JCU's OHIO ACCESS INITIATIVE

What is the Ohio Access Initiative?
John Carroll University strives to eliminate family income as a barrier to affording a quality John Carroll education for low-income families from Ohio. Ohio students from families with an annual parental income under $40,000 will be able to attend John Carroll University tuition-free.

An 0809 Income Verification Form is required of all students prior to any funds crediting a student account.

Eligibility

1. All Ohio residents that will be first-time, full-time freshmen in the fall of 2008. 
2. Parental income from all sources must be less than $40,000. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet all necessary citizenship requirements and satisfy eligibility standards for institutional need-based financial aid.
3. Students will be expected to participate in community service projects through our Center for Service and Social Action.
4. All students that choose to enroll at JCU under this program will be required to submit additional financial documentation through our verification process to ensure the accuracy of their income levels. Forms required may include but not be limited to: tax forms, W-2s, and 1099s. John Carroll University retains the right to adjust a financial aid award for students if our review reveals the presence of significant assets not reflected on the FAFSA income fields.
5. Students must observe the rules and regulations of John Carroll University as outlined in the Community Standards Manual and the JCU Undergraduate Bulletin. Any serious disciplinary sanction or probation may result in termination of financial assistance.
6. Students are reviewed for financial aid annually. If parent income changes in a future year and greatly exceeds $40,000 we will review these situations consistently for all students affected. At a minimum, students can expect a commitment comparable to other students in the new income range. These students will receive priority consideration for additional institutional scholarships made possible through the generosity of our alumni and friends of the University.
7. This initiative is available to students earning their first undergraduate degree; students earning a second undergraduate degree are not eligible to receive aid through these programs.

Awarding of Funds
John Carroll will meet the published full-time tuition and fees for students through the combinations of federal and state grant aid, the Federal Stafford loan, and John Carroll OAI grant assistance. Tuition-related charges beyond the flat full-time tuition will not change a student financial aid award. Fines and other fees assessed to the student account will not be counted. Students that have unique tuition and registration needs beyond a normal semester course load should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to assess the impact and cost of such decisions. For students wishing to live on campus, the Office of Financial Aid may award additional funds toward room and board for students on an individual basis.

Stafford Loan Borrowing
OAI students will be awarded the Federal Stafford Loan in their financial awards. Over four years, the total Stafford loan borrowing at the full level would be $19,000. Our goal is to ensure that students graduate without an excessive loan burden. In certain situations, John Carroll may award federal Perkins loan funding. However we will monitor students to ensure that OAI students graduate with under $25,000 in total borrowing – this amount ensures a realistic payment expectation for our graduates and is consistent with national borrowing averages. However, students are not required to borrow these funds. If a family has other means to pay their tuition balance, the loan amounts may be adjusted or declined. JCU will not replace a declined Stafford loan with additional institutional grant assistance.

What if I receive other outside scholarships and assistance?
An outside scholarship is any scholarship not awarded by the government or the school, such as a scholarship provided by a private sector company, philanthropist or foundation. Outside scholarships are considered resources to the student and may affect your financial aid award, dollar for dollar. John Carroll must adhere to various Federal guidelines concerning "overaward situations" when the total financial aid exceeds the school's cost of education. You are required to report any outside scholarships to the Office of Financial Aid.

Additional Help
John Carroll's financial aid staff is always available to answer any questions you may have concerning the FAFSA form and the application process. Please contact us at (216) 397-4246 or (888) 335-6800 (toll-free) or via email at jcuofa@jcu.edu.

Required Service
Students who receive funds through the Ohio Access Initiative are required to follow a four-year service plan. This plan can be accessed here.