Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Financial Aid
In order to receive federal financial aid, a student must maintain satisfactory progress in the courses of study he or she is pursuing according to the standards and practices of the institution in which he or she is enrolled. Federal regulations require that the institution’s standards must be the same as or stricter than the institution’s standards for students who are not receiving aid under the federal financial aid programs.

A student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to be in good academic standing. A student must also be making satisfactory progress toward a degree. The maximum length of time for program completion is six (6) years. The following chart shows the minimum progress which must be maintained:

Exceptions to the above-stated policies will be made at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid.

Federal Pell Grant Program
Application Procedure: Applications and other materials are available through financial aid offices at approved post-secondary institutions. Students may initially apply for Pell grants by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), via mail or Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov).

The completed application should be submitted for processing according to the directions included on it. A calculated Student Aid Report will be sent to the applicant via mail or email.  Based on this, the amount of the applicant’s award is determined by the financial aid officer at the postsecondary institution attended. Upon enrollment, funds are credited to his or her institutional account.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: Eligibility and award amount are based on need. The applicant must be enrolled as an undergraduate student, for at least three credits, in an approved post-secondary institution and must need financial assistance to continue his or her education. Financial need is determined by a formula applied to all applicants. It was developed by the U.S. Department of Education and is reviewed annually by Congress. The estimated family contribution is calculated by this formula. Federal Pell Grant awards are usually paid for up to the first bachelor’s degree for students enrolled in undergraduate programs.

Award Schedule: Currently awards range from $400 to $4,050, but not more than one-half the total cost of attendance. The amount of the award will be affected by costs of attendance and full- or part-time enrollment status. The Federal Pell award is not duplicative of state awards.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress in the program in which he or she is enrolled. The student must not owe any refunds on Federal Pell Grants or other awards paid, or be in default on repayment of any student loan.

Before receiving payment, the student must sign an affidavit, available from the institutional financial aid office, that all money received will be used for the costs of attendance only.

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
Application Procedure: FAFSA must be filed annually. Application is through the institutional Financial Aid office which is responsible for determining who receives a Supplemental Grant and the amount.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: The applicant must be: 1) in financial need, and 2) enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate student in an approved postsecondary institution, and 3) eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

Award Schedule: The award ranges from $100 to $4,000 annually. Normally an award may be paid for up to the period required for the completion of the first bachelor’s degree.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: The student must continue to make satisfactory academic progress.

Source: U.S. Department of Education

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
All loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program must be repaid. The FAFSA must be filed annually for all loan programs.

A borrower may repay a Direct Subsidized Loan, a Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loan, or a Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loan under the standard repayment plan, the extended repayment plan, the graduated repayment plan, or the income contingent repayment plan.

A borrower may repay a Direct PLUS Loan or a Direct PLUS Consolidation Loan under the standard, the extended repayment plan, or the graduated repayment plan.

Federal Direct Loan Program (subsidized)
Application Procedure: Eligible students can complete an electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at http://dlenote.ed.gov following their acceptance of loan assistance on their financial aid award letter. The Master Promissory Note is valid for a ten year period.

An online counseling session is required for all loan recipients attending Brentwood Campus for the first time (available at http://www.dlssonline.com).  When the loan is approved by the Federal Direct Loan Servicer, notification will be sent to the borrower describing the terms of the loan(s). Loan proceeds will be applied to the student’s account in two disbursements during the enrollment period of the loan. Delayed disbursements for the first semester of the Direct Loan are required for new freshman and transfer undergraduate borrowers.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: To be eligible for a Direct Loan, a student must be: 1) a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; and 2) enrolled in or admitted as a matriculated, at least half-time, student at an approved college, university or other postsecondary institution in the United States or in a foreign country; 3) file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually; and 4) exhibit financial need.

Loan Schedule: Freshmen may borrow up to $2,625 per academic year. Sophomores may borrow up to $3,500 per academic year. Juniors and seniors may borrow up to $5,500 per academic year. Total undergraduate borrowing may not exceed $23,000.

A graduate student may borrow up to $8,500 per academic year, up to a combined total of $65,500 including any loans for undergraduate study.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: A student may borrow at a relatively low interest rate with no repayment as long as he or she remains enrolled at least half-time, and for six months after he or she ceases to be at least a half-time student.

New loans made on or after July 1, 2006 will carry a fixed interest rate of 6.8% both for in-school status and in-repayment status.

A variety of deferment provisions exist for all Federal Direct Education Loans. Students/borrowers should investigate these deferment options with their lender.

Federal Direct Loan Program (unsubsidized)
These non-need based unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students who are found to be ineligible for all or part of the need-based subsidized Direct Loan Program, not to exceed the annual loan amounts listed under the subsidized Direct Loan Program previously listed.

Independent undergraduate and graduate students may also apply for these loans in addition to their other Direct Loan amounts.

Freshman and Sophomores may borrow up to $4,000 per academic year. Juniors and Seniors may borrow up to $5,000 per academic year. Graduate students may borrow up to $10,000 per academic year. The amount in any year plus other financial aid cannot exceed educational costs.

Aggregate limits for all subsidized and unsubsidized loans (including a combination of FFELS and Direct Loans) are:

• $23,000 for a dependent undergraduate student
• $46,000 for an independent undergraduate student (and certain dependent students)
• $138,500 for a graduate or professional student (including loans for undergraduate study)

Repayment of interest is required while the student is in school or interest may be capitalized. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8%.

Federal Direct Plus Loans for Undergraduate Students

Parents may borrow up to the full cost of attendance less any financial aid per year for each financially dependent student. The amount borrowed in any year cannot exceed educational costs, taking into account all other financial aid received. Repayment begins within 60 days. The maximum repayment period is 10 years. The interest rate is currently fixed at 7.9%. 

Beginning on July 1, 2006, in addition to $18,500 in potential Stafford eligibility, graduate students can borrow up to the cost of attendance from the PLUS Program, repaying a Direct Loan at 7.9% interest, starting 60 days after the full disbursement.

United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, Aid to Native Americans, Higher Education Assistance Program
Application Procedure: Application forms may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Affairs office. An application is necessary for each year of study. An official needs analysis from the college Financial Aid office is also required each year.

Each first-time applicant must obtain tribal enrollment certification, recording enrollment for the tribe from the Bureau agency or tribe.

Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards: To be eligible, the applicant must: 1) be at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut; 2) be an enrolled member of a tribe, band or group recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; 3) be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment at an approved college or university, pursuing at least a four-year degree; and 4) have financial need.

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients: For grants to be awarded in successive years, the student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree and show financial need. Depending on availability of funds, grants may also be made to graduate students and Summer session students. Eligible married students may also receive living expenses for dependents.

Veterans Administration (VA) Educational Benefits Educational Assistance (GI Bill)
Application Procedure: Application forms, information, and assistance in applying for benefits are available at all VA offices. Forms can also be downloaded from the internet at www.gibill.va.gov or you can call 1-888-GIBILL1. Students can also log onto www.gibill.va.gov for additional iformation.

Award Schedule: Current monthly benefit rates are determined by the Veterans Administration.

Veterans enrolled half-time or more may be entitled to a VA educational loan. The granting of educational loans is based on financial need related directly to the cost of education. Veterans should contact the Veterans Administration Office for current information.

Special Arrangements for Veterans and Children of Deceased or Totally Disabled Veterans
The Office of Veterans Affairs is a valuable starting point for veterans. It exists at the Brentwood Campus for the purpose of assisting veterans and their dependents. The staff will explain the various benefits provided by the Veterans Administration and the procedures for obtaining these benefits. The office also provides counseling of a personal or educational nature and serves as a source of referral information for services at the Brentwood Campus. Most veterans are eligible for benefits under what is commonly called the "GI Bill." The VA allows an educational subsistence payment made directly to veterans. Because of changing legislation, veterans should contact the office to receive current information and applications. Veterans must pay their own tuition and expenses. Often there is a delay of a month or two before the first check arrives at the veteran’s address. Please call 1-888-GIBILL1 or visit www.gibill.va.gov for additional information.

Veterans with a disability rating of 20 percent or more should contact the Veterans Administration, which will determine if they are in need of vocational rehabilitation. In such cases the VA usually pays for the tuition, books, and supplies necessary for school and also provides an educational subsistence payment each month.

Dependents of deceased or totally disabled veterans may be eligible for benefits under Public Law 634 and should contact the Veterans Administration.