Financial Information

Financial Information

Student Accounts Information

Tuition and Fees 2010-2011
Payment
Financial Responsibility
Student Accounts’ Policy on the Reduction of Charges
Title IV Refund Policy: Term Withdrawal, Financial Aid and Tuition Reduction Eligibility

Financial Aid Information

General Information - Financial Aid
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant Program (SMART)
Federal TEACH Grant
Grants for New York State Residents Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Other State Awards*
Higher Education Opportunity Program
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program (DL)
Consolidation and Deferments
Additional Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan
Federal Direct Parent Loans
Federal Office of the Ombudsman
Federal Campus-Based Programs
Federal Supplmental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Work Study Program
Veteran Benefits
Other Outside Awards
Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients
Verification
Enrollment Status Verification
Default
Standards of Academic Progess
Nazareth College Scholarships and Grants

Tuition and Fees 2010-2011

*All residents, except apartments, must take a Board Plan. Please refer to the Chartwells’ website for specific meal plan information. www.dineoncampus.com/naz/

**Advance deposits are non-refundable, but are credited to the first-semester bill.

***Payable by those students who register after classes begin, or whose study program is not filed with the Registrar by August 30, 2010 or by January 10, 2011.

The expenses shown are for the 2010-2011 academic year. In addition to the expenses listed, we estimate that full time Nazareth College students will need $1,100 per academic year for books and supplies and that discretionary personal expenses will cost them at least $1,100.

In anticipation of the continuing need for acceleration of the academic development of the college, it is expected that tuition, room, board and fee increases will be required in each succeeding academic year. Nazareth College will continue its endeavor to limit such increases to reasonable levels.

Return to top

Payment

The final balance on your bill (after Financial Aid has been subtracted) is payable by cash, check, MasterCard, VISA, or Discover. Make checks payable to Nazareth College. Credit card payment can be made by following the link Pay Tuition Online found on the left margin of the Student Accounts’ website: (www.naz.edu/dept/studentaccounts/)

Students who do not return their student bill by the due date are subject to de-registration. There is a $100 re-registration fee. Registration is not considered to be valid until financial obligations have been met.

Nazareth is happy to offer two payment plan options for paying your semester or full year tuition expenses interest free in monthly installments. The TuitionPay monthly payment plan offered through Sallie Mae is one option. A second option is with Tuition Management Systems, a division of KeyBank. Information is available on the Student Accounts’ website.

Please refer to the Student Accounts’ website for additional billing procedures and policies. (www.naz.edu/dept/studentaccounts/)

Return to top

Financial Responsibility

All students are responsible for any college debts they have incurred, including library fees, parking fines, tuition charges and related fees. If a college debt must be referred to outside sources for collection, the student will be responsible for paying additional collection costs including, but not limited to, attorney fees and disbursements. Note: Nazareth College reserves the right to withhold grades, transcripts, diplomas, or re-registration in those instances where financial obligations are not fulfilled.

Return to top

Student Accounts’ Policy on the Reduction of Charges

(Fall and Spring Semesters Only)
Students who withdraw completely from the college because of prolonged illness or other serious reasons beyond their control are granted reductions of tuition and room and board as follows (the amount of any reduction will be calculated from the day on which the notice of withdrawal, together with a request for a reduction is submitted in writing to the Director of Student Transition and the First Year Center or to the Registrar’s Office):

Tuition: Withdrawal within the first week of classes, 100% reduction; within the second week, 90% reduction; within the third week, 80%; within the fourth week, 50%; within the fifth and sixth weeks, 25%; after the sixth week of the term, no reduction.
Board: Reduction based on a pro rata basis.
Room: Reduction based on a pro rata basis during the first week. Same as tuition after first week.

There is no reduction in tuition, room and board, or fees in the case of late entrance, absence, suspension, expulsion or dismissal. Bookstore vouchers are non-refundable. Financial aid will be adjusted accordingly. Refunds will be processed by the original method of payment.

Return to top

Federal Title IV Refund Policy: Term Withdrawal, Financial Aid, and Tuition Reduction Eligibility

Students must notify the Director of Student Transition and the First Year Center in person, in writing, or by telephone of their intention to withdraw from an individual course, all classes for the semester, or the program. Reduction of tuition charges will be based on this date of last attendance as received and recorded in the Registrar’s Office. Continued class attendance or academic contact after this date will cause an updated last date of attendance or academic contact to be considered the official withdrawal date. A subsequent change of mind will revert the official term withdrawal to the original date of notification. If no official notification is received and no other documentation of the dates is available, the midpoint of the semester will be used as the term withdrawal date. Dates for determining reduction of tuition charges are published in semester bulletins and Student Accounts’ Office materials. Fees are not subject to reduction.

Recipients of Federal Title IV student aid who withdraw from all classes in a semester (term withdrawal) earn eligibility for federal student aid on a daily proportioned basis up until 60% of the semester has passed. All days during the semester (except for breaks of 5 days or more and their attendant weekends) are counted. If a student has not earned all of their federal assistance by the date of their term withdrawal, funds are returned to federal programs in the following order: Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Direct Graduate PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal ACG Grant, Federal SMART Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal TEACH Grant, other Title IV assistance. Lenders are notified of the student’s term withdrawal date. Students are responsible for repaying remaining loan funds according to the terms of their promissory notes. Federal Work Study earnings are not required to be repaid. Federal grant repayments owed by the student after school return of Federal funds are limited to 50% of the remaining unearned grant received. Note: Because tuition charges continue to be assessed by Student Accounts at a percentage rate higher than the rate at which federal policy considers Title IV student aid to be earned, students may incur a sizeable uncovered debt to Nazareth College when the college makes required repayment of unearned financial aid to its source. Gift assistance provided by Nazareth College continues to be credited in the same proportion as the college charges tuition.

Post withdrawal disbursements of federal student aid for which the student may be eligible will be made first from grant sources, then from loans. Within 14 days of determination of term withdrawal, the college will notify the student in writing the amount and type of funds available for post withdrawal disbursement together with explanation of the option to accept or decline all or part of this aid. The student must advise the college of his/her decision within 14 days or the potential disbursement is forfeit. Students will not be eligible for a late disbursement of their loan if it is the second disbursement of the loan e.g. a student borrows for fall and spring semesters, fall disbursement is received, student registers for spring but withdraws before disbursement is made. This student will not be eligible for the second disbursement of his/her loan.

Return to top

General Information - Financial Aid

Nazareth College encourages students who feel that they and their families are unable to afford the full cost of a private education to apply for all sources of financial aid for which they may be eligible.

Qualifying students will receive a financial aid “package” composed of a combination of scholarship, grant, loan and work study assistance, which will vary according to demonstrated need and individual circumstances. Awards are renewed annually, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and program pursuit and, when applicable, timeliness of application and continued demonstrated need for assistance.* Scholarship students must meet other qualifications, such as maintaining a particular GPA (cumulative grade point average).

* See also Standards of Academic Progress later in this section for information on general college standards which apply to all federal, state and Nazareth programs.

All inquiries about financial assistance and scholarships should be directed to the Financial Aid Office, Nazareth College by calling 585-389-2310 or emailing finaid@naz.edu.

Students enrolled in a study abroad program approved for credit by the college will be considered enrolled and eligible for Title IV assistance processed by the college. For study abroad through another college or university, students must qualify academically and apply for a consortium agreement at the Financial Aid Office.

Prospective applicants for financial aid should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by the February 15 priority filing deadline. Visit www.FAFSA.gov.  This form is the document necessary to apply for all types of federal and state student aid administered by the college. Early Decision candidates should file the College Scholarship Service’s Profile form by December 1st and the FAFSA by February 15. Returning Nazareth students should file the Renewal FAFSA no later than April 15 (March 15 for Summer financial aid) each year. An additional application is required for the NYS TAP Program.

Financial aid awards to newly admitted students are made on a rolling basis, usually within two weeks of receipt of the electronically processed FAFSA at the Financial Aid Office. Awards may be renewed each undergraduate year provided that varying requirements such as timeliness of application, continued demonstrated need, successful grades or program participation are met. It is the policy of the college to maintain the commitment of financial assistance made for freshman year whenever justifiable.

Returning students who have filed their FAFSA in a timely fashion will hear about renewed awards beginning in April. Unless otherwise indicated, awards are credited one half to each semester.

Return to top

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are available from the federal government to help high need undergraduate students meet the cost of education. Application is made by completing the FAFSA each year. Upon receiving the Student Aid Report (SAR), students should review the document with care and make any necessary changes online. Grants vary according to Congressional appropriation, full-time or part-time status and cost of education. The maximum Federal Pell Grant is currently $5,550. Students who already earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.

Federal Academic Competitive Grants (ACG)

Full time students who took a challenging program in high school, graduated in 2005 or later, are in their first two years of college, and are recipients of a Federal Pell Grant, may be eligible for the new ACG. First year students receive $750 for the academic year ($375 per semester). Second year students who maintained at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of their first year of college receive $1,300 for the academic year ($650 per semester). There is no award from this program for upperclassmen. Note: 2010-11 is the final year of funding for this federal program.

Return to top

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant Program (SMART Grants)

Federally defined 3rd and 4th year Pell eligible students who major in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry,Environmental Science, Mathematics or Information Technology may qualify for a SMART Grant valued at $4,000 annually.  A GPA of 3.0 or above is required each semester for award and continued eligibility. Note: 2010-11 is the final year of funding for this federal program.

Return to top

Federal TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year.  In exchange for receiving a TEACH grant, students must agree to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.  Students must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study.  Failure to complete the service obligation results in all TEACH grant funds being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, accruing interest from the initial date of disbursement and repayable directly to the federal government.  For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Students who have been residents of New York for at least one year prior to entering college are eligible to apply. Applications are part of the electronic FAFSA. Amounts of awards vary according to net taxable income from the family’s state income tax form, year in college and number in college full-time. According to student status, maximum awards range from $2,925 to $5,000 per academic year. Minimum award is now $500. Eligibility extends for eight semesters. Students who are under 35 years of age must meet separate and restrictive state guidelines for independence, even if they meet federal guidelines for independent student status. Parents of dependent students must continue to reside in New York State.  In order to receive TAP, students must be registered full time and maintain at least the standards of academic progress noted below.* Under current guidelines, students who have received four semesters of TAP must maintain at least a 2.0 overall GPA in order to be eligible for an award.**
 

 
State requirements also demand that students must meet the “standards of program pursuit,” defined by state regulations as receiving a passing or failing grade in a certain percentage of a full-time course load:

In each semester of study in the first year for which an award is made, the student must receive a passing or failing grade in at least six semester hours.

In each term of study in the second year for which an award is made, the student must receive a passing or failing grade in at least nine semester hours.

In each term of study in the third and each succeeding year for which an award is made, the student must receive a passing or failing grade in at least 12 semester hours.

Note: “W” grades will not satisfy this requirement. Also, when students repeat a course for which they have already received credit, they must carry 12 additional hours for certification for TAP and other New York programs.

Under extraordinary circumstances such as the serious illness of the student or a death in the student’s immediate family, a one-time, one-semester waiver of these standards is available. Written, documented appeals should be addressed to the Director of Financial Aid.

Part Time Tap Program: Beginning with the 2006-07 year, students who are first-time freshman and have completed 12 minimum credits in each of 2 consecutive semesters are eligible to apply for part-time TAP.  Students must enroll in at least 6 credits but less than 12 credits per semester and be in good academic standing.  FAFSA and TAP applications must be completed.  Points accrued in this program are applicable toward maximum TAP eligibility.

* Matriculated students registered for 3-11 credits per semester who meet designated guidelines for need and academic progress may apply for New York State Aid for Part Time Study (APTS). Contact the Financial Aid Office for applications and instructions. Students whose desire to attend full time is rendered impossible by a documented disability may receive TAP for matriculated registration of 3-11 credits.

** The above standards are minimal. The college reserves its right to implement its own probation policies.

Return to top

Other State Awards*

• New York State Indian Aid grants of up to $1,000 per semester are available to qualified Native American students.
• Special Veterans Awards are available for veterans who served in Vietnam or the Persian Gulf, and to children of deceased or disabled veterans, police officers, firefighters and corrections officers.
• The Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program is a competitive award program to increase the number of Math & Science teachers.  Recipients must agree to teach math or science for five years at a secondary school located within New York State.
• New York State Scholarships for Excellence valued at $500 or $1,500 are awarded to the top honor students graduating each year from a high school in New York State. A FAFSA must be filed to claim these scholarships which are renewable for a total of 8 full-time undergraduate semesters.

* Residents of the following states may apply for and receive their state scholarships at a college in New York State: Connecticut Department of Higher Education, 61 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105; Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority; 274 Weybosset St., Providence, RI 02903; Vermont Student Assistance Corp., Champlain Mill, P.O. Box 2000, Winooski, VT 05404; Department of Human Services, Office of P.S. Education Research and Assistance, 1331 H St. N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Return to top

Higher Education Opportunity Program

Nazareth College participates in New York State’s Higher Education Opportunity Program, which offers assistance to students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Students eligible to participate in this program have been clearly designated. Packages for these students are prepared with the advice of the campus director of the HEOP. (See Special Admission Program)

Return to top

Federal Direct Loan Program (DL)
       Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program

These federal student loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education for matriculated students enrolled for 6 credit hours or more each semester. Application is initiated by the indication of Stafford Loan eligibility on the annual award notice received by undergraduate students. The college transmits student loan eligibility data to the federal processor.  First time borrowers need to complete an entrance interview which may be done at www.DL.ed.gov. First time borrowers will also need to e-sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.DLenote.ed.gov. Select “Complete new e-MPN” and use the federal PIN, from the fafsa to sign. Once an e-MPN is signed and on file the student will not have to sign another promissory note for a period of up to ten years while in attendance at Nazareth College. Students are notified annually of their loan eligibility through the college’s award letter. They receive disclosure notices from the federal processor after a loan has been certified by the Financial Aid Office, and they are notified by Student Accounts once funds have been credited to their student account. At any point during the process a student may reduce the amount of the certified loan or decline the entire amount. Students are responsible for monitoring their own borrowing while at Nazareth College. Not signing an application each year does not abrogate a student’s responsibility for being aware of their aggregate student loan borrowing during their enrollment at Nazareth College.  Because of the rapid pace at which Stafford Loan program details may change, updated information can be found visiting www.naz.edu/financial-aid.

Maximum borrowing under this program is $3,500 per year for first year students, $4,500 for sophomores who have earned at least 28 credits, and $5,500 for students who have earned 58 credits or more up to a maximum total undergraduate borrowing eligibility of $23,000. Recent Federal legislation provides undergraduate students with the opportunity of borrowing $2,000 per year in Unsubsidized Stafford Loan in addition to any borrowing they may previously have qualified for.  Maximum total additional Unsubsidized Stafford borrowing is $8,000.  Students not matriculated but working toward a certificate in education are eligible to borrow as seniors but will be restricted to first year student levels if their coursework involves making up deficiencies before eligibility to study in an undergraduate program. All applicants must file the FAFSA, show a demonstrated need in order to borrow on a subsidized basis and complete an entrance and e-MPN interview before receiving a Federal Stafford Loan. Applicants who do not qualify for the federal interest subsidy on all or part of their borrowing request may borrow up to the total loan eligibility for their class year on an unsubsidized basis. Students borrowing for the first time for enrollment periods beginning July 1, 1994 through June 30, 2006 hold variable interest loans with the rate capped at 8.25%. The interest rate is adjusted each year on July 1. All Stafford Loans disbursed July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008 carry a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. For the period July 1 through  June 30 Subsidized Stafford Loans carry a fixed 5.6% interest rate upon repayment.  Federal Stafford Loan borrowers are entitled to a grace period such that repayment begins six months after they are no longer enrolled at least half-time. Minimum repayments are $50 per month for the standard repayment plan and may extend up to 10 years or longer. Annual loans are disbursed on a per semester basis. Most lenders charge a 0.5% origination fee, which is deducted from the student’s loan proceeds.

New borrowers after October 1, 1998 who have been employed as teachers for 5 consecutive school years may qualify for Stafford Loan forgiveness of up to a total of $17,500 provided that they: are not in student loan default; teach in a school that qualifies for Perkins Loan cancellation; and teach in a subject area relevant to their major (secondary level) or have demonstrated elementary curriculum teaching skills.  For latest details of forgiveness programs please visit www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/tc.

Return to top

Consolidation and Deferments

Students who have borrowed under any single or combination of federal student loan programs are eligible for a Federal Consolidation Loan which may extend repayment beyond 10 years at an interest rate which is the weighted average of the underlying loans rounded to the nearest 1/8 of one percent capped at 8.25%. Student borrowers are eligible for a variety of loan deferments, for example, enrollment at half-time or greater, or forbearance for unemployment or economic hardship. Under forbearance, students are responsible for loan interest. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details and information about documentation required for eligibility.

Return to top

Additional Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Students who qualify as independent by federal guidelines and who have already borrowed the maximum for their class year under Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized or unsubsidized) may request additional unsubsidized borrowing. Freshmen and sophomores may request up to $6,000 per year, juniors and seniors up to $7,000 per year, not to exceed the cost of education less other financial aid received. Interest rates and borrower rights and responsibilities are the same as a Federal Stafford Loan received. Interest of 6.8% accrues on these loans while the borrower is in school.

Dependent students whose parent has been denied a FPLUS loan become eligible to request this Additional Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan.  Total undergraduate borrowing eligibility under this program is $57,500, of which no more than $23,000 may be Subsidized Federal Stafford loans.

Return to top

Federal Direct Parent Loans (PLUS)

Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for a Federal PLUS Loan, available through participating banks and other lending institutions. Parents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with good credit histories may borrow up to the recognized cost of education less any other anticipated financial aid for each dependent student or parents may opt to defer repayment of principal and interest until the student is no longer in at least half time attendance. Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Repayment of FPLUS loans may extend over a period of up to 10 years. The interest rate on FPLUS loans is 7.9%. An origination fee of 4 percent is charged, and a 1.5% instant rebate is applied. After parents have signed an FPLUS Master Promissory Note (e-MPN), a plus application must be submitted to the Financial Aid office on an annual basis.

Return to top

Federal Office of the Ombudsman

Borrowers who experience unresolved issues with their school, lender or guarantee agency may contact the federal Office of the Ombudsman at (202) 401-4498 in Washington, D.C. or toll-free at (877) 557-2575.

Return to top

Federal Campus-Based Programs

Nazareth College participates in the three federal on-campus programs: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Work Study (FWS) Program. Students must file a FAFSA yearly for a review of eligibility. Awards vary with individual circumstances, full- or part-time status and funding made available to the college by Congressional action. Undergraduate students already holding a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for FSEOG.

Return to top

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

These grants are provided from a sum of money disbursed to the college by the federal government and are intended to assist students with exceptional demonstrated need such as Federal Pell Grant recipients. Students are technically eligible to receive from $100 to $4,000 per year. Funding levels are such that the college normally restricts FSEOG awards to a maximum of $1,000 per year.

Return to top

Federal Perkins Loans

Federal Perkins Loans enable students with exceptional demonstrated need to meet part of their cost of education through low-interest borrowing. Because funds under this program are limited, the college normally restricts student eligibility to a maximum of $1,000 per year. Federal Perkins Loans carry a 5 percent interest rate beginning nine months after the student is no longer attending at least half time and are repayable within 10 years. Maximum borrowing is $4,000 per year; a total of $20,000 for all undergraduate education. (See also Consolidation and Deferments) Students sign a Perkins Promissory Note which covers all Perkins Loan Program borrowing at Nazareth College for a period of up to 10 years. The first time you are awarded a Perkins Loan the Financial Aid Office will notify you of signing procedures which also include completion of an entrance interview at www.mappingyourfuture.org. Perkins Loan funds are credited to student term bills on the first day of the semester and within 3 business days of when the note has been signed for fall semester and by the first day of spring semester.

Borrowers of Federal Perkins Loans are entitled to deferments of repayment for periods ranging from nine months to three years: for service in the Armed Forces; for volunteerism (Peace Corps, VISTA, ACTION); for temporary total disability; for financial hardship; for pregnancy/adoption; for qualified internships. Cancellation of portions of Federal Perkins Loan borrowing is available: for teaching in designated low income schools, teaching handicapped children and teaching in Head Start programs; for military service; for volunteer service; for serving as a law enforcement or corrections officer; and because of death or permanent total disability.

Return to top

Federal Work Study Program

The Federal Work Study Program underwrites a portion of the earnings of eligible students, thereby creating more job opportunities supervised on campus. Students awarded Federal Work Study priority as part of their financial aid receive preference for placement in on-campus jobs or in the college’s Partners For Learning/Serving programs of community service. It is the student’s own responsibility to follow through with placement procedure and be a willing worker. Awards normally correspond to employment of 10 hours per week or less during the academic year at a wage rate of $7.94 per hour. Students are paid by check or direct deposit to a personal account of their choice every two weeks for hours worked. Because they receive direct payment, FWS wages do not credit the student’s term bill.

Return to top

Veteran Benefits

Students may be eligible for GI, war orphan or other veteran benefits. Consult the local Veterans Administration Office or the Director of Financial Aid regarding eligibility. Veterans Administration forms for certification of enrollment for those eligible are available in the Registrar’s Office and must be completed by the Registrar.

It is the responsibility of the student who receives veterans’ benefits to sign in twice each month at the Registrar’s Office and notify the Registrar officially of any schedule changes and the dates of such changes.

Return to top

Other Outside Awards

Students are encouraged to apply for any outside grants and scholarships for which they may be eligible. VESID, Social Security Administration and Bureau of Indian Affairs (for information regarding aid to Native Americans) are examples of outside agencies which help qualified students.

Applications for the Work Incentive program are made through the New York State Department of Social Services.

Students are responsible for reporting all such awards to the Financial Aid Office. Need-based aid packages will be reviewed and adjusted to take account of additional funding. Students holding only honorary scholarships from the college are affected if outside awards cause the total of their grant assistance to exceed the cost of tuition.

Return to top

Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients

Students seeking financial assistance are responsible for filing timely, valid applications for the programs under which they may request aid. Additional information regarding applications and all student financial aid rights and responsibilities may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office, Smyth Hall, room 43.

Request for review of financial aid awards must be made in writing to the Director of Financial Aid and be accompanied by suitable photocopied documentation. Such requests will be reviewed by a financial aid committee including the Director and Vice President for Enrollment.

Students who have lost financial aid eligibility because of previous unsuccessful academic progress should write to the Director of Financial Aid requesting review as soon as they can present an overall academic record that fully meets the College’s published guidelines for successful academic progress.

Male students must have on file confirmation that they have registered with the Selective Service (the Draft) or that they are not required to do so before the college will disburse Federal student aid. Students reaching their 18th birthday while matriculated at Nazareth must register promptly.

Students are responsible to document and make any appropriate revisions whenever Social Security Administration records report a mismatch of information on their Federal Aid Application (FAFSA).

Students who are non-citizens but hold a permanent resident certificate must be able to document their eligibility to receive assistance from Federal student aid programs. Wherever direct computer matched documentation from Immigration and Naturalization Service cannot be made, students may be required to obtain from INS a completed Form G640.

Return to top

Verification

The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects approximately 30% of the FAFSA forms that are filed for a process called ‘verification’. If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will be required to provide a signed copy of your parent’s and your income tax return and w-2 forms (i.e. 2009 taxes for the 2010-11 academic year). In addition, you must complete a Federal Verification Worksheet in order to verify household and untaxed income information. The Federal Verification is available at http://www.naz.edu/financial-aid/forms. Students will be contacted via their Nazareth College email if they are selected for federal verification. The required information must be provided within 30 days of request in order to receive any federal financial aid. For returning students, financial aid packages will not be completed until verification requirements are satisfactorily completed.

Return to top

Enrollment Status Verification

Nazareth College participates in the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) located in Herndon, Virginia. At least four times a semester (before classes begin; at the close of registration; after the last day to withdraw and receive a grade of W; and on the last class day of term) the college submits a computer file of students’ enrollment status to the Clearinghouse which, in turn, supplies verification of enrollment to all lending institutions and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). All loan deferment forms are forwarded to the NSC. Nazareth College does not supply this information directly to lending institutions.

If a student has registered late and/or had a drop/add/withdrawal processed to the term registration, this information may not be reported to the Clearinghouse until the next submission. The Clearinghouse asks that if a student receives a collection letter, the student is to follow the procedures as outlined.

• Call the lending agency to see if a deferment form was received between the time the Clearinghouse supplied the information and the lending agency sent the collection letter.
• You may verify your enrollment status by accessing the Clearinghouse website: www.nslc.org. In the “Students” section, you may confirm your own status and verify that your lender is using the Clearinghouse to supply enrollment data.
• If an emergency exists, e.g. a student is being threatened with default, the Records Assistant (585-389-2803) may be able to intervene on the student’s behalf by faxing a verification of enrollment letter to the lending agency.

Return to top

Default

Recipients of student aid of any description may not be in default on a student loan taken to attend any institution nor owe a refund to a federal grant program at any institution. Additional documentation from sources such as a previous lender or guarantee agency may be required to update records. Parents borrowing on behalf of a dependent student must also clear federal review demonstrating that they themselves are not in default on any student loan or owe repayment of any federal monies.

Return to top

Standards of Academic Progress

Federal Financial Aid

For the purpose of receiving federal financial aid, satisfactory academic progress is defined as earning a minimum number of credits to be measured at the end of the spring semester annually and maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average. It is expected that students will successfully complete a degree within six years of study or its part-time equivalent as noted in the handbook. Failure to meet these minimum requirements will result in loss of eligibility for college and federal financial assistance.*

Transfer students will be placed according to total credits achieved, years of previous study, or educational level. To meet the standards you must:

Note: Students placed on probation or part-time status by the Academic Standards Committee who do not meet the minimum guidelines above will be subject to lost or reduced financial aid eligibility. 

Students may be eligible to receive a one-time waiver for federal aid if one of the following circumstances has resulted in failure to meet the stated requirements: 

1.      Death of a relative

2.      Personal injury/illness

3.      Other extenuating circumstance if it directly resulted in your failure to meet the requirements.

To be considered for a waiver, you must submit a written appeal to the Director of Financial Aid immediately. The Academic Standards Committee reviews all appeal requests and makes the final decision. If the waiver is granted, your federal awards will be reinstated for the current year; however, your academic progress must improve to meet the minimum requirements prior to the start of the following academic year.

Without a waiver, you may receive federal grants, Perkins loans, and work-study funds for the payment period (semester) in which satisfactory academic progress is resumed. For Stafford and PLUS loans, eligibility is regained for the entire period of enrollment (academic year). 

New York State Financial Aid

TAP is a financial aid program for students who have been residents of New York State for at least one year prior to beginning college education. Amounts awarded vary according to net taxable balance from the family’s New York State Income Tax Form and year in college. Consult the Financial Aid Office for details. Each year, students must file a separate TAP application, which is part of the electronic FAFSA. In order to receive TAP and/or HEOP, students must be registered full‑time and maintain at least the standards of academic progress noted below.* 

New York State Aid – Academic Progress Guidelines:

Note that the satisfactory academic progress guidelines for NYS aid differ from the federal satisfactory academic progress criteria. 

* Only students enrolled in the HEOP program are eligible for ten TAP payments. The maximum number of payments for all other students is eight. 

** Incompletes cannot be included unless they are resolved to a passing or failing grade by the end of the following term. Failing grades are included in the number of courses completed per semester. Only passing grades are included in the number of courses earned. 

Note: Students placed on probation or part-time status by the Academic Standards Committee who do not meet the minimum guidelines above will be subject to lost or reduced financial aid eligibility. 

Loss of Good Academic Standing: Students who lose good academic standing in a term when they receive a state grant or scholarship are not eligible for an award for the next term. 

Reinstatement of Good Academic Standing: Students who have lost good academic standing may restore this standing in one of the following ways:

1. make up past academic deficiencies by completing one or more terms of study without receiving any state grants or scholarships;
2. be readmitted to school after an absence of at least one calendar year; or
3. transfer to another institution; or
4. be granted a waiver.

One-time Waiver: NYS permits students to receive a one-time waiver of the good academic standing requirement as an undergraduate and a one-time waiver as a graduate student. Note: Students are required to maintain a “C“average (2.0 cumulative GPA) after receiving the equivalent of two or more full years of NYS aid. Waivers of the “C” average requirement are separate from the one-time waiver and may be granted more than once if circumstances warrant. 

Students may be eligible to receive a waiver for state aid if one of the following extenuating circumstances has resulted in failure to meet the stated requirements:

1.      Death of a relative

2.      Personal injury/illness

3.      Other extenuating circumstance if it directly resulted in your failure to meet the NYS requirements.

To be considered for a waiver, you must submit a written appeal to the Director of Financial Aid. The Academic Standards Committee reviews all appeal requests and makes the final decision. If the waiver is granted, your NYS awards will be reinstated for the semester; however, your academic progress must improve to meet the minimum requirements prior to the start of the following semester.

Note: “W” grades will not satisfy this requirement. Grades for repeated courses, for which students have already received credit (D‑, D, D+, C-) are excluded when calculating the semester hours required for TAP eligibility. Full time students repeating a course for which they have already received credit must carry 12 additional hours to be eligible for certification for TAP and other New York State programs. Newly registered, part time, TAP eligible students (beginning Fall 2007), should consult with the Financial Aid office regarding the repeating of a “W” grade. All students who have applied and been found financially eligible for TAP will be certified by the College if they are registered full‑time as of the TAP Certification Date. (See Academic Calendar for the Fall and Spring semester TAP certification dates.

Nazareth College Financial Aid (Scholarships)

Scholarship eligibility is reviewed annually based on cumulative GPA.  If the minimum requirement is not met, one semester of probation is granted.  After the probationary period, if the cumulative GPA remains below the requirement, the scholarship will be reduced by 20% of the value.  If, after subsequent semesters, the GPA requirement is met, full reinstatement of the award may be requested.

Scholarship                                                            Minimum Cumulative GPA

Presidential                                                                               3.25

Dean’s, Founder’s, Transfer, Phi Theta Kappa                           3.0

Trustee                                                                                      2.5

Class of 1928, Regional, Campus Diversity, Heritage,

RCSD, Sibling, Art, Music, Theatre                                              2.0

Note: Students placed on probation or part-time status by the Academic Standards Committee who do not meet the minimum guidelines above may be subject to lost or reduced financial aid eligibility.

Nazareth College Scholarships and Grants

Nazareth College recognizes academic achievement and promise with scholarship assistance. Entering freshmen receive notice of their total of four year scholarship commitment (six years for students pursuing the Doctorate in Physical Therapy) at the time of admission. Scholarships fulfilling this commitment are awarded on an honorary basis and do not require demonstrating financial need. Scholarships do not increase annually with cost increases. Transfer students with outstanding academic records may be considered for honors awards specific to transfers. Most gift assistance to transfer students is awarded on a need basis in response to filing a timely annual FAFSA. Continuation of scholarship assistance for all students requires successful academic performance which ranges from 2.0 to 3.5 overall GPA depending on the specific scholarship received. The following academic levels apply:

Presidential - 3.25
Dean’s - 3.0
Founders - 3.0
Nazareth College - 3.0
Trustees - 2.5
Class of 1928 - 2.0

Students receiving scholarships in the Arts, and transfer students receiving Transfer or Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships, received letters of appointment delineating their required level of academic achievement. For all students, a grace period of one semester is allowed as an opportunity to improve grades before scholarships are reduced. Scholarships are reduced by 20% of the value if the cumulative GPA is below the minimum requirement after the probationary term.

Art, Music, Theatre, and Music Theatre Scholarships

Departmental faculty approve awards to entering students in these majors based on competitive review of portfolio or audition.

Nazareth Heritage Awards

Entering first time freshman students whose parent or grandparent earned an undergraduate or graduate degree at Nazareth College may qualify for a grant of $3,000 per year. Awards are renewable for a maximum of 8 consecutive semesters; full time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress are required.

Nazareth Family Grants

In recognition of families where two or more members of the same household are full-time Nazareth students, a grant of $1000 per academic year per student will be provided.

Purple and Gold Grants

Purple and Gold Grants are made possible by a financial aid restricted fund authorized by the trustees of Nazareth College to assist worthy students with demonstrated need. Increases in grant assistance from year to year are not routinely made.

Campus Diversity Awards

Granted to students who represent family backgrounds, life experiences, and academic interests atypical of the full time undergraduate student body.

Return to top

Regional Scholarships

Regional Scholarships are awarded to entering freshmen who reside in a state other than New York and who demonstrate a quality academic profile.

Return to top

Nazareth College Grants

Nazareth College Grants are awarded to selected students without regard to demonstrated need. A 2.0 GPA is required for renewal.

Most named and endowed scholarships from the list below are awarded only to students with proven academic records at Nazareth College who meet requirements set by award donors. When such a scholarship award is made, it typically replaces some or all of any form of campus gift assistance previously received by the student.

Return to Top