Several incoming students have been asking questions about financial aid processing, so Robyn Kinch, the Coordinator of Financial Aid for STH, has prepared the following Frequently Asked Questions to help answer them.  If you believe that you have completed all of the pieces of your financial aid application (see FAQ #1), and you have not yet received your aid packet through the mail, you may want to re-check with the Admissions Office that you have officially accepted your admission into the School of Theology.  Though many people are moving forward with securing housing and other "next steps," only about half of the expected entering class has actually completed the "STH Admission Confirmation Form," which is what officially marks someone as a "confirmed entering student."  The STH Admission Confirmation Form was sent to you along with your letter of admission, and is a half-page, white sheet of paper with carbon copies behind it.  If you have lost your Confirmation Form, or if you are unsure if you sent in an official confirmation, please email sthadmis@bu.edu and confirm your admission with an message to that account.  Financial aid will only be processed for "confirmed entering students."  Thanks for your cooperation!  The Frequently Asked Questions begin below:

 

Financial Aid FAQ

by Robyn Kinch

 

#1:  How do I apply for aid? 

 

If you are a U.S. citizen:

 

1)      You must complete the School of Theology Financial Aid Application (http://www.bu.edu/sth/students/financial/finaid_form.html).  This form must be filled out by all students, including those who have been awarded merit scholarships.

2)      You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/).  You will need your 2007 tax return in order to accurately fill out your FAFSA.

3)      You must submit your STH acceptance form (small white paper).

 

If you are an international student:

 

1)      You must complete the School of Theology Financial Aid Application (http://www.bu.edu/sth/students/financial/finaid_form.html).  This form must be filled out by all students, including those who have been awarded merit scholarships.

2)      You must submit your STH acceptance form (small white paper).

 

 

#2:  When will I receive my aid?

 

Financial aid for incoming students is being processed in the order in which the applications (and FAFSA where applicable) were received for those students that have sent in their acceptance to BUSTH. 

 

#3:  How will I receive my aid? 

 

Your financial aid packet will be sent to you through the mail to the address you provided.

 

#4:  When will my aid be available?

 

Financial aid will become available on the first day of classes. 

 

#5:  I am interested in loans.  Where can I find more information?

 

Please visit the following link for additional information on loan terms (http://www.bu.edu/finaid/loans/student/stafford_terms.html).

 

 #6:  How much can I borrow in loans?

 

Your loan eligibility is determined by your federal need, which is compiled using the data you provided for your FAFSA.  The maximum amount of loans a student can borrow is $20,500 per academic year ($8,500 in subsidized loans, $12,000 in unsubsidized loans).  Final loan eligibility will be dependent on federal need.     

 

#7:  I am interested in work study and/or Perkins loans.  How can I receive these funds?

 

You can request these funds on the School of Theology Financial Aid application.  However, the School of Theology receives a very limited amount of funds for both work study and Perkins loans.  Preference is given to returning students with the remaining funds awarded to incoming students with the greatest need in the order in which all their application materials were received.

 

#8:  I will be receiving a scholarship from my local church/denomination/etc.  What do I do?

 

You must list the name of this award and its amount (for example, My Home Church Student Scholarship, $500) on your STH financial aid application in the “outside award” section.  We are required to factor these outside awards into your total financial aid package.  If you receive an outside award, please have the sponsor send the check to the following address:

 

                                                Office of Registration and Financial Aid

                                                c/o Megan Hornbeek

                                                Boston University School of Theology

                                                745 Commonwealth Avenue

                                                Boston, MA 02215