FINANCIAL AID

Anyone accepted for admission to St. Augustine College who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States may be eligible for financial aid. Although the government regulations largely determine what "financial need" is, the staff of the Financial Aid Office will assist students in meeting their financial needs.

GRANTS

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program is available to any student attending an approved Illinois college or university, who can demonstrate financial need and qualifies as an Illinois resident. Application must be made for each academic year.

The Federal Pell Grant

This is a federal assistance program for any undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need. The amount of the grant varies according to the student's need. Application must be made for each academic year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This federal program is designed for any undergraduate who demonstrates financial need, and who must apply annually. The federal government provides post-secondary institutions with allocations from which Financial Aid Office counselors make awards.

Federal College Work-Study Program

St. Augustine College participates in the College Work-Study (CWS) Program, a federal financial aid program that helps colleges to provide jobs for students who exhibit need in financing their college education. To participate in the College Work-Study Program, a student must receive a CWS award as part of a financial aid offer from the Financial Aid Office.

Presidential Scholarships

The College grants these awards to students who demonstrate scholastic achievement in their academic programs. This award is given at the beginning of the semester and is for 50% of tuition and fees. New and continuing students may apply.

New Students:

A new student must apply to the Financial Aid Office and make arrangements with Testing Services to take a test designated for this purpose.

Continuing Students:

A student must complete an application for institutional aid. The Financial Aid Director will review the student's academic record, and if funds are available, make the award.

SAC Awards

SAC (St. Augustine College) Awards are smaller grants provided directly by the College. These awards are conferred (within the limits of the funds available) on the basis of need to students progressing satisfactorily and who are in good standing with the Bursar's Office.

Other Awards

Occasionally, St. Augustine receives grants or donations for specific academic or occupational programs. Information about these scholarship opportunities can be obtained from a Financial Aid Counselor or from an Academic Advisor.

VETERANS BENEFITS

Veterans who wish to receive benefits under the Veterans Administration Education Program must complete a Veteran Application for Program of Education form, which is available from any VA office or St. Augustine College Office of Recruitment. Eligibility criteria and information regarding application procedures are available from the Office of Recruitment.

THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MUST BE MET IN ORDER TO QUALIFY OR TO MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID :

1. Students must comply with the Satisfactory Academic Standards and Progress Policy;

2. Changes in the recipient's credit hour, marital, or residence status must be reported to the Financial Aid Office for review and possible adjustment of awards;

3. Unexpected changes in a family's financial condition should be reported to the Financial Aid Office for review and possible adjustment of awards;

4. Outside aid received by applicants which is not listed in the award letter must be reported immediately to the Financial Aid Office. The aid package may have to be adjusted to reflect the actual aid reported;

5. If the recipient is in default on a federal loan or owes a refund for federal financial aid received when not earned, the Financial Aid Office must be notified immediately and awards will become void;

6. Aid awards are not automatically renewable. Students must apply annually by completing the Financial Aid forms;

7. Under provisions of the United States Criminal Code, intentional false statements or misrepresentations on any of the applicant materials may subject the applicant to a fine of no more than $10,000.00 or imprisonment of no more than five (5) years, or both.

If dissatisfied with the financial aid awarded, the recipients may follow the appeal process described as follows:

A. Request a personal interview with the Director of Financial Aid.

B. If still dissatisfied with the results, prepare a statement in writing explaining the situation and including any pertinent information which should be considered. The appeal will be placed before a Financial Aid Review Committee.

All awards are contingent on the availability of funds from Federal, State, and Institutional sources, and must necessarily be tentative in the event that Congress, the Illinois General Assembly or the Administration of the College terminates the funds. (Information about any of the financial programs or policies can be secured from the Financial Aid Office of St. Augustine College.)

Title IV Return Policy

St. Augustine College will return Title IV funds for students who withdraw officially from classes. This official withdrawal will be based on the date recorded by the Registrar's Office on the Student Withdrawal Form.

Students who fail to notify the College of the withdrawal, and attended less than 60% of a semester, will have their Title IV funds returned, based on a prorated amount to the mid-point of the semester. Returns will not be made for students who attended 60% or more of a semester.