|
Contents: (revised January 2006)
17.01 ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
17.02 STATE PROGRAMS
17.03 INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
17.04 TUITION WAIVERS
17.05 APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
17.06 STANDARDS OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC
PROGRESS
17.07 AWARD PACKAGING AND NOTIFICATION
17.08 FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENTS
17.09 FINANCIAL AID REFUNDS/REPAYMENTS
17.01 ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To describe the eligibility criteria to qualify for
Federal Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Programs.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
POLICY
Defined in law, in regulation, or as guidance from the
U.S. Department of Education, these policies and procedures
facilitate the effective operation of the federal processing
system and of the reporting systems for individual programs.
The term Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Programs
refers to need-based grant, loan, and work-study programs
administered by the US Department of Education. The
SFA Programs administered by the University, comprise
the: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Program (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal
Work Study and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL).
To qualify for assistance students must meet the following
basic eligibility requirements: demonstrated financial
need,citizen or eligible non-citizen, registered with
the Selective Service, if required; not in default on
a loan, or owe a repayment on Title IV aid received
at any institution; enrolled in an eligible program
of study; and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
PROCEDURE
Education costs for the SFA Programs are defined by
statute and are calculate based on the students tuition
and fee charges, living situation, as well as other
factors affecting the student. The Expected Family Contribution
(EFC) is the amount that a family can reasonably be
expected to contribute toward college costs. The EFC
is produced by a need analysis formula known as the
Federal Needs Analysis Methodology. If the EFC is less
than the COA, the student is considered to have financial
need and thus will be eligible for aid from the SFA
Programs, provided that he or she meets the other eligibility
requirements of these programs.
The Financial
Aid Office has the authority to use professional judgment
to adjust the COA for the SFA Programs on a case-by-case
basis to allow for special circumstances. Such adjustments
must be documented in the students file.
17.02 STATE PROGRAMS
Effective:
December 18, 1996
PURPOSE
To describe the rules and criteria for State of Florida
Programs
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Chapter 6A-20,FAC of the Florida Statutes.
POLICY
The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) within
the Florida Department of Education is responsible for
the administration of all State of Florida Financial
Assistance Programs. The State Programs section of OSFA
administers merit scholarships, need-based grants, teacher
scholarship-loan programs and miscellaneous scholarships
targeted towards special student populations attending
postsecondary educational institutions in the State
of Florida.
The Office
of Financial Aid is responsible for verifying all eligibility
criteria prior to awarding the state program.
PROCEDURE
The process of awarding state programs begins with OSFA
sending a list of recipients to the Office of Financial
Aid identifying the students who meet their criteria
for the state program.
Need-based grants
require the completion of the FAFSA. Merit scholarships
and teacher scholarship-loan programs require the completion
of special Florida Department of Education applications.
Recipients must meet satisfactory progress as defined
by OSFA and be in compliance with CLAST requirements.
Awards are renewable
if the student meets state academic progress standards
for renewal.
17.03 INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To describe the rules and criteria for institutional
scholarships.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
POLICY
Institutional scholarships are established for the purpose
of recruitment and retention of students who contribute
to enhance the University's enrollment goals.
Programs are
administered by the respective areas responsible for
the recruitment and retention of students. Each area
is responsible for making the awards and providing the
Financial Aid Office with a list of recipients. Awards
may be for a set amount or full tuition.
PROCEDURES
Upon receipt of award information, the Financial Aid
Office will issue an award letter. At the beginning
of each semester, the Financial Aid Office will verify
compliance with eligibility criteria before authorizing
disbursement of funds.
Students who
fail to meet renewal criteria will be notified of award
cancellation.
17.04 TUITION WAIVERS
Effective:
1 July 2002
PURPOSE
To describe the rules and criteria for Tuition Waivers.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
POLICY
The Tuition Waiver Programs are used by the academic
units to assist qualified students in defraying the
cost of tuition. Three types of Tuition Waivers are
available as follows:
I. Non-Residents
Tuition Waivers. These waivers may be used to offset
the cost of the out of state portion of tuition for
Non-Florida residents and International students.
II. Matriculation
Fee Waivers. These waivers may be used to offset the
cost of in-state tuition for graduate students. Preference
is given to graduate assistants who are enrolled full
time and working on a graduate-assistantship contract
with at least a 0.5 FTE appointment. The Office of
Financial Aid is responsible for monitoring the allocation
of funds to prevent any Title IV over awards. The
Bursar's Office is responsible for applying the waivers
against the students' tuition.
III. Tuition-plus
Program Waivers. These waivers may be used to offset
the cost of tuition in tuition-plus programs.
PROCEDURE
The Board of Trustees provides the total amount of tuition
waivers allocated university wide. The Provost makes
a determination on what portion of the waivers will
be used for undergraduate versus graduate students.
Tuition-plus
program waivers are provided through auxiliary accounts
by the unit responsible for the tuition-plus program.
Individual units
may increase their waiver allocation through the use
of any available funds.
The University
Graduate School has responsibility for allocating and
monitoring the graduate portion of all tuition waivers.
The allocation
for the undergraduate programs is prepared by the Vice
President and Dean of Undergraduate Studies in consultation
with the Financial Aid Office. The allocation is based
on prior year utilization of non-resident tuition waivers.
The Academic
Units send a roster to the Financial Aid Office, and
for graduate students, to the University Graduate School,
listing the recipients and award amounts. The Financial
Aid Office reviews the roster for potential Title IV
over awards and verifies that awards are within allocation
limits. The University Graduate School verifies that
the award is within the allocation for that academic
unit, that the student is enrolled for the required
number of credit hours, and that the student holds the
proper FTE graduate assistant appointment.
Any waivers
granted to University employees or spouses of University
employees must be reviewed by the Controller's Office
to verify compliance with Internal Revenue Service requirements.
The approved roster is forwarded to the Bursar's so
that the awards can be applied against tuition due.
17.05 APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To explain the method of applying for financial aid.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
POLICY
The financial aid application process begins each January
for the following academic year. Students who need financial
assistance to cover college expenses must file a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
The deadline for priority consideration is posted annually.
PROCEDURE
A student's award will not be confirmed until all documents
required to complete the file are received and reviewed
in the Office of Financial Aid. Those applicants who
complete the application process after the deadline
and who are eligible will be considered to the extent
that funds permit. Failure to accurately report information
sought on the application or on supporting documents
may result in the suspension or termination of financial
aid eligibility
17.06 STANDARDS OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To describe the criteria and procedures for the Standards
of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
POLICY
To receive assistance under the Student Financial Assistance
(SFA) Programs, a student must meet the Standards of
Satisfactory Academic Progress. The University has established
a satisfactory progress policy for the purpose of monitoring
whether the student meets these standards. Students
who fail to make progress towards completion of their
degree as specified under this policy will be issued
warning letters, placed on probation, or suffer suspension
or termination of financial aid.
PROCEDURES
For purposes of this rule and the receipt of financial
aid, the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
are reviewed annually at the end of the Spring semester.
All periods of enrollment at the University are considered
regardless of whether the student received Title IV
aid. A copy of the policy is enclosed with the financial
aid award letter and it is also available at the Financial
Aid Office counter. The following components are measured
to determine if satisfactory progress has been achieved:
1. Qualitative:
Financial aid recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative
GPA for his or her category.
2. Quantitative: Credit
Hour Completion. All students must complete a percentage
of the minimum credits for their enrollment category
each academic year.
Maximum Time
Frame (Time Limitation for Degree Completion). The length
of time necessary to complete a degree depends on the
number of credit hours required as specified in the
University's catalog and the student's enrollment status.
The Maximum Time Frame will be evaluated on the basis
of the applicant's status at the time of entry. Students
can be awarded financial aid for coursework taken up
to 50% above the minimum graduation requirements.
APPEALS
Any student denied financial aid who can prove special
circumstances has the right to appeal the decision within
60 days of the Financial Aid Office notification. The
appeal must be submitted in writing and supportive documentation
must be attached. If the appeal is denied, the student
may submit a final appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals
Committee. The decision of the Committee shall be final.
FINANCIAL
AID APPEALS COMMITTEE
The Financial Aid Appeals Committee is appointed by
the Director of Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Office
convenes the Committee as needed.
17.07 AWARD PACKAGING AND NOTIFICATION
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To explain the method used for award packaging and notification.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
POLICY
Packaging is the process of finding the best combination
of aid to meet a student's financial need, given limited
resources and institutional constraints. The University
reviews its packaging philosophy each year based on
federal regulations and enrollment trends. A student
who has applied for financial assistance will be notified
of the decision of the Office of Financial Aid.
PROCEDURE
Packaging is done according to completion date within
each packaging group (e.g., entering freshman, returning
graduate, etc.) A financial aid award may consist of
a combination of grants, loans and employment based
on the students financial need, funds requested by the
student and available resources. The award is contingent
upon receipt by the University of funds from the appropriate
agencies.
17.08 FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENTS
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To explain the financial aid disbursement process.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended,
and institutional policies.
POLICY
SFA funds are disbursed when the University makes a
payment of SFA funds or delivers proceeds of an SFA
loan to or on behalf of a student, either directly or
by crediting a student's account with the funds. To
insure an adequate system of internal checks and balances,
the disbursement functions are the responsibility of
the Business Office.
PROCEDURE
SFA funds are disbursed by the University weekly at
the end of census date (drop/add period) for any given
semester. The Office of Financial Aid verifies students
continued eligibility by running an automated Compliance
Report which compares original award conditions with
students current status. Awards which do not match are
held in the Financial Aid System for further review.
The remaining awards are released to the Business Office
for disbursement. Tuition and fees, housing charges
and all other outstanding debts will be deducted and
a check (net check) for the remaining award will be
issued to the students, preferably by direct deposit.
17.09 FINANCIAL AID REFUNDS/REPAYMENTS
Effective: December
18, 1996
PURPOSE
To specify the conditions under which financial aid
refunds/repayments are mandated.
AUTHORITY/SOURCE
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended,
and institutional policies.
POLICY
The Student Financial Assistance (SFA) refund and repayment
requirements apply when a student receives SFA funds
and withdraws, drops out, takes an unapproved leave
of absence, fails to return from an approved leave of
absence, is expelled, or otherwise fails to complete
the period of enrollment for which he or she was charged.
The SFA refund
and repayment requirements do not apply to a
student who
I. withdraws,
drops out, or is expelled before his or her first
day of class,
II. withdraws from some classes, but continues to
be enrolled in other classes, up to the 60% attendance
rule.
III. does not receive SFA funds for the enrollment
period in question. Work Study funds are never considered
in the refund and repayment process.
PROCEDURE
A refund is defined as the difference between the amount
paid towards institutional charges (including financial
aid and/or cash paid) and the amount the school may
retain under the appropriate refund policy.
A repayment
is the unearned amount of a direct disbursement to a
student that the student (who received SFA funds and
who has ceased attendance after attending at least one
class) must pay back.
When a student
receiving financial aid withdraws or drops below the
required hours for receipt of that aid, the amount of
the refund due (according to the University Refund Policy)
is refunded into the financial programs from which the
student received money. In addition, a portion of the
financial aid received as cash disbursement for non-instructional
costs must be repaid by the student to the University.
Last
update
January 19, 2006 1:42 PM
|
