Financial Aid Policies

How to Apply
Each year, aid applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application should be submitted to the federal processor online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If assistance is required or access to the Internet is not available, the application may be submitted in person to the campus Financial Aid Department or via U.S. mail to the federal processor. The Financial Aid Department may request additional documentation to support the student’s request for financial assistance, including signed copies of federal and state income tax returns. The student’s financial aid package cannot be finalized until the Financial Aid Department has received all requested documentation. State grant recipients may also be required to submit additional documentation directly to the state agency administering the grant. Renewal of financial aid is not automatic. Recipients are required to reapply each year by the announced deadline.

Federal and state aid will be awarded to students based on need and enrollment level as determined by federal and state formulas. Berkeley College need-based aid will be awarded to students who have borrowed their annual maximum Stafford loan, and have unmet need after federal and state aid has been awarded.

In an effort to reduce the loan burden during the student’s first year, Berkeley College will attempt to package new students with a higher percentage of need-based aid. As Stafford Loan eligibility increases, need-based institutional aid may be reduced.

Federal, state, and institutional grants and loans will be disbursed onto student accounts to cover direct educational costs. Disbursements in excess of direct costs will be refunded to the student (or parent, in the case of a PLUS Loan). Federal Work Study earnings will be paid directly to the student via check on a bi-monthly basis for actual hours worked.

Program Pursuit
Full-time Associate’s degree students must complete required credit hours, exclusive of College Skills courses, according to the following schedule to maintain “program pursuit:”

Term/Payment -- Must Receive a Grade For:
1st Quarter -- at least 6 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [50% of FT]
2nd Quarter -- at least 6 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [50% of FT]
3rd Quarter -- at least 9 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [75% of FT]
4th Quarter -- at least 9 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [75% of FT]
5th Quarter -- or more 12 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [100% of FT]

Full-time Baccalaureate degree students must complete required credit hours, exclusive of College Skills courses, according to the following schedule to maintain “program pursuit:”

Term/Payment -- Must Receive a Grade For
1st Quarter -- at least 6 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [50% of FT]
2nd Quarter -- at least 6 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [50% of FT]
3rd Quarter -- at least 6 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [50% of FT]
4th Quarter -- at least 9 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [75% of FT]
5th Quarter -- at least 9 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [75% of FT]
6th Quarter -- at least 9 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [75% of FT]
7th Quarter -- or more 12 Qtr. Credit Hrs. [100% of FT]

Satisfactory Academic Progress
The minimum standards of satisfactory progress for students attending Berkeley College, for federal financial aid purposes, contain both qualitative and quantitative measures that are DIFFERENT from the “Program Pursuit” and “Satisfactory Academic Progress” policy according to New York State regulations.

TAP Academic Standing
If a student is unable to meet the “program pursuit” or “satisfactory progress” standards during any term in which a TAP grant was received, the student loses eligibility for a TAP award in the subsequent term.

When a student who has received a TAP award officially or unofficially withdraws from all scheduled classes during a term, the student automatically loses TAP eligibility for the subsequent term.
If a student successfully completes a term and is otherwise making satisfactory progress for both state and federal financial aid, but fails to enroll for the subsequent term, TAP eligibility upon re-enrollment at some later date is unaffected.

If a student is subject to dismissal under either the federal or state progress policy, and an appeal under the federal policy is granted by the College, the student remains ineligible for a TAP award during the subsequent term.

Reinstatement of Good Academic Standing: A student who loses good academic standing for TAP may have this standing restored in one of the following ways: (1) remedying academic deficiencies and meeting good academic standing requirements by completing one term of study without TAP program funds; (2) successful appeal to the Financial Aid Director after readmission to the College after an absence of at least one calendar year; (3) transferring to another institution; or (4) applying for and receiving a one-time waiver based on extenuating circumstances. TAP appeals and waivers must be approved by the Director of Financial Aid.

One-Time Waiver of Good Academic Standing Requirement: A one-time waiver of the good academic standing requirement may be granted during a student’s period of enrollment. This waiver is permitted under New York State regulations for extraordinary or unusual cases where the student was unable to successfully complete the required academic coursework due to mitigating circumstances. For example, a waiver may be warranted for: a) death of a spouse or parent; b) divorce or separation; c) extreme illness documented by a physician; or d) other unusual or extraordinary reason beyond the student’s control that is documented and approved by the Director of Financial Aid. When applying for a waiver, students must demonstrate that the circumstances which impeded their academic performance have been resolved.

Enrollment Status Determination: A student’s enrollment status is determined at the end of the add/drop period (week two). At that time the student is charged, and any financial aid is paid based on the enrollment status. Individual course drops after week two do not entitle the student to a refund for that course.

Leaves of Absence: For purposes of student financial aid, a student granted a leave of absence is considered withdrawn from the College. Any overpayment of institutional charges will be refunded in accordance with federal regulations. A student returning from a leave of absence will be charged the prevailing rate of tuition.

Withdrawals from the College: Students who wish to officially withdraw from the College must notify the Advisement Department. The date the student notifies the Advisement Department will be used for tuition refund calculations. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial
Aid and Student Accounts Departments prior to withdrawing for an explanation of the tuition and financial aid adjustments that may occur. Berkeley College institutional financial aid awards are earned ratably each quarter during the tuition refund period. Students who withdraw or are dismissed during or after week seven of the quarter will retain 100 percent of their awards. Students who cease attendance without providing official notification of withdrawal may be responsible for 100 percent of the quarterly charges. Mid-quarter withdrawals will be subject to the tuition refund policy.

For more information, email the Financial Aid office, financialaid@BerkeleyCollege.edu.

Links
Tuition and Financial Aid
Berkeley College Finance Forms
Scholarships, Grants, and Loans
Student Accounts Office
Registration
Payment Plans
Refund Policies