CASE.EDU:    HOME | DIRECTORIES | SEARCH
case western reserve university

FINANCIAL AID

 
 

Finanical Aid for Incoming Students

First things, first...

The Mandel School offers scholarships, grants and loans to students in both the full-time and intensive weekend programs. Each student accepted to the full-time program receives a stipend that pays for field internship. Financial aid awards are based on merit and financial need.  Most students are eligible for need-based assistance and a limited number of merit scholarships are available to students with exceptional academic credentials.  

The MSASS admission application is also the MSASS financial aid application but in order to be considered for need-based assistance including federal loans, you must also submit the following two applications:

1.  The 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The address is www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Mandel Federal School Code Number is E00084. This number should be listed on the FAFSA to ensure that we receive the results of your application. Graduate/Professional students who are married must complete the form along with their spouses. If you require the paper FAFSA, you may obtain this form by calling (800) 4FED AID or (800) 433-3243.

Please be sure your information is as accurate as possible. If you have not prepared your taxes before February 15, 2009, you may estimate the information on the application as best you can. As soon as your taxes are complete, please update the information on the site by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov and clicking on "Making Corrections to a Processed FAFSA".

2.  The online Case Financial Aid Application in briefCase . You cannot be considered for need-based aid, including the field stipend unless you complete this form. Once you are admitted, the Office of University Financial Aid will mail you an ID and password so you can access briefCase.

The Mandel School will begin making scholarship decisions in February or March to newly admitted students and will continue to award scholarships until funds are exhausted.

Please visit the financial aid pages on our School's Web site http://msass.case.edu. There, you will find information about the application process, cost of education, and second-year scholarship opportunities as well as links to associated offices and other sources of financial aid.

In the meantime, let us know if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance as you go about the aid application process. We look forward to working with you in arranging satisfactory assistance for your enrollment at the Mandel School.

 

Countdown to the Start of Fall Semester 2009

January

  • Complete 2008 Federal Tax Return.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Case Online Financial Aid Application to be considered for financial aid.

February

  • Apply by February 1 for priority consideration for merit scholarship and grant assistance.
  • The Mandel School will begin awarding Merit Scholarships to newly admitted students.
  • Terms and Conditions of awards must be returned within fourteen (14) days.

March

  • The Mandel School will begin awarding need-based Scholarship and Grant offers to newly admitted students and sending out award letters.
  • Terms and Conditions of awards must be returned within fourteen (14) days.
  • The Office of University Financial Aid will begin reviewing financial aid files and will contact you if additional information is needed to complete your file. Promptly respond to all requests for information and/or documentation.

April

  • Apply by April 15 for priority consideration for need-based scholarship and grant assistance.
  • The Mandel School will continue sending Scholarship and Grant offers to newly admitted students (awards depend upon availability of funding).

May

  • The Office of University Financial Aid will begin mailing "Official Award Letters". This letter will list the amount of assistance you will receive for the academic year.
  • You must accept or decline offer within fourteen (14) days.
  • If you accept federal loans, you must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and sign your Promissory Notes.
  • Calculate your personal budget then subtract tuition and fees from scholarships and loans. The excess funds can be used to meet your personal expenses.
  • Do not decline loans unless you're sure. The Mandel School will help you do the calculations if requested.

June or July

  • The Mandel School will send out Orientation information.

August

  • The Mandel School will pre-register you for your fall courses.
  • You attend Orientation at the Mandel School.
  • Your approved Financial Aid will be credited to your account. You will be responsible for any balance Financial Aid doesn't cover.
  • Fall classes begin for full-time Program!

September

  • Intensive Weekend classes begin!

 

Financial Aid Checklist

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). On-line available at fafsa.ed.gov.
  2. Complete the online Case Financial Aid Application when you receive your temporary briefCase ID and password.
  3. If requested, submit a signed copy of your federal income tax form(s) and W-2(s). Be sure to include all schedules.
  4. If requested, submit a Verification Form to the Office of University Financial Aid. The form will be sent only to students selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education.
  5. Return signed copy of Terms and Conditions to accept Mandel Scholarship offer.
  6. Log into briefCase to accept Official Award from Office of University Financial Aid.
  7. For Stafford and Grad Federal Plus Loans, e-sign Promissory Notes on OpenNet.SallieMae.com.
  8. If accepting Perkins Loan, e-sign Promissory Note on ECSI website.
  9. Receive PIN to activate Case email and set up new password for access to all university websites.

 

FAQ

When will I receive notification of my award?
Financial Aid Award Offers are created after the offer of admission and award letters are sent out via U.S. Mail as soon as the award level is determined..

How do I see my Financial Aid Award? 
You may check the status of your financial aid by accessing briefCase using your temporary ID and password.

How and when do I get my temporary briefCase ID and password?
For those admitted prior to February, 2009, the Office of University Financial Aid will send you a temporary ID and password via U.S. Mail in late January or early February. For those admitted after February, 2009, you should receive this information within a few weeks after you've been offered admission.  If you do not receive your Id and password, please contact the MSASS Financial Aid Office at 216-368-6756.

What if I don't want all the loans I'm offered?
You may accept all or a portion of your award in briefCase but be sure to accept enough to cover your tuition and fee expenses unless you have alternate funding.

How do I accept my loans?

  • Complete the Entrance Loan Counseling on the Office of University Financial Aid website.
  • Complete your Stafford Master Promissory Note online on the Sallie Mae website.
  • If you are accepting a Federal Perkins Loan, complete the Perkins Loan Promissory Note on the ECSI website.
  • If you are accepting a Grad Federal Plus Loan, complete the Promissory Note on the Sallie Mae website.

When do I get money for books and living expenses? 
Scholarships and loans are applied to tuition and fees first.  If your award exceeds your account balance, you may request an advance on your financial aid up to $1,000.  Refund checks are generated after the drop/add period, which is about two weeks into the semester.  Request forms are available in the MSASS Financial Aid office.

Why is it important to activate my Case email?
After you receive your Official Award Letter from the Office of University Financial Aid, all notifications about your award will only be sent to your Case email address. Check your email often!

What if I still have questions?
Stop by MSASS 121 and ask for the Financial Aid Coordinator or call 216-368-6756.