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Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025




Scholarships and Financial Aid

All families share common concerns about the cost of going to college. Though addressing the financial aspects of a college education may seem overwhelming, please remember that the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid is here to help.

University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ provides financial aid to students on the basis of both financial need and academic achievement through a variety of programs including scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment designed to make the cost of attending an independent university affordable to as many people as possible.

Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ also awards scholarships based on academic merit without regard to financial need, although everyone receiving a merit-based award is expected to complete the FAFSA form.

Financial aid awards from the federal government, the State of Michigan, and University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ are subject to a student making satisfactory progress toward earning a degree according to the details of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy described below. SAP requires students not only to maintain a satisfactory grade point average but also to successfully complete a minimum number of courses each academic year. SAP for financial aid may differ from academic standards for continued enrollment in each Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ college. In other words, it is possible for students to lose financial aid eligibility but remain eligible to enroll at Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. Similarly, a student may be on academic probation but maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Rights & Responsibilities of Students Receiving Aid

  • The right to privacy. All information submitted to the Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid will be treated as confidential as mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  • The right to an explanation of the student’s financial aid eligibility.
  • The right to appeal any financial aid decision to the Director of Financial Aid.
  • The right to be notified of changes in financial aid status and eligibility.
  • The right to examine records maintained by our office which relate to the student’s financial aid file. Students who would like to review their file must submit a written request to the Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid.
  • The responsibility to reapply for financial aid by March 1 of each year.
  • The responsibility to be aware of all conditions related to the financial aid award offer.
  • The responsibility to report changes in academic or residential status to the Office of Scholarship & Financial.
  • The responsibility to report any outside assistance the student will be receiving to the Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid.
  • The responsibility to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to discuss how a withdrawal or leave might affect financial aid eligibility.
  • The responsibility to notify the Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid if the student changes her graduation date.
  • The responsibility to use financial aid funds for education related expenses only.
  • The responsibility to respond to requests from the Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid in a timely manner.
  • The responsibility to repay student loans.

Institutional Aid

Scholarships and Grants for Freshman Students

Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ rewards hard-working students who have the academic ability to succeed, regardless of their family's income. That means new, full-time freshmen who are U.S. citizens are eligible to receive a scholarship or grant for undergraduate tuition. The amount is determined after reviewing materials submitted during the admission process. Students who apply for admission by December 1 will receive preferential scholarship consideration.

Note that scholarship amounts do not increase each year.

Merit Scholarships and Grants

Merit scholarships and grants for tuition are awarded to students based on information provided during the application process, including grade point average, ACT/SAT scores, as well as leadership, service, and other extracurricular activities.

Freshman academic scholarships and grants are automatically renewed each year for a maximum of four years (eight semesters, Fall and Winter). Students must maintain at minimum a 2.0 grade-point average, based on the University’s Scholarship and Grant Renewal Policy, and continuous, full-time enrollment. These grants may only be used for tuition expenses and are not refundable.

Visit Grant

High school students who make an official visit to University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ by May 1 of their senior year will be awarded the $1,000 campus visit grant upon enrollment at Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. This grant is available for four years of full-time, undergraduate tuition.

Commerce Scholarship

Freshman interested in pursuing a major in business, who have a competitive academic record, and evidence of significant community involvement or leadership, are eligible for the Commerce Scholarship for undergraduate tuition.

Theatre Scholarship

Full-time freshman pursuing a major in theatre are eligible for the Theatre Performance Scholarship. Students must be regularly accepted into the Theatre program and are invited to audition. This scholarship is available for four years of full-time, undergraduate tuition. 

Catholic Education University Scholarship

Students who attended a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Detroit from grades 1-12 are eligible to receive $2,000 a year. Those who attended and graduated from a Catholic high school (grades 9-12 only) are eligible to receive $1,000 a year. This grant is available each year for four years of full-time, undergraduate tuition.

McNichols Puritan Lodge Community Counsel (MPLCC)

High school students need to be a resident of the McNichols Puritan Lodge Community Counsel (MPLCC) area, which includes the boundaries of West McNichols on the north, and Lodge Freeway to the south, with Livernois on the west and Log Cabin and Idaho Streets on the east. Candidates will be invited to a scholarship interview. This award is available each year, for four years (eight semesters, Fall and Winter) of full-time, undergraduate tuition. Scholars must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average. There are two scholarships for incoming freshmen, selected each year by the admissions office.

Titan Edge Scholarship

The Titan Edge combines federal and state scholarships and grants with Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ financial aid to cover the full cost of tuition and course fees for undergraduate studies. Funding will be applied to the fall and winter semesters of the academic year; it does not apply to summer semesters. The Titan Edge does not cover expenses related to housing, food, books, additional fees such as enrollment deposit and orientation fees, or any other educational costs. Titan Edge is not automatically renewed. Students must file a FAFSA each year. Students must remain eligible for the maximum award amounts n federal and state grants and scholarships.  Therefore, receiving the Titan Edge once does not guarantee renewal.

Scholarships and Grants for Transfer Students

Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ Grant

Transfer students are awarded grants based on academic achievement. These grants are renewable for up to four years of full-time, undergraduate tuition.

2.0 – 2.49 GPA $6,000

2.5 – 2.99 GPA $11,000

3.0 – 3.49 GPA $12,000

3.5 – 4.00 GPA $12,000

Jesuit Founders Scholarship

The Jesuit Founders Scholarship, one of our top scholarships, awards new transfer students who have been academically successful and show promise of continued excellence. Full tuition will be met with a combination of the Jesuit Founders Scholarship, as well as with other federal, state, and private grants and scholarships for which the student may be eligible. You must be unconditionally admitted to be invited to compete for this scholarship. We award up to seven scholarships per year. Minimum requirements include standard admission with no conditions, a 3.5 cumulative GPA, 24+ transferable credits, a scholarship essay, two letters of recommendation, and full-time enrollment. Unfortunately, students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA for renewal.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is also one of the top scholarships offered by Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. It is available to new transfer students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and who are also members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Full tuition will be met with a combination of PTK Scholarship and other federal, state, and private grants and scholarships for which the student is eligible. Minimum requirements include standard admission with no conditions, a 3.5 cumulative GPA, 24+ transferable credits, a scholarship essay, two letters of recommendation, membership in PTK, and full-time enrollment. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA for renewal.

Catholic Education Grant

Requires full-time enrollment and is awarded to transfer students who graduated from a Catholic high school. This grant is renewable for up to two years.

Scholarship and Grant Renewal Policy

Amount of award will be calculated using the cumulative grade point average. Generally award amounts are reviewed at the time the award is made for each academic year. Changes can be made mid-year if a GPA increase is determined. If there are extenuating circumstances, an appeal may be submitted to the associate director for review.

GPA requirement for renewal of specific scholarships different than standard 2.0 GPA requirement
2.0 GPA Required 2.5 GPA Required 3.0 GPA Required
Percent of Award Retained  MPLCC Detroit Promise Commerce, Phi Theta Kappa

100%

2.0-4.0

2.5-4.0

3.0-4.0

75%

1.6-1.99

N/A

2.6-2.99

50%

1.01-1.59

N/A

1.01-2.59

0%

0-1.0

N/A

0-1.0


Scholarship and Grant Renewal Guidelines

Freshman/transfer scholarships and grants are for full-time, undergraduate enrollment, and are renewable each year for a maximum of four years (eight semesters, Fall and Winter).

Program Exceptions:

  • Architecture: Students will receive a $4,000 academic scholarship each semester of the graduate phase of the program (two semesters).

  • Architectural Engineering: Students are eligible to receive their undergraduate scholarship and grant offer for the entirety of the undergraduate Architectural Engineering program which is five years (10 semesters).

  • 5-Year Physician Assistant: Students will receive a $2,500 academic scholarship each semester of the graduate phase of the program (six semesters).

Scholarship and Grant Renewal Requirements:

  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA unless otherwise noted
  • Maintain continuous, full-time enrollment
  • Be a conscientious and responsible member of the Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ community

Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ scholarships may not be combined with other tuition discount programs, and are subject to change.

Additional Scholarships and Grants for Undergraduate Students

Donor Funded Scholarships

Donor-funded academic scholarships are available to undergraduate students at University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ who take the initiative to apply and meet the eligibility criteria. These scholarships are available to a wide variety of class years, majors, backgrounds, and interests, as well as varying levels of academic success and financial need. Applications are accepted annually shortly after August 1st until May 30th.  Students are required to apply online and submit a thank you letter. The majority are not automatically renewed.

Tuition Discount Program

School Educator's Tuition Remission

Full-time teachers, substitute teachers, administrators, counselors, paraprofessionals, teacher's aids or ed techs in a public or private educational center, enrolled in a program in Humanities Arts & Social Sciences, Science, and Software Engineering, can receive a 60% tuition discount for coursework/programs that are not already discounted. Recipients cannot combine the scholarship with any other Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ grant, scholarship, or tuition discount.  A new application (available on the financial aid web page each year) must be submitted each term, not more than one month prior to the start of the term.

Religious Discount

Persons serving in ministerial capacities, whether ordained or laity, may be eligible for the 50% Religious Discount. Eligibility is limited to religious, clergy, laypersons serving a parish or congregation full-time, enrolled in courses directly related to their ministerial work (ex. Religious Studies). Part-Time and Volunteer students in one of these positions must show evidence of a substantial quantitative and qualitative commitment to their ministerial work.

This grant is available for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Humanities Arts & Social Sciences, Software Engineering, and Science. Students must be charged the standard flat rate tuition or standard per credit hour in order to qualify. Discounted programs do not qualify. The discount is not to be combined with any other University aid or tuition discounts. The discount only applies to tuition.

Vendor Discount

Current full and part-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children, of Primary Vendor Companies of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ are eligible for a 25% discount on tuition. This tuition discount is not to be combined with any other Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ scholarship, grant, tuition remission, or discount. Students in the Dental Program are not eligible. Students remain eligible as long as they are in good standing, and the employee remains employed at the vendor company.

Federal & State Financial Aid

Applying for State and Federal Aid

After October 1, incoming and current students should complete and submit a FAFSA at on the Federal Student Aid page. Be sure to have a copy of the report sent to University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ (code 002323). Michigan residents should list University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ as the first school on the FAFSA in order to be considered for a Michigan Tuition Grant or competitive scholarship. Pay special attention to the questions regarding state of residence and date of residence on the FAFSA since these areas determine eligibility for programs funded by the State of Michigan. Students and parents should use their Federal Income Tax Returns (Form 1040) to complete the FAFSA.

Incoming students will be notified of federal financial aid on a rolling basis after admission.

Current students will be repackaged every year for the upcoming year beginning after Fall registration.

Summer Financial Aid

Summer is a separate processing period for most students. Applications for Summer aid are available in late February/early March.

Federal Student Loans

Loan Sources

Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans These are loans that are available to students through the government’s loan program. The amount students are eligible to borrow is based on their grade level. These loans have a fixed interest rate and can be deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time. An origination fee is deducted from the approved loan amount before disbursement. This fee is determined each year and is subject to change. Repayment on these loans begins six months after graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. These loans have a 10-year repayment plan.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan This is a need-based loan for which students are not responsible for the interest while in school at least half-time.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan This is a non-need loan for which the student is fully responsible for paying the interest. Interest begins to accrue once the loan has disbursed.

Dependent Students Maximum Subsidized Loan Maximum Unsubsidized Loan Total Loan Eligibility
Freshman 3,500 2,000 5,500
Sophomore 4,500 2,000 6,500
Junior/Senior 5,500 2,000 7,500

Students that do not qualify for the need-based Subsidized Loan are eligible to borrow the “Total Loan Eligibility” from the Unsubsidized Loan. The student’s award letter will reflect the amount they are eligible to borrow.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan A credit-based loan that is available to the parents of dependent students who have completed the FAFSA. The amount that a parent may borrow is based on the student’s educational costs minus any other financial aid received. The interest rate is fixed; however, interest does begin to accrue once the loan has disbursed. A payment deferment is an option is available if it is requested by the parent. Otherwise, repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement of the academic year. An origination fee is deducted from the approved loan before disbursement. This fee is determined each year and is subject to change. 

Note: If a parent is denied a PLUS Loan due to an adverse credit history, the dependent student can access an additional loan through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program listed above.  The amounts are as follows:
Dependent Students with a PLUS Denial or Independent Students Maximum Subsidized Loan Maximum Unsubsidized Loan Total Loan Eligibility
Freshman 3,500 6,000 9,500
Sophomore 4,500 6,000 10,500
Junior/Senior 5,500 7,000 12,500

 

Nursing Student Loans

Nursing Student Loans are available to students pursuing a bachelor's degree in the Nursing program. This loan offers a 10-year repayment, an interest rate of five percent, with a nine-month grace period.

Federal & State Gift Aid

This section includes programs and awards offered by the State of Michigan and the federal government. Eligibility and funding may change annually for any program listed.

State of Michigan Aid

The Michigan Tuition Grant

The Michigan Tuition Grant Program provides financial assistance to students who are Michigan residents attending a qualifying independent Michigan institution, including Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. Students demonstrating financial need may be awarded grants up to $3,000 for the academic year during undergraduate study.

The Michigan Tuition Grant is available annually to students who meet these requirements: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status, Michigan residency, continuous residence in the state of Michigan for at least one full calendar year (beginning July 1 of the year prior to the year of application), demonstrated financial need, and satisfactory academic progress. Students may receive funds from only one of these programs each year. Complete the FAFSA each year by March 1.

The Tuition Incentive Program

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is available to Michigan residents who have graduated from high school or obtained a GED certificate within the past four years, are under the age of 20 at the time of high school graduation or GED completion, and meet state-determined income guidelines. Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ students may qualify for Phase II of the TIP program. To be eligible for Phase II students must have completed their associate degree or at least 56 transferable credit hours. Students may contact the TIP program toll free at 1-877-323-2287 for more information or an application.

Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Students who graduate from high school in Michigan with a diploma or certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after will be eligible for up to $4,000 from the State of Michigan.

Fostering Future Scholarship

The Fostering Futures Scholarship, a State of Michigan program, provides scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care. The State of Michigan works with individuals, community organizations, and businesses to encourage charitable contributions that go towards Fostering Futures Scholarship funds. Awards are paid directly to the students’ institution to assist with unmet need in one or more of the following categories: tuition and fees, room and board and books and supplies.

Children of Veterans Trust

An undergraduate tuition program for children of certain deceased or disabled members of the armed forces of the United States. The program is designed to provide undergraduate tuition assistance to certain children older than 16 and less than 26 years of age who have been Michigan residents for the 12 months prior to application. To be eligible, a student must be the natural or adopted child of a Michigan veteran. Stepchildren of the veteran are not eligible. The veteran must have been a legal resident of Michigan immediately before entering military service and must not have later resided outside of Michigan for more than two years; or the veteran must have established legal residency in Michigan after entering military service.

Students may receive scholarship assistance for up to four academic years for a total of up to $11,200. Awards are for an academic year with the amount determined by the student’s enrollment status. Full-time students can receive up to a maximum of $2,800 per academic year.

Federal Government Programs

The Pell Grant Program

The Pell Grant program provides the foundation for aid based upon demonstrated need for many students. Annual awards range from $767 to $7,395 for both full- and part-time students. Eligibility is determined by the following criteria: 1) U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, 2) enrollment as an undergraduate student without a previous bachelor’s degree, and 3) demonstrated need.

The SEOG Program

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a grant with awards ranging from $50 to $2,000 for undergraduate students with Pell eligibility may also available. Eligibility is determined by the Scholarship and Financial Aid Office after a review of financial need.

Student Employment

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program enables students who qualify for financial aid to work on or off-campus on a part-time basis while attending classes. Students' earnings may not exceed their financial need as indicated on their FAFSA. Earnings are paid to students on a bi-weekly basis.

Non Work-Study (NWS)

Any employment that is not from Federal or State programs is considered "Non-Work Study", and is funded totally through the individual department.

Included in the Non-Work Study program are Resident Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and Research Assistants, International students with federal work authorization and a valid social security number, and any student who may not have a financial need for federal work-study funds may be eligible for a non-work study position.

Veterans Benefits

Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ is recognized by the Michigan Department of Education to offer education and training for veterans. Eligibility for all benefits is determined solely by the Veterans Administration (VA). For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar, or the Detroit Regional Office of the Veterans Administration.

All veterans receiving benefits must comply with the satisfactory academic progress policy. Specifically, all veterans receiving benefits must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for undergraduate and dental, 2.2 for law, and 3.0 for graduate programs.

A veteran who allows his/her cumulative GPA to fall below these levels will be placed on probation. A veteran is allowed two semesters to bring his/her GPA above these levels. If the veteran fails to do so, the VA will be notified of unsatisfactory academic progress and enrollment will not be certified. Certification may resume once the cumulative GPA rises above the previously stated levels.

If a veteran receives a failing grade in or officially withdraws from any class(es), the veteran is obligated to report in writing to the Registrar's Office the last date of attendance for such class(es). If the veteran fails to notify the Registrar's Office in writing, the University will report the last date of attendance to the VA as the first day of class.

Veterans will not be certified for courses taken on an audit basis or those that do not fulfill degree requirements in the program the student is enrolled in. At the time a recipient of VA benefits first requests certification for the Veteran's Administration, the Registrar will provide materials on current procedures. The student should review these materials carefully. In some cases, actions permitted by Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ may result in a reduction or termination of the student's benefits by the Veterans Administration under their regulations. Because academic advisors or deans may not be familiar with such regulations, the student is advised to consult the Office of the Registrar when registering, withdrawing, adding or discontinuing attendance.

In order to comply with Section 103 of PL 115-407 of the Colmery Act, University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a "certificate of eligibility" can also include a "Statement of Benefits" obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website – eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

  1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
  2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. Government website.

Private Sources of Financial Aid

Private Educational Loans

Many banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and other commercial lending institutions have special loan programs for students or parents of students attending college. University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ processes private loans through ELM Select. ELM Select provides students and parents an easy way to search for private loans from many lenders and programs.

Private Scholarships

Many students earn private scholarships to pay towards their educational expenses. Some private scholarships can only be applied towards University tuition and fees while others may go towards other educational expenses including housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Often times, recipients of these scholarships are at their University Cost of Attendance and therefore other aid must be reduced in order to award these scholarships. University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ will first reduce any student loans to reduce the student loan debt.

Recipients of such scholarships should confirm with the donor or donor organizations. These scholarships are often academic or civic in nature and may require additional certification from Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. Please send all Certification Requests and Scholarship Checks, made payable to single payee "University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ", to:

Scholarship and Financial Aid
University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ
4001 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48221-3038

Financial Aid Policies

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is a term used to describe a student’s successful completion of course work toward a degree or certificate. SAP is required to receive all federal and state financial aid.

Federal regulations require the Financial Aid Office to apply reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is making progress toward a degree. This is to ensure that students receiving funds are successfully progressing through their program of study. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you could lose your eligibility for financial aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

Student academic progress is measured at the end of each semester against the following qualitative and quantitative standards: cumulative grade point average (GPA), completion rate (pace), maximum time frame and meeting the academic standards of your school or college (e.g., the College of Engineering & Science, the School of Architecture, etc.).

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

2.0 for undergraduate students. At any time that it becomes mathematically impossible for the student to meet the GPA requirement by the time the student would complete enough credit hours to graduate, the student becomes ineligible for federal aid.

Completion Rate (Pace)

At least 67 percent of all credit hours attempted must have successfully passing grades that can be applied to the degree. The 67 percent completion rate maintains a pace of progress toward the degree or certificate that ensures completion of the academic credential within the maximum time frame allowed. The pace of progress is calculated by dividing the cumulative hours that you have successfully completed by the cumulative hours you have attempted. This includes hours attempted for which you do not receive credit, such as repeated courses that do not count toward your degree and classes taken prior to restarting your degree program.

Credit hours transferred from other schools that are accepted toward completion of a student's Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ program count as hours attempted and hours completed. However, transfer credit hours are not included in the calculation of a student's grade point average. Please refer to the Grades and Credits section of this policy for a list of attempted credit hours.

Maximum Time Frame

Students must complete a degree or certificate program in no more than 150 percent of the published length of the program in credit hours. Examples:

Undergraduate degrees that require 126 credit hours: Attempted credit hours may not exceed 189 (126 credits x 150 percent = 189 credits).

 

Note: If at any point it becomes mathematically impossible for the student to meet degree completion and/or grade point requirements prior to the maximum time frame, the student immediately becomes ineligible for future federal (and/or) state financial aid.

For the number of credit hours that specific programs require for completion, consult with an academic advisor or refer to the University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ Course Catalog.

Both pace and maximum time frame are measured in credit hours only, except in the case of programs that have a maximum calendar year requirement, regardless of attendance level (such as full-time or part-time).

Procedures

Each aid recipient's record will be evaluated at the end of each semester to determine that the student is meeting the standards described above. Students with classes that require more than one semester to receive a grade will be evaluated both on a semester basis for any classes graded at the end of the term, and at the completion of the class for multi-semester classes. If the student has reached the maximum number of scheduled hours or maximum years without earning a degree or it is mathematically impossible for the student to do so in the remaining number of hours or time frame, the student must be excluded from further participation in federal financial aid programs.

Financial Aid Warning

Students will receive a "financial aid warning" letter the first time they have experienced academic difficulty, which results in not meeting the SAP standards. The letter will remind them of the minimum academic requirements for their aid programs and strongly urge them to take advantage of the academic services that are available to students at Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ. Students will be eligible to receive federal aid during this warning semester. These students are notified that their records will be checked again at the end of the semester and that further action will be taken if the student does not meet SAP standards at that time. Students will be sent a financial aid suspension letter if, at the end of the warning semester, they are not meeting SAP standards. Students can only receive aid for one semester under this "warning" status.

Students whose classes meet for two or more terms before a grade is given do not qualify for a warning semester. Students in this category have their aid suspended at the end of the second semester of two-term classes during which they have not made SAP and must appeal for SAP probation to receive consideration for any further financial aid (see below).

Loss of eligibility due to lack of satisfactory progress

A student who has lost eligibility to participate in federal or state student aid programs for reasons of academic progress can regain that eligibility by enrolling at his/her own expense and demonstrating that he/she is capable of completing a semester without any failures, incompletes or withdrawals and showing the ability to complete his/her degree requirements in a more regular fashion and by submitting an appeal for reinstatement. The mere passage of time will not restore eligibility to a student who has lost eligibility for failure to make satisfactory progress.

Students who have been academically dismissed from the University but who are subsequently given permission to re-enroll are not automatically eligible to continue to participate in federal, state, or institutional aid programs. Admissions decisions are totally separate from funding decisions.

SAP Appeal

A typed appeal letter requesting reinstatement of eligibility must be submitted to the associate director of Scholarship and Financial Aid.

The SAP appeal must include:

  • An explanation of your overall situation, including your entire academic history at Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ, detailing the circumstances that contributed to your inability to meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  • An explanation of circumstances that contributed to your most recent unsuccessful semester.
  • Demonstrate what you have done to correct the problems that have hindered your success.
  • Attach supporting documents, such as obituaries, medical notices, tutoring contracts, etc.

Students should not assume that a SAP appeal will be approved and accepts responsibility for paying their tuition and fees if the appeal is denied.

Financial Aid Probation

Financial aid probation status will be assigned to students who have failed to meet SAP standards and have successfully appealed to have their aid eligibility reinstated.

Students who are not meeting SAP standards after a semester with a warning status or who attend multi-term classes may appeal to have their aid eligibility reinstated. If the appeal is approved, the student will be offered a financial aid probation contract.

Financial Aid Contract

The contract will outline the academic requirements the student must meet in order to receive aid for the following semester. This contract must be approved by an academic advisor in the student's college or school and can be modified by the advisor to include any steps required by the college or school for the student to maintain good academic standing with that college or school. If the student on financial aid probation meets the terms of the probation, they will be permitted to continue to participate in the federal student aid programs for a subsequent semester. Students who have been placed on probation shall be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress for the purposes of receiving financial aid as long as the student continues to meet the academic requirements outlined in his/her probationary contract which may extend to one or more semesters.

The Scholarship and Financial Aid Office will review the records of students who are on financial aid probation at the end of each semester to determine continued eligibility. If the student does not meet the terms of the probation, the student will forfeit eligibility for all federal financial aid programs.

Federal regulations require that these standards apply to all students, even to first-time aid applicants who have previously enrolled at University of Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ , or to those who have not been formally placed on probation.

Grades & Credits

Grades and Credits

Attempted credit hours include the following, whether or not paid for with financial aid:

  • Earned Hours (A-D)
  • Pass (P)
  • Satisfactory (S)
  • No Record (NR)
  • No Pass (NP)
  • Unsatisfactory (U)
  • Withdrawal (W)
  • Failure (F)
  • No Record Failure (XF)
  • Final Grade Postponed - Law School Only (X)
  • Incomplete (I)
  • Incomplete/Failing (I/F)
  • Numerical grades (0.0 - 4.0)
  • Transfer Credit

Withdrawal From Courses: If a student withdraws from a course after the drop/add period, the course credit hours will be added to his/her attempted credit hours total.

Remedial Courses: Credit hours for each remedial course a student takes are included in the calculation of his/her attempted credit hours total and are included in the GPA calculations, but are not counted towards degree requirements.

Incomplete Courses: Credit hours for incomplete courses are included in the calculation of a student's attempted credit hours total, but not in the calculation of his/her GPA.

Audit Courses: Credit hours are not earned for audited courses; therefore, they are not included in the calculation of a student’s attempted credit hours total or GPA.

Pass/Fail Courses: Credit hours for pass/fail courses are included in the calculation of a student's attempted credit hours total, but not in the calculation of his/her GPA.

Change Majors Courses: For students who change majors, the credit hours taken under all majors will be included in the calculation of the attempted credit hours total, the GPA calculation, and the maximum time frame for degree completion.

Repeat Coursework

Federal regulations limit the number of times a student may repeat a course and receive financial aid for that course.

  • A student may receive aid when repeating a course that was previously failed, regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.
  • A student may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time.
  • Once a student has completed any course twice without a passing grade, he/she is no longer eligible to receive aid for that course.
  • If a student retakes a course that is not aid-eligible, a recalculation of aid is performed to exclude the credits for the repeat course.
  • This rule applies whether or not the student received aid for the earlier enrollments in the course.

Note: Federal regulations specify that students may not receive aid for repeating courses previously passed if the student is required to retake those courses as part of a structured program. For example, a student who fails a course in a semester and is required by the college or department to repeat all courses taken in that semester before moving on in the program, would not be eligible to receive aid for the passed courses—only for the failed one(s). That may mean that the student would not be eligible for any aid for the semester, depending upon the number of previously passed courses being repeated.

If a student repeats a course, credit hours for each registration in the course will be added to his/her attempted credit hours total.

Return of Title IV (R2T4)

Students who withdraw within 60 percent of the beginning of the term or reduce their class load may have their financial aid reduced. Refer to the refund policy cited in the Tuition Refund Policy section of this catalog. The return of funds to financial aid programs is based upon federally-mandated formulae. Return of funds to financial aid programs are allocated in this order:

  1. Unsubsidized Federal Loans
  2. Subsidized Federal Loans
  3. Federal PLUS loans
  4. Federal Pell Grant
  5. ACG/SMART Grants
  6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
  7. Other federal Title IV assistance
  8. Other federal, state, private, or institutional financial aid programs
  9. A refund to a student is determined by the formula

This allocation order is mandated by the federal government and would change if the present priorities are changed.