FINANCIAL AID

General Eligibility Criteria for Financial Aid | Financial Aid Refund Policy | Financial Aid Application Process | Student Rights and Responsibilities | Outside Financial Aid Resources | Air Force ROTC Scholarships

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 aidmust 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
   Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
   National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART) Supplemental Educational Opportunity 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 $2.3 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: the Benedictine Scholarship, Opportunity grant and the Raymond Prebilic.

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

General Eligibility Criteria for Financial Aid

A student must:

1. be accepted as a degree-seeking student at the College.
2. be a citizen of the U.S.or possess permanent resident status.
3. 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.
4. not be in default on any educational loan previously received at St. Scholastica or another institution.
5.  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

If a student withdraws after a term has started, the College or the student may be required to return a portion of financial aid funding. This is a federal regulation and the specified financial calculation is required for any student withdrawing on or before 60 percent of the termhas been completed. Students are encouraged to consult the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing in order to review the financial implications.

The amount of funding to be returned is based on the number of days left in the term divided by the total number of days in the term. Class breaks of five or more consecutive days are excluded in calculating the total number of days in the term.

The College’s refund policy for institutional funding follows the state refund policy. Students who plan to withdraw must notify the vice president of student affairs.

Financial Aid Application Process

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

Student Rights and Responsibilities

1. Payment of financial aid awards from College controlled fundswill bemade 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.
2. 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.
3. Each applicant/recipient has the right to review his/her financial aid application and supporting documents.
4. 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 Web site. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 Web site.

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 personmust 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 Programand/or the tribe in which the student is enrolled. Students are encouraged to apply early as there may be limited funding. Please 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