Financial Aid

Loans

Dominican University participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. Eligibility for these federal loans is based on a review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Dominican's ID number is 001750. Students must also complete a Dominican University Direct Loan Application Packet, which is available from the financial aid office. Graduate students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for federal loans.

Interest-subsidized Federal Stafford Loans up to the annual limit of $8,500 are available to graduate students who demonstrate need on the FAFSA. Repayment of principal and interest is deferred until after the borrower graduates or enrolls less than half time.

Students who do not demonstrate need may borrow up to $8,500 annually under the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program. The variable interest rate is set each July. Students are required to pay interest on the loan while enrolled in classes. All graduate students may borrow an additional $12,000 annually under the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program. Therefore, Federal Direct Stafford Loans for graduate students are limited to a maximum of $20,500 per year in any combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

Definitions of full-time and half-time enrollments are important in determining both loan and deferment eligibility. To be considered full time, a graduate student must be enrolled for nine credit hours per semester (three courses of three semester hours each). To be considered half time, a student must be enrolled for at least one-half of the credit hours required for full-time attendance per semester (4.5 semester hours).

Applications for financial assistance of all types and information about interest rates and deferments for all loan programs are available from the financial aid office.

Additional Resources
The U.S. Department of Education offers Internet access to these federal publications:

The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) sponsors FinAid, a financial aid information site. The FinAid site is the most comprehensive free resource for student financial aid information on the Internet. Features on the FinAid site include access to four databases of private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans that you can search free of charge; several financial aid calculators, including those on loan repayment and estimated financial contribution; and a savings plan designer.

Employment Opportunities

On-Campus employment

Each semester, several openings are usually available in GSLIS for students who want to work as faculty assistants. Positions are generally 10 hours per week. Interested students should inquire in the GSLIS office and complete an application.

Each semester, openings may also be available for computer laboratory assistants. Interested students should see the director of the technology center.

A few positions are available each academic year in the university library. Contact the library for vacant positions.

Off-Campus Employment

There are numerous part-time library-related jobs in the Chicago metropolitan area for students interested in working part time and attending school part time.

Students seeking off-campus employment are encouraged to visit the Dominican University e-Recruiting database.