An 鈥渙veraward鈥 is when the need-based awards exceed financial need, or the total of financial aid awards exceeds the cost of attendance.

If a student has been overawarded, federal regulations require 海角社区 to adjust awards which may result in a bill. Need-based aid includes grants, scholarships, Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, and outside resources (i.e. faculty/staff tuition benefits, scholarships, etc.). Non-need based aid includes Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Graduate PLUS Loans, and Alternative Loans.

Possible reasons an overaward can occur:

  • Additional awards are received after the final award letter was sent.*
  • Housing status changes after the final award letter was sent.
  • The verification process results in changes made to FAFSA data.

If a need-based overaward occurs, the financial aid department will reduce or cancel federal aid in the following order. A Federal Pell Grant is never reduced.

  1. Direct Subsidized Loan
  2. Perkins Loan
  3. Federal Work Study
  4. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

For new undergraduate students who begin their enrollment fall 2011 or later-海角社区 Grant and/or Residence Grant will be reduced or cancelled if student鈥檚 expected family contribution has drastically increased from their first year at 海角社区. 

If a non-need based overaward occurs (student鈥檚 cost of attendance was exceeded), the financial aid department will reduce or cancel federal aid in the following order.

  1. Alternative Loan
  2. PLUS or Graduate PLUS loan
  3. Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  4. TEACH Grant
  5. Direct Subsidized Loan
  6. Perkins Loan
  7. Federal Work Study
  8. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

If student鈥檚 tuition is paid by other sources, institutional scholarships will be reduced or cancelled to avoid the excess of the funds awarded toward the tuition.

If a new student receives a late Educational Assistance Grant from the state of Maryland, other aid will be reduced accordingly.

The combined amount of aid from all the sources can never exceed student鈥檚 cost of attendance.

*Note: It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation of external sources of aid such as scholarships and tuition benefits to the office of financial aid as soon as the information is received.