Graduate Financial Aid

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid. The FAFSA is required for each academic year a student is enrolled at Salem State in a degree-seeking program and is free for all students.

Students will be considered for all federal, state, and institutional aid based on their completed and verified FAFSA information. The FAFSA is required to be considered for Salem State scholarships and many other scholarships.

Important Financial Aid Reminders for Graduate Students

Financial Aid and University Communications

Students must regularly check their Salem State email and Navigator accounts. These accounts are how the university communicates directly with students.

Students will see the Tasks tile after logging in to their Navigator account. This is where the university will notify students of items they must complete on their To-Do List related to their enrollment, financial aid, or any holds on their account. For more information, please visit How
to: View My holds and To-Do List.

Minimum Credit Requirement and Course Registration

Students must register for at least six credits per semester to be eligible for federal financial aid. Students may receive financial aid, including Federal Direct Loans, only for courses that count toward their master's degree. 

If a student registers for a course not required for their master's degree, those credits will not count toward the six-credit minimum, and financial aid will not cover them. All six credits must be taken at Salem State.

Certificate programs and credits are not eligible for federal financial aid and do not count toward the six-credit minimum.

Students must fully register for their semester courses during the Add/Drop period before the census date. The census date typically marks the end of the Add/Drop period for the semester. For more information, please visit What is the Census Date and Roster Verification.

Federal financial aid funds are earned and can be prorated based on the percentage of days a student attends through the 60% point of the semester. If a student does not complete at least 60% of the semester, their aid may be adjusted or canceled.

Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must meet Graduate Student Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for financial aid. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and successfully complete 67% of their attempted credits.

Students are responsible for understanding the university's policies. For more information on university policies, please review the Refund, Add/Drop, Attendance, and Leave of Absence policies. 

Direct Loan Master Promissory Note, Loan Entrance Counseling, and Loan Fees

Students receiving a Federal Direct Loan for the first time at Salem State must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.

It is essential to understand that an MPN and Loan Entrance Counseling are legally required and must be completed before loan funds can be disbursed to a student's account at Salem State.

A loan fee is charged on all Federal Direct Loans. The fee is a percentage of the loan amount, proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. Salem State cannot waive loan fees because they are legally required.

Book Advance

Book advances are offered to students who will have excess financial aid after funds have been applied to their semester bill. A book advance allows students to "charge" their books to their student accounts.

All book advances are capped at $600 with no exceptions and are based on the amount of the anticipated refund. The amount of the used book advance is subtracted from the anticipated refund. Any unused advance funds will be added to the anticipated refund for the term.

Books must be purchased in person or online from an official Salem State source. More information about books at Salem State.

Cost of Exam to be Licensed, Certified, or Gain First Professional Credential

Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you are enrolled in a program that requires you to take an exam to become licensed or certified, or to obtain your first professional credential, and you plan to register for that exam during the academic year, so the exam cost can be included in your estimated cost of attendance.

Financial Aid Refunds

When financial aid funds are disbursed, any outstanding balances owed to the university are paid first. If there are any excess funds after the balance is paid, a refund will be issued.

The Student Accounts Office issues refunds. Refunds are deposited directly into the student's checking or savings account on file or mailed to the student's permanent address on file within two weeks. For more information on setting up direct deposit, please visit How to set up a direct deposit/eRefund.