SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

Any time you drop a course or withdraw from the University, you may be jeopardizing your federally funded student financial aid, now or in the future. You must successfully complete at least two-thirds of all courses in which you enroll. Dropping after the first day of class may not affect your academic standing, but it may affect your ability to receive financial aid. Please review this policy and others pertaining to your financial aid in the Code of Student Life in the appendix section titled "A Summary of the Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility," or contact the Financial Aid Office.

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is available to students who, without such help, would be unable to attend the University of North Dakota.

The primary responsibility for financing a college education rests with the student and family. UND financial aid is viewed as a supplement to family support.

Most student aid is awarded on the basis of need. "Need" is the difference between cost of education (tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and related educational expenses) and the Expected Family Contribution, which is the amount the student and family is expected to contribute, as determined by a standard formula. In determining family contribution, four major sources are considered: (1) family income, (2) family assets, (3) student's income, and (4) student's assets.

If cost exceeds the family contribution, need will exist; and every effort will be made to provide adequate financial aid. To offer maximum assistance, awards often are made in the form of a financial aid "package" combining two or more different types of aid (loans, scholarships, grants or employment).

The Financial Aid Office final determination regarding the type(s) and amount of aid awarded is based upon an evaluation of the applicant's eligibility for a particular type of aid and upon the availability of funds under the various aid programs.

Types of Aid. Four different types of financial aid are offered: (1) employment, (2) loans, (3) scholarships, and (4) grants. Employment enables recipients to work and earn money. Loans are borrowed money which must be repaid with interest. Scholarships are gifts awarded on the basis of academic performance and potential. Grants are outright gifts of money which do not have to be repaid. Most financial aid recipients may expect to receive more than one of these types of aid.

Student Employment:

Student employment provides financial assistance and reduces students' loan indebtedness. There are several student employment programs which complement the students' learning and give the University the opportunity to utilize student skills. Federal Work-Study is a form of federal aid based on financial need, and is awarded to students as part of their total aid package. A FWS award indicates a student's eligibility to seek available FWS jobs.

Wages are paid primarily from federal funds allocated to the University. Wages for institutional employment are paid from funds allocated to individual University departments. Financial need is not a requirement.

All students who work through FWS and/or institutional employment will be hired at least at the federal minimum wage rate. Wage rates vary, depending upon the skills required and job responsibilities. The grievance procedure for student employees is described in the Code of Student Life.

Job Location and Development (JLD) is a cooperative effort with Job Service North Dakota to secure part-time work for students with area businesses. Although financial need is not a requirement, jobs secured through JLD can be part of a financial aid package.

Veterans Work-Study is a program for veterans attending school full-time and receiving VA benefits. Veterans can work up to 250 hours a semester and be paid at the minimum wage. Eligibility is determined by the Veterans' Services office on campus.

Information concerning Head Resident, Resident Assistant, Cooperative Education Program, and/or departmental internships is available by contacting individual departments responsible for selection.

Loans. Student loan funds can be categorized into two classifications: long and short term loans. Long term loans are generally low interest loans administered by the federal Department of Education. Interest rates, eligibility, repayment terms, deferment, and cancellation provisions vary with the specific loan program. Some of the federal loan programs in which the University of North Dakota participates are: Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, PLUS, Nursing Student Loan, Primary Care Loan, Health Education Assistance Loan, Student Educational Loan Fund. A more complete listing of private loans is available at the Financial Aid Office.

Federal requirements insist all first time borrowers must attend an Entrance Loan Counseling session prior to receiving loan funds. Exit Loan Counseling is also required at the time a student graduates or terminates enrollment at the University. Federal regulations also require multiple disbursements and a 30-day delayed disbursement policy for first-year, first-time borrowers. The short-term emergency educational loan program derives its funds from different sources provided primarily by private donations. Short-term loans are to be paid back within 60 days or the end of the semester, whichever comes first. Students are limited to one short-term loan at a time. The availability of these loans may be restricted based on the amount of funds remaining.

Scholarships. The scholarship program at the University of North Dakota is one of the best at public institutions of its size. Scholarships are supported by gifts from UND alumni and friends.

Because high educational quality comes less expensively at UND than at most other academic institutions, scholarships can significantly help students in their financial preparation for college.

Past academic excellence and the expectation of continued achievement determine the recipients of more than 1850 undergraduate scholarships totaling over $1,215,500 per year. These vary in amounts up to $2,500 per academic year, although most are $250.

Each of the awards is based upon a number of variable factors stipulated by the donors. UND awards scholarships to the most worthy, promising applicants who meet the qualifications of the particular scholarship. Most of the undergraduate scholarships are awarded on the basis of past academic performance.

Scholarships to entering freshmen are usually limited to students who rank in the upper ten percent of their graduating class and who have ACT scores commensurate with this rank. Graduating class rank is normally based on seven semesters of high school work. Transfer students and returning UND undergraduate students receiving 4.0 (straight A) averages are awarded scholarships first, and the rest of the scholarships are awarded to students with the next lower grade point average until all of the money is exhausted.

UND awards a maximum of $2,500 in scholarship assistance per recipient each year from all University funds including academic departments, the Student Financial Aid Office and the UND Foundation.

New students may be considered for all undergraduate scholarships by completing the Honor Scholarship Application form which may be requested by contacting the Office of Enrollment Services. Current students should complete the Returning Student Scholarship Application form which may be requested by contacting the Student Financial Aid Office.

Only one application is required to apply for an academic scholarship. Students are matched with scholarships on the basis of previous academic records and information provided on the scholarship application.

UND awards several tuition waivers to broaden the cultural diversity on campus. Cultural diversity for this waiver is defined as individuals who come from historically under-represented groups (African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic American, and the economically disadvantaged). For more information or an application, contact the Student Financial Aid Office.

Grants. The largest of the grant programs, the Federal Pell Grant entitlement program, provides grants to those students who meet the eligibility and need criteria established by Federal regulations. For the 1996-97 school year, grants range from $400 to $2,470. The exact amount of a Pell Grant depends upon the studentÕs need and the money appropriated by Congress to fund the program in any given year. Students can receive this grant for the period required for completion of the first undergraduate baccalaureate degree.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are available to undergraduate students who qualify for the Pell Grant and meet the priority deadline. Eligible students enrolled at least half-time may receive grants up to $600 per year.

The North Dakota Student Financial Assistance Program provides non-repayable grants to North Dakota residents to aid undergraduate students in need of financial assistance. The Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for the State Grant Program. To assure that your FAFSA will be received by the State Grant Program and be considered as an application for the Program, you must list at least one eligible North Dakota college code on the FAFSA. The deadline for priority consideration is April 15. For 1996-97 students who were awarded a Student Financial Assistance Grant received $600 for the academic year. Additional information may be obtained from the Student Financial Assistance Program, North Dakota University System, 600 E. Boulevard, Bismarck, ND 58505.

Other Sources of Aid. The United States Army and U.S. Air Force provide scholarships to students pursuing studies in the Army ROTC program. Four year scholarships are offered on a competitive basis to outstanding students entering college for the first time. ROTC also offers two and three year scholarships to students who have successfully completed one or two years of college and have been selected as the most qualified applicants for the available awards.

Enrollment in ROTC is not a prerequisite to applying for a two or three year scholarship. For information, contact the Military Science Department.

American Indian students should contact their local tribal agency concerning their eligibility for BIA/Tribal Scholarship funds. The awarding of BIA/Tribal Scholarships will be dependent upon the availability of funds.

Any active member of the North Dakota National Guard presently serving in either the Army Guard or the Air Guard may receive a tuition reimbursement up to 100% of the cost of in-state tuition charges.

Loan repayment assistance is also available. For information on eligibility requirements, contact your local National Guard unit or the Office of the Adjutant General, PO Box 551, Bismarck, ND 58502-5511 or (701) 224-5110.

Veterans may be able to receive special educational assistance. Benefits have also been extended to children, wives and widows of deceased or permanently and totally disabled veterans. The Veteran's Services officer on campus can assist in any VA related questions or problems. Applications and more information can also be obtained from any Veterans Administration Regional Office.

Students with a physical limitation or health problem may be entitled to certain benefits such as tuition, fees and textbooks reimbursement. Interested students should communicate with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at the nearest district or regional office.

There are many outside agencies and sources which offer financial assistance to students. They are so numerous it is impossible to list them all. However, most libraries have available various types of resource materials in order to review the various sources of aid.

Financial Aid Procedures and Award Policies. April 15 is the priority deadline at the University of North Dakota. To receive top consideration for all programs, students are advised to complete the FAFSA by mid-March as it takes approximately one month for processing. Students must submit the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA each year.

The Student Financial Aid Office awards aid to the neediest students whose FAFSA is on file by April 15. After that date, students' files are considered by date of FAFSA processing until all funds are awarded. Late applicants, as well as those who incorrectly fill out their application materials, may experience a considerable delay in receiving notification of their eligibility and subsequent delivery of any remaining financial aid funds.

All students whose files are complete will be notified during the early summer regarding the action taken on their application. Recipients of financial aid must accept or reject the aid within 15 days after receiving notice of the award.

Verification. The Department of Education or UND may ask students to prove the information they provided on their applications for financial aid is correct. If students are selected, they may be asked to verify such information as income, federal income tax paid, household size, number in college, status as a dependent or independent student and citizenship. As part of this process, students must provide the Student Financial Aid Office with their and/or their parents' Federal Income Tax Return and in some cases, statements from Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration or other agencies to verify benefits the student and/or the student's family has received. If information on any of these documents conflicts with the information reported on the student's application, they may be required to provide additional information. Failure to provide proof may result in the cancellation of aid from all of the Title IV programs and may also result in the cancellation of aid from other sources.

Federal financial aid received because a student reported incorrect information will have to be repaid. Any person who intentionally makes false statements or misrepresentations on a Federal financial aid application is violating the law and is subject to a fine or imprisonment or both, under provisions of the U.S. Criminal Code.

Transfer Students. Students who previously attended another post-secondary college or university must have on file at the UND Student Financial Aid Office a Financial Aid Transcript to document financial aid information from the school(s) previously attended. This form is required even if the student did not receive financial aid at the previously attended school. These forms are available at the UND Student Financial Aid Office. Failure to comply may result in withholding of aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility. To be eligible to receive financial aid, students must meet the following minimum standards as established by the University. 1) Academic standards: students classified as juniors or seniors, and students who have attended UND for two or more academic terms (4 semesters or more) must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. All other undergraduate students who meet the University's minimum academic standards as defined in the UND Undergraduate Bulletin meet this standard. All students must be eligible to re-enroll in the next term in order to meet this standard. (2) Rate of progress standards -- a) students must complete their program of study within the maximum number of attempted credit hours: undergraduate 187, graduate 135, medical 218 and law 135; and b) students must successfully complete 2/3 (66.6%) of the cumulative credit hours attempted each year. A more detailed Summary of the Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility may be obtained from the Student Financial Aid Office.

Repayment of Financial Aid. Financial aid funds can be used only for educational expenses. Therefore, repayment may have to be made if a student withdraws from the institution. If withdrawal is on or after the first day of classes, the institution will determine the overpayment to be repaid based on the last day of documented class attendance according to a federal formula on a prorated basis. For specific details, contact the UND Student Financial Aid Office.

Access to Records. In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the University of North Dakota has developed policy guidelines for access to the education record with respect to the rights of eligible students and parents of dependent eligible students. All information contained in University records is considered confidential, except for directory information, which may be released publicly in printed, electronic, or other form. Directory information is defined in the Code of Student Life in "Section 8-2: Student Records/Directory Information." Students may restrict the release of directory information no later than the tenth class day of the semester, in person, at the Office of Admissions and Records, Room 201, Twamley Hall.