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Comprehensive fundamentals, policies and procedures, program descriptions, and rights and responsibilities related to financial aid can be located within É«ÖÐÉ« University's Financial Aid Handbook and on Financial Aid Services' website. Recipients of financial aid are expected to review and understand this information and should with any questions or concerns regarding eligibility. Below are highlights to emphasize a few key concepts related to financial aid and other important information.

Key Financial Aid Concepts

The primary responsibility for financing the cost of education rests with a student and their support system (i.e. parents, guardians, others). Financial aid - including scholarship, grants, student loans, and student employment - may be available to help students meet their educational costs; including tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses.

É«ÖÐÉ« University's Office of Financial Aid Services assists students and their support system navigate the financial aid process by:

1. Educating about the types (need-based vs. merit based, gift aid vs. self help aid) and sources (federal, state, institutional, other) of financial aid a student may have access to;
2. Maintaining up-to-date information about federal, state, and institutional aid programs;
3. Assisting throughout the aid application process;
4. Determining students' aid eligibility according to program policies and procedures;
5. Administering funds according to program policies and procedures to those who qualify; and
6. Providing personalized counseling on financial aid matters and individual financial circumstances, including eligibility and payment/financing options.

To provide an equitable distribution of aid and to serve what it deems to be the best interest of its students, the university's Office of Financial Aid Services prepares Financial Aid Offers. A student's offer may consist of gift aid (grants and/or scholarships), self-help aid (loans and/or student employment), or any combination thereof.

• Gift Aid: Grants and scholarships are funds that need not be repaid, unless any specified terms or agreements apply.
• Self Help Aid: Student loans are funds that must be repaid. Most student loans are deferred while a half-time enrollment status is maintained with payments usually commencing after a six month grace period following the last date of attendance or a drop below half-time enrollment. Such loans are usually low-interest funds that accrue little or no interest while a student is enrolled at least half-time in their degree or certificate program. Student employment provides students with an opportunity to earn money through a campus job or community service. Although not required, students are suggested to save a portion of their student employment earnings for educational expenses.

A É«ÖÐÉ« University, financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need ("need-based") and academic achievement and promise ("merit-based"). A student's Financial Aid Offer may include one or both types of aid. All financial aid resources must be applied toward educational expenses.

• Need-based financial aid is awarded to help bridge the gap between the cost of a student's education and their family's demonstrated ability to pay; which is calculated from information provided on the . Need-based aid may be adjusted upon receipt of new information, including but not limited to: changes to housing and enrollment status, receipt of additional resources, corrections made through verification or resolving mistakes on the FAFSA, and updates to income, asset, and household information to the FAFSA during annual reapplication.
• Merit-based financial aid is awarded according to a student's academic excellence, major or interests, talent, auditions, affiliation with various groups, and/or career aspirations. All traditional first-year freshman undergraduate students are awarded a merit academic scholarship upon admission to the university; which is based on their academic performance in high school and demonstrated involvement in school and community activities.

Applications and Eligibility

To be considered for most forms of financial aid, students must complete the ) annually. Students and their families can complete and submit the FAFSA online via studentaid.gov. The FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year is currently available on studentaid.gov. The FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year is expected to launch in December 2023. The Office of Financial Aid Services encourages students to complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available to maximize aid consideration and ensure timely receipt and processing. For those applying for the Pennsylvania State Grant, the FAFSA must be filed by the Pennsylvania deadline of May 1.

The FAFSA is the only financial aid application required by É«ÖÐÉ« University. Upon receipt of the FAFSA, subsequent information necessary to finalize the FAFSA and prepare a student's Financial Aid Offer may be requested. It is the student's responsibility to make certain that the FAFSA and any subsequent information required is submitted each year and in a timely manner. In the event that family financial circumstances change because of loss of income, illness, or other compelling reason, the Office of Financial Aid Services should be consulted without delay.

Withdrawal from the University or any other change in enrollment may affect a student's eligibility for financial aid. It is the student's responsibility to verify the effect that any change in enrollment will have on financial aid eligibility before finalizing the change in enrollment. For more information, see the appropriate sections on "dropping courses" or "withdrawal from University" under Academic Policies and Regulations or contact Financial Aid Services.

Changes to housing status may also affect a student's eligibility for financial aid. It is the student's responsibility to verify the effect that any change in housing status will have on financial aid eligibility before finalizing the housing change. For more information, please .

Financial Aid and Academic Progress

Institutions are required to establish minimum standards of academic progress for all matriculated students, including those receiving federally funded financial aid. Federal regulations limit Title IV Student Financial Aid funding to those students who, according to institutional policy, are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree objective. In practice, SAP is required for essentially all financial aid at É«ÖÐÉ« University. The primary interest, from a financial aid perspective, is to assure the best and most equitable use of financial aid funds from all sources.

É«ÖÐÉ« University has established the following Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid (SAP for FA) policy:

• Qualitative Standards. To remain eligible to continue receiving federal and institutional financial aid, students must achieve the following academic standards: 1.50 cumulative GPA for up to 11.99 attempted course units; 1.80 cumulative GPA after 12 attempted course units; 2.00 cumulative GPA after 16 attempted course units. The standard applied to a continuing student applying for financial aid for the first time will be determined by the number of course units the student has scheduled at the time the student first receives financial aid.
• Quantitative Standards. Effective January 2018, students are expected to successfully complete - with a passing grade - at least 70 percent of all course units (or credits) attempted. All coursework will be counted in this measure, except courses officially dropped during the University's drop/add period at the start of each term. Included are all courses in the same program of study that are/were taken at any other schools attended. Although full- or part-time students are not required to maintain continuous enrollment to remain eligible for financial aid, students returning after a period of absence will have their records and eligibility reviewed before financial aid is granted. Coursework taken in a summer session or other special sessions is counted in the total units attempted/completed. Failed courses, incompletes and course withdrawals count as unsuccessful attempts. Exceptions may be made for students on an approved medical or military leave of absence.
• Statement of Standards for Part-Time Students. Students enrolled less than full-time will be required to meet the same minimum cumulative grade point averages as students enrolled full-time, and must complete at least 70 percent of all coursework attempted.
• Statement of Standards for Graduate Students. Students enrolled in graduate programs will be expected to complete 70 percent of all coursework attempted and generally maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to remain eligible to receive financial aid assistance. Some graduate programs have a different GPA requirement or may allow an escalating GPA standard.
• Time Allowed to Complete Degree Requirements. A full-time undergraduate student is expected to complete all degree requirements within a maximum of 10 regular semesters. Special sessions (for example, summer sessions) are not included as regular semesters, although completed special session courses do count toward the 32 units required for graduation. Some financial aid programs have an eight-term limit. To graduate in four years (8 semesters), a student would have to complete four courses each semester, or eight courses each academic year. Federal regulations specify that the absolute maximum time frame during which a student can continue to receive Title IV SFA funds may not exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program.

An evaluation of a student's academic standing and progress to determine federal, state, and institutional eligibility is made at the end of each academic year upon completion of the spring semester by the Office of Financial Aid Services. Students who do not meet the minimum qualitative AND/OR quantitative standards for SAP or FA Policy are ineligible for financial aid and will be notified by Financial Aid Services accordingly.

Students who find themselves in this situation are given an opportunity to appeal to have their aid reinstated on probation. Instructions on how to appeal for financial aid probation are provided by Financial Aid Services upon notification of ineligibility for aid, and also can be provided upon request. Appeals are reviewed by Financial Aid Services staff on a case-by-case basis. Approval for financial aid probation is not guaranteed. For those whose appeal has been granted, their future aid eligibility is dependent upon subsequent reevaluation and will depend upon academic progress and the appeal terms and conditions.

Please note that the SAP for FA policy and procedures differ from that of the academic dismissal policy and procedures managed by the Office of the Provost. Because academic dismissal results in automatic termination of all financial aid eligibility, students notified of academic dismissal must first appeal for reinstatement by following instructions provided by the Office of the Provost. If the student is reinstated academically, the appeal documentation (including improvement plan and any required conditions) is forwarded to Financial Aid Services. However, a reinstated student may also need to submit additional information to receive financial aid probation. It is important to emphasize that SAP reviews to address continuation of financial aid are independent of academic decisions and can have very different outcomes.

Student Financial Aid Rights

Students have the right to:

• Have all personal and family financial information treated with dignity, sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Know and understand all rules, regulations, and policies pertaining to financial aid.
• Accept or decline any aid offered. Students are not obligated to borrow, and have the right to reduce or decline any offer of student loans.
• Request reconsideration of an award if circumstances change or if they feel they have been treated unfairly.
• Make an appointment to meet with a member of the Financial Aid Services staff.
• Know what financial aid programs are available at the University, including all federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
• Know the deadline for submitting applications, forms and required documentation, and the consequences of not meeting a deadline.
• Have complete information regarding fees, payment and the University's refund policy
• Know generally how financial aid is distributed and the basis for such decisions.
• Know how their financial aid was determined, including educational costs and eligibility criteria.
• Know what factors (such as parental and student contributions) are considered in the calculation of financial need.
• Request an explanation of the various resources in their financial aid package.
• Know what portion of their financial aid must be repaid, and what portion is gift aid.
• Know who the lender/servicer is for any loan, what the University's relationship is to that particular lender/servicer, the total cost of borrowing, the interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, the length of time for repayment, when repayment begins, and all other terms and conditions of the loan.
• Choose any lender for your student loans and expect that É«ÖÐÉ« University will process the loan with your requested lender.
• Understand how the University measures satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and the consequences of not making progress.

Student Financial Aid Responsibilities

Students receiving financial aid must assume responsibility for maintaining their eligibility and communicating with the Office of Financial Aid Services. Students are expected to:

• Review and consider all information about the University's programs and net cost before enrolling.
• Know and comply with the rules governing all financial aid you receive.
• Complete the FAFSA each year as soon as possible following the annual application launch.
• Report all information accurately and completely, to the best of your knowledge. Intentional misreporting of information is a criminal offense and subject to penalties under law.
• Provide all supporting documents in a secure and timely manner, including verification items, additional information requests, corrections, loan promissory notes and associated counseling, and (or) new information requested by either Financial Aid Services or authorized external provider.
• Advise Financial Aid Services of any changes to your housing status and/or enrollment status.
• Report any grant/scholarship, tuition benefit, loan or other aid received from any source or provider that does not appear on your Financial Aid Offer at É«ÖÐÉ« University.
• Read, understand, and retain a copy of all pertinent financial aid documents.
• Accept responsibility for all signed agreements.
• Monitor your account and meet your financial obligations to the University.
• Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting student employment.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• Notify Financial Aid Services if family financial circumstances change.
• Know and comply with the University's refund policy.
• Notify the University and student loan provider(s) of any changes in contact information.
• Comply with federal IRS taxation and income reporting requirements.

Student Employment Program

The purpose of the Student Employment Program is to broaden the range of worthwhile job opportunities, including participation in community-service activities, for students who need income to help meet the costs of education at É«ÖÐÉ«. Federal funding may pay a portion of the salary for eligible students, and the institution supports the remaining portion.

The Student Employment Program requires that students be paid on an hourly basis. Student workers are considered temporary employees of the University and, as such, are not eligible for the regular employee benefits of group insurance, retirement, vacation leave, sick leave, or holiday pay. Students are usually not permitted to work more than 10-12 hours per week, and may not work at any time when they have scheduled classes, labs, or exams. The number of hours of work available to students may be affected by employment opportunities on campus and the number of students seeking employment.

Students who are officially a part of the Athletics Department, band, or other campus-sponsored programs may not work during a scheduled practice, game, or event. Opportunities are also provided for eligible students to earn wages through approved community-service jobs.

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) are prohibited from hosting activities using crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe or Facebook, or utilizing mobile wallets such as Venmo or CashApp for organization business. Additional examples include PayPal, Square, and Kickstarter. Sale proceeds, donations, or dues, may not be channeled through an individuals personal account (Venmo, PayPal, bank accounts). Use of campus names, registered trademarks, or campus/team logos in conjunction with crowdsourcing is prohibited.

The use of cash collection and Crowdchange for events in which an RSO needs to register or is selling merchandise is permitted.

• Cash donations: Work with the RSO advisor to determine the best way to collect and deposit cash.
• Credit card option: To offer credit cards as a payment option, RSOs should use . New users should create an account and work with the Office of Campus Life.
  • Once a month, the Business Office will transfer funds into RSO campus accounts. Fraternities and sororities with access to approved financial accounts connected to a national organization should connect with the Office of Greek Life
  • RSOs should submit their fundraising request by submitting their proposal through 25LIVE at least 2 weeks prior to the event. A staff member will review the request and contact the designated representatives from the RSO.

Accountability

RSOs that fail to adhere to the policy will be referred through the Student Organization Code of Conduct.

Prohibited Fundraisers

There are many appropriate ways to raise funds and goods. Examples include: hosting a 5K, hosting a sports tournament (eg: cornhole, kickball), running a t-shirt drive, selling merchandise, hosting a themed dinner, working with a non-profit to host a materials or food drive. To create a new type of fundraiser, schedule an appointment with The Center for Career & Civic Engagement or Office of Greek Life to discuss and plan the fundraiser.

Fundraisers and philanthropy events may not promote violence or harm to one's body. Furthermore, events that involve eating contests, objects or substances being thrown at, poured on, attached to, or otherwise applied to people or property are not permitted. Examples may include but are not limited to the following: pieing, pelting, dunking, painting, hair dyeing, shaving, car bashes, hot dog eating contests, etc.

In addition, no individual or group may be auctioned for "services" or a "date." The sponsor of these types of auctions has no way of knowing the motivations of the person doing the bidding and date auctions can perpetuate a dangerous attitude that "whoever pays is entitled."

In addition to this policy, RSOs must also be in compliance with the institutional Fundraising and Sales Policy.

Donation Drive Policy

RSOs interested in collecting items for community organizations should complete this at least 1 week prior to the start of the collection period.

AMOS (Accessing É«ÖÐÉ« Online Services) is the portal for accessing the University's network as well as numerous advising and registration tools. Students may access their student account (bill, payments, etc.), course schedules, unofficial transcripts, and other important information through AMOS. 

Sometimes, students’ access to AMOS may be blocked for the students’ failure to meet certain administrative obligations on campus in their role as a student. Additionally, students' access to other network resources (including but not limited to the wireless network, Canvas, and applications accessed through ) may also be blocked.

Many offices have the capability of installing a Hold (block) and/or Warning Indicator on a student AMOS account.

Examples include:

If your access to AMOS is on Hold you will be restricted from obtaining information regarding registration, grades, and other important information. It is strongly recommended that students log on to AMOS on a daily basis to receive important information in a timely manner.

É«ÖÐÉ« University undergraduate students, full time graduate students (9 or more credits), and International students are required to have health insurance. If you do not currently have health insurance, there is the option to enroll and purchase coverage.

Learn more by clicking here including step by step instructions on how to waive or enroll in coverage, insurance plan details, billing procedures, and more.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and its amendments are federal laws that afford students certain rights with respect to their educational records. The University's full policy on student records can be reviewed here.