Financial Aid

Policy
The primary mission 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 aid awards are tailored to meet the particular needs of the recipient within the limitations 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 merit scholarship awards is based on evaluation of the total record of achievement and promise. Eligibility for 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.  Scholarships and grants are available to full-time students enrolled in any undergraduate division of the University.  Some merit-based scholarships may require separate application procedures.

To Apply
The application form for federally funded, state funded, and institutional need-based aid is the FAFSA.  The form is on the web at fafsa.ed.gov.  In order to complete the FAFSA online a Personal Identification Number (PIN) must be used.  The application for your PIN may be found at www.pin.ed.gov.  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. The award will remain approximately the same for four years unless financial circumstances are brought to the attention of the Office of Financial Aid, and/or appropriate academic requirements are not met. Each year students must submit the FAFSA to renew their need-based financial aid.

The Office of Financial Aid will remind students of the appropriate time to reapply for aid through the FAFSA at their home address or through their e-mail account.

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 (summer aid applications will be available before the end of each spring semester). 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 Education Amendments require the University to define and enforce standards of academic progress for students receiving federal or state aid.  These standards are on the Financial Aid website (academic renewability criteria, www.jcu.edu/aidjcu/) and also will be distributed with each financial aid award.

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