Printer FriendlyQ: How do I know whether I am eligible for the rebate?
A: Every in-state undergraduate student who paid the fee increase is eligible for the rebate; however, many students who receive need-based financial aid have already effectively seen their fees reduced.
Q: I am an out-of-state student. Why am I not eligible for the rebate?
A: Because the rebate is made possible with funds allocated to the University of Massachusetts by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the rebate is limited to undergraduate students who are residents of the Commonwealth. However, though the University received approval to increase out of state fees by $2,500 for this academic year, we had reduced the increase by $1,000 such that the fee increase for out-of-state students is $1,500 and not $2,500.
Q: I am a graduate student. Am I eligible for the rebate?
A: No. In part, due to the wide variety of funding sources such as grants, fellowships, fee waivers, and employer reimbursements, the consensus across the University of Massachusetts campuses was that the first priority for funds available for a rebate would be to support those students who had not yet earned baccalaureate degrees.
Q: Why is a rebate being issued?
A: As a result of a reduced state appropriation that anticipated a $102 million revenue shortfall for Fiscal Year 2010, the University of Massachusetts instituted a $1,500 increase to mandatory in-state undergraduate student fees for the two-semester academic year.
At the time that the increase was voted, President Wilson, the Trustees, and the Chancellors said they hoped that fiscal circumstances would allow them to rebate a significant portion of the fee increase. On Friday, August 7th, President Wilson announced that the University would move forward with a fee rebate and that in-state undergraduate students may receive up to a $1,100 rebate for academic year 2009-2010.
The rebate was made possible by the allocation of additional federal stimulus funds to the University by the Governor's Office and the work of the Legislature to direct as much support to the University as possible within the State's constrained budget. UMass received a state appropriation of $411 million and two installments of federal stimulus funds totaling $118.6 million-restoring its level of State support to fiscal year 2009 levels.
Q: If the fee is being partially rebated what is the net increase in mandatory fees for 2009-2010?
A: If the amount of the rebate reduces the increase in fees to in-state undergraduate students to only $400, for the sixth consecutive year, the student-fee increase will be at or below the rate of inflation.
Q: When will I receive the rebate or credit to my charges?
A: It is important to note that this rebate may occur only after the campus receives stimulus funds. We cannot determine the specific amount of the fee rebate until funding is received from the State.
Q: How will an eligible student receive the rebate?
A: For the fall 2009 semester, rebates will be processed by the Bursars Office and the Financial Aid Office. Each campus's Bursars Office will apply a "Fee Rebate" to all in-state undergraduate students, adjusting for less-than-full-time enrollment. It will be visible through iSiS self-service.
Q. Can the actual amount change?
A. Yes. Both the bill and the rebate amounts will be set based on the credits a student has after the 10th day of classes (the drop-add period). Eligible students enrolled in less than 12 credits of day school courses (not continuing education courses) will have the amount of the rebate adjusted proportionally to the number of credits upon receipt of stimulus funds.
Q. How will this affect students receiving financial aid?
A. Financial aid recipients may not see any change in their net cost of education because for many aid recipients, the $1,500 fee increase has already been offset by a corresponding increase in financial aid. The full amount of the Fee Rebate for which a student is eligible will be applied as aid. Then, each student’s aid package will be reviewed.
Q. Why do you have to adjust financial aid – isn’t that penalizing the student?
A. Financial Aid is subject to strict policies and rules and also works to fairly distribute aid to help as many students as possible. The rebate is considered a source of aid by federal regulations. We cannot award aid that exceeds the calculated need of the student (generally, that is the “cost of attendance” minus the “family expected contribution”).
Q. How will a financial aid student know if or when his or her aid package has been reviewed?
A. There are two ways. First, all students whose aid is under review will see a hold (service indicator) on iSiS self-service account at login. The hold will be removed as soon as the financial aid has been reviewed. Second, students will receive an email notification when review is complete (financial aid will be sending these email notifications daily until process is complete). Please note, we cannot begin to do the adjustments until the funds are received.
Q. Will the Federal Stimulus Rebate be applied for next semester as well?
A. The Financial Aid Office will be awarding the Federal Stimulus Rebate for the entire academic year beginning with an amount up to of $550 for the fall semester. However, the actual amount could be adjusted should the University receive additional cuts.
Q. What if I have already paid my bill in full?
A. Once the rebate has been processed to your student account, any excess will be refunded to you directly.
Q: What if I am on “Tuition Pay,” the 10-month payment schedule?
A: We recommend that you not adjust your plan until the fee rebate amount is determined and processed to your account.
Q. What if I have additional questions?
A: You can call the fee rebate information line at 978-934-3755 or you can email: fee_rebate@uml.edu.