Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Financial Aid and Scholarships



The goal of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is to provide financial assistance to students to assist them in meeting their educational cost. Students and prospective students are urged to file an application for financial aid early and follow-up on any additional information needed to make an award. The University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is available to assist with the application process.

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

Saint Augustine’s University offers a variety of financial aid programs to assist students. Eligibility for all aid programs at Saint Augustine’s University, except those designed to recognize exceptional merit or performance, are based on financial need. Financial need is the cost of attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The University makes every effort to ensure that every qualified student will have an opportunity to attend, regardless of financial ability. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships allows eligible students up to six academic years to complete their program of study and be eligible for financial aid.

To receive aid from the student aid programs the following requirements must be met:

  • Have financial need;
  • Have a high school diploma or a general education development (GED) certificate;
  • Be enrolled or accepted as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program;
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • Have a valid social security number;
  • Sign statement of educational purpose and an overpayment/default certification; and
  • Register with the Selective Service, if required.

Financial Need

Financial Aid from federal programs is awarded on the basis of financial need except for the Direct Unsubsidized, Parent (PLUS) and Alternative Loans. The information a student reports on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount that the student and parent would be expected to contribute toward the student’s educational cost. A student’s Pell eligibility is based upon the (EFC). Upon review of a student’s Student Aid Report, the Office of Financial Aid notifies students who are eligible for Pell Grant and other Federal funds. The EFC is subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine the student’s financial need as listed below:

Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Need

Financial Aid Application Procedures

To be considered for financial aid at Saint Augustine’s University, all students are required to:

  1. Be admitted to the University;
  2. Complete the Saint Augustine’s University Application for Financial Assistance;
  3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
  4. Not be in default on a FFEL, Direct Loan and Federal Perkins Loan; and
  5. Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Financial Aid awards are not automatically renewable. Students must reapply for financial assistance each year. Aid is awarded on a first come first served basis. Students must have all required forms completed and on file in the Financial Aid Office by March 15th preceding the award year for priority consideration. Applications received after the priority deadline will be awarded based upon available funding.

Financial Aid Programs

Saint Augustine’s University administers four categories of student financial aid. They are grants, loans, employment and scholarships. Descriptions for each of these categories are listed below:

Grants

Federal Pell Grant. This is a federal entitlement program designed to provide financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students. The number of hours the student is taking, the expected family contribution (EFC), and the cost of attendance at the institution determine the amount of the grant. When completing the FAFSA application, students must include Saint Augustine’s University Code (002968) on the application. To insure the proper processing, information from the current federal income tax return should be used.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). This program provides grants ranging from $100 to $4,000 in an academic year to exceptionally needy students, with priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. The Financial Aid Office administers this grant. The student must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this grant.

North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship Program. The North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship was established by the 2011 General Assembly to provide need-based scholarships for North Carolina students attending private institutions of high education. Funds for the support of the program are contingent each year upon appropriations made available to the Authority by the General Assembly. Currently award amounts range from $3,900 to $7,200 for the year.

Other State Grants. Students from the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island may be eligible for funds from their state and should apply through their state agencies.

Loans

Federal Perkins Loan. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships administers this loan to provide long-term, low-interest loans to students who demonstrate financial need. Repayment begins at a low interest rate nine months after the student graduates, withdraws or ceases enrollment. The student must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this loan.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. This program provides low-interest, long-term loans to eligible students attending school at least half-time. A maximum loan amount is established by class level for each academic year. An origination fee is deducted from each loan disbursement. The maximum aggregate loan amount is established for an undergraduate student. Interest is not charged while the student is enrolled in school. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws or ceases attending school at least half-time. Students must demonstrate financial need. The student must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this loan.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. This program was created for students who do not qualify for the maximum amount of the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan program. This loan is not based on need. The terms and conditions are the same as the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan program, except that the student is responsible for interest that accrues while he/she is enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis. The student may select to pay the interest while enrolled in school or allow it to accumulate and be capitalized. The interest will be added to the principal and will increase the amount the student will have to repay. An origination fee is deducted from each loan disbursement. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8 percent. Repayment may be deferred until six months after the student ceases attending school on at least a half-time basis.

Federal Direct Plus Loan. This is a low-interest loan for parents of dependent students who want to borrow to help pay for their child’s education. The student must be enrolled for at least half-time. The maximum amount at a fixed interest rate a parent can borrow is the cost of attendance minus any financial aid offered to the student. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5 percent. An origination fee is deducted from the loan. Repayment begins sixty (60) days after the loan proceeds have been disbursed.

Employment

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). This program provides part-time employment to eligible students. Students earn above minimum wage and work approximately 8-12 hours per week. Federal Work Study provides the student with the opportunity to gain valuable experience as well as earn money to assist with meeting their educational expenses. Students are employed by a variety of departments and offices. Students are paid monthly according to the pay schedule given at the time of assignment. The student must complete the FAFSA to be considered for Federal Work Study.

College Work-Aid. This is a work program funded by the institution to assist a limited number of students with on-campus employment. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships administers these funds. It is an institutional program similar to the Federal Work Study program. Students may work up to 20 hours per week and earn above the minimum wage.

Scholarships

A scholarship is gift money awarded to students based on their academic performance, athletic ability or leadership potential. Saint Augustine’s University offers a limited number of scholarships to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. It also provides tuition remission to students whose parent or spouse is employed at the University. In addition, the University provides scholarships based on athletic ability, leadership potential and special talents. Admission scholarships are available for freshmen with high SAT scores and academic abilities.

The University provides a number of competitive scholarships that are awarded to students from private donors and public agencies. The recipients of these scholarships are selected on a competitive basis.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The Higher Education Act of the U. S. Department of Education requires Saint Augustine’s University to develop and apply a consistent standard of academic progress. Students receiving financial assistance at Saint Augustine’s University must enroll in courses leading toward a degree. To qualify for federal and state aid, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress in the course of study the student is pursuing. Saint Augustine’s University has developed its Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy to comply with the statutory requirements that a student must be making satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for federal aid (Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant-FSEOG, Federal College Work Study, Direct Stafford Loans-subsidized and unsubsidized, Direct Plus Loan and the Federal Perkins Loan), state aid (North Carolina Need Based Scholarship), scholarships and institutional grants. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory progress may not receive financial aid unless an appeal has been approved. 

Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress

At the end of each academic year, the records of all matriculated students are reviewed to determine satisfactory academic progress. A student’s academic standing at Saint Augustine’s University is classified in one of four official standings: Good Standing, Financial Aid Warning, Financial Aid Suspension, or Financial Aid Dismissal. A student will remain in good academic standing if he/she demonstrates satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards listed below. Standards by which a student will be evaluated include progress in increments of hours completed (quantitative) and cumulative grade point average earned (qualitative).

Quantitative Standards:

  • Students receiving financial aid must successfully earn two-thirds (i.e., 67% rounded to the nearest whole number) of the credit hours attempted. Attempted hours include all hours attempted at SAU, as well as transfer hours. [Example: If a student has attempted (enrolled in) in a total of 32 credit hours, he/she must earn a minimum of 21 credit hours (32 credit hours x 0.67 = 21 credit hours) in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress.]
  • If progress is being made towards their academic plan, a student may be allowed to receive financial aid if the earned to attempted credit hours are less than 67% in the first 59 hours attempted as indicated in the table below.
  • The maximum time frame allowed for a student to complete degree requirements and remain eligible to receive financial aid is 150% of the total credit hours required to receive a degree in a particular course of study. [Example: If a particular degree program requires a minimum of 123 credit hours, then the student may be eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of 185 credit hours (123 credit hours x 150% = 185 credit hours).]

 

Qualitative Standard:

  • A student’s cumulative grade point average must meet the criteria specified in the table below:

Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Credit Hours Earned vs. Attempted

0-29

1.75

60% - 67%

30-59

1.85

62% - 67%

60-89

2.0

67%

90 and above

2.0

67%

 

Withdrawals, Incompletes, and Repeats

Withdrawals, incompletes, and repeated courses will not be exempt from the calculation of attempted hours. Students will be required to complete the minimum number of credits as outlined in the above table.

Financial Aid Warning

A student is placed on Financial Aid warning when the student’s semester grade point average and credit hours are below the minimum requirements according to the table above. If a student fails to remove the sanction by the end of the semester, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Students who have a financial aid warning, readmitted after a financial aid suspension or dismissal must adhere to the following:

  1. Enroll in no more than 13 semester hours.
  2. Repeat all failed courses that are core requirements for their degree or required for their major.
  3. If students have not already done so, visit the Academic Advising office for an Academic Recovery Plan, referral for additional assistance from the academic department for the failed course and/or attend mandatory sessions in Tutorial Services.

Maintain regular contact with their academic faculty advisor and the Academic Advising office according to your individual Academic Recovery Plan.

Financial Aid Suspension and Financial Aid Dismissal

Financial Aid suspension occurs automatically at the end of the semester when a student fails to remove the financial aid warning sanction. A student who has a financial aid suspension sanction may improve his/her academic standing by attending Summer School at Saint Augustine’s University. Attendance at Summer School, however, does not result in automatic qualification for financial aid. Students may qualify upon the recommendation of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

Financial aid dismissal occurs automatically at the end of the semester when a student fails to remove the financial aid suspension. A student who has been financially dismissed will be required to leave the college for one semester. They may appeal the dismissal in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee in the care of the Director of Financial Aid.

The appeal process for Financial Aid Suspension and Financial Aid Dismissal is as follows:
Any student who is on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal the suspension in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The request must include documentation to support the extenuating circumstances. Examples of acceptable documentation include, but are not limited to: death certificates, statements from physician(s), clergy, or other verifiable information.

  1. The letter of appeal must be received by the Director of Financial Aid according to the date specified in the letter.
  2. The Director of Financial Aid will submit the student’s appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the financial aid suspension appeal. If the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed to receive financial aid. If the appeal is denied, the Financial Aid Suspension/ Dismissal will stand and the student will be required to comply with the conditions based on the decision of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review a student’s progress following the approval to receive financial aid when considering a subsequent appeal. It is recommended that students attending on appeal successfully complete all attempted hours and obtain a minimum semester GPA of 2.5.

A student who has been approved twice on an appeal is no longer eligible to receive financial aid.

Summer School

If a student receives a financial aid warning or financial aid suspension sanction at the end of a semester and plans to attend Summer School to correct his/her deficiency, the student must file an appeal to request reconsideration of the decision based on Summer School only. The warning or suspension will not automatically change because the student attends Summer School.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

Student that are academically suspended or dismissed from the University are ineligible to receive financial aid. Financial aid applicants whose financial aid has been suspended may regain eligibility once they meet the minimum requirements or have an appeal approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for additional assistance at 919-516-4131.