Graduate FAQs
Full-time enrollment is defined as 9 or more hours of new work per semester. Half-time is anywhere between 4.5 and 8.9 hours of new work per semester. Three-quarters time is between 6.6-8.9 credits. Lastly, 4.4 or fewer hours of new work per semester is considered below half-time enrollment.
Federal and state aid is intended to support serious degree-seeking students who are making continuous satisfactory progress toward their degrees. The university is required to withhold aid if satisfactory academic progress is not made. The satisfactory academic progress of each graduate student is assessed by the dean or program director at the end of each semester.
Good academic standing is one component in the assessment of satisfactory academic progress. Graduate students must maintain a GPA at or above 3.0 to maintain good academic standing.
Your aid package is the total amount of aid the university can offer you depending upon variables that include enrollment status, class level, program, total need, and funds available. Aid packages may include scholarships, grants, and other forms of funding.
In addition to your aid package from , almost all graduate students can receive federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Students are encouraged to seek grants from outside sources such as clubs, churches, or employers.
Not automatically. Students must reapply for federal financial aid each academic year by completing the .
Aid is disbursed to student accounts through the Mary Baldwin Business Office. Aid is first used to cover charges to the student’s account. Once your account is paid, you will be refunded any additional aid for use for books, transportation, and personal expenses. These refunds will be paid via a check from the Mary Baldwin Business Office after the add-drop period ends and a review of enrollment status based on the official rosters of the Registrar’s Office has been completed. Note that this means refunds will not be available until approximately one month after the beginning of the semester. We cannot give exact dates for individual refunds, but all refunds will be made as quickly as possible after loan funds are received from the lenders.
The Financial Aid Office is obligated to check enrollment after the end of each semester’s add-drop period to be sure of your continuing eligibility for aid. Refunds will not be issued from your account until the checking process is completed, which is usually about four weeks after a semester begins. You should plan accordingly.