COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES BETHEL SEMINARY COLLEGE OF ADULT & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES GRADUATE SCHOOL WHAT TO DO AFTER YOU RE AWARDED YOUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FINANCIAL AID AT BETHEL UNIVERSITY 2014 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview of Steps... 1 Step 1: Understanding Your Financial Aid Award....2 Step 2: Tell Us About Any Changes or Additions....3 Step 3: Estimate Your School Bill....3 Step 4: Choose Your Loans....3 Step 5: Complete the Application Process for Each Loan....6 Direct Loans....6 Federal Perkins Loans.... 7 Direct PLUS Loans....8 Private Loans....9 Minnesota State Grants....10 Business Office Policies....12 OVERVIEW OF STEPS Five Steps to Finalizing Aid After You re Awarded Step 1 Understand your Financial Aid Award. See page 2. Step 2 Tell us about any changes or additions. See page 3. Step 3 Estimate your school bill. See page 3. Step 4 Choose your loans. See page 3. Step 5 Complete the loan application process. See pages 6-10. Veteran Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits....12 Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy....13 Student Employment....14 Refunds....15 Payment Planner....18 Estimated Cost of Attendance.... 20 Other Tuition Rates and Fees....21....21 College of Adult & Professional Studies.... 22 Graduate School.... 22 Doctoral Programs.... 23 FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ONLINE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES (CAS our traditional undergraduate college) cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/after-award COLLEGE OF ADULT & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (CAPS for adults) caps.bethel.edu/financial-aid/after-awarded GRADUATE SCHOOL (GS) gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/after-awarded BETHEL SEMINARY (SEMINARY) seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/after-awarded Seminary.... 23 Frequently Asked Questions.... 24 Key Dates.... 29 1
Step 1 UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCIAL AID AWARD GIFT AID This section includes grants and scholarships you don t have to pay back. See the total at the bottom under Total Gift Aid for each semester and the current academic year. Visit the following sites to learn more about the scholarships available at Bethel. cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships College of Adult & Professional Studies caps.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/grants-scholarships Graduate School gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/grants-scholarships Seminary seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships LOAN ELIGIBILITY This section provides you with the total amount and type of loans you may borrow. ONLINE You can also find your Financial Aid Award online through Blink (blink. bethel.edu) > Student Services tab > Financial Aid Awards channel. Here, you can also complete all the documents you ll need to finalize your financial aid. ESTIMATED If you submit your FAFSA before completing your federal 2013 taxes, or prior to completing the verification process, you ll receive an estimated Financial Aid Award package. If your award is estimated, you must correct/ change the income data after your federal taxes are completed. Visit www.fafsa.gov to make corrections. Step 2 TELL US ABOUT ANY CHANGES OR ADDITIONS After you review your Financial Aid Award, tell us if you have other assistance you ve received outside of Bethel that s not listed on your award things like: Grants Scholarships Employer reimbursement Military educational benefits Also tell us if you have changed your plans for enrollment or housing. Step 3 ESTIMATE YOUR SCHOOL BILL Use the tool on p. 18-19. Now you ll want to know how much your education will cost. Refer to tuition and fees rates on the following pages:...see p. 20-21 College of Adult & Professional Studies... See p. 21 Graduate School... See p. 22 Seminary... See p. 23 Disclaimer: Prices reported in this guide are subject to change without notice. Step 4 CHOOSE YOUR LOANS Most of our students borrow to pay some of their school bill. If you d like to use student loans to help pay your school bill, there are several options. Check out the enclosed award letter to see which loans you are eligible to borrow, and compare your options in the chart on p. 4-5. DECLINING LOANS If you do not need to borrow loans, you should decline your loans by returning the loan response form you received with your award or by declining the loans through Blink (blink.bethel.edu) > Student Services tab > Financial Aid Award channel. 2 3
Educational Loans Type of Loan Borrower Fees Make Payments Interest Rate Standard More Info while in School? Repayment and Apply Federal Perkins None No 5.0% fixed Up to 10 years p. 7 students only Direct Subsidized Undergraduate Students 1.072% No 3.86% fixed * Up to 10 years p. 6 Direct Unsubsidized All Students 1.072% Interest accrues. 5.41% fixed * Up to 10 years p. 6 Optional in-school (graduate) payment. 3.86% fixed * (undergraduate) If PLUS/Private Loan Eligibility is listed on your award letter, choose an option below: Type of Loan Borrower Fees Make Payments Interest Rate Standard More Info while in School? Repayment and Apply Direct PLUS Graduate students, or 4.288% Yes 6.41% fixed * Up to 10 years p. 8 (application required) parents of dependent undergraduate students Private All Students Varies Interest accrues. Varies based Varies p. 9 (application required) May need a credit-worthy Optional in-school on market (10+ years) cosigner payment. conditions and credit score ** * Federal loans disbursed between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. * * The Prime Rate in February 2014 was 3.25 % according to the Wall Street Journal. Since the interest rate on most private loans is market-driven, students and parents with good credit may discover that private educational loan interest rates and borrower fees may be significantly less than the interest rate and fees paid on Federal PLUS and/or Direct Unsubsidized Loans. TIP BORROW WISELY. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR BORROWING HISTORY. 4 5
Step 5 COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR EACH LOAN The following pages explain each loan type in detail. Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Direct Loans are a popular choice for Bethel students. To apply for either of these loans, follow these two easy steps: 1. Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and your Master Promissory Note. You only need to do this if you re a first-time borrower at Bethel. Visit the following web pages and follow the instructions: cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/sub-unsub College of Adult & Professional Studies caps.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/sub-unsub Graduate School gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/unsub Seminary seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/unsub Maximum Amounts You Can Borrow Per Year: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Academic Dependent Independent Maximum Amount Level Students Students that can be Subsidized Freshman $ 5,500 $ 9,500 $ 3,500 Sophomore $ 6,500 $ 10,500 $ 4,500 Junior/Senior $ 7,500 $ 12,500 $ 5,500 Graduate student NA $ 20,500 $ 0 Maximum Amounts You Can Borrow Overall (Aggregate Loan Limits) Student Type Loan Limits Maximum Amount that can be Subsidized Dependent Student $ 31,000 $ 23,000 Independent Student $ 57,500 $ 23,000 Graduate Student $ 138,500 NA 2. Tell us how much you will borrow through Blink (blink.bethel.edu) > Student Services tab > Financial Aid Awards channel > Choose Academic Year 2014-15 > Accept Award (based on how much you wish to accept) > Follow the instructions > Submit Decision to save your request. DIRECT LOAN FEATURES Fixed interest rate for the life of loans first disbursed July 1, 2013- June 30, 2014 (graduate, 5.41%; undergraduate, 3.86%) Loan fee of 1.072% Direct Subsidized: No interest payment while you re in school at least part time Direct Unsubsidized: Not need based. The interest accrues while you re in school, but you may pay the interest as you go. If you choose not to make interest payments while in school, the interest over the years of the loan will be added to the original amount you borrowed (the principal) when you start paying your loans back, leading to higher monthly payments. The funds will be disbursed directly into your Bethel student account. Loan funds are equally disbursed between all terms of at least half-time enrollment. For both loans, you ll typically have 10 years to pay them off, beginning six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment status (six credits for undergraduate students; three credits for graduate students). For both loans, the minimum payment is $50 a month. TIP ONLY BORROW WHAT YOU NEED. APPLY FOR PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND WORK TO EARN EXTRA MONEY. Federal Perkins Loan only Not all students are eligible for a Perkins Loan. So if you have this option on your award, you ll need to complete the application process by July 1 otherwise your Perkins eligibility may be reduced or cancelled. Apply Online: 1. Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and your Master Promissory Note first. Repeat Perkins borrowers can skip this step and go directly to step 2. Visit cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/after-award/process-loans/ perkins and follow the instructions. 2. Tell us how much you will borrow through Blink (blink.bethel.edu) > Student Services tab > Financial Aid Awards channel > Choose Academic Year 2014-15 > Accept Award (based on how much you wish to accept) > Follow the instructions > Submit Decision to save your request. 6 7
PERKINS LOAN FEATURES 5% interest rate for the life of the loan No loan fee Loan entrance and exit counseling is required. You ll be charged interest nine months after you graduate or drop below half-time status. The minimum payment is $40 a month. Need-based Priority is given to CAS freshmen and sophomores who complete their financial aid file by April 1. Freshmen are eligible for up to $2,000; sophomores up to $1,000 Direct PLUS Loan Some families choose a Direct PLUS loan to help cover some or all of their student s expenses. To apply for these loans, follow these steps: 1. Undergraduate students visit: cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/after-award/ process-loans/plus to begin the process. Graduate School students visit: gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/plus. Seminary students visit: seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/plus. 2. Your parent (or you if you re a graduate student) will be asked to sign in with borrower information. (Visit pin.ed.gov if you do not have your PIN.) 3. Select Request a Direct PLUS Loan. 4. Go through the application process (which includes a credit check) to confirm approval or denial of the loan. Your parent (or you) will need to decide how much to accept. If you choose maximum amount, we will process the loan for the maximum amount for which you are eligible. 5. Approved first-time borrowers will need to continue the process and complete a Master Promissory Note. PLUS LOAN FEATURES 6.41% interest rate for the life of the loan (2013-2014),for loans first disbursed July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014 Loan fee of 4.288% Credit check required Repayment will begin 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed (around April 1 for a full-year loan). You can borrow up to the amount listed under PLUS/Private Loan Eligibility on your Financial Aid Award. If none is listed, contact the Office of Financial Aid. The minimum payment is $50 a month. PLUS LOAN DENIAL (applies only to parents of dependent undergraduate students) If your PLUS loan is denied and your parent chooses not to appeal the decision or obtain an endorser, you, if you are a dependent student, will become eligible for additional Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Freshmen and sophomores may borrow up to $4,000 per year; juniors and seniors may borrow up to $5,000 per year. Let us know if you plan to borrow the additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan through completion of a Loan Request form or through Blink. Visit cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/forms for the Loan Request form. Private Loans Private loans are non-federal loans that accrue interest while you re enrolled in school. Your interest rates will vary. Choose your school link below, then compare loans (click on FASTChoice) and apply for a private loan. After you apply, plan on a minimum of 30 days from the date of application for the loan funds to be disbursed. 1. To apply: cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/private College of Adult & Professional Studies caps.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/private Graduate School gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/private Seminary seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/private 2. Use your Payment Planner (p. 18-19) to determine how much to borrow. You can borrow up to the maximum loan amount as shown under PLUS/Private Loan Eligibility on your Financial Aid Award. If none is listed, contact us. 3. You ll need to complete a self-certification form (provided by the lender) before the lender will release loan funds. REMINDER LOAN FUNDS ARE EQUALLY DISBURSED BETWEEN ALL TERMS WHERE YOU ARE ENROLLED AT LEAST HALF-TIME. Payments may be deferred while you re enrolled by contacting the servicer of the PLUS Loan. Visit www.nslds.ed.gov for servicer contact 8 information. 9
Choosing a Lender for Private Loans We know the process of finding a lender can be confusing! That s why we evaluate potential lenders every year. At minimum, we require that our preferred lenders: Demonstrate a commitment to helping borrowers avoid default by proactively contacting them when they re late on payments and providing resources to help borrowers manage money and avoid borrowing too much. Demonstrate the commitment and ability to provide educational loans for the long term. Clearly communicate the terms and conditions of their educational loans. Preferred Lenders Bank of North Dakota Dakota Education 800.472.2166, Alternative Loan (DEAL) ext. 328.5660 Charter One TruFit Student Loan 800.721.3969 Discover Certified Private Loans 877.728.3030 Office of Higher Education SELF (Student Education 800.657.3866 Loan Fund) Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan 888.272.5543 Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan, MedCap 800.658.3567 Alternative Loan for Health Professionals You may select any lender you prefer for your private educational loans. You will not be penalized or have unnecessary delay if you choose a different lender than those on our list. MINNESOTA STATE GRANTS Undergraduates only The Minnesota State Grant helps Minnesota students from low- and moderate-income families pay for educational expenses at eligible Minnesota colleges or universities. Deadline Your FAFSA must be received by the federal application processing center by these dates: Fall Semester... September 16, 2014 Spring Semester...January 27, 2015 Summer Semester...June 30, 2015 Eligible students who miss this deadline must wait until the next semester to receive a Minnesota State Grant. State Grants Formula The Minnesota State Legislature determines the state grant formula in May. Awards made prior to that time are estimated. All Minnesota State Grant awards are subject to change if the Minnesota State Legislature or the Minnesota Office of Higher Education changes the state grant formula. When the formula changes, Bethel will recalculate state grants for all students and notify you of the new grant amount. Revisions The anticipated enrollment students report on their Bethel University Financial Aid Application is used when calculating the amount of the Minnesota State Grant. If not listed, Bethel assumes the CAS student is registered for 15 credits fall semester, 3 interim credits, and 15 credits spring semester. About three weeks after the beginning of spring semester, the financial aid office recalculates state grant eligibility based on actual enrollment. These changes are made retroactive to the beginning of the semester. Students are notified in an updated award letter if their grant changes. Maximum State Grant Based on 15 Credits Per Semester The amount of Minnesota State Grant varies depending on how many credits you take each semester. The maximum award is offered to those taking at least 15 credits per semester. For CAS students, credits taken during interim will count first toward the spring semester but can also count toward fall semester for the purpose of calculating a Minnesota State Grant, as illustrated below. Enrollment Credits Credits Used in MN State Grant Calculation Fall Interim Spring Fall MN State Spring MN State Grant Credits Grant Credits 12 3 12 12 fall + 0 interim = 12 3 interim + 12 spring = 15 13 3 14 13 fall + 2 interim = 15 1 interim + 14 spring = 15 14 0 16 14 fall + 0 interim = 14 0 interim + 16 spring = 16 Credits from fall semester cannot be applied toward a spring semester Minnesota State Grant (or vice versa). Only interim credits can migrate to either fall or spring semester. Four Years of Eligibility Once you ve attempted the equivalent of four years of full-time postsecondary education at any institution, you will not be eligible for a Minnesota State Grant. Check with a financial aid counselor if you have questions about the effects of additional schooling on your Minnesota State Grant eligibility. This applies to all undergraduate students. 10 11
BUSINESS OFFICE POLICIES While the Office of Financial Aid manages your financial aid, Bethel s Business Office processes your bills. Here are some important policies you ll want to know about billing here at Bethel. Credit Balances Federal financial aid regulations require that Bethel University return excess federal money to the student. Title IV funds that exceed the current and anticipated semester costs (registered semester courses and related fees) will be mailed to you within 14 days of the latter of when you begin classes for the term or when the credit balance is created. Tuition Reimbursement If you re eligible for tuition reimbursement from your employer, contact the Bethel Business Office at 651.638.6208 or business-office@bethel.edu to request tuition reimbursement invoices. Upon your request, the Business Office will send you tuition reimbursement invoices during the last week of the course for you to give to your employer. Employer tuition reimbursement is not considered a payment option. You ll still be responsible to pay tuition when due. Veteran Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits To determine if you qualify for VA benefits, call toll-free 888.442.4551. If you qualify for VA benefits and intend to use them, contact the certifying official at Bethel University at 651.635.8734 (800.255.8706, ext. 8734). Communicate any change in your registration or withdrawal to the certifying official at Bethel. You re responsible for sending your course schedule, tuition and fee statement, and grades to the VA. After the VA has received your certification, an authorization for benefits is sent to Bethel. The Business Office will submit an invoice for payment to the VA. Receipt of payment will take approximately six to eight weeks. If you withdraw from a course that was paid by the VA, tuition will be refunded in accordance with accepted government regulations. Monthly Payment Plan students have the option to sign up for a monthly payment plan for an enrollment fee of $20 a semester. Visit bethel.edu/business-office or contact the Business Office at 651.638.6208 (800.255.8706, ext. 6208) for more information. FINANCIAL AID SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY Bethel University has two methods of monitoring student achievement. One method is an Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal process administered by faculty committees. This committee measures academic progress via a student s grade point average, and will, if necessary, place restrictions on the number of courses you can take, restrict co-curricular activities, and dismiss you. Appeals are submitted to the Academic Appeals Committee for review. A second method is a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FA- SAP) policy administered by the financial aid office. The FA-SAP policy is mandated by federal and state laws and regulations, and involves the monitoring of cumulative grade point average, pace of completion (ratio of completed to attempted courses), and the total number of courses students attempt. Students who do not meet the minimum FA-SAP standards may lose eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Failure to Meet Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards If you are not meeting the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress standards you ll be placed on Financial Aid Warning status. Following a Warning term, if you still don t meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, you ll become ineligible for financial aid and will have your financial aid eligibility terminated. Frequency of Review Student academic progress is reviewed after fall, spring, and summer semesters. The entire FA-SAP policy is available online: cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/maintaining-eligibility/academicprogress College of Adult & Professional Studies caps.bethel.edu/financial-aid/eligibility/academic-progress Graduate School gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/maintaining-eligibility/academicprogress Seminary seminary.bethel.edu/financial-aid/maintaining-eligibility/ academic-progress 12 13
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT If you re a new student who has been awarded work study, we ll help place you in an on-campus job for fall semester if you submit your application by May 10. You will be notified by August 1 if we are able to place you in a job. Visit bethel.edu/offices/financial-aid/studentemployment/application to apply. If you re a returning CAS student, you missed the May 10 deadline, or you weren t awarded work study, you can still find a job on campus. Visit bethel.edu/offices/financial-aid/studentemployment/jobs for current openings. Visit bethel.edu/career-services if you prefer to work off campus. Lots of options are available. Students work in athletics, bus driving, clerical, computer, childcare, library, and security, among others. Most new students work in either facilities management or food service. Others work in off-campus federal work study community service positions, such as reading tutors or childcare workers. The amount of work study on your award letter may differ from what you earn. While we may offer $2,500 in work study, we are not able to guarantee employment or that you will earn that much. Most students work 3-10 hours a week. The 2014-15 pay rate starts at $7.45 per hour, depending on your position. What you end up earning depends on your rate of pay and how many hours you work. You must complete an I-9 form within three days of starting your Bethel job. Check out bethel.edu/offices/financial-aid/student-employment/hired or visit us in the financial aid office. You can get paid either by check or direct deposit. Most students choose direct deposit. Your earnings will be deposited into your bank account on payday. If you choose to be paid by check, your check will be placed in your Bethel P.O. box every two weeks, following the payroll cycle. REFUNDS If you need to withdraw from all classes, CAS and Seminary students will want to notify the Office of Student Life, while CAPS and GS students should contact their student success advisor. If you withdraw from classes or drop out of school in the middle of a term, you may be eligible for a refund. There are two types of refunds: refunds of institutional charges (tuition, room, meal plan, etc.) and refunds of financial aid. A refund of institutional charges credits money to your student account (decreasing what you owe). A refund of financial aid reduces the amount of financial aid available to pay the institutional charges (increasing what you owe). Refunds for tuition and housing are based on the date of official withdrawal, as illustrated below: Refund College of Seminary CAPS Arts & Sciences and GS 100% Through 6th day Through Saturday of semester of the 1st week of semester 75% Through Friday Through Saturday of 3rd week of the 3rd week 50% Through Friday Through Saturday of 5th week of the 5th week 25% Through Friday Through Saturday of 7th week of the 7th week 0% After Friday After Saturday of 7th week of the 7th week Course Fee Refunds Before courses begin, a full refund is granted, provided the change is made in writing before the day the class begins. Once a class begins, refunds for dropped courses will be granted according to a sliding scale, which is available from the financial aid office upon request. Course fees are refunded in full through the 100% tuition refund period; after that, there is no refund of course fees. Meal Plan Refunds If you have a meal plan and you officially withdraw or are suspended and want to cancel your meal plan, contact the Office of Campus Services. You may receive a prorated refund of your meal plan based on either your last date on the meal plan or your withdrawal date, whichever is later. 14 15
Financial Aid Refunds If you withdraw from all courses during the 100% tuition refund period, you ll have all of your financial aid refunded (removed from your student account) unless you complete a Supplemental Withdrawal Form (available in the Office of Student Life) documenting your attendance at each class. Once the Supplemental Withdrawal Form has been received, the federal financial aid refund policy will be calculated. If you receive a full (100%) refund of tuition, you re ineligible for any state, institutional, or private sources of financial aid. Federal (Return of Title IV Funds) Refund Policy If you have federal aid and withdraw (or are expelled) after a semester starts but before completing 60% of the term, you may need to return a portion of your federal (Title IV) aid. The percentage of Title IV aid to be returned is equal to the number of days you were enrolled divided by the number of calendar days in the enrollment period. Scheduled breaks of more than four consecutive days are excluded. Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) Financial Aid Refund Policy Bethel is required to use the OHE financial aid refund policy when calculating refunds for Minnesota State Grants and Minnesota SELF loans. You ll be able to keep funds earned through the Minnesota State Work Study Program prior to withdrawing from Bethel. Financial Aid Refunds for Institutional and Private Funds After calculating the federal and Minnesota financial aid refund policies, institutional and private gift aid is reduced by the same percent as your tuition was reduced. This is a summary of the current refund policy. The complete policy is located in each school s catalog. cas.bethel.edu/academics/catalog College of Adult & Professional Studies caps.bethel.edu/academics/catalog Graduate School gs.bethel.edu/academics/catalog Seminary seminary.bethel.edu/catalog 16 17
PAYMENT PLANNER 2014 15 Calculate Your Estimated Bill Tuition and Fees Interim and Fall Spring Year Tuition and fees $ 16,495 $ 16,495 $ 32,990 Room (1st year in CAS housing)* $ 2,700 $ 2,700 $ 5,400 Meal plan (CAS students only)** $ 1,875 $ 2,165 $ 4,040 Additional charges: (health insurance, class fees and CAS parking permits) $ $ $ A. Estimated annual school bill $ 21,070 $ 21,360 $ 42,430 Gift aid and available cash Grants $ $ $ Scholarships $ $ $ Cash paid at beginning of term $ $ $ B. Subtotal: gift aid and cash paid $ $ $ C. Estimated amount due to Bethel (A B) $ $ $ Calculate Student Loans Perkins Loan $ $ $ Direct Subsidized Loan $ $ $ Direct Unsubsidized Loan $ $ $ D. Subtotal: student loans $ $ $ E. Estimated remaining balance (C D)*** $ $ $ Tuition and Fees College of Adult & Professional Studies, Graduate School, and Seminary Interim and Fall Spring Summer Year Multiply the # of credits per semester by the per-credit tuition rate Number of credits Per credit tuition rate (p. 22-23) $ $ $ $ A. Estimated annual tuition $ $ $ $ Gift Aid and Available Cash Grants $ $ $ $ Scholarships $ $ $ $ Military benefits $ $ $ $ Cash paid at beginning of term $ $ $ $ B. Subtotal: gift aid and cash paid $ $ $ $ C. Estimated balance after gift aid and cash $ $ $ $ Calculate Student Loans Direct Subsidized Loan (Undergrads only) $ $ $ $ Direct Unsubsidized Loan $ $ $ $ Grad PLUS or private loans $ $ $ $ D. Subtotal: student loans $ $ $ $ E. Estimated remaining balance (C D)*** $ $ $ $ * The room rate for new students will not increase provided they live in campus housing every semester. Room rates for returning students are available at cas.bethel.edu/student-life/residence-life/costs *** Private or PLUS loans (p. 8-9) are available to help cover the remaining balance. CAS students may sign up for a monthly payment plan (p. 12). In addition, students are responsible for purchasing books and supplies. ** Meal plan rate for new students in campus housing. Options for returning students are available at bethel.edu/offices/dining-services/meal-plans/ plans 18 19
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE Cost of Attendance (COA) has two basic components. The first is direct costs where all students pay fixed predetermined amounts such as tuition and fees. The other is indirect costs including books and supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and living expenses, such as housing and food. These figures are then added to the direct costs to arrive at the total COA. Fall, Interim, and Spring Semesters Tuition...$32,840 (12-18 credits for fall and spring semesters, plus 1-5 credits for interim) Student activity fee... $150 Housing expenses (per year new student rate)...$5,400 Meal plan* (20 meals per week)...$4,040 Subtotal: direct costs for a full-time, on-campus student... $42,430 Books and supplies (estimated)...$1,110 Personal expenses (estimated)...$2,290 Subtotal: estimated indirect expenses... $3,400 (often paid out of pocket from student earnings) Total cost of attendance (estimated)... $45,830 Graduate School Physician Assistant Program Fall, Spring and Summer Terms Tuition (56 credits x $710)... $39,760 Fees (estimated)...$775 Subtotal: direct costs (estimated)... $40,535 Books and supplies (estimated)... $2,585 Housing (estimated)**... $6,156 Food allowance*...$2,460 Miscellaneous personal expense allowance*...$9,228 Indirect costs (estimated)... $17,844 Total cost of attendance (estimated)... $60,964 * The meal plan contracts, which include prices for all meal plan options, will be posted at cas.bethel.edu/student-services/meal-plans as soon as they are available. The breakdown of meal plan prices for fall, interim, and spring is determined based on the number of days that meals are served in each term. OTHER TUITION RATES AND FEES Interim tuition... see charges below Tuition overload fee... $974 per credit (for each credit over 18 credits in a semester) Tuition for part-time students...$1,370/credit (fewer than 12 credits per semester) Tuition for post-baccalaureate and teacher licensure students... $872/credit Summer 2015 tuition (all students)... $455/credit Audit fee...$260/credit Parking permit (no charge for summer)... $100/semester Student health insurance... $1,110/year (required if not insured elsewhere) (2013-2014 rate for non-athletes) Additional course fees are attached to some courses as indicated in registration materials for each semester. Interim Charges If you enroll for at least 12 credits for both fall and spring terms and pay the block tuition rate of $16,420 per semester, you will not be charged tuition for 1-5 credits taken at Bethel during interim. Fall and spring term tuition is not reduced if you do not enroll in an interim course at Bethel. If you are charged tuition on a per credit basis for either fall or spring, you ll be charged for interim tuition, as illustrated below. Interim housing is at no additional charge for students who are enrolled in Bethel housing for both fall and spring semesters. Interim meal-plan charges are billed with spring charges. If you re involved in off-campus semester programs, you may be charged interim tuition. If you re studying abroad over interim, you ll have additional program costs. Contact the Office of Off-Campus Programs (651.638.6549) for detailed information. Charges for Interim (CAS) Fall Interim Spring Interim Tuition 12-18 credits 1-5 credits 12-18 credits No additional charge 12-18 credits 4 credits 0-11 credits 2 credits of tuition at the part-time rate 0-11 credits 4 credits 0-11 credits 4 credits of tuition at the part-time rate * * Actual expenses will depend on your housing arrangements and personal choices. 20 21
College of Adult & Professional Studies Tuition rates listed per credit. Graduate School Doctoral Programs Tuition rates listed per credit. Business Management (B.A.)...$475 Christian Ministries (B.A.)...$430 Communication Studies (B.A.)... $455 General Studies (A.A.)...$430 Healthcare Leadership (B.A.)...$475 Healthcare Leadership Certificate...$475 Human Resource Management Certificate...$475 Human Services (B.A.)...$475 Organizational Leadership (B.A.)...$475 Nursing (B.S.)...$500 Graduate School Tuition rates listed per credit. Academic Behavioral Strategist License... $520 Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate... $520 Autism Spectrum Disorders License... $520 Child/Adolescent Mental Health Certificate...$560 Communication (M.A.)...$490 Counseling Psychology (M.A.)...$560 Education K-12 (M.A.)... $520 Emotional/Behavioral Disorders License... $520 Gerontology Certificate... $520 Gerontology (M.A.)... $520 International Baccalaureate Certificate... $520 Learning Disabilities License... $520 Literacy Certificate...$400 Literacy Education (M.A.)...$400 MBA... $695 Nurse Educator Certificate...$575 Nurse Leader Certificate...$575 Nurse-Midwifery... $740 Nursing (M.S.)...$575 Organizational Leadership (M.A.)... $520 Physician Assistant (M.S.)... $710 Postsecondary Certificate... $520 Special Education (M.A.)... $520 Strategic Leadership (M.A.)... $695 Teacher Coordinator of Work-based Learning License... $520 Teachers of Computer, Keyboarding, and Related Technology Applications License... $520 Director of Special Education License...$680 Higher Education Leadership (Ed.D.)...$680 K-12 Leadership (Ed.D.)...$680 Principal License...$680 Superintendent License...$680 Seminary Tuition rate per semester hour unless otherwise noted. InMinistry (all campuses)... $565 Residential Programs St. Paul... $565 San Diego... $565 Doctor of Ministry Cohort program... $550 Self-directed program... $355 Audit Fees per audit hour Normal audit rate... $100 Pastors, full-time employees of Christian ministry agencies, and students age 60+... $50 Lifetime auditors... $25 Master s degree-seeking students and their spouses...$0 (excludes InMinistry courses) Student activity fee (per semester, fall and spring semesters only) Student activity fee... $0-$30 Independent Study Surcharge (fee per course) Master s programs... $250 Doctor of Ministry programs... $250 Assessment, Testing, and Participation Fees (per event, for select courses) Formation assessments...$400 Vocational assessments... $300-$320 Participation fees... $20-$100 D.Min. assessments... $355 Teaching License (various concentrations)... $520 D.Min. extension fees (per semester)... $350 Teaching (M.A.)... $520 22 23
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS I m a student. What happens to my financial aid if I get married? Students do not always receive a better financial aid package because they are married. To determine whether it s best for you to complete your FAFSA before you get married or after, visit www.getreadyforcollege.org and click on Financial Aid Estimator. Complete two estimates, one as a single student (using parents data) and one as a married independent student (using your future spouse s data). Print the results of your estimates, then schedule an appointment with a Bethel financial aid counselor to discuss the results. Bring copies of both estimate results to your appointment. I m a student. Can I receive financial aid if I study abroad? Yes, as long as you re studying in a Bethel-sponsored, off-campus program that complies with federal Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations. You will not receive more in grants and scholarships if your study abroad program costs more than a semester at Bethel. You ll have to apply for additional loans to cover the difference. Institutional grants and scholarships may be used for one study abroad semester. If you re a student, visit cas.bethel. edu/financial-aid/before-apply/aid-changes/study-abroad for additional information and to view the list of financial aid-eligible study abroad programs. Will repeating a class to improve my grade point average affect my financial aid? On occasion, you may repeat a course to improve your grade point average. You may receive financial aid for the course provided you earned a grade of W or F on the original course, or you only passed the course once. Where can I find additional private scholarships (outside of Bethel)? We encourage you to seek out scholarships outside of Bethel! Begin your search on Bethel s website at bethel.edu/financial-aid. Also talk to your high school guidance office, your local civic organizations, and your employers (yours and your parents ). What happens to my aid if I receive a private scholarship? A scholarship may reduce your work and/or loan eligibility to keep your total aid package within federal limits. Bethel-controlled grants and scholarships are reduced if total gift aid from all sources exceeds the federal aid budget for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies. What is the Partnership program? Bethel offers three partnership programs. The Partnership Scholarship provides an opportunity for church scholarships of up to $2,000/year to be matched for students. The Ministry Partnership Program allows Seminary students from partner churches and parachurch organizations to receive a scholarship from Bethel. The $500/semester Corporate Partnership Scholarship is for students enrolled in the Graduate School or the College of Adult & Professional Studies who are employed by corporate partners. Visit the following websites to learn more: cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships/bethel/partnership College of Adult & Professional Studies caps.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/grants-scholarships Graduate School gs.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/grants-scholarships Seminary seminary.bethel.edu/admissions/partnerships/ministry-partnership What happens to my gift aid if I receive military benefits? Veterans and their dependents may be entitled to benefits from a variety of programs to assist with educational expenses. Bethel-controlled grants and scholarships are reduced if total military benefits, grants, and scholarships exceed the financial aid budget for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies. CAPS, GS, and Seminary students receiving military benefits that cover full tuition are not eligible for Bethel-controlled grants and scholarships. Choose your school at bethel.edu/financial-aid, then select Types of Aid and then Military Benefits for additional information. What happens to my financial aid if I move on or off campus? If you received a Bethel On-Campus Grant/Scholarship, you must live in campus-controlled housing. If you live off campus, you forfeit these funds. Other grants and scholarships are not affected by your housing choices. Please contact the financial aid office prior to moving off campus if you have questions about how the move will affect your financial aid. Can I use financial aid to pay for my rent if I live off campus? Yes, if your financial aid exceeds your institutional charges. Contact the Business Office to receive a credit balance from your student account. What happens to my aid if I drop credits or withdraw from Bethel? If you re considering dropping credits or withdrawing totally from classes during a term, contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine the impact those changes may have. 24 25
How many credits do I need to qualify for financial aid? If you re in the, you must be full time to receive non-need-based Bethel scholarships (e.g., Dean s Scholarship, Ministerial Scholarship). If you re considering enrolling part time (1-11 credits), dropping credits, or withdrawing from college mid-term, contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine any financial aid impact these changes may produce. If you re in the College of Adult & Professional Studies, you must be enrolled for at least six credits per term (half-time status) to qualify for federal loans. Some individuals may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant with fewer credits. If you re enrolled less than half time, you have the option to apply for private loans (see p. 9). If you re a Graduate School or Bethel Seminary student, you must take at least three credits per term (half-time status) to qualify for federal student loans. Some licensure programs require six or more credits to establish half-time status. Beginning with the 2013-14 academic year, Bethel grants and scholarships will be awarded only during the fall and spring semesters provided you are enrolled for at least six credits during fall and spring. Graduate and Seminary students can visit the Maintaining Eligibility page on their financial aid website to determine the required number of credits to establish half-time status for loan eligibility. What happens to my financial aid I was awarded prior to verification? If the data on your FAFSA was accurate, your financial aid package will not change. If, however, the verification process significantly changes the FAFSA results, then there will be changes to your need-based financial aid. Visit bethel.edu/financial-aid for more information. When is financial aid applied to my student account? Grants and scholarships from Bethel are normally divided equally between fall and spring terms and applied to your account about one week before the beginning of the term. The Office of Financial Aid won t disburse funds if requests for additional information or requirements are not met. Loans are applied to student accounts after the funds are received, but no earlier than 10 days before the semester begins. Private scholarships will be applied to your account when we receive the funds. When do I pay my bill? Pay your bill at the beginning of each semester. Fall semester charges for tuition, fees, room, and board are due on August 15 (CAS). Spring semester and interim charges are due January 15 (CAS). You re responsible for your payments to reach the St. Paul Business Office when due, regardless of the source of payment. Please pay using U.S. dollars. Apply for your loans well in advance for funds to be disbursed at the beginning of the term. You ll be assessed a 1% finance charge per month on any charges 30 days past due. Enrollment for succeeding terms is dependent on full payment of the previous term s expenses. How will I know how much I owe? The Business Office will send you an email via your Bethel email around the 17th of each month when your updated monthly statement is available to view online, along with instructions. You won t receive a statement at your home address. You can keep track of your Bethel bill anytime through Blink (Student Services tab > My Statement channel > Statement and Payment History > select Statement Bill Date > View Statement). Can I pay online? Yes, through Blink (Student Services tab > My Bethel Account channel > click Make a Payment or View Account Activity and follow the prompts). You can pay online by E-check by authorizing a one-time payment of automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account; or online by MasterCard, American Express, or Discover with a non-refundable fee of 2.75% or $3 minimum, charged by PayPath processing service. Can I mail a check or pay onsite at the Bethel Business Office? Yes. Pay by cash, check, or money order in CC208 (open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). Credit cards are accepted online only. You can also pay after hours via a drop box outside the Business Office. Mail checks to: Bethel University Business Office, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112-6999. Please include your student ID number in the memo portion of the check. Do you have a monthly payment plan? students have the option to sign up for a monthly payment plan for an enrollment fee of $20 a semester. Visit bethel.edu/business-office or contact the Business Office at 651.638.6208 (800.255.8706, ext. 6208) for more information. 26 27
Do I need to re-apply for financial aid each year? Yes. You need to complete a new FAFSA and Bethel University Financial Aid Application each year. May 10 is the priority deadline for the following fall. Key Dates THAT AFFECT FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY What is the TEACH grant and who qualifies? If you plan to be a teacher, the TEACH grant provides up to $4,000 per year to eligible students. You must complete the FAFSA, an Agreement to Serve, and TEACH entrance counseling each year you receive a TEACH Grant. Undergraduate students must score above the 75th percentile on at least one admissions entrance test component (e.g., ACT, SAT) OR have a cumulative 3.25 GPA from your most recent schooling (high school GPA for first-year undergraduates, or college GPA for continuing and transfer students). May 10, 2014 CAS only July 1, 2014 July 1, 2014 Student employment application deadline for new and transfer students eligible for need-based work study Priority deadline for all loan processes (e.g., promissory notes; Loan Request Form; loan entrance counseling for Perkins and Direct Loans) Priority deadline for verification You must serve as a full-time, highly qualified teacher in a high-need field in a school serving low-income students for a minimum of four years within eight years of completing your course of study, or this grant reverts to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Visit bethel.edu/financial-aid for additional information or to complete the agreement to serve and/or receive entrance counseling. What should I do if my family s financial situation has changed? You can complete an appeal form if your family has experienced either reduced income or unusual financial challenges. Visit cas.bethel.edu/ financial-aid/apply/special-circumstances for the appeal form. Can I get financial aid during the summer? Institutional grants and scholarships are not available during the summer. However, private or federal loans are still available during the summer term. August 1, 2014 CAS only August 15, 2014 CAS only September 15, 2014 December 5, 2014 Partnership Grant forms and checks due (church matching scholarship program) Fall bill due The financial aid office begins adjusting aid for students who do not meet eligibility requirements (e.g., on-campus housing; enrolled less than full time; MN State Grant adjustments) Last day to request a federal loan for fall semester January 15, 2015 Interim and spring semester bill due CAS and Seminary only February 10, 2015 CAS only 2015-2016 Departmental Scholarship application deadline Can a Doctor of Ministry student receive financial aid? Yes. You may borrow federal student loans if you re a D.Min. student. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Bethel financial aid application to be considered for federal loans. Since students in the D.Min. program receive discounted tuition, we re unable to offer additional Bethel gift aid to most doctoral students. There are a limited number of Returning Students scholarships. February 16, 2015 May 2, 2015 The financial aid office begins adjusting aid for students who do not meet eligibility requirements (e.g., on-campus housing; enrolled less than full time; Minnesota State Grant adjustments) Last day to request a loan for spring semester 28 29
CONTACT US Office of Financial Aid Bethel University 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112 651.638.6241 800. 255.8706, ext. 6241 fax: 651.635. 1491 finaid@bethel.edu bethel.edu/financial-aid The Bethel University Office of Financial Aid adheres to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct and Bethel s Code of Conduct Governing Educational Loan Activities. Visit cas.bethel.edu/financial-aid/types/loans/conduct-code to view these documents.