The University of Pittsburgh Financial Aid Office staff is here to assist students and families with the process of
applying for and receiving financial aid. Our experienced staff is available during office hours to respond to your financial
aid questions and requests. No appointments are necessary. Students and families are assisted in the office on a walk-in
basis, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Our phone number is 412-624-7488.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Please go to the Applying for Financial Aid
section of this website and read about the financial aid application process, the
forms you will need to complete, our priority deadlines and a description of the types of financial aid that are available
for University of Pittsburgh students. If you have questions about or need help with the application process, please
contact our office.
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My parents won't pay for my college expenses. How do I pay for college?
Grants, scholarships, loans and employment are all options for qualified applicants. The parents of dependent students will
need to play a part in this process. The basic premise of financial aid is that the primary responsibility for meeting the cost of attending a post-secondary institution rests with the family. The primary purpose of student financial aid is to provide economic resources to students who have demonstrated financial need and who would otherwise be unable to pursue a post-secondary education. Having your family involved in your educational decisions will be necessary for you to apply for financial aid. Receiving sufficient financial aid without parents' financial information and participation is generally not possible for most students.
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How many credits do I need to register for to receive financial aid?
Enrollment requirements vary by the type of aid. Many financial aid programs requires that you enroll as a full-time student
in a degree seeking program. As an undergraduate, you must enroll for a minimum of 12 credits per term and as a graduate
student, a minimum of 9 credits to be considered full-time. Some financial aid programs require that you be at least a
half-time student to receive financial aid. Half-time for an undergraduate is 6 credits per term. Half-time for a graduate
student is 4.5 credits.
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How can I get more aid?
If you completed the financial aid application process by the priority deadline, you were awarded each type of financial aid
for which you were eligible.
Other possible alternatives are:
- Parents of dependent students can apply for a Parent PLUS loan. If the parent is denied, dependent students can get
additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds by contacting our office and providing written proof from the lender of the
PLUS denial
- Parents can also consider a variety of alternative education loans. Although more expensive than federally insured
FFELP loans, this can be a useful resource to help pay college expenses
- Students can also explore the possibility of scholarships awarded outside of the University of Pittsburgh. A number
of free search engines are available. This option, while worth exploring, may take more time and may not produce results
quickly enough to pay a current term University bill
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Why hasn't my aid/loan been processed yet?
You need to contact the financial aid office concerning financial aid that you have not received
as expected. As there are many types of aid with a variety of requirements, there is not a single answer to this question.
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What is the maximum amount of money I can apply for through additional loans?
Students are eligible to apply for and receive financial aid to cover the University's estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
COA includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other education-related expenses. For some aid,
the amount you can receive is limited to your demonstrated financial need. Using PLUS and alternative loan programs, you may be
able to borrow up to
the total COA.
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Why is my aid different from last year?
Financial aid eligibility is reviewed each year. Changes that occur in your financial circumstances are considered and may
result in a higher expected family contribution (EFC), different award amount or ineligibility for a type of aid. Changes in
your enrollment and housing plans can also affect your aid eligibility. Please contact our office to review your application.
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How do I apply for a Stafford loan, alternative loan or PLUS loan?
Please go to the Types of Aid and Student Loans sections of this website for complete information about the application
process for each of these loans. If you need assistance in deciding which loan program is right for you, please
contact our office.
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Where is my refund?
Federal regulations stipulate that the University cannot begin processing refunds until 10 days before the official
starting date of the term. Refunds are processed daily in Student Financial Services for students who have a credit balance
remaining on their account after financial aid actually paid to a student's account. For more information about your refund,
including a direct deposit option, go to http://www.bc.pitt.edu/students/.
You can contact the Student Payment Center at payments@bc.pitt.edu. Their office
is located in G-7 Thackeray and phone number is 412-624-7520.
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How can I reduce or cancel my student loan?
You can request a reduction or cancellation of your Stafford Loan, PLUS or alternative loan by completing a
Loan Change Request form and returning it to our
office.
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What happens to my financial aid when I drop classes?
Depending on the type of financial aid you are receiving, the number of credits you are dropping and when you drop, your financial aid
may or may not be affected. Please contact our office for specific information.
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Where do I complete entrance/exit counseling for Stafford or Perkins Loans?
Entrance and Exit Counseling requirements can be completed online for Stafford Loans at the
AES website, click on either Stafford Entrance or Stafford Exit.
To complete the Entrance or Exit Counseling for the Perkins Loan, Nursing Loan or Health Professions Loan, go to the
Student Financial Services site. Links for the
Entrance and Exit Interviews are located in the "Federally Supported Loans" section of this page.
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Why were PHEAA grants removed from my financial aid?
There can be many reasons why your PHEAA grant was cancelled. Please contact our office for assistance.
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Are there separate MPNs for different loans?
Yes, each loan will have a separate Master Promissory Note (MPN).
If you are awarded a Perkins Loan, Nursing Loan or Health Professions Loan and you are a first time borrower, you must
complete both an Entrance Interview and Master Promissory Note (MPN) before these funds will be available to you. You will be
advised via email when your MPN is available for you to sign. These requirements can be completed
online. Funds will be credited to your University
bill once these requirements are met. These loans must be repaid after you graduate or otherwise terminate your enrollment at
the University of Pittsburgh.
If you are a new student or have never borrowed through the Stafford Student Loan program, you are required to sign a
Master Promissory Note (MPN). Your MPN will be valid for 10 years while you are enrolled as a student. You will not need to
sign this form each year for up to 10 years as long as you remain continuously enrolled. Student loan funds cannot be
disbursed to your student account until you have signed your MPN. Go to the
AES website to complete one online.
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How do I qualify for Federal Work Study?
Federal Work Study is awarded to students based on financial need. If you complete the financial aid application
process on time, you will be considered for Work Study. If you are eligible for Work Study, it will be included in your
financial aid award letter.
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I didn't file a paper tax return, how do I give you a copy of my tax return?
If you filed your US Income Tax Return with an e-file provider or using home computer software, you should be able to obtain
or print a paper copy of your return. In addition, tax payers can obtain a tax transcript by calling 1-800-829-1040 and use
the automated system to obtain the transcript. You can also obtain a copy of your tax return by completing IRS Form 4506 and
mailing this request to the Internal Revenue Service.
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How do I put my loans into forbearance? Should I consolidate them first?
Contact your lender or loan servicing agency for detailed information about loan consolidation and forbearance options and
the forms and process you will need to complete.
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If your parent's PLUS Loan is denied, you may be eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds($4,000 for year 1
and 2; $5,000 for year 3, 4 and 5). If you want the additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan, your lender must send us
verification of the PLUS Loan denial in writing and you must send us a request in writing for the increase in
unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
If you prefer to appeal the PLUS Loan denial, your parents should contact your lender directly concerning the
possibility of an appeal.
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