Financial assistance is available to students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment. Detailed information and necessary application forms may be secured from the Office of Financial Aid. Because the determination of eligibility is based on an analysis of a current Needs Analysis Application, students are encouraged to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application and designate Clarion University to receive a copy of that form. The applications are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by calling 800-433-3243.
Academic Year
At Clarion University, an academic year is comprised of a Fall and Spring semester during which time a full-time student is expected to complete 24 credits. The period of time school is in session consists of 30 weeks of instruction.
Grants, Loans, and Employment
Pennsylvania and Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant:
The "basic" need-based federal grant is the Pell Grant. In 2010-11, Pell grants will range from $555 to $5,550 based on the extent of financial need as determined by federal methodology.
Federal SEOG Grant:
If the student is determined to have the maximum financial need (an Expected Family Contribution of 0), Clarion University may award the student a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or SEOG, of $400 for the academic year.
Federal TEACH grant:
A new federal grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a high-need field (bilingual education, foreign language, mathematics, reading specialist, science, and special education) in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Interested students should have a FAFSA on file (although financial need is not a requirement), and maintain a cumulative quality-point average (QPA) of at least a 3.25.
TEACH grants are available to junior and senior undergraduate and graduate students. Recipients of TEACH grants must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which the TEACH grant was received. IMPORTANT: TEACH recipients who fail to complete the service obligation will have their TEACH Grants converted to interest-bearing (6.8%) Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Interest will be charged from the day the Grant was disbursed. Students who are interested in the TEACH Grant should print this form and return it to the Office of Financial Aid, 104 Egbert Hall.
Federal ACG Grant:
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants were available for the first time for the 2006-2007 year to incoming freshmen who graduated high school in 2006, and to sophomores who graduated in 2005, with a "rigorous curriculum." The Office of Admissions reviews incoming students high school transcripts to determine if this criterion has been met. Eligible recipients will be automatically notified of their award by the Office of Financial Aid. Freshmen are eligible for $750, and sophomores are eligible for $1,300. Sophomores must have a cumulative QPA of at least a 3.00.
Students must have a current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file, must be eligible for the federal PELL grant (have an Expected Family Contribution of 4617 or lower), must be a U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen, and must be enrolled at least half-time in a two- or four-year degree program. The 2010-11 academic year is the last year for this program.
Federal SMART Grant:
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants became available for the first time during the 2006-2007 year to juniors and seniors majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology engineering, or in a foreign language determined to be critical to national security. Recipients must be PELL eligible, U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen enrolled at least half-time in a four-year degree program with a cumulative QPA of at least a 3.00. The maximum award is $4,000 per year. The 2010-11 academic year is the last year for this program.
PHEAA State Grant:
The Pennsylvania state grant ranges from $200 to $3,507, depending on the amount of need as determined by PHEAA's methodology. PHEAA notifies students (who have filed a FAFSA) directly of their eligibility for the grant. (Students who are taking half or more of their credits on-line during any semester are NOT eligible for the Pennsylvania state grant).
Federal Loan Programs
FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM-
The program provides for loans to students who have a demonstrated need for financial assistance and who are in good academic standing.
To be eligible, students must complete an application form, have a current FAFSA form on file in the Office of Financial Aid, be a citizen of the United States or have declared an intention to obtain citizenship, and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student.
The loans, which are non-interest bearing while a student is enrolled, are available to a maximum of $2,000 per year for undergraduates, with a $15,000 aggregate limit for undergraduate students.
Repayment of the loan may extend over a 10-year period beginning nine months after graduation from Clarion. Repayments are to be made on a quarterly basis with interest accruing at the rate of five percent per year.
In specified teaching situations, as much as 15 percent of the loan may be canceled for each year of teaching. The borrower's obligation to repay the loan is canceled in the event of death or permanent and total disability.
FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM-
Loans to a maximum of $5,500 per academic year for first-year students, $6,500 for second-year students, and $7,500 for third-, fourth-, and fifth-year students to a limit of $31,000. Graduate students may apply for up to $20,500 per academic year in loans. Loan applications are available from the U.S. Dept. of Education at http://studentloans.gov. Direct Student Loans are based on need which must be demonstrated through an approved need analysis system. The approved form is the FAFSA application. Applications and detailed information may be secured from the financial institution from which a loan will be requested. Rate of interest for new borrowers of 4.5% to 6.8% begins accruing six months after graduation or withdrawal, and repayment may extend over a 20-year period. Diplomas will be withheld for those who do not complete an exit interview.
DIRECT PARENT LOAN FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (PLUS)-
PLUS loans, which are not based on financial need, are available to parents up to the cost of education minus other aid. The loan has an adjustable rate of interest to a maximum of 8.5 percent, and repayment may begin 60 days after receipt of the loan. Application is through the U.S. Dept. of Education at http://studentloans.gov.
CLARION UNIVERSITY REVOLVING LOAN FUND-
This loan fund, for educational purposes only, is available to full-time undergraduate students in good standing. Loans may be granted to a maximum of $300. The loans are interest-free for 60 days. Thereafter, a $25 late fee is imposed. Application forms may be secured from the Office of Financial Aid.
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Sample Loan Repayment Chart (payback period = 10 years) |
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|
|
|||||
|
Principal |
No. |
5% |
8.25% |
||
|
|
Payment |
Total Interest |
Payment |
Total Interest |
|
|
|
|||||
|
3,500 |
72 |
56 |
588 |
62 |
949 |
|
5,500 |
120 |
58 |
1,500 |
67 |
2,595 |
|
6,000 |
120 |
64 |
1,637 |
74 |
2,831 |
|
8,000 |
120 |
85 |
2,182 |
98 |
3,775 |
|
13,000 |
120 |
138 |
3,546 |
159 |
6,134 |
|
15,000 |
120 |
159 |
4,092 |
184 |
7,077 |
|
18,000 |
120 |
191 |
4,910 |
221 |
8,493 |
|
22,000 |
120 |
233 |
6,001 |
270 |
10,380 |
|
24,000 |
120 |
255 |
6,547 |
294 |
11,324 |
|
|
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Employment
Employment on a part-time basis is available to the extent that funds are provided by the federal government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The assignment of students to part-time campus positions is generally based on financial need; however, it should be recognized that such employment will not be sufficient to meet the total expenses of attending Clarion. The current federal minimum wage is paid to on-campus student employees.
FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM-
The university participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, which permits eligible students to work while classes are in session. Eligibility requirements for employment include U.S. citizenship, demonstrated financial need as determined by a current Needs Analysis form, and satisfactory academic progress.
STATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM-
Part-time positions are available under this program to students who are maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Many positions are limited to 15 hours of employment per week.
JOB LOCATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (JLD)-
Funding for the JLD program is received from the federal government under the College Work-Study Program and is designed to encourage the development of part-time, off-campus, employment opportunities for all Clarion students regardless of financial need.
Students employed under the Federal Work-Study Program and the State Employment Program must be enrolled at least half-time, i.e., six semester hours each semester, to remain eligible for the work program.
Conditions Which Accompany Financial Aid
In order to continue receiving financial aid following initial enrollment at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, students must meet certain conditions each year (or two consecutive semesters, if the student began during the Spring Semester, or if she or he stopped out.) Students must be enrolled at least part-time (6 credits) and must reapply for aid using the FAFSA each year.
Full-time baccalaureate students may receive assistance from most federal Title IV programs for up to six years of attendance or applicable program limits; and state aid programs for up to four years, providing they maintain "normal academic progress."
Normal or satisfactory academic progress means that full-time undergraduate students must successfully complete a minimum of 21 new semester hours by the end of each academic year, including the summer, before they can be awarded grant assistance for their next school year.
Part-time undergraduate students must successfully complete all courses for which they enroll.
Full-time graduate students must successfully complete 18 semester hours by the end of each academic year, including the summer, before they can be granted assistance for their next school year. Part-time graduate students must successfully complete all courses for which they enroll, and must earn at least nine new credits each year, including summer, in order to make satisfactory academic progress.
Credits for courses which were repeated, from which the student previously withdrew, or which the student previously failed do not count as new credits for the purpose of making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
In addition to earning the appropriate number of credits each year, all students must attain and maintain a cumulative QPA of at least a 2.00 once 60 credits have been earned.
Students who fail to achieve a cumulative QPA of at least a 2.00, are normally placed on probation or suspension by the Office of Academic Affairs. If a student in his or her first or second year of an undergraduate program is suspended by the Office of Academic Affairs and appeals that decision, and is permitted to return to Clarion university, his or her federal financial aid will be reinstated, provided the student has earned the appropriate number of credits necessary for satisfactory academic progress.
PHEAA grant recipients must successfully complete at least 24 new semester hours each year to be eligible to receive a state grant the following year.
Direct Loan recipients can borrow at level 2 once they have earned 30 new semester hours; and at level 3 once they earned 60 credits.
Appeal Procedure
Students denied financial aid for any reason may appeal the denial as follows:
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Write to the Office of Financial Aid, Clarion University, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214-1232, noting the denial and stating the reasons why financial aid should not be denied. Example: A student may be denied aid because it appears he or she has fewer than 21 credits for the year. Perhaps during the summer at another institution the student has earned, for transfer to Clarion, credits which will fulfill the normal progress requirement but about which the university has not been informed. The student may present the appeal in person at the Office of Financial Aid in Egbert Hall instead of writing.
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The Office of Financial Aid will review the denial in terms of information provided by the student.
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Following the review, the Office of Financial Aid will report back to the student concerning the appeal.
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If the student questions the decision of the Office of Financial Aid, an appeal may be made.
Refund Policy
Students receiving financial assistance from Clarion University are subject to the same refund policies as those who are not aid recipients.
Federal Title IV Regulations: If a recipient of Title IV funds (Pell grant, SEOG grant, or Stafford loan) withdraws from school after beginning attendance, a portion of the Title IV funds may have to be returned. Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of the Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.
If a student withdraws before completing 60 percent of the semester, the percentage of Title IV funds earned is equal to the percentage of the semester completed. The university is required to return the unearned portion.
The percentage of payment period or term completed up to the withdrawal date divided by the total days in the payment period or term. (Any break of five days or more is not counted as part of the days in the term.) This percentage is also the percentage of earned aid.
Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned aid using the following formula: Aid to be returned = (100 percent of the aid that could be disbursed minus the percentage of earned aid) multiplied by the total amount of aid that could have been disbursed during the payment period or term.
If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a debit balance to the institution.
If a student earned more aid than was disbursed to him/her, the institution would owe the student a post-withdrawal diisbursement which must be paid within 120 days of the student's withdrawal.
The institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later than 45 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student's withdrawal.
Refunds are allocated in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
- Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
- Federal Perkins Loans
- Federal Direct Parent (PLUS) Loans
- Federal PELL grants
- Federal ACG/SMART
- Federal Supplemental Educatioal Opportunity Grant
If a student withdraws after completing 60 percent of the semester, the percentage of Title IV funds earned is 100 percent.
Students who withdraw after the semester begins or reduce their credit hour load should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine the impact on their financial aid awards.
Note: The university refund policy for tuition and fees is different from the Federal Title IV regulations.
Unofficial Withdrawals
Should a student who has been awarded Title IV aid unofficially withdraw from the University, all Title IV which the student received must be repaid to the University within 30 days of the end of the enrollment period.
