Federal Student Aid Programme for USA students
Financial assistance is available for American students studying at an overseas university through the US Government's Department for Education.
As a result of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act 2010 (HCERA) (Public Law 111-152) signed by Barack Obama on the 30th March 2010, FFE loans will be replaced for by the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
The University of Greenwich is a participant of this programme and our OPE IE Number is 036193-00.
Universities in the UK (Foreign Schools) complete the administration process for the new William D. Ford Direct Loan Program loans including the assessment of eligibility.
Application Process
The first stage of the application process is to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) report. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, it will automatically generate a Student Aid Report (SAR/ISIR). We are able to access your SAR via the Student Administration Internet Gateway (SAIG) and so you are not required to send this to us. You do however need to list the University on your FAFSA.
You should then contact the university on the details below to confirm you have been made and accepted an offer to study with us and to notify us that you have completed the application for US Federal Aid. If you are applying for FSA to cover the cost of your tuition fees you are not required to pay a deposit when you accept your offer of a place. The International Office will ask Student Finance to confirm your loan application.
You must then visit the William D. Ford website and click 'Applying' to read and to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions under which the loan is offered and to familiarise yourself with other relevant loan information such as entrance counselling and repayment requirements. You can do this at: http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/student.html
We will send you a Cost of Attendance (COA) assessment spreadsheet in Excel format that you will need to complete and return to us along with confirmation that you have e-signed the MPN and completed Entrance Counselling. It is important that it is fully completed as we cannot complete the assessment if not. You will receive a Loan Confirmation and Acceptance letter (Award Letter) detailing the amount of aid available and asking you to confirm how much you would like to borrow.
Applicants attending Foreign Schools are not eligible for Pell Grants.
Following the return of your signed Loan Acceptance letter, your CAS will be requested and confirmed to you. You should note that you will receive an e-mail from the University International Admissions team verifying your CAS number. You MUST NOT apply for your visa with this e-mail alone. The UKBA and the US DoE have agreed the wording of a specific letter which provides confirmation of US Federal Aid. This is required information to meet the regulations of UKBA’s tier 4 entrance guidance and is only detailed in the CAS Letter that will be sent to you directly by Student Finance.
The designated university administration team will originate your loan on the Common Origination and Disbursement system ready for your registration.
Upon full and complete registration and 14 days attendance at the university, you will be eligible to receive your first of three disbursements.
Please note: Your university tuition and accommodation fees, if applicable, will be debited from your disbursements. This means each disbursement you actually receive will be for your personal living costs. You should ensure that you notify the Accommodation Office that your fees will be paid in three instalments via FSA so that they can attach an appropriate payment plan to your student account.
To enable the university to transfer your living costs disbursement on to you, you are required to have a UK bank account and should therefore ensure that you bring sufficient funds with you to enable you to do so. There are plenty of banks in the UK to choose from and researching what they can offer you is advisable. You will also be required to enter your bank details onto the Student Portal once you have registered with the university.
Contacts
To notify us that you have accepted an offer and plan to complete a FAFSA please e-mail us at fab@gre.ac.uk
If you have any comments, complaints or queries regarding application, our service provision or the administration of the Federal Loan Program please contact:
Claire Evenden
Primary DPA for US William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Senior Finance Manager Advisor
University of Greenwich
Funds Awards and Bursaries Team
B109 Bronte Building
Avery Hill Road
Eltham
London
SE9 2UG
Tel: 020 8331 8187
