Financial Aid

Outside Aid Policy

The total amount of assistance from all sources can not exceed Catholic University’s yearly Cost of Attendance (COA). In addition, almost all federal and certain institutional aid programs require unmet need. Outside aid or third-party payments must be coordinated with federal and institutional aid to ensure that these conditions are met.

Students should report any outside assistance in the space provided on the return copy of their Financial Aid Notification (FAN) letter. When the Financial Aid Office becomes aware of outside aid, the aid will be added to the student financial aid record and any necessary adjustments to existing aid will be made accordingly. If a reduction in an aid program(s) is necessary, aid reductions will be done in the most advantageous way for the student.

Aid Exceeds COA

Aid will be reduced in the following program order until the student’s total aid does not exceed the COA:

• Private/Plus Loan
• Federal Direct Student Loan
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Work Study
• CUA Grants
• Federal SEOG Grant
• CUA Scholarships

Aid Exceeds Need

Aid will be reduced in the following program order until student’s unmet need is not exceeded:

• Federal Direct Student Loan
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Work Study
• CUA Grants
• Federal SEOG Grant

In cases where both conditions exist, the Office of Financial Aid will follow the “Aid Exceeds Need” list until the student's unmet need is not exceeded and then will follow the “Aid Exceeds COA” list until the student total aid package does not exceed the COA.