Financial Information

Financial Assistance

Graduate students, enrolled at least half time in a degree program, are eligible to receive federal financial aid. Federal grants are restricted to students enrolled in undergraduate programs.

The Federal Stafford Loan program is available to graduate students. Effective for loans made for periods of enrollment (loan periods) beginning on or after July 1, 2012, graduate students are no longer eligible to receive Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. All eligible students may receive an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Interest accrues on unsubsidized loans while a student is enrolled in school and during grace periods. When a borrower of any Stafford Loan ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis, a six-month grace period begins; then the loan goes into repayment on principal and interest.

Financial Aid Application Process

1. Apply for financial aid each year at the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.gov). Filing is free—do not pay any service offering assistance.
2. Students can “sign” the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically by requesting a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at the FAFSA website

• The PIN will be sent to the student, usually within 24–48 hours depending on whether the PIN is sent electronically or via mail.
• Use 2011 tax information for the 2012–2013 year.
• Use 001526 on the FAFSA as the Saint Leo Federal School ID.

3. The FAFSA is processed by the Central Processing Servicer (CPS), who will send each student a Student Aid Report (SAR). Saint Leo will also receive an electronic copy if listed on the FAFSA.
4. After receiving the SAR, review it for accuracy. Corrections can be made online at www.fafsa.gov or by calling the Department of Education at 800-433-4323.
5. The SAR will indicate if the student has been selected for “verification” by the CPS. This will be written on the SAR as “your file has been selected for verification” or “you will need to provide financial documents.” If you did not use the IRS Data Retrieval tool, you will need to provide the following:

• Submit a 2011 IRS Transcript for you and your spouse.
• Submit a 2011 IRS Wage Transcript for you and your spouse.
• Submit a completed 2012–2013 Independent Verification Worksheet (available at www.saintleo.edu/finaid).

6. If you did use the IRS Data Retrieval tool and were selected for verification, you need to complete the Independent Verification Worksheet.

Note: Additional documents may be requested during the verification process.

Deadlines:

• All required documents must be submitted prior to the last two weeks of your first term/semester. If you fail to submit the required documents prior to the deadline, you may not be eligible for financial aid.

7. After the SAR has been received and reviewed by the Student Financial Services Office, eligible students will receive an e-mail advising them to review their aid package via eLion under My Financial Aid.
8. To apply for Stafford loans:

Saint Leo University participates in the Direct Loan Program. To receive a Stafford Loan, you must complete a master promissory note (MPN) through Direct Loans. Instructions for completing the MPN are on our website at

• www.saintleo.edu
• Click on Financial Aid.
• Click on Federal and Alternative Loans.
• Click on Master Promissory Note Instructions.

Students who have already received a loan at Saint Leo:

In order to accept or decline the Stafford loans offered on your award letter in estimated status, you must go to eLion at https://elion.saintleo.edu. Under the heading Financial Aid, click on Accept (or Reject) My Financial Aid Awards.

9. Deadlines: There are federal and other deadlines that must be met in order to receive financial aid. Student Aid Reports must be received prior to the last day of attendance in order to be considered for eligibility. However, students should apply as early as possible, for applications are processed based on the current volume. Students applying for a student loan must accept the loan at least two weeks before the end of the requested loan period in order to be considered for eligibility.

For more information on financial assistance, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 800/240-7658.

Disbursement of Funds

All students attending Saint Leo University are charged tuition and fees. Students receiving financial aid will receive a bill from the University. Financial aid is disbursed in accordance with the financial aid award letter and after the add/drop period has ended. Awards may be adjusted if enrollment, verification, and academic requirements have not been met. The Office of Student Financial Services is responsible for vouchering any financial aid funds in excess of tuition, fees, and other costs.

Academic Progress and Financial Aid

This section applies to all Saint Leo University academic merit scholarships, Saint Leo University grants and scholarships, the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Student, State Grants, Federal Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and the Federal PLUS and GRADPlus loans.

Policy Basics

Effective July 1, 2011, federal regulations implemented significant changes to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy, adding new restrictions.

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) status is based on the student’s entire academic record, at all schools attended, regardless of whether he or she received financial aid. If a student transfers in coursework from other institutions, the office of Student Financial Services is required under federal regulation to count all attempted credit hours in the SAP calculation, for both completion rate and maximum time frame.

SAP is calculated at the end of each traditional and Borrower Based Academic Year (BBAY) semester (BBAY semester is combined of two 8-week modules) after grades have been recorded by the registrar. Due to the limited time frame between the end of one module/semester and start of another, students may not be notified of their SAP status by the office of Student Financial Services prior to the start of the next semester and may be ineligible for federal financial aid, so students are strongly encouraged to calculate their current SAP status based on transcripts available through Elion to determine eligibility for federal financial aid.

How to check SAP status through Elion:

• visit www.mysaintleo.edu
• select “Elion” at the top of the page
• select “Student” on the right sidebar
• select “transcript” under “Academic Profile”
• the following items will be displayed on your transcript:
  
  • In order to calculate your total ATTEMPTED hours—If you have courses on your transcript with a grade of “W” (Withdrawal), “F” (Fail), “FA” (Failure to Attend), or “I” (Incomplete), you will need to account for those credits in your total attempted hours per federal regulation. A minimum of 3 (three) credit hours should be counted for EACH class that was withdrawn, failed, failure to attend, or incomplete and ADD the total number to “Total Earned Credits” on your transcript in order to determine total attempted hours.
    
    • For example, a student has 2 grades of “W” (6 credit hours), 1 grade of “F” (3 credit hours), 3 grades of “I” (9 credit hours), and one grade of “I” (3 credit hours) and the bottom of the transcript shows “Total Earned Credits” of 80. To calculate total attempted credits, add (6+3+9+3)+80 = 101 total attempted credit hours.
  • To calculate completion rate, take total ATTEMPTED credit hours and divide by total EARNED hours.
    
    • For example: 80/101=79%
  • “Cumulative GPA” (must meet SAP minimum GPA requirements)
  • If you are unable to determine your SAP status, please see your academic advisor, visit Financial Aid on campus, or call 800/240-7658 for assistance.

Two Requirement Categories–Qualitative & Quantitative

Qualitative Requirement–The qualitative requirement sets a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average for the degree level at which the student is classified. Note: This is the cumulative GPA used to determine your SLU academic status and does not include grades from courses taken at another school.

Graduate students–A 3.0 SLU GPA is required at all times.
Quantitative Requirement–The quantitative requirement has two parts, a maximum time frame and a required completion ratio. The maximum time frame requirements are different from undergraduate to graduate.

Graduate students

Maximum time frame (maximum attempted credit hours)–You must earn your graduate degree within 150% of the time limitations set by the Graduate School for your graduate program.
Completion ratio–Students must earn at least 67% of all attempted credit hours attempted at any school in the graduate program. This is a cumulative calculation of all attempted and earned credits during all terms at all schools attended

Policy Details:

When is SAP Determined?

Initial Review–First-semester, first-time college students are considered to be meeting SAP during the first SLU semester (or two 8-week modules).

Newly admitted transfer students must meet the SAP requirements once all final transcripts have been received and reviewed. SAP will be calculated after all final transcripts have been received and recorded by SLU.

End of Every Semester (two 8-week modules) Review–SAP status is calculated at the end of each semester (two 8-week modules) after grades are posted by the Registrar. Review Periods are Fall, Spring, and Summer for combined 8-week module students, and SAP will be evaluated (Fall 1–Fall 2), (Spring 1–Spring 2), and (Summer 1–Summer 2) or (Fall 2–Spring 1), (Spring 2–Summer 1), (Summer 2–Fall 1) depending on the academic calendar the student started, which determines his or her Borrower Based Academic Year.

SAP Status

SAP Warning–The first time the student falls short of meeting the required 67% completion ratio or minimum GPA requirement, the student is placed in WARNING status. NOTE: The student will remain eligible to receive financial aid while in warning status.

After attending one semester (two 8-week modules) on WARNING status, the completion ratio must be at least 67% of all attempted credits and the student must be meeting minimum required GPA for respective grade level, and within maximum time frame, or the student becomes ineligible for financial aid.

SAP Cancel–When the status is SAP CANCEL (ineligible), the student will no longer qualify for financial aid:

1. If the student has not reached the required 67% completion rate or minimum GPA requirement by the end of the Financial Aid Warning Period (one semester or two 8-week modules).
2. When the student reaches maximum time frame of 150% of published program requirements (undergraduate limit of 180 attempted credits, graduate student limit of 54 attempted credits, ED.S. student of 58 attempted credits).

Probation–Probation status will be granted only with an approved appeal for extenuating circumstances and when the University has determined the student will meet SAP standards by the end of the next semester (payment period) or within the time frame specified in an approved Academic Plan. If the student fails to follow the Academic Plan submitted with his or her financial aid appeal, the student’s financial aid will be canceled immediately, and there are no further appeal options.

What happens when the student’s status is SAP Cancel?

The student is no longer eligible for federal financial aid, including Grants, federal Stafford loans, as well as institutional and/or state financial aid that require an eligible SAP status.

How does one regain eligibility?

Appeal–If extenuating circumstances during specific terms of enrollment caused the student to not earn all attempted credits, or maintain the minimum GPA, the student may file a SAP Appeal. Appeal forms are available on the SLU Financial Aid website.

Examples of extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, unexpected death or major hospitalization of an immediate family member, extended hospitalization or medical condition of student, house fire, or being a victim of a violent crime. Unexpected employment or work issues beyond the student’s control may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The appeal should address and document these extenuating circumstances and describe how the circumstances have changed so that the student is in a better position to be academically successful.

Appeals must include supporting documentation such as academic evaluation and an academic plan signed by academic advisor. Incomplete appeals, forms accompanying the appeal, or those missing documentation will be denied. A committee will review the appeal and post a decision on Elion and notify the student in writing within 2 (two) weeks of the appeal submission. The committee’s decision is final.

Appeal requirements:

• The student must provide a typewritten personal statement (not written by someone else on the student's behalf) and attach documentation of extenuating circumstances for specific terms of study with unearned (dropped, failed, incomplete, missing grades, repeated) credits that caused the student to not meet the SAP requirements.
• The student must explain what has changed that will allow the student to either meet the SAP requirements at the next calculation or meet the requirements of the academic plan.
• The student must attach an academic plan developed by an academic advisor that ensures the student will meet the SAP requirements by a specific point in time, if FA determines that he or she is unable to meet SAP requirements by the end of the next semester or payment period.

Changes in major, double majors or minors may cause the student to reach the maximum attempted hours and lose eligibility before earning a degree.

Incomplete grades, missing grades, failing grades, course withdrawals all lower the student’s completion ratio, because they are counted as attempted, but not earned credits. They also count against the student's maximum attempted hours. Incomplete grades, missing grades, and withdrawals after the add/drop period are counted as attempted credit hours in the calculation.

Courses taken for pass/fail grades will count against both the student's maximum attempted credits and the student's completion ratio.

Repeated courses count as attempted credit hours each time the student registers for them but reduce the completion ratio because they count as earned credits only once.

Credits taken while enrolled in study abroad programs will count toward the student's maximum attempted credits and completion rate. Note: Credits count as attempted, but not earned, until the students official transcript is reviewed and processed by the SLU Registrar. This delay could cause the student to fall into warning or ineligible status for completion rate.

Remedial courses do not count as either attempted or earned credits.

Late posted grades or grade changes will not change the student’s status. The student may request a recalculation of SAP after the student has confirmed with the Registrar that the grade change has been posted to the student’s academic record.
 

Fees and Costs

Policies Common to the Graduate Degree Programs

Tuition and Fees

*The Saint Leo Scholars Program supplements the Master in Theology tuition as part of the Catholic Mission of Saint Leo University.

Other Fees

*Varies by capstone course.

Registration/Transcripts/Withdrawal

Parking Decal

Course fees may apply.

Late Fees

Unpaid balances are subject to a late fee of 1% monthly (12% annually).

Past-Due Accounts

When a student leaves the University owing money, his or her receivable balance is placed in collection status. These accounts may be assigned to an external collection agency after 90 days past due. Transcripts and diplomas will not be released until the account balance is zero.

Financial Responsibility

No transcripts, diplomas, certificates of attendance, or certain other official documents will be released if a student has financial indebtedness to the University. If a student leaves the University with an unpaid balance, the University will have no other choice but to hold the student responsible for any legal and/or collection fees incurred by the University in collecting the unpaid balance.

By enrolling in and attending University courses, students acknowledge and agree that they are responsible for all charges incurred as a result of their matriculation and enrollment in the University. This includes late charges, collection agency costs, and attorney's fees imposed on delinquent student accounts. In many instances, some of the charges may be settled by a student's sponsor, employer, or other interested party; however, the student is ultimately responsible for his or her account.

Withdrawing from Classes

Each student has the prerogative of dropping a course(s) during the drop/add period as published for each term. After the drop/add period and until the published last date for withdrawal, a letter grade of W will be assigned for each course that is dropped. Caution: Students who fall below full-time status, as defined by their program and course of study, will be considered part time and may cause their financial aid status to be reexamined. Failure to attend class or merely giving notice to a faculty member will not be regarded as an official notice of withdrawal. Failure to properly withdraw will result in a grade of F. Deadlines for withdrawal from courses are reflected on the published schedule. Course withdrawal does not cancel any student indebtedness to the University.

Refunds for students who withdraw from a class or classes shall be calculated according to the schedule that follows.

Refunds of Tuition and Course Fees

Refunds for Saint Leo University students who withdraw before 25 percent of the term/semester has been completed shall be calculated on a pro rata basis as defined by federal regulations.

Refunds of tuition for withdrawal from courses are given according to the following schedule. Note that if you are enrolled at a Saint Leo University Continuing Education Center and/or online program in Georgia, South Carolina, and/or Virginia, please proceed to the applicable schedule.

Tuition:

100% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs by the end of the add/drop period.

75% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after add/drop and before the end of week two.

No refund for any course with withdrawal after the end of week two.*

*Policy does not apply to students enrolled at a Saint Leo University Continuing Education Center and/or online programs in Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Laboratory and special course fees are 100-percent refundable if withdrawal occurs before the end of the drop/add period. After classes begin, laboratory and special course fees are nonrefundable.

Refunds due students who have credit balances in their tuition account will automatically be issued within 14 days. Appeals regarding refunds shall be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services, MC 2097, Saint Leo University, P.O. Box 6665, Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665.

Refunds of Tuition and Course Fees (Georgia and Virginia)

Refund policy for students enrolled in courses at Saint Leo University Continuing Education Centers and/or online programs in Georgia or Virginia.

Refunds of tuition for withdrawal from courses are given on the following schedule:

Tuition:

100% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs by the end of the add/drop period.

75% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after add/drop and before the end of week two.

50% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after the end of week two and before the end of week four.

No refund for any course with withdrawal after the end of week four.

Laboratory and special course fees are 100-percent refundable if withdrawal occurs before the end of the drop/add period. After classes begin, laboratory and special course fees are nonrefundable.

Refunds due students who have credit balances in their tuition account will automatically be issued within 14 days. Appeals regarding refunds shall be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services, MC 2097, Saint Leo University, P.O. Box 6665, Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665.

Refunds of Tuition and Course Fees (South Carolina)

Refund policy for students enrolled in courses at Saint Leo University Continuing Education Centers and/or online programs in South Carolina.

Refunds of tuition for withdrawal from courses are given on the following schedule:

Tuition:

100% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs by the end of the add/drop period.

75% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after add/drop and before the end of week two.

62% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after the end of week two and before the end of week three.

50% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after the end of week three and before the end of week four.

40% tuition refund if course withdrawal occurs after the end of week four and before the end of week five.

No refund for any course with withdrawal after the end of week five.

Laboratory and special course fees are 100-percent refundable if withdrawal occurs before the end of the drop/add period. After classes begin, laboratory and special course fees are nonrefundable.

Refunds due students who have credit balances in their tuition account will automatically be issued within 14 days. Appeals regarding refunds shall be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services, MC 2097, Saint Leo University, P.O. Box 6665, Saint Leo, FL 33574-6665.