Financial Aid

Mount Aloysius College recognizes the expense of a quality college education and encourages students to apply for all available financial aid. Through its Financial Aid Office, the College assists students in applying for state and federal grants, loans and several Mount Aloysius grants and scholarships. Mount Aloysius College is proud of its commitment to provide academic and need-based financial aid to assist students and families with options to afford college. Specifically, we award financial aid as quickly and fairly as possible to families of all economic backgrounds to allow a Mount Aloysius College education to be affordable.

Mount Aloysius College offers a comprehensive program of academic and need-based scholarships and grants, part-time employment, loans and state/federal assistance. The Financial Aid Office at Mount Aloysius College abides by the regulations and procedures set forth in the Financial Aid Handbook published by the United States Department of Education, as well as all other publications specifying set regulations. Students are reviewed on a first come, first served basis pending funds availability. Students are served without regard to sex, race, religion or physical challenge. Athletic leadership, ability, participation or performance is not considered when awarding financial aid.

Financial Aid Programs

Grants & Scholarships:

• Family Tuition Grant
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA)
• Out of State Grant
• Mercy Need-Based Grant
• International Grant
• Mount Aloysius Mercy Presidential Scholarship
• McAuley Academic Excellence Scholarship
• Aloysius Academic Excellence Scholarship
• Foundress Academic Excellence Award
• Deans’ Academic Achievement Award
• Sr. Gertrude Blake Grant
• Residence Hall Grant
• Mary Francis Warde Foundress Fellowship
• Clay Sports Award
• Heritage Scholarship
• Vox Nova Scholarship
• Theater Scholarship
• The Belltower Fellowship
• FITE Scholarship

Additional Programs:

• Federal Work-Study Program
• Veteran’s Benefits
• SSI Education Benefits

Loan Programs:

• Direct PLUS Loan
• Direct Subsidized Loan
• Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Direct Graduate Plus Loan
• Nursing Loan
• Alternative Loans

Scholarships - (Endowed and Non-Endowed)

How and When to Apply for Financial Aid

All students applying for federal and state financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Financial Aid Office encourages you to submit your FAFSA on-line at:  studentaid.gov   A new application must be filed for each year of attendance at Mount Aloysius College.

After completing the FAFSA, the student’s information will be sent to all colleges listed on the FAFSA. The student should use their FSA User ID and password to  review the information submitted for accuracy. If the student finds an error, he or she should contact the Financial Aid Office immediately and inquire about the electronic processing of the needed corrections. The College uses this information to make a determination of the types and amounts of financial assistance for  which the student is eligible.

Important Dates

October 1: Begin the financial aid process for the upcoming year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be submitted as soon after October 1 as possible.

April 1: Priority deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

May 1: Deadline to apply for Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA). FAFSA form must be submitted before this date.

****Financial Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis****

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

The financial aid eligibility of each student is based on financial need. Need is the total Cost of Education (determined by the College) minus the Family Contribution (determined by the Department of Education).

Important Criteria Regarding Financial Aid Programs:

Defining an Academic Year

An academic year at Mount Aloysius College consists of thirty (30) weeks-fifteen (15) weeks for the fall semester and fifteen (15) weeks for the spring semester- of instructional time that begins on the first day of classes and ends on the last day of classes. During this period, a full-time student is expected to complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) credits. (See additional requirements under Federal Stafford Loan Grade Level Advancement).

Our academic year is classified as a Scheduled Academic Year. This means that the school term begins and ends at about the same time each year and that the year is divided into two standard terms (fall and spring).

Definition of a Full-Time Student

An enrolled student who is carrying a full-time academic workload, as determined by the institution, under a standard applicable to all students enrolled in a particular educational program. The student’s workload may include any combination of courses, work, research, or special studies that the institution considers sufficient to classify the student as a full-time student. For a program that measures progress in credit hours and uses standard terms this equates to 12 semester hours per academic term. Full-time students receiving financial aid may repeat a previously passed course once and still receive financial aid. Students may repeat a failed course until it is passed using financial aid. If an academic program requires a certain grade in a course, the student can receive aid for the course until they pass it.

If a student is enrolled in courses that do not count toward his degree, certificate, or other recognized credential, and they cannot be used to determine enrollment status unless they are eligible remedial courses. This means you cannot award the student aid for classes that do not count toward his degree, certificate, or other recognized credential. Also, federal student aid can be awarded only for learning that results from instruction provided by or overseen by the school. It cannot be awarded for any portion of a program based on study or life experience prior to enrollment in the program, or based on tests of learning that are not associated with education activities overseen by the school.

Federal Pell Grant

In order to meet the full-time enrollment criteria for the Federal Pell Grant, a student must enroll in at least twelve (12) credits per semester. Other criteria apply to students who are enrolled on a part-time basis. Enrollment in nine (9) to eleven (11) credits per semester is classified as a three-quarter time student, six (6) to eight (8) credits per semester is half-time, and five (5) credits or less per semester is less than half-time enrollment. While enrolled in college, a student is eligible to receive a maximum of twelve (12) semesters (or its equivalent) of Pell Grant assistance.

Pennsylvania State Grant

In order to meet the full-time enrollment criteria for the Pennsylvania State Grant, a student must enroll in at least twelve (12) credits, six (6) of which must be regular credits (credits counted toward your graduation requirements).

While enrolled in college, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency will award students a maximum of eight (8) semesters worth of State Grant Assistance. Students enrolled full-time in a declared major leading to an associate degree are entitled to receive grants for a maximum of four (4) semesters. Students enrolled full-time in a declared major leading to a baccalaureate degree are entitled to receive an additional four (4) semesters of grant assistance.

The availability of funds from institutional, state and federal agencies is tentative at the time awards are made. Mount Aloysius cannot guarantee substitute awards if anticipated sources of aid do not materialize.

Pennsylvania State Grants for part-time students (6-11 credits) must be calculated according to the actual number of credits enrolled and actual tuition plus fees. CAUTION: Early state grant award notifications are subject to change once actual tuition and fee charges are reported to the Agency. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.

Students enrolled in certificate programs are not eligible for a state grant.  Students in online programs and distance education credits may qualify to be considered for a state grant.  Students in online programs or students who are not balanced (meaning they have all or more than half online classes) may be eligible for a portion of their state grant once the Agency is notified by the College via the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency state grant roster.

In addition, students must be enrolled for the entire length of the semester (at least 15 weeks.)  For example:  If a student enrolls for fall semester in 6 credits that are offered only in the first 8 weeks of the semester he/she would not be eligible for a grant since the combined credits do not span the length of the fall semester. If a student took 3 credits in the first 8 weeks and 3 credits in the second 8 weeks, the student could possibly qualify for a grant.

Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan

Each student must complete a Master Promissory Note or MPN. The MPN serves as your request for Mount Aloysius College to process a subsidized and/or unsubsidized Direct Loan. By signing the note, you agree to repay the loan with interest according to the terms included in the note. The MPN is valid for ten (10) years from the date you first sign it. Each year, your financial aid award letter will automatically include the full amount of Direct subsidized and unsubsidized Loan you are eligible for based on the number of credits you have earned. The award letter will afford you the opportunity to decline these loans if you wish. However, if you do not indicate your decline of the loan(s) on the award letter, your loan(s) will be officially processed by the Financial Aid Office.

When requesting a Direct Loan for the Summer Session, it is important to note the summer session is used as a “leader” in determining your loan eligibility for the following fall/spring semesters. You must complete a form at the Financial Aid Office indicating the amount you wish to receive in a Direct Loan for the summer session. A loan will not be processed for the summer session without this form on file.

The amount you borrow for the summer session takes away from what you can borrow for the fall/spring. For example: a first-year student who has never  attended college can borrow a maximum of $3,500 under the Direct Subsidized Loan Program. If that student borrowed $500 for the summer session, he or she may borrow the difference between $3,500 minus the $500 for the fall/spring semesters ($3,000).

Direct Loan Facts

1. Eligibility for subsidized loans is limited to 150% of the length of an undergraduate student’s academic program. For example, students in a four-year bachelor’s degree program will be eligible for subsidized student loans for a maximum of 6 years. When a student has received subsidized loans for 150% of the published time of the academic program -
   • The student may not receive any additional subsidized loans, and
   • The subsidized loans received from July 1, 2013 on lose their subsidy.
2. When a student is enrolled in his or her final semester of college (which is not a full academic year) and will graduate at the end of the semester, the USDE requires the College to prorate the student’s loan eligibility for that semester (if the student is not enrolled full-time). Please contact the Financial Aid Office regarding the amount for which you are eligible.
3. Interest on new subsidized Direct Stafford loans accrues during the six-month grace period that begins after a borrower graduates or drops below half-time enrollment status. 
4. Grace period -This is the initial six (6)months after a student graduates, withdraws, or is enrolled less than half-time, in which the student is not yet responsible to make payments. Your grace period begins the day after you stop attending school on at least a half-time basis. Once your grace period ends, you must begin repaying your loan(s). Students can, although not required, pay on the loans during the grace period.
5. Summer Credits to Graduate: Direct Stafford Loan borrowers who are enrolled less than half-time during the summer semester, will begin using their six (6) month grace period. Students in this case, will be reported to their servicer(s) as enrolled less than half-time as of the last date of the prior semester.

The following chart provides maximum undergraduate annual and total loan limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans. The total number of credits successfully completed determines grade level advancement.

** In order to be considered a Junior or Senior, the student must be enrolled in their third or fourth year of a four-year program.

Out-of-State Students

Out-of-state students planning to attend Mount Aloysius College are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Out-of-state students are also encouraged to file an application for state grant aid in their home state. States vary in regulations concerning the use of state grant aid in out-of-state institutions; therefore, you should contact your high school guidance counselor or financial aid officer from a college in your state of residence.

Please note: To secure information related to institutional accreditations and handicapped student facilities and services as required under subpart C - Student Consumer Information Services (668.34-36) of the Student Financial Assistance Program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, contact the Director of Financial Aid.

Financial Aid for Study Abroad

Students opting to participate in Study Abroad through CIS - Center for International Studies during the summer, fall or spring semesters should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and may use state and federal financial aid (excluding work-study) to defray the cost of their Study Abroad tuition/fees/expenses. The Office of Financial Aid will process your financial aid for these semesters through Mount Aloysius College using your study abroad costs and the number of credits that you will be enrolled for in your program. Study Abroad programs may have higher costs than Mount Aloysius College; however, this does not mean that your federal or state awards will be increased (including your Direct Loan). Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional funding options if your costs exceed your aid awarded.

Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal and Institutional Financial Aid

To be eligible for federal and institutional financial aid, students at Mount Aloysius College must be making satisfactory academic progress towards their degree as defined below. Federal student aid includes Federal PELL Grant, Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Nursing Loan, and Direct PLUS Loan.

Once degree students have completed two semesters of enrollment, their academic records will be reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether they are making satisfactory academic progress as shown below. During each two semesters (normally one academic year), students will be required to complete a minimum number of credits, depending on the type of program. This review will be done each time final grades are posted.

Progress is checked two ways depending on when you started full-time enrollment. For example: if you begin the fall semester, your progress will be checked at the end of the spring semester. At this time, you must have maintained satisfactory progress in order to receive aid for the following academic year. If you begin in the spring, your progress will be checked at the end of the following fall semester. At that time, you must have maintained satisfactory progress in order to receive aid for the upcoming spring and fall semesters.

Any dropped, repeated or failed credits are not counted toward progress. Credits which were dropped, repeated or failed need to be taken during the summer sessions to ensure continuance of financial aid.

Credits to be included in total number completed are those for which the student receives a grade of A, B, C, D, or P (credit by examination). Credit for which the student receives a grade of W, WP, WF, or I will not be included, although “I” (Incomplete) grades which result in a determination of unsatisfactory progress may be reviewed upon completion of course work. Incomplete grades not completed within six weeks of the ensuing semester are computed as “Fs.” Educational Enrichment courses which are satisfactorily completed will be counted as credit equivalency toward the student’s progress.

Once students have completed sixty  (60) credit hours, a “C” (2.0) average must be maintained for continuance of financial aid.

Time Frame

Mount Aloysius expects students enrolled in degree programs to complete all required course work within a given amount of time; therefore, students may receive financial aid for a maximum number of semesters as shown below:

Qualitative Standard - Students must achieve the minimal Grade Point Average as set forth by the College and listed in the section “Academic Policies and Procedures; Academic Dismissal and Probation.” Students who fail to attain this standard are only eligible for financial assistance if reinstated by the Committee on Academic Support (CAS).

Quantitative Standard - Students are expected to progress toward degree requirements at a reasonable pace. Students who attempt 12 or fewer credits per semester must earn 100% of the credits (if you attempt 12 credits you must earn 12 credits, if you attempt 11 credits you must earn 11 credits, if you attempt 10 credits you must earn 10 credits and so on. Students that attempt 13-14 credits per semester must earn 90% of the credits (minimum of 12 credits/semester). Students that attempt 15+ credits per semester must earn 80% of the credits (minimum of 12 credits/semester).

Change of Major

Students who change majors will be allotted the amount of time needed to complete the new program without regard to time spent in previous course work provided the student was making satisfactory progress at the time of change.

Second Degree

Financial aid for a second degree will be awarded to students only after they present a statement from an advisor indicating the additional courses necessary for the second degree. Financial aid will be awarded for those credits required for the additional degree.

Transfer Students

Course work transferred to and accepted by Mount Aloysius will be included in the evaluation of credits completed toward a degree. Transfer credits earned at other institutions which are applied to the student’s program of study at Mount Aloysius will be counted as both credits attempted and earned when determining the maximum number of semesters a student may receive financial aid. Transfer credits will be considered at a rate of twelve (12) semester credits equal to one semester.

Students who have received prior state grant assistance at another institution must submit a copy of their final college transcript to the Registrar’s Office at Mount Aloysius. Academic progress requirements for the Pennsylvania State Grant program mandate that the College verify that you were successfully making academic progress at your prior institution before transferring to Mount Aloysius. Pennsylvania State Grant funds will not be credited to a student’s account until the needed transcripts are received and progress has been confirmed.

Part-Time Students

When a student receives financial aid, the government and school will expect that student to make Academic Progress. This means that the student must pass all credits attempted each semester. If a student withdraws from school, drops a class, or repeats a class, financial aid can be affected during the semester that the student is enrolled or in future semesters.

Termination

At the end of every academic year, a student who fails to meet the requirements set forth for satisfactory academic progress will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office that all federal and institutional aid will be terminated.

Reinstatement

A student who fails to make satisfactory progress may apply for reinstatement through the following procedures:

1. A student must attain a level of progress commensurate with the time spent in school (see Standards of Progress).
2. If a student takes course work at another school, the student must submit an official transcript to the Registrar’s Office and the credits must be accepted by Mount Aloysius College towards the student’s diploma or degree.
3. The student must upon completion of course work notify the Financial Aid Office in writing that he/she wishes to be considered for reinstatement of aid eligibility.
4. The Financial Aid Office will notify students in writing after determining whether sufficient progress has been made to merit reinstatement.

Appeals

Students denied financial aid due to lack of academic progress or because they have exhausted the maximum number of semesters for which they are eligible to receive aid may appeal if extenuating circumstances exist. Academic progress waivers may be granted for medical emergency/illness of student, spouse, or child; death of parent, spouse, children; or other documented extenuating circumstance.

All appeals must be made in writing to the Financial Aid Office and be accompanied by significant documentation to validate the student’s reason for not making satisfactory academic progress and explaining what has changed to allow them to make satisfactory progress at the next evaluation. The appeal request will be reviewed and the student will be notified in writing of the results of the appeal.

It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office to waive a maximum of six (6) credits towards satisfactory academic progress. If the student is still short credits after the waiver is granted, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the remaining credits to be considered for reinstatement of aid eligibility. Failure to do so will result in the termination of future financial aid.