Financial Aid Terms

Academic Level
The number of units successfully completed (including transfer units) determines the academic level for students seeking their first undergraduate degree. (Undergraduate Unit Requirements per Academic Level — Freshman: 0-29, Sophomore: 30-59, Junior: 60-89, Senior: 90 plus)
Academic Year
A period of time schools use to measure a quantity of study. At SSU, the academic year is defined as the Fall and Spring semesters combined (August - May).
Accrued Interest
The interest that accumulates on the unpaid principal balance of a loan.
Aggregate
Refers to limit maximums within Federal loan programs. There are annual (per academic year) aggregates, and overall cumulative aggregates.
Amortization
The gradual reduction of a loan debt by periodic installment payments (usually monthly) of principal and interest.
Authorization
The process of preparing financial aid funds to be disbursed to a student's account.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Annual Percentage Rate - Amount of interest associated with a loan. It can change or remain the same during the year and term of the loan. If the interest rate is variable, the rate can change; if it is fixed, the rate will not change.
Borrower
The person who receives a loan.
Cal Grant
A state Need based grant awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Eligibility is finalized by the institution at which the student will attend and expect payment.
Campus-based Aid
Financial aid programs where institutions have a limited pool of money to award to it's students. For example, the federal government provides the university with a fixed annual allocation, which is awarded by the financial aid administrator to eligible students. Such programs include the Perkins Loan, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant and Federal Work-Study. Note that there is no guarantee that every eligible student will receive financial aid through these programs, because the awards are made from a fixed pool of money. Once the funds are exhausted, no new awards can be made.
Capitalization
The addition of unpaid accrued interest applied to the principal balance of a loan that increases the total debt outstanding.
CAR
California Aid Report — the means in which the California Student Aid Commission informs applicants of their eligibility for various Cal Grant programs.
Central Processing System (CPS)
The ED facility that processes applications for federal student aid, determining a student's eligibility for aid and conducting a series of quality control and eligibility checks on the application data.
Consolidation
The process of combining one or more eligible educational loans into a single new loan.
Co-signer
A person besides the borrower who signs a credit agreement and is legally obligated to repay the loan if the borrower does not make payments.
COA
Cost of Attendance — Also referred to as the student's budget. Total financial aid for the award period cannot exceed this amount. This is based on the Housing plan for SSU reported on the FAFSA.
CPS
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid processing center
CSAC
The California Student Aid Commission.
Customer Service Office
The university office where student/parents conducting financial transactions including paying fees that are owed and returning unwanted financial aid funds.
Default
A loan is in default when the borrower fails to pay several regular installments on time (i.e., payments overdue by 270 days) or otherwise fails to meet the terms and conditions of the loan. If you default on a loan, the university, the holder of the loan, the state government and the federal government can take legal action to recover the money, including garnishing your wages and withholding income tax refunds. Defaulting on a government loan can make you ineligible for future financial aid and can affect your credit rating.
Deferment
An approved temporary suspension of loan payments based on certain events and criteria. If you decide to return to school at any time, and attend with an enrollment status of half-time or greater, your loans will return to deferment status. This additional deferment period ends when your enrollment drops to less than halftime. Your payments will begin the following month. If you do not qualify for a deferment, you may be able to get a forbearance. You cannot get a deferment if your loan is in default.
Delinquency
The failure to make scheduled monthly loan payments when they are due. Late fees may be charged. If the borrower misses several payments, the loan goes into default.
Direct Loans
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (aka the Direct Loan Program) is a federal program where the school becomes the lending agency and manages the funds directly, with the federal government providing the loan funds. Not all schools currently participate in this program. Benefits of the program include a faster turnaround time and less bureaucracy than the old "bank loan" program. The terms for Direct Loans are the same as for the Stafford Loan program. For more information about Direct Loans, contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-848-0979.
Disenrollment
The process in which students are dropped from the courses in which they are registered for failure to pay their fees. Typically occurs after the last day to add and drop courses for a given semester.
Drop (a course)
Opting to no longer be enrolled in a course prior to the last day to add and drop courses for a given semester.
Early applicant
Filing a FAFSA on or before March 2nd.
e-MPN
Electronic Master Promissory Note — Used as the legally binding agreement for a Direct Loan. By signing, the borrower promises to repay the loan, with interest, in specified installments. The promissory note also includes any information about the grace period, deferment, or cancellation provisions, and the borrower's rights and responsibilities with respect to the loan. The e-MPN is a promissory note that can be used to make one or more loans for one or more academic years (up to 10 years).
EFC
Expected Family Contribution — The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measurement of your family's financial strength, and is used to determine your eligibility for need-based federal aid during one school year. You receive an EFC based on the processing results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your EFC can be found on the first page of your paper SAR, or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Entrance Counseling
A self paced tutorial requirement of all students interested in receiving Direct Loans for the first time. Content includes borrowers rights and responsibilities, and at the end of requires completing and passing a quiz.
EOP
Educational Opportunity Program — The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) within the division of Enrollment of Student Academic Services (ESAS) provides a comprehensive array of services to support student success at Sonoma State University with graduation as a goal for all EOP students. EOP and ESAS advisors provide academic, career, and personal advising to EOP students.
ERD
Enrollment Reservation Deposit — A $200 non-refundable deposit.
EU
Excessive Units — A term within the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to maintain financial aid eligibility. For more details, visit the Disqualification section of the Satisfactory Academic Progress page.
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid — An application that must be filed with the Federal Processor EVERY year in order to receive financial aid consideration. It is the basis on which all financial aid is awarded.
FAO
Financial Aid Office — The financial aid administrator for SSU students. The office to contact for questions related to applying for and receiving of financial aid.
FAP
Financial Aid Probation — a term within the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to maintain financial aid eligibility. For more details, visit the Probation section of the Satisfactory Academic Progress page.
Federal Methodology
The Federal Methodology is the need analysis formula used to determine the EFC. It takes into account taxable and non-taxable income, assets, family size, and the number of family members in college. Unlike many Institutional Methodologies, it does not consider the net value of a family's home.
Federal Processor
The US Department of Education's application data processing facility for the FAFSA. The processor uses student information from the FAFSA to calculate the EFC and returns the student's eligibility information to SSU.
Fifth Year Undergraduate
Students who have received a Bachelor's Degree and who are pursuing a Post-baccalaureate degree other than a Master's, such as a Credential, 2nd Bachelor's, or pursuing pre-requisites for admission to a new Post-baccalaureate program.
Financial Aid
Money provided to a student or student's family to help pay for a student's education. Financial aid can be in the form of gift aid (grants and scholarships) or self-help aid (loans and work-study).
Financial Need
The difference between the student's COA and EFC.
Financial Services Office
The SSU office that posts aid to students' accounts; generates statement of accounts; issues refund checks.
Forbearance
The approved temporary suspension or reduction of loan payments due to a financial hardship during which interest continues to accrue. The borrower must continue paying the interest charges during the forbearance period. Forbearances are granted at the lender's discretion, usually in cases of extreme financial hardship or other unusual circumstances when the borrower does not qualify for a deferment. You cannot receive a forbearance if your loan is in default.
Freeze date
A FAO date per semester at which point students' enrollment is considered final once aid had disbursed.
Full time
For Undergraduates and non-Master's students, enrollment in a minimum of 12.0 units. For Master's students, enrollment in a minimum of 8.0 units.
FWS
Federal Work Study — Need based financial aid employment program that provides part-time job opportunities for eligible students. It is s an opportunity to offset educational expenses and provides valuable work experience. This is money that you have to earn, usually by working on-campus. You are paid once a month for the hours you work and you may earn up to the amount listed on your Financial Aid Award Offer for FWS.
Grace Period
The period after a student either graduates, leaves school (unofficially or officially), or drops below half-time enrollment before loan payments must begin.
Grade Level
Determined by the Admissions and Records office and based on number of units completed towards a degree. 0-29 Freshman; 30-59 Sophomore; 60-89 Junior; 90+ Senior.
Grant
Financial Aid fund that is awarded to an applicant based on specific criteria. Usually requires a specific EFC and Need.
Half-time
For Undergraduates and non-Master's students, enrollment in a minimum of 6.0 units. For Master's students, enrollment in a minimum of 4.0 units.
ID
Identification number — University issued students' Identification number, not a Social Security Number.
Less than half-time
For Undergraduates and non-Master's students, enrollment in 0.5 - 5.5 units. For Master's students, enrollment in 0.5 - 3.5 units.
Loans
Money that must be repaid, with interest. Funds are to be repaid at a time based on the conditions of the loan. There are many different types of loans with different interest rates, repayment schedules, maximum borrowing limits, and interest accrual periods, so it is important for students and their families to thoroughly understand each specific loan offered.
Loan Entrance Counseling
A self paced tutorial requirement of all students interested in receiving Direct Loans for the first time. Content includes borrower’s rights and responsibilities, which assist the student in understanding the terms and conditions of their loan(s). Borrowers are required to complete and pass a quiz at the end of the counseling.
LOP
Lack of Academic Progress — A term within the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to maintain financial aid eligibility. For more details, visit the Disqualification section of the Satisfactory Academic Progress page.
Need
Determined by taking the Cost of Attendance for one academic year and subtracting the EFC for that same year. If the difference is a positive number, then a student may have eligibility for aid based on Need.
Origination
The process of certifying a loan and submitting to the U.S. Department of Education for approval.
Outside Resources
Funding received from outside sources that assist you in paying for your educational expenses. Examples of outside resources include, but are not limited to: Veteran's benefits, faculty/staff tuition benefits, private donor scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, Americorp benefits and vocational rehabilitation benefits. Receipt of outside resources must be reported to the FAO. Outside resources reduce your need and consequently may affect your eligibility for financial aid. SSU will assume that outside resources received in the fall semester will also be received in the spring semester unless we are informed otherwise.
Overaward
Financial Aid awarded in excess of one's eligibility.
Overpayment
Financial Aid paid in excess of one's eligibility.
Parent
A student’s natural or adoptive mother, father, or the spouse of a parent who remarried if the spouse’s income and assets would have been taken into account when calculating a dependent student’s expected family contribution.
PBAC
Post-baccalaureate
Pell Grant
Federal Grant ranging from $523 to $4,731. EFC of 0 - 4041 to qualify. It is named after U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell and originally known as the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant program.
Perkins Loan
Federal need based loan. Limited funding available per academic year. Awarded to earliest applicants. The program is named after Carl D. Perkins, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky.
Petition
An appeal form to request reconsideration of financial aid eligibility based on failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
PIN
Personal Identification Number — Your government issued PIN serves as your electronic signature for the FAFSA and the master promissory note (e-MPN). Also, your PIN gives you access to your personal records available on U.S. Department of Education web sites such as www.nslds.ed.gov where outstanding loans may be viewed.
PLUS
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students — PLUS loans are for parents and step-parents of dependent students. Borrowers must meet credit history and debt burden requirements. As of July 1, 2006 the interest rate is fixed at 7.9%. PLUS loans are always unsubsidized, and interest begins accruing after the first disbursement. The processing fee is 4%, but there is a 1.5% rebate given up front, so you end up being charged just 2.5% for the processing fee. Repayment begins 60 days after the second disbursement. Delayed Repayment Option: If requested, repayment can be delayed until six months after your student drops below half time or graduates. You must request this by contacting the Direct Loan Servicer. Parents or step-parents who would like to apply for a plus loan must fill out a PLUS Loan Application each academic year. Refund of excess financial aid checks consisting of PLUS funds will be made payable to the parent borrower and mailed to the parent's home address.
Principal
The full amount borrowed. During repayment, it refers to the portion of the original amount still owed (not including interest).
Prorate
Adjust award amount based on enrollment level. Grants such as Pell, SUG, EOP and Cal Grant are subject to pro-ration.
Refund
Financial aid in excess of charges on a student's account at the time the aid is disbursed.
Residency Status
The office of Admissions and Records determines your residency status from the information you provided on your application for admission. Residency status is not associated with your financial aid dependency status. For information on establishing California residency, visit Admissions and Records.
SAP
Satisfactory Academic Progress — Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid have a responsibility to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or credential objective in order to remain eligible for financial assistance. SAP requirements at SSU are listed on the Satisfactory Academic Progress page of our web site. The requirements listed on the page applies for all periods of enrollment at SSU independent of the receipt of financial aid. SAP for all students is determined at the end of each semester.
SAR
Student Aid Report — The summary results of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and contains your EFC. When you receive your SAR, check it for any mistakes. If you find a mistake, make the necessary correction(s).
Scholarship
A competitive assistance program, generally based on merit and not on Need.
SEOG
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant — A federal need-based grant. Limited funding available. Awarded to the earliest applicants with the lowest EFC.
Statement of Account
Generated monthly to reflect outstanding balances.
Subsidized Loan
A term used to describe a type of Need based Stafford loan where the federal government pays (subsidizes) the interest while a student borrower is enrolled at least half-time. The loan is named in honor of Senator Robert Stafford of Vermont for his work on higher education
SUF
State University Fee — Mandatory course fees assessed to all students enrolled at a California State University.
SUG
State University Grant — A state Need based grant intended to off-set the State University Fee. Specific EFC is required to qualify.
Three quarter time
For Undergraduates and non-master's students, enrollment in 9.0 to 11.5 units.
Total Withdrawal
To completely withdraw from all course for a given semester after courses have begun.
UGRD
Undergraduate — A student pursuing an initial bachelor's degree or certificate.
Unsubsidized Loan
A term used to describe a type of Non-need based Stafford loan where the student borrower is responsible for paying the interest while enrolled at least half-time.
Verification
A review process in which the FAO requests documentation to verify the accuracy of your FAFSA data. During the verification process the student and parent will be required to submit documentation for information listed (or not listed) on the financial aid application. Financial aid applications are randomly selected by the Federal processor for verification, with most schools verifying at least 1/3 of all applications. If there is an asterisk next to the EFC figure on your Student Aid Report (SAR), your SAR has been selected for verification. Schools may select additional students for verification if they suspect fraud. If any discrepancies are uncovered during verification, the financial aid office may require additional information to clear up the discrepancies. If you refuse to submit the required documentation, you will not receive a financial aid package and no financial aid will be awarded.
Veteran
A veteran is a student who participated in active service in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard and was released under a condition other than dishonorable. This includes a student who attended a United States military academy but withdrew in good standing, as well as a student who is not a veteran now, but will be a veteran by the FAFSA application deadline each year (June 30th). If your service was only for training purposes (e.g., National Guard, Reserves, or a ROTC student), you are not considered a veteran for federal financial aid purposes.
Withdraw (from a course)
To withdraw from a course after the last day to drop, thereby receiving a grade of W for that course.

Back to top