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Admissions and Financial Aid |
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Billing and DisbursementGeneral ProvisionsUpon completion of the necessary paperwork, Harvard tuition grants are credited directly to the student's term bill in two equal installments, unless otherwise indicated. Prior to disbursing a grant, our office must receive a signed acceptance of the award letter and any other requested documentation (a signed copy of the 2006 federal income tax return, W-2, etc.). Outside awards received after the initial financial package has been determined do not necessarily mean a dollar-for-dollar exchange from the Harvard grant. Any funds received in this manner will be applied first to the student's unmet need and then toward a reduction in student loans and/or work-study eligibility. Only if the outside award exceeds these three categories will the Harvard grant be reduced. Course RegistrationIn accepting the aid offer, it is assumed that the award recipient will register for four courses per semester. Awards given with this assumption are ordinarily rescinded, increased, or reduced to reflect a leave of absence or change in enrollment status. The registrar provides course registration information to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid after the add/drop period has ended. Students who do not enroll in four courses each semester will have their tuition charges reduced or increased by the registrar on a per course. These changes are sent to the Office of Student Receivables (OSR) and will appear on the student's next term bill. Using the information provided by the registrar, our office will pro-rate HDS grants according to the actual course load. Students receiving a grant that covers full tuition or higher will have their grant adjusted by the same dollar amount as their tuition adjustment. Students with partial grants will have their grant adjusted by the same percentage as their course load change (i.e., a 25 percent reduction for enrollment in three classes, a 50 percent reduction for enrollment in two courses, a 75 percent reduction for enrollment in one course, and a full cancellation of their grant if they choose not to enroll). Similar percentages apply for those students who increase their course load. These adjustments will appear on the student's next term bill as charges or credits and will offset, to varying degrees, the credit or charge created by the adjustment in tuition charges. Stipends will not be reduced if a student registers for three courses or less, as stipends are designed to assist students with living expenses and not tuition and fees. It is important to note, as indicated previously, that additional stipend support will not be available to those students who extend their program beyond the traditional length of the degree program. Students who wish to participate in federal programs must maintain at least half-time status (two courses per semester) and demonstrate eligibility. This requirement is also necessary to maintain loan deferment status. E-Bill PaymentIn mid-summer, all students will receive an electronic bill from the University indicating what current and previous charges they have. This bill continues to be available online monthly, with any new charges that may occur (e.g., student activity fee, dormitory charges, athletic fees, pharmacy charges, etc.). Loan disbursements and/or outside awards will appear on the e-bill as "anticipated credits" until the loan promissory notes are signed or the outside award checks arrive. Students should pay only the balance remaining after these credits have been applied. All charges must be paid prior to registration each semester for the student to be allowed to register. Students unable to pay this amount in full should contact the Office of Student Receivables for information on the Monthly Payment Plan. This plan allows for the balance of tuition and health fees to be divided into four monthly payments per semester, in addition to a modest $35 service charge. Prior semester balances and rent may not be included in the monthly payment plan. These types of charges must be paid in full when billed. Students who have a credit balance as a result of grant, loan, outside fellowship disbursement, or overpayment can request to have these funds returned to them by completing a Excess Cash Release Request Form, available in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Checks may not be requested until all of the necessary paperwork has been submitted for disbursement of aid, and, in the case of loans, until the promissory note(s) has been signed. In general, checks are usually processed within ten days. Students expecting to use this money for living expenses should prepare for this delay and plan accordingly. Students who expect a credit balance as a result of transactions for the next semester cannot receive these funds until after the first day of registration for that term. Early release of these funds for expenses the student may incur during a current semester is not possible, in keeping with compliance of federal and institutional guidelines.
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