 |
Financial Aid
Process Overview and Conditions for Receiving Financial Aid
The financial aid staff at Seton Hill is well prepared to guide you through the financial aid application process. Every student is encouraged to apply for financial aid consideration, regardless of family income. Many factors determine a student's eligibility for financial aid and each student is individually evaluated at Seton Hill.
Procedure For Applying For Financial Aid : FAFSA
- New students must complete and submit the Seton Hill University application for admission and be accepted to the University before any financial aid is offered.
- Returning students must be registered for classes before aid eligibility can be determined.
- New and returning students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year (www.fafsa.ed.gov) for initial and renewal financial aid consideration. The FAFSA application determines all eligibility for Federal, State and Seton Hill grants as well as Stafford Student Loans and work study. The FAFSA should be submitted no later than April 15th each year. Be sure to release your FAFSA results to Seton Hill by including our Title IV school code: 003362 on the FAFSA. The FAFSA can be completed online (4 - 6 days average processing time) or via a paper application (4-6 weeks average processing time).
- Returning students must also complete a Seton Hill University Financial Aid application prior to April 15th. This application can be found on the "forms" section of the SHU website.
Types Of Aid Available
Seton Hill University will receive your FAFSA results electronically. Upon receipt, financial aid staff will verify your enrollment and begin to calculate your eligibility for the following types of financial aid:
- Grants & Scholarships
- Federal Grants
- State Grants
- Seton Hill University Grants & Scholarships
- Private Grants
- Student Loans
- Stafford Loans
- Perkins Loans
- Alternative Loans
- Plus Loans
- Employment
- Federal Work-study
- State Work-study
- Seton Hill University Work-study
How Is Aid Determined?
In most cases, a student's financial aid package is based on the results of the FAFSA. The FAFSA assists the financial aid office in determining a student's "financial need". "Financial Need" is calculated by subtracting your EFC (expected family contribution), as calculated by the FAFSA, from your "cost of attendance" (a budget financial aid officers create that includes tuition, room, board, fees, books and miscellaneous expenses). The remaining amount is considered financial need and Seton Hill works very hard to fill as much of your financial need as possible.
Cost of Education - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
Seton Hill also offers non-need based aid to students, including academic, division and athletic scholarships. A significant number of our Seton Hill University Scholarships for incoming undergraduates are not based on financial need.
How Will I Be Notified?
Every student who is enrolled at the University and applies for financial aid will receive a financial aid award letter. This award letter will itemize each type of aid for which the student is eligible. The award letter will list the type and amount of each grant, loan or scholarship as well as work-study eligibility. Please remember that in most cases you must be accepted for admission to receive a financial aid package.
Will My Awards Be Renewed Every Year?
Unless noted otherwise, all forms of financial aid, including scholarships offered by the University, are generally renewed provided there is satisfactory academic progress and good standing, annually demonstrated financial need, and availability of funds. Students must submit the FAFSA application each year.
Will My Financial Aid Offer Change?
Your financial aid offer will be void or subject to change if you are in default on any Federal loans; if you owe a repayment on any federal student aid; do not report changes to the financial aid office regarding housing, enrollment, number in college, or receipt of outside scholarships/grants; or if you intentionally misrepresent your financial and personal information on your FAFSA and SHU applications.
Seton Hill University reserves the right to review, revise and/or cancel an award at any time because of a change of major; financial, housing or enrollment status; or for lack of academic progress.
What Is Academic Progress?
Academic progress (AP) is defined as successfully completing the number of credits needed each academic year to advance to the next grade level- see Seton Hill University Bulletin for additional information.
Conditions That May Effect Your Financial Aid
- ENROLLMENT STATUS: Aid is usually awarded on an assumption of full-time status (12 or more credits per semester for undergraduates and 9 or more credits for graduate students). Financial aid for part time students will be adjusted accordingly. It is the student's responsibility to inform the financial aid office of a change in enrollment status and if you plan to audit a course. Generally speaking, a student must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits per semester to receive aid (excluding any audited courses).
- HOUSING STATUS: If you change your housing status (move off campus, move on campus or commute from home), you must notify the financial aid office as your financial aid eligibility may increase or decrease.
- CHANGE IN NUMBER IN COLLEGE: If there is a change to the number of family members in your household enrolled in college, you must notify the financial aid office.
- REDUCTION OF INCOME: If your family experiences a change in income (loss of job) or incurs extraordinary expenses (medical, etc), contact our office. An adjustment to your aid may be possible.
- OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS: If you receive any outside scholarships or employer reimbursement and receive federal, state or Seton Hill financial aid, you are required to notify the financial aid office immediately as these funds must be part of your financial aid package.
A College Education is a Great Investment!
National statistics set the value of a college education at $750,000- the increase to lifetime earning potential which an individual gains by obtaining a four year college degree.
The return on investment is impressive, but there are other benefits of a college education: personal growth, development of values, and increased communication skills. Such gains are priceless and last for a lifetime. A Seton Hill University education is a good investment in yourself and in your future!
|
|
|
