2011-2012 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Page 286 2011–12 Undergraduate Catalog Introduction Admissions Academic Information Academic Departments Course Descriptions Financial Information Appendix Index Financial Aid General Information Cedarville University offers a variety of financial aid programs to assist students with education-related expenses. Although Cedarville University supports the premise that the primary responsibility for financing a college education rests with the student and family, aid programs are available to supplement personal resources. Some of the financial aid available at the University is considered to be need-based aid. Students are asked to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit the form to the Central Processing Center. The FAFSA should be submitted to the central processor by February 20, but not before January 1 preceding the academic year for which aid is being requested. It is not necessary to have filed your federal taxes before completing your FAFSA. Estimated data can be used. An analysis of the family’s financial data is performed and the results are used to determine the eligibility for need-based assistance. For filing online, obtain a PIN number for both the parent and student at pin.ed.gov and complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov . In addition to need-based aid, the University also offers merit- based aid to students who demonstrate recognized achievement or talent. Merit scholarship categories include academic, leadership, athletic, music, forensics, theatre, and debate. The financial aid office serves as a resource center to assist students and their families in exploring alternative sources of educational funding. The financial aid homepage has direct links to several scholarship databases. Students are encouraged to investigate privately-funded scholarships through the use of the Internet and accessing cedarville.edu/finaid . Students should advise the financial aid office when they receive additional assistance from sources other than Cedarville University. This assistance will be considered when preparing award packages and at times may result in the revision of a previously prepared package. A financial aid award notification will be provided to students after reviewing completed application data and after a student is accepted for admission to Cedarville University. Financial aid is applied for and awarded on a yearly basis. Aid applicants must continue to meet program qualifications in order to retain eligibility. All questions may be directed to the financial aid office at 937-766-7866 or 1-800-444-2433. Visit Cedarville’s financial aid website at cedarville.edu/finaid and the FAFSA website at fafsa.gov . Institutional Grants and Scholarships All awards are based on full-time enrollment (12 hours or more). Students who enroll for fewer than 12 hours will have their awards prorated. Academic Scholarships • Academic Excellence Award – Students who have ACT scores between 25–36 (SAT 1130–1600). Award amounts are $6,000 or $8,000 and renewable with a 3.2 or 3.5 cumulative Cedarville GPA. • Cedarville Scholars – Nine students selected from each freshman class. 75% tuition award ($18,300 in 2011–12), renewable with 3.5 GPA. • National Scholar Award – Students selected as National Merit or National Achievement Finalist or Semi-Finalist. 50% tuition ($12,200 in 2011–12), renewable with 3.5 GPA. When completing the FAFSA, the Title IV Code for Cedarville University is 003025. Other Grants • CU Access Grant – Students who have financial need according to FAFSA. Award amounts vary from $2,000 to $5,000. • Diversity Grant – Awarded to students who come from a diverse ethnic background as part of the ongoing effort to encourage increased campus diversity. Award amounts are $2,000 per year. • Transfer Student Awards – Students that have completed at least one college term with full-time enrollment after high school graduation and/or has earned 18 or more semester credits. If transfer GPA is 3.5 or higher, the student can receive an academic scholarship of $2,000 or $4,000. If need is determined by FAFSA, student can also receive additional grant of $2,000. Transfer students can also receive the Diversity Grant of $2,000. • Student Government Grants – Grants for the elected officers of the student body government • Future Generations Scholarship – One-time scholarship for new students whose parents or grandparents graduated from Cedarville University • Church Matching Grant – Cedarville University will match up to $500 for students enrolled full time at Cedarville University who receive a scholarship from their local church. The Church Matching Grant application must be received along with the church’s scholarship check. Department Grants • Athletic – Contact the athletic department or coach • Media and Applied Communications – Contact the department of media and applied communications. • Music – Contact the department of music and worship • Pharmacy – Contact the school of pharmacy • Worship – Contact the department of music and worship State Grant Programs Ohio College Opportunity Grant Students who are residents of Ohio and have an expected family contribution of less that $2,190 as calculated on the FAFSA are eligible for the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. Application can only be made through the completion of the FAFSA. The filing deadline is October 1. For the latest information please visit our website at cedarville.edu/financialaid/Ohio+Programs . Specific information from the Ohio Board of Regents about the Ohio College Opportunity Grant is available at regents.ohio.gov/sgs/ocog . For additional information about all the Ohio student aid programs visit the Ohio Board of Regents website at regents.ohio.gov/sgs/index.php . Ohio National Guard Tuition Assistance Program This program assists Ohio National Guard members who are full-time students, at least 17 years old, and enlisted for a period of six years. Up to eight semesters of instructional and general fees will be paid for the student. After basic and specialty training, guardsmen meet one weekend a month and two weeks during each summer. In addition to the tuition assistance, the time spent on duty is paid according to rank. Both men and women are accepted into this program, and proof of financial need is not a requirement. For more information, call collect 937-323-6704 or write to: Ohio National Guard, Educational Opportunities, 2825 West Granville Rd., Worthington, OH 43085.