Eligibility for US financial aid
Eligibility
To apply for loans offered under the Federal Direct Loans program, you must:
- be a citizen, national permanent resident or eligible non-citizen of the United States
- have a valid Social Security Number unless you’re from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau
- be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible on campus award course at Monash University
- not be in default or owing a repayment on a grant or a student loan of any type
- be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements if you are male and aged 18–25
- file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- pass a credit check for PLUS loans
- maintain satisfactory academic progress
- comply with requests for documents that are listed on your Student Aid Report
- submit all documentation required by Monash University to check your eligibility.
Ineligibility
You're ineligible for the US Federal funding if you are enrolled in:
- some courses offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
- certificate, diploma, postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma courses
- courses or units delivered via distance, online or off-campus learning
- research degrees with research being undertaken in the United States.
Mature-age students
You’re a mature-age student if you're 23 years or over at the beginning of your program of study. As a mature student, you’re eligible to receive Title IV Aid provided that you have met the minimum entry requirements for Monash courses, which includes the following:
- Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification)
- two university units, completed at any Australian university
- a certificate IV or diploma with graded results from a TAFE institute
The Monash Student Association offers support to mature age students through their Mature Age and Part Time Students (MAPS) community.
Borrowing limits
We’ll calculate your cost of attendance (COA) to determine your loan amount based on the following:
- course fees – as stated on your International Student Course Agreement (ISCA)
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – as stated on your ISCA and in accordance with your student visa requirement (one-off)
- living expenses – approximately AUD$31,500 (housing, utilities, local travel, meals, etc.)
- computer costs – approximately AUD$1,500 (one-off)
- other costs – approximately AUD$2,000 (loan fee, books, supplies, etc.)
Your borrowing limits are also determined by the factors below:
- your status as a dependent or independent student (see dependency status)
- the year and level of your course
- previous federal loan and any outstanding amounts
- your recent income.
The currency exchange rate that is used to calculate the COA may be different when the loan funds are disbursed. If the rate fluctuates more than 20%, you may request a recalculation of the COA.
Dependency status
The information you provide on the FAFSA will determine whether you are a dependent or independent student. This affects the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the types of aid that you may be eligible to receive.
You are an independent student if you are one of the following:
- at least 24 years old by 31 December of the award year
- working on a masters or doctorate program at the beginning of the award year
- married (including separated but not divorced) from the date the FAFSA is completed
- have children who receive more than half their support from you
- have dependants (other than children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you now and through the award year
- an orphan or ward of the court or were a ward of the court until age 18
- a veteran of the US armed forces.
Students with dependents
Students with dependents may apply for an allowance for dependent care to be included in the COA by submitting supporting documentation. This allowance is based on the estimated expenses incurred (during class time, study time, fieldwork, internships and commuting time for the student) based on the number and age of the dependents. This is not to exceed the reasonable cost in the community for the type of care provided (Higher Education Act, 472). Approval depends on your EFC and eligibility.
Students with dual US and Australian/New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency must declare any financial support received from the Australian/New Zealand Government.
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