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* Links below redirect from the Catalog site to the Student Accounts section of the Nazareth website
Additional links & information within the Catalog site
Graduate Student Emergency Funds
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Scholarships
Financial Aid Programs
Title IV Refund Policy: Term Withdrawal/Leave of Absence, Financial Aid and Tuition Reduction Eligibility
Federal Office of the Ombudsman
Military Policy
Default
Enrollment Status Verification
Graduate Student Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)
Graduate Student Emergency Funds
During graduate study, exceptional circumstances may arise which restrict the ability of individual graduate students to continue studies without timely assistance. The Graduate Student Emergency Funds may provide a resource for short-term assistance. For further information, including guidelines and application forms, please contact the Associate Provost at (585) 389-5194. Request forms can also be obtained by visiting www.naz.edu/graduate-student-services under “Forms.”
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Graduate Assistantships
A number of graduate assistantships in the areas of research, administrative support, and special projects are available each term to matriculated graduate students. Maximum remuneration for an assistantship in a single academic term is a 4.5-credit waiver (commensurate with a program’s tuition rate) to be applied to a student’s account during the term in which the work of the assistantship is being done. All graduate assistants must be formally admitted to and enrolled in a graduate program prior to beginning work in their position. Students participating in the graduate assistantship program must also be enrolled in more course credits than their graduate assistantship throughout each applicable term to maintain eligibility.
According to current tax laws, there are tax implications related to graduate assistantships of which recipients should be aware. By law, Nazareth University must report to the Internal Revenue Service the value of the remuneration including course waivers over the period of a calendar year as income earned by the Graduate Assistant. At the end of each tax year, graduate assistants will receive appropriate tax notification from Nazareth University.
Please refer to the Nazareth website https://www2.naz.edu/tuition-aid/types-aid/graduate-assistantships/. For further information contact Graduate Admissions at (585) 389-2824, or by e-mail at gainfo@naz.edu.
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Graduate Scholarships
The following scholarships are awarded by academic departments with graduate programs each year, some as a result of written competition. Announcements of the annual competitions and applications, if applicable, are available from individual academic departments.
- Magdalena Callahan Scholarship- awarded annually to a student in a Graduate Literacy Education program
- Flower City Down Syndrome Network Scholarship - The scholarship will be awarded yearly with first preference given to a graduate student(s) in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Childhood Education, or to a student(s) pursuing a graduate degree in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, or Creative Arts/Music Therapy.
- Dr. Kay F. Marshman Endowed Graduate Student Scholarship - awarded to a non-traditional graduate student, to help the student(s) achieve their educational goals.
- Josephine F. Haire Family Scholarship - awarded annually to a student in a Graduate Inclusive Education program
- Rochester Guild for Special Children Scholarship - awarded annually to a student in a Graduate Inclusive Education program in the spring
- Deborah Ann Bartimo Silva Scholarship - awarded to a student in Communications Sciences and Disorders
- Patricia Carney Memorial Scholarship-awarded to a graduate student in the Inclusive Education Program
- David Vigren Endowed Scholarship for Education- supports a graduate student studying education at Nazareth.
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Financial Aid Programs
The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must complete a FAFSA every year to be considered for financial aid. Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term toward their degree program to qualify for federal graduate loans.
Federal TEACH Grant
The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants up to $2,000 per semester to academically qualified students who intend to teach in a designated high-need subject area in an elementary or secondary school or an educational service agency that services students from low-income families. In order to receive the grant, an eligible student must complete a TEACH grant application, Agreement to Service, Counseling and FAFSA annually. Applicants should be aware that failure to complete the service obligation will result in the grant being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accrued and capitalized from the date of the original disbursement. **TEACH Grant funding and continuation is not guaranteed and is subject to federal budget approval.
Additional information regarding the TEACH Grant may be found at: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach.
Federal Direct - Unsubsidized Loan Program
These federal student loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education for matriculated graduate students who are enrolled in 6 credit hours or more each semester. Please note: only credits that are required for your graduate degree may be used to determine federal loan eligibility. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed listing Nazareth University (002779). First-time loan borrowers must complete an entrance counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (e-MPN) which covers all Federal Direct Loan borrowing for a period of up to ten years. This can be done electronically on the web at www.studentaid.gov.
Maximum borrowing under this program is $20,500 per academic year, not to exceed the student’s cost of education. For matriculated graduate students, total undergraduate and graduate borrowing in any combination of subsidized/unsubsidized loans may not exceed $138,500.
Non-degree students working toward a certificate in education are also eligible to borrow. Maximum academic year borrowing for these students is $5,500 in a subsidized loan and up to $7,000 in an unsubsidized loan for independent students and dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS loan. Students conditionally accepted to a graduate program who need to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses before being eligible for graduate course registration may borrow up to $5,500 in a subsidized loan, and up to $7,000 in an unsubsidized loan for independent students and dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS loan, for the one academic year prior to attaining graduate matriculation. Dependent undergraduate students are restricted to a maximum lifetime borrowing (at the bachelor’s degree level) of $31,000; no more than $23,000 may be subsidized. Independent undergraduate students are restricted to $57,500 for their lifetime (up to the bachelor’s degree level); no more than $23,000 may be subsidized. All applicants must file a FAFSA in order to borrow. Interest on unsubsidized loans will begin to accrue at time of loan disbursement.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS
Applicants may apply on-line at www.studentaid.gov. Applicants may not have an adverse credit history and are required to file the FAFSA and have applied for the maximum unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan for which they are eligible. A GRAD PLUS master promissory note and entrance counseling, separate from a Direct Loan MPN and entrance counseling, is required.
Federal Work Study Program
Graduate students who are registered full time, and whose financial aid application demonstrates need may be awarded Federal Work Study. Students seeking work study should make this request to the Financial Aid Office. Students are paid by direct deposit every two weeks for hours worked. Because they receive direct payment, FWS wages do not credit the student’s term bill.
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Federal Title IV Refund Policy: Term Withdrawal/Leave of Absence, Financial Aid and Tuition Reduction Eligibility
Students must notify the Registration and Records Office 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 determined based on the date of last attendance as received and recorded in the Registration and Records Office. If no official notice 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 on the Student Accounts’ website.
Recipients of Federal student aid who withdraw from all classes in a semester (term withdrawal/leave of absence) 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, funds are returned to Federal programs in the following order: Federal Direct Subsidized loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans, Federal Direct PLUS loans, other Title IV assistance. 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. Note: Because tuition charges continue to be assessed by the Student Accounts Office 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 when the University makes required repayment of unearned financial aid to its source. Gift assistance provided by Nazareth University continues to be credited in the same percentage as Student Accounts 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 University 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 University of their decision within 14 days or the potential disbursement is forfeited. 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 the loan.
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Federal Office of the Ombudsman
Borrowers who experience unresolved issues with their school, lender or guarantee agency may contact the federal Ombudsman Group toll-free at (877) 557-2575.
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Military Policy
Military Service and Veteran Transfer Credits:
DANTES (DSST) - DSSTs are credit by examination tests designed to allow a student to demonstrate proficiency in an area of study normally taught at a college or university. These tests are frequently used in conjunction with CLEP. DSST standardized exams are considered on a case by case basis for transfer credit.
ACE - Transfer credit may also be awarded for courses recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE provides transcript evaluations for military training. Upon receiving an official military transcript, military training can be evaluated for possible credit towards one’s degree. This will be determined on a case by case basis. A service member can request their military transcript using the link: https://jst.doded.mil/jst/ (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) or https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/ (Air Force).
CLEP - Nazareth University participates in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students can earn credits by achieving satisfactory scores on the general and subject examinations. GI Bill® benefits can be used to cover CLEP exam costs. For English Composition credit, the English Composition with Essay exam is required. Credit may be earned for up to 12 hours in any department and/or a total of 30 hours. One may retake a CLEP exam 3 months following the previous testing date.
For more information on transferring credits please visit the Academic Advisement website.
Military Services and Veterans Financial Aid
Prospective Military Students and/or Dependents:
The following websites contain information on resources, aid options, default rates, graduation rates and provide comparative school costs so that prospective students can make informed decisions about where to attend school.
- The College Scorecard is a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and their families as they evaluate options in selecting a school.
- The College Navigator is a consumer tool that provides school information to include tuition and fees, retention and graduation rates, use of financial aid, student loan default rates and features a cost calculator and school comparison tool.
- The College Financing Plan (formerly, Financial Aid Shopping Sheet) is a model aid award letter designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so they can easily compare institutions and make informed decisions about where to attend school.
- Paying for College can be used by prospective students to enter the names of up to three schools and receive detailed financial information on each one and to enter actual financial aid award information.
- Our Financial Aid Office’s Tuition & Aid website details how to apply for all types of aid including Title IV.
Private Loans: Service members and non-service members alike may first want to contact any financial aid counselor before considering private loan aid so they have a clear understanding of all other available financial aid (State and Federal Title IV). Loans have to be repaid and private loans generally cost more in the long run and do not offer forgiveness options, etc.
The institution’s Cohort Default Rate/ Repayment Rate percent of student borrowers and comparison to national averages is available on the College Financing Plan after filing the FAFSA and on the Federal College Navigator website.
Military-Affiliated Student Tuition & Fee Deferral Policy
Nazareth University will allow military-affiliated students with Veteran Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and/or New York State Military/Veteran tuition and/or fees educational benefits to attend a course of education for up to 90 days from the date the beneficiary provides one of the following:
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Statement of Benefits
- Approved DoD Tuition Assistance Voucher
- Listed on the NYS Recruitment Incentive & Retention Program (RIRP) Approved Roster
- Valid VA Form 28-1905.
- Other related approved military-affiliated educational benefit’s verification document
This allows a student to attend the course(s) until VA, DoD, and/or New York State provides payment to the institution. NOTE: Extension to 90-day deferral will be granted to students upon delay of payment beyond 90 days. In accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (38 USC 3679), Nazareth University will not impose a penalty (e.g., loss of access to NazNet, meal plan, late fee, etc…), additional cost (processing fees), or require the beneficiary to borrow additional funds to cover tuition and fees due to late payment from the VA, DoD, and/or New York State.
Return of Federal Tuition Assistance
Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is 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 TA funds originally awarded.
To comply with Department of Defense policy Nazareth University will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through the 60% portion for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military service branch.
Return of Federal Military & Veteran Educational Benefits
When a serving service member, veteran, spouse, or other family member (dependent), using their well-earned federal military and veterans educational benefits is to withdraw from the University, their student aid will be prorated in accordance with section 2(f) of Executive Order 13607 (Principles of Excellence).
Executive Order 13607 (Principles of Excellence) Section 2(f): agree to an institutional refund policy that is aligned with the refund of unearned student aid rules applicable to Federal student aid provided through the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as required under section 484B of that Act when students withdraw prior to course completion. For withdrawals due to military service obligations, please see Nazareth University’s Leave of Absence policy.
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Default
Recipients of student aid of any description may not be in default on a student loan taken to attend any institution or owe a refund to a federal grant program at any institution or be in default of repayment of any other federally sponsored loan. Additional documentation from sources such as a previous lender/loan servicer or guarantee agency may be required to update records.
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Enrollment Status Verification
Nazareth University participates in the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) located in Herndon, Virginia. Three times a semester (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 university 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 University 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.
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Graduate Student Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)
Federal regulations require that schools monitor the academic progress of every student who is eligible for federal Title IV financial aid, which includes the TEACH Grant, Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS loans and Work Study. Federal standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) include a qualitative (GPA) measurement, a quantitative (PACE) measurement, and a maximum time frame measurement. If one of the measures is not being met, the student is not making SAP. SAP is measured and reviewed at the end of each payment period, specifically end of fall semester, end of spring semester, and end of summer II (combining summer I and summer II courses).
A complete description of the graduate federal aid Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) may be found on the Financial Aid webpage, https://www2.naz.edu/tuition-aid/renewal-requirements/
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