If you have been admitted to a degree program or the Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy, there are loans and grants available to help finance your education. To be considered for any of the options listed below you must complete a financial aid application. The instructions to apply for financial aid can be found here – https://oldhartsem.hartfordinternational.edu/admissions/financial-aid/how-to-apply-for-aid/

Seminary Grants

Limited financial aid in the form of grants is available to matriculated students enrolled in Hartford Seminary degree programs and the Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy. Eligible students (typically, U.S. citizens) applying for grants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Hartford Seminary Financial Aid Supplement

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work-Study program provides part-time jobs for eligible students with financial need – the difference between your cost of attendance and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on the FAFSA – allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

If you are interested in a work study job please contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information and to determine your eligibility.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program is a service of the US Department of Education. If you are eligible to borrow through the program, you do so at interest rates that are lower than those of many other student loans and have more favorable deferment, forgiveness, and cancellation options.

Graduate students are only eligible for Unsubsidized Direct Loans. With Unsubsidized loans you are responsible for the interest from the date of disbursement. You may pay interest quarterly or allow the interest to accrue on your loan.

See studentaid.gov for current interest rates and origination fees.

Maximum Federal Direct Loan Amounts

The US Department of Education sets annual and aggregate borrowing limits. Direct Loan amounts may not exceed your cost of attendance.

Graduate Student Annual Loan Limit – $20,500
Aggregate limit (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) – $138,500 for graduate students—No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.

You can view your student loan information by logging into studentaid.gov. Your profile will provide personalized information like your federal student loan balance, disbursement dates and contact information. You can also view information on your federal loan servicer(s).

Loan Responsibility

A summary of the responsibilities of a student borrower under the Federal Aid scheme are as follows:

• The loan proceeds must be used immediately and primarily to pay tuition and accommodation fees at Hartford Seminary. If the loan is not used for this purpose it can be recalled by the lender.
• The student must notify FAFSA if any of the following change for a reason other than a change in marital status: dependency status; household size and/ or number of people in the household enrolled in a degree or certificate program. ALL loans have to be repaid to the US Department of Education. (The only exceptions occur if the student never earns any money or dies.)

Use of the Loan Funding

All students with loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program must have used their loan in the first instance for the payment of Hartford Seminary tuition, fees and accommodation. In the event that there is a shortfall for any reason, the funds will be used towards tuition fees first and any Seminary accommodation charges thereafter.

Student Academic Progress and Change of Circumstance

All students who leave their course or change mode of attendance, or fail to make satisfactory academic progress must be reported to the US Department of Education. Students may not take more than 150% of the normal duration to complete their program – they become ineligible for Federal Direct Loan funding in the excess years.

Hartford Seminary has a responsibility to ensure that all students in receipt of William D. Ford Direct Loan funding are making satisfactory academic progress. Where a student falls below the minimum standard of satisfactory academic progress, Federal Direct Loan funding will be suspended.

Return of Title IV Funds

The Seminary is required by federal law to recalculate financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term.

If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds on behalf of the student. This would result in a debit balance owed by the student to the Seminary.

If any of your questions about Federal Financial Aid have not been addressed by the information presented, please contact Danielle LaVine in the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program is a student loan program for graduate candidates. You may apply for an amount up to your cost of attendance less any other financial aid you are receiving.

You must complete a FAFSA and be eligible for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans before applying for the Graduate PLUS Loan. To apply:

• Complete a promissory note for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan online. Please note that a credit check is part of the application process.
• Complete entrance counseling online (if this is your first time borrowing a Direct PLUS Loan.
• Complete the Direct PLUS loan application online at studentaid.gov
• Complete exit counseling online before leaving school

Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Repayment can be deferred during periods of at least half-time enrollment.