Do you have Financial Aid?

Private student loans and payment plans are options for student who do not qualify for federal student loans.

How do I apply for Financial Aid?

The application process starts with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office can provide you with a packet of financial aid information and forms. The packet includes a FAFSA form. Once all the forms are filled out, a financial aid appointment can be scheduled with a financial aid officer. During the appointment, you will find out what Federal financial aid you qualify for and what portion of your tuition is covered by this aid. For more information on the various forms of financial aid, visit our financial aid page.

*International students are not eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid

Can I fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online?

Yes, you can apply free online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Get together the necessary financial information beforehand, because you will need it to fill out the FAFSA. You will need your income tax form from last year and your parent's tax form if you are a dependent student. Many students find the web application easier to fill out and more use it each year.

What is your Federal School ID Number?

Ex’pression College’s Federal School ID Number is 039733.

Why do I have to include my parent's income information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

If you are considered a dependent student by the Department of Education you must include your parent's income and asset information on the FAFSA. If your parents are divorced or separated see the instructions contained in the FAFSA for information on which parent's income must be reported on the application.

How is eligibility determined?

To receive aid from the federal student aid programs you must:

1. Demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans).
2. Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards your state establishes that the Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law.
3. Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
4. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
5. Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you’re from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
6. Register with the Selective Service if required.
7. Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.
8. Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant.
9. Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

The formula used to determine eligibility for need-based aid is:

(Cost of Attendance) - (Expected Family Contribution) - (Other Financial Resources*) = Eligibility for Need-Based Aid

*Other Financial Resources may include private scholarships, veterans’ benefits, etc.

Cost of Attendance is the estimated cost of attending Ex’pression for a full academic year, including estimated amounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, plus a modest allowance for personal expenses.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and indicates how much of your and your family’s financial resources, if you are a dependent student, should be available to help pay for your education. The EFC is calculated from the information you report on the FAFSA.

Your EFC is calculated according to a formula established by law. Your family’s income (taxable and untaxed), assets and benefits (for example, unemployment or Social Security) are considered in determining your EFC. Your family size and the number of family members who will be attending a college or career school are also considered.

For more information on eligibility requirements you can download The US Department of Education’s Guide to Federal Aid (PDF)

What kind of Financial Aid is available?

Financial aid is any form of assistance contributed to pay for a student tuition and/or living expenses. Federal and private student aid are available to students who qualify.

How do I know how much I qualify for?

Your Financial Aid Officer will go over your financial aid eligibility and options during a preliminary consultation conducted as a part of the admission process.

How much does Financial Aid cover? Or How much Financial Aid will I receive?

Financial aid can cover up to the cost of attendance.

What do I have to do to qualify for Financial Aid?

Eligibility for financial aid is determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To complete the FAFSA go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Can I apply if I’m still paying off loans from another school?

You may still apply for financial aid, however, your eligibility may be limited depending on your student loan history.

I’m really poor, what are the chances of getting everything paid for?

Student loans are available to assist in financing your tuition. Some student loans may require a cosigner. A cosigner can be a family member, friend or anyone who is willing to support your education.

Who qualifies for a Pell grant?

Eligibility for a PELL grant is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) upon completion of the FAFSA, be a U.S. citizen or eligible permanent resident, have not already earned a bachelor’s degree, and not currently be in default on any student loans or owe an overpayment on previously awarded grants.

What if I don’t qualify for Federal Loans?

Private student loans and payment plans are options for student who do not qualify for federal student loans.

What is the definition of an independent student?

In order to be considered an independent student you must answer "Yes" to at least one of the seven questions below (asked in Step 3 of the FAFSA):

1. Will you be 24 years old by December 31st of the current academic year?

2. Will you be working on a master's program during the current academic year?

3. As of today, are you married? "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced)

4. Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

5. Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you, now and through the end of the current academic year?

6. Are you an orphan or ward of the court or were you a ward of the court until age 18?

7. Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?

Why am I a dependent student when my parents do not support me and will not help me finance my education?

If you answer “no” to all seven (7) dependency questions in step 3 on the FAFSA, you are considered a dependent student by the Federal government for financial aid purposes, even if your parents are unwilling to help you finance your education.

I am a dependant student, but my parents don’t support me- how can I get my tuition financed?

If you are considered a dependent student for federal financial aid purposes, your parents’ information is required to be included on your FAFSA for federal financial aid eligibility. Your parents are not financially liable by providing information on the FAFSA. If your parents are not willing to financially support your education, private student loans is an option to finance your education.

What if my parents make too much money?

You and your parents may still qualify for student and parent loans.

How do my parents apply for a PLUS Loan?

If you are a dependent student and your parents wish to apply for a Parent PLUS loan you must check the PLUS Loan on the application and we must receive a PLUS Loan Application (included in the Financial Aid Forms packet). Upon approval, a PLUS Loan Promissory Note will be mailed to you. The Promissory Note must be completed and mailed back to the Financial Aid Office at Ex’pression College for Digital Arts.

How do I find out about scholarships?

There are many scholarship opportunities, some of which can be found at www.expression.edu/scholarships.

My financial aid does not cover my tuition. What should I do?

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts awards students the maximum allowed by federal regulations. If your award does not cover your entire tuition balance you can either:

1. Pay the difference prior to the first day of classes.

2. Apply for a private educational loan. A credit check is required. Applying with a cosigner is often necessary and can result in a lower interest rate on the loan. There is one educational loan that Ex’pression works with:

Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan
URL: Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan®
Phone: 800.695.3317

Where do I send my FAFSA, financial aid forms packet, and other financial aid documents?

For a quicker turnaround time, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid over the internet with FAFSA on the Web at: www.fafsa.ed.gov.

You can send all other financial aid documents to:

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts
Attn: Financial Aid Office
6601 Shellmound Street
Emeryville, CA 94608

Is my file complete?

The following must be in your financial aid file to consider it complete:

1. FAFSA or Renewal Application
2. Financial Aid forms packet
3. Entrance counseling forms (First-time borrowers at Ex’pression)
4. Signed promissory notes (Stafford and PLUS Loans)
5. Signed awards letter
6. PLUS information sheet (PLUS loan borrowers only)

If the Department of Education selects your application for verification you must also have:

A. Completed Verification Worksheet
B. Copies of your Federal tax return from last year
C. Copies of your parent's Federal tax return from last year (dependent students)

How and when is aid disbursed?

Depending on the type of aid, payments will be applied to either your student account or made directly to you. Financial aid awards are disbursed no sooner than the 1^st day of each payment period. A payment period is generally the first day of each semester in a student’s academic year.

Payments applied to your account

Federal Title IV Financial Aid, excluding work-study earnings
Institutional Scholarships
Outside Scholarships
State Assistance
Loans Disbursed Electronically
Loan Checks made Co-payable to the Student and Ex’pression

Payments made directly to you

Work-study pay checks for Federal College Work-Study positions

Excess aid in your student account (if aid exceeds your amount due, you may receive a refund)

Excess aid from a loan check (if you receive a loan check and have no balance in your student account)

Excess aid from anticipated aid (if your student account indicates aid has been processed but not disbursed, you may be eligible for a cash advance)

Federal Title IV Financial Aid Payments
Federal Title IV financial aid, excluding federal work-study, is applied directly to your tuition and fees account. Your student account contains charges for tuition and allowable fees. It may also include charges such as library fines and parking fines.

You may authorize Ex’pression to use your Title IV aid to pay for all charges billed to your account or to limit your Title IV payments to tuition and other allowable fees. You may change this authorization at any time through the Bursar’s Office by completing a new Student Statement Regarding Title IV Funds.

What are my rights and responsibilities if i receive federal student aid?

Students who receive Federal Student Aid have various rights and responsibilities which include receiving the following information:

1. The need-based and non-need based federal financial aid that is available to students.

2. The need-based and non-need-based stat and local aid programs, school aid programs, and other private aid programs that are available.

3. How students apply for aid and how eligibility is determined.

4. How the school distributes aid among students.

5. How and when financial aid will be disbursed.

6. The terms and conditions of any employment that is part of the financial aid package.

7. The terms of, the schedules for, and the necessity of exit counseling.

8. The criteria for measuring satisfactory academic progress, and how a student who has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress may reestablish eligibility for federal student aid.

When accepting a student loan you accept legal and financial responsibilities that last until the loan is repaid and agree to:

1. Attend entrance counseling before receiving loan funds.

2. Repay the loan(s), including accrued interest and fees, whether or not you complete your education, obtain employment, or are satisfied with the education provided.

3. Attend exit counseling before leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment.

4. Notify the lender or current holder of the loan within 10 days if you change your name, address or phone number; drop below half-time status, withdraw from school or transfer; or change your graduation date.

5. Direct all correspondence to the current holder of your loan, which could change during the life of your loan.

6. Make monthly payments on your loan after leaving school, unless you are granted a deferment or forbearance.

7. Notify your lender or the current holder of your loan of anything that might change your eligibility for an existing deferment.

You also have the right to:

1. Receive a copy of your promissory note either before or at the time the loan is made.

2. Receive a disclosure statement before the repayment term on your loan begins, including information about interest rates, fees, balance and the size and number of payments.

3. A grace period after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment and before your loan payment begins.

4. Prepay all or part of your loan without prepayment penalty.

5. Written notification if your loan is sold to a new holder.

6. Make monthly payments on your loan after leaving school, unless you are granted a deferment or forbearance.

7. Apply for deferment of your loan payments for certain specified periods, as long as you are eligible.

8. Request forbearance from the holder of you loan if you are unable to make payments and do not qualify for deferment. You must qualify according to the loan holder’s requirements.

9. Receive a proof of discharge when your loan is paid in full.

I did not get an award letter. When should I expect one?

Award letters usually take between 30-45 days from the date Ex’pression receives your application. Delays can occur if your application is incomplete and during the busiest times of the year.

What does entrance and exit counseling include?

Loan counseling is required before an FFEL borrower takes out a loan, loan counseling is provided individually by a Financial Aid Officer. Additionally, upon completion of or withdrawal from the College loan exit counseling will be provided.

Entrance counseling will include:

1. Information regarding the seriousness and importance of the loan repayment obligation. Although the lender may send payment coupons or billing statements as a convenience to the borrower not receiving these items does not relieve the borrower of his or her obligation to make payments. Additionally, the loan must be repaid even if the borrower does not finish the program, can not obtain employment after graduating, or is dissatisfied with the school’s programs or other services.

2. The need-based and non-need-based stat and local aid programs, school aid programs, and other private aid programs that are available.

3. A description of the consequences of default, including adverse credit reports, federal offset, and litigation. In addition, charges may be imposed for delinquency or default, such as the lender’s or guarantor’s collection expenses (including attorney fees). A defaulter is no longer eligible for any deferment provisions, even if he or she would otherwise qualify.

4. An explanation of the Master Promissory Note (MPN).

5. A sample monthly repayment schedule.

6. A review of the terms and conditions of the loan.

7. Information regarding the student’s obligation to keep the lender informed about address changes, changes in enrollment (such as graduating, changing schools, dropping below half-time, or withdrawing from school), changes in name, or in Social Security Number.

8. A review of deferments, forbearance, and cancellation options.

9. A review of borrower’s rights and responsibilities.

10. Information regarding the importance of keeping loan records.

Exit counseling will include:

1. A review from entrance counseling, such as the consequences of default and the importance of the repayment obligation, the use of the MPN, and the obligation to repay even if the borrower does not finish the program, can not obtain employment after graduating, or is dissatisfied with the school’s programs or other services.

2. An average anticipated monthly repayment amount, including a sample loan repayment schedule based on the borrower’s total indebtedness.

3. A reminder that the lender is not required to send the repayment schedule until the grace period.

4. A review of repayment options, such as the standard, extended, graduated, and income-contingent/income-sensitive plans and information on the pro’s and con’s of loan consolidation.

5. A discussion of debt management strategies.

6. A review of deferments, forbearance, and cancellation options.

7. Information on the availability of loan information on the National Student Loan Database System and the availability of the FSA Ombudsman’s Office.

8. A review of borrower rights and responsibilities.

9. A review of the borrower’s personal and contact information to ensure that it is up-to-date.