Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Tuition and Financial Aid Information

Brenau University offers the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) for entry level MS OT Evening/Weekend Cost of MS OT Day AttendanceMaster Estimates of (2012 -13) for Estimates (2012-13) for Two Semesters* professional preparation for occupational Two Semesters* therapists. The MSOT requires 94 credit hours (Based on Fin10 credit hours per semester) Direct Costs included in student budget: of coursework. There are three attendance Tuition: $23,054 (12-18 credit Direct Costs included in student budget: hours per semester) options available. Our Day OT program is a Tuition: $15,360 ($768 per Fees: $ 330 seven semester program which begins in the credit hour) Indirect Costs/Allowances included in student fall semester. Classes take place on ground on Fees: $ 330 budget:** Indirect Costs/Allowances included in Books: $1650 our Gainesville, GA campus M-F between 8am- student budget:** Room & Board: $7830 6pm. Our Weekend OT program begins in the Books: $1100 Transportation: $1500 spring semester and is located on our Norcross, Room & Board: $7830 Personal/Incidental: $1700 Transportation: $1500 GA campus. It is a nine semester program and Personal/Incidental: $1700 TOTAL: $36,064 classes take place on ground every other Day Cost of Attendance weekend on Friday evening and all day TOTAL: $27,820 for Two Semesters Saturday. Finally, our Hybrid Day OT program Evening/Weekend Cost of Attendance for Two Cost of Attendance estimate for Residential is a seven semester program which begins in Semesters MS OT Day students is $38,318 for Two the summer. Classes are held two days per Semesters week between 6pm-10pm on our Norcross campus. *Please note that summer session costs and financial aid awards are calculated separately. **Indirect costs of attendance estimates will be less for: 1) Students enrolled exclusively in online programs; 2) Students who live with parents; and 3) Students attending less than 2 full semesters within one academic year.

General Financial Aid Information How to Apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Go to www..gov to apply. We recommend that students have a completed financial aid file a minimum of one month prior to the beginning date of the first semester for which financial aid is needed.

Financial Aid Award: Once the student has completed the FAFSA and been admitted to a graduate degree program, Brenau will process their financial aid application and calculate a financial aid award. Students should allow adequate time after admission for the Financial Aid Office to process and mail their financial aid awards. Awards are mailed electronically and via regular mail.

Disbursement of Funds and Refunds Once a student receives an award, disbursement of funds is contingent upon: 1) A completed Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling (EC), information online at www.studentloans.gov; 2) An accepted financial aid award. Students should login on Brenau University’s CampusWEB site; click My Financial Aid, then the Awards tab to accept their awards. Additional instructions with regard to accepting the financial aid award and additional student loan details are provided with the student’s award letter; and 3) Eligible Enrollment. Students are eligible for graduate financial aid if enrolled in at least 3 semester hours, which is considered half-time. When the loan is disbursed, funds are applied toward charges; any excess funds will be refunded to student within 14 calendar days as required by Federal regulations.

Additional Information is Available – Please Contact us Office of Financial Aid Accounting Office 770.534.6152| fax 770.538.4306 770.534.6150| fax 770.538.4665 [email protected] [email protected]

Federal Stafford Loan The primary source of financial assistance for students attending Brenau University’s Graduate School is the Federal Direct Unsubsidized

Stafford .

Who Qualifies: The Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not awarded on the basis of need. Any U.S Citizen or eligible non-citizen who is not in default on a previous student loan and/or who has not exceeded borrowing limits will qualify for the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford

Loan.

Maximum Loan Amount: Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 per year through the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program. Although the maximum Federal Unsubsidized Stafford loan allowed for graduate study is $20,500 per year, the total amount borrowed cannot exceed the cost of attendance for the specific program.

In addition to the annual maximum Federal Stafford loan amounts of $20,500, each student has a total lifetime Federal Stafford loan limit.

The total amount a student may borrow from all Stafford Loans combined during their lifetime is $138,500.

Interest Rate/Fees/Repayment: Under current law, the interest rate charged on Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans is fixed at 6.8%. The interest on Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans begins to accrue when the loan is disbursed. Repayment of loan interest and principal begins 6 months after graduating or withdrawing from school.

Enrollment Requirements: Graduate students are eligible to receive a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford loan disbursement if enrolled in at least 3 semester hours, which is considered half-time. Awards may be adjusted if calculations were based on a higher course load.

When to Apply/Deadlines: There are no financial aid application deadlines. However, students should apply for their Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans at the same time they apply for admission to a Brenau graduate program. We recommend that students have a completed financial aid file a minimum of one month prior to the beginning date of the first semester for which financial aid is needed.

For more information about Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans go to: www.studentloans.gov

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan For students who need financial assistance beyond the $20,500 Stafford Loan annual maximum, the federal Graduate PLUS Loan program may be an option.

Who Qualifies: The Graduate PLUS loan is a credit-based loan, so students must pass a credit check to qualify. Also, please note that in some cases, a student may already have a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that meets the cost of attendance and therefore the student would not be eligible for a Graduate PLUS Loan. Any U.S Citizen or eligible non-citizen graduate student not in default on a previous student loan is eligible to apply for the loan. The Graduate PLUS loan has the same enrollment requirements as the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

When to Apply: Students should apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan when/if they determine there will be a need for additional funds beyond what is available to the student through the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program. Most Grad PLUS applications are completed after the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan has been awarded/accepted

Loan/Program Limits: The maximum annual amount a student may borrow from the Graduate PLUS Loan program is the cost of attendance for the student’s program of study minus any Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans and any other financial aid the student may be receiving. There is no Aggregate Lifetime Maximum amount for the Graduate PLUS Loan.

Interest Rate/Fees/Repayment: The Graduate PLUS Loan carries a fixed rate of 7.9%. The interest begins to accrue when the loan is disbursed. However, the Graduate PLUS Loan allows for the deferment of repayment while the student is enrolled. An origination Fee of

4% is deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Repayment of loan interest and principal begins 6 months after graduating or withdrawing from school.

Private Education Loans Private education loans are credit-based loans offered by banks and other lenders to assist students who find they need additional funds to cover education-related expenses that may not be covered by other financial aid programs. Approval for a private education loan depends primarily on the credit score of the borrower (and co-signer, if one is required). Private education loans are typically considered a “last resort” type of educational funding; however, they are often a wiser financial option to cover indirect educational costs than using credit cards or home equity lines of credit. For additional information on private education loans, including a list of historical Brenau lenders and loan products, loan program disclosures, and online applications, please visit: https://choice.fastproducts.org/FastChoice/Welcome.do?configId=1339181661222.

Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program and Other Veteran’s Assistance Benefit Programs Brenau University participates in the Post-9/11 GI Bill and all other VA education benefit programs, including the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Students should contact their VA office, go to www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551 for more information on programs and eligibility.

Brenau Military Online Tuition Rate Program Brenau University’s Graduate School provides a military online tuition rate. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar

([email protected]) for more information on applying and qualifying for the military tuition rate.

Other Possible Funding Sources Graduate students are encouraged to apply to organizations, corporations, agencies and foundations for funding that may be used at any school the student chooses to attend. These groups may offer scholarships and grant funding that does not have to be repaid.