Student Finances
The College does not charge its students for the entire cost of their education; the fees listed in this catalog represent only a portion of the average cost per student. The balance of this cost is borne by gifts from alumni, friends, business and foundations. The College reserves the right to change established fees and services, to add additional fees and services, and to determine the effective date of such changes without prior notice.
Educational Expenses 2017-2018
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Tuition for 12 to 18 credit hours (per semester)
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$15,273.00
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|
Overload charge (per credit)
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1,016.00
|
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Part-time tuition during day (per credit)
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1,016.00
|
|
Part-time tuition during evening and weekend (per credit)
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1,016.00
|
|
Audit day (per credit)
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528.00
|
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Audit evening (per credit)
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528.00
|
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Alumni audit (per course)
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125.00
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| Residence and Board Per Semester Total |
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Room
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Double
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$3,107.00
|
|
Triple
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3,026.00
|
|
Single
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3,312.00
|
|
Apartment
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3,997.00
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Centennial Hall (4 person)
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4,546.00
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Board
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Plan # 1
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$3,135.00
|
|
Plan # 2
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3,071.00
|
|
Plan # 3
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2,939.00
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| Plan # 4 |
2,895.00 |
Miscellaneous Fees (non-refundable)
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Orientation fee
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$455.00 (First-Year)
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| |
455.00 (New Transfer Students)
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Student records fee, per semester
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91.00
|
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Removal of an I grade (incomplete grade)
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85.00
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Processing fee for each returned check
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60.00
|
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Late payment fee, per month
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85.00
|
|
Student activity fee, full-time student, per semester
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134.00
|
|
Art fee (Art program majors only), per semester
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100.00
|
|
Art fee, specific courses
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Variable
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|
Music fee (Music program majors only), per semester
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100.00
|
|
Music lessons
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Variable
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|
Communication laboratory, per course
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Variable
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|
Science laboratory fee, per course
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65.00
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|
Technology fee:
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260.00 (full-time study per semester)
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|
OR
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33.00 (per credit for part-time study)
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Parking sticker
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50.00 (Commuter Student)
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| |
100.00 (Resident Student)
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|
ID card
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30.00 (Replacement)
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|
Health fee:
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138.00 (full-time study per year)
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|
OR
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46.00 (part-time study per year)
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|
Communications Program Fee
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|
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(COM majors only per semester)
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100.00
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Other Estimated Semester Expenses
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Books
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$1,200.00
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|
Personal expenses
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1,750.00
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|
Travel expenses
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500.00
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Payment of Accounts
Accounts are due and payable in advance. The College accepts MasterCard, VISA and Discover, as well as cash, checks or money orders. Credit card and check payments may be processed online. A monthly payment plan is also available for all or part of the semester balance. Verified financial aid will be credited to student accounts after being validated by the Financial Aid office.
A tuition deposit of $150 is required of all new students upon acceptance; in the case of a resident student, the deposit is $300 of which $150 represents a tuition deposit and $150 a room reservation deposit. The non-refundable deposit will be applied against the student’s first semester charges.
Students with unresolved financial obligations will not receive semester reports, transcripts of courses taken or degrees, and will not be allowed to register for subsequent semesters.
Withdrawal and Refunds
No adjustment or refund is made for late entrance to courses, for absence after courses begin or for dismissal during the semester.
Prior to withdrawing from any courses, students are strongly advised to consult with the Financial Aid Office, in order to have a clear understanding of potential changes in financial aid eligibility. If a student is withdrawing from the College, he/she should provide written notice to the Dean of the appropriate school. In addition, the student will need to submit a signed withdrawal form to the Registrar's Office. Tuition refunds are computed from the date on which the Registrar's Office receives written notice of the withdrawal. Because medical withdrawals fall under our general withdrawal policy and refund schedule, optional tuition refund insurance is offered to students, and is designed to minimize financial losses if a student is forced to withdraw from all classes due to a serious illness or accident.
Refunds for tuition and credit-hour-based fees are calculated on a credit-hour basis and are made according to the following schedule:
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During the first week
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100%
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After first week of semester
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80%
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After second week of semester
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60%
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After third week of semester
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40%
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After fourth week of semester
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25%
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|
Withdrawal after five weeks
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No refund
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(Please refer to the current academic calendar for the summer refund schedule.) Credit-based calculations for full-time students could result in a credit-hour liability that would remain at the full-time level, depending on the student's credit hour load, and the time of withdrawal.
If a student officially withdraws from residence during the first week of the semester, he/she will be eligible for a 100% refund of room charges. During the second week, a student who withdraws from residence will be eligible for a 50% refund. After the end of the second week, no refund can be given for room charges. Board charges are prorated accordingly.
Financial Aid
The College of Saint Rose has long been committed to the premise that a quality education should be within reach of qualified students. A student must be matriculated in order to be eligible for various types of financial aid. To this end, the College serves its student body through a comprehensive program of Federal, State, and institutional financial aid. While the basic responsibility for financing education lies with the student, student resources can be supplemented with employment, grants, scholarships and loans. The amount of aid available through the College is limited, and most is awarded on the basis of need as demonstrated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All financial assistance from the College is subject to adjustment if the recipient is later granted aid from other sources or as a result of changes in eligibility. Financial aid awards are contingent upon the student’s maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress as outlined in this catalog.
Application Procedures and Deadlines
All students who wish to be considered for financial aid eligibility, whether it be through institutional, Federal, or State funds, must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year, listing The College of Saint Rose Federal School Code (002705) to allow the College to receive the application data electronically. By submitting the FAFSA, a student is applying for all forms of Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs, including the Pell Grant, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work Study and the Federal Loan Programs (Perkins Loan, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students). The FAFSA is also used to determine an applicant’s eligibility for the College’s Grant-In-Aid program. Annual submission of the FAFSA is expected of all recipients of institutional aid, including those awards based on merit, talent, or athletic ability. It is required of those receiving full-tuition or larger grants from the College in order to incorporate Pell or TAP awards for which the student may be eligible.
Submission of the FAFSA will generate an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) and a Student Aid Report (SAR). The ISIR is the electronic document transmitted to each college/university indicated on the FAFSA. If The College of Saint Rose Federal School Code (002705) is listed on the FAFSA, the College will receive the ISIR electronically. The SAR contains the same information as the ISIR and is made available to the student either electronically or by mail. The ISIR/SAR contains data required to determine an applicant’s financial aid eligibility.
The priority deadline for receiving the ISIR at The College of Saint Rose is February 1 for summer and fall semesters and November 1 for the spring semester. ISIRs received after February 1 will be evaluated, but some funds may no longer be available for late applicants.
Institutional Scholarships and Grants
The College of Saint Rose offers scholarships and grants designed to assist in payment of the tuition bill. Eligibility for these awards is based upon a variety of criteria, including but not limited to, academic merit, financial need, and athletic talent. Regardless of the type of institutional award, it may not exceed the cost of tuition when combined with other awards that are designated for tuition only. A case in point would be New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Thus, institutional scholarships or grants, in combination with TAP, may not exceed the cost of tuition.
Institutional financial aid is awarded for full-time study (at least twelve credits per semester) during the fall or spring semesters only. Institutional grants or scholarships may be awarded for study during the summer semester at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid. Generally, an otherwise eligible applicant may be granted institutional financial aid award(s) for full-time study during the summer semester if the summer semester is the final semester of study toward the degree. Similarly, if a student enrolls for a final semester of attendance and fewer than twelve credits are required for the degree, institutional financial aid eligibility may be awarded in an amount proportional to the percent of full-time tuition charged to the student. In any case, the student must submit a written appeal for extension of institutional financial aid eligibility for semesters of part-time study, or for full-time study during the summer semester, to the Director of Financial Aid.
Students who withdraw from the College or enroll for part-time study will become ineligible for institutional financial aid awards indefinitely. If a student must take a semester off or enroll for part-time study for one semester and he/she wishes to defer eligibility for an institutional financial aid award until a subsequent semester of full-time study, he/she must submit a written request for such a deferment to the Director of Financial Aid. Any such deferment of financial aid eligibility will be at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid and will be effective for one semester only.
If a student withdraws from some or all credits during a semester and is liable for less than 100% of tuition charges, institutional financial aid award(s) will be prorated. Accordingly, the proration of the award(s) will be proportional to the percent of tuition liability for that semester. All Federal student aid funds are subject to the Federal refund policies. Federal financial aid is earned as you attend classes each academic term. If you stop attending classes for any reason, your financial aid is prorated based on the number of days completed within the enrollment period. If a student has received more Federal aid than what was earned prior to the withdrawal date, The College must return the excess aid to the Federal Government. The student would then be responsible for any resultant account balance.
General Scholarship Guidelines
The College of Saint Rose Scholarships
The College annually awards renewable merit-based scholarships to full-time freshman applicants who have demonstrated superior achievement in academics (through high school average, SAT/ACT scores, and class rank), art, music, and/or athletics. No separate application is necessary; students who have been accepted for admission as first-time freshmen by February 1 will automatically be considered for these scholarships. All recipients should submit the FAFSA if other aid is desired.
Transfer Scholarships
Full-time transfer applicants with superior academic records will be automatically considered for renewable Transfer Scholarships. All recipients should submit the FAFSA if other aid is desired.
Art and Music Scholarships (Special Talent Scholarships)
These awards recognize extraordinary artistic or musical ability of full-time freshmen and transfer applicants as demonstrated through an art portfolio or performance of a music audition, which must be completed by February 1. Academic requirements and other details are available from the Admissions Office. The student must be accepted to the College by February 1. All recipients should submit the FAFSA if other aid is desired.
Athletic Scholarships (Athletic Service Awards)
The College of Saint Rose participates in NCAA Division II athletic competition. In accordance with NCAA regulations, the College offers athletic scholarship funding to talented student athletes for intercollegiate teams. The total amount of an Athletic Service Award (ASA) will vary depending upon ability and availability of positions on team rosters.
The College of Saint Rose Athletic department makes recommendations of ASA amounts to the Financial Aid Office. Official ASA notification is generated from the Financial Aid Office. Students interested in being considered for ASA funding should contact the Athletic department or the coach for the sport of interest.
Second Chance Scholarship
The Second Chance Scholarship is awarded to full-time returning adult students from two-year colleges with priority given to Hudson Valley Community College transfer students. This is a two-year scholarship, which varies according to need and academic achievement. Application for admission, an ISIR from having filed the FAFSA, and the completed Second Chance Scholarship Application must be received by June 1 (for fall) or November 1 (for spring), prior to the semester of beginning attendance at The College of Saint Rose.
Other Scholarships
The College also offers other scholarship opportunities. A student must apply for admission to the College prior to February 1 in order to be selected for these endowed scholarships. No separate application is necessary, as the College will match an applicant’s qualifications to those of the scholarship. Because of funding and awarding variables, not all scholarships are available each year.
Federal Student Aid Programs
The College administers the full range of Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs. These include the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), the Federal Perkins Loan, the Federal Work Study Program, and the Federal Direct Loan Programs (Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans). To be considered for funding from these programs, a student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating The College of Saint Rose Federal School Code (002705).
To be considered for SEOG, the Perkins Loan or Federal Work Study, the Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR), which is generated by the filing of the FAFSA, must be received by the College no later than February 1 for the summer and fall semesters or November 1 for the spring semester. The FAFSA should be completed on the World Wide Web and submitted electronically at www.fafsa.gov.
The Federal Student Aid Programs and New York State Aid Programs are closely regulated, and those regulations are subject to change. The College of Saint Rose will abide by the Federal and/or State regulations, policies, and statutes in effect at the time for awarding and disbursing these program funds.
Additional information about Title IV programs is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Verification
The U.S. Department of Education automatically selects approximately one-third of all applications for Federal Student Aid for a review process called Verification. Also, the College may select an application for Verification if additional information is needed to accurately determine financial aid eligibility. Verification is the process of reconciling data reported on the FAFSA with documentation of the actual data.
If an application is selected for Verification, the Financial Aid Office is required by law to obtain specific documentation to complete the process. The Financial Aid Office will notify selected students exactly what documentation is required. Failure to submit the requested documents will prevent an applicant from receiving disbursements of institutional and Federal financial aid awards.
The Verification process must be completed within sixty (60) days of notification. If the Verification process is not completed in this timeframe, an applicant will be considered ineligible for Federal or institutional financial aid, including Federal student loans. As a result of the Verification process, the data reported on the FAFSA may need to be adjusted. In this case, the Financial Aid Office will electronically submit corrections to the ISIR. If financial aid eligibility changes as a result of the Verification process, the Financial Aid Office will notify the applicant.
Federal Pell Grant
Matriculated undergraduate students will be considered for Federal Pell Grant eligibility if a FAFSA is submitted within the deadlines stated on the FAFSA. To allow the College to disburse a Pell Grant to an eligible student, our Federal School Code (002705) must be indicated on the FAFSA. FAFSAs should be submitted electronically at www.fafsa.gov. Pell Grant eligibility is based upon student/family income and assets, the Cost of Attendance, family size, and enrollment status. The range of annual award amounts for the Pell Grant for full-time study during the 2014-2015 academic year was $650 to $5,730. Undergraduate students may receive a Pell Grant to assist in paying the cost of study toward a first bachelor’s degree. When a bachelor’s degree has been conferred, a student is no longer eligible for a Pell Grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Grants from this federally funded program are available to undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (six credits per semester) and show financial need. In order to be considered for an SEOG Grant, the student must be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant. Awards, generally in the amount of $1,000 per academic year, are determined by the Financial Aid Office and are based on the need analysis results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Work Study Program (FWS)
The FWS Program provides part-time employment to matriculated students enrolled at least half-time (six credits per semester). To be eligible, a student must demonstrate financial need through submission of the FAFSA. FWS employees typically work from six to ten hours per week and are paid the current minimum wage. Students awarded FWS cannot earn wages in excess of their award amount.
The College of Saint Rose participates in the U.S. Department of Education’s America Reads Challenge. Through this program, some of our FWS employees are able to gain employment as reading tutors in the Albany City School District.
Federal Perkins Loan Program
This federally funded program provides loans at the rate of 5% simple interest for students enrolled at least half-time who demonstrate financial need. Amounts are determined by the Financial Aid Office and cannot exceed $5,500 each year, or $27,500 for an entire program leading to a bachelor’s degree. No repayment of principal or interest is required while a borrower remains enrolled at least half-time; repayment begins nine months after the student stops attending school at least half-time. Deferments may be granted to those who are experiencing certain hardship conditions, such as rehabilitation training; unemployment up to three years; economic hardship or a period of time engaged in community service. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) demonstrating financial need must be filed by February 1.
In addition, a student who is a first-time Federal Perkins Loan borrower at The College of Saint Rose is required to complete a Federal Perkins Loan Entrance Interview. At the Entrance Interview, students will be informed of their rights and responsibilities as Federal Perkins Loan borrowers. All new Perkins Loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The Office of Financial Aid will notify borrowers of the procedures for completing Entrance Counseling and the MPN.
If students leave the College, graduate, or drop below six credits, they will be required to complete a Federal Perkins Loan Exit Interview. At the Exit Interview, students will, again, be informed of their rights and responsibilities as Federal Perkins Loan borrowers. If a student fails to complete an Exit Interview prior to leaving the College, graduating, or dropping below six credits per semester, Exit Interview instructions will be mailed to the student.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
The Federal Subsidized Direct Loan is available to students enrolled at least half-time (six credits) and who have demonstrated financial need through submission of the FAFSA.
The Financial Aid Office will automatically consider Subsidized Loan eligibility when the financial aid application process is complete. Federal Subsidized Direct Loan eligibility will be indicated on the Financial Aid Award Letter.
Maximum annual borrowing limits are established for this loan based upon the class year of the borrower. A freshman (from 0 to 29 credit hours) may borrow up to $3,500; a sophomore (from 30 to 59 credit hours) up to $4,500; a junior (from 60 to 89 credit hours) and a senior up to $5,500 annually. The maximum aggregate borrowing limit for the Subsidized Loan is $23,000 for undergraduate study.
Repayment of the Subsidized Direct Loan may be deferred while the borrower is enrolled for at least six credits per semester. During the In-School Deferment period, the federal government pays the interest on the Subsidized Direct Loan. Repayment of the loan begins six months after the borrower ceases at least half-time enrollment. Other deferment options are limited to remaining in school, graduate fellowship/rehabilitation training, unemployment and economic hardship.
Students who are borrowing Federal Subsidized Direct Loan funds for the first time must complete a Federal Direct Loan Entrance Interview before receiving loan proceeds. The Entrance Interview is designed to inform borrowers of the rights and responsibilities inherent in borrowing from this Program. The Office of Financial Aid will notify borrowers of the procedures for completing the Entrance Interview.
All new Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The Office of Financial Aid will notify borrowers of the procedures for completing the MPN. The MPN is valid for up to ten years of educational borrowing.
Loans covering more than one semester must be disbursed in multiple disbursements. If the loan is intended for the Fall and Spring semesters, the first half of the loan proceeds will be disbursed at the beginning of the Fall semester and the second half at the beginning of the Spring semester. If the loan is intended for one semester only, the loan will be disbursed at the beginning of the term.
If a loan is intended for one semester only, and that semester is the student’s last term before program completion, the College is required to prorate the maximum annual borrowing limit in proportion to the period of attendance. It will be based on the number of credits taken in that semester.
The College is required to reaffirm an applicant’s eligibility for the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan prior to disbursing the proceeds to a student account. If loan eligibility has changed for any reason since the certification of eligibility, the College may be required to return some or all of the loan proceeds. In such case, the borrower would be responsible for a student account balance that may result.
When borrowers cease to be enrolled for at least six credits, they are required to complete an Exit Interview. The Exit Interview is a final reminder of borrowers’ rights and responsibilities as they prepare to enter repayment. The Office of Financial Aid will inform borrowers of the procedures for completing the Exit Interview process.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
The Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan is available to students who do not demonstrate financial need for the Subsidized Loan. Also, students who are independent by virtue of the regulations governing the FSA Programs are eligible to borrow funding through the Unsubsidized Loan in addition to their Subsidized eligibility. Additionally, an extra $2,000 can be borrowed each year for 4 years, up to a maximum of $8,000. Independent freshmen and sophomores are eligible for $4,000 per year in addition to their Subsidized eligibility, and independent juniors and seniors are eligible to borrow $5,000 per year in addition to their Subsidized eligibility.
In some cases, where a dependent student does not demonstrate financial need in an amount that would allow eligibility for the maximum annual loan limit for the Subsidized Loan, a Federal Direct Loan might be partially subsidized and partially unsubsidized.
The primary difference between the Unsubsidized Direct Loan and the Subsidized Direct Loan is that, for the Unsubsidized Loan, the interest on the loan is not subsidized by the government during the In-School Deferment period. Therefore, while a student is in school and deferring repayment of the Unsubsidized Loan, the interest on the loan must be either paid periodically or capitalized. If the capitalization of interest option is selected, the interest will be, in most cases, added to the principal balance of the Unsubsidized Loan at the time the borrower enters repayment. All other terms of the Unsubsidized Loan are the same as for the Subsidized Loan.
The maximum a dependent student can borrow combined with the Subsidized Direct Loan is $31,000. An independent student’s maximum, including the Subsidized Direct Loan, is $57,500.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow the PLUS loan for a maximum annual amount equal to the Cost of Attendance less all other financial aid the student is receiving. Repayment of the PLUS loan begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed (paid out).
The PLUS loan will be approved based upon the credit-worthiness of the borrower. Parents interested in borrowing the PLUS loan must notify the Financial Aid office after receipt of the student’s Award Letter.
To initiate the Federal Direct PLUS Loan process, the parent must complete the College of Saint Rose PLUS Loan Request Form and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid. Instructions on this form direct the borrower to www.studentloans.gov where he/she will complete a PLUS Loan credit check and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if one is not already on file.
All new Federal Direct PLUS Loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The Office of Financial Aid will notify borrowers of the procedures for completing the MPN. The MPN is valid for up to ten years of educational borrowing.
The PLUS loan must be disbursed in multiple disbursements. If the PLUS loan is intended for the fall and spring semesters, the first half of the PLUS loan proceeds will be disbursed at the beginning of the fall semester and the second half at the beginning of the spring semester. If the PLUS loan is intended for one semester only, the entire sum of the proceeds will be disbursed at the beginning of the semester.
The College is required to reaffirm an applicant’s eligibility for the PLUS loan prior to disbursing the proceeds to a student account. If PLUS loan eligibility has changed for any reason since the certification of eligibility, the College may be required to return some or all of the PLUS loan proceeds. In such case, the student would be responsible for any resultant account balance.
Please note that, in the case of a PLUS loan being denied, the student would be eligible for an additional Unsubsidized Direct Loan in an amount equal to the independent student’s maximum annual eligibility for the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan.
Aid to Native Americans
The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs offers grants to needy applicants who are at least one-quarter American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut. Awards may vary depending on need and availability of funds. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and file annually with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Applications are available from the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Building, Room 523, 100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.
Veterans Benefits
Special funding is available to eligible veterans, their dependents and beneficiaries. Contact the nearest local Veterans Administration office for specific information. Additional information regarding Veteran Benefits is listed at www.strose.edu/officesandresources/registrar/veteransinformation. On-campus enrollment certification is completed at the Registrar’s office.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial aid recipients are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The College will evaluate SAP after grades are reported at the end of each academic year. This SAP policy applies to all financial aid programs except for the New York State financial aid programs that have a different policy for academic progress and program pursuit. The SAP policy requires that financial aid recipients achieve a minimum number of earned credits and a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) after each academic year. In addition to maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress toward the educational objective after each academic year, recipients of Federal Student Aid (FSA) cannot receive FSA funding for more than 150% of the minimum time duration for completing their program. The following chart indicates the SAP standards at The College of Saint Rose:
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Credits Attempted
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Cumulative GPA
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% of Attempted Credits Earned
|
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0-15
|
1.0
|
50%
|
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16-24
|
1.5
|
62%
|
|
25-36
|
1.6
|
62%
|
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37-48
|
1.7
|
62%
|
|
49-60
|
1.8
|
67%
|
|
61-72
|
2.0
|
72%
|
|
73-84
|
2.0
|
72%
|
|
85-96
|
2.0
|
75%
|
|
97-108
|
2.0
|
78%
|
|
109-120
|
2.0
|
80%
|
|
121-132
|
2.0
|
82%
|
|
133-144
|
2.0
|
85%
|
|
(Final Semester)
|
|
(Degree Earned)
|
For students who have transferred to the College, SAP will be evaluated by equating the number of credits transferred to the College to the Total Earned Credits on the SAP chart above.
Students not maintaining SAP are ineligible for all financial aid covered by this policy for subsequent semesters until the academic deficiencies have been remedied. To re-establish financial aid eligibility, a student will need to achieve the required number of Total Earned Credits and Cumulative GPA after a subsequent period of enrollment equivalent to a full-time enrollment load (a minimum of twelve credits).
Students not maintaining SAP can appeal the loss of aid eligibility. Any such appeal must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office, along with supporting documentation of the circumstances involved in the appeal. The appeals will be evaluated by the Institutional Status Review Committee. Decisions about appeals for extension of aid to students not maintaining SAP are final.
Students who take an Incomplete (I-grade) for a class are considered to be not maintaining SAP and are, thereby, ineligible for financial aid for a subsequent semester. Financial aid eligibility can be determined only when all classes attempted have been completed. Therefore, the Financial Aid Office will not evaluate aid eligibility or disburse financial aid awards if a student has an outstanding I-grade.
Financial Aid Refund Calculations
As part of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Congress passed provisions governing what must happen to a student’s Federal student financial assistance if he or she completely withdraws from school in any term or receives all F(s). The policy governs all Federal grant and loan programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loans (both Subsidized and Unsubsidized), and Federal PLUS Loans to parents. It does not apply to earnings from the Federal Work Study Program. Financial aid programs funded directly by The College of Saint Rose (Merit-Based Scholarships, Grants-in-Aid, etc.) are not governed by this policy. Instead, the funds are prorated in accordance with the tuition charge for which the withdrawing student is responsible.
In general, the policy assumes that a student “earns” Federal financial aid awards directly in proportion to the number of days of the term attended. If a student completely withdraws from school during a term, the school must calculate, according to a specific formula, the portion of the total scheduled financial assistance the student has earned and is, therefore, entitled to receive up to the time of withdrawal. If a student receives (or the College receives on his or her behalf) more assistance than the student earns, the unearned excess funds must be returned to the sources from which they came.
The portion of Federal grants and loans a student is entitled to receive is calculated on a percentage basis by comparing the total number of days in the semester to the number of days the student completed prior to the withdrawal date. For example, if a student completes 30% of the semester, he or she earns 30% of the assistance he or she was originally scheduled to receive. This means that 70% of the scheduled awards remain unearned and must be returned.
If a student has completed more than 60% of the semester, he or she is considered to have earned all (100%) of the assistance. If the student withdraws from the College (either officially or unofficially) before completing 60% of the semester, he or she may have to repay any unearned Federal monies that were already disbursed. The Financial Aid Office will determine the date corresponding to the 60% completion of each semester, and examples of the Title IV Refund Formula results will be available by contacting that office.
A student’s withdrawal date will be determined by the College as (1) the date the student began the College’s withdrawal process, or the date the student officially notified the College of intent to withdraw; (2) the midpoint of the semester if the student withdraws without notifying the College; or (3) the student’s last date of attendance at an academically-related activity as documented by the College.
If the student has received excess funds that must be returned, the College shares with the student the responsibility of returning those excess funds. The College’s portion of the excess funds to be returned is equal to the lesser of the entire amount of the excess funds or the student’s total tuition and fee charges multiplied by the percentage of unearned funds, depending upon whether the unearned funds were used to pay College charges or were refunded directly to the student.
If the College is not in possession of all of the excess funds, the student must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that the student must return must be repaid according to the terms of the promissory note. If the student must return any grant funds, the law provides that the amount the student must repay is to be reduced by 50%. This means that only half of any excess funds received must be returned. If the return of unearned Federal assistance causes any portion of the student’s tuition and fees to become uncovered, the College will bill the student. In such cases, the student will be required to make arrangements with the Bursar’s Office to pay the balance.
Any award money the student does have to return is considered to be a Federal grant overpayment. The student must either repay that amount in full or make satisfactory arrangements with either the College or the Department of Education to repay the amount. The student must complete these arrangements within 45 days of the date the College provides notification of overpayment status, or the student will risk losing eligibility for further Federal financial assistance.
The amendment specifies the priority order in which refunds must be made as follows: Unsubsidized Direct Loan, Subsidized Direct Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, other Title IV funds the student may have been awarded.
New York State Financial Aid Programs
To explore the availability of additional NYS Scholarships, please check the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation website at www.hesc.ny.gov.
Financial Aid for New York State Residents
The State of New York offers several financial aid programs to its residents. The eligibility criteria for these programs, as well as award amounts, vary. For additional information on financial aid from New York State, refer to New York State Higher Education Services Corporation’s website at www.hesc.ny.gov, or call (888) 697-4372.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
New York State residents are encouraged to apply for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). This can be done immediately after completing the FAFSA on the Web by following the directions provided for New York State residents. If this opportunity is missed, the U.S. Department of Education will transmit data reported on the FAFSA to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) if a New York State school is listed on the FAFSA. NYSHESC will, in turn, generate an Express TAP Application (ETA) and contact the student by email. The ETA must be evaluated for accuracy, corrected, if necessary, and submitted with signature(s) to NYSHESC. NYSHESC will determine TAP eligibility and will inform the student and the College of the TAP award.
TAP eligibility is based upon the New York State Net Taxable Income. Annual TAP awards are subject to change, but in the 2014-2015 academic year they ranged from $500 to $5,165. Eligible students may receive a maximum of eight semesters of full-time TAP funding. TAP eligibility and award amounts are subject to the New York State budget process each year.
The Financial Aid Office will estimate TAP eligibility based upon data reported on the FAFSA. Because NYSHESC determines the actual TAP award and their determination is final, the TAP award estimated by the College may be adjusted accordingly.
While the College makes every effort to accurately estimate TAP eligibility, the College does not assume responsibility for TAP award adjustments effected by NYSHESC. Therefore, any student account balance created by a TAP award adjustment is the responsibility of the student.
TAP recipients must adhere to standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress and Program Pursuit in order to continue receiving TAP funding. Academic progress is evaluated each semester a student is awarded TAP and/or a NYS scholarship. There are currently two TAP Satisfactory Academic Progress charts. A student’s applicable chart is determined by the year he/she first received a TAP Award and/or a NYS Scholarship. The charts are listed below:
First TAP/NYS Scholarship Payment Received Beginning With the 2010-11 Academic Year and Thereafter:
|
Payment No.
|
Credits Earned
|
Cumulative GPA
|
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
|
2
|
6
|
1.5
|
|
3
|
15
|
1.8
|
|
4
|
27
|
1.8
|
|
5
|
39
|
2.0
|
|
6
|
51
|
2.0
|
|
7
|
66
|
2.0
|
|
8
|
81
|
2.0
|
TAP recipients must also achieve what is referred to as “satisfactory program pursuit.” This is defined as completing, with either a passing or a failing grade, a certain percentage of a full-time course load (12 credits per semester) in each term for which an award is received. The percentage is 50% of the minimum full-time course load in each term of study during the first year in which an award is received; 75% of the full-time course load in each term of study in the second year for which an award is received; and 100% of the minimum full-time course load in each term thereafter. Courses that were previously passed but repeated to achieve a better grade do NOT count toward TAP eligibility, nor toward pursuit-of-program requirements during the semester in which the repeat takes place.
Failure to maintain the above standards will result in suspension of TAP eligibility until academic deficiencies have been remedied. It should be noted that these standards apply to the determination of TAP eligibility only and are different from the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for other types of financial aid.
If a student loses eligibility for TAP, he/she may submit a request for a one-time-only waiver, along with documentation that supports the reason for the waiver request. Waiver requests will be evaluated by the Institutional Status Review Committee (ISRC). A TAP waiver may be utilized only once.
Veteran Tuition Awards
Under this program, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or other eligible combat veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting institution or in an approved vocational training program in New York State are eligible for awards for full or part-time study. These awards can only be used for tuition charges and are available for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study. Combined tuition benefits available to a student cannot exceed the student’s total tuition costs. For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov.
NYS Memorial Scholarships for Families of Deceased Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Emergency Medical Service Workers
The NYS Memorial Scholarship provides financial aid to children, spouses and financial dependents of deceased firefighters, volunteer firefighters, police officers, peace officers, and emergency medical service workers who have died as the result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in service to the State of New York. Recipients must be enrolled full-time and be matriculated in an approved program of study at a NYS postsecondary institution. For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov.
Regents Awards for Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
An award of $450 per year for full-time attendance at a college in NYS is available for children of veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified periods of war or national emergency and, as a result of service, either died, suffered a 40% or more disability, was classified as missing in action, or was a prisoner of war. The veteran must currently be a New York State resident or have been a New York State resident at the time of death. Applications and further information are available from the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255. For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov.
New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence
This program provides scholarship assistance to outstanding New York State high school graduates. Each year, 8,000 scholarships are awarded - up to 2,000 scholarships of $1,500 and 6,000 scholarships of $500 - to top scholars from registered New York State high schools. Awards are based on student grades in certain Regents exams. Recipients can also receive other non-loan student aid, but the total cannot exceed the cost of attendance budget established by the college. The Scholarship must be used within seven years, commencing with the first academic year for which the Scholarship was awarded. Recipients of this scholarship must be enrolled full-time and be matriculated in an approved program of study at a NYS postsecondary institution. Students must be NYS residents. To apply, students should contact their high school guidance counselors. For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
In return for their service, members of AmeriCorps programs earn money for school in the form of an education award that can be used to pay education costs at approved postsecondary institutions, for future higher educational and vocational training pursuits, or to repay qualified outstanding student loans. The amount of the award is now tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grant. Information about New York State programs can be found by contacting: NYS Office for National and Community Service, Office of Children & Family Services, 52 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY 12144, or by visiting www.hesc.ny.gov and following the link to AmeriCorps.
The Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program (RIRP)
Members of New York State’s Military Forces (Army and Air Guard and Naval Militia) may be eligible to benefit from the RIRP. This program will pay the cost of tuition up to a maximum of $4,350 per calendar year for qualified applicants. For more information, contact your local unit representative or recruiter or log on to: http://dmna.ny.gov/education/education.php?page=rirp.
State Aid to Native Americans
New York State residents who are members of a New York State Native American tribe and their children who are attending a college in New York State may be eligible for up to $2,000 annually for up to 4 years of full-time study. Applications and further information are available at Native American Education Unit, NYS Education Department, Room 461 EBA, Albany, New York 12234, (518) 474-0537. For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov.
Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)
The Aid for Part-Time Study program is a grant funded by New York State. Matriculated undergraduate New York State residents who are attending college at a part-time level (enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester) are eligible to apply for APTS. Students must submit an APTS application, the FAFSA and copies of their New York State tax forms and, if dependent, their parents’ New York State tax forms. Recipients must meet income guidelines and academic requirements set by New York State and cannot have exceeded the maximum number of TAP award payments.
Amounts of APTS awards are determined by the College, based on the availability of New York State funding, and may vary from semester to semester. The maximum award that can be received for an academic year is $2000. The acceptance of an Aid for Part-Time Study award will decrease lifetime New York State TAP award eligibility. Students who are APTS recipients must meet certain academic standards and satisfactory Program Pursuit in order to continue receiving funds from this program. The same standards for the TAP programs apply, with APTS recipients being reviewed after every two semesters in which an APTS award was received.
NYS Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarships
New York State offers Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarships to qualified students who plan to pursue careers as secondary math and science teachers (grades 7–12) in New York State. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and require the completion of a supplement that must be returned to the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). This program provides awards to full-time students attending a college in NYS at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree level in exchange for five years of full-time employment as NYS secondary education math or science teachers. The award amount varies per academic year. The maximum annual award for the 2014-2015 academic year is $6,195. Log on to www.hesc.ny.gov for additional details.