Duke FinAid: July Highlights

This monthly newsletter features relevant information, helpful tips, and upcoming deadlines to help you make the most of the financial aid available to you.  For each headline, you can click the available link to be redirected to our website, or you can scroll down for additional info. 

•  Health Insurance Reminder

•  Purchasing a Computer

•  Student Loans and Loan Processing

•  Flex

•  Food

•  Upcoming deadlines/reminders

Health Insurance Reminder

• New Students: All new students will need to complete the online health insurance form by clicking here. If you have health insurance through a parent or other provider, this form will exempt you from needing to purchase insurance through Duke.

If you do not currently have health insurance, you will also need to contact Anna Kenyon by clicking here or calling 919-684-1481. After contacting the appropriate office and completing the online form, need-based aid recipients will automatically be credited additional funds to cover the cost of insurance.

• Returning Students: If you received financial assistance to cover the cost of your health insurance last year, your insurance plan and financial aid will be automatically renewed for the 12-13 academic year. You will not need to complete any additional paperwork.

If you have health insurance through a provider outside of the Duke student plan, you will need to complete the online health insurance form by clicking here. Since you have health insurance through a parent or other provider, this form will exempt you from needing to purchase insurance through Duke.

Purchasing a Computer

Duke University does not require that all students have their own computer, as there are several computer labs available to students at all times.  If you need financial aid funding to help you purchase a new computer, you may email your financial aid counselor to arrange for a loan.

If you purchase your computer from the Duke University Computer Store, you can purchase your computer on a payment plan with monthly installments each semester for the remainder of your time at Duke.   You will also benefit from certain software and warranty options.

Student Loans and Loan Processing   

Students may take out a maximum of $5,500 in Stafford loan funds in their freshman year, $6,500 in their sophomore year, and $7,500 in their junior and senior years.  If you were not awarded the maximum Stafford and wish to take out the remaining portion to help with the family contribution, please email this request to finaid@duke.edu.

FLEX

The Flexible Spending Account (FLEX) allows you to add money to your Duke card to purchase textbooks, laundry services or phone and cable TV bills.  Please be advised that if you charge FLEX account deposits to your Bursar’s account, you are responsible for arranging payment to the Bursar’s office in order to ensure your account remains is good standing.  Financial aid cannot provide any grants or loans to help cover this charge.

Food

The meal plan amount considered in the determination of financial aid is standardized for undergraduate students. For all first-year students, financial aid considers the equivalent of Dining Plan H plus a standard allowance for additional meals. For upperclass students, the meal plan amount considered for financial aid is average of Dining Plans D and E. If you do not sign up for a meal plan that costs as much as the amount budgeted, the remaining funds can be used to buy food outside of the dining halls. For more information on various meal plans and their costs, please visit Duke Dining.

Upcoming deadlines/reminders   

Purchasing Books

Please be on the lookout for information on purchasing books in our August newsletter.

Direct Deposit

If you are eligible for a refund at the start of the upcoming term, you must sign up for direct deposit to receive the funds as quickly as possible. If your financial aid (excluding work-study) exceeds your Bursar account balance, you will receive a refund of the difference. This refund can be used to purchase books or to cover other school-related costs. 

Work Study Jobs on www.Dukelist.duke.edu    

Be on the lookout for information on work study in the August newsletter. You can begin searching for work study jobs later in July at www.dukelist.duke.edu

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