Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Package

Typical financial aid awards are composed of scholarships, grants, loans and employment. Scholarships and grants constitute gifts and are not repaid. Educational loans are repayable over a period of years at low interest rates after students graduate, drop below half-time, or leave University. Students also may have part-time jobs on campus and receive paychecks every two weeks.

Students receiving financial aid are required to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree to remain eligible for financial assistance. Lack of satisfactory academic progress may result in the loss of financial aid. Written explanations on financial aid policies are mailed with the award notification.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Students planning to enroll for six credit hours or more per semester in a degree program should take the following steps to apply for financial aid at Rockford University:

• Complete and submit an application for admission to Rockford University.
• Submit an official high school transcript, transcripts from any universities attended, and test scores (either ACT or SAT) to the Admission Office.
• As soon after October 1 of the calendar year before starting college as possible, complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please be sure to list the Rockford University code (#001748) on the FAFSA so that the financial aid office will receive the results. Students should complete the FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov.
• Applicants will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) at their home address or personal e-mail account. The SAR must be reviewed for accuracy and corrections must be submitted where applicable.
• Rockford University’s priority deadline is March 1.

Financial Aid Policies

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards for Financial Aid Eligibility (Undergraduate Students)

Rockford University is required by federal regulation to apply both qualitative and quantitative standards in measuring academic progress for financial aid purposes. These standards apply to all students who receive institutional, state, and Title IV funds administered by Rockford University. Federal Title IV programs include Federal PELL Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Rockford University has established the following criteria in compliance with federal regulations published on October 6, 1993, Federal Register Part 668.16 and in the Higher Education Amendments of 1986:

I. Qualitative standards of academic progress

Undergraduate students

Financial aid recipients are governed by the academic performance standards of Rockford University. In order to retain financial aid eligibility the student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of:

• 1.8 for 0–29 credits completed
• 1.9 for 30–59 credits completed
• 2.0 for 60+ credits completed

When a course is repeated, the most recent grade will be used in the calculation of student cumulative GPA.

Graduate students

Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to be eligible for federal financial aid each semester.

II. Quantitative standards of academic progress

Undergraduate students

Financial aid recipients are expected to complete a degree in the following time frame:

Financial aid recipients must earn 70 percent of credits attempted.

In order to complete degree requirements within the maximum allowable time frame listed above, undergraduates must complete 11 credits each semester (if full-time), seven credits each semester (if three quarter-time) or five and one-half credits each semester (if half-time).

Graduate students

To complete a master’s degree at Rockford University, students must complete a minimum of 32 credits. Full-time enrollment at the graduate level is at least nine credits each semester. Half-time enrollment at the graduate level is at least five credits each semester.

III. Schedule for receiving financial aid

Undergraduate students

In these schedules, years refers to academic years completed and credits refers to the absolute minimum number of credits that must be completed in the corresponding year to maintain financial aid eligibility.

Graduate students

In these schedules, years refers to academic years completed and credits refers to the absolute minimum number of credits that must be completed in the corresponding year to maintain financial aid eligibility.

IV. Failure to Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards

The following actions will be taken for those students who fail to meet any of the above standards:

1. In the first term, students who are not in compliance will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. The Student Administrative Services (SAS) office will send notification to those who are not in compliance and remind them of the obligations. Eligibility can be reinstated if students complete the designated percentage of attempted credits during the probationary period and/or earn the correct GPA.
2. If students are not in compliance after the warning period, eligibility for all federal, state and institutional aid will be withdrawn. Notification will be sent to students advising them of their suspension. Financial aid will not be reinstated unless student appeals are granted or students request reinstatement after meeting all standards of academic progress.

V. Appeal Procedure

To appeal the financial aid suspension, a student must, within the timeframe noted in the suspension letter, submit to SAS a signed and dated letter of appeal explaining why he/she should not be suspended. A student may appeal for emergency condition (i.e. health, family, catastrophe, etc.). Documentation verifying the situation may be requested.

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will consider the appeal and render a decision, which the director of financial aid will convey in writing to the student. The decision of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee is final. If the appeal is approved, financial aid will be awarded for one additional semester on a probationary status.

VI. Additional Information

All attempted credits are counted, including transfer credits, remedial coursework, withdrawals, repetitions, and incomplete grates (whether or not financial aid was received, or the course work was successfully completed). ESL courses do not count towards SAP as they have no credits attached to them. SAP will be recalculated once incomplete grades are converted into actual grades or withdraws.

VII. Financial Aid Refund Policy: Return of Title IV Financial Aid Funds

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 changed the formula for calculating the amount of aid a student and university can retain when the student totally withdraws from ALL classes. Students who withdraw from all classes prior to completing more than 60 percent of an enrollment term will have their eligibility for aid recalculated based on the percent of the term (semester) completed. For example, a student who withdraws completing only 30 percent of the semester will have “earned” only 30 percent of any Title IV aid received. The University and/or the student must return the remaining 70 percent to the proper aid program. The Rockford University SAS office encourages students to read the following policy carefully. If a student considers withdrawing from all classes PRIOR to completing 60 percent of the semester, they should contact the SAS office to see how their financial aid award will be affected.

The policy applies to all students who withdraw, drop out or are dismissed from Rockford University, and receive financial aid from Title IV funds.

The term “Title IV Funds” refers to the Federal Financial Aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and includes the following programs: Federal Direct Education Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized, PLUS loans), Federal PELL Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Perkins Loan.

A student’s withdrawal date is the date the student begins the withdrawal process or officially notifies the University of intent to withdraw OR the midpoint of the term (semester) for a student who leaves without notifying the institution OR the student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically-related activity.

Refunds on institutional charges, including tuition and fees, will be calculated using the refund policy published in the “Financial Information” section of this catalog as determined by the Rockford University Business Office.

Title IV aid is earned on a prorated manner, on a per day basis, up to and including the 60 percent point in the semester. Title IV aid and all other aid is considered to be 100 percent earned after that point in time.

The percentage of Title IV aid earned shall be calculated as follows:

Number of days completed by student

Percent of semester completed/Title IV aid earned

= Total number of days in semester*

*The total number of calendar days in a semester shall exclude any scheduled breaks of more than five days.

The percentage of Title IV aid unearned (i.e., to be returned to the appropriate aid program) shall be 100 percent minus the percent earned.

Unearned aid shall be returned first by Rockford University from the student’s account calculated as follows:

Total institutional charges multiplied by the percent of unearned aid = amount returned to programs.

Unearned Title IV aid shall be returned to the programs in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan
2. Subsidized Direct Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal PLUS Loans
5. Federal PELL Grant
6. Federal SEOG

Exception: Only program(s) from which a student received funds are entitled to a refund.

When the total amount of unearned aid is greater than the amount returned by Rockford University from the student’s account, the student is responsible for returning unearned aid to the appropriate program as follows:

1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan*
2. Subsidized Direct Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal PLUS Loans*
5. Federal PELL Grant**
6. Federal SEOG**

*Loan amounts are returned in accordance with the terms of the promissory note signed by the student/parent.

**Amounts to be returned by the student to federal grant programs will receive a 50 percent discount.

Sources of Financial Aid

Rockford University Scholarships Available to Entering Students

Entering full-time Rockford University students are eligible for the following scholarships applied toward tuition:

Alumni Grant

Full-time students who are dependents of Rockford University graduates are eligible for grants of $1,000 as residential students or $500 as commuting students.

Presidential Scholarships

The Rockford University Presidential Scholarship is the highest honor given to entering students of Rockford University. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must agree to live on campus and be involved in one or more of our many co-curricular activities and participate in leadership activities. For consideration, complete applications must be submitted by the established deadline and meet the following criteria:

First-Year Students

• 3.65 minimum GPA
• 29 minimum ACT/SAT equivalent

Transfer Students

• 3.65 minimum cumulative GPA
• 30 completed University credits
• 29 minimum ACT/SAT equivalent

To retain the scholarship, recipients are required to live and take meals on campus, participate in one or more of the University’s co-curricular activities, participate in leadership activities and maintain a 3.50 GPA for both term and cumulative scores. Presidential Scholarships are available for a maximum of 4 years.

Trustee Scholarship

The Rockford University Trustee Scholarship is one of the highest honors given to new students. Trustee Scholarships are awarded each fall to new first-year and new transfer students who attend full time. Recipients of the scholarship are required to live on campus, be involved in one or more of our many co-curricular activities and participate in leadership activities. For consideration, a completed application must be submitted by the established deadline and meet the following criteria:

First-Year Students

• 3.50 minimum cumulative GPA
• 27 minimum ACT/SAT equivalent

Transfer Students

• 3.50 minimum GPA
• 30 completed University credits

To retain the scholarship, recipients are required to live and take meals on campus, participate in one or more of the University’s co-curricular activities, participate in leadership activities and maintain a 3.25 GPA for both term and cumulative scores. Trustee Scholarships are available for a maximum of 4 years.

Dean’s Scholarship

The Rockford University Dean’s Scholarship is one of the highest honors given to new students. Dean’s Scholarships are awarded each fall to new first-year and new transfer students who attend full time. Recipients of the scholarship are required to be involved in one or more of our many co-curricular activities and participate in leadership activities. For consideration, a completed application must be submitted by the established deadline and meet the following criteria:

First-Year Students

• 3.35 minimum GPA
• 25 minimum ACT/SAT equivalent

Transfer Students

• 3.35 minimum cumulative GPA
• 12 completed University credits

To retain the scholarship, recipients are required to live participate in one or more of the University’s co-curricular activities, participate in leadership activities and maintain a 3.10 GPA for both term and cumulative scores. Dean’s Scholarships are available for a maximum of 4 years.

Academic Excellence Award, Founders Award, Recognition Award and Regent Award

These awards are given each fall and spring to new first-year and new transfer students who attend full time. Amounts of the individual awards are determined at the point of admission and are based on a student's academic credentials, co-curricular activities and choice of residency. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester to continue to receive these awards.

Aid for Part-Time Students

The part-time student grant provides $150 per credit hour up to $900 per semester to part-time students in good academic standing, and that meet the following criteria:

• The part-time grant voucher must be completed every semester and is due to Student Administrative Services within 10 days of the start of each semester (the voucher can be obtained by contacting SAS).
• Payment in full or an approved payment plan must be received along with the voucher.

Students who are receiving any form of financial assistance, including, but not limited to grant, scholarship, discounted tuition, loans and tuition remission or employer reimbursement, are not eligible.