ON THIS PAGE:
Cost of Attendance • Title IV (Federal) Refunds
Loan Counseling • Loan Repayment • Related Links

Financial need is determined by an equation that balances the cost of education with the student’s expected family contribution. The federal government computes the expected family income from information provided on the FAFSA application. When the expected contribution is less than the cost of education, the student has demonstrated a “need” for financial assistance.

At Oakton, a full-time student who is living at home with parents or other relatives has a cost of attendance for the 2009-2010 school year of $10,668. A student who is living on his or her own has a cost of $14,529. The cost of attendance is for the nine-month period that includes the fall and spring semesters.

If you are interested in determining your expected family contribution, College Zone offers an estimator on its Web site.

Title IV (Federal) Refunds
In accordance with federal regulation, when Title IV recipients withdraw from all courses during the period of enrollment for which they were charged, the Office of Student Financial Assistance must review the charges. Title IV funds will be returned to the appropriate financial aid program(s), if the Office of Student Financial Assistance determines a refund is warranted. Determination of refunds is based on current federal regulation that requires financial assistance to be adjusted to percentage of time attended. This policy does not apply to students who attend up to or beyond 60 percent of the term.

This refund policy does not apply to students who withdraw from individual classes. For further information, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Loan Counseling
The Office of Student Financial Assistance is committed to providing important student loan information. All student loan borrowers are required to have loan counseling before receiving funds. Online counseling is available and encouraged. Students need to complete “entrance” counseling before receiving loan funds. This process ensures that students are knowledgeable about the process before completing a contractual obligation with legal responsibilities and required repayment.

The U.S. Department of Education provides this important borrower information and “entrance” loan counseling at https://www.dl.ed.gov. You will need your federal PIN to complete your loan counseling.

At the end of the loan period, students must complete “exit” counseling as a reminder of their obligation to repay their student loans.  Exit counseling materials will be mailed to loan borrowers with instructions to complete two worksheets and online exit counseling at https://www.dl.ed.gov and to submit the information to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  A hold will be placed on the student’s account until all exit counseling materials have been submitted.

Students who are thinking of borrowing for school expenses should review the chart below to determine the level of debt they might reasonably be able to handle. The payment is approximately 8 percent of the suggested income level, and the table assumes a 10-year repayment period at 8.25 percent interest.

Loans are serious financial obligations that must be repaid. The Office of Student Financial Assistance encourages students to borrow conservatively, keeping in mind what they will need to repay after completing all of their education.

Amount borrowed

120
monthly payments

Total
amount
paid

Total
interest
paid

Suggested income
level

$10,000

$122.65

$14,718.32

$4,718.32

$18,398

$15,000

$183.98

$22,077.47

$7,077.47

$27,597

$20,000

$245.31

$29,436.63

$9,436.63

$36,796

$25,000

$306.63

$36,795.79

$11,795.79

$45,995

$30,000

$367.96

$44,154.95

$14,154.95

$55,194