Financial Aid

Many students require financial assistance to meet the challenge of paying for a graduate program. All applicants for admission are sent financial aid information. Financial need has no bearing on the admission decision. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid at any time to discuss application procedures, financing options, or changes to their financial status. Students are advised that financing options at the graduate level are highly loan dependent.

All information in the student financial aid application file is considered confidential. Disclosure of family financial information is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The financial aid staff does not discuss details of the students application with persons other than the student. If other individuals acting on behalf of the student are to have access to this information, a confidential release form, available upon request, must be on file with the Office of Financial Aid.

Financial aid staff work closely with the Bursar in the management of student accounts and are authorized to develop payment plans with students. Detailed information on programs and financial aid policy and procedures is available in the annual publication, “Financing Your Springfield College Education”. This publication is available online.

The following pages contain information about these topics:

Eligibility for federal loan programs is determined by evaluating the students income and assets as declared on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Need based awards are subject to the federally defined data verification process which requires some students to submit a signed copy of their federal tax return and other supporting documentation.

Students may borrow up to $20,500, each academic year, through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program (subsidized and unsubsidized).  Eligibility for the federal loans is contingent upon a review by the Office of Financial Aid, in accordance with federal regulations.  Your projected costs for the academic year, prior borrowing at the graduate level, and prior defaults on student loans can impact eligibility.  The interest rate is fixed at 6.8%.  Repayment of principal and interest for the Direct subsidized loan begins six months after either graduation, withdrawal from school, or less than half-time enrollment.  Interest repayment on the Direct unsubsidized loan begins shortly after the first disbursement.  A variety of repayment options are available.

(formerly the National Direct Student Loan)

Eligibility for this need-based program is subject to federal regulations. Funds are very limited. These awards are made to high need students who complete the financial aid application process. Repayment begins nine months after half time enrollment ceases. The interest rate is a fixed 5%.

Graduate students are eligible to apply for this supplemental federal loan. The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is an additional financial resource to supplement the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. It offers credit worthy graduate students the option to borrow up to the total cost of education minus other financial assistance.  The interest rate is a fixed 7.9%.  Borrowers can defer repayment while enrolled at least half-time.  Interest that accrues during this period will be capitalized if not paid by the borrower.

There are a variety of private loan options.  Some families have secured loans through refinancing homes, taking out home equity loans, applying for a tuition credit line, or taking out a loan against their life insurance.  Borrowers are advised to compare rate and repayment benefits and schedules with the federal education loans described before choosing one of the private options.

Graduate students enrolled less than half time (5 credits per semester), or as non-matriculated (non-degree) students, are not eligible for federal loans.  A list of non-federal loan programs is available upon request from the Office of Financial Aid.  Students may also make payment arrangements with the College’s Business Office at the time of registration.

Each year, four All-College Graduate Scholarships are made available to graduate students. The selection criteria include both academic accomplishment and professional promise. Financial need is not an influencing factor. Applications for All-College Graduate Scholarships are available from the Office of Graduate Admissions after January 1. The application deadline is April 1 for the following academic year. New and returning students are eligible to apply.

Springfield College Grants are available on a very limited basis. Factors taken into consideration are the student’s program of study and level of need. The College does not guarantee funding to all eligible applicants. Applicants must complete the financial aid application process for consideration.

A limited number of positions as residence hall directors are available at Springfield College each year. These positions are held in conjunction with full-time graduate study. Directorships include a furnished apartment in the assigned residence hall, tuition waiver (not to exceed twenty-four semester hours per year), and a stipend. Inquiry and application should be made directly to the Office of Residence Life. All applications must be received by March 1.

Another scholarship program, supported by federal funds when available, is known as Rehabilitation Service Administration Traineeships (stipend accompanied by full or partial tuition). Further information can be obtained from the Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Department.

Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Assistantships are available within the Colleges schools and departments for a limited number of qualified graduate students. In addition to providing remuneration up to $4,000 per academic year, a full graduate fellowship enables a student to register for courses without charge for tuition up to a maximum of twenty-four semester hours per year. A graduate assistantship is paid on an hourly basis. Persons interested in applying for graduate fellowships or graduate assistantships should complete the Graduate Fellowship/Graduate Assistantship Interest Identification Form (found in the graduate application packet) and submit it to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The departmental fellowship application will then be forwarded by appropriate departments. Applications must be returned to the department by February 15.

A limited number of doctoral fellowships are also available each year. These carry a stipend of $5,000 to $7,000 for an academic year as well as waiver of tuition. Application for such positions should be made to the Dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. A detailed resume of teaching and/or research competencies, as well as academic accomplishments and professional experience, should be included with the completed application form.

Part-Time Job Opportunities

The Office of Financial Aid and the Career Center coordinate part time, on and off-campus job opportunities. A wide variety of positions are available in departments throughout the campus. Available positions are posted by the Career Center. The student is responsible for securing employment. Each department is responsible for its own hiring decisions. Preference is given to students who are eligible for federal work study.

Graduate Associateship packages

Special Graduate Associateship packages are available on a limited basis to qualified graduate students. The position benefits provide a stipend of $4,500 per student per year to fund 15 hours per week of work for 30 weeks a year. Contact the Office of the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for additional information (413-748-3959).

Career-Related positions

The Career Center and its Cooperative Education staff develop off campus, career related positions for students. These placements give students the opportunity to earn money while gaining valuable career related experience.

America Reads tutorial program

The America Reads tutorial program is coordinated by the Office of Financial Aid and the Career Center. Students in this program are trained as literacy tutors and work in Springfield agencies and schools. Students must be eligible for the federal work study program to participate in America Reads.

Students are encouraged to research the availability of programs from organizations outside of the college. The Office of Financial Aid provides a list of Internet web sites to assist students in this search.

AmeriCorps 2010-2011

Springfield College is a leader in community collaborations designed to meet a variety of needs, especially those centered on youth. The Springfield College AmeriCorps Program provides direct services in the city of Springfield, primarily in the targeted areas of education, youth leadership development, health care, and other human needs.

Eighty-five graduate students serve part-time, 900 hours of service, throughout the academic year. Graduate students from all academic programs are encouraged to apply, and in some cases, AmeriCorps placements may be combined with practicum or fieldwork requirements. Members will serve in one of five categories, based on the best match between the organizations service needs and the members knowledge and skills.

Over the course of the service year, members will receive a living stipend of $6,050, paid over nine months ($672.22 per month). Upon successful completion of 900 hours of service members also receive an education award of $2,675.00, which can be used toward qualified student loans or future tuition. For more information please contact the Springfield College AmeriCorps Program Office at (413) 748-3403.

Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative average in graduate-level course work. Full-time students, attempting 9 or more credits per semester, are expected to complete eighteen credit hours per academic year. Academic reviews are conducted each semester. Students accepted to a graduate program on a probationary basis, may apply for a federal Direct Stafford Loan during this initial probationary semester of study. Students placed on or continued on probation as a result of their graduate academic record at the College, are not eligible for College or federal financial assistance, including student loans.