Financial Aid Programs and Policies

While the primary responsibility for financing a college education rests with the student and his or her family, Rockhurst University has designed a financial assistance program for students who would be unable to attend without such aid. Awards are also made in recognition of academic achievements and the particular talents or ability of the student applicant. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for coordination of the total financial aid programs.

Financial assistance is awarded to supplement the family’s contribution when family funds are not sufficient to cover educational costs. The University attempts to meet a student’s established financial need through a combination of gift aid (scholarships and grants), and self-help (loans and employment). For new students, funding preference is given to full-time students who complete the application process by March 1 prior to the award year.

Determination of Need-Based Financial Aid Eligibility

Rockhurst University utilizes the need analysis information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to establish financial need. All students applying for financial aid based on need must complete the FAFSA need analysis form each year and designate Rockhurst University to receive the processed application. Need is determined by subtracting the family (student and parent) contribution as calculated on the FAFSA from the cost of education. The cost of education includes tuition and fees, room and board and allowances for books, transportation, personal expenses and loan fees. The student’s need will be met with grants, scholarships, loans or employment, either singly or in combination.

Basic Eligibility Criteria for Federal Student Aid

1. For Pell Grant, SEOG, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan or Federal Work Study you must have financial need
2. The student must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible noncitizen
3. Have a valid Social Security Number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of Palau)
4. If male, be registered with the Selective Service (must register between the ages of 18-25)
5. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
6. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
7. Sign the certification statement on the FAFSA stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan, do not owe money on a federal student grant and will use federal student aid only for educational purposes
8. Show you are qualified to obtain a college education by having a high school diploma or a GED or have completed a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law

Eligibility for University Scholarships & Grants

The following assumptions apply to Rockhurst University scholarships and grant awards:

1. Institutional aid awards are available to full-time students day only (enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester) who are in good academic standing. To qualify for federal aid, a student must be registered as at least a half-time student. Students receiving athletic scholarship in the last semester and who are eligible for graduation may apply for an exemption to full-time status. Appeals ae directed to the Director of Financial Aid. To qualify for federal aid, a student must be registered as at least a half-time student. Students must be degree seeking or certificate seeking. (Adjustments in aid resulting from enrollment changes will not be made past the first two weeks of school in conjunction with the university’s policy of charge adjustments.)
2. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for institutional scholarships and grants.
3. Scholarship amounts are locked in at the time of enrollment, subject to renewability criteria.
4. Scholarship renewal is determined at the end of each academic year. Students enrolled in summer school have their renewal grade point average (GPA) commuted following the summer session. Scholarships can be renewed, but not lost because of summer school.
5. Students applying for renewal of either must reapply each year by filing the FAFSA. 
6. University funds are available for only four years or eight semesters, except nursing students who receive funding from Research College of Nursing during their junior and senior years, and students receiving athletic scholarships (maximum of 10 semesters). Transfer students will have aid eligibility determined by taking the eight semesters eligibility and subtracting the number of semester hours transferred from the prior school divided by 15. Transfer students will be advised individually regarding their remaining aid eligibility.
7. Students who have previously attended Rockhurst University, and who are readmitted or return following a leave of absence, will be classified as a transfer student for the purpose of scholarship eligibility if they have earned more than 12 hours since their last term of attendance at Rockhurst University. Students who have earned 12 or fewer hours since their last term of attendance and re-enter the university, within one year, will have their academic scholarship that they previously received, subject to available funding.
8. The maximum gift aid award will not exceed the total tuition (12-18 hours), room and board for students receiving need-based financial assistance, and residing either on campus or off campus. Federal, state and other rules (such as athletic conference) may also apply. For all other students, the maximum gift aid award will not exceed tuition (12-18 hours). Any combination of college grants and scholarships will not exceed tuition. Refer to the Residence Life section in this catalog and “Room and Board Plans” on the Rockhurst University website, www.rockhurst.edu for additional information.
9. Federal Stafford loan eligibility is established by filing the FAFSA each year. Loan amounts are determined by class standing at the time of initial enrollment.

10. The Financial Aid Office is the only office at Rockhurst University authorized to offer financial aid to students. Only awards originating from this office will constitute a commitment on behalf of the university. Recommendations for scholarships can be made by faculty or staff, and these recommendations are considered before the award is sent.

Nursing Students

Freshman and sophomore nursing students apply to and receive financial assistance from Rockhurst University. Rockhurst scholarships do not renew for the junior and senior years. Junior, senior and Research College of Nursing students apply to and receive financial assistance from Research College of Nursing. More information is available in the Research College of Nursing Catalog.

Coordination of Financial Aid

Any financial aid awarded is subject to review in light of assistance received from outside organizations or agencies. Funds received from outside sources that exceed the limits of gift and need based aid will be coordinated to first reduce the loans and/or work funds and then college/grant scholarships. Each award will be evaluated and adjustments made within university and program guidelines. Students will not receive a refund based on gift-aid only unless specified by the outside agency granting the award that creates the refund.

Financial Aid for Study in Off-Campus Programs

A student eligible to receive aid from Rockhurst University may continue to receive aid, if eligible, for approved off-campus study, such as internship. The students must be enrolled for credit at Rockhurst University in order to receive assistance. In no case will aid be greater than aid awarded for equivalent on-campus course credit.

Scholarship & Award Guidelines And Satisfactory Academic Progress Criteria

Scholarship and Award Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to Rockhurst University scholarships unless specifically stated otherwise.

1. Terms of Enrollment:  Each scholarship will be distributed in equal amounts for the Fall and Spring terms.  These scholarships may not be applied to summer terms.  Each scholarship is renewable for up to four consecutive years of full-time enrollment (based on completion of your first bachelor’s degree)
2. Enrollment Status:  Recipients of these scholarships must be enrolled full-time (carrying at least 12 hours per term)
3. Grade Point Average:  Students must maintain the following minimum cumulative grade point average at the end of each academic year to be eligible for renewal.

(1) Awarded prior to the Fall 2015 semester
(2) Awarded during or subsequent to the Fall 2015 semester

   4. Special Conditions:

Trustee’s Scholarship recipients must reside on campus in campus housing, during the four consecutive years of enrollment to qualify and remain eligible for the Trustee’s Scholarship. (Based on completion of your first bachelor’s degree).

Finucane Service Award recipients must honor the minimum hours of service based on their service commitment.

This participation must be documented by the Center for Service Learning:

 Director, Center for Service Learning
Van Ackeren Hall, 2nd floor, room 208
(816) 501-4545

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

The U.S. Department of Education requires students to maintain certain academic standards to obtain or retain eligibility for federally sponsored student aid programs. In accordance with these standards, Rockhurst University has established the following standards to measure whether a student has achieve “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP). These standards will be applied uniformly to all undergraduate and graduate students when determining their eligibility for federal, state and university funding.

SAP Definitions

Attempted credits include successfully completed courses, courses dropped after the drop/add period, failed or not passed courses, repeated courses, course withdrawals and transfer credits that have been accepted by the Rockhurst University and apply to the student’s current program of study. Courses in which a student receives delayed/incomplete grades will be counted as hours attempted but will not be counted as successfully completed until a final passing grade is
officially posted to the student’s permanent record.

Successful completion is defined as credit hours completed with a minimum grade of “D” resulting in GPA credits being awarded, or with a passing grade of “P.”

Payment period is defined as either the fall semester, or the spring semester, or the summer term.

Maximum Attempted Enrollment Credit Hours

Students receiving federal financial aid must complete their educational programs within a timeframe no longer than 150% of the published length of the educational program. For example, the maximum attempted credit hours in which students may enroll to complete their university degree of study must not exceed 192 attempted credit hours for the completion of a 128 credit-hour degree program. For academic programs requiring less than 128 credit hours for degree completion, the maximum attempted enrollment credit hours for program completion is 150% of the total required credit hours for the program.

Pace of Completion

Students must successfully complete 67% of attempted credit hours for each payment period.

Cumulative GPA Requirement

Students must maintain a Rockhurst University cumulative GPA of a 2.0 in order to achieve SAP. The cumulative GPA requirement applies to all federal, state, and university aid.  NOTE: Certain university scholarships have GPA and those requirements that exceed 2.0 (see above). 

Monitoring SAP Requirements for Federal Title IV/State Eligibility

At the end of each payment period, the student’s academic record will be reviewed for SAP, including Maximum Attempted Enrollment Credit Hours, Pace of Completion, and Cumulative GPA Requirement. 

If the student does not successfully complete 67% of attempted credit hours or has not met the 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement, the student shall be placed on academic progress warning. Students remain eligible to receive aid during the warning period, and their record will be reviewed for compliance again following their next payment period. Students will have one payment period to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA and to have completed 67% of attempted credit hours. If at the end of the warning payment period the student has not done so, then the student’s eligibility for Federal Title IV/state aid will be terminated. Once the student has achieved SAP, Federal Title IV/state aid will be fully reinstated for future semesters. 

Where the review shows that it is no longer mathematically possible for a student to complete within 150% of the published length of his or her educational program, or the student failed to complete within 150% of the published length of the educational program, the student’s eligibility for Federal Title IV/state aid will be terminated.

Monitoring SAP-Requirements for University Scholarships/Awards

At the end of each payment period (spring enrollment period), the student’s academic record will be reviewed for SAP. If the student has not successfully completed 67% of attempted credit hours or has not met the 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement, the student will have two payment periods to do so. If at the end of the two payment periods the student has not achieved these GPA and pace of completion requirements, then all university aid will be terminated. Once the student has achieved SAP, university aid will be fully reinstated for future semesters.

Notification

The University will notify students of academic progress deficiencies by sending a letter to the permanent mailing address on file with the University. Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their permanent mailing address at all times. Students are responsible for being aware of the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and will remain ineligible, even if the University’s notification is not received.

Appeal Process for Federal Title IV/State aid

A student placed who becomes ineligible for failure to meet the requirements stated above may appeal based on mitigating circumstances that are supported by documentation. Appeals must be made in writing within 30 days of the issuance date of the financial aid ineligibility notification letter to:

Director of Financial Aid, Massman #109, financialaid@rockhurst.edu.

After 30 days, no appeals will be considered.

If the appeal is approved, students will be placed on financial aid probation for one payment period and may continue to receive aid as otherwise eligible. At the end of the appealed
probation period, the student’s GPA and pace of completion will be reviewed to determine if the student has met the 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement and completed 67% of the attempted credit hours, or has otherwise completed the requirements of a probationary academic plan.

At the end of the appealed probation period, students who have, for the probationary period, a completion rate of 67% and a GPA of 2.0 or have otherwise completed the requirements of a probationary academic plan, remain eligible for Title IV/state aid and are removed from financial aid probation. Students who do not meet those requirements for the probationary period will become ineligible for Title IV/state aid.

Changing Majors, Repeat Coursework, Incompletes and Withdrawals, and Second Degree Coursework

In the case where a student changes degree programs, courses taken that do not contribute to the new degree program do not count toward the 150% requirement.

Any non-credit coursework, repeat coursework or coursework for which a grade of incomplete or withdraw is given counts toward both 150% credit hour maximum and the 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement.

Any student pursuing a second-degree program is subject to both the 150% credit hour maximum and the 2.00 cumulative GPA requirements.

Payment of Awards

In most cases, one-half of the aid award is applied to the student’s account for each semester. The billing statement from the university’s Business Office will reflect the student’s charges and financial aid. Earnings from campus employment are not credited toward that balance due, but are paid to the student as earned.

The university may terminate Federal Work Study employment at any time for failure to perform duties satisfactorily; the university is released from its obligation to find replacement employment. Work assignments terminated for this reason will not be replaced with any other form of financial aid funds. Termination of employment may jeopardize future campus employment opportunities, as the number of campus jobs available is limited.

Withdrawals and Refund

Students who withdraw prior to completion of a semester are subject to the University’s policy concerning withdrawals and refunds. See “Refund Policy ” in the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog. To secure a refund, students must complete the withdrawal process prescribed by the university. See “Changing Enrollment ” in the Enrollment Policies section of this catalog. For students receiving financial aid, the refund will first be repaid to the Title IV programs, state grants and institutional funds in accordance with existing federal regulations and institutional policy in effect on the date of withdrawal with respect to the various types of aid. If any additional refund is appropriate, the funds will be repaid to the student. Under no circumstances will a refund of institutional dollars be made. It is possible that students who withdraw will still have an outstanding balance due to the university that must be paid.

Return of Title IV Aid

The federal student financial aid refund and repayment requirements do not apply to a student who withdraws from some classes, but continues to be enrolled in other classes; they only apply when the student (1) fails to attend classes for the period of enrollment for which he or she was charged, or (2) withdraws, drops out, takes an unapproved leave of absence, fails to return from an approved leave of absence, is expelled, or otherwise fails to complete the period of enrollment for which he or she is charged. These rules do not apply to students who have not received federal student financial aid funds for the enrollment period in question.

Refund

Refund is defined as the unearned amount of institutional charges that must be returned to the federal student financial aid accounts, other sources of aid, and the student, for a student who has received federal student financial aid and who has ceased to attend school. The earned aid is the difference between the amount paid towards institutional charges and the amount Rockhurst can retain.

Repayment

Repayment is the unearned amount of a direct disbursement to a student, who has ceased attendance, which must be paid back.

Overaward

If Rockhurst determines that a student received a disbursement of financial aid in excess of the living expenses that could have been reasonably incurred while still enrolled, then a portion of the disbursement was not earned and must be repaid by the student to the student financial aid programs.

Federal Work Study funds are never included in the refund, repayment, or overaward determination process.

Refund and repayment amounts must be distributed according to the specific priority prescribed in the law and regulations:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. Federal PLUS Loan
5. Federal Pell Grant
6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
7. Other Title IV Funds
8. Other federal, state, private, or institutional sources of aid.
9. The student

NOTE: If you owe a repayment, you will not be eligible to receive any federal financial aid at any school in the future until repayment has been made.

Repayments from student financial aid recipients must be distributed as follows:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. Federal PLUS Loan
5. Federal Pell Grant
6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
7. Other Title IV Funds

Funds returned to any student financial aid program may not exceed those received from that program.

Renewal and Adjustment of Aid

Financial aid must be renewed each year. In addition to specific requirements of the federal financial aid programs, students must apply each year by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or by notifying the Financial Aid Department that they do not intend to file the FAFSA. The aid processor makes Renewal FAFSA information available to all prior year applicants each year. The FAFSA should be filed as soon as possible after January 1, preferably when completed tax information for the preceding calendar year is available. Students should apply online at www.fafsa.gov.

Priority awarding consideration is given to all aid applications completed no later than March 1 of the year prior to fall enrollment. Students may apply for financial assistance anytime during the academic year. A completed financial aid file consists of a valid FAFSA need analysis and all required verification documentation, if selected. In addition, the student must also be registered for classes.

Each student must be able to document the information submitted on the need analysis (FAFSA) with income tax forms and/or other data required by the university or federal government prior to the receipt of Federal Title IV financial aid (Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Direct Stafford Loan). Documentation requested must be provided to the Financial Aid Office prior to the end of the semester for which it is requested; any additional deadlines established by the U.S. Department of Education shall also apply. Failure to complete verification will result in the withdrawal of all need-based aid funds. Students whose application information must be corrected will be notified by the Financial Aid Office as to the corrections required.

Award adjustments may occur at any time during the year and result from such reasons as: adjustments to the financial need calculations due to a change in the family’s financial condition, errors by the family or university, additional funds available for award or reduction in funds from outside sources.

The Financial Aid Office will review a student’s expected family contribution (EFC) if the student and/or family experience a significant change in their financial circumstances. An increase in need will not necessarily result in an increase in the financial aid award. Such adjustments depend upon funds available at the time the request for review is made. Therefore, notification of change in financial circumstances should be made as soon as they occur.

Right to Appeal

All students have the right to appeal or reject any aid awarded by the university and to appeal any award decisions to the Financial Aid Committee. Appeal of the financial aid award must be submitted in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Committee will inform the student of their decision concerning the appeal within a reasonable time following its receipt. Send appeals to:

Director of Financial Aid
Financial Aid Office
Rockhurst University
1100 Rockhurst Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2561

Federal, State and University Aid Programs

Eligibility for the following programs is determined by the filing of the FAFSA need analysis on a yearly basis.

Federal Programs 

• Federal Pell Grant: Awards may range up to $5,775 based on need and federal funding.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Awards are given to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need based on availability of federal   funding. Priority is given to students who file the FAFSA by March 1 of each year for consideration. Preference is given to full-time students.

• Federal Work Study: Campus employment opportunities are provided for many students who work approximately 4-6 hours per week and earn minimum wage: availability based on federal funding. Priority is given to students who file the FAFSA by March 1 of each year for consideration.

• Federal Perkins Loan: Annual loans of up to $2250 may be made based on need and availability of funding. Repayment begins 9 months after enrollment ceases or the student drops below half-time at 5% interest. Priority is given to students who file the FAFSA by March 1 of each year for consideration.  Available to undergraduate and graduate students. Funding is limited. Preference is given to full-time students.

• Direct Loans (Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized): Low interest loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students. Students may qualify for either a subsidized Stafford Loan (interest does not accrue until after graduation) or an unsubsidized Stafford Loan (interest begins accruing immediately). The federal government, for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, retains an origination fee, deducted proportionately from each disbursement. Interest rates on these loans are fixed for the life of the loan and are set July 1 for the upcoming school year.  Loan amounts vary dependent upon class standing, the level of demonstrated financial need and previous loan history. Freshman, 0-29 hours, $3,500; Sophomore, 30-59 hours, $4,500; Junior/Senior, 60+ hours, $5,500; Graduate $20,500. A minimum of half-time status is required for eligibility.  Repayment of these loans begins six months after enrollment ceases or the student drops below half-time. 

• Direct PLUS Loan: These loans are available to parents with good credit histories for educational costs not met by other financial aid and are not need-based. The federal government retains an origination fee deducted proportionately from each disbursement. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement, but can be deferred until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled or drops below half-time; the interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan and is set July 1 for the upcoming school year.

• Direct Graduate PLUS Loan: These loans are available to graduate students with good credit histories for educational costs not met by other financial aid and are not need-based. The federal government retains an origination fee deducted proportionately from each disbursement. Repayment begins six months after enrollment ceases or the student falls below half-time; the interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan and is set July 1 for the upcoming school year.

State Programs

• Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight): Annual award of up to $3,000 for Missouri resident undergraduate students scoring in the top 3% of Missouri high school students taking the ACT or SAT. Applications for Bright Flight are available from the high school guidance counselor. The scholarship is renewable as long as the continuation of initial eligibility requirements are being met, the student maintains full-time enrollment, receives the scholarship for at least one semester each academic year and  has a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Application deadline is June 1.

• Missouri Marguerite-Ross Barnett Scholarship: Amount varies. Awarded to Missouri residents enrolled at least part-time who are employed and are compensated for a minimum of 20 hours per week. A FAFSA must be on file by August 1, the student must have financial need, cannot be pursuing a degree in theology/divinity and has not received a prior bachelor’s degree.  Applications are available from the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education, (314) 751-6635.

• Access Missouri Grant: Amount varies. Awards are given to Missouri residents based on need. FAFSA must be received by April 1 of each year for awarding. Students must be enrolled full-time at a participating Missouri school, have an EFC less than $12,000, not be pursuing a degree in theology/divinity and cannot have previously earned a bachelor’s degree.  Students must maintain a 2.5 to be eligible for renewal and cannot have received the grant for more than 10 semesters.

University Aid Programs

• Academic Scholarships: Academic scholarships ranging in value from $8,000 to full tuition are awarded on the basis of GPA, test scores, class rank and in some cases the student’s demonstration of leadership or outstanding community service. Academic scholarships are renewable based on specific GPA requirements for each. See the Financial Aid Office for current scholarships and corresponding deadlines.

• Talent Scholarships: These are available in the areas of fine arts, forensics and athletics and awarded based on auditions, interviews and recommendations from the sponsoring talent area. Awards are renewable based on ability and participation as determined by the designated faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences and maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of each academic year.  Athletics has GPA requirements set forth by the NCAA, so please see the athletic office to discuss renewal criteria on athletic awards.

• College Grants: Grants that vary in value are available based on need or other specific criteria. Special grants awarded include dependent students that have two or more undergraduates enrolled simultaneously at Rockhurst University. Also available are Endowed Scholarships funded by the interest earned on the University’s endowment accounts. Restrictions apply on these scholarships as specified by the donors.

• College Employment: In addition to Federal Work Study, Rockhurst provides institutionally funded work opportunities on campus. Students in the campus employment program work approximately 4-6 hour per week and earn minimum wage; availability is limited.

Employment Opportunities

The Office of Career Services assists students and alumni in defining their talents and interests, identifying career goals and exploring career opportunities. Professional staff is available to meet one-on-one to refine the tools used during the application process and discuss students’ career search strategies.  Hiring for on-campus University Work-Study positions is coordinated by Career Services, with eligibility for employment determined by the Financial Aid Office. Students are allowed to have one job on campus at a time, regardless of whether or not it is funded from Federal Work Study or Budgeted Work Study.  Students who do not qualify for the University Work-Study Program can also seek local part-time positions through Career Services.  The Goppert Cooperative Education Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain practical work experience within their field of study while getting paid and gaining academic credit. For more information, contact the Assistant Director of Career Services.

Important Information

The information contained in the Financial Aid section of the catalog is provided for information purposes only and is not a contract or an offer to contract. Rockhurst University reserves the right to change the information or conditions contained herein without prior notice.