1. The Solution Center The Financial Aid Award Package
Part 3: Non-Need Based
Financial Aid Programs

2. Objective What you will learn?
Need-Based vs. Non-Need Based Financial Aid
Tuition/Fee Waivers
Tuition/Fee Waivers Categories
State Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Student/Parent Loans
Private/ Alternative Loans

3. Need-Based vs. Non-Need Based Aid
Student must have demonstrated financial need (COA-EFC = Need)
May consist of grants, scholarships, waivers, student employment and subsidized student loans
Non-Need Based Aid:
Does not require a student to have demonstrated financial need
May consist of scholarships, waivers, and unsubsidized loans
These awards are added to the award package after student is considered for all other types of aid

4. Tuition/Fee Waivers What are Tuition/Fee Waivers?
An award that will lessen the amount of students in state tuition and fees
The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) administers the majority of state tuition/fee waivers
May come from a variety of sources
While a student may receive multiple tuition waivers, they will only be able to use an amount up to, but not exceeding, the cost of tuition (UML is $1454/yr.)
Fee waivers generally cover university operating fees
Eligibility Requirements for Most Waivers:
FAFSA Required
Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Legal resident of Massachusetts
U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
Compliance with Selective Service
Not in default on any federal student loans or owe a refund for any previously received financial aid

5. Tuition/Fee Waivers
The Tuition and Fee Waiver Program consists of several categories:
State Tuition and Fee Waivers
Categorical Waivers
Graduate Tuition and Fee Waivers
Employee Tuition and Fee Waivers

6. Tuition/Fee Waiver Categories
State Tuition and Fee Waivers:
Administered by OSFA for Massachusetts residents. Waivers include, but not limited to:
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Tuition Waiver
DCF Foster Child Tuition and Fee Waiver
DCF Adopted Children Tuition and Fee Waiver
Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver
Washington Center Program Tuition Waiver
Categorical Tuition Waivers:
Veteran: Individuals who served in the army, navy, marine corps, coast guard, air force of the United States
Native American: As certified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Senior Citizen: Persons over the age of 60
Armed Forces: An active member of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force or Coast Guard) stationed and residing in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission: As certified by commission
Commission for the Blind: As certified by the respective commission
For a full list of waivers & descriptions visit

7. Tuition/Fee Waiver Categories
Graduate Tuition Waivers:
Teaching Assistantships & Research Assistantship (TA/RA)
Coordinated by the Office of Student Financial Services
Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 credits
A full-time assistantship waiver covers full tuition & operating fees
A half-time assistantship waiver covers half tuition & operating fees
Employee Tuition and Fee Waivers:
For Benefited full-time and part-time employees
For courses taken at community or state college and any UMass campus
The waiver covers tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate courses

8. State Scholarships What are State Funded Scholarships:
Scholarships awarded based on need, academics, special ability, or other factors to students who are Massachusetts residents
Some examples of State Scholarships include:
Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship
Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship
Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship
Paul Tsongas Scholarship
GEAR UP Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements for most state scholarships include:
Must be a Legal resident of Massachusetts
FAFSA Required
U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
Compliance with Selective Service
Not in default on any federal student loans or owe a refund for any previously received financial aid
Must not have a prior undergraduate degree
Meet minimum GPA requirements
Detailed Information and specific scholarship requirements are found on the OSFA web site at

9. Merit Scholarships What are Merit Scholarships:
Gift aid that does not need to be repaid
Most scholarships are awarded to students based on merit, financial need or both
Eligibility Requirements:
Although not required for all scholarships, we recommend that all students fill out the FAFSA
Student must be enrolled at least half time (6+ credits)
Student must be enrolled in a degree seeking program
Award Amounts:
The specific amounts and number of scholarships offered to students are based on available funding each year
The University of Massachusetts Lowell does not use applications for the selection of most merit and need-based scholarships
Please Refer to FA_13A-E_Merit_Scholarships_ for more detailed information

10. Student/ Parent Loans Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
Federal Direct GRAD PLUS Student Loan
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

11. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
What is the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan:
Federally Funded
Loan that must be repaid
Student is the borrower
Administered by school
Fixed low interest rate
The U.S. Department of Education Does not pay interest on the Loan
Interest is paid by student while enrolled in school
Eligibility Requirements:
Must file the FAFSA
Meet the general eligibility requirements (Ref: FA_02_General_Eligibility)
Student must be enrolled at least half time (6+ credits)
Student must be enrolled in a degree seeking program
Awarded to both Undergraduate and Graduate students

12. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
Award Amount:
Awards range based on Dependency and Grade level
Award limits are as follows:
$2,000 For Dependent
$4,000 For Independent
Dependent students whose parent has been denied a Federal Direct Plus Loan may apply for an additional Unsubsidized Loan of up to:
$4,000 for freshmen and sophomores and
$5,000 for juniors and seniors
First Time Borrowers of a Direct Unsubsidized Loan:
Apply for a PIN at for student and at least one parent
Students Must complete:  
Entrance Counseling, a tool to ensure students understand their obligation to repay the loan
Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan
Both requirements can be completed at

13. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
When does a student have to pay back their Unsubsidized Loan:
Repayment starts six months following graduation, a student’s withdrawal from school, or when a student drops to less than half-time enrollment
During this period, a student will receive repayment information from loan servicer, and will be notified when first payment is due
Can a loan be cancelled or reduced?
Yes
Before loan money is disbursed, a student may cancel all or part of the loan at any time by notifying the Financial Aid Office
After loan is disbursed, a student may cancel all or part of the loan within certain time frames

14. Federal Direct GRAD PLUS Student Loan
What is the Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan:
Federally Funded
Loan that must be repaid
Student is the borrower
Administered by school
Fixed low interest rate
Credit Based Loan
The U.S. Department of Education is the Lender
Eligibility Requirements:
Must file the FAFSA
Meet the general eligibility requirements (Ref: FA_02_General_Eligibility)
Student must be in a Graduate or Professional degree seeking Program
Student must be enrolled at least half time (6+ credits)
Complete the Federal Direct Graduate Plus Pre-Application, available on the financial aid office website

15. Federal Direct GRAD PLUS Student Loan
Award Amount:
The maximum GRAD PLUS loan amount a Grad student can borrow is the cost of attendance (COA) minus any other financial assistance received
First Time Borrowers of a Direct GRAD PLUS Loan:
Apply for a PIN at
Must sign an online Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan at

16. Federal Direct GRAD PLUS Student Loan
When does a student have to pay back their GRAD Plus Loan:
Repayment starts six months following graduation, a student’s withdrawal from school, or when a student drops to less than half-time enrollment
During this period, a student will receive repayment information from loan servicer, and will be notified when first payment is due
Can a loan be cancelled or reduced?
Yes
Before loan money is disbursed, a student may cancel all or part of the loan at any time by notifying the Financial Aid Office
After loan is disbursed, a student may cancel all or part of the loan within certain time frames

17. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
What is the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan:
Federally Funded
Parent is the borrower
Loan that must be repaid
Administered by school
Fixed low interest rate
Credit Based Loan
The U.S. Department of Education is the Lender
Eligibility Requirements:
Be the step/parent of a dependent undergraduate student
FAFSA Required
Complete the Federal Direct Parent Plus Pre-Application
Parent and student must meet the general eligibility requirements (Ref: FA_02_General_Eligibility)
Student must be enrolled at least half time in an degree seeking Program

18. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Award Amount:
The maximum PLUS loan amount a parent can borrow is the cost of attendance (COA) minus any other financial assistance received
First Time Borrowers of a Direct Parent PLUS Loan:
Parent must apply for a PIN, if they don’t already have one (
Must sign an online Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan (

19. Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan
When does a parent have to pay back their PLUS Loan:
Direct PLUS Loan enters repayment once the loan is fully disbursed
Parent can contact loan servicer and request a deferment
If your loan is deferred, interest will accrue on the loan during that time
During this period, parent will be notified when first payment is due
Can a loan be cancelled or reduced?
Yes
Before loan money is disbursed, a parent may cancel all or part of the loan at any time by notifying the Financial Aid Office
After loan is disbursed, a parent may cancel all or part of the loan within certain time frames

20. Private Alternative Loans
What are Private/ Alternative Loans:
Privately Funded
Student is the borrower, parent usually co-signer
Loan that must be repaid
Credit based loans
Lenders usually a bank or credit union
University is not affiliated in any way with any of the private lenders
Eligibility Requirements:
Application Required
Self-Certification Form Required
FAFSA Recommended

21. Private/Alternative Loans
Award Amount:
The maximum loan amount borrowed is the cost of attendance (COA) minus any other financial assistance received
Summary of Private/Alternative Loan Requirements:
Many private loans require payments while student is still in school
Some may not offer forbearance or deferment options
May have variable interest rates
May require an established credit record
Students may need a co-signer