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Financial Aid > Federal Stafford
Loans WSC participates in the Federal Stafford Loan Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Program, a student financial assistance program whereby qualified students may
borrow money through low-interest federally supported student loans. The
Seminary’s federal student loan default prevention policy requires that when
applying for an unsubsidized loan, a student must submit an additional loan
application and must document direct educational expenses.
Federal regulations allow a student to receive aid only for courses that meet
his declared program of study. To be considered, applicants seeking a Stafford
loan must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the
academic year aid is sought. You can apply online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov or request a paper copy
to file from the Financial Aid Coordinator.
Students must submit a FAFSA each year to be considered for financial aid. The
FAFSA or Renewal Application must be filed annually after January 1 of the
current year for the following academic year. Receipt of financial aid one year
does not guarantee receipt of financial aid in subsequent years. WSC follows a
standard academic year, which begins with the first day of classes fall semester
and ends with the close of spring semester.
Eligibility Criteria
Generally speaking, students may be eligible to borrow money under the Stafford
Program if they are regular students, who are enrolled or accepted in an
approved program for the purpose of obtaining a degree, and they satisfy the
following provisions:
- Must complete and submit all documentation required, and certify the
information is true, correct, and accurate
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Male students must be registered with the Selective Service
- Must work toward an approved degree program at the Seminary
- Must have completed and returned the financial aid application.
- Westminster Seminary California must be listed as one of the schools you plan
to attend in the FAFSA. Our Title IV Code is G22768.
- Must demonstrate a financial need for the cost of education
- Must use federal financial aid funds solely for educational purposes
- Must make satisfactory academic progress in a declared program of study
- Must not be in default on any Student Financial Assistance (SFA) loan.
Needs-Analysis and Student
Resources
The subsidized Stafford loan is based on demonstrated financial need as
determined by the school according to guidelines outlined under the Federal
Family Educational Loan (FFEL) Program. The Financial Aid Advisor calculates
each student’s cost of attendance using student expense budgets, which are
estimated average costs, based in part on figures provided each academic year by
the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). In determining the need for aid,
the Financial Aid Advisor must first consider the student’s financial resources.
Other sources of aid to the student, such as, veteran’s educational benefits,
assets, student’s contribution (if any), and the amount of other financial
assistance he or she will receive
during the enrollment period are treated as additional resources to be taken
into account.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to maintain eligibility for the Stafford Program, students must
maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined below:
- Students enrolled in the M.Div., M.A.B., M.A.H.T., and M.A.T. programs must
maintain a cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.0 at the end of each
semester.
- Students must progress at a reasonable rate as defined in Satisfactory
Academic Progress Requirements.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Requirements
In general, the maximum amount of time allowed for students to complete a degree
program is 100 percent of the published program length, 110 credit units for the
M.Div. program and 74 credit units for the MABS and MATS, 73 for the MAHT.
Because the MACS program is designed to be completed at a rate of 6 units
semester, students in this program do not qualify under Stafford Loan
regulations.
Ineligibility Status
A student will be considered ineligible for federal financial aid, if he or she:
* Exceeds the maximum time-frame for program completion, based on units
attempted;
* Drops below a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 at the end of each semester or school
year, as reflected by the Westminster Seminary California academic transcript.
* Has completed fewer units than the established minimum at the end of a
semester;
*On an individual appeal basis, the school may waive the standard if his
ineligibility is the result of undue hardship, such as injury or illness, death
of a family member, or other special circumstances as determined by the Dean of
Students and the Financial Aid Advisor.
Petition Process
A student who desires to appeal the disqualification or ineligibility status,
must complete and submit a “Federal Student Aid Petition” form no later than the
established deadline for the semester he or she wishes to receive aid. If a
petition/appeal for exceeding established unit limit is approved, reinstatement
of financial aid eligibility will not exceed a period of one school year,
regardless of
remaining academic requirements.
If the appeal is denied, reinstatement of financial aid eligibility begins as
soon as
the student meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements. To appeal
the decision of a petition, the matter must be brought before the Academic Dean.
The decision of the Academic Dean in this matter is final.
Grade Point Average
The minimum cumulative grade point average at the end of each semester must be
2.0 (C).
Grade Interpretation
Grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or CR, F/D are considered
units completed. Grades of I, I/F, F, NC, or WD/F are considered units NOT
completed.
Note: Classes in which credit/no credit is used are not calculated in the GPA.
All of the above are considered as units attempted.
Repeat Courses
A course that is repeated may not be considered in determining financial aid
eligibility or award payment. Repeat courses, however, will count towards
deciding the student’s progress rate.
Distance Education Courses
If distance education and directed research courses (such as
Institute of Theological Studies) exceed 33% of the student’s enrollment status,
they shall not be considered in determining financial aid eligibility or award
payment.
Entrance and Exit Interviews
Interviews with the Financial Aid Advisor must be arranged by the student upon
applying for a Stafford loan, and upon applying for graduation, or upon
notifying
the Registrar of withdrawal.
Federal Refund Policy
If a student has received funds under the Stafford Loan Program and has ceased
attending school after attending at least one class, the Federal government
mandates
a specific formula for calculating refunds, based on assistance earned and
assistance not earned. The assistance earned formula is equal to the percentage
of the payment period completed and is based on date of withdrawal or last
attendance in class.
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Eligibility
Criteria
Needs-Analysis and Student Resources
Satisfactory
Academic Progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
Ineligibility Status
Petition Process
GPA
Grade
Interpretation
Repeat
Courses
Distance
Education Courses
Entrance and Exit
Interviews
Federal Refund
Policy
WSC
Federal Loan Application (PDF)
Additional Loan Amount Request Form (PDF)
Master Promissory Note (Coming Soon)
Online Entrance Interview (Coming Soon)
FAFSA
WSC Application for Financial Aid
2008-2009 (PDF)
DK Kim Scholarship Application (PDF)
DK Kim Scholarship Renewal (PDF)
Loan Deferment Request Form (PDF)
Grants
Scholarships
Loans
International Students
WSC Financial Aid Home
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