Guide to Understanding Federal Student Aid at Columbia Southern University

Transcription

1 Guide to Understanding Federal Student Aid at Columbia Southern University CONTACT INFORMATION Office of Financial Aid Office Hours: Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. C.S.T Phone: Ext

2 What is Federal Student Aid? The U.S. Department of Education awards about $150 billion a year in federal student aid to more than 15 million students. CSU offers Federal Student Aid in the form of grants and loans. Grants are funds that do not have to be repaid (unless a student withdraws from school and owes a refund). Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while a student is in school or during their grace period. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest from the time the funds are disbursed. Am I eligible to receive Federal Student Aid? In order for a student to receive Federal Student Aid to attend CSU they must be eligible to receive Title IV, admitted unconditionally to the University and enrolled at least half-time in an approved undergraduate or graduate degree seeking program. Types of Federal Student Aid Available FEDERAL PELL GRANT A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell grants are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and who have not yet earned a bachelors or professional degree. The maximum award for the award year (July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015) is $5,730. The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited by federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell grant funding you can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six year equivalent is 600%. The Pell Grant amount awarded will depend on: Financial need Cost of Attendance Enrollment Status You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time. FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS A Direct Subsidized Loan is awarded on the basis of the student's financial need and other specific eligibility requirements. The federal government does not charge interest on these loans while borrowers are enrolled at least half-time, during a six-month grace period, or during authorized periods of deferment. A Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on the student's financial need, but students must also meet specific eligibility requirements. Interest is charged throughout the life of the loan. The borrower may choose to pay the interest charged on the loan or allow the interest to be capitalized (added to the loan principal). A Direct PLUS Loan is a federal loan that graduate or professional degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay education expenses. The U.S. Department of

3 Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible borrowers through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program. Awarding Federal Student Aid The Office of Financial Aid awards federal student aid (FSA) based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once a FAFSA has been processed, the institutions listed on the FAFSA will receive an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) usually within 3 to 5 business days of application. Students will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) electronically if an address was provided usually within 3 to 5 days as well. If an address was not provided on the FAFSA, the student will receive a paper copy of their SAR in approximately 4 weeks from the date of application. Once an ISIR is received, it is reviewed by a Financial Aid Specialist and the applicant is sent an notification indicating the institution has received the application and instructions for providing any additional documentation required. Students are awarded federal student aid up to the cost of attendance based on Fulltime attendance unless indicated otherwise by the applicant on the Estimated Financial Assistance Form required in the awarding process. Students should monitor their for important updates from the Office of Financial Aid to prevent a delay in the awarding process. All required documentation must be on file prior to a student receiving federal student aid. Students will automatically be awarded any federal Pell grant funds they are eligible to receive based on the results of the FAFSA. Students interested in receiving Federal Student Loans will also need to complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note online at Once a student is awarded federal student aid, they will be sent an notification prompting them to log into the CSU Financial Aid Portal to review their award. If a student wishes to decline any portion of the award they may do so by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu. Term Enrollment Students using Federal Student Aid (FSA) or Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits must enroll in Term Enrollment Programs. CSU Term Program courses are eight weeks in length and have set start and end dates coinciding with the academic term calendar. This enrollment option provides a more structured framework that facilitates on-time course completion while allowing the student flexibility throughout the week for assignment completion. Weekly, substantive interaction is required through submission of discussion board postings and other assignment types. Each week begins on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. Discussion board assignments are due on Saturday and Tuesday. All other weekly assignments are due by Tuesday each week. All assignments are due by midnight Central Standard Time (CST) on the respective day. Use the CSU Net Price Calculator

4 Columbia Southern University is pleased to provide a net price calculator as a guide to assist in financial planning for college. This calculator will provide a preliminary estimate of federal student aid available to help families gauge what aid a student may be awarded to attend CSU. The calculator is available at Net Price Calculator. What is the Cost of Attendance (COA) to attend CSU? Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to estimate the cost of attendance for students receiving federal student aid. The direct costs associated with all of the estimates below are tuition and fees. Textbooks are provided at no cost through a CSU book grant.* Indirect costs are estimated for DIRECT COST TO ATTEND CSU = TUITION/FEES room and board and personal/miscellaneous expenses. These AND ONE TIME LIBRARY FEE estimates are conservative in nature and are not intended to meet the actual individual living expenses for all students. INDIRECT COST TO ATTEND CSU = ROOM/BOARD AND PERSONAL EXPENSES CSU encourages students to carefully consider the amount of student loans borrowed in excess of direct costs. Unlike scholarships and grants, student loans must be repaid with interest. The estimates below are based on a full time enrollment status and the student s housing plan as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CSU is a completely online University and does not provide on campus housing ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE UNDERGRADUTE FULL-TIME (24 SEMESTER HOURS/32 WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION) Item Living with Parent Off-Campus Military BAH* Tuition* $5,040 $5,040 $5,040 Room/Board $1,416 $5,656 $1,416 Personal Expenses $2,880 $2,880 $2,880 Books/Supplies Origination Fees TOTAL $640 $10,116 $640 $14,356 $640 $10,116 MASTERS FULL-TIME (12 SEMESTR HOURS/32 WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION) Item Off-Campus Military BAH* Tuition* $3,300 $3,300 Room/Board $5,656 $1,416 Personal Expenses $2,880 $2,880 Books/Supplies $400 $400

5 Origination Fees TOTAL $12,376 $8,136 DOCTORATE FULL-TIME (12 SEMESTER HOURS/32 WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION) Item Off-Campus Military BAH* Tuition* $3,720 $3,720 Room/Board $5,656 $1,416 Personal Expenses $2,880 $2,880 Books Origination Fees TOTAL $400 $12,796 $400 $8,556 *Spouses or dependents of active duty military members receive a ten percent tuition discount. *The tuition rate for graduate courses per semester hour is $250 for all active-duty military members. *CSU learning partners receive a ten percent tuition discount. *Students (and spouses) receiving a military base allowance for housing are only eligible to receive an allowance for board when determining the amount of financial aid they are eligible to receive. *If a student drops, withdraws or fails a course, the cost of shipping the textbook will be charged to the student's account. The student may return the textbook within 30 days to have the charge removed or re-enroll in the same course and reuse the textbook. Loan Debt and Repayment? CSU strongly encourages students to borrow only what they actually need to attend school. Over borrowing will result in high monthly student loan payments that can impact students long after they cease attendance and/or degree completion. Total Amount Borrowed Estimated Monthly Payment (based on 10 year repayment plan) $10,000 $115 $20,000 $230 $30,000 $345 $40,000 $460 $50,000 $575 $60,000 $690 $70,000 $805 **The Department of Education offers several repayment plans students may customize to fit their current financial situation (subject to eligibility requirements). The example above utilized the Standard Repayment Plan at a 6.8% interest rate** The various types of repayment options are available at the Department of Education s website via

6 Attendance Requirement CSU is a not required to take attendance, however prior to receiving a FSA disbursement CSU will verify participation (census date) in each registered course at the end of week 1 in the term. The discussion board posting or Unit I assessment must be submitted to verify attendance and all Unit I assignments are due by the end of week one to receive credit. Students who choose not to attend the first week will be institutionally dropped from the course and receive a grade of DN for the course. Students attending at least half-time will not have an adjustment made to their federal student loan award unless requested by the student, however any Pell grant awarded will be recalculated after the first week of the term and students will be awarded based on actual scheduled hours in which attendance was verified. Enrollment Status Undergraduate students are considered full-time if enrolled in 6 credit hours in the 8 week term and half-time if enrolled in 3 credit hours during the 8 week term. Graduate students are considered full-time if enrolled in 3 credit hours in the 8 week term Professional Judgment The Office of Financial Aid currently reviews students on a case by case basis if they are experiencing unusual circumstances which may not accurately be reflected on their current financial aid application. This process is known as professional judgment. Please contact the office of financial aid for more information if you feel this situation may apply to you. All requests for a professional judgment must be submitted in writing to the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu. All outcomes will be communicated to the student/prospect via within 14 days of receipt of all applicable supporting documentation. Please contact your financial aid specialist if you would like to be evaluated Award Adjustments If a financial aid award has to be adjusted for any reason during the academic year, a student will receive an notification from the Office of Financial Aid prompting them to log into the CSU Financial Aid Portal to review the revised award. If a student wishes to decline any portion of their revised award they may do so by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu. Ineligible Programs The Associate of Arts in General Students and all Certificate Programs are not eligible for Federal Student Aid. What is an Academic Year? This is the amount of academic work a student must complete each year and the time period in which they are expected to complete it.

7 What is CSU s definition of an Academic Year? CSU defines its academic year as 24 credit hours over a period of 32 weeks of instructional time (4 terms) for undergraduate students and 12 credit hours over a period of 32 weeks of instructional time (4 terms) for graduate students. Please note the charts below. Term 1 2 courses = 6 credit hours Term 1 1 course = 3 credit hours Undergraduate Student Financial Aid Award to complete an Academic Year Term 2 2 courses = 6 credit hours Term 3 2 courses = 6 credit hours Term 4 2 courses = 6 credit hours = 32 weeks of instructional time = 24 earned credit hours Graduate Student Financial Aid Award to complete an Academic Year Term 2 1 course = 3 credit hours Term 3 1 course = 3 credit hours Term 4 1 course = 3 credit hours = 32 weeks of instructional time = 12 earned credit hours A student is required to complete an academic year (weeks and hours) in order to receive additional federal student loans. What if I do not satisfy the Academic Year (AY) requirements? If a student does not successfully complete AY requirements at the end of their 4 th 8 week term, they will be reviewed to determine if there is any remaining financial aid eligibility to award for additional terms so that a student may continue to enroll until AY requirements are met. If eligible, additional financial aid will be awarded for one or more additional terms until successful completion of AY. If a student has exhausted all financial aid eligibility without satisfying AY requirements, a student may be required to enroll in courses using an alternative method of payment until AY requirements are met. What are the most common reasons a student does not successfully complete Academic Year Requirements? A student that enrolls half-time, withdraws or fails courses will have a difficult time completing CSU s academic year requirements.

8 Review example below of a Financial Aid Award for an Academic Year. The student is a Grade Level 4 Independent student that did NOT successfully complete Academic Year (AY) requirements. Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 32 Weeks of Instructional time and 24 Semester Hours Required Semester Hours Attempted = 6 Academic Credit Earned = 6 hours Semester Hours Attempted = 6 Academic Credit Earned = 6 hours Semester Hours Attempted = 6 Academic Credit Earned = 3 hours Earned Grade F = 3 hours Semester Hours Attempted = 6 Academic Credit Earned = 6 hours Semester Hours Attempted = 24 Academic Credit Earned = 21 Academic Credit unearned = 3 Semester Hours Needed to Complete AY Requirements = 3 hours Direct Loan Awarded $3,125 Direct Loan Awarded $3,125 Direct Loan Awarded $3,125 Direct Loan Awarded $3,125 Total Direct Loan Awarded $12,500 (maximum for a Grade Level Senior) Credit/Stipend issued to student $1,925 Credit/Stipend issued to student $1,925 Credit/Stipend Issued to student $1,925 Credit/Stipend issued student $1,925 Tuition (Direct Cost) for AY = $4,800 Total credit/stipend issued to student = $7,700 As a result of the student borrowing the maximum amount of student loans allowed for a grade level senior and not completing AY requirements, the student will not have any additional financial aid eligibility available to assist with the tuition expenses for the additional 3 semester hours remaining to satisfy AY requirements. We strongly encourage students that drop, withdraw or fail a course during the AY year, plan ahead and use a portion of their stipend funds received throughout the AY year to cover the cost of tuition for additional courses required to satisfy AY requirements. What is Verification? CSU must check the accuracy of all applications the Central Processing System (CPS) selects for verification, with the exception of students receiving unsubsidized loans only. The CPS will select applicants for verification based on edit checks which identify inconsistencies and/or potential errors. CSU must also verify any application the university has reason to believe is incorrect or discrepant. All financial aid applicants are encouraged to file federal income tax returns for applicant, parent and/or spouse as applicable, prior to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will allow students and prospective students to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval tool when completing the FAFSA. The IRS Data Retrieval tool saves time and increases the accuracy of the financial information collected on the FAFSA. The IRS Data Retrieval tool is also the fastest and most secure solution for meeting verification requirements if applicable. Students selected for verification will be sent an notification with a secure username and password directing them to login to the CSU Financial Aid Portal. This portal will allow students to view all required financial aid documents, check the status of their financial aid application and view their financial aid award

9 once complete. If CSU receives a subsequent FAFSA for a student selected for verification after they have been initially awarded federal financial aid, all future disbursements will be placed on hold. The student will be notified of the verification requirements and will have 30 days to complete the process. If verification is not complete, all previously disbursed federal financial aid will be returned which will result in a balance due on the student account. The data reported on the verification worksheet, federal tax transcript and other supporting documentation provided is checked against the appropriate data elements on the FAFSA. All conflicting information will need to be corrected on the ISIR by the school or student as applicable and a new expected family contribution (EFC) will be calculated. Students will not be awarded federal financial aid until verification is complete. If CSU receives a subsequent ISIR affecting overall financial aid eligibility, the financial aid award will be adjusted as applicable. The updated information may require a return of already received federal student aid funds resulting in a balance due on the student account. A student will be notified via of any changes and directed to login to the CSU Financial Aid Portal to view the updated award information and/or additional requirements. Referrals will be made to the Office of Inspector General should there be allegations of fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with an applicant s application for financial aid. What if I do not complete all verification requirements? Students will not be awarded federal student aid until all verification requirements are complete. If CSU receives a subsequent FAFSA for a student selected for verification after they have been initially awarded federal student aid, all future disbursements will be placed on hold. The student will be notified of the verification requirements and will have 30 days to complete the process. If verification is not complete, all previously disbursed federal student aid will be returned which will result in a balance due on the student account. What is the document deadline to complete verification requirements? CSU offers several 8 Week Term start dates throughout the award year. Below are the deadlines in which an unconditionally admitted student must have all required financial aid documents on file in order to enroll in applicable Term. FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS DEADLINE TERM START DATE June 24, A15 - July 16, 2014 July 22, B15 - August 13, 2014 August 26, A15 - September 17, 2014 September 23, B15 - October 15, 2014

10 Remaining Eligible for Federal Student Aid In order to continue to receive federal student aid to attend Columbia Southern University, it is important students stay eligible. Students will need to continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and fill out the FAFSA each year. The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is below. You may reapply for federal student aid each year at What is Satisfactory Academic Progress? Federal regulations require CSU to establish and apply reasonable standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for eligible students to receive financial assistance under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. CSU students who wish to be considered for financial aid must: Be in good standing at the university and Maintain satisfactory academic progress in their program of study as set forth in this policy. SAP is an eligibility requirement and is administered by the university in addition to the academic standards of performance required under the CSU Academic Progress Policy. The SAP policy is reviewed annually by the Office of Financial Aid. Students are evaluated for SAP at the end of every payment period, which is equivalent to eight weeks of instruction. All students are evaluated on three standards: grade point average (qualitative measure), pace of completion (quantitative measure), and maximum timeframe. To maintain eligibility under SAP, students must meet all three standards. Standard 1: Grade Point Average (Qualitative Measure) Students must maintain a minimum qualitative measure of progress defined as the cumulative GPA. The requirements are listed below: Students in undergraduate programs must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Students in graduate programs must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA Standard 2: Pace of Completion (Quantitative Measure) Students (either full-time or part-time) must achieve a passing rate of at least 67 percent of all hours attempted. Hours attempted include completed courses, repeated courses, withdrawals, and incompletes. Transfer credit, if applicable, is also calculated in the pace of completion. Standard 3: Maximum Timeframe Students must complete their degree program within 150 percent of the semester hour requirements for the degree. Students must complete an associate degree within 90 semester hours, a bachelor s degree within 180 semester hours, a master s degree within 54 semester hours and a doctoral degree within 92 semester hours. Students who are unable to complete their degree program within the timeframe limitation will no longer be eligible to use federal student aid to cover any costs associated with completing their degree program. Transfer credit, if applicable, is also calculated in the maximum timeframe calculation.

11 Maximum Timeframe is measured cumulatively for students pursuing multiple degrees at the same degree level. For example, a student pursuing a second Bachelor s degree with CSU is subject to the 150 percent maximum time frame requirement for obtaining the second Bachelor s degree. SAP Policy Notification Students are notified of the SAP policy in the CSU catalog, website and during the initial financial aid application process. All periods of enrollment at CSU are calculated in SAP, including periods of enrollment during which a student did not receive financial aid. Cumulative GPAs are calculated using grades earned at CSU. Transfer Credits Transfer credits accepted toward the student s degree program will be included when calculating the SAP maximum timeframe and quantitative progress. This includes credit for English as a Second Language (ESL) and remedial courses, if accepted toward the degree program. Repeated Courses Students receiving Title IV Aid may repeat a course, as allowed under CSU academic policy. Repeated courses will count toward the quantitative and maximum timeframe SAP standards. Incomplete Grades Students receiving federal student aid may receive incomplete grades, as allowed under CSU academic policy. Incomplete grades will count toward the qualitative, quantitative and maximum timeframe standards of SAP. Students who do not complete course requirements after an incomplete grade is assigned will receive a course grade based on the assignments completed with zeroes being assigned for non-completed assignments. Change of Program Generally, all periods of enrollment count when assessing satisfactory academic progress. All attempted hours will be included in satisfactory academic progress determination when a student changes degree programs (majors) at the same degree level (e.g. Bachelor s to Bachelor s). SAP Evaluation SAP is evaluated after every payment period. Students who fail to meet SAP standards will be placed on SAP Warning for one payment period and will be expected to work with their academic advisor to discuss enrollment options. Students placed on a SAP Warning will be sent an notification from the Office of Financial Aid. A Warning period lasts for one payment period during which a student is eligible to receive federal student aid. Students on SAP Warning status who fail to meet SAP standards at the end of their Warning period will not be eligible to receive federal student aid unless they successfully appeal and are placed on SAP Probation. Appeal Guidelines Students not meeting SAP at the end of a Warning period may appeal if they have extenuating circumstances, such as injury or illness, the death of a relative, or other special circumstances. The appeal must explain why the student was not able to make satisfactory academic progress during the period of substandard academic performance and what has changed that will allow a student to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the next evaluation. Appeals will not be considered without supporting documentation.

12 Appeals should be in writing and addressed to: Columbia Southern University, SAP Appeals Committee, Office of the Registrar, University Lane, Orange Beach, AL Appeal letters should include reasons for failing to meet SAP standards, supporting documentation, and a plan of action describing what has changed that will allow a student to meet SAP standards at the next evaluation. The committee will make every effort to consider each appeal carefully and provide a decision within seven to 10 business days. SAP Probation Appeals that are approved will result in a student being placed on SAP Probation, and will require collaboration with the assigned academic advisor to develop an academic plan that will lead to successful degree completion. While on SAP Probation, students will continue to be evaluated for SAP at the end of each payment period to ensure the student is meeting the standards of the academic plan. If the student is meeting the requirements of the academic plan, the student is eligible to receive Title IV as long as the student continues to meet those requirements. Reestablishing Aid Eligibility To regain eligibility for federal financial aid, a student must do ALL of the following: Successfully complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in undergraduate program or 6 semester hours in graduate program at Columbia Southern University without using federal student aid; Complete 100 percent of attempted semester hours; and Meet quantitative, qualitative and maximum time frame standards. Students who satisfy the above requirements must contact the Office of Financial Aid to request reinstatement.