Financial Aid Programs and Policies

Rockhurst University is pleased to be able to offer a financial assistance program for students who would be unable to attend without such aid. The school also grants awards in recognition of academic achievements and the particular talents or ability of the student applicant. Financial aid programs and policies are established by the President of the University upon recommendation from the Financial Aid Committee. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for coordination of the financial assistance program.

Financial aid is awarded to supplement a 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 aid (loans and employment). For new students, funding preference is given to full-time students who complete the application process by March 1st  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 for FAFSA purposes includes tuition and fees, room and board, and allowances for books, transportation, personal expenses and loan fees. The student’s need for assistance can be met with any combination of grants, scholarships, loans or employment.

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. Gift 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. In accordance with University policy, adjustments in aid resulting from enrollment changes will not be made after the first two weeks subsequent to the beginning of a semester.
2. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for gift aid.
3. Gift aid is awarded on an annual basis and subject to review at the end of each academic year.
4. Scholarship renewal is determined at the end of each academic year, not at the end of each semester. Students enrolled in summer school have their renewal grade point average (GPA) computed following the summer session. Scholarships can be renewed, but not lost because of summer school.
5. Students applying for renewal of gift aid must re-apply each year. 
6. Gift aid is 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). 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 gift aid eligibility if they have earned more than 12 hours since their last term of attendance at Rockhurst University. Students whose leave of absence has been no more than one year and have earned 12 or fewer hours since their last term of attendance re-enter under the criteria of any academic scholarship that they previously received, subject to available funding. 
8. For students receiving need-based financial assistance, the combination of self-help aid and gift aid will not exceed the “cost of attendance”. Cost of attendance is defined as total tuition (12-18 hours) and fees, room and board (if living on campus), and those items required for course completion (e.g. required books). Federal, state and other rules (such as athletic conference) may also apply. 
9. For students not receiving self-help aid, gift aid award will not exceed “cost of attendance”.  Cost of attendance is defined as total tuition (12-18 hours) and fees, room and board (if living on campus), and those items required for course completion (e.g. required books). Federal, state and other rules (such as athletic conference) may also apply.   
10. Stafford loan eligibility is established by filing the FAFSA each year. Loan amounts are determined by class standing at the time of initial enrollment.

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 determined and communicated.

Nursing Students

Freshman and sophomore nursing students apply to and receive financial assistance from Rockhurst University. Junior, senior and Accelerated Option students apply for 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 aid and self-help aid will be coordinated to first reduce the self-help aid and then gift aid. Each award will be evaluated and adjustments made within University and program policies.

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. Off-campus aid cannot be greater than aid awarded for equivalent on-campus course credit. Study Abroad students MAY NOT use Rockhurst funds to cover costs of the program. Only federal funding is able to be transferred and used for study abroad programs.

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

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress to Maintain Financial Aid Eligibility

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 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 who becomes ineligible due to 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 and billing statement received from the University’s Finance Office will reflect the student’s charges and financial aid. Earnings from campus employment are not credited toward a student’s account balance; rather, they are paid directly to the student as earned on a monthly basis. 

The university may terminate Federal Work Study employment at any time for failure to perform duties satisfactorily and 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 available campus jobs is limited.

Withdrawals and Refunds

Students who withdraw prior to completion of a semester are subject to the University’s policy concerning withdrawals and refunds. To secure a refund, students must complete the withdrawal process prescribed by the University. For students receiving financial aid, the refund will first be applied to Title IV programs, state grants and gift aid, in accordance with existing federal regulations and University policy in effect on the date of withdrawal. To the extent there are funds remaining, a refund will be made to the student. It is possible that students who withdraw will still have an outstanding balance due to the University.

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 PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
6. Other Title IV Funds
7. Other federal, state, private, or institutional sources of aid.
8. 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 PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
6. 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 is not automatically 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 submit the FAFSA. The FAFSA should be submitted online as soon as possible after October 1, utilizing tax information from the prior prior calendar year.                                         Apply on-line at www.fafsa.gov

Priority awarding consideration is given to all aid applications completed no later than January 1 of the year of 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. 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 Stafford Loan). Documentation requested for verification 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 may be the result of: 1) adjustments to the financial need calculations due to a change in the family’s financial condition; 2) errors made by the family or by the University; 3) 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 possible after 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 made by 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 $1,000 to full tuition are awarded on the basis of grade point average, ACT and SAT 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 grade point average requirements. See the Financial Aid Counselor for a list of scholarships, qualifications, and application 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, and maintenance of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of each academic year. 

• University Grants: University grants include dependent sons and daughters of Rockhurst alumni and/or families that have two or more undergraduates enrolled simultaneously at the University, and are based on need and other specific criteria. Endowed Scholarships are also available. Restrictions apply on these scholarships, as specified by the donors. 

• University 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 hours 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 this document 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 in this document without prior notice.