Module 5 2020-2021 Financial Aid FAQ

This page is dedicated to frequently asked questions regarding financial aid for Module 5 in the 2020-2021 academic year. Last updated: 3/18/2021.

For other frequently asked questions about Module 5 and the College’s planning related to COVID-19, please see the COVID-19 Response page and the COVID-19 FAQ. You may want to review the 2020-21 Financial Aid FAQ for general financial aid questions related to the 2020-2021 academic year.

What are the costs associated with Module 5?

Just as in a normal semester, one credit costs $1,820, so a four-credit course costs $7,280. Students can take up to 8 credits in Module 5 for a total tuition cost of $14,560. The Module 5 on-campus residence and meal plan charge is $3,271.

Am I eligible for a tuition waiver?

The following information is from Provost Moe’s November 12th update:

“For each semester that a student is enrolled in, and has paid for, 12 or more credits (i.e. full-time status), the student is eligible for one tuition-free course in Module 5 in 2021. Module 5 tuition waiver eligibility will be determined by the Registrar, in consultation with Academic Programs & Advising.”

Additionally, per Provost Moe’s January 29th update, “there are a handful of students who were not full-time, but who have taken 16 or more credits across both semesters; those students will be eligible for one tuition-free course in Module 5.”

If you are eligible for a tuition waiver, no additional steps need to be taken. Tuition waivers will automatically be applied for those who are eligible. If you are not sure of your eligibility for a tuition waiver, please contact the Registrar’s office.

If I am not eligible for a tuition waiver, are there financial aid options available to assist in paying my Module 5 tuition charge?

Students who do not qualify for a tuition waiver will receive grants that pay the same percentage of Module 5 tuition as their grants and scholarships paid for their academic year tuition.

Example: A student was enrolled full-time (16 credits) in Fall 2020 and half-time (8 credits) in Spring 2021. They received grants and scholarships totaling $21,842 (which covered 50% of their tuition charge for the year).

If the student takes two four-credit courses in Module 5, the tuition charge would be $14,560. Due to Fall 2020 full-time enrollment, the student would be eligible for a $7,280 tuition waiver for one course. Because the student’s grants and scholarships covered 50% of their tuition during the academic year, they would receive a grant equal to 50% of their Module 5 tuition charge ($3,640). In this scenario, the student will owe $3,640 for tuition in Module 5 ($14,560 tuition charge – $7,280 tuition waiver – $3,640 grant = $3,640 balance owed).

In addition, students may be eligible to borrow loans through the Federal Direct Loan program, the Macalester Loan program or the Macalester College International Student Loan (MCISL) program to assist with paying for tuition. Please note that students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits in Module 5 and must not have graduated in December 2020 or May 2021 in order to borrow a student loan. If you are interested in borrowing a student loan for Module 5, please submit a request via the Loan Request Form.

Is financial aid available for Module 5 on-campus housing charges?

U.S. students: Because U.S. students with significant financial need may be eligible for Federal Pell Grant, MN State Grant, and/or CARES Act funds, they will not receive institutional aid for the purpose of housing expenses. We expect that students who received Federal Pell Grants during the 2020-2021 academic year will be eligible for additional funding from the Federal CRRSAA Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (Cares Act Program; see question below). CRRSAA HEERF funds can be used for Module 5 and summer living expenses. For U.S. undocumented students, please see below.

In addition, students may also be eligible to borrow either a Federal Direct Loan or a Macalester Loan. Please note that students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits in Module 5 and must not have graduated in December 2020 or May 2021 in order to borrow a student loan. If you are interested in borrowing a student loan for Module 5, please submit a request via the Loan Request Form.

International and U.S. undocumented students: Because international and undocumented students with significant financial need are not eligible to receive funds from Federal or State programs, the College will provide a housing grant if the student’s grants and scholarships during the academic year exceeded the cost of tuition and Macalester health insurance. This housing grant will pay the same percentage of Module 5 housing expenses as was paid for the student’s housing expenses during the academic year after covering the cost of tuition and Macalester health insurance. This will only be the case for students living in on-campus housing.

Example: A student received grants and scholarships during the academic year that covered the cost of tuition and health insurance, plus 25% of the housing charges. If the student lives on campus for Module 5, they will receive an institutional grant that will pay 25% of the Module 5 housing charge. In addition, students may be eligible to borrow either a Macalester College International Student Loan (MCISL) or Macalester Loan. Please note that students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits in Module 5 and must not have graduated in December 2020 or May 2021 in order to borrow a student loan. If you are interested in borrowing a student loan for Module 5, please submit a request via the Loan Request Form.

Do I need to apply for financial aid in Module 5?

No. The Financial Aid Office will automatically determine your eligibility for institutional, Federal, and State grants. However, loan options may not be automatically included in your summer financial aid award. If you would like to request a Federal Direct Loan, Macalester Loan, or Macalester College International Student Loan (MCISL), please submit a request via the Loan Request Form.

When will I be notified of my financial aid eligibility?

The Financial Aid Office hopes to send Module 5 financial aid eligibility notifications to students in early April. Again, there is no application required for Module 5 financial aid.

I received a Federal Pell Grant and/or Minnesota State Grant in Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021. Will I receive this for Module 5 also?

Most students who received a Federal Pell Grant and/or a Minnesota State Grant during the academic year will receive a Federal Pell Grant and/or Minnesota State Grant for Module 5 as well. The Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility for these funds based on your enrollment level throughout the academic year and in Module 5. This will happen automatically. No additional steps need to be taken. If you would like an estimate of your specific Federal/State Grant eligibility, please contact our office.

If you were full-time and received a Federal Pell Grant in both Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, note that you must enroll in at least 6 credits for Module 5 to receive a summer/Module 5 Pell Grant.

Recent graduates: Students who graduated in December 2020 or in May 2021 are no longer eligible for Federal or State aid programs.

Will I still receive my Federal Pell Grant and/or Minnesota State Grant if I qualify for two tuition waivers in Module 5?

Yes. Since in this scenario all tuition charges are waived, your Federal Pell Grant and/or Minnesota State Grant may be applied to living expenses, personal expenses, and the cost of books & supplies for Module 5. For students who are not residing on campus during module 5, this scenario will create a credit balance on their account (tuition waivers and financial aid will combine to exceed the amount billed). To request a refund of the credit balance, contact the Student Accounts Office.

What are my loan options for Module 5?

If you enroll in at least 6 credits for Module 5 and did not graduate December 2020 or May 2021, you may be eligible for a Federal Direct Loan, a Macalester Loan,or a Macalester College International Student Loan (MCISL). These funds can help you cover living expenses, personal expenses, and the cost of books & supplies for Module 5. If you would like to request a loan, please submit a request via the Loan Request Form.

How will student employment work in Module 5?

Student employment during Module 5 is not considered as need-based financial aid and will not be included in summer aid eligibility calculations. If you’re interested in employment opportunities during the summer, please visit the Student Employment Office website.

Will there be additional CARES Act funding available?

We expect that students who received Federal Pell Grants during the 2020-2021 academic year will be eligible for additional funding from the Federal CRRSAA Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (Cares Act Program), if the student was enrolled in Spring 2021 courses or will be enrolled in Module 5 courses. The College is in the process of determining the recipients, amounts, and timing. We hope to notify students of their eligibility in early April and provide the funding in early May.

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Module 5 2020-2021 Financial Aid FAQ