Financial Aid

Beverly Green, Director
Financial Aid, Harper East
Website: www.cgu.edu/financialaid
E-mail: finaid@cgu.edu
Office: (909) 621-8337

• Federal Aid
• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Private/Alternative Loans
• Fellowships/Institutional Aid
• Additional Financing Information

Federal Financial Aid

To be considered for Federal financial aid, students must complete a current FAFSA.  CGU’s federal school code is G01169.   Priority consideration is given to applications received prior to March 1.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan - (5.31% fixed interest as of July 1, 2016)

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to graduate/doctoral students regardless of income. The student is responsible for all accrued interest which begins at the time of disbursement. The loan has an origination fee of 1.069%, which is assessed by the federal government and deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement.  The federal limit per academic year is $20,500. Interest rates and fees are set by the U.S. Congress.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan - (6.31% fixed interest as of July 1, 2016)

The Grad PLUS Loan is a credit-based loan that allows students the opportunity to borrow up to their cost of attendance, minus any financial aid received. The student is responsible for all accrued interest which begins at the time of disbursement. An origination fee of 4.276%, which is assessed by the federal government and deducted from the loan proceeds prior to disbursement. Interest rates and fees are set by the U.S. Congress. 

A credit check is performed during the application process. If there is an adverse credit history, the student may still receive a Grad PLUS Loan by obtaining an endorser or submitting an appeal.

Federal Work Study

Federal work study provides part-time jobs for graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.  Hourly pay rates vary depending on the type of work performed.  A determination of eligibility for federal work study does not guarantee a job, but qualifies the student to interview for open positions. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

CGU’s policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)   is available in the Progress to Degree  section of the Bulletin.

Federal Regulations require CGU to establish an annual SAP Policy that applies reasonable standards measuring the progress towards degree completion.  These standards must equal or exceed the academic standards for students not receiving federal financial aid.  Programs governed by the SAP policy include Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans, Federal TEACH Grant, Federal Work Study, and any other financial aid program requiring academic progress standards.  A review of these standards are conducted from two perspectives:

• Qualitative Standard - must maintain good academic standing by meeting the minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement. In addition, for master’s and doctoral students alike, a maximum of two Incomplete grades are permitted at any one time.; Incompletes in Master’s Critique, Master’s Thesis, or Dissertation Research are not factored into the number of incomplete grades for financial aid purposes.
• Quantitative Standard – specifies the pace a student must progress through their educational program to ensure they will complete the program within the established maximum timeframe.  Time limits to degree are established in the University’s SAP policy.  Leave of Absence and semesters during a student withdraws prior to receiving financial aid are not counted toward the time limit.  

Financial Aid Ineligibility

Failure to meet SAP standards results in the student’s ineligibility to receive financial aid.

Appeals

Students who wish to appeal ineligibility for financial aid due to unsatisfactory progress must do so in writing, providing reasons why the minimum academic requirements were not met.  Supporting documentation must be provided as evidence of extenuating circumstances.  If time limits to complete a degree have expired, an Academic Plan may be required to document outstanding degree requirements and to track the additional time that may be needed.

Guidelines for developing an appeal are available in the Financial Aid Office.  The student’s academic record and documentation provided in the student’s appeal package are taken into consideration.  Once the review process is complete, students are notified whether an exception to policy is approved.

Private Loans

Private Loans are credit-based consumer loans that can be used for education-related purposes and require no collateral. Many students qualify on their own, but we do recommend that you apply with a creditworthy cosigner who has excellent credit. International students may qualify for these loans; however, they must apply with a credit-worthy US citizen or permanent resident co-borrower.  You may select any lender who participate in the loan program. We do recommend that you research the various private-loan options to ensure that your selection best suits your needs.

Fellowships/CGU Funding

Merit-based fellowships are awarded to students based on the recommendation of each academic department to support distinguished students in their degree programs. CGU is committed to honoring the awarded level of fellowship support throughout a student’s time in required coursework as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress is maintained.

Money for fellowships comes from CGU’s general fund, the generosity of private donors, foundations, and corporations. A listing of our donors is provided in the Fellowship Funds section of the Bulletin.

Teaching and Research Assistantships
These awards are compensation for specific services and usually allocated to advanced students. Assistantships are available in all fields of study, though award amounts vary. Workloads range between 8 and 15 hours per week.  

Dissertation Awards
Faculty Research Committee Dissertation Awards offer recipients monetary support of $10,000 to help advanced doctoral students complete their dissertations by or before the end of the following year. 

Transdisciplinary Awards
The Transdisciplinary Studies program awards up to five dissertation awards annually to PhD candidates. These awards recognize students who have embraced a transdisciplinary research approach and developed compelling and feasible projects.  Awards range from $3,000 to $10,000.

Hillcrest Transdisciplinary Awards
The Transdisciplinary Studies program created the Hillcrest Research Award with a gift in support of student transdisciplinary research and collaboration. Awards range from $500 to $1,500 per group.

Additional Financing Information

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Students who are certified by a tribal agency to be at least 1/8 American Indian may be eligible for a grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and/or their tribal agency. Information and applications are available from the BIA and the specific tribal agency.

Veterans’ Education Benefits
CGU is an approved institution for Veterans to utilize their educational benefits. As a veteran, you are entitled to certain benefits under the various Veterans Administration programs. Contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

Eligibility criteria and benefits for veterans vary. Listed below are various education programs or chapters that veterans may be eligible for from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA).

• Chapter 30: Montgomery G.I. Bill-Active Duty
• Chapter 31: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
• Chapter 33: Post 9/11 GI Bill - Yellow Ribbon Program
• Chapter 35: Dependents Education Assistance (DEA)
• Chapter 1606: Montgomery G.I. Bill-Selected Reserve
• Chapter 1607: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)