Financial aid offers are determined using an established cost of attendance (COA), which is constructed based on a student's program, enrollment, and residency status, and their financial need calculated from their FAFSA information. This section provides useful information for understanding this two-step process essential for creating an aid offer. Appeals can be made regarding variations from standard budgets or significant changes in family income through the Financial Aid Office.

The student budget, or cost of attendance (COA), consists of two types of expenses: direct and indirect costs. The direct educational costs, such as tuition and mandatory fees, are highly predictable with little variation among students enrolled in the same program. Standard amounts that are modest but adequate are used to budget for indirect costs, such as living expenses, transportation, and books/supplies/course materials. Although the itemized breakdown of living costs may not exactly match your actual expenses, the total monthly amount is used in determining needs. The Cost of Attendance section contains the detailed breakdown for living expenses and school-specific COAs. 

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a formula-based index number that is calculated using information reported on the FAFSA form. SAI numbers can range from -1500 to 999999. The SAI number, along with the cost of attendance, is used to determine a student's financial need and eligibility for need-based aid. 

While the SAI is used to determine financial need it does not:

• reflect the dollar amount of aid you will receive.
• reflect the amount you or your family are expected to contribute to educational costs.

Cost of Attendance (COA) - Student Aid Index (SA) = Financial Need

Above is the simple method for calculating a student's financial need. This calculation determines if a student may be eligible to receive need-based aid, depending on availability of funds and meeting any other established criteria. 

Undergraduate Students

For undergraduate students the SAI, along with other FAFSA and/or institutional criteria, determines if a student may be eligible for the following types of need-based aid:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Direct Subsidized loan funds
• Federal Work Study eligibility
• Specific state grant or scholarship funds for Maryland residents
• Institutional, need-based grant funds

Graduate Students

Graduate students are not eligible for any federal need-based grant funds, such as the Pell Grant. However, their financial need is used to determine if they may be eligible for the following types of need-based aid:

• Federal Work Study eligibility
• Specific state grant or scholarship funds for Maryland residents
• Institutional, need-based grant funds

Aid offers include any need-based aid a student is eligible for and non-need aid such as merit scholarships and non-need federal loans. Undergraduate students are offered loans up to their annual maximum as determined by their grade level and dependency status. For graduate level students, federal loans are offered up to the full cost of attendance, less any grants or scholarships. 

The University Student Financial Assistance office is obligated by federal regulation to ensure that students are not receiving aid that exceeds their total cost of attendance. Financial aid previously disbursed may be adjusted due to changes in the student’s enrollment load, residency reclassification, or a receipt of additional funding.

You have the right to appeal if your costs vary significantly from the published cost of attendance. You also have the right to appeal the calculation of your Student Aid Index (SAI) number if there has been, or will be, a drastic change in family income. These appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and determinations are made based on established institutional policies and federal regulations. More information about the appeal process can be found in the special circumstances page.