Glossary of Terms

Academic Year

An academic year at Central Penn consists of three terms.

Bankruptcy

A legal action in which a person who is unable to meet their financial obligations is declared bankrupt by a decree of the court under Federal Bankruptcy Law. Federal student loans, however, cannot normally be discharged through bankruptcy.

Capitalization

The process of adding unpaid interest to the principal balance of a loan, rather than pay the interest when it is due. If the interest is capitalized it will increase the amount of the monthly payment during the repayment period. This applies to the unsubsidized Stafford loan and most private loans.

Consolidation

A loan program that enables a borrower to combine various loans with various interest rates or various lenders into a single loan with a more manageable repayment schedule. The repayment period is also extended.

Cost of Attendance

The total amount it will cost a student to attend a particular school. The cost of attendance usually includes direct costs (tuition, fees) and indirect costs (books and supplies). Financial aid resources cannot exceed the institution's established cost of attendance.

Default

Failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed to when the student signed a promissory note. Default also may result from failure to submit requests for deferment or cancellation on time. The consequences of default are severe. The holder of your loan will likely take action to recover the money. The holder of your loan may report you to a credit agency, your wages may be garnished, and you may be liable for expenses incurred in collecting the loan. The U.S. Department of Education may ask the Internal Revenue Service to withhold your income tax refund and apply it toward the amount you owe and you will no longer be eligible to receive future federal financial aid. Postponement of repayment must be requested by the student and formally approved by the lender.

Deferments

Deferments can in some cases be granted for economic hardship or further study.

Disbursement

The release of loan funds.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Method where funds that the student applied for are electronically transferred from the lender into the student's tuition account at the Business Office.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The EFC is calculated using a needs analysis formula developed by Congressional Methodology, using information reported on the FAFSA. The figure is the total amount the student and family are expected to contribute to the student's education for the academic year. This figure is used to determine the student's eligibility for financial aid. The EFC is printed on the front page, top right hand corner of the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The application for all federal financial aid. This form, developed by Congress, has to be completed each academic year by the student, in order to be eligible to receive financial aid.

Federal School Code

Central Penn's school code is 004890. This code must be included when completing a FAFSA.

Financial Aid Package

Federal and non-federal aid such as grants, loans, work study, and outside resources are combined in a "package" or a written notice of eligibility to help meet the student's need.

Financial Need

The difference between the cost of attendance and the estimated family contribution.

Forbearance

An arrangement whereby the lender may permit the temporary cessation of payments (principal and/or interest), or allow an extension of time for making payments, or accept smaller payments than were previously scheduled. Interest will accrue during forbearance.

Grace Period

The period between the time a borrower leaves school or, if in school, drops below half-time and the time he/she is obligated to begin repaying their loans. Depending on the type of loan, this is usually six months.

Grant

Type of award that does not need to be repaid. The award is usually based on merit and/or need.

Interest

A fee charged to the borrower for the privilege of using the lender's money. Interest is calculated as a percentage of the principal balance of the loan. The rate may be fixed (constant throughout the life of the loan) or variable (may change at specified times).

Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR)

The name for the electronic version of student aid reports delivered to schools by the FAFSA processors.

Lender

A financial institution that provides the funds for students to borrow in the form of educational loans.

Loan

Type of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest.

Master Promissory Note (MPN)

A promissory note is the legal agreement a student signs with a lender accepting student loan funds. The MPN states the terms and conditions of the loan, including repayment schedule, interest rate, deferment policy, and cancellations. The MPN is a simplified method of applying for and receiving Federal Stafford Loan funds.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Financial aid that relies upon financial need as the criterion for eligibility. Need is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution, via the FAFSA, from the institution's established cost of attendance.

Non Need-Based Financial Aid

Financial aid that does not require financial need as a criterion for eligibility.

Origination Fee

A fee charged by the lender for administration of some student loans. This fee is deducted from the loan prior to disbursement. Origination fees are charged as the loan is disbursed.

Principal

The amount of money borrowed, excluding interest.

Repayment Schedule

Discloses the borrower's total repayment obligations: monthly payment, interest rate, due dates, and length of time for repaying the loan.

Student Aid Report (SAR)

A form sent to the student after submitting the FAFSA to the federal processor.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The academic progress standards are established by the institution and are required by the federal government. Students must meet these standards each year in order to receive financial aid funds.

Subsidized Stafford Loan

Students who demonstrate financial need may obtain the loan on a subsidized basis, which means no interest accrues on the loan while the borrower is in school at least half time.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

Students who do not demonstrate financial need may obtain the loan on an unsubsidized basis. Unsubsidized Stafford loan start accumulating interest from the day the money is disbursed. The interest may be capitalized as long as the student is attending school at least half-time.

Verification

A random federal review process established to confirm the accuracy of data previously submitted by the student to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid will send the required form to those students who are selected for verification.