How Trinity Makes Your Education Affordable

Aid comes from various sources, with a majority of aid coming from the U.S. Department of Education. Aid also comes from states, including the District of Columbia. Trinity Washington also supports its student by providing opportunities to apply for Institutional Grants and Scholarships.

There are four main types of Aid:

• Grants: Eligibility-based money gifted that doesn’t have to be repaid (under normal circumstances)
• Scholarships: Need or association-based money that can be gifted by an institution
• Tuition Discounts: Some institutions have tuition discount arrangements with a college
• Loans: Private or government-backed money that can be borrowed, and must be paid back, generally with interest

Each source of aid will determine eligibility differently.

In addition, Federal work study, and various Veteran’s benefits may be available to some students.

Dive deeper: download our Financial Aid Information Booklet!

Financial need is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution from the expected cost of attendance from the institution. Your expected family contribution is calculated based on a formula developed by the United States Congress, based on the size of the family and the family’s income. The expected cost of attendance is calculated by adding up tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other miscellaneous expenses.

Dive deeper: download our Financial Aid Information Booklet!

Generally, keep these things in mind in order to stay in good standing where your much of your aid is concerned:

• You must maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Most aid requires you only use money for educational expenses for a certain period of time
• Withdrawls, incompletes, and leaves of absence will affect your aid and what you owe
• Defaulting on your loans will result in negative consequences

Dive deeper: download our Financial Aid Information Booklet!

• You have the right to know what financial aid is available to you, including all federal, state and institutional programs. In addition, you have the right to know the deadlines, selection criteria, terms, policies, procedures and regulations that apply to each of the programs.
• You have the right to know how your financial need was determined.
• You have the right to appeal your financial aid award if you feel there are special circumstances that were not originally taken into consideration
• You have the right to know how Trinity determines whether you are making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• You have the right to know how and when your financial aid will be disbursed.
• You have the right to know Trinity’s Refund Policies.
• You have the right to expect that all information reported by you and/or your family will remain confidential and will not be released without your written consent according to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• If you have a loan, you have the right to know the terms of the loan, such as interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, the length of time you have to repay, when you must start repayment, cancellation provisions, deferment and forbearance possibilities and any special consolidation or refinancing options.
• You have the right to consolidate all your federal loans after graduation.

Dive deeper: download our Financial Aid Information Booklet!

• You are responsible for providing accurate and timely information to the Financial Aid Office
• You are responsible for reapplying for financial aid each and every year.
• You are responsible for submitting documentation and information requested by the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner and keeping copies for your own records.
• You are responsible for notifying Trinity of any name or address changes.
• You are responsible for notifying the Financial Aid Office of any financial awards you receive from outside resources (including scholarships, grants, Veteran’s Benefits, tuition waivers, or other educational/tuition assistance) not already listed on your Financial Aid Award Letter.
• If you borrow a student loan, you are responsible for completing loan master promissory note, entrance and exit counseling.
• You are responsible for the repayment of all loans in accordance with the terms of your promissory note.
• You are responsible for maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• You are responsible for the repayment of any over award of financial aid.

Dive deeper: download our Financial Aid Information Booklet!