Frequently Asked Questions

• Emory Advantage
• Emory Advantage

For FAQs regarding Emory Advantage, please visit Emory Advantage FAQs.

• Application Process
• What is OPUS and how does it work?

The Online Pathway to University Students is Emory's web-based student information system by which students registers for classes, check the status of their Financial Aid, view their student account, and update their addresses. A student must have an OPUS ID in order to access his/her information. Visit Opus Help to get additional information relating to OPUS access.

• Are the PROFILE & FAFSA required to apply for the courtesy scholarship?

No, only the Courtesy application is needed. Although need based financial aid is not necessary, courtesy eligible students will be required to complete a HOPE/GTEG application at GACollege411.

• How do I add Oxford to my SAR?

If Oxford College was not listed, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID. Emory's school code is 001564. Oxford and Emory share the FAFSA school code.

• How can I find out the status of my aid application?

You can monitor the status of your aid application through OPUS. Your To Do List will indicate any outstanding items needed by our office. We cannot determine your final eligibility for financial aid until all required documents have been submitted.

• What are some of the mistakes people make in applying for financial aid?

Four of the most common are: 

1. Late filing of the FAFSA or PROFILE or submitting tax documents late
2. Failing to read all instructions
3. Incomplete applications
4. Incorrect Social Security Numbers
• Finances
• When will aid be credited to my account?

Before aid will credit to your account, you must have no outstanding Financial Aid To Do items on OPUS and you must be enrolled. The actual start date of courses for each program may vary from the official University calendar.

• How much cash will Oxford College students need the first week of school?

This amount will vary. On the unlimited meal plan, all your meals will be provided. You may need cash to purchase books for your classes and incidental supplies for your residence hall room. If your financial aid award creates a credit balance on your account, you will receive a refund from Student Financial Services. However, it may not be available to you the first week of classes. Student Financial Services can be reached at (770) 784-8325.

• Are there banks on campus?

BB&T Bank has an ATM on campus.  In addition, students may cash checks in the Office of Student Financial Services between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• When will I receive a bill?

Please consult Student Financial Services for information on their billing schedule. Student Financial Services can also be reached at (770)784-8325.

• May I use a credit card to pay my charges?

Please visit the Student Financial Services website for information regarding payments.

• Contact Information
• How do I contact Financial Aid?

Address: 100 Hamill Street, Oxford, GA 30054. Phone: (770) 784-8328 or (800) 723-8328 Fax: (770) 784-8359 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. oxfinaid@emory.edu

• How will Financial Aid contact me throughout the year?

Please keep in mind our primary means of communicating with you throughout the year will be email. In addition, it is also very important that we have your correct mailing address. Email and mailing addresses can be updated and reviewed on OPUS under your Personal Information.

• Eligibility
• For Oxford College students, does more than one student in college at the same time increase the amount of need-based financial aid?

When there is more than one child in college (undergraduate) at the same time, your family contribution is divided among the college students. So, if there were two children in college one year, the family contribution is divided between the two. If there is only one the following year, 100% of the family contribution would be expected to be available for this one student.

• What are my rights and responsibilities as a student?

You have the right to know:

• The cost of attendance.
• The refund policy for students who withdraw.
• What financial assistance is available from federal, state, and institutional sources.
• Procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid.
• How financial aid recipients are selected.
• How your eligibility was determined, including all resources the aid office considered available to you.
• An explanation of each type of award you receive and how and when funds will be disbursed to you.
• For any student loan you receive: the interest rate, total amount you must repay, when your repayment begins, the length of your repayment period, and the cancellation or deferment provisions of your loan.
• For any Federal Work-Study job: a description of the job, the hours you must work, the rate of pay, and how and when you will be paid.
• The satisfactory academic progress policy.
• How to appeal a decision by the Office of Financial Aid concerning your aid award.
• Campus crime statistics (See Annual Security Report and Statement of Campus Security Policy)

It is your responsibility to:

• Read directions thoroughly, complete all application forms accurately, and to comply with any  deadlines.
• Provide any supplemental information or documentation required by the Office of Financial Aid or other agency if applicable.
• Read, understand, and keep copies of any forms you are required to sign.
• Repay any student loans you may receive.
• Complete an entrance interview and an exit interview if you receive federal, state, or Emory University loans while in attendance at Emory.
• Notify the Office of Financial Aid of any change in your enrollment status or financial status (including any scholarships or grants received from outside sources). Changes of address and enrollment status must also be reported to your lender if you have a loan.
• Satisfactorily perform the work agreed upon in a Federal Work-Study job.
• Know and comply with all requirements for continuation of financial aid, including satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• What determines whether or not I will receive need-based financial aid?

The primary factor is financial need. Financial need is computed by determining the educational costs (tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and a personal allowance) less family contribution (measure of your financial resources available to help pay for school).

• Why does my award change each year?

At Oxford College, eligibility for financial aid is based on federal and institutional estimates of your family's ability to contribute to the cost of education on a yearly basis. A typical award may include grant, loan and work. Also, consistent with federal guidelines, students are asked to assume a larger proportion of their expenses as they move closer to graduation. Keep in mind that your award is likely to change each year for one or more of the following reasons:  

• You miss the priority deadlines.
• A change in family income
• A change in family assets
• A change in the number of children in college
• A change in enrollment
• A change in the cost of education
• Your loan amount may increase as you continue through school.
• Availability of institutional funding
• What is Oxford College’s Cost of Attendance (COA) and how is it established?

Cost of Attendance is an estimate of the total amount it will cost you to go to school for an academic period. The COA is determined using rules established by law. Cost of attendance includes tuition and fees; on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students); and allowances for books, supplies, transportation and loan fees. Other education related expenses will be considered on a case by case basis.

• Loans
• When does repayment begin on Federal Stafford Loans?

Repayment of subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans begins six months from the date you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half-time. This six months is called a "grace period". The subsidized portion of your loan does not accrue interest during this time. There is no penalty for early repayment.

• What is the difference between the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan?

Subsidized Stafford - federal loan with interest paid by the government while you are in school at least half-time.

Unsubsidized Stafford - federal loan with interest accruing while you are in school. You have the option of paying the interest or deferring it until after you begin repayment.

• What is a Stafford Loan?

The Federal Stafford Loan is a loan made by a private lender and guaranteed by a state or private agency backed by the federal government.

• Student Employment
• What happens when I reach my Federal Work-Study (FWS) award maximum?

The Student Employment office will notify you when you reach your award maximum. The department you work in has the option of either continuing your assignment and paying you 100% from its departmental budget or ending your assignment altogether.

• Can my fall/spring federal work-study award be used in the summer?

No, because the summer is a different award period, you must apply separately for summer federal work-study. Additionally, you cannot carry over any unused federal work-study from the fall/spring to the summer. The summer work-study program is contingent upon funding availability.

• Are federal work-study earnings non-taxable?

Federal Work-Study earnings are taxable income.

• May I change Federal Work-Study jobs during the academic year?

Yes and no. It is recommended that you give your supervisor at least two weeks notice to process all necessary paperwork. The student, current supervisor and the new supervisor must complete a Transfer Requisition Form and return to Wendy Allen for approval. You should not change jobs more than once per academic year.

• How many hours can I work per week?

As a Federal Work-Study student, you are limited to 10 hours per week and should not go over 20 hours per pay period. As a Work-Ship student, you may work 5 hours per week unless otherwise instructed by your supervisor.

• Can I have two work-study jobs at the same time?

Yes, however you must distribute the maximum number of hours per week (10) between the two jobs.