Financial Aid Policies

Title IV Return of Funds Policy

During the first 60% of the period, a student earns Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time he /she is enrolled. A student who remains enrolled beyond the 60% point earns all aid for the period. The percentage of aid earned is determined by:

• The date the student officially withdraws from the University.
• The total number of calendar days comprising the period of enrollment.
• The calendar days the student completed during the period of enrollment.

The official withdrawal date of the student is determined by the date indicated on the “Withdraw from all Courses” form processed by the Registrar’s Office. An unofficial withdraw is the mid-point of the enrollment period unless the student can document a specific date.

This refund policy does not apply to students who withdraw from individual classes, it applies to only those students who withdraw from the University completely.

The Financial Aid Office will review each student who totally withdraws from the University to determine the lesser of: unearned amount of Title IV assistance, OR institutional charges incurred for the period of enrollment, multiplied by the unearned %.

Title IV Funds will be returned in the order listed below:

• Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loans
• Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loans
• Federal Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal SEOG
• Other Title IV funds

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The Office of Financial Aid Services is responsible for ensuring that all students (both undergraduate and graduate) who are receiving federal, state and institutional financial aid are meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. In order to continue to receive financial aid, recipients must meet the standards outlined below. At Lewis University an academic year is defined as two semesters of 15 or more weeks (fall and spring). The progress of each student will be reviewed annually after the spring semester. Those students who are placed on “Probation” in the spring will be reviewed again after the fall semester.

Grade Point Average

Each financial aid recipient must be enrolled in an eligible certificate or degree program and maintain the minimum grade point average as outlined below:

Maximum Timeframe

A student is expected to complete a bachelor’s degree after attempting 192 credit hours. A student is expected to complete a graduate degree after attempting 59 hours. A student in the aviation certificate program is expected to complete a degree after attempting 98 hours. (This policy will consider all enrollments at Lewis University whether or not financial aid was received.)

NOTE: If a student reaches the attempted credit hours maximum they will be placed on permanent “Financial Aid Suspension.”

Rate of Completion Requirement

Students must progress toward their educational goals at a minimum rate. The minimum rates are outlined below and apply to both undergraduate and graduate students.

NOTE: Hours attempted are the total credit hours enrolled at the end of the add/drop period.

Review and Appeal Process

Each student will be reviewed according to the criteria at the end of spring semester every year. If a student does not meet all three criteria they will be placed on “Financial Aid Probation.” The student may continue to receive financial aid while on probation. At the end of the following fall semester those students on probation will be reviewed. If the student does not attain satisfactory academic progress at that time the student will be placed on ‘financial aid suspension’.

No additional financial aid will be awarded until the student regains eligibility. The student will be allowed a written appeal. Included in the appeal must be an educational plan that is outlined on how they will meet expectations and explanation of mitigating circumstances of what caused the student to not meet the Satisfactory Academic requirements. The student will have a time period in which to complete the appeal process. No appeals will be accepted after the deadline date.

If a student’s appeal is approved the student will be allowed to continue on probation for the next semester and will be reviewed once again at the end of the probation period. Earned A,B,C,D and P grades are considered hours earned. Incompletes, and withdrawals are not considered hours earned. Audits, proficiency tests and non-credit courses are not included in attempted hours.