid under the same plan. So, borrowers with loans made before July 1, 2026, who take out additional loans on or after July 1, 2026, will only have RAP and the new standard plan to choose from.

New Borrowers: For loans made on or after July 1, 2026, there will be two repayment plan options - the new standard repayment plan or RAP. If no selection is made, you will be assigned to the new standard payment plan.

 

If your Parent PLUS loans are in repayment

  • Current Borrowers:
    • If no new loans are made on or after July 1, 2026, you are eligible to enroll in the current Standard, Graduated, Extended, or income based (IBR) repayment plan.
    • If you borrowed prior to July 1, 2026, AND subsequently borrow after July 1, 2026, repayment for all loans must be under the same payment plan which is the new standard payment plan.
  • New Borrowers: For loans made on or after July 1, 2026, they can be repaid using only the new standard plan.

 

 

FAQs

 

What does “new borrower” mean?

Anyone who takes out their first federal student loan on or after July 1, 2026 or anyone who previously took out a student loan for a previous program but has not taken out a federal student for their current program of study before July 1, 2026.

 

What does "legacy borrower" mean?

Anyone who took out a federal student loan for their current program of study before July 1, 2026. These individuals do not need to follow the new guidelines but are grandfathered into the loan regulations prior to July 1, 2026.

 

What does "program of study" mean?

“Program of study” is the wording used in the federal law and is a common term in financial aid. Previously, it has included a student’s declared degree program (such as a BS in Architecture or an MA in Addiction Counseling). However, we expect this will be clarified when they issue regulatory guidance, which may not happen until early 2026. 

 

If I change my program of study, what rules apply to me?

If you change your program of study, for example change your major from Biology to Biochemistry, you are no longer eligible to borrow student loans under the legacy guidelines. Your student loan borrowing will follow the new regulations that begin July 1, 2026.

 

Do we know which AState programs will be considered professional degrees?

At this time, the AState programs are: 

 

I am a parent, and my student wants to change their major - does that impact the loans I took out for them?

It could. We expect this will be clarified when the Department of Education issues regulatory guidance, which may not happen until early 2026.

 

What happens if I start borrowing as an undergraduate before July 1, 2026 and then become a graduate student thereafter

We don't know that answer yet. Our expectation is that a student would have to borrow a graduate-level loan prior to July 1, 2026, to be eligible for the legacy provision that allows them to borrow PLUS loans for the graduate portion of their degree, if it happens to begin after July 1, 2026. 

 

If I cannot access the Graduate Plus Loans what are my other options for funding my degree?

For those students who do not have access to the Graduate Plus loan, private educational loans will be the next best route aside from paying out of pocket. AState uses Fast Choice to assist students in comparing the private educational student loan market. Students can borrow from any lender, not just those listed. 

 

Will this page be updated as more information becomes available?

Yes, AState will update this page as new guidance is released by the federal government. We are committed to keeping students, families, faculty, and staff informed. 

 

 

Have questions about how these changes affect you?

We're here to help you, please contact Financial Aid.

Additional Resources & Links