Student Financial Services

• Tuition for 2023-2024 Graduate Programs
• Billing Procedures and Payment Information
• Refund Policy
• Student Financial Services
• Financial Aid Policies

Office of Student Financial Services

Billing and Student Accounts Tuition and Billing

All tuition and fees are payable by the due date in advance of each enrollment period. Students with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to pre-register for an upcoming semester unless financial arrangements have been made with the Office of Student Financial Services prior to pre-registration. Alvernia University reserves the right to change tuition, fees, and other charges from one academic semester to the next as deemed necessary by the University in order to meet its financial commitments and to fulfill its role and mission.

Tuition for 2024-2025 Graduate Programs

Billing Procedures and Payment Information

Students at Alvernia are billed each semester. The Student Invoice is available on Self-Service on the Alvernia website (www.alvernia.edu) approximately 30 days prior to the start of the upcoming semester for every student who has pre-registered. Go to: Self-Service/Finances/Payment Portal.

Payment is due at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester, and payment must be received on or before that date. Students registering after the due date are required to obtain a Student Invoice from the Office of Student Financial Services at the time of registration with payment due immediately.

Students adding a course(s) during the add/drop period are required to obtain an invoice and settle any financial obligations at that time. The amount due on the Student Invoice is the total amount of unpaid charges less any anticipated financial aid. Anticipated financial aid includes scholarships, grants, or loans for which a student is eligible but has not yet been received by the university. See the Office of Student Financial Services for details regarding financial aid awards and eligibility.

Note: The university reserves the right to cancel a schedule and require a repeat of registration for any student who does not pay his or her invoice by the due date.

For additional information call the Office of Student Financial Services at 610-796-8201, email sfs@alvernia.edu or visit Bernardine Hall 114.

Payments

Checks or money orders should be made payable to “Alvernia University.” If sent by mail, they should be addressed to: Alvernia University, Attn: Student Financial Services, 400 Saint Bernardine St., Reading, PA 19607. Payment may also be made via Self-Service. Electronic payments from bank accounts (e-checks) can be made with no additional charge. Convenience fees will apply when utilizing our accepted credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) for payment.

Payment Plan

The tuition payment plan is a service provided by CashNet on behalf of Alvernia University. Students may pay all or part of tuition on a monthly basis and interest-free. The semester fee is $30. Students will enroll via their Self-Service portal.

Late Charges: A $125 charge will be assessed on any balance due if not paid by the due date.

Past Due Obligations

Past due obligations include, but are not limited to, billing amounts past due for any semester, unpaid room damage charges, library materials, health center, athletics, or parking fines. Students are not permitted to register, receive a transcript, grade report, or diploma until past due obligations are paid. Transcripts may also be restricted, preventing their release to either the student or external institutions. The university reserves the right to submit past due accounts to its collection agencies. This can result in additional fees for the student and potentially impact their credit rating.

Collection costs which amount to approximately 33.33% of the outstanding balance, plus past and future monthly service charges as defined above, are added to any past due balances.

Returned Checks

The return of a check for any reason constitutes non-payment. A $40 fee is assessed for all checks returned unpaid by the bank.

Errors or Disputes

Inquiries concerning schedules should be referred to the Registrar’s Office. Inquiries concerning charges should be referred to the Office of Student Financial Services prior to the due date of the invoice.

Student Refunds

If your financial aid exceeds your total charges, a refund will automatically be processed. It is recommended that you enroll for direct deposit (e-refunds). This will reduce processing and mailing time and allow you to access your funds faster. Enroll on Self-Service/Finances/Payment Portal/My Account.

Authorized Payers

If another individual is responsible to pay tuition on your behalf, you may elect to provide online access to your financial information only. Parents or other authorized payers may be granted access to make payment, payment history, balance and invoices. Enroll a parent or other payer on Self-Service/Finances/Payment Portal/My Account.

Bookstore Credit using Financial Aid

Students who wish to purchase books with anticipated financial aid should transfer money to student ID card by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services. When the transfer is complete, students may purchase books at the Alvernia Bookstore in person or online at alverniashop.com using the Alvernia ID as payment type.

Veterans Administration Benefits

The Office of Student Financial Services welcomes all veterans, eligible dependents, members of the Guard and Reserves, and Active-Duty personnel to Alvernia University. Your Veterans Affairs, Federal, and state education benefits are part of your compensation for the time you devote to or spent serving your country. They are designed to help you afford a college education - an education that can be a valuable tool in building a successful future. Alvernia University is a participating institution in the Yellow Ribbon program and has been recognized nationally as a Military Friendly School.

Refund Policy

During the first week of classes (the add/drop period) a student may drop a course and receive full tuition credit if applicable. Any course-affiliated fees and/or comprehensive fees are adjusted accordingly. Students withdrawing from class(es) any time after the add/drop period are not entitled to a refund. See Registration Changes in this catalog.

Withdrawal from the University

A student who voluntarily withdraws from the university must notify the appropriate individual, as identified below, of his/her intent to withdraw. Communication may be written or oral. If the communication is oral, the person providing the information must be able to verify his/her identity as the student or approved representative of the student by providing requested identifying information such as, but not limited to student ID, social security number, date of birth, email and/or mailing address. The university reserves the right to refuse accepting oral information if it is incomplete or cannot be verified and may require the request to be provided in writing.

Graduate students attending main campus and online graduate students should contact the School of Graduate and Adult Education.  Students enrolled at Pottsville Collegetowne or the Philadelphia Center should contact their respective directors or designees. If a student notifies a faculty or staff member or department other than one of those listed above, the individual notified should make every effort to immediately notify the appropriate individual or department, as listed above, of the student’s notification and provide documentation if available and as appropriate.

The university reserves the right to require the withdrawal of any student whose scholarship is unsatisfactory or whose conduct renders them undesirable as a member of the university community.

Student Refund

Students who withdraw or are approved for medical leave are entitled to tuition refunds in accordance with the refund schedule below. The medical leave policy and procedures are outlined in a separate section of the Student Handbook. Questions should be submitted to the Director of Health Services.

*Proration of tuition charges is applicable to students enrolled in a single module, enrolled in modules one, three or five if they also drop any subsequent module-based classes within the same semester, or withdraw from all classes in the second module session of each semester - modules two, four, or six and only if the student fully withdraws from the module session.

Note: In the case of a financial aid recipient, the portion refunded may include monies that must be returned to Federal Title IV programs. The university uses the Title IV refund policy to determine the portion that must be repaid to the Title IV programs. Any refunds otherwise due to a withdrawing student will be reduced by such Title IV refunds. For a complete description of the Title IV Refund Policy please see the section titled Financial Aid Refund Policy of the financial aid section of the catalog.

Medical Leave

Students who are placed on medical leave during the first five weeks of class and do not return during the semester will receive tuition refunds in accordance with the previously described tuition refund schedule for “Withdrawal from the University.”

Meal Plan Refunds

Students withdrawing from the university or moving out of a university residence are entitled to a prorated refund (minus a one-week deposit).

Housing Refunds

Students moving out of a university residence during a semester are not entitled to a refund of housing charges. Students should follow the room checkout procedure in the Student Handbook.

Miscellaneous Fees/Other Charges

There will be no refund of miscellaneous fees or other charges.

The Student acknowledges that the University, in its sole and exclusive discretion, may elect to suspend, limit, restrict, or terminate in- person classes and/or substitute in-person classes with virtual, on-line or remote educational sessions or classes for reasons or circumstances or conditions beyond the University’s reasonable control including, without limitation, war or other violence (whether declared or not), invasion, act of a foreign enemy, civil war, riot, rebellion, insurrection, civil commotion or disorder, act of civil disobedience, act of terrorism, plague, epidemic, pandemic, outbreaks of infectious disease or any other public health crisis, including quarantine or other health restrictions, act of authority, whether lawful or unlawful, compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or directive, curfew restriction, act of God or natural disaster, or general labor disturbance such as boycott or strike. In the event the University elects to suspend, limit, restrict and/or terminate in-person classes and/or to substitute in- person classes with virtual, online, or remote educational classes or sessions, the University will not be responsible or liable to refund, reimburse or credit the student.

Student Financial Services

Alvernia offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, student employment and loan opportunities. Financial aid is designed to provide assistance to students whose personal and family resources cannot meet the full cost of education at Alvernia. Therefore, financial aid is only supplementary to the family’s own best efforts to contribute to the student’s education.

Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance for a student is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for the period of enrollment. The cost of attendance figure forms the basis of the financial need calculation that determines eligibility for all Title IV federal aid as well as state and institutional aid. Cost of attendance varies based upon enrollment and residential status. Items included in the cost of attendance include but are not limited to tuition and fees, books, supplies, housing, and food (for students living in residence halls), living expenses (for students not living in residence halls), personal, and transportation related expenses.

Standard Academic Year

Alvernia’s definition of an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks. An academic year may consist of two 15-week semesters. To be considered full-time, a student must be enrolled for at least 12 credits per semester. Students eligible for financial aid in a standard award year may not be eligible for financial aid during the summer term. Please see the Office of Student Financial Services for more information.

Borrower-Based Award Year (BBAY)

Alvernia’s definition of an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks. For Adult Education and Graduate students an academic year consists of two semesters and can include the summer semester as one of the two semesters; therefore, aid is awarded in a BBAY (borrower-based award year) rather than the Standard Award Year. To be eligible for financial aid, students need to be enrolled at least half-time. Half-time enrollment is defined as six credits per semester or six credits within two consecutive modules within the semester, or a combination of semester and mod classes within the same semester. Full-time status is defined as 12 credits per semester or 12 credits within two consecutive modules within the semester, or a combination of semester and mod classes within the same semester. Students can refer to the academic calendar for the start and end dates of each semester or module. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information.

How to Apply

To apply for financial aid, follow these steps:

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1 each year by going online to https://studentaid.gov. This form should be completed as soon as possible and prior to the start of the semester the student plans to register. By submitting a FAFSA, a student is applying for all types of institutional and federal  financial aid. A FAFSA must be filed each year in order to renew financial aid eligibility.
2. Complete federal student loan documents. The FAFSA is the application for federal student aid. New student borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling. The MPN and Entrance Counseling are available online at https://studentaid.gov. Returning students who want to reapply for Direct Loans need to only file the FAFSA annually.

Affiliation Awards

Discount Partnerships

Students who are employed by or hold memberships with approved employers, organizations, or Alvernia University may be eligible for a tuition discount or a reduced tuition rate. Students may only use one discount award per semester. If the student is eligible for more than one discount award, the higher award will be offered. Students may be enrolled as a cohort or required to provide a form verifying eligibility. Verification may be required to be provided each semester enrolled to receive the award. For more information, students should contact the Graduate and Adult Ed Department or Office of Student Financial Services.

Alumni Discount

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Alvernia and return to complete a second undergraduate degree in the day academic division are eligible to receive a 20% tuition discount, alumni who enroll in a graduate program are eligible to receive a 25% tuition discount, alumni who enroll in the PhD Leadership program are eligible to receive a 20% tuition discount, and Occupational Therapy Doctorate are eligible for a 10% tuition discount. This discount is not available to students in the MEd, MSW, and MSAT, other doctoral programs, or online undergraduate or graduate degree programs. There may be other exceptions to the award, for more information please contact the Graduate Division or Office of Student Financial Services for more information.

Tuition Reimbursement

All students receiving tuition reimbursement from their employer or other organizations must complete a tuition reimbursement form every semester and return it to the Office of Student Financial Services. This form is available on the Alvernia University website, via email, and in the Graduate and Adult Education Office. Also, the form must be received prior to the invoice due date to avoid late fees. Contact the Graduate and Adult Education Office for information on deferred payment.

Grants/Scholarships

Private Scholarship Sources: While it takes some effort to find these competitive private sources, it is well worth the time to locate additional funds. Alvernia University has partnered with Scholarship Universe to help you bridge the financial aid gap and easily find scholarships that are matched specifically to you. Additional information is available in the Office of Student Financial Services.

Graduate Assistantships

Students are encouraged to research Graduate Assistantships available through the University website at www.alvernia.edu/facstaff/human-resources. Students can email studentemployment@alvernia.edu for details on positions currently available.

Loan Programs

All loans must be repaid in accordance with the repayment schedules established for each type of loan program. Sample loan repayment schedules are available upon request. Entrance and exit counseling are required for receipt of Federal Direct Stafford loan funds. Stafford loan entrance and exit counseling is completed online at https://studentaid.gov. Exit counseling is completed at the end of the student’s enrollment at Alvernia.

Direct Stafford Loans

Direct Stafford Loans are federally regulated funds borrowed from the U.S. Department of Education. A student’s academic level determines the maximum eligibility for the Direct Stafford Loan each year. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility. Renewal of the loans requires the FAFSA to be completed each year. In addition, the student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per semester). Annual loan terms for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans are based on a minimum of two semesters per year. The interest rate on the Federal Loans is determined by federal law. The rate established each year is a fixed rate for the life of the loan. However, each year by July 1 a new rate is determined. This rate may be the same, higher, or lower than the prior year. The rate does cap at 6.8%.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Students are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive this loan. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an unsubsidized loan from the time the first disbursement has been paid to the institution. Students may pay the interest while in school, during grace periods, deferment periods and/or forbearance periods. Students who choose not to pay interest may allow it to accrue and capitalize (that is, added to the principal amount of the loan). If a student chooses not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount of debt to repay because the student will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.

Federal Direct Loans are subject to a 1-2% origination fee, deducted from the loan prior to disbursement to the institution. It is important for undergraduate students to understand borrowing maximums and aggregate (lifetime) limits.

The total Direct Stafford Loan borrowing cannot exceed the following maximums:

Note: These annual loan limit amounts are the maximum yearly amounts students may borrow in both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Students may have one type of loan or a combination of both. Because students are not eligible to borrow more than the annual cost of attendance minus any other financial aid, a student may receive less than the annual maximum amounts. Also, the annual loan limits assume the program of study is at least a full academic year. The maximum annual and total loan limits include any Stafford Loans students may receive under the FFEL Program. Information provided per https://studentaid.gov/.

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate and professional degree students may borrow through the Direct Graduate PLUS loan program. The maximum a student may borrow per academic year is the cost of education minus financial aid. Applicants for this loan are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Direct Graduate PLUS loans are only available to students after they have applied for their annual loan limits through the Direct Student Loan program. A credit check of the borrower is required for approval. Federal law determines the interest rate on Federal Loans. The rate established each year is a fixed rate for the life of the loan. However, each year by July 1 a new rate is determined. This rate may be the same, higher, or lower than the prior year rate. The rate does cap at 8.25%.

Private or Alternative Loan Programs

Alternative loans are designed to assist students and their families who need to borrow additional funds to meet the cost of an Alvernia education. Loan approval is generally based on creditworthiness and ability to repay. The primary borrower for alternative loans is the student; however, most dependent students require a creditworthy co-signer. The interest rate on the loan may be variable or fixed depending on the lender and does accrue while the student is in school. The interest may be paid or deferred until after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The principal can also be paid or deferred until after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. As with any loan, careful consideration should be made in determining amounts to be borrowed as the loan must be repaid. Not all private loans are the same with regard to approval rates, ease of application, desirable repayment terms, interest rate, loan fees, eligibility requirements, and borrower benefits. For additional information on alternative loans, as well as to view the Alvernia recommended lender list, please visit www.alvernia.edu/financialaid or contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid Policies

Disbursement of Financial Aid

All financial aid appears as “anticipated” on student invoices until aid has been received and credited to a student’s account. Federal, state and university grants, scholarships and awards for each semester are posted approximately 1-2 weeks after the add/drop period of each semester as long as the student has complied with all financial aid requirements set by the Office of Student Financial Services. Students making changes to their schedule or who have had changes made due to cancellation of class should immediately contact the Office of Student Financial Services to be sure there is no change in their financial eligibility. Work Study awards are not credited to the bill but paid directly to the student in the form of a paycheck. Students are encouraged to use these earnings for spending money related to educational expenses whenever possible.

Direct Loan/Direct PLUS recipients should deduct lender fees (if applicable) from loan approval amounts. Direct Loan/Direct PLUS proceeds are sent by electronic funds transfer (EFT) to Alvernia. Students are notified when loans have been credited and have the option to cancel all or a portion of those loans during the academic year.

Students with outside scholarships payable or co-payable to Alvernia University should notify the Office of Student Financial Services by sending a copy of the award letter to the office. The amount must be included as a financial aid resource and may affect the student’s eligibility for previously awarded aid.

Financial Aid Refund Policy

Students who withdraw completely from Alvernia should see the Billing section of this catalog for additional information. For students who have received Federal Title IV financial aid, and have withdrawn completely from Alvernia, which includes students on an approved medical leave of absence, the following refund policy is the return of funds policy in accordance with the 1998 Code of Federal Regulations 668.22. For a complete copy of the refund policy and the allocation of refunds, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

The Office of Student Financial Services is required by federal statute to determine how much financial aid was earned by students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence, including approved medical leave of absence, prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term. For a student who withdraws after the 60% point-in-time, a student has earned 100% of the Title IV funds. The calculation is based on the percentage of earned aid using the following Federal Return of Title IV funds formula: Percentage of payment period or term completed = the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date divided by the total days in the payment period or term. (Any break of 5 consecutive days or more is not counted as part of the days in the term.) This percentage equals the percentage of earned aid.

Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned aid using the following formula:

Aid to be returned = (100% of the aid that could be disbursed minus the percentage of earned aid) multiplied by the total amount of aid that could have been disbursed during the payment period or term.

If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student may also be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe an outstanding balance to Alvernia. If a student earned more aid than was disbursed to him/her, the institution would owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be paid within 180 days of the student’s withdrawal. Permission from the student may be required in order to issue the post-withdrawal disbursement. Written notification will be provided to the student and must be signed and returned within a specified period of time in order to credit the funds to a student’s account. Alvernia must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later than 45 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student’s withdrawal.

Refunds are allocated in the following order:

• Unsubsidized Direct Student Loans (other than PLUS loans)
• Direct Subsidized Student Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grants for which a return of funds is required
• Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants for which a return of funds is required
• Other assistance under this title for which a return of funds is required (e.g., LEAP)

Changes in Financial Aid

The university reserves the right to change any award package throughout the academic year. Adjustments may result from (but are not limited to) one or more of the following: change in income reported; change in enrollment status; change in housing status; change in financial need; not maintaining satisfactory academic progress, or receipt of outside assistance. Most federal, state and some institutional aid programs prohibit a student from receiving aid in excess of his or her financial need. If necessary, Alvernia will reduce loan funds before reducing grant/scholarship funds.

Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that institutions satisfactory limit Title IV federal financial aid to those students who, according to institutional policy, are maintaining academic progress toward their degree objective. The primary interest of the regulations is to have reasonable, satisfactory progress standards established by institutions to assure the best and most equitable use of Title IV Student Financial Assistance funds. Alvernia University has prepared the following policy in accordance with these regulations. Title IV programs include Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.

Enrollment Status and Academic Year

Alvernia’s definition of an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks. An academic year may consist of two 15-week semesters.

• Full-time status at Alvernia University is defined as being enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester for master’s degree and at least 6 credit hours per semester for doctoral degrees.
• Half-time status at Alvernia University is defined as being enrolled in at least 3 credit hours per semester for master’s degree and at least credit hours per semester for doctoral degrees.

Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Basic Requirement

Federal regulations require students applying for or receiving federal and/or institutional financial aid to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. These standards are applied to Alvernia institutional aid recipients as well.

To measure progress, the Office of Student Financial Services evaluates a student’s academic record at the completion of each semester, reviewing both quantitative (the maximum timeframe and completion rate) and qualitative (cumulative grade point average) standards as a student pursues his/her degree.  Failure to meet these standards will result in either a warning status, or in the suspension of federal, state and/or institutional aid eligibility.

Quantitative Standards

Maximum timeframe for program completion is defined as 150% of the credits required to complete the degree program as defined by Alvernia. For example: Master of Business Administration = 30 credits x 150% = 45 credits. 45 credits is the maximum that can be attempted with financial aid.

Students must maintain a minimum course completion for progress each semester of at least 67%. This is calculated by dividing the number of credits earned by the credits attempted. Credits transferred from another institution count toward attempted and earned credits.

Repeated Coursework

Students may repeat a previously passed course one time and maintain financial eligibility, assuming all other academic progress requirements have been met. Repeated coursework counts toward the 150% completion timeframe.

Qualitative Standards

The qualitative requirement establishes a minimum cumulative grade point average for all students to reasonably progress through their program of study. All graduate and doctoral programs require students to maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for financial aid progress.

Consequences of not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The following statuses refer to Financial Aid Warning and Probation, not academic probation.

Financial Aid Warning

The first time a student fails to meet the SAP standards as defined above, the student will be placed on financial aid warning. The student will remain eligible for financial aid during the warning period.

Financial Aid Suspension

If, after being placed on financial aid warning status, the student fails to maintain the standards of SAP as defined above, the student will be placed in a suspension status and will immediately lose financial aid eligibility for the subsequent academic term.

Maximum Timeframe Suspension: If the student fails to meet the maximum time frame standards as defined above, the student will be placed in a suspension status and will immediately lose financial aid eligibility.

Students who have their financial aid canceled due to a failure to maintain SAP standards will remain ineligible until such time as they are able to meet the quantitative and/or qualitative standards as defined above. Students ineligible for financial aid will be responsible for payment on their own of all tuition, room, board and fees and charges assessed by Alvernia.

Appeal Process

A student may appeal his/her failure to maintain SAP standards for financial aid if extenuating or mitigating circumstances exist. Students are not eligible to appeal Maximum Timeframe Suspension. Appeals will be considered for circumstances that include but are not limited to death or illness of immediate family member, medical condition, hospitalization, documented emotional distress, or any other situation beyond the student’s control. All appeals must be in written format and include the following information:

• Name, student ID and program of study.
• Details of the situation resulting in the financial aid suspension
• Documentation supporting the details of the letter (e.g., death certificate, doctor’s note, hospital bill, police report, letter from academic advisor or third party)
• Plans for next term of enrollment (e.g., number or credits, change of major, academic improvement plan details, etc.)

As part of the appeal process, the student must provide information about why they failed to maintain SAP standards, and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow him/her to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation.

Appeals are evaluated by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee that meets weekly. The student will be notified of the committee’s decision in writing. The decision of the committee is final. Students should make payment arrangements while waiting for the committee’s decision if necessary.

Financial Aid Probation

Students who have had an appeal approved will be placed on probation for one semester and will have their financial aid reinstated for the probation semester. If the student fails to maintain SAP standards at the end of this semester, they will lose financial aid eligibility until SAP standards are met.

Students who are mathematically unable to achieve good academic standing (for quantitative and/or qualitative standards) may be placed on an academic improvement plan during the probation semester and following terms, if necessary. Students who meet the minimum requirements of the plan but not SAP standards will be financial aid eligible until such time they are in good academic standing.

Academic Improvement Plan

If a student is unable to mathematically meet all SAP requirements within one semester, an academic plan will be developed. The academic plan may outline grade and course requirements that will allow the student to successfully meet SAP. If necessary, the academic plan may extend beyond the current academic year. If SAP failure was based on the quantitative measure only, it is not necessary to establish an academic plan. If SAP failure was based on the maximum timeframe measure, the student must complete all credits required for degree completion by the end of the last semester of the academic plan.

Under an academic plan, a student’s progress will be monitored at the end of each semester in order to ensure that the student is progressing according to the requirements of the plan. As long as the student is progressing accordingly, the student will remain eligible for financial aid. If the student is not meeting the requirements of the plan, the student will be placed on suspension and will not be eligible to receive financial aid until all components of SAP have been met.

Reinstatement of Eligibility

Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated after a student meets the SAP standards, quantitative and qualitative, as defined above. Students who regain eligibility by completing required coursework must notify the Office of Student Financial Services in order to have their progress reevaluated, and financial aid reinstated.

Summer Semester

Credit hours attempted during the summer semester will be included in the calculation of SAP standards just as any other period of enrollment.

Returning Students (including those on approved LOA or Medical LOA)

Returning students are evaluated on a continuing basis from acceptance (if out for more than a year) or enrollment. If SAP standards have not been met as detailed above, the student may be placed on warning (first SAP violation) or suspension (subsequent violation). Students on suspension may appeal and must follow the appeal requirements as detailed above. A returning student’s SAP will be assessed under the current SAP policies as detailed above.

Partnership and Institutional Aid Recipients

Students who are recipients of partnership and/or institutional aid must maintain SAP standards as detailed above to maintain award eligibility.

Grades and their effects on SAP Standards:

*Students have four weeks from the final exam period if a semester course or three weeks from the final exam period if a MOD course to make up any approved assignments. Incomplete grades that have not been updated within this time period will be changed to “F.”