Sources of Assistance

Off-Campus Resources
U.S. Government Financial Assistance
The Education Resources Institute (TERI) Loan
State Resources
International Resources
Curtis Supplemental Financial-Assistance Award Sequence

OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES
Parents and students are urged to contact public and private foundations, service clubs, churches, etc., that may be sources of outside scholarships or other financial assistance. Information is available from high-school guidance counselors, library reference desks, and/or the Internet.

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U.S. GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Curtis students who are United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States may be eligible to receive U.S. Department of Education TitleIV/Higher Education Assistance (HEA) funding. Students must complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to establish eligibility. Limited financial assistance in the form of Pell grants, Stafford loans, and/or PLUS loans will be awarded to students on the basis of documented financial need which cannot be met by student or family resources. The Office of Student Financial Assistance is responsible for administering and certifying student eligibility for these aid programs. The programs are as follows:

Federal Family Education Loan Program (Stafford and PLUS loans). Stafford and PLUS are government-sponsored low-interest loans to assist students and their parents in meeting educational expenses. The Stafford and PLUS loans are administered and certified through the Office of Student Financial Assistance in conjunction with individual lending institutions and state agencies approved by the federal government.

Stafford loans may be certified as interest-subsidized or unsubsidized, based on federal eligibility requirements. First-year undergraduates may borrow a maximum of $3,500 per academic year; second-year students $4,500; and third-year or above undergraduate students $5,500 per year, through the fifth year of enrollment. Graduate students are permitted to borrow a maximum of $8,500 per academic year.

Eligibility for a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is established by filing the FAFSA and qualifying on the basis of financial need. Parents who qualify may borrow funds up to the cost of attendance less other financial assistance.

Pell Grant. Pell grants are undergraduate, need-based entitlement grants administered and certified through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on a standard federal needs-analysis formula. Students must file the FAFSA to establish eligibility.

Veterans Benefits. Contact your local Veterans Administration Office for information on grant and loan programs for veterans.

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THE EDUCATION RESOURCES INSTITUTE (TERI) LOAN
International and other students who are not eligible for loan programs through the U.S. Department of Education Federal Family Education Loan Program may instead be eligible for a low-interest TERI loan. TERI loan applications and detailed loan information are available in the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

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STATE RESOURCES
Many states offer financial assistance to their residents. Contact the appropriate agency in your state for information and applications.

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INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
Many governments outside the United States provide financial assistance to their citizens who are studying abroad. International students should contact the ministry of higher education in their home country for information and applications.

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CURTIS SUPPLEMENTAL-FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE AWARD SEQUENCE
Loans. Stafford or TERI, as described above. All students seeking financial assistance are required to utilize a student loan as part of their aid package.

On-Campus Employment. Students who require supplemental financial assistance for living expenses are expected to work and earn as much of the assistance as possible, artistic and academic schedules permitting. Accordingly, on-campus employment is the second level of funding awarded in a financial-assistance package. The amount of on-campus employment in a Curtis award package relates directly to the instrument and year of study and reflects the judgment that the hours of expected work are appropriate.

Lab Orchestra and/or Opera Orchestra. The financial-assistance package might include an award labeled "Lab Orchestra," although the assignment may be the lab orchestra and/or the opera orchestra. Note: Some students asked to play in the lab or opera orchestras may not have been awarded this aid in a financial-assistance package. These students will be paid on a per-performance basis.

Supplemental Grants. Supplemental grants are offered if there is remaining need after the awarding of loans, on-campus employment, and/or lab orchestra. Grant recipients must demonstrate satisfactory artistic and academic progress. Students offered a supplemental grant in addition to a loan are required to take the loan in order to retain grant funding. Students offered a supplemental grant in addition to on-campus employment are generally required to work a minimum number of hours each week in order to retain grant funding.

For further information on any matter regarding financial assistance, please call the Office of Student Financial Assistance at 215-717-3188 or e-mail veronica.mcauley@curtis.edu.

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