2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

ResidencyAll students attending Plymouth State University are chargedtuition at a rate to be determined by their domicile or residency.Those living within the state of New Hampshire are charged instaterate. Those living elsewhere will pay the out-of-state rate.Students are classified as residents or non-residents for tuitionpurposes at the time of admission to the University. The residencydecisions, made by the Office of Admission, are basedon information furnished in the student’s application andother relevant information.All applicants living in New Hampshire are required to submita notarized statement to the effect that they (if financially independent)or their parents (if financially dependent) have beenlegally domiciled in New Hampshire continuously for a periodof at least 12 months immediately prior to registering for theterm for which the student is claiming in-state status. If studentsmaintain residency apart from that of their parents, theymust clearly establish that they are financially independentand that their residence in New Hampshire is for some purposeother than the temporary one of obtaining an educationat the University. To qualify for in-state status, independentstudents must have been legally domiciled in New Hampshirecontinuously for a period of at least 12 months prior to registeringfor the semester for which in-state status is claimed.Students admitted from states other than New Hampshire orfrom foreign countries are considered non-resident throughouttheir attendance at the University unless they haveacquired bona fide domicile in New Hampshire. The burdenof proof in all cases of residence is upon the applicant. TheUniversity reserves the right to make the final decision concerningresidency status for tuition purposes. Students applyingfor admission should contact the Office of Admission ifthey have questions regarding residency. Enrolled studentsshould contact the Office of the Registrar.Establishing/Changing ResidencyThe residency status of undergraduate students is determinedat the time of admission to Plymouth State University,and may be changed only by applying for reclassification.Undergraduate students who are currently enrolled may eitherobtain information from the Office of the Registrar or read theresidency information posted in the Residency section of theRegistrar’s Web pages, plymouth.edu/registrar/residency.Applications for reclassification for a fall semester are dueno later than September 1 of the semester. Applications for aspring semester are due no later than January 1 prior to thebeginning of the semester.If the student is successful in his or her application for reclassification,the change will be effective at the beginning of thesemester. Reclassifications do not occur mid-semester.Financial AidFinancial Aid is intended to assist qualified students who needassistance in meeting their educational expenses. PlymouthState University views financial aid as an investment in PSUstudents’ futures. The major objective is to ensure access tothose who may lack the financial resources to pursue a degree.Programs administered by the Financial Aid Team includethe University’s scholarship, grant, and employment programs,and the federal campus-based programs (FederalSupplemental Educational Grants (SEOG), federal Perkinsloans and federal work-study). In addition, the Office certifieseligibility and administers awards by external agencies, suchas federal PELL grants, state scholarships and grants, FederalStafford Loans, federal PLUS loans, private loans, and externalscholarships. More information is available online at plymouth.edu/finaid.Financial aid applications are processed at Plymouth StateUniversity upon receipt of the information from the federalprocessor as a result of students filing the Free Application forFederal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must be accepted to adegree or certificate program at PSU before financial aid canbe awarded; however, the FAFSA can be submitted prior toofficial acceptance to PSU.Application ProcessTo be considered for financial aid, applicants complete theFAFSA for federal, state, and University aid. The FAFSA cannotbe completed before January 1 to ensure accuracy of theprevious year’s income tax data, which is needed for aid determination.If possible, federal tax returns should be completedprior to filing the FAFSA. Families may provide estimatedincome to meet filing deadlines and update information later.Signed copies of parent(s) and student federal income taxreturns (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040TEL), W2 forms or nontaxfiler forms should only be submitted upon our request.Financial aid information is included in the PSU StudentHandbook and in greater detail at plymouth.edu/finaid.Priority Filing DatePlymouth’s priority filing date is March 1 for the FAFSA orRenewal FAFSA to be received by the processor. All applicantsshould adhere to the March 1 priority filing date or they will beconsidered late and will only receive award consideration pendingavailability of funds. Families may use estimated incometo meet filing deadlines and update this information later.Normally only federal PELL Grants, federal Stafford Loans, andstate scholarships or grants are available for late applicants.AdmissionPlymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008 15