Contents - UPRM

Undergraduate Bulletin of Information 2001-2002STUDENT SERVICESfrom the Department of Financial Aid.Process of AppealThe student who has valid reasons for notcomplying with the Norms of AcademicProgress may appeal in writing to theInstitutional Committee of Appeals for FinancialAssistance. To that effect he or she must followthe instructions in the letter of notification issuedby the Department of Financial Aid.The Committee will inform the student of itsdecision in writing with a copy to suchDepartment. This Committee is composed ofrepresentatives of each faculty and onerepresentative of the Dean of Students.Procedure for re-establishingassistanceEvery student whose appeal is consideredfavorably could be eligible for economic aid aslong as he or she had submitted his or herapplication for economic assistance within theestablished deadline and complies with the otherrequirements of eligibility.Financial Aid ProgramsGrants and ScholarshipsThe Federal Pell Grant Program is a student aidprogram which provides grants to undergraduatestudents who are enrolled in a degree-grantingprogram and do not have a previousbaccalaureate degree. Eligibility is determinedby the Federal government.The Federal Supplemental EducationOpportunity Grant (FSEOG) providesassistance to undergraduates who demonstrateconsiderable need and gives priority to studentswho receive Federal Pell Grants.The Special Leveraging Educational AssistancePartnership Program (LEAP) combines federaland state funds to assist needy, undergraduatestudents of particular academic programs.The Institutional Supplemental AssistanceProgram is funded by the University to providegrants to eligible undergraduate and graduatestudents.The Educational Opportunity Law 138Scholarship program receives funds assigned bythe Puerto Rico Council of Higher Education toassist students in need who also meet specificacademic criteria.Private scholarships and grants are fundsreceived by the University for student assistancewhich are administered according to the criteriaand guidelines specified by each donor.Federal Work-Study ProgramAmerica Reads Challenge pursues the goal togive federal work study students the opportunityto help children learn to read better by the end ofthird grade.The Federal Work-Study Program providesemployment opportunities for undergraduate andgraduate students having financial need. Mostjobs are on campus, and the students are paidaccording to the number of hours worked up tothe amount awarded.LoansThe Federal Perkins Loan Program provideslow-interest loans (5%) to both undergraduateand graduate students having exceptionalfinancial need. Repayment begins nine monthsafter the student graduates or ceases to beenrolled on at least a half-time basis.The FFEL Stafford Loan Program allowsundergraduate and graduate students to borrowlow-interest Federally subsidized funds throughlending institutions such as banks, based on theirdetermined financial need. Students can also getan unsubsidized loan regardless of need.Repayment begins six months after the studentgraduates or ceases to be enrolled on at least ahalf-time basis.The Geer Loan Program is funded through aprivate trust donation to the Mayagüez Campus.It provides 5 percent interest loans of up to amaximum yearly amount of $1,000 based onfinancial need. Repayment begins 46 days afterthe loan proceeds are disbursed.40