JCU Undergraduate Bulletin 2005-2007: Tuition & Aid -- Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Policy

The primary purpose of the Financial Aid Program is to assist, with some form of aid, as many as possible of the applicants accepted for admission who demonstrate financial need and/or appropriate academic achievement. Financial need is the difference between the total cost of attendance and the amount that a family can be expected to contribute as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid awards are tailored to meet the particular needs of the recipient within the framework of the funds available. Financial aid is awarded with the expectation that it will be renewed each year on the basis of (1) continued financial need, (2) funds available, (3) satisfactory academic progress, and (4) timely application results.

Eligibility

To be considered for any form of aid, applicants must first be accepted for admission. Eligibility for academic scholarship awards is based on evaluation of the total record of achievement and promise, and the amount of need based aid is determined by a student's demonstrated financial need as derived from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA and the application for admission with its supporting credentials are the only forms required from entering freshman applicants seeking need-based financial aid. Awards are granted on the basis of need and academic merit. Scholarships and grants are available to full time students enrolled in any undergraduate division of the university. Please note that some merit-based scholarships require separate applications.

To Apply

The application form for federally funded, state funded, and institutional need based aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form may be obtained from high schools, the Office of Financial Aid, or on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Transfer students and upper-class students must file an institutional application for financial aid (Form JC) in addition to the FAFSA. These applications may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid, and they are also available online. Any inquiries concerning financial aid and application procedures should be addressed to the Office of Financial Aid.

Renewals

All financial assistance is awarded for one academic year only, with the expectation that, unless financial circumstances change, and/or appropriate academic requirements are not met, the award will remain approximately the same for four years. Each year a new application for renewal and reconsideration for the following academic year must be made before the assigned deadline.
The Office of Financial Aid distributes the necessary forms and instructions for renewal of aid for the upcoming academic year at the "Packet Pick-Up" held in late November/early December. Times, dates, and location of this event are posted on campus. Most students who have filed a FAFSA for the current academic year will receive at their home address a renewal FAFSA for the following year.

Scholarships and grants given for specified periods may not be applied toward attendance during the summer sessions, are not redeemable in cash, and are not transferable in any way. All awards are subject to renewal qualifications as set forth by the Committee on Admission and Financial Aid and may be rescinded at the discretion of the committee.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The federal Higher Educational Amendments require the university to define and enforce standards of academic progress for students receiving federal or state aid. These standards are available upon request from the Office of Financial Aid and also will be distributed with each financial aid award.