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TUITION AND FEES
Tuition and Fee rates and payment deadlines are published in the
class schedule bulletins for each semester. All fees and charges listed
in the class schedule bulletin are subject to change because of action
by the governing board prior to the beginning of the semester. The
governing board normally acts on tuition and fee charges at its June
meeting prior to the start of the academic year. Current information may
be obtained from the class schedule bulletin available in the Office of
Admissions and Records or by calling the Office of Financial Services at
(719) 549-2753.
Payment of Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with approved policies.
Instructions for payment and payment deadlines are stated in the class
schedule bulletins. Tuition rates are established by the State Board of
Agriculture following budget action of the Colorado General Assembly.
Tuition rates for any succeeding fiscal year are not known until the
period of March to June of each year, when appropriations are made. The
State Board of Agriculture therefore reserves the right to change the
tuition and fees at any time.
SPECIAL FEES
There may be other fees associated with certain classes offered at the
University. Please verify the outstanding balance due by contacting the
Office of Student Financial Services at (719) 549-2753.
PARKING
Parking decals may be obtained at the Cashier’s Window in the
Administration Building.
PAYMENTS
Payment plans are available. Please refer to the current semester course
bulletin for specific due dates. Students will be assessed a monthly
1.5% extended payment charge on any outstanding balance.
ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES
Additional procedures are published before the beginning of each
semester in the semester course bulletin. The procedures described
include the distribution of financial aid, payment-due date, drop/add
and withdrawal, administrative withdrawal for non-payment and refund
policies. Students will be held responsible for adhering to the policies
and procedures contained in the bulletin.
DELINQUENT STUDENT ACCOUNTS
Students are subject to any or all of the following actions if they
have a delinquent debt to the university:
· Administrative withdrawal
· Transcripts held
· Degree not conferred
· No future course registrations allowed
· Turned over to a collection agency
Reasonable collection/legal costs will be added to the amount due.
Any
student who pays with a check that is returned unpaid by his/her bank
will be subject to all of the penalties for late payment and also will
be charged an additional $17 fee.
ADJUSTMENTS
The Tuition Adjustment Appeals Committee will consider requests for
adjustment to billed tuition and fee charges when a student must
withdraw due to extenuating circumstances. Please see the semester
course bulletin for procedures on how to file an appeal. Any student
expelled from the University is not eligible for an adjustment. No
adjustment/refunds of tuition and fees will be made to a student who is
suspended, dismissed or expelled for a breach of discipline.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial aid is a resource for students and parents seeking monetary
assistance to help defray the costs of higher education. Eligible
students who demonstrate financial need may receive assistance from the
federal government and/or the State of Colorado in the form of grants,
loans, work-study and/or scholarship funds. Students may obtain
applications and other necessary forms from the Office of Student
Financial Services, Administration Building, Room 212, Phone (719)
549-2753.
The primary responsibility for educational costs resides with the
student and the student’s family. Assistance offered through the
Office of Student Financial Services is intended to supplement the
family contribution. Requests for assistance always exceed the funds
available and federal monies are allocated according to documented
financial need.
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES POLICIES
Students must complete all necessary forms and submit requested
documents to be considered for financial aid. Funds are awarded on a
first-come, first-served, need basis.
Financial Aid Application Steps
1) To be considered for financial aid, students must be accepted for
admission in a degree program. (Please note: Financial aid students can
receive funds as “undeclared” until they have earned 45 credit
hours, including transfer credits. After reaching 45 credit hours, a
major area of study must be declared.)
2) Complete and mail (to the processor) by March 1, a Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at local high schools,
colleges and universities. Students may also apply online by logging
onto www.fafsa.ed.gov The USC school identification code is: 001365
3) Once the FAFSA has been processed, students will receive a Federal
Student Aid Report, which will be electronically submitted to all the
schools listed on the FAFSA.
4) Students whose data has been selected for verification will be
required to submit a verification form, and any other requested
documents, and a copy of the tax return(s) used to complete the FAFSA
prior to being awarded.
5) Once all required information is received, Students will receive a
financial aid award offer.
Definition of Good Standing
Students are considered to be in good standing for financial aid
purposes if they are eligible to be enrolled in accordance with the
guidelines established by the university and the Office of Student
Financial Services. Continuing students must be in good standing and
comply with the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy; and
must reapply for aid each year.
Students may not receive financial aid if they are:
1) on financial aid suspension or academic suspension;
2) in default on student loans or owe refund or repayment on grants
previously received to attend USC or other institutions; and
3) non-citizens or not permanent residents of the United States.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
POLICY
The University of Southern Colorado (University) is committed to
assisting students to meet their financial obligations as they pursue
their educational objectives. Thus, the University provides a variety of
federal, state and institutional financial assistance for eligible
students.
Federal and state regulations require that all students applying for or
receiving financial assistance at the University meet standards for
satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility for their
financial assistance. In order to comply with these regulations, the
University has developed this satisfactory academic progress policy.
The
policy is designed to measure minimum acceptable academic progress for
financial assistance purposes.
The Office of Student Financial Services will review satisfactory
academic progress (the policy) annually at the end of the spring
semester.
The following are the criteria considered in the policy review process:
Satisfactory Progress Students who meet all of the following five tests
are making satisfactory progress for financial assistance purposes:
I. Degree Seeking:
The student must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student who is seeking
their first bachelor’s degree, seeking a second bachelor’s degree,
or seeking a master’s degree.
II. Credit Hours Earned:
A student enrolled at the University must satisfactorily earn a minimum
number of credit hours per academic year as indicated on the following
table. Satisfactory completion is defined as receiving a passing grade
of A, B, C, D or S for courses attempted. The following table indicates
the number of hours that a student must earn per academic year, which
includes summer, fall and spring semester.
|
Undergraduate Students |
Graduate Students |
| Full-Time |
18 |
13 |
| Three Quarter-Time |
13 |
10 |
| Half-Time |
9 |
7 |
| Less Than Half-Time |
6 |
3 |
Example: at the end of the spring semester, Jane’s grades were
reviewed. Her grades were as follows:
| Summer 2002 |
|
| 3.0 |
A |
| 3.0 |
C |
| 6.0 |
credits attempted |
| 6.0 |
credits earned |
|
|
| Fall 2002 |
|
| 3.0 |
W |
| 4.0 |
F |
| 3.0 |
B |
| 3.0 |
B |
| 13.0 |
credits attempted |
| 6.0 |
credits earned |
|
|
| Spring 2003 |
|
| 3.0 |
C |
| 3.0 |
C |
| 3.0 |
B |
| 3.0 |
INC |
| 12.0 |
credits attempted |
| 9.0 |
credits earned |
Jane earned a total of 21 credit hours. As a full-time student, she
was required to earn 18 credit hours to maintain her financial aid
eligibility.
III. Cumulative Credit Hours Limit:
Students at the University may earn a maximum number of credit hours
while pursuing a degree. Students will be allowed to attempt a maximum
of 125% of the number of hours required by the degree-granting program
that they are enrolled in. Maximum credit hour limits for each type of
degree-granting program are as follows:
| Type of Program |
Maximum Credit Hrs |
| 1st Bachelor’s Degree |
150 |
2nd Bachelor’s Degree or
Teacher Certification |
45 |
| Graduate Programs |
45 |
Please Note: Maximum credit hours earned include hours transferred
from other institutions and hours earned during a period of academic
renewal.
IV. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA):
Students must maintain a minimum GPA while receiving financial
assistance at the University.
The GPA requirements are set forth in the University Academic Progress
Policy. The following table reflects the current academic performance
that will be required:
Undergraduate Students:
| Credit Hours Attempted |
Required Minimum Cumulative GPA |
| 01-12 |
1.500 or higher |
| 13-24 |
1.600 or higher |
| 25-36 |
1.700 or higher |
| 37-48 |
1.800 or higher |
| 49-59 |
1.900 or higher |
| 60 and Over |
2.000 or higher |
|
|
Please Note: Credit hours attempted includes all passing grades,
failing grades, withdrawals, and incompletes.
Degree Plus Students Students who choose to work on a second
undergraduate degree or are working toward professional certification
must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.000.
Graduate Students Students enrolled in a graduate program must maintain
a cumulative GPA of 3.000.
V. Program Interruption, Failing Grades and Incompletes: A student must
not have 1) totally withdrawn from the University or 2) been administratively
withdrawn from the University or 3) received all
failing grades in the fall or spring semesters to maintain eligibility
for financial assistance.
Students who receive incomplete grades are expected to complete the
coursework by the end of the following term.
Financial Aid Suspension
By failing to comply with the satisfactory academic progress policy of
the University, a student will be placed on suspension and is ineligible
to receive any financial assistance until the student submits a letter
of appeal and is approved by the Financial Aid Suspension Appeals
Committee. Suspension does not permit the student from continuing with
his/her educational goals.
It is extremely important to note that while a student may not be on
academic suspension at the University, he/she may still be placed on
financial aid suspension.
Terms of Suspension
Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each spring
semester. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements will be
placed on suspension and will immediately lose financial aid eligibility
for summer, fall semester, and spring semester. A student placed on
suspension will remain on suspension until an appeal for reinstatement
has been submitted and approved by the Financial Aid Suspension Appeals
Committee.
Appeal Process
A student who has been suspended may appeal the suspension. The student
must initiate the appeal process after the Office of Student Financial
Services has notified him/her of suspension. The following documents
must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Services in order
to have a suspension reviewed:
Suspended for insufficient credit hours earned and insufficient GPA:
· A letter which details the mitigating circumstances that led to the
student not being able to earn the required number of hours.
· Two letters of support from individuals (i.e. instructors,
counselors, etc.) who are informed about the specific circumstances and
will support the appeal.
· A current unofficial academic transcript. Suspended for exceeding the
maximum hours attempted:
· A letter which explains the reasons why the student has been unable
to complete his/her degree requirements within the allowable limit.
· A current unofficial academic transcript.
· A graduation-planning sheet.
The Financial Aid Suspension Committee discusses appeals for
reinstatement on a weekly basis. However, in order to be considered for
reinstatement for a specific semester, the appeal must be turned into
the Office of Student Financial Services no later than the end of the
first week of classes for that semester. Any appeals turned in after
that date will be considered and if approved, reinstatement will be in
the subsequent semester.
Please submit all of the required documentation to: Financial Aid
Suspension Review Committee University of Southern Colorado Office of
Student Financial Services Administration Building, Room 212 2200
Bonforte Blvd. Pueblo, CO 81001-4901
If an appeal is denied, the student has the option of appealing the
committee’s decision with the Associate Director of Student Financial
Services.
FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS/GRANTS
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is an award to help undergraduates pay for an
education after high school. The Federal Pell Grant program describes an
undergraduate as one who has not earned a bachelor’s degree.
For many students, Federal Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial
aid to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources may be
added. Students must re-apply each year. The period of eligibility is
the length of time required for completion of the first baccalaureate
course of study.
Colorado Student Grant (CSG)
The CSG is awarded to undergraduate residents on the basis of financial
need. The amount of the grant cannot be greater than $5,000 per academic
year. Funds are provided by the Colorado General Assembly.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is a form of non-repayable financial aid and is designed to
assist undergraduate students with exceptional need, targeted to Federal
Pell Grant recipients and other exceptional need students. Awards may
not exceed $4,000 per year.
Colorado Leveraging Educational Assistance (CLEAP) Partnership.
The CLEAP is awarded to undergraduate resident students on the basis of
financial need. The amount of the grant cannot be greater than $5,000
per academic year. The CLEAP consists of one-half state and one-half
federal funds.
WORK-STUDY
College Work-Study Program (CWSP)
The CWSP is designed to provide jobs to students who, without the
earnings from the employment, could not attend the university. The
program is funded by both the federal government (Federal work-study)
and the Colorado General Assembly. The university annually employs
approximately 700 students in the work-study program. Full-time
Work-study Full-time work-study is a program designed to provide
students with employment during the summer. A portion of the earnings
from the employment must be used to offset educational costs of the next
academic year.
To be eligible, students must:
1) enroll at the university for the next academic year as degree-seeking
(classified) students; 2) have an award letter which indicates an offer
of work study; 3) complete separate applications for the summer full-time work-study
and for the next academic year by the specified date;
No-need Work-study
The no-need work-study program is funded by the Colorado General
Assembly. To be eligible, students must be undergraduate Colorado
residents. Students are selected for the program if qualifications are
met and if funds are available. The average no-need work-study award for
the academic year is $2,250. Students must complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and must be found not eligible for
need-based assistance in order to qualify for the no-need program.
Students should not assume that they will be found ineligible for
need-based financial aid. Those who are declared ineligible for need
based work-study, however, may qualify for no-need work-study.
FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOANS
Prior to any federal education loan (Federal Stafford or Federal PLUS)
being certified by USC, the applicant must complete the financial aid
application process (including the free application for Federal Student
Aid).
Federal Perkins Student Loan
(Formerly titled National Direct Student Loan-NDSL) a Federal Perkins
Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) loan to help exceptionally needy
students pay for post-secondary education. USC must disclose the loan
disbursement and default status to a credit bureau organization. Students may be eligible to borrow up to a total of: · $4,000 a year as
an undergraduate if they are enrolled in a degree program, leading to a
bachelor’s degree; · $6,000 a year as graduate students enrolled in a
master’s degree program; · $20,000 aggregate if they are
undergraduates working toward a bachelor’s degree; or · $40,000
aggregate for graduate or professional study (total includes any amount
borrowed under Federal Perkins Loan or NDSL for undergraduate study).
Repayment of the loan begins nine months after students cease to be
enrolled half time. Students may be allowed up to 10 years to repay the
loan. The amount of payment depends upon the size of the debt but
usually is in payments of at least $30 or $40 per month for first time
borrowers. The university may agree to a lesser amount because of
extraordinary circumstances such as prolonged unemployment.
In case of default on a Federal Perkins Loan, which the university is
unable to collect, the federal government may take action to recover the
loan. Questions about the terms of the loan, repayment obligations,
deferment or cancellation should be directed to the Office of Student
Financial Services.
Federal Stafford Loans
The Federal Stafford Loan program is designed to enable students to
secure long-term loans from private lending institutions, such as banks,
savings and loan associations, and credit unions.
The loans have a variable interest rate, which will not exceed 8.25% for
students in school and enrolled at least half time.
Students who receive a need-based Federal Stafford Loan pay no interest on the loan while in school or in deferment.
This type of Federal
Stafford Loan is referred to as “subsidized.” An “unsubsidized”
Federal Stafford Loan is available to students who are not eligible for
a need-based (subsidized) Federal Stafford Loan. With an unsub-sidized
Federal Stafford Loan, students are responsible for the interest during
the in-school and deferment periods.
The Federal Stafford Loan Program is intended solely to aid students
pursuing a degree in higher education. Students should borrow only the
amount they believe is necessary to pay for educational costs. Keeping
the amount of a loan at a minimum will ease repayment.
Student Loan Amounts Federal Stafford Loans cannot exceed the student’s
unmet financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office and the
grade-level loan limits per academic year, which are determined by the
federal government.
| $2,625 |
Freshman |
| $3,500 |
Sophomore |
| $5,500 |
Junior, Senior and Degree Plus |
| $8,500 |
Graduate and Professional |
Federal unsubsidized Stafford Loans cannot exceed the student’s
cost of attendance. Students must be in dependent to be eligible for
these amounts, unless parents are denied the PLUS loan.
| $4,000 |
Freshman |
| $4,000 |
Sophomore |
| $5,000 |
Junior, Senior and Degree Plus |
| $10,000 |
Graduate and Professional |
Federal Stafford Loan Check Distribution
Electronic Funds Transfer is available to students whose loans are
serviced by Sallie Mae or the Colorado Student Loan Program (CSLP).
Funds received will be credited to the student’s account and any
remaining funds will be electronically transferred to the students
designated checking account.
Out-of-state lending institutions send loan checks to the Office of
Student Financial Services. The student’s satisfactory progress,
enrollment status, and eligibility are reviewed before the check will be
released to the student.
Loan checks may be disbursed after the end of the loan period or when a
semester is over, under certain conditions. The school is required to
disburse loan funds within three (3) working days. If the student is
ineligible for disbursement the funds must be returned to the lender
immediately.
Federal PLUS - Parent Loan for Dependent Students
The Federal PLUS loan is a non-need-based parent loan for dependent
students and has a variable interest rate not to exceed nine percent. The rate is adjusted every July 1 by the U.S. Department of Education.
Credit checks are conducted by the lender to determine loan approval.
If
the loan is denied the lender is responsible for notifying the parent
(borrower).
Parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to the cost of
education minus financial aid per year for each child who is enrolled at
least half time and is a dependent student. The borrower (parent) must
begin monthly payments of a Federal PLUS loan 60 days after the final
loan check is disbursed. Parents may request deferment of repayment
under certain conditions established by the lender.
Student Success Loan
The Student Success Loan is intended only for those financial
emergencies that present extreme hardship which could not reasonably be
foreseen and which seriously threaten the continuation of the student’s
enrollment at the university.
Students must be enrolled for at least 6 semester credits, must be in
good standing and must have a pending Financial Aid disbursement for
that semester that will be used to pay the loan back.
Maximum loan amount is $350 per semester.
Loans are to be repaid within a short period of time (normally within 60
days). If the loan has not been repaid or arrangements made for its
repayment by the due date, the delinquent loan will be treated as an
overdue student account and handled in accordance with university
policy. Applications for Student Success Loans are available in the
Office of Student Financial Services. A $3 fee, assessed for processing
the loan, will be deducted from the loan amount.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Institutional and private scholarships handled by the USC Student
Financial Services office are applied for by completing the
Institutional Scholarship Application for incoming freshmen, continuing,
transfer and graduate students. The applications are available in
October with a February 1 deadline.
The Office of Admissions and Records awards a limited number of
Institutional scholarships to incoming freshmen and community or junior
college transfer students, based on GPA and/or ACT/SAT scores.
The USC Student Financial Services office administers a number of
private scholarships funded and awarded by individuals, foundations,
agencies and organizations. The donors specify the scholarship
requirements and may select the recipients or rely on a USC scholarship
committee composed of faculty and/or staff to select the recipients.
Impact on Financial Aid. Because scholarships are considered “resource”
funds under state and federal guidelines, scholarship awards become a
part of the student’s financial aid package. Therefore, an award
letter will be sent to the student from the Student Financial Services
office indicating the scholarship. The student must complete the award
letter and return it immediately to the Student Financial Services
office. Scholarship dollars are first used to cover the need-based aid,
student’s “unmet need” and then to reduce any loan or work-study
obligations, respectively. Gift aid (grants) will be reduced only if the
total of all awards exceeds the amount of financial aid for which the
student is eligible. In no case will the Pell grant be reduced as the
result of a scholarship.
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Student Employment Services The Career Planning and Employment Center
coordinates a variety of student employment opportunities to include
the university’s work-study program, on-campus student hourly, and
off-campus part-time jobs. Additional information can be obtained in the
Occhiato Center, Room 002, Phone (719) 549-2589.
VETERANS
Veterans must follow the admission requirements and procedures outlined
in this catalog. For certification of eligibility for education benefits
under one of the Public Laws, students can apply for Veterans
Administration benefits through the Office of Veterans Affairs in the
Administration Building, Room 212, Phone, (719) 549-2910 or (719)
549-2753.
Veteran’s Benefits
Veterans and dependents that plan to apply for Veterans Administration
benefits while attending the University of Southern Colorado should
contact the Office of Veterans Affairs as soon as the decision to enroll
is made. Two months is the normal processing time required for the
Veterans Administration to establish an applicant’s file. Further
information may be obtained from the Office of Veterans Affairs,
Administration Building, Room 212, Phone (719) 549-2910 or (719)
549-2753.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Students who are at least one-fourth American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut,
as recognized by a tribal group served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
may apply for a BIA grant. The amount awarded is based on financial need
and availability of funds from the area agency. For additional
information, write to: Scholarship Office, U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, P.O. Box 370, New Town, ND 58763.
Disability Resource Office
The USC Learning Center, Psychology Building, Room 232, provides
information and appropriate services for students with disabilities.
WITHDRAWALS
Students who withdraw during the drop/add period will receive a 100%
tuition refund and be responsible for repaying all of their financial
funds back to the university. Students who withdraw after the drop/add
period through 50% of the semester will have their tuition prorated (see
course bulletin for details). A specific formula will be used to
determine the amount of financial aid that has been earned by the
student, which will be calculated for students who withdraw within 60%
of the semester. If the student receives less assistance than the amount
earned, the student may be able to receive those funds. If the student
received more assistance than earned, the excess funds must be returned
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