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Financial Aid Graduate

Alaska Pacific University offers many opportunities for scholarships, grants, and loans awarded through a variety of federal, state, and university programs. Financial aid is considered a supplement to the family's monetary contribution; it is not intended to cover the complete cost of attendance.

Another significant source of financial aid is through national scholarship databases. We emphasize that students who are diligent in their scholarship searches through national scholarship databases may find they receive enough funds to pay for the majority, if not all, of their education at APU. These scholarship database lists are available in the Student Financial Services Office or through diligent search and consist of monies given upon the basis of major, heritage, religion, need/nonneed, membership, age, and even contests.

To be considered for financial aid, a student must comply with the following requirements:

1. Student must be admitted to Alaska Pacific University as a degree-seeking student.
2. Student must attend APU as a full time student. Exception: part-time students may receive Stafford Loans or the Alaska Supplemental Loan.
3. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and request the results be sent to APU, school code 001061. The results must be received at APU from the federal government.
4. Submit an Alaska Supplemental Loan application if applying for the Alaska Supplemental Loan (ASEL).
5. Submit a Master Promissory Note if accepting a Federal Stafford Loan for the first time at APU. It is valid for 10 years.
6. Complete Loan Entrance Counseling if accepting a Federal Stafford Loan for the first time at APU.
7. Comply with all application deadlines. Financial aid must be reapplied for annually.
8. Respond to and complete all requests for documentation, verification, corrections, and other information as requested by the Student Financial Services Office or the agency to which you apply.
9. Sign and return each Award letter to the APU Student Financial Services Office by the required date and decline in writing any portion of an award offered that is not desired. A financial aid offer is not valid until the signed Award letter has been returned to the APU Student Financial Services Office. Award letter must be returned by the date indicated on the letter or all aid will be canceled.
10. Notify the Student Financial Services Office in writing of any of the following changes: course load, withdrawal, marital status, residence, living arrangements, or aid received from outside sources.
11. Maintain good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward completing an academic program in accordance with APU Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

FAFSA Application Information

The FAFSA is the required application for the Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and the Alaska Supplemental Loan. The University also requires a completed FAFSA on all students receiving university aid. All students, both incoming and returning, requesting financial aid must file a FAFSA no later than April 15 if the student expects consideration for assistance during the academic year beginning the following August. After that date, applications will still be accepted, but funds are limited to available funds at that time. Early application increases a student's chances for assistance.

Submit the FAFSA electronically to www.fafsa.ed.gov or mail it to the federal processor.

If the student plans to attend school during the summer, he or she should verify that the award letter indicates three semesters. This will allow Financial Aid to split awards appropriately to cover three semesters. If the student does not indicate their intent to attend three semesters federal money will not be available for summer. There are definite limits to the annual amounts the federal and state aid provides.

Notification of the award offer may be delayed by a federally selected verification of information process; please submit accurate information on the FAFSA.

Federal and State Financial Aid Disbursement Rules

Federal and state regulations require that a student must be in attendance at least part-time (6 credits), or full-time (9 credits) before APU can disburse federal and state aid. Adding and dropping classes may affect the amount of federal/state financial aid a student receives.

Students who receive loans from the federal government may need to sign for the check in the Student Financial Services Office, though most will be credited automatically via Electronic Fund transfer. If the student does not sign within 30 days the student will be notified in writing that the loan must be returned to the lender. If the student still requires a federal loan, the student must reapply for a new loan.

All financial aid awarded, with the exception of Federal College Work Study (FCWS), are credited to the student's account after the student signs for the disbursement. (The student is responsible for finding the work-study job through Career Services.) It is important that students are prompt in signing for the checks since unsigned checks are sent back to the disburser.

Some students receive financial aid in excess of direct university costs. In such cases, the portion exceeding direct costs is refunded to the student as long as it does not exceed the cost of attendance. No refunds of federal loans will be released to the student prior to the start of session classes or the fourth week of semester classes.

Alaska Pacific University Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan

The Alaska Pacific University Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan administered by Tuition Management Systems is recommended to help you budget for the payment of your educational expenses and limit your debt.

The plan allows you to spread your annual balance out over 10 interest-free monthly payments for a small annual enrollment fee of $60, which includes Education Payment Life Insurance. This insurance benefit provides payment for the remaining balance in the event of the death of the bill payer. For those graduating in December or beginning their classes in the Spring semester, there are also semester plan options available for a fee of $45.

Benefits of the Alaska Pacific University Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan include:

• No Interest associated with plan, helping limit your debt and maximize savings
• Toll-free top-rated telephone service during extended personal service hours at 1-800-722-4867
• Affordable counseling with friendly and professional Education Payment Partners
• A wide variety of payment methods including personal checks, money orders, credit cards and automated payments from your checking or savings account
• 24-hour access to account information at www.afford.com Students are encouraged to seriously consider the advantages of paying some or all of your balance interest-free. This strategy is the most effective means of limiting your debt. Feel free to contact Tuition Management Systems for Affordability Counseling at 1-800-722-4867 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Discontinuance of Attendance

Students who drop classes may have their financial aid reduced if they then fall below the full-time/part-time credit requirement for a particular type of financial aid. Students who withdraw from APU must notify the Student Financial Services Office and the Registrar so that refund calculations or late disbursements may be made. Students who withdraw from APU may be required to begin immediate student loan repayment. Federal regulations require all student loan borrowers to participate in Exit Loan Counseling whenever they withdraw or graduate from APU, for students to understand their rights and responsibilities as borrowers. To complete Exit Loan Counseling session online, go to www.mapping-your-future.org.

Sharing Financial Aid Funds between Institutions of Higher Learning

Federal financial aid cannot be divided between institutions unless there is a consortium agreement between the institutions. The financial aid will be distributed at the institution where the student formally accepts funds and will attend the majority of the credits.

University awards from APU will not be divided between APU and another institution of higher learning.

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Probation for Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid regulations require Alaska Pacific University to establish a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for students receiving financial aid. Further, APU must notify students of that policy and monitor the progress of all students receiving financial aid to insure their continued compliance with the policy. It is the responsibility of all students receiving financial aid to familiarize themselves with the policy and to insure that the standards are met. Failure to meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards may place a student's financial aid in jeopardy.

1. Good Academic Progress:
   1. Full-time graduate students (students enrolling for 9 or more graduate credits) must successfully complete at least 6 graduate credits each semester with a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   2. Half-time graduate students (students enrolling in 6, 7 or 8 graduate credit) must successfully complete at least 6 graduate credits each semester with a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   3. All students who are attending less than half-time during any semester must successfully complete the number of credits attempted that semester with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
      Academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester. Results of that review will be used to determine the subsequent semester's eligibility for financial aid. Students are responsible to ensure that they maintain the minimum semester and cumulative GPA and to ensure that they complete the required minimum number of credits each semester.
2. Probation: Graduate students who complete the required minimum number of credits in a semester but fail to meet either semester or cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 will be placed on probation for their next semester and will be eligible to receive financial aid during their semester of probation. These students will receive a letter notifying them of their probationary status. Failure to regain good standing status within the one semester of probation will result in the suspension of financial aid.
3. Grades of AU, CR, F, I, IP, W, WU, and NC indicate unsatisfactory completion of courses for financial aid purposes. Failure of a student to satisfactorily complete the required number of credits during the semester will result in the suspension of most types of financial aid.
4. First-time and transfer students with no prior academic history at APU are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress for the first semester of enrollment.
5. The maximum number of credits for which a student may receive financial aid is 65 credit hours. The credit count starts from the very first credit attempted, regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. Any course for which a student receives credit, including transferred courses, repeated courses, and challenged courses, are included in this calculation.
6. Satisfactory academic progress must be maintained even during semesters in which aid is not received.

Incomplete Grades: Incomplete courses will not be considered complete until official confirmation has been received in the Student Financial Services showing satisfactory completion of the incomplete with a passing grade.

Repeat Courses: Repeated courses that are required for a student's degree program count toward the minimum credit hour load required for aid during a given semester.

Remedial Coursework: Graduate students who enroll in remedial coursework (less than 100 level) may receive financial aid.

Telecourses and Distance Delivered Courses: These courses count toward the credit hour load and may be used to fulfill credit hour requirements for financial aid if the courses are required for a student's degree program. NOTE: Students are still required to complete these classes within the semester that they enroll (year-long correspondence courses are NOT eligible for financial aid).

Withdrawals: Graduate students who totally withdraw from the university, after receiving financial aid, will be suspended from receiving future financial aid and could be liable for refunds and/or return of Title IV funds (refer to the Financial Aid section of your campus course catalog for information on refunds and return of Title IV funds).

Institutional Funds: Students receiving scholarships, grants, or tuition waivers from APU are expected to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements listed in this document. Please be advised, however, that some scholarships and waivers require a higher GPA for continued receipt.

Other Sources of Aid: Students receiving scholarships or financial aid from such sources as BIA, regional and village corporations, civic groups, and private organizations are expected to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements of APU unless the agency or group instructs the Student Financial Services, in writing, to waive our requirements for these specific funds.

Financial Aid Suspension

Financial aid suspension will result from failure to:

1. Complete of the minimum required number of credits required during the semester.
2. Maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 for graduates.
3. Graduate prior to exceeding the maximum number of credits allowed for the student's program (see # 6 above).
4. Meet the requirements of an appeal approval. A student, who is suspended again after failing to meet these requirements, MUST attend on his/her own without financial aid and earn the required cumulative GPA in order to regain eligibility (see Makeup). Subsequent appeals may be considered if a student has experienced unusual, extenuating circumstances.

Reinstatement:

1. Appeals: A student whose financial aid has been suspended may appeal that decision. Appeals should be directed to the Student Financial Services. Appeal forms are available in the Student Financial Services. Written documentation is required for appeals for financial aid reinstatement. The Student Financial Services will review all appeals to determine whether reinstatement of aid will be granted. If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester and the student must meet the condition(s) of her/his appeal. Failure to regain good standing status within the probation semester will result in the suspension of future financial aid.
2. Makeup: A student who does not wish to appeal or whose appeal has been denied may regain eligibility by attending course(s) during a subsequent semester, at the student's expense. A student must complete the number of credits for which s/he received aid and must earn the required cumulative GPA. This process may take no more than two consecutive semesters. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Student Financial Services when makeup is complete.