Undergraduate Catalog

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Undergraduate Catalog

The Financial Aid office at The College of St. Scholastica seeks to support the mission of the College by providing services that assist students in identifying resources - federal, state, institutional and others - to finance their education. St. Scholastica's institutional philosophy on student aid places primary responsibility on the student to provide funds for educational expenses; however, the institution's commitment to a diverse and representative student body is reflected in the fact that nine out of every 10 St. Scholastica students are recipients of some form of aid. Students interested in receiving need-based financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The College participates in all the usual federal and state financial aid programs.
These include:

           1. Federal
                Pell Grants
                Stafford Loan (Subsidized)
                Stafford Loan (Unsubsidized)
                Parent PLUS Loan
                Graduate PLUS Loan
                Perkins Loan
                Nursing Student Loan
                Work Study
                Robert C. Byrd Scholarship
                Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship
                Veterans Administration Scholarship
                Federal Indian Scholarship Program

           2. State
                Minnesota State Grant Program
                Work Study
                S.E.L.F. Loan Program
                State Indian Scholarship Program
                MN Rehabilitation Services
                Post-Secondary Child Care Grant Program
                Public Safety Officer's Survivor Grant

There is also a substantial amount of institutional aid invested in financial aid programs. In addition to the $3.1 million in St. Scholastica grants, the College awards need-based scholarships provided by over 139 donors. The generosity of these people and foundations is essential in helping to meet the financial needs of our students.

Academic/leadership scholarships are awarded by the Admissions Office to incoming students. Incoming students can receive information about the following scholarships from the Admissions Office: Access Scholarship, Benedictine Scholarship, the Raymond Prebilic Scholarship, Summit Scholarship, and the Transfer Achievment Grant.

Financial aid is awarded in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or student employment.

General Eligibility Criteria for Financial Aid

A student must:

Be accepted as a degree-seeking student at the College.
Be a citizen of the U.S. or possess permanent resident status.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress in the course of study pursued according to the standards and practices of the institution. (See section of catalog entitled Satisfactory Academic Progress.) If the student loses eligibility for financial aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress, there is a procedure to regain eligibility.
Not be in default on any educational loan previously received at St. Scholastica or another institution.
Complete the application process as outlined below and respond to notices or requests from awarding agencies within the specified time. (Failure to respond correctly may result in cancellation of funding for a student.)

Financial Aid Refund Policy

Financial Aid Refunds. Students who withdraw from all classes during the 100 percent tuition refund period will receive a full refund of all their financial aid unless they complete a Withdrawal Survey Form (Available in the dean of student's office, documenting their attendance at each class. Upon receipt of the Withdrawal Survey Form, the federal financial aid refund policy will be calculated. If students receive a full (100 percent) refund of tuition, they are ineligible for any state, institutional, or private sources of financial aid.

Federal (Return of Title IV Funds) Refund Policy. Students with federal aid who withdraw (or are expelled) after a semester starts, but before completing 60 percent of the term, may need to return a portion of their federal (Title IV) aid. The percentage of Title IV aid to be returned is equal to the number of days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the term. Scheduled breaks of more than four consecutive days are excluded.

Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) Financial Aid Refund Policy. St. Scholastica is required to use the OHE financial aid refund policy when calculating refunds for Minnesota State Grants and Minnesota SELF loans. After supplying St. Scholastica's "billing refunds" and the "Return of Title IV Funds" refund calculations to the student's account, a proportionate share of the state aid is refunded using the following formula: "remaining refund" x "MN financial aid funds"/"all non-Title IV financial aid." Students retain funds earned through the Minnesota State Work Study Program prior to withdrawing from St. Scholastica.

Financial Aid Refunds for Institutional and Private Funds. After calculating the federal and Minnesota financial aid refund policies, institutional and private gift aid is reduced by the same percent as the student's tuition was reduced. Students who plan to withdraw must notify the vice president of Student Affairs.

Financial Aid Application Process

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov in high school guidance offices. The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA is March 15.
Incoming students need to complete The College of St. Scholastica Financial Aid Application Form on the College website.
Review the Financial Aid Award Letter and respond to enclosed materials.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Payment of financial aid awards from College controlled funds will be made by giving the student credit on his/her student account. Such payments will normally be made each semester. Payment of financial aid awards from sources beyond College control will be made at the discretion of the donor.
Each student who receives or applies for financial aid must notify the Financial Aid Office of any financial aid award received from sources outside the College.
Each applicant/recipient has the right to review his/her financial aid application and supporting documents.
Each student who receives a Federal Nursing Student Loan or a Federal Perkins Loan (formerly the National Direct Student Loan) must complete Entrance Counseling online through the College website. Each student has the responsibility to complete the necessary promissory note, truth in-lending statement, etc., within 10 days after the start of a semester. Failure to do so may result in loan cancellation.
Every student who has received a Federal Perkins Loan, a Federal Nursing Student Loan or a Federal Family Education Loan while in attendance at St. Scholastica must have an exit interview regarding these loans prior to graduation or withdrawal. Failure to do so will result in credentials being withheld.
Federal, state and institutional policies and procedures change. Applicants should be sure that they have the latest information.

Outside Financial Aid Resources

Designated scholarships are offered by many organizations such as labor unions, fraternal orders and religious organizations. Students may obtain information concerning these scholarship opportunities from the secretaries of these groups. Special application forms are usually required.

High school seniors should be in close contact with their guidance office to become aware of scholarships for their high school and/or area graduates.

The Financial Aid Office operates a scholarship directory service (free of charge) to assist students in locating funding from outside sources. Students can access this directory on the College website.

Financial Aid

Students with physical handicaps who wish to further their education or expand their area of employability may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits. Students should check their home state Division of Rehabilitation Services to determine the amount of financial aid which may be available under this program.

The Veterans Administration pays veterans' benefits directly to qualified students. The College veterans' coordinator will answer questions concerning the G.I. Bill, Dependent Educational Assistance Program Benefits and V.A. Contributory Benefits. The College veterans' coordinator may be contacted through the Registrar's Office.

War Orphans Educational Assistance Act (Ch. 35, Title 38, U.S. Code) provides benefits to sons, daughters, wives and husbands of deceased veterans and of living veterans who have disabilities considered to be total and permanent in nature. The veteran must have died or become disabled as a result of service in the armed forces and must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Generally a young person must be between 12 and 23 years of age to attend school under this program. The eligible young person may receive up to 36 months of education. Applications and further information may be obtained from any county veterans' office or college veterans' coordinator.

Indian scholarship funding may be available from the Minnesota State Indian Scholarship Program and/or the tribe in which the student is enrolled. Students are encouraged to apply early as there may be limited funding. Either contact these organizations directly or consult with the Financial Aid Office.

Air Force ROTC Scholarships

St. Scholastica students are invited to apply for Air Force ROTC college scholarships. Air Force ROTC offers high school seniors and college students five-, four-, three-, two- and sometimes one-year scholarships which cover tuition, fees, and a book allowance. Awards are based on the applicant's potential as an Air Force officer, as demonstrated by a combination of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test score, academic achievement and recommendation of an AFROTC scholarship committee. Application for four-year scholarships must be made early in the senior year of high school. Students seeking scholarships should contact the Department of Aerospace Studies:

University of Minnesota - Duluth
1049 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812-3011
(218) 726-8159

Tuition and Fees

Fee Schedule

The following is the official fee schedule for the 2011-2012 academic year for traditional undergraduate and graduate students at The College of St. Scholastica. Basic fees for the year include tuition, room and board, health service fees and some of the special course/lab fees. Students will make payment and accept refunds for courses in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the current published tuition/fees and refund policy statement of the College. Finance fees and collections costs will be assessed if the amount is not paid in full.

Tuition

For students carrying 12 through 18 credits per semester. Less than 12 credits or each credit over 18 will be charged at $916 per credit. Graduate tuition: $715 per credit. Physical therapy and occupational therapy students will be charged the graduate tuition rate upon acceptance into theprogram. Tuition rates may vary for some programs.

Per Academic Semester: $14,664

Per Academic Year: $29,328

Health service fee
Required of all undergraduate and graduate students with 9 or more credits per semester.

Per Academic Semester: $89

Per Academic Year: $178

Student Health Insurance (2010-2011 rate)
Student health insurance is automatically charged to full-time undergraduate main campus students with 12 or more credits unless the online waiver form is completed by the student via the student's Banner Web account. Waivers must be completed by September 25.
Undergraduate students with 9 to 11 credits or graduate students with less than 12 credits have the option to enroll in the program by contacting the Student Accounts Office.
Student insurance is mandatory for all international students (undergraduate or graduate) regardless of number of credits enrolled. Insurance can be held either through a separate policy or the College's policy. Proof of insurance is required if the policy is not through the College student insurance plan.

Per Academic Semester: $934

Housing

Grove Apartments

Per Academic Semester: $1984

Per Academic Year: $3,968

Birch, Maple, Pine and Willow Apartments

Per Academic Semester: $2,485

Per Academic Year: $4,970

Cedar Hall, Scanlon, Kerst 2 Bedroom

Per Academic Semester: $2,564

Per Academic Year: $5,128

Cedar Hall, Scanlon, Kerst 4 Bedroom

Per Academic Semester: $2,823

Per Academic Year: $5,646

Somers Residence Hall Complex
Double

Per Academic Semester: $3,858

Per Academic Year: $7,716

Suite

Per Academic Semester: $4,104

Per Academic Year: $8,208

Includes board plan of 14 meals per week (students have the option of choosing 17 or 10 meals per week by contacting Food Services). A deposit of $150 is required to secure the reservation of housing; this is held as a damage deposit. (Nonrefundable after May 1).

Other
$200 enrollment fee is due on May 1. For applications made after
May 1, payment is due upon receipt of acceptance for admission.

Accelerated Learning
Tuition for undergraduate and graduate degree programs is
calculated by course credit. Please refer to the Accelerated
Learning Web page for a current academic year tuition schedule.

Special course fees (per semester):
Some courses may have lab or course fees associated with them.
Details are listed in the class schedule.

The College reserves the right to make adjustments in tuition and fees
without advance notice in order to meet current costs.

Student Insurance

The Student Accounts Office, in conjunction with Health Services, offers information about our student insurance coverage. The College requires all undergraduate and graduate students with 12 or more credits to be covered by a health and accident insurance plan. Arranging such coverage is the student's responsibility and can be done through the College or through a separate policy. If the student is covered by a separate policy, the College requires the student to complete the online waiver form located in their Banner Web account. Full-time undergraduate main campus students are automatically charged the nonrefundable premium and covered under the College's student insurance plan unless the online waiver is completed. All other students have the option of enrolling in the insurance plan through the online process by September 25. Students enrolled under the College's insurance plan are also required to pay the Health Service Fee.

Student insurance is mandatory for all international students either through a separate policy or the College's policy. If the policy is not through the College, proof of insurance is required.

Finance Fee Assessments

When student accounts are not paid in full or a payment plan has not been arranged, a monthly finance fee of .66 percent will be assessed to the unpaid balance until the account is paid in full. Finance fees are assessed the last business day of each month. Students waiting for financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if the finance fee should be waived due to financial aid arriving late. Students are expected to apply for financial aid on a timely basis. If financial aid has not been received prior to the due date for fees, a finance fee will be assessed if the student still has a balance owing. Finance fees will be waived only in those instances in which the student submitted all required paperwork in a timely manner. Students must contact the Financial Aid Office or Student Accounts to make arrangements.

Refunds

Generally, no refund on room, board, tuition or other fees is made for late entrance, suspension, dismissal or withdrawal.

Application fee: No part of the application fee shall be refunded.

Enrollment fee: The $200 enrollment fee will be refunded to applicants who drop enrollment prior to the May 1 deadline.

Registration drop/add or withdrawal from College: A student who drops a course after courses begin must obtain a drop/add form from the Registrar's Office and personally process it through his/her instructor(s), advisor and the Registrar. When a student who has officially registered for an academic term drops a class(es) to bring him/her out of the 12-18 credit plateau, the student may be entitled to a refund as outlined below.

The student is responsible for filling out a drop/add form on a timely basis. Failure to do so may result in a reduction or forfeiture of refund. The official date of drop will be the date the drop was received in the Registrar's Office. A student may not drop a course after June 30 of each year. Students may appeal to the Registrar's Office if extenuating circumstances exist.

A student who is withdrawing must obtain a Withdrawal Form from the VP/Dean of Student Affairs and personally process it through the offices listed on that form

16-Week Sessions
Tuition, course/lab fees, room and board

If the registrar certifies that the student dropped during the drop/add period of the course or before the first two weeks of school

During the add/drop period . . . . . 100 percent

When student has attended classes and has processed the drop/add or withdrawal form to cancel within:

      Weeks three and four . . . . . 75 percent
      Weeks five and six . . . . . 50 percent
      Weeks seven and eight . . . . . 25 percent
      Week nine and thereafter . . . . . No refund

Refunds are calculated using the starting dates of each term and not the day individual classes begin.

Should the student drop a course or withdraw from the College, the refund will be calculated according to the above schedule (subject to federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations).

Payments

Tuition and other fees are due two weeks prior to the beginning of a term. Payment may be made in person or mailed to the Business Office in T1130. Checks and money orders should be made payable to The College of St. Scholastica. The College offers two online payment methods for students and their parents. One is a credit card method; the other is an electronic check (ACH) method. Both require the student to login using their student ID and password. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that his/her account is paid in full and on time. Accounts with an unpaid balance are subject to a .66 percent monthly finance fee. Failure to receive the electronic bill does not relieve the student from his/her financial obligation or finance fee if the amount due is not paid by the due date. Students are encouraged to contact the student accounts staff in the Business Office for information and assistance regarding their accounts with the College.

Payment Plans

To assist with budgeting expenses, The College of St. Scholastica offers the Automatic Payment Plan. Payments are processed from checking or savings accounts on the fifth (5th) of each month; from July to April. There is a non-refundable $45 enrollment fee to participate in the plan. To take advantage of the full 10-month plan, students must enroll no later than June 22. Agreements submitted after this date will result in a reduced number of payments.

Student Refunds

A credit balance occurs when a student's financial aid exceeds educational charges.

Refunds are processed weekly after the drop/add period ends for the semester. To ensure compliance with federal regulations, students receiving refunds are requested to fill out an electronic authorization form informing the College how they would like their financial aid refunded.

Billing

Electronic schedule/bills are sent to the student's CSS Gmail account approximately one month prior to the semester due date. The student is responsible for any changes in courses or fees after the initial schedule/bill. Late registration and/or changes in fees do not extend due dates. Electronic statements will be sent to the student's Gmail account monthly. Students may allow other parties to receive copies of their electronic bills by providing authorization through their Banner Web account.

Holds

Without a payment arrangement in place, registration holds are placed on any student account with a balance over $500, preventing the student from registering for subsequent semesters. If a student is past due on a Federal Perkins and/or Federal Nursing Loan or has not completed an exit interview for these loans, a hold will be placed on their official grade transcripts. Official transcripts will be withheld due to an outstanding account balance greater than $25 regardless of enrollment in a payment plan.

If a student leaves the College with a balance owing, the College may refer the account to a collection agency or credit bureau and pass any collection costs on to the student. Finance fees are still in effect if a student becomes inactive and owes a balance.

Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credit

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA97) provides a tax credit to all students who qualify. The College will send a 1098-T form by January 31 of each year to the most recent home address on file, as required by the IRS. The College will not give out tax advice but will provide information to assist in determining eligibility. For more information on this tax credit, please visit The College of St. Scholastica's website (http://www.css.edu/x1870.xml).

Tuition Changes

The College typically changes tuition each year to enable it to meet its financial obligations. Although the College attempts to provide students with adequate notice of such changes, the College reserves the right to make adjustments in tuition and fees without advance notice in order to meet current costs.