Financial Aid Budgets Who May Apply How to Apply How Financial Aid is Determined When to Apply Notification of Eligibility Types of Financial Assistance Disbursements of Funds Refund/Return of Title IV Funds Satisfactory Academic Progress Entrance/Exit Loan Counseling Related Pages   Downloadable FORMS   Newsletters Cost of Attendance Scholarships Helpful Links to Financial Aid Sites Financial Aid Estimator Calculator Military Veteran Benefits Credit cards and College (PDF) Links to related information Pell Grant Eligibility (PDF) Scholarship Scam information Identity Theft

Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants

All students who feel they or their parents cannot adequately meet the full cost of education are encouraged to apply for student financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid is located in May Hall, room 209.

2009-2010 DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY Top
FINANCIAL AID BUDGET
Financial aid is based on the Cost of Attendance for the academic year, which includes all areas depicted in the table below. This information is used to determine eligibility and may not reflect your actual expenses. Subtracted from the Cost of Attendance is the Expected Family Contribution, (the result of the Need Analysis Calculation which was based on the information reported on the FAFSA). The difference is the Estimated Financial Need which determines eligibility for the need based federal programs.

To find out more about living on campus click here!

• Junior & Senior nursing students have a $300 program fee added.
• Freshman and Sophomore nursing students have a $200 program fee added.
• Upon request, child care may be added, up to $150.00 per month. Child Care Request Form (PDF)

WHO MAY APPLY
Students applying for federal aid (Title IV) must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate financial need (as determined by the analysis process), except for some loan programs;
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or meet other standards established by the state and approved by the U.S. Department of Education;
• Be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
• Be enrolled as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program;
• Have a valid Social Security number;
• Make Satisfactory Academic Progress;
• Register with the Selective Service, if required;
• Not be in default or owe a repayment on a Student Financial Assistance grant or loan;
• Not have been convicted under Federal or State law, of possession or sale of illegal drugs.
• Notify the Office of Financial Aid of changes in enrollment status or of additional resources received; and
• Repay any financial aid received as a result of inaccurate information. (Any person who intentionally misrepresents facts on the application violates federal law and may be subject to a $20,000 fine and/or imprisonment.)

The Department of Education or Dickinson State University may require students, through a process called verification, to document the information provided on their application. If the applicant does not provide the requested documentation, Title IV funds will not be disbursed.

HOW TO APPLY Top
Each year students must complete and sign a need analysis application. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The web site is free, fast, secure and easy to use.

Students applying for summer aid must complete a summer Financial Aid application in addition to the FAFSA. The summer aid applications become available as soon as the summer session schedule for a given year is released. Students MUST be enrolled in six or more credits to be eligible for federal student loans and federal work study.

When completing the application, students must indicate Dickinson State University as a college they plan to attend. The code for Dickinson State is 002989.

HOW FINANCIAL AID IS DETERMINED Top
After completion of the FAFSA, students will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in approximately four weeks, and the school whose code is listed will receive an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). The SAR/ISIR contains an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number, which is needed to determine eligibility. The Office of Financial Aid uses the cost of education (tuition, fees, room, board, books and other related expenses) less the EFC number and other resources to determine the student's financial need.

By completing the need analysis application, the student will automatically be considered for the federal, state, and campus-based financial aid programs.

WHEN TO APPLY Top
The FAFSA must be completed each year. To ensure full access to all available financial aid programs, students should submit the need analysis application as soon as the family income tax returns have been completed. (If a tax return will not be filed, students may apply any time after January 1.) Priority consideration is given to those who have their FAFSA's received by the central processor by March 15.

Applications for financial aid will be accepted after March 15, however funding may be limited to the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Family Educational Loan Programs.

NOTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL AID Top
Students will be notified of their financial aid by an award notice. Those who qualify may be eligible for grants, loans, and/or federal work study. Students must accept their award notice before disbursements will be made.

TYPES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Top
Dickinson State University provides five types of financial aid: grants, loans, foundation scholarships, awards, and student employment.

Grants are gifts of money that do not have to be repaid. Loans MUST be repaid. Scholarships are gifts recognizing students on the basis of academic achievement, special skills, or other criteria. Employment allows a student to work and earn money to offset educational expenses.

See available financial assistance.

Other Top

1. TAXABILITY OF AID: The Tax Reform Act of 1986 contained provisions regarding the potential taxability of grant and scholarship aid. Total grant and scholarship dollars in excess of certain allowable educational expenses will have to be reported by the recipient as taxable income on his/her Federal Income Tax Return. For tax reporting purposes, the Office of Business Affairs sends 1098-T forms in January. How the 1098-T affects the IRS and You... (PDF)

2. Study Abroad Programs Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a study abroad program approved for credit by Dickinson State University are eligible to receive Title IV assistance. Study Abroad Financial Aid Contractual Agreement (PDF)

3. Consortium Agreements which can exist between eligible institutions, apply to all the financial aid programs. Under a written agreement, students may take courses at an institution other than the "home institution" (the school where the student expects to receive a degree or certificate) and have those courses count toward the degree or certificate at the home institution. For more information about consortium agreements, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS Top

Students must meet admissions, attendance, and satisfactory academic progress requirements prior to receiving financial aid.

All loans, grants, foundation scholarships, and work study awards are subject to change, depending on enrollment status, other resources, participation criteria, and availability of funds.

If attending the academic year, grants, scholarships and loans will be disbursed in two allotments during the period of time for which the student is enrolled. Disbursement of aid is done each semester on fee payment date and daily thereafter. The student's account will be credited and proceeds will be disbursed by the Office of Business Affairs during fee payment.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY | Financial Aid Suspension Appeal Form (PDF)

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be measured in four separate ways. The four areas to be measured will be GPA, credits attempted vs. credits completed, maximum credits allowed, and unofficial withdrawals (students with all F’s). The satisfactory academic progress for each student will be measured at the end of each semester of attendance (including summer).

All credits, including transfer credits, will be used in calculating both the Quantitative and Qualitative components of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Listed below are the four areas measured:

1. GPA In order to meet the requirements, a student will need to have an academic standing consistent with the requirement for graduation from the program at the end of the first, second, and third semesters. At the end of the 4th semester of attendance (including attendance at other institutions), a student MUST have a C (2.0) or better average. The student’s cumulative GPA (including transfer credits) and current term GPA will be used to determine the academic standing. If the student is not in compliance, the student will be suspended and will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid.
2. Credits Attempted Students MUST complete 66.667% of the credits attempted. This percentage will be calculated for both cumulative (including transfer credits) and current credits.[Note: Classes added after the 8th instructional day of the semester will be considered attempted; classes dropped after the 8th instructional day of the semester will appear on the transcript with a "W" (withdrawal notation) and will be considered attempted but not completed.] If the student is not in compliance, the student will be suspended and will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid.
3. Maximum Time Frame Students must complete their program within 150% of the published length of the program. Credits considered attempted (as defined for the credits attempted in #2) will be considered in the 150%. To monitor maximum attempted credits, a table will be set up as follows:
   • WARNING: Students who have attempted 125% of their program credits will get a warning letter (i.e. If 128 is the number of credits needed for a four-year program, then 125% of 128 credits would equal 160 credits). A student who has attempted 160 or more credits will receive a warning letter. (If undecided or enrolled in a two-year program, 64 is the number of credits used for monitoring. 125% of 64 credits would equal 80 credits). A student who has attempted 80 or more credits will receive a warning letter.
   • PROBATION: Students who have attempted 140% of their program credits will get a probation letter (i.e. If 128 is the number of credits needed for a program, then 140% of 128 credits would equal 180 credits). A student who has attempted 180 or more credits will receive a probation letter. (If undecided or enrolled in a two-year program, 64 is the number of credits used for monitoring. 140% of 64 credits would equal 90 credits). A student who has attempted 90 or more credits will receive a probation letter.
   • SUSPENSION: Students who have attempted 150% of their program credits will receive a suspension letter.
4. Unofficial Withdrawals (all F’s/I’s) Students who receive all Failing grades or Incompletes in a semester will automatically be placed on financial aid suspension status.

Notification Students who fail to meet the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will receive notification by mail. The information will also be posted on Campus Connection. Click on Student Center, then Holds/To Do.

Appeal Process Students who have been placed on financial aid suspension may appeal by requesting an Appeal Form. Appeals are evaluated on an individual basis. If the Director of Financial Aid denies the appeal, the student may request further evaluation from the Appeals Committee. Action taken by the Appeals Committee will be considered final.

Any part of this policy may be changed or revoked without notice.

Withdrawal from Institution: A student who finds it necessary to withdraw from the University must contact the Office of Student Development to receive the appropriate withdrawal card.

REFUND / RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS

Federal regulations require all institutions to develop a policy which determines the amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance that a student has earned as of the student's withdrawal date. A refund of institutional charges or the percentage of Title IV aid earned for a student, who withdraws from Dickinson State University is calculated through the sixty percent point in an enrollment period. Unearned funds must be returned in the order specified by law. A detailed refund schedule is available in the Office of Business Affairs.

Entrance/Exit Loan Counseling Top
Federal Regulations require all institutions of Higher Education to conduct Student Loan and Debt Management Counseling for the first time recipients of a Federal Stafford Loan or Unsubsidized Stafford Load prior to the release of the first disbursement. An exit interview is required at the time a student graduates, drops below half-time status, or terminates enrollment at Dickinson State.

Entrance/Exit Loan counseling can be completed on-line at: http://mapingyourfuture.org Click on “Loan Counseling”.  Students will receive confirmation after completion of the session and the Office of Financial Aid will be notified by e-mail that you have completed the loan counseling.

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID
Room 209, May Hall, Box 188
Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone: 701-483-2371
Fax: 701-483-2720
Toll Free: 1-800-279-HAWK
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday