Catalog 73 - National University

Financial Aid32Student Financial AidThere are many types of financial aid available to assist students whoqualify. For specific information regarding financial aid programsand the University’s Financial Aid policies and procedures, pleasevisit the Financial Aid website at www.nu.edu or visit a financial aidadvisor on-campus.How to Apply for Financial AidPlanning ahead and applying for financial aid can help studentsobtain an education, which might otherwise be outside their financialreach.To be considered for federal and state financial aid, students mustcomplete the process of “need analysis.” Need analysis is the methodused to estimate the amount of money students and their familiescan reasonably contribute toward the cost of education. For thecurrent school year, a student’s awards will be determined using theprevious year’s income (taxed and untaxed) and current assets.Other factors that are considered include the student’s marital statusand the number of dependents.The data to complete a “need analysis” is collected when a studentcompletes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Information on completing the FAFSA is available in the FinancialAid Guide, available from a financial aid or admissions advisor at allcampuses or online at www.nu.edu. The Financial Aid Guideexplains how to submit a FAFSA, which students must complete andsign with the federal processor for evaluation. To expedite theapplication process, students are encouraged to apply online atwww.fafsa.ed.gov. National University computer labs are availablefor students’ use.Important Note: Students must mail in their signed certification pagewithin fourteen (14) days when filing online in order for the FAFSA to becompletely processed and eligibility determined by the U.S. Department ofEducation. If a student (and parent, if required) have a personalidentification number (PIN), the application can be signed electronically.Sign up for a PIN at: www.pin.ed.govStudent Eligibility RequirementsTo receive financial aid, students must meet all of the federaleligibility requirements. Students must:• have a high school diploma or a General Education Development(GED) certificate• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen• be enrolled in an eligible program and have their recordsevaluated by the Office of the Registrar (excludes non-degreestudies and continuing education programs, which do not qualifyfor federal or state aid)• demonstrate financial need as determined by the federalmethodology (excludes the federal unsubsidized Stafford LoanProgram and Grad PLUS Program)• have a valid social security number• maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by theuniversity Financial Aid Office• sign a Statement of Educational Purpose/Certification Statement• not owe an overpayment on any Title IV educational grant or bein default on a Title IV educational loan unless satisfactorypayment arrangements are made to repay or otherwise resolve theoverpayment or default• register with the Selective Service, if required to do so• complete the verification process, if selected to do so, bysubmitting a signed copy of federal tax forms and any otherrequired documentsNote: A student’s eligibility for any of the federal aid programs may besuspended or terminated by a court as part of a conviction for possessing orselling drugs.Dependency StatusStudents who apply for financial aid must determine whether theyqualify as independent (self-supporting) students or as dependentstudents. Determination of a student’s dependency status is made inthe student status section on the Free Application for Federal StudentAid (FAFSA).Students who meet at least one of the following criteria areconsidered independent:• Students who were at least twenty-four (24) years of age prior toJanuary 1st of the current year• Students who are married• Students who are enrolled in a graduate program (this does notinclude students who are enrolled in a credential program)• Students who have legal dependents other than a spouse• Students who are orphans or wards of the court (or were wards ofthe court until they reached age eighteen [18])• Students who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces• Students who are currently serving on active duty in the U.SArmed Forces for purposes other than trainingStudents who claim to be independent may be asked to providedocumentation to verify their dependency status prior to receivingfinancial aid. Students who want to be considered independent dueto circumstances other than those listed should contact a financial aidadvisor prior to completing the FAFSA.Financial Aid Satisfactory AcademicProgress (SAP) PolicyIn accordance with federal and state student aid regulations, astudent must maintain satisfactory academic progress to qualify forfinancial aid. There are three standards—one qualitative and twoquantitative.The Financial Aid qualitative standard measures cumulative GradePoint Average (GPA) and adheres to National University’sSatisfactory Academic Progress policies, one for undergraduates andthe other for graduates. For complete explanations, read theSatisfactory Academic Progress sections under Academic Informationfor Undergraduate Degrees and Academic Information for GraduateDegrees. The policy statements include the minimum cumulativeGPA requirements and provisions for probationary periods,disqualification, and reinstatement. The Financial Aid Office abidesby the University’s decisions enforcing its policies.The two Financial Aid quantitative standards measure progressiontoward the completion of a declared program of study. A maximumtime frame is required, and it cannot exceed 150% of the programlength for undergraduate programs. In addition, the Financial AidOffice has established the following requirements for minimumsuccessful completion of credits at the end of an academic yeardefined as a period of 32 weeks of instructional time.The units include coursework taken at National University andtransfer credits. Progress will be reviewed when a student completes32 weeks of instruction. If a student fails to meet the minimumcredits required for an academic year, i.e., the 32 weeks of instructionand/or exceeds the maximum time frame for number of academicyears of eligibility for pursing a program, the student is ineligible foraid.To appeal the disqualification a student must file a Request for