Welcome

The Future Generations Graduate School’s Financial Aid Office (FAO) offers students financial aid counseling and assistance to help them pursue their educational goals.

The FAO awards aid to students as a part of the means by which they can attend graduate school. Our basic philosophy is that students and their communities have the primary responsibility for paying the student’s expenses. Our role is to try to fill the financial gap that may exist between the cost of your education and money available from your family, job income, community, employer, savings and other sources.

If you apply for assistance, the FAO will evaluate your need, and if you are eligible for assistance, offer you a financial aid package. Your aid package may consist of scholarships and/or loans. The amount of your financial need is determined based on your overall financial status. Students who are citizens of the United States or who are eligible non-citizens are eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Because of limited funds, the FAO cannot always offer enough assistance to meet every student’s financial need.

The FAO provides financial aid advising to students throughout the year. If you have questions we invite you to email or give us a call. Our number is 304-358-2000.

You can also download these instructions as a PDF.

Federal Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens

Eligibility Criteria
In order to receive federal financial aid, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

• have a valid Social Security Number.

• be registered with the Selective Service, if required.

• be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program.

• not be in default of any federal funds.

• make satisfactory academic progress.

 

Important Eligibility Requirements

You must meet these guidelines in order to be eligible for any type of federal financial aid.:

• You must be admitted to or enrolled in the graduate degree program offered at Future Generations Graduate School.

• You must be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Please read the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid Eligibility to determine if you meet its requirements. If you are not making satisfactory academic progress, you may appeal your status by completing a SAP Appeal form.

• You must be a United States citizen or an eligible noncitizen. Eligible noncitizens may be required to present current, up-to-date, and valid U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS--formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service or INS) I-551 or I-94 forms in person to the FAO to document their eligibility for federal aid. Students on F1, J1, J2 visas, and G series visas are NOT eligible for federal financial assistance or financial aid from Future Generations Graduate School.

• You must provide all requested documentation. Your financial aid application cannot be processed without necessary documents.

• You must not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal grant at any institution or the U.S. Department of Education.

• If required, you must be registered with Selective Service. You can register at their website: www.sss.gov.

• U.S. Citizens must have a Social Security card that carries a current and accurate legal name and Social Security number. Applicants who have changed their legal name due to marriage, etc. must acquire a new card from the Social Security Administration Office.

 

Applying for Aid

Getting Started

In addition to the Future Generations Graduate School Financial Aid Handbook, you will need the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA should be filed electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will also need personal records in order to complete required forms.

Future Generations Graduate School’s FAO administers federal financial aid in the form of loans. Some aid programs require that you demonstrate financial need while others do not.

All types of aid awarded by Future Generations Graduate School and the FAO, along with application information for each, can be accessed online at www.future.org. The basic types of financial aid are:

• Scholarships - Gift funds that are not repaid.

• Loan - Funds which must be repaid.

 

Federal Aid Programs

Federal student aid programs that Future Generations Graduate School offers include Student Loans, PLUS Loans, and Direct Loan Program. The FAFSA is the primary application for this aid. Some federal programs require a separate application in addition to the FAFSA. For further details, consult the U.S. Department of Education’s free booklet, The Guide to Federal Student Aid, available in public libraries, at Future Generations Graduate School’s FAO, and online at http://studentaid.ed.gov.

 

Outside Scholarships and Loans

Outside scholarships or resources are funds that come from civic organizations, churches, educational foundations, Veterans Affairs benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation programs, and other organizations external to the Future Generations Graduate School. You must notify the FAO in writing as soon as you learn that you will receive an outside scholarship, grant, or loan, since these funds may affect your eligibility for other aid. Send us a copy of the notification letter (including your name and Student ID Number) or use the Financial Aid Response Form included with your award letter to notify us.

If your award letter does not list all of your outside resources, notify the FAO immediately. We will revise your financial aid award if necessary. Unless Future Generations Graduate School is otherwise informed by the donor, your outside resources will be divided and applied to your account equally among terms

Federal Student Aid Loans

Future Generations Graduate School participates in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

 

Applying for Loans

Please read all of the loan information in the award packet carefully. There are separate application procedures for Federal Student, Graduate PLUS, and PLUS Loans. Your award letter only indicates your eligibility for loans. Unless you fill out the necessary forms and applications, you will not receive any funds from loans. You must return your loan paperwork promptly. Also, if your loan paperwork is not processed before term bills are printed, your loan amount will not be deducted from your bill.

 

Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans

The first time you borrow money under the Federal Student Aid Loan Program at Future Generations Graduate School, you must complete a Loan Request Form (LRF) and return it to the FAO. The LRF tells us how much of your offered loan amount you wish to initially accept and which lender you want to use. Submitting the LRF will authorize the FAO to transmit a school certification to your chosen lender. The lender will mail you notification to complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. You will need a Federal PIN to complete this process. All Federal Student Loans must be repaid.

 

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans

The Graduate PLUS Loan is a loan for graduate and professional students, NOT their parents. Graduate PLUS loans are available to graduate students, on a case by case basis, who have borrowed their annual or aggregate limit under the FSA program. Graduate PLUS loans feature low interest rates, relative to market rates, and long term repayment options. Graduate students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid received by the student annually. While graduate students of all income levels are eligible, a credit-worthiness evaluation is required; therefore, it is recommended that the student receive lender approval before submitting the Graduate PLUS Loan Request Form to the FAO. After receiving the Graduate PLUS LRF, the FAO will transmit the loan request to the lender selected by the borrower. The borrower will receive notification from the lender if it is necessary to sign a MPN. Follow the lender instructions to complete and submit the MPN back to the lender. Note: Do not return the MPN to Future Generations Graduate School. Students can apply for a Federal PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. For Graduate PLUS Loans to be used for deferment purposes on a student bill, the lender must have confirmed receipt of a signed active and valid MPN from the borrower at least 10 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR to the student's payment deadline.

Pay Your Bill

The Future Generations Graduate School Finance Office emails bills to your school email address at the beginning of each term. If you have questions about your bill, contact the Finance Office at 304-358-2000 or email finanicalaid@future.org. You will receive a separate bill for each term’s tuition and fees. You must pay the amount due before the deadline or your classes will be cancelled. By paying the minimum amount due before the deadline, you will be able to confirm your registration.

Read your bill carefully and follow all instructions. All prior-term unpaid charges will appear on your bill. These prior charges must be paid before you can re-enroll.

 

Non-disbursement and Aid Repayment

Your aid may not be disbursed to you if any of the following apply:

• You have not completed the Disbursement Authorization Form.

• You have not turned in all required documents (including all loan forms).

• You are enrolled less than half-time or not enrolled at all.

• You are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress.

 

You may also be required to repay part or all of your disbursement:

•If you are awarded financial aid based on full-time enrollment and then at the end of the drop/add period you are enrolled less than full-time, your cost of attendance is subject to change. As a result you may have to repay part of your financial aid that you have already received.

 

If you have questions concerning disbursement and/or aid repayment, please contact FAO.

 

Return of Funds Policy

Future Generations Graduate School has a federally mandated Return of Funds Policy that governs the return of Title IV funds disbursed to students who completely withdraw from Future Generations Graduate School. Title IV funds include: Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Grad PLUS Loans.

If any student completely withdraws from Future Generations Graduate School, he or she must return unearned student aid. Unearned aid is the amount of disbursed Title IV aid that exceeds the amount of Title IV aid earned. During the first 60% of the term, a student earns funds in direct proportion to the length of time he or she remains enrolled. The period of time during which a student is enrolled is the percentage of aid earned by the student. A student who remains enrolled at or beyond the 60% point is deemed to have earned all aid for the term. Students who have a Federal Student Loan, subsidized or unsubsidized, and drop below half-time status (6 credit hours) must complete the Exit Interview process at www.mappingyourfuture.org.

The percentage of the period that the student remained enrolled is determined by dividing the number of days the student attended by the number of days in the entire term. Calendar days are used in the determination of percentages. Breaks of 5 days or longer are excluded in the calculations.

If the amount of Title IV funds disbursed is greater than the amount of Title IV funds earned by the student, a return of Title IV funds is necessary. Both Future Generations Graduate School and the student may be responsible for returning a percentage of the unearned aid. Students who find that they must withdraw from Future Generations Graduate School should do so by dropping all courses. Students who drop all courses are considered to be withdrawn from the Graduate School and must seek reactivation or readmission through the Graduate School in order to return to the school in subsequent terms.

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, mandates institutions of higher education to establish a standard of satisfactory academic progress for students who receive financial aid. This standard must apply to the student's entire academic history, whether Title IV financial aid was received or not. In order to remain eligible to receive aid at Future Generations Graduate School, students must meet the standards specified for acceptable academic performance and for satisfactory progress toward the completion of their program of study. The standards are established within the framework of applicable federal regulations specifically for the purpose of determining the eligibility of students to receive aid under the generally funded Title IV programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, ACG, SMART, Federal Work-Study, Georgia's HOPE Scholarship, and Federal Family Education Stafford Loan Programs (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), and the Federal PLUS Loan Program. They should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by academic regulations.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

For financial aid purposes, satisfactory academic progress in this program is based on federal guidelines. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, your academic history at Future Generations Graduate School must show that you have maintained grades consistent with the graduation requirements for your academic program and a minimum of 2.7 for graduate degree candidates and may not accumulate more than two incomplete grades.

Students who fail to maintain good academic standing or otherwise fail to make satisfactory progress toward their respective degrees, as defined above, may be awarded federal and institutional assistance for one additional payment period to reestablish satisfactory standing. Students who do not reestablish satisfactory standing will remain ineligible for any additional federal and institutional assistance during subsequent term until they return to good academic standing, as defined above.

Minimum Requirements

The federal and state governments require each educational institution to define standards of progress for students seeking financial aid. All students who wish to qualify for financial aid while attending Future Generations Graduate School will be assessed on the following criterion:

• Minimum grade point average

• Minimum Term Credit Hour Completion Rate

• Completion of a degree within a maximum time frame

These standards are applied uniformly to all Future Generations Graduate School financial aid applicants. If a student meets these standards, they are eligible to be considered for financial aid. If a student does not meet these standards, they are not eligible to receive financial aid. Procedures for reestablishing financial aid eligibility are described in this policy statement.

Financial aid is defined as all federally-funded aid programs, and institutional aid (except as otherwise noted).

Any term a student earns zero hours, they will lose financial aid eligibility immediately for the upcoming term. In this policy, “eligible for financial aid” means that a student meets the standards of the SAP Policy for Financial Aid Eligibility. A student must also meet all other financial aid requirements in order to receive financial aid.

 

Minimum Grade Point Average

Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7. If your graduate cumulative GPA falls below the minimum standard, your financial aid will be canceled immediately. Financial aid will be canceled immediately for any student who is suspended or dismissed.

 

Minimum Term Credit Hour Completion Rate

Each term a student must earn a minimum of 75% (6 hours) of the hours registered for at the end of the schedule adjustment, or drop/add period.

 

General Information

Grades of F, WF, W, or I are not acceptable for SAP.

 

Repeated courses

Repeated courses do not count toward the Overall Earned Credit Hours if no credit is awarded the term it is repeated. A grade of IP is only satisfactory for thesis and dissertation courses.

Graduate students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the hours required for the degree.

 

Completion Rate Requirement

You are meeting the Completion Rate Requirement if:

• Overall Attempted Credit Hours are less than or equal to 150% of Credit Hours required for the degree.

• Graduate students seeking a Master’s degree must complete all degree requirements (including practicum) within five academic years from the date of first enrollment.

 

Disbursement of Aid and SAP

You may be required to repay funds to Future Generations Graduate School if your Financial Aid is disbursed and then you reduce your total credit hours before the last day of schedule adjustment.

 

Reestablishing Financial Aid Eligibility

The Financial Aid Office will notify students of their failure to meet the standards of this policy. Each student is responsible for knowing their own status, whether or not they receive this notification. Students may access their SAP status by contacting the FAO during office hours.

Students who fail to meet the standards of this policy may reestablish their financial aid eligibility at Future Generations Graduate School in one of two ways:

• The student can earn the number of credit hours for which they are deficient or improve their GPA without financial aid. (These hours may be earned at Future Generations Graduate School). After the deficiency is resolved, the student must submit a written appeal requesting the Financial Aid Office to review their eligibility to receive financial aid.

• If there were circumstances beyond the student’s control that prohibited the student from keeping the standards of this policy, and those circumstances are now resolved, the student may submit a written appeal, including documentation, to the Financial Aid Office. Appeals must include a detailed description of the extenuating circumstances that occurred during the term in which the student failed to meet this policy. The appeal must also include all necessary documentation to support the existence of the circumstances described and evidence that the circumstances have been resolved.

Students seeking to reestablish financial aid eligibility remain ineligible to receive financial aid assistance or deferment of payment until the appeal process is complete and a decision has been made by the FAO. Students should be prepared to pay tuition, fees, and other educational expenses until they have been approved to receive financial aid.

 

SAP Appeal Calendar

2010

• To receive aid for the 2010 spring term, you should appeal between December 4, 2009 and January 25, 2010.

• To receive aid for the 2010 fall term, you should appeal between May 18, 2010 and August 28, 2010.

Appeals may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied. If an appeal is denied, the student may submit a second appeal.

 

Confidentiality

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), commonly known as the Buckley Amendment, prohibits the release of a student’s educational records (including award information) to parents, spouses, or other parties without the written permission of the student (or Student ID number and other critical information if calling on the phone). If students wish to release their records to another party, they can submit a notarized Information Release form to the FAO. This form must be reviewed and approved before any information is released. The student’s authorization to release their information must be submitted on a yearly basis, and may be revoked by the student at any time. The Information Release Forms are available at the FAO.

 

For more information about Future Generation’s Graduate School’s Financial Aid Policies, please refer to the Financial Aid Handbook or email the FAO at financialaid@future.org.

Attachment	Size
Financial Aid Handbook	570.73 KB