The Office of Financial Aid awards federal student aid (FSA) based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once a FAFSA has been processed, the institutions listed on the FAFSA will receive an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) usually within 3 to 5 business days of application. Students will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) electronically if an email address was provided usually within 3 to 5 days as well. If an email address was not provided on the FAFSA, the student will receive a paper copy or electronic version of their SAR in approximately 4 weeks from the date of application.

Once an ISIR is received, it is reviewed by a Financial Aid Advisor and the applicant is sent an email notification indicating the institution has received the application and instructions for providing any additional documentation required. Students are awarded federal student aid up to the Cost of Attendance based on full-time attendance unless indicated otherwise by the applicant.

Students should monitor their email for important updates from the Office of Financial Aid to prevent a delay in the awarding process. All required documentation must be on file prior to a student receiving federal student aid.

Students will automatically be awarded any Federal Pell Grant funds they are eligible to receive based on the results of the FAFSA. Students interested in receiving Federal Direct Student Loans will also need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note online at www.studentloans.gov.

Once a student is awarded FSA, they will be sent an email notification prompting them to log into the myCampus Portal for Enrolled Students to review their award. If a student wishes to decline any portion of the award they may do so by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at /studentservices/financialaid/contact/ or 800-624-3341 or 757-727-5635.

Enrollment Status

For FSA purposes, undergraduate students are considered full-time if enrolled a minimum of 12 credit hours in the semester and half-time if enrolled in 6 credit hours in the semester. Graduate students are considered full-time if enrolled a minimum of 9 credit hours in the semester and half-time if enrolled in 4 credit hours in the semester.

Semester

The division of the calendar year used in academic scheduling at HU. A semester is roughly 4 months or 16 weeks in duration.

Award Adjustments

If a financial aid award has to be adjusted for any reason during the academic semester, a student will receive correspondence or an email notification from the Office of Financial Aid prompting them to log into the myCampus Portal for Enrolled Students to review the revised award. If a student wishes to decline any portion of their revised award they may do so by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at /studentservices/financialaid/contact/.

Remaining Eligible for Federal Student Aid

In order to continue to receive FSA to attend HU, it is important students stay eligible. Students will need to continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and fill out the FAFSA each year. The SAP Policy is available at /studentservices/financialaid/hu_satisfactory_academic_progress_policy.cfm.

You may reapply for federal student aid each year at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Professional Judgment

The Office of Financial Aid currently reviews students on a case by case basis if they are experiencing unusual circumstances which may not accurately be reflected on their current financial aid application. This process is known as professional judgment. All requests for a professional judgment must be submitted in writing to the Office of Financial Aid at /studentservices/financialaid/contact/. All outcomes will be communicated to the student/prospect via email within 30 days of receipt of all applicable supporting documentation.