WELCOME TO THE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND!
The Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) here at UNE understands the complexities of financing a college education.
“Understanding Your Aid” is intended to give you detailed information about the financial aid process. It defines policies
and procedures regarding the administration of funding, discusses rights and responsibilities of a financial aid recipient and
outlines important deadlines and other information regarding various types of financial aid programs. Please carefully
review the information presented. Though we are always here to assist, you, the financial aid recipient, are ultimately
responsible for knowing the information contained here. We recommend keeping a copy of this guide handy.
A high quality college education is a worthy life-long investment that only appreciates over time. We know the complexities
of funding your education, but the SFS Team is committed to assisting you with all the resources you will need. Our
knowledgeable staff is ready to guide you to ensure your educational goals are not only achievable, but affordable. We are
here to answer your questions regarding all aspects of the financial aid process.
We look forward to working with you!
CALL US VISIT US WRITE US
Financial Aid Biddeford Campus Email Contact Form
(207) 602- 2342 1st Floor of DeCary hall www.une.edu/askfinaid
Student Accounts Portland Campus Email Contact Form
(207) 602- 2425 1st Floor of McDougall Hall www.une.edu/askstudentaccounts
FINANCIAL AID
UNDERGRADUATE AWARD GUIDE
UNDERSTANDING
YOUR AID
UNDERSTANDING
YOUR AID
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APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
COMPLETING THE FAFSA
The University of New England makes available a
variety of aid including grants, scholarships, loans, and
employment. The first step to applying for financial aid is
completing the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA). UNE uses the FAFSA to determine
eligibility and award financial aid. Beginning January 1
of each year, students can go to www.fafsa.gov to
complete the FAFSA online for the upcoming academic
year. Students can file using a paper version of the
FAFSA; however, filing electronically is recommended.
First time filers will need to obtain a Personal
Identification Number (PIN). The PIN serves as a
unique electronic signature for both parents and
students, is used to sign the FAFSA and promissory
notes, and provides access to personal records (FAFSA
results). A PIN can be requested from www.pin.ed.gov
and should be securely retained for future uses.
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool can be used when
completing the FAFSA or when updating information
that was previously estimated. Using this safe and
secure tool may reduce the need for the Student
Financial Services Office to request additional
documentation. Additionally, returning students should
take advantage of the FAFSA renewal process. This
simplifies the application process by automatically
pre-filling the FAFSA with data reported from the
previous year.
Once the FAFSA has been received and processed by
the Federal processor, you will receive a Student Aid
Report (SAR). The SAR provides a summary of the
data reported on the FAFSA, as well as your Expected
Family Contribution (EFC) and should be retained for
your records. If you are selected for verification, the
SAR will indicate this. If you are selected for verification,
please refer to the Verification section of this handbook
or visit our website at www.une.edu/verification.
ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID
Students interested in applying for financial aid must
meet the following eligibility criteria:
Enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or
certificate program
US citizen or eligible non-citizen as defined by the
FAFSA
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined
by the University (see “Satisfactory Academic
Progress” section)
Not be in default on any past federal loans or owe
repayment of federal grant programs at any institution
Register for Selective Service (if required to)
RECOMMENDED DEADLINES
Students who wish to be considered for all possible
types of financial aid offered by UNE for the upcoming
academic year should complete the FAFSA by May 1.
Students who complete their financial aid application
material after this deadline will be considered for
financial assistance based on the availability of funds at
that time.
Students planning to take courses during the summer
semester and would like financial aid should contact our
office once they have registered for summer classes.
DEPENDENCY STATUS
The US Department of Education determines
dependency status by student answers to the following
questions:
Will you be 24 years or older as of January 1 of this
academic year?
As of today, are you married?
During the upcoming academic year, will you be
working on a graduate/professional degree?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S.
Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
Do you have children who receive more than half of
their support from you?
Do you have dependents (other than children or
spouse) who live with you and who receive more than
half of their support from you?
As of age 13, were you an orphan, in foster care, or
were a ward of the court?
Were you an emancipated minor as determined by a
court?
Were you in legal guardianship as determined by a
court?
Are or were you considered an unaccompanied youth
that was homeless on or after July 1, of the summer
preceding your senior year of high school?
Students who answer “no” to all questions are
considered dependent for financial aid purposes and
must include parental data on the FAFSA.
Students able to answer “yes” to at least one of the
above questions are considered independent and do not
need to include parental information when completing
the FAFSA. Students should refer to the FAFSA for
more detailed information regarding each of the criteria.
If a student answers “no” to all of the questions and
therefore does not meet one of the listed criteria but
believes they should be considered independent, he/she
should contact the Student Financial Services Office. In
When filing the FAFSA, be
sure to include UNE’s Title
IV Institutional code,
002050.
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some rare instances, a “dependency override” can be
granted.
However, a student does not qualify for a dependency
override simply because:
o Parents are unwilling to provide information for the
FAFSA or for verification
o Parents are unable or refuse to contribute to
educational expenses
o Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for
tax purposes
o Student is financially independent of family
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
The University of New England is required by federal
law to regularly monitor a student’s academic progress
throughout their college career. The Standards of
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measure a
student’s performance in three areas:
1. Completion rate
A student must pass a minimum of 67 % percent of
the total attempted credits. This is measured by
comparing the number of attempted credit hours to
the earned credit hours.
2. Cumulative grade point average (GPA)
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative
GPA of:
o Freshman Year 1.70
o Sophomore Year 1.80
o Junior Year 1.90
o Senior Year 2.00
o Graduate Students 2.00
(or as specified by individual program)
3. Maximum time frame
A student cannot attempt more than 150 percent of the
normal credits required for their degree or certificate
program. Students in undergraduate programs requiring
120 credit hours for graduation will be eligible for
financial aid during the first 180 attempted hours as an
undergraduate. All attempted hours are counted,
including transfer hours, whether or not financial aid was
received or the course work was successfully
completed.
The Student Financial Services Office is responsible for
ensuring all students receiving federal, state and
institutional aid meet these standards. The SAP policy
applies to all financial aid programs and if a student is
not successfully meeting the SAP requirements, they
risk losing their financial aid eligibility. SAP is reviewed
for every student at the end of each semester.
Students not meeting SAP requirements will be notified
and placed on Financial Aid Probation for the following
semester, during which time they will still receive aid. At
the end of the probationary semester, we will review the
student’s progress; if they are still not meeting SAP
standards, they will no longer be eligible for any
financial aid. For more information, please visit the
Satisfactory Academic Progress section of our website
or go to www.une.edu/ugSAP.
YOUR FINANCIAL AID AWARD
EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION
The Expected Family Contribution (commonly
referred to as “EFC”) is a figure determined by the
Federal Processor using a formula referred to as
Federal Methodology. Using the data reported on the
FAFSA, the EFC is calculated annually.
Federal Methodology takes into account your family's
income, assets (savings and investments, but not home
equity), the number of people in the household, and the
number of people within the household who will be
attending college during the academic year (excluding
parents). It is important to note, because the EFC is
based on income and other varying factors, it is possible
for a student’s EFC to fluctuate from year to year should
a family’s financial circumstances change.
COST OF ATTENDANCE
The yearly cost of attendance (COA) is a figure that
includes all of the estimated expenses a student will
likely incur while attending UNE. Unless otherwise
noted, the cost of attendance includes both direct and
indirect costs.
Direct costs include tuition, required fees,
on-campus room and board and student health
insurance, if a student does not opt out of it.
These costs are billed to students’ accounts
each semester.
Indirect costs include off-campus room and
board, books and supplies,
transportation/travel, and personal and
miscellaneous expenses, only for the months
the student is actually enrolled. Indirect costs
will vary, depending on individual
circumstances.
Please note, costs--specifically program fees--may vary
by academic program. For detailed information
regarding current billing information, please visit the
“Costs” section of our website at
www.une.edu/sfs/undergraduate/costs.
DETERMINING FINANCIAL NEED
Financial need is used to determine aid eligibility and is
determined by the following formula:
Cost of Attendance
- EFC
- Outside Assistance
= Financial Need
Once the FAFSA has been completed, the Student
Financial Services Office will receive the data
electronically, typically within 5-7 business days. Upon
receiving the FAFSA, your financial need will be calculated
and then used to create your financial aid award. Awards
may consist of any combination of grants, scholarships,
work study funds, and loans. The exact composition of an
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award depends on several factors, including the extent of
a student’s financial need and the amount of funds
available for a particular academic year.
Unless a student’s FAFSA information significantly
changes from one year to the next, due to a change in
financial circumstances such as an increase or loss of
income, students should expect their financial aid awards
to be similar from year to year.
NOTIFICATION OF YOUR AWARD
Once your financial aid award is determined, returning
students will receive electronic notification (via UNE
email) of their financial aid award. The award can be
viewed and accepted through U-Online. New students
will be mailed a paper copy of their award.
If you are selected for verification (see Verification
section), new students will receive an estimated award
letter; however the financial aid award will not be
finalized until an actual EFC is determined and the
verification process has been completed. Returning
students who are selected for verification will not be
awarded financial aid until verification is complete. They
will be notified of their award electronically via UNE
email.
ENROLLMENT STATUS
The financial aid award is based on full-time enrollment.
Unless otherwise noted by your program, full-time
enrollment is defined by a minimum of 12 credits per
semester for undergraduate students and 6 credits for
graduate and professional students. At the end of the
add-drop period each semester, the Student Financial
Services Office reviews enrollment. Students who are
less than full-time will not be eligible for the following aid
programs: UNE Merit Award, Nor’easter Scholarship,
Federal Perkins Loan, and Federal Work Study. Pell
and FSEOG Grants amounts will be pro-rated for
students who are enrolled less than full-time. Students
who are at least half-time will still qualify for a Federal
Direct Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan, and most
alternative loans.
VERIFICATION
The Federal Processor may select your application for a
process called verification. If you are selected, our office
must verify the accuracy of the information reported on
the FAFSA.
Students selected for verification will be notified and
required to submit specified documentation before the
award can be finalized. If the IRS Data Retrieval
Process was utilized when filing the FAFSA, copies of
the tax transcripts will not be requested; however, if a
student was ineligible for the data retrieval tool, tax
transcripts will be required as part of the verification
process. Tax transcripts can be downloaded from the
IRS website (www.irs.gov) and W2s will be required.
Students or parents who were not required to file a
federal tax return will be required to submit copies of
W2’s to our office.
If discrepancies are found between the FAFSA and the
verification material submitted, the Student Financial
Services Office is required by federal regulation to
resolve any conflicting data. In such instances,
corrections are made to the FAFSA, which may impact
a student’s eligibility for certain aid.
The Student Financial Services Office reserves the right
to select a student for verification in cases where
discrepant information is apparent. In instances where
discrepant information is made evident during the
verification process, our office may request
supplemental documentation, in addition to the standard
verification documentation (i.e. verification worksheet,
tax documents).
Unless selected for verification, students should not
submit tax transcripts or other verification material.
Please note Title IV Federal Financial Aid cannot be
disbursed until the verification process is complete.
RECEIPT OF OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
The Student Financial Services Office encourages all
students to take advantage of outside aid opportunities
including private scholarships, tuition waivers, employer
reimbursement, and private loans when necessary. We
recommend visiting our website for information about
potential resources to research outside scholarship
opportunities. (www.une.edu/scholarships)
When receiving any outside funding, it is the
responsibility of the student to notify our office of that
funding. Federal regulations require all outside
assistance be taken into consideration when financial
need is calculated. Therefore in accordance with federal
regulation, if our office is notified of outside assistance
after a student has already been awarded financial aid,
the award may need to be adjusted accordingly. In such
situations, it is our policy to first attempt to adjust loan
eligibility before grant. Students whose awards are
adjusted will be notified.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
We recognize a family's circumstances may change
from year to year, and some situations may not be
accurately captured on the FAFSA. Some situations
may include:
Significant change in income/employment
Substantial unreimbursed medical expenses
Change in parent marital status
Death of parent/spouse who earned wages
Payments to private elementary and secondary
schools
Students who feel they have special circumstances that
should be taken into consideration when evaluating
need for financial aid are encouraged to contact the
Student Financial Services Office.
We will review the situation and determine if any
adjustments to the student’s financial aid eligibility are
possible. If it is determined adjustments could potentially
be made, you will be asked to complete an appeal form,
in addition to providing supporting documentation
regarding the reason for the appeal.
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Please note, completing an appeal does not
automatically make a student eligible for additional
financial aid. Although we may review your situation,
this does not guarantee you will qualify for additional
funding.
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
Financial aid funds are scheduled to disburse once the
add/drop period concludes. Funds are first applied
toward any charges the student was billed for that
semester. If the amount of financial aid applied to the
account exceeds the total charges owed, the student
will receive a refund from the Student Accounts Office.
Refunds can be used for educational expenses such as
books and supplies and off-campus living
expenses. Refunds are typically issued within ten days
of when the funds are posted to student’s accounts.
FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
Financial aid assistance comes in the form of grants,
scholarships, employment, and loans and is categorized
into two basic types: need-based and non need-
based.
Students who demonstrate financial need based on their
FAFSA information are automatically considered for all
need-based aid programs. Non need-based aid is
awarded to students often on the basis of special skills,
talents, or academic achievement, and without
consideration of financial need. The following sections
will discuss the various financial aid programs offered at
UNE for undergraduate students.
UNDERGRADUATE GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Grants and scholarships are considered “gift aid” and do
not require repayment. Some scholarships may require
a term of service by the recipient. Students may receive
grants and scholarships from institutional, federal, state,
and private sources.
UNE MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Upon admission to the University of New England, every
student is awarded a merit-based scholarship. Awards
are based on academic achievement and are renewable
permitting a student’s continued academic success.
Award amounts are determined by the Office of
Admissions and vary from $7,000 to $18,000 per
academic year. They are not based on financial need.
Merit Scholarships include the Presidential Scholarship,
Dean Scholarship, and Merit Award.
ENDOWED AND ANNUAL FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year UNE awards restricted scholarships to
undergraduate students meeting specific selection
criteria. The scholarship criterion is established by the
individual donors, requiring the University to comply with
their eligibility stipulations in matching students to their
particular criteria. Restricted scholarship funds are
dependent upon the renewal of funds by the donors.
Although financial need is a requirement for all
scholarships, the University reserves the right to give
first consideration to those students who have a
minimum 2.5 GPA or better.
Each spring the Student Financial Services Office
contacts students with information regarding available
scholarships and the application process. For
consideration for any of the scholarships, the student
must complete the scholarship application by May 1
st
.
Applications are reviewed during the summer and fall
and students are typically notified during the fall
semester if they received any scholarships.
SIBLING GRANT
This non-need based fund is available to any full-time
student whose sibling is concurrently attending UNE.
The annual award amount is $1,500 and is awarded to
both students, so long as they are both enrolled at UNE.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Student
Financial Services Office if they believe they qualify for
this grant.
LEGACY GRANT
This non-need based fund is available to full-time
students whose parent or guardian was a graduate of
UNE, Westbrook College or St. Francis College. The
annual award amount is $1,500. It is the student’s
responsibility to notify the Student Financial Services
Office if they believe they qualify for this grant.
FEDERAL PELL GRANT
Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who
do not already hold a Bachelor’s degree and who
demonstrate exceptional financial need. Award amounts
vary from year to year but can range from $600 to over
$5,550. Specific amounts are based on a student’s
individual EFC, enrollment status and limits determined
for each academic year.
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)
This grant program is awarded to undergraduate
students who demonstrate exceptional financial need
and who do not already hold a Bachelor’s degree.
Students must be Pell Grant eligible in order to be
considered for FSEOG. The Student Financial Services
Office typically awards this fund after the fall semester
begins.
MAINE STATE GRANT
The Maine State Grant is a need-based fund awarded to
undergraduate students who are Maine residents and
who have not already earned a prior Bachelor degree.
In order to be considered for this fund, the FAFSA must
be completed by May 1
st
prior to the start of the
academic year. Awards range from around $500 for
students enrolled half-time and $1000 for students
enrolled full-time but limits can vary from year to year.
OTHER STATE GRANT PROGRAMS
In addition to Maine, several other states fund grant
programs for undergraduate students from their state
who are attending UNE. Funding is usually based on
financial need, enrollment status, and completion of all
application materials by a set deadline (refer to the new
year’s FAFSA for information on specific state
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deadlines). Students should check with their state for
specific program requirements.
RESIDENT ASSISTANT STIPEND
Students who have lived in the residence halls for at
least one year and who have been chosen to serve as a
Resident Assistant are eligible to receive this fund for
the upcoming academic year. Award amounts are
determined each year by the Housing Office and
interested applicants should contact their office.
CIC TUITION EXCHANGE PROGRAM
The CIC Tuition Exchange Program is a benefit
provided to the dependents of staff and faculty of
participating CIC colleges and universities who wish to
be admitted to an undergraduate program at UNE.
Students accepted to UNE for admission into the CIC
program will receive a full tuition waiver for up to 4 years
of undergraduate study. For additional information
regarding the conditions of this program, as well as how
to apply, please contact the Student Financial Services
Office or the Human Resources Office.
LOAN PROGRAMS
FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED LOAN
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are need-based
federally funded educational loans, available to
undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time in an
eligible degree or certificate program. The interest of the
loan is subsidized while the student is enrolled at least
half-time. The loan is deferred while the student is
enrolled at least half-time and repayment does not begin
until six months after the student graduates or drops
below half-time. Refer to the current Federal Student
Aid website for annual interest rates and origination
fees, which are deducted from the amount borrowed.
FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are non-need based
federally funded educational loans. Students are
responsible for the interest of this loan that begins
accruing upon the first disbursement. This loan is
deferred while students are enrolled at least half-time,
and repayment begins six months after the student
graduates or drops below half-time. Refer to the current
Federal Student Aid website for annual interest rates
and origination fees, which are deducted from the
amount borrowed.
ADDITIONAL DIRECT LOAN INFORMATION
Annual Direct Loan limits are based on a student’s
grade level. Students who demonstrate financial need
will receive their grade level amount of Federal Direct
Loan as Subsidized. Students who do not demonstrate
financial need will receive Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
Students will receive the following in Subsidized,
Unsubsidized, or a combination of both, depending on
their financial need:
1
st
Year Undergraduate $3,500
2
nd
Year Undergraduate $4,500
3
rd
& 4
th
Year Undergraduate $5,500
In addition to their grade level Direct Loan amount, all
undergraduate students are eligible to borrow $2,000 in
unsubsidized loan funds each academic year.
Independent students and dependent undergraduate
students whose parent has been denied a Parent PLUS
loan (see PLUS Loan section) are also eligible for the
following amounts of additional Unsubsidized Direct
Loan funding per academic year. Requests must be
received in writing.
1
st
& 2
nd
Year Undergraduate $4,000
3
rd
& 4
th
Year Undergraduate $5,000
Please note, in order for dependent students to receive
the additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan amounts in a
given year, a parent must receive a PLUS loan denial
for that period. Federal regulations require first-time
Direct Loan borrowers to complete several
requirements. Students must complete the Direct Loan
Entrance Counseling as well as the Direct Loan
Master Promissory Note. Both can be done online at
www.studentloans.gov, using the FAFSA PIN and other
personal identifying information.
Direct loan amounts are subject to aggregate limits and
students may not borrow more than the loan amount
specified for a student’s academic standing and
dependency status. The aggregate amounts are as
follows:
Dependent Undergraduate:
$31,000 (of which up to $23,000 may be subsidized)
Independent Undergraduate:
$57,000 (of which up to $23,000 may be subsidized)
FEDERAL DIRECT PLUS LOAN
PLUS loans are available to parents of dependent
students. Graduate students also have the option of
applying for a PLUS loan. Eligible borrowers may
borrow an amount up to the Cost of Attendance minus
any financial aid and outside resources received by the
student. The interest rate is fixed and an origination fee
is deducted at the time of disbursement. Interest begins
to accrue at the time of disbursement. For Parent PLUS
Loans, repayment typically begins 60 days after the loan
has fully disbursed. However, deferment options are
available and borrowers should contact the lender for
additional information. Graduate PLUS Loans are
deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time.
To apply for a PLUS loan and to research current
interest rate and origination fee information, refer to the
Federal Student Aid website. The PLUS Request
process must be completed online at
www.studentloans.gov. The Student Financial Services
Office will be notified of the loan decision and will
process the loan accordingly, permitting it is approved.
In the event of a denial, borrowers have the option to
apply with an endorser or increase the Direct
Unsubsidized Loan (dependent undergraduates only).
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FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN
Perkins Loans are federally funded, low interest loans
awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate
exceptional need. Loan amounts typically range from
$500 to $3,000. The interest rate is fixed at 5% and
interest does not begin to accrue until repayment begins
9 months after the student graduates or drops below
half-time enrollment.
NURSING STUDENT LOAN
Nursing loans are awarded to students who are enrolled
in a nursing bachelor’s degree program and
demonstrate exceptional financial need. The interest
rate is fixed at 5% and interest does not begin to accrue
until repayment begins 9 months after the student
graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.
EDUCATORS FOR MAINE PROGRAM
This forgivable loan program is available to
Maine resident undergraduate education majors or
teacher certification students. Awards are based on
academic achievement and amounts are up to $3,000
per year for full-time undergraduate students and up to
$2,000 per year for graduate students. These renewable
loans can be forgiven by teaching in a Maine public
elementary or secondary school upon graduation; if the
loan is not forgiven, the loan will be repaid at an interest
rate of 5%. Applications are available through the
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) in late February and
are due by May 1
st
.
ALTERNATIVE LOANS
Alternative loans are privately funded, used to
supplement educational costs and are available to
students who apply and qualify, based on lending
criteria, specified by lenders. Loans are typically
deferred until six months after a student graduates or
drops below half-time enrollment. The maximum amount
a student can borrow in alternative loan funds is the
total cost of attendance minus all other financial aid.
Interest rates vary based on credit information and
interest accrues during a student’s enrollment.
For additional information and to apply for an alternative
loan, students should visit our website, which includes
the UNE’s Recommended Lender List
(www.une.edu/privateloans).The list contains
information about various loan programs, including
interest rates, repayment terms, deferment options, and
borrower benefits. When considering an alternative
loan, a student should carefully review the
Recommended Lender List and determine which loan
program might work best for their specific
circumstances. Students are also able to borrow from
lenders not included on the list.
EXIT COUNSELING
Students who have borrowed through the Federal Direct
Loan program are required to complete a student loan
exit interview prior to leaving UNE. Exit interviews
provide important information regarding loan repayment.
Exit interview sessions are scheduled for the end of
each semester and upcoming graduates are notified of
the sessions. Students who cannot physically attend the
exit interview session can complete the exit interview
online by visiting www.studentloans.gov.
STUDENT LOAN HISTORY
Students can access their federal student loan history
through the National Student Loan Data System
(NSLDS) website. Using their federal PIN, students can
log in to NSLDS to view information about their federal
loans, including total loan amounts borrowed, as well as
loan servicer information.
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a federally
funded program that provides employment opportunities
to eligible students. FWS is not a grant; rather students
are paid for hours worked at an approved FWS job and
are issued a bi-weekly paycheck. Work Study funds
are not applied to students’ bills. Student Financial
Services will post available jobs on the FWS section of
our website. Additionally, the FWS handbook is also
available online. The handbook explains all policies and
procedures related to the program, and it outlines the
responsibilities of students and supervisors. All students
receiving FWS should carefully review the handbook.
Go to www.une.edu/workstudy.
VETERAN EDUCATION BENEFITS PROGRAMS
UNE is approved by the Veterans Administration for a
variety of veteran education benefit programs, including
the Montgomery GI Bill. Students attending UNE who
are eligible to receive VA Educational Benefits may
qualify for one of the following Chapters of the GI Bill of
Educational Assistance:
Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill
Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill
Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational
Assistance Program
Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve
(MGIB-SR)
Chapter 1607 Reserve Educational Assistance
Program (REAP)
Students who believe they qualify for veteran
educational benefits should contact the Veterans
Administration at www.gibill.va.gov or by calling 1-
888- GIBILL-1 (442-4551) to speak with a VA Benefits
Counselor. For assistance, Veterans should contact
Registrar’s Office at 207-602-2473.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
STUDENT ACCOUNTS
The Student Accounts Office, part of Student Financial
Services, provides assistance regarding general billing,
tuition statements, refunds, third-party payment
information, and health insurance information.
Additionally, they are also responsible for preparing and
issuing student bills.
Tuition is billed once each semester. Fall semester bills
are generated and mailed in June and are due early
August. Spring semester bills are generated and mailed
in mid-December and are due in January, prior to the
start of the semester.
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E-BILLING
Bills are also available electronically and students are
provided with enrollment instructions via UNE email.
Once enrolled, students can do a variety of things,
including make credit card or electronic (ACH)
payments, review account history, and view the most
up-to-date bill. Electronic billing also allows students to
invite other persons, such as parents or grandparents to
receive copies of their bill and to make payments on
their behalf.
LATE FEES
A late fee of $150 will be assessed if a student fails to
pay their fall bill in full by the specified due date.
Additionally, students will be assessed finance charges
for any balance still remaining on their account after the
start of the semester. If the bill is not paid in full before
the student’s next registration period, a hold will be
placed on their account, preventing the student from
registering for classes.
PAYMENT FORMS
Payments to UNE can be made a variety of ways. The
following forms are accepted: cash, checks, money
orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover credit and debit
cards, 3
rd
party billing, purchase orders or authorization
to bill, and payment plans.
Electronic checks may be used through E-Billing or
through U-Online. Payments can also be made over the
phone by calling Student Accounts at 207-602-2425;
mailed to UNE Student Accounts, PO Box 6442,
Brattleboro, VT 05302-6442; or made in person at the
following addresses:
Office of Student Financial Services
Student Accounts Office
11 Hills Beach Road
Biddeford, ME 04005
OR
Office of Student Financial Services
Student Accounts Office
716 Stevens Ave
Portland, ME 04103
PAYMENT PLANS
Payment plans are available for undergraduate
students. Payment plans provide the ability to pay for
educational expenses in monthly installments, instead of
all at once. Payment plans can be used in conjunction
with financial aid, scholarships, loans, or by themselves.
For more information and to enroll, please visit Tuition
Payment Plan
on our website: www.une.edu/paymentplans.
STUDENT REFUNDS
Once the balance owed to UNE is paid in full, any
excess federal and institutional financial aid funds,
including loans, grants, and scholarships, will
automatically be credited to the student in the form of a
refund. Students have the option of having their refunds
electronically deposited into a bank account of their
choice by signing up for Direct Deposit.
Enrolling in Direct Deposit is recommended, as it
ensures students receive their refund in a timely
manner. To enroll, students can complete the Direct
Deposit Form (www.une.edu/directdeposit) and return it
to the Payroll Office. If students do not wish to use
Direct Deposit, their refund will be mailed to either their
home address or UNE mailbox. Email the form to
[email protected].
Students generally use refunds to cover indirect
educational costs including off-campus room and board,
books and supplies, and commuting expenses. Refunds
are processed no earlier than 7-10 business days after
funds disburse to students’ accounts.
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE
In accordance with University of New England policy, all
students enrolled in at least seven credits are required
to have full coverage health insurance. The fall
semester bill for all students will include the health
insurance fee. UNE will provide literature outlining the
plan in detail as well as instructions on the enrollment
and waiver process with the fall semester bill.
Students are able to opt out of the University Health
Insurance plan if they are already covered under
another plan, such as their parent’s health insurance
coverage. The health insurance fee will be removed
from the student’s bill once proof of other insurance is
presented. Students can provide proof of insurance by
completing the online waiver. Please note, the waiver
must be completed annually. For more information,
please visit the Student Health Insurance section of our
website. Go to www.une.edu/healthinsurance.
WITHDRAWAL FROM UNE AND RETURN TO TITLE IV POLICY
Withdrawal from UNE will affect your financial aid
eligibility. When a student has received Title IV financial
aid and fully withdraws from UNE, according to federal
regulations, their aid must be adjusted accordingly.
If a student withdraws on or before the sixty percent
point of the term, calculations must be performed to
determine how much financial aid the student is entitled
to keep. The calculations are performed based on the
official date of withdrawal and any funding the student
has not earned will be returned to the respective federal
financial aid programs. This may result in the student
owing a balance to the University, which they are
required to repay within a timely manner. Calculations
are not required if a student withdraws after the sixty
percent point, as they are considered to have earned all
of their federal financial aid for that semester.
For further information or any questions regarding
withdrawal from UNE, please visit our website
(“Additional Information”) or contact the Student
Financial Services Office.
WITHDRAWAL TUITION REFUND POLICY
Course changes for matriculated students are allowed
during the Add/Drop Period during the fall and spring
semesters. After the Add/Drop period, no refunds are
made for course withdrawals.
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TUITION REFUNDS
Refunds for students leaving the institution during a
semester will be made as follows:
80%
60%
40%
No refunds
100%
40%
20%
No refunds
Please Note: Any undergraduate student who intends to
withdraw from the University will be required to go
through the withdrawal process. He/she must first see
the Dean of Students Office to obtain the necessary
forms. Verbal notice is not sufficient. For purposes of
computing refunds, the date of withdrawal recorded by
the Dean of Students after receipt of withdrawal forms
from the student shall be considered official, and that
date will be used by Student Accounts to compute any
refunds due to the student.
Room (60 % of Room and Board Rate)
There will be no refund of the room charge for the
semester after the room has been occupied. A student
obtaining permission to break the Residence Hall/Dining
Service Contract by moving off campus for the spring
semester will be billed 60 percent of a double room rate
for that semester.
Board (40 % of Room and Board Rate)
If a student withdraws during the semester, a refund for
board charges will be prorated effective the first of the
following month.
Other Fees
After registration there shall be no refund of lab fees or
other annual fees.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY
In the event a matriculating undergraduate student
desires to apply for a leave of absence, a Leave Form
must be submitted to the Dean of Students. The form
will include the reason for leaving as well as the
expected date of return. Leave of absence adjustment
to the student accounts will be given based upon the
Withdrawal policies. Failure to return on the date
agreed will result in a withdrawal.
A student in the military reserves will be granted a full
leave of absence tuition credit should the student be
called to active duty while attending courses during any
given semester. Room, board, and fees will be subject
to regular withdrawal policies.
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT
(FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a
Federal law that protects the privacy of student
education records. The law applies to all schools that
receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S.
Department of Education.
Once students are enrolled at UNE, in accordance with
FERPA, we will need to
have written permission from students who wish to grant
family members or significant others access to specifics
on financial aid or student accounts. A student signing
and submitting an Authorization for Release of
Information will be giving permission to our staff to
engage in email and phone conversations with
designated individuals about their UNE financial
information. The student must complete this
requirement, which is a link through their U-Online
account.