For U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents Only

How do I apply for federal financial aid?
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Federal Processor after January 1st. The suggested deadline is March 15th. The Roger Williams University Title IV code # is 003410. Students are strongly urged to complete the FAFSA online.

You are required to complete a FAFSA form each year you want to apply for financial aid.  You may also need to provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of your previous year's tax return, including all schedules, if requested to do so. All graduate students are considered to be of independent status, therefore, parental financial information is not considered when determining eligibility for federal student aid. Students must have completed or submitted the following to be considered for aid:

• FAFSA
• RWU Data Sheet
• Copy of full acceptance letter into a Master's program

Students who are taking less than six credits per semester, or students who are not fully matriculated, are not eligible for student loans.

What are student loans?
Student loan programs provide the majority of funding for graduate students. There are two types of loans that allow you to borrow up to your cost attendance. Stafford Loans enter repayment six months after graduation.  A grace period is available for Graduate Plus loans, but students must request these from their lender.  Students must be taking six credits per semester to qualify for these loans.

• The FFEL (Federal Family Education Loan) Stafford and Graduate Plus Loan Programs provide students with attractive, low interest loans. A graduate student is eligible for $20,500 annually in Stafford Loan funds. Students must submit a FAFSA to determine eligibility.
• The Federal Graduate Plus Loan Program allows students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance once they have exhausted their Stafford Loan annual limit.  This is a new loan program that was instituted in July, 2006.  Students must have a satisfactory credit history to qualify for this loan.  Students must also submit a FAFSA for this loan.

What happens after I submit all my documents?
The Financial Aid Office will send you an award outlinging all the loans you are eligible to apply for, as well as directions on how to apply. A list of lenders will also be included in this package. Students are encouraged to read all directions very carefully and to contact Financial Aid with questions.

Who can I contact in financial aid?
Architecture students should contact Diane Usher at (401) 254-3100 or via email at finaid@rwu.edu. All other graduate students should contact Denise Rousseau at (401) 254-4510 or via email at drousseau@rwu.edu, or Rachelle Abbruzzi via email at rabbruzzi@rwu.edu.