|
|
Schools · Programs · Policies · Courses · Index · AU Home |
| Graduate Catalog 2002-2004 |
Financial Aid
Aurora University students may be eligible for financial aid from a
variety of sources, including federal, state, institutional, and private organizations
in the forms of grants, loans and work. In 2002-03, over $6.4 million dollars
in aid was awarded to almost 500 graduate students at Aurora University.
Aid is available for both full-time and part-time graduate students and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are advised to file before April 15th each year. The April 15th date has been established as a priority date in order to provide quality service to the financial aid recipient. Aid applications must be received by the Friday preceding the first day of classes each term or no aid may be awarded for that term. The financial aid process must be completed by the end of the first term of attendance each academic year to assure that the financial aid will be applied to a student’s account.
To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal Application.
Student Employment Opportunities: The Office of Admission and Financial Aid and the Career Services Office assist students in locating employment, both within the University and throughout the local area. Federal Work Study (FWS) funds may be earned by working in departments on-campus or at off-campus agencies that are participating in the Community Service program. To apply for on-campus or community service employment, contact the Career Services Office or the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.
Contact the Career Services Center for further information regarding employment opportunities and workshops.
Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities
— Graduate
Students have the right to know the criteria used to determine their financial
need and the aid they have been awarded. You also have the right to decline
any or all of the awarded aid.
No aid will be awarded to a student who owes a refund or repayment on a Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) or who is in DEFAULT on a Federal Stafford Student Loan or Perkins Loan.
All financial aid received in excess of the need and/or cost of attendance MUST BE REPAID.
STUDENTS MUST RE-APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID EVERY YEAR. Financial aid at AU is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students filing the FAFSA after April 15 for the following Fall Term may only receive Federal and State aid and may experience delays. The priority dates established for students wishing to receive financial aid starting in the Winter Term is December 1st, and for Spring Term is March 1st. Students filing after these dates may experience some delays.
If a student has been selected for verification through the Federal process must submit certain documents to the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. Verification must be completed before any financial aid, including loans, is credited to their account.
Students MUST be enrolled at least half-time and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to receive Federal, State and institutional student aid. For additional information, refer to the “Definitions of Enrollment” and to the ‘SAP’ information provided in the catalog and on AU’s website.
Financial aid received in addition
to that listed on a student’s award offer, including tuition reimbursement,
must be reported to a financial aid counselor.
If a student is borrowing a Federal Stafford Student Loan for the first time,
he/she must complete an ENTRANCE interview. He/she must also complete an EXIT
interview, as a Federal Stafford student loan borrower, prior to graduation
or upon leaving the University. The diploma and/or academic transcripts could
be withheld if this EXIT interview is not conducted.
Gift assistance will not exceed the cost of tuition and room & board (if a resident student).
Each student is responsible for reporting to a financial aid counselor any change in status, this includes enrollment, living arrangements, and academic level. Any change in these items may require an adjustment to the student’s financial aid.
A Student Authorization Form must be completed. This form gives the Student Accounts Office permission to pay allowable charges with Federal financial aid as well as authorizing excess funds, if applicable, to remain or not remain on the student’s account. If the student authorizes a refund of excess funds, they will not be available until all financial aid and allowable charges have been applied to their account. If a student has a credit balance on his/her account and withdraws, registers for less than half-time, or is academically dismissed from school, the remaining credit balance must be returned to the lender. If a student receives a refund of credit and then has a reduction in financial aid, he/she is are responsible for paying all outstanding charges. This also applies if additional charges are incurred.
Federal Refund Policy — Refunds for students attending AU, who receive Federal financial assistance and withdraw before completion of 60% of an enrollment period for which the student was charged, will be calculated as federally mandated. Further details regarding the federal refund calculations are available in the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.
A.U. REFUND POLICY — A 100% refund of tuition is provided through 20% of any scheduled course, with no refund thereafter. Refer to the Billing Information form, the Withdrawal and Refund Policies Section. Contact Residence Life for room and board refund policy. Withdrawing from courses may reduce or eliminate financial aid based on your final enrollment.
DEFINITIONS OF ENROLLMENT
Extended/Graduate/Doctoral
Summer Financial Aid is awarded separately. Applications may be picked up and return to the Office Admission and Financial Aid. If eligible, a student will receive an award letter outlining their summer term financial aid. If a student is not eligible, he/she will also be notified.
Specific Cicumstance: If a student and/or student’s family experience unexpected circumstances throughout the year, consult a financial aid counselor regarding a special circumstance request.
Falsification of information will result in cancellation of aid and referral to the appropriate judicial body.
These Rights and Responsibilities are subject to change without prior notice.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures
for Financial Aid Recipients
A student is required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in the
course of study that he/she is pursuing, according to the standards and practices
outlined by the Federal government for the institution.
Schools are required to monitor the SAP of students at least once each academic year. The following guidelines are now in effect. Aurora University reserves the right to review and revise this policy annually.