Financial Aid
It is our commitment to provide an excellent service along with the proper financial aid to help you cover the costs of the Optometry Program. Students who meet the eligibility requirements are offered the combination of aids that best meets their needs.
Step 1
Get an FSA ID: The FSA ID is the username and password you use on federal student aid websites such as fafsa.gov and StudentLoans.gov. If you do not have an FSA ID, you can create one when logging into fafsa.ed.gov. Important: Only the owner of the FSA ID should create and use the account. Never share your FSA ID!
Step 2
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on www.fafsa.ed.gov The result of your application will be sent to the school in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR) in approximately 72 hours once the application is submitted. School Code G42510
Step 3
Attend to a Direct Loan Orientation Session
Step 4
Complete the Entrance Counseling on www.studentloans.gov The EC is a mandatory information session that explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower (only new students or if you are applying financial aid first time in the School).
Step 5
Review the Financial Aid Award Letter on the Inter Web to accept, reduce, and/or decline your award(s) and fulfill all loan requirements before your financial aid can be credited to your student account.
Step 6
Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) on www.studentloans.gov The MPN is a legal document that lists the terms and conditions under which you agree to repay the loan and explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower (only new students or if you are applying financial aid first time in the School).
Step 7
Visit the Bursar’s Office to accept the Registration Charges for the semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for deadlines.
Students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to receive federal student aid:
- Be a United States Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident or eligible non-citizen
- Be enrolled at least as a half-time student
- Not be in default in any previous student loans
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent
- Be registered with the Selective Service, if male
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Financial need is not required. The student must be enrolled at least half-time. The borrower is responsible for interest during all periods.
Fixed interest rate of 6.60% for loans first disbursed between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019
Origination Fee: 1.066% for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2017, or 1.062% for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2018
The Annual Loan Limit for students of health professions is $40,500 The Aggregate Loan Limit for combined Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans is $224,000
Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
Financial need is not required. The student must be enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is required for a Plus loan. The borrower is responsible for interest during all periods. The maximum annual amount is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
Fixed interest rate of 7.60% for loans first disbursed between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019
Origination Fee: 4.264% for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2017, or 4.248% for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2018.
Institutional Scholarships
Every year an amount of Institutional funds is assign to award scholarships to students with financial need. Funds are also used to meet exceptional situations presented by students.
Alternative Loans
These loans provide supplemental funding when other financial aids do not cover costs. Alternative loans are also known as private loans and are offered by private lenders (banks or other financial institutions). These loans usually require a credit check. Students should first check on federal loan eligibility.
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE 2018-2019
| ITEMS | FIRST YEAR | SECOND YEAR | THIRD YEAR | FOURTH YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $27,500 | $27,000 | $26,750 | $26,500 |
| Fees | $1,268 | $1,420 | $1,288 | $1,288 |
| Books | $639 | $962 | $599 | $0.00 |
| Room on Campus /
Room off Campus |
$6,000 /
$7,793 |
$6,000 /
$7,793 |
$6,000 /
$7,793 |
$ 7,793 |
| Board | $6,382 | $6,382 | $6,382 | $6,382 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,436 | $3,436 | $3,436 | $3,436 |
| Equipment | $5,862 | $5,320 | $706 | $599 |
| Supplies | $165 | $190 | $139 | $0.00 |
| Transportation | $1,222 | $1,222 | $1,222 | $1,222 |
TUITION, FEES AND OTHER CHARGES 2018-2019 |
|
TUITION |
|
| Admission | $31.00 with application |
| Regular Student
First Year Second Year Third Year Fourth Summer |
$27,500.00 annual $27,000.00 annual $26,750.00 annual $26,5000.00 annual $1,500.00 per credit hour |
| Special Students | $1,500.00 per credit hour |
| Auditing Without Credit | 50% of the regular per credit cost of special students |
FEES |
|
| General Fees | $60.00 per semester
$50.00 per summer session |
| Students and Cultural Activities Fees | $37.00 per semester |
| Center for Access to Information | $40.00 per semester
$12.00 per summer session |
| Infrastructure | $100.00 per semester
$55.00 per summer session |
| Construction, Improvements and Maintenance | $63.00 per semester
$31.00 per summer session |
| Goods and Services Fees | $55.00 per semester
$28.00 per summer session |
OTHER CHARGES |
|
| Laboratory Fees | $38.00 per course requiring it |
| Clinic Fees (per course requiring it) | $38.00 1st and 2nd year
$200.00 3rd and 4th year |
| Late registration | $50.00 at the moment of registration |
| Withdrawal or Changes in courses | $6.00 |
| Deferred Payment Arrangement | $6.00 upon arrangement |
| Late payment on Deferred Payment (when lateness occurs) | 5% of each payment |
| Charge made by IUPR or company contracted by University for processing checks received from students | $26.00 per check returned |
| Incomplete Removal | $19.00 per course |
| Transcript of Credits | $6.00 per transcript |
| Graduation | $200.00 with application |
| Late final examination | $19.00 per examination |
| Identification Card Replacement | $7.00 with application |
| Academic Evaluation Fee | $10.00 with application |
| Vehicles Access & Parking Fee | $30.00 per semester |
| Study Certifications | $2.00 for each application |
| Course additions or changes of one course by another | $6.00 upon change |
HOUSING |
|
| Contracts are signed for a period of five months, at a monthly rate of $600.00 | |
| Total Cost per room | $3,000.00 per semester
$600.00 per summer session |
| Admission Fee for Housing | $25.00 with the application |
| Refunds: if for some reason the student leaves the Residence Hall before the end of signed contract, both current and the following month will not be refunded. | |
Changes in Tuition and Fees
The University reserves the right to review tuition and fee rates as well as other charges whenever:
- There is an increase in educational and general expenses and/or mandatory transfers.
- Budget projections indicate possible increase in these costs.
- After careful analysis of any particular situation, the University administration determines that such changes are reasonable and justified.
Exit Counseling is mandatory for any student borrower who drop below half-time enrollment, graduate, or leave school.
Exit Counseling (https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/counselingInstructions.action?counselingType=exit)
| Sirimarie Martinez Financial Aid Officer 787-765-1915 Extension 1021 smartinez@opto.inter.edu |
| Fernando Acosta Director of Students Services and Financial Aid 787-765-1915 Extension 1020 facosta@opto.inter.edu |
NSLDS Disclosure Students and parents who enter into a loan agreement with Federal Direct Loans will have their loan information submitted to NSLDS (the National Student Loans Data System) which is accessible by authorized agencies, lenders, and institutions.
