Financial Aid

Financial Aid Process

Financing a college education is primarily the responsibility of students and their families. The Crown College Financial Aid Office is committed to helping students obtain the maximum amount of financial aid available.

The following pages include details on the financial aid process, target dates for completing the financial aid process, general student eligibility issues, an explanation of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), financial aid refund policies, and the appeal process. They also contain details of the specific aid programs available at Crown including grants, scholarships, and loans. This information is also available on our website at www.crown.edu/finaid.

If interested in receiving federal or state grants or loans, students must annually complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Some students must also submit verification data.

Application Deadlines

• Institutional priority deadline: March 1 for fall semester, November 15 for spring semester.
• Federal: June 30, 2018, for the 2017-2018 academic year or the last day of the semester.
• State: 30 days after the first day of the semester.

Students must complete the financial aid process annually.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine a student’s expected family contribution (EFC) and is required for all need-based financial aid awards including the following: federal and state grants, student loans, and work study eligibility. Students should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 to allow adequate time for processing. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Crown College school code is 002383. The FAFSA can be signed electronically by creating an FSA ID at https://fsaid.ed.gov.

Data Verification

The Department of Education selects a percentage of financial aid applicants for a process called verification. Crown College may also select students for verification. Selected students must complete and submit the following documents:

• verification worksheet (supplied by Crown) 
• an IRS tax transcript
• IRS W2 transcript

Students selected for verification will be notified by the Department of Education and/or Crown College. Verification documents should be submitted within 30 days of request. Federal funds cannot be disbursed until all documents are submitted.

Financial Aid Awards

Once an applicant is accepted to Crown and the financial aid file is complete, a financial aid award package will be prepared and emailed to the applicant. This award letter will include information and application instructions for student loans (if applicable). Awards are normally based on full-time enrollment (12+ credits per term for undergraduate students and 6+ credits for graduate students). Any reduction in credits below full-time levels may affect a student’s financial aid package. Awards will be recalculated for undergraduate students enrolled for less than 12 credits.

Student Loan Applications

Students should accept their financial aid awards and complete loan applications by July 1 to allow sufficient time for processing. Please visit www.crown.edu/loans for loan application instructions.

Disbursement of Funds

Provided the student’s financial aid file is complete, financial aid is disbursed for students in the Arts & Sciences program about 30 days after the beginning of the Arts & Sciences semester. Financial aid is disbursed for Crown Online students in the middle of their second three credit class with successful completion of the first class.

Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling

All students taking out a Federal Direct Loan for the first time at Crown are required to complete Loan Entrance Counseling prior to disbursement of loan funds. Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling may be completed at www.studentloans.gov.

Students who borrowed through a Federal or State loan program while at Crown are required to complete a Loan Exit Counseling session when graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time status. Stafford Loan Exit Counseling may be completed at www.studentloans.gov. The purpose of loan exit counseling is to make sure student borrowers are aware of their rights and responsibilities related to repaying their student loans.

General Eligibility Issues

Citizenship Requirements

Students must meet one of the following citizenship requirements to receive Federal and/or State assistance:

• U.S. citizen. Includes citizens of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
• U.S. National. Includes natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island.
• U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (alien registration receipt card or certificate of naturalization).
• Citizens of certain Pacific islands. Eligible citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau can only receive aid from some of the FSA program and do not have an A-number/ARN.
• Other eligible non-citizens. If students are not in one of the above categories, an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service must be in their possession with one of the following designations:
  • Refugee
  • Asylum Granted
  • Indefinite and/or Humanitarian Parole
  • Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending
  • Conditional Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)

Students who are in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa or a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa do not meet Federal citizenship requirements and are not eligible for Federal or State student aid.

International Student Financial Aid

International students ineligible for federal and state aid programs must have sufficient financial resources to cover all expenses related to attendance for each academic year. These expenses include (but are not limited to) tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, personal expenses, and round-trip air transportation. In addition, international students in attendance at Crown College are not permitted to make appeals to American churches or members of the Crown College community for financial support.

Arts & Sciences Summary of Available Aid

Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Crown College is an eligible institution for the Federal Pell Grant Program. Students must be an undergraduate, degree seeking student with qualifying financial need who does not have a prior bachelors’ degree. Students must complete the FAFSA.

FSEOG

Crown College receives a limited amount of Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) funds to assist students with exceptional financial need who do not have a prior bachelor’s degree. Students must complete the FAFSA and be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. FSEOG awards range from $100 to $2,000 per academic year.

Minnesota State Grant

All Minnesota residents who are enrolled for at least 3 credits per term and are working towards a degree or certificate may apply for the Minnesota State Grant. International Workers who had Minnesota residency before going to the field and have continued to file Minnesota State Tax forms are considered Minnesota residents for the purposes of this program. Students must complete the FAFSA. Application deadline: 30 days after the beginning of the semester.

Minnesota State Grant funding is determined by the state of Minnesota and is subject to change. For eligible residents the initial financial aid award is calculated based on enrollment of 15 credits per semester. Students who enroll for fewer credits will have their State Grant adjusted once actual enrollment is confirmed.

State Grants are limited to students who have not yet attended eight full-time semesters of post-secondary education or the equivalent and students who have not received a baccalaureate degree.

International Student Tuition Scholarship

The Crown International Student Tuition Scholarship is awarded to international students who are not eligible to apply for Federal or State aid. Students must be enrolled full time. Recipients will receive a scholarship up to a maximum of $4,000 per year, and may be eligible for other Crown grants or scholarships.

Ministerial Grant

Dependent children of full-time pastors or missionaries may be eligible for the Ministerial Grant. Dependents whose parents are either ordained or licensed by their denomination and are active in ministry may receive up to $1,000 per year. Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Veteran’s Benefits

Verification of enrollment may be obtained from the Crown College Registrar’s Office.

Alumni, Endowed, and Gift Scholarships

Crown College awards over 120 scholarships to continuing students. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and complete a scholarship application to be considered for these awards. Applications are available online in the spring semester. Recipients are notified via email and require to attend a special Scholarship Chapel prior to the end of the semester. Awards are based on the student’s academic excellence, career goals, character, and other criteria indicated by each scholarship.

Loans

Federal Direct Loan

The Federal Direct loan is a low-interest loan that helps students pay the cost of attending a post-secondary school.

The subsidized Federal Direct Loan is based on financial need. It is interest-free for the borrower under these circumstances:

• Student is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution
• Student is in grace period - the six months after graduation or withdrawal from school
• Student is in authorized period of deferment.

The unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan has the same terms and conditions as the subsidized loan, but does not carry the in-school interest subsidy. Stipulations include:

• Interest accrues immediately once funds are disbursed
• Student has the option of repaying interest while in school

The Federal Direct Loan is subject to an origination fee.

There is no penalty for prepaying a Federal Direct Loan.

Students must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility to borrow the Federal Direct Loan. After they are awarded the Federal Direct Loan, they must complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN), and Entrance Counseling before funds can be disbursed.

Direct Parent Plus Loans

PLUS loans are low-interest loans to parents of dependent, undergraduate students to help pay the cost of attending post-secondary schools. Funding is provided directly from the Department of Education. To receive a PLUS loan, a parent is subject to a credit check by the lending institution.

There are no annual or aggregate limits in the PLUS program. However, the annual amount borrowed may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance minus other financial assistance.

Principal and interest payments may be required while the student is in school.

Student Education Loan Fund (SELF)

The SELF is a student loan program operated by the State of Minnesota to supplement existing student loan programs. Students enrolled at least half time may borrow up to $20,000 per academic year in their undergraduate program. There are no income restrictions for eligibility; however, a credit-worthy co-signer is required to qualify for this loan. Quarterly interest payments are required while in school. After a student graduates, withdraws, or is enrolled for less than half time, there is a 12 month transition period when only monthly interest payments are required. Payments on principal and interest begin in the 13th month.

Additional information about the program can be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, PO Box 64449, St. Paul, MN 55164, 651-642-0567, or on the Internet at http://www.selfloan.state.mn.us.

The Thompson Ministry Loan

The Charles and Ellen Thompson Ministry Loan Program assists men and women with financial need attending Crown College in preparation for professional ministries. Preference is given to students preparing for missionary service. Following the student’s completion of study, there is a nine month grace period before payments begin. Recipients who enter a full-time professional ministry with The Christian and Missionary Alliance will have the balance of their loan forgiven at a rate of 20% per year up to 100% of the loan. Recipients entering full-time professional ministries in other than The Christian and Missionary Alliance will have the balance of their loan forgiven at a rate of 10% per year up to 50% of the loan.

Repayment of the unforgiven balance will be at a rate of no less than $50.00 per month with interest at 1% per month on the unpaid balance. Principal repaid to the College will be used to fund subsequent awards under this program. Students must complete the FAFSA to receive consideration for this loan.

Alternative Loans

Contact the Financial Aid Office for information concerning alternative loan options. Educational loans that are not a part of the Federal Student Aid programs are referred to as private or alternative loans. Interest rates are variable and interest accrues from the time of disbursement. Crown College recommends that all eligible degree seeking students apply for financial aid using the FAFSA to exhaust all eligibility for federal programs before considering these loans. Please visit www.crown.edu/loans for more information.

Work/Employment

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Opportunities

On campus jobs are available to eligible students each year. The major areas of employment are: library, maintenance, housekeeping, reception desk, athletics, and admissions. Most students work about 10 hours per week and are paid on a monthly basis. FWS eligibility is based on financial need. Students must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for FWS.

Community Service Employment

Students eligible for Federal Work Study may work off campus in a variety of positions including the following: reading tutors, teacher aid, and childcare. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

Crown Online Summary of Available Aid

Grant Assistance

Federal and state grants are awarded based upon a variety of factors, but most often on the basis of the program and/or the demonstrated financial need. Unless otherwise noted by the donor, the student does not need to repay these funds.

Listed below are some of the most common forms of gift assistance:

• Federal Pell Grant: Based on financial need. Recipients must be enrolled as regular degree-seeking students in approved undergraduate programs.
• Minnesota State Grant: Available to Minnesota State Residents enrolled as regular degree-seeking students in approved undergraduate programs.
  Funding is determined by the state of Minnesota and is subject to change. This award is need based and pro-rated based on the number of credits in which a student is enrolled each term. The State Grant is initially calculated based on enrollment of 12 credits per term. Students who enroll for fewer credits will have their State Grant adjusted once actual enrollment is confirmed. State Grants are limited to students who have not yet attended eight full-time semesters of post-secondary education or the equivalent and students who have not received a baccalaureate degree. For more information, visit the State Grant website at www.ohe.state.mn.us.
• Minnesota National Guard Education Assistance Program: Visit their website for more information. www.minnesotanationalguard.org/education/scholarships
• Veteran’s Benefits: Eligibility is determined by the Veteran’s Administration. Potentially eligible students should contact their local Veteran’s Administration representative.
• Employee Reimbursement Program: Contact your company’s personnel office to investigate this source of financial assistance.

Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine grant eligibility.

Federal Direct Loan Program

The Federal Direct Loan is a low-interest loan that helps students pay the cost of attending a post-secondary school.

The subsidized Federal Direct Loan is based on financial need. It is interest-free for the borrower under these circumstances:

• Student is enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree at an eligible institution
• Student is in grace period - the six months after graduation or withdrawal from school
• Student is in authorized period of deferment

The unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan has the same terms and conditions as the subsidized Federal Direct Loan, but does not carry the in-school interest subsidy. Stipulations include:

• Interest accrues immediately once funds are disbursed
• Student has the option of repaying interest while in school

The Federal Direct Loan is subject to an origination fee.

Origination Fee -To help lower program costs, The Department of Education charges each borrower a loan origination fee that is a percentage of the principal loan amount. This fee is automatically deducted from the disbursements.

There is no penalty for prepaying a Federal Direct Loan.

Students must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility to borrow the Federal Direct Loan. After they are awarded the Federal Direct Loan, they must complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling before they can receive the funds.

Institutional Aid

See Financial Aid website for current grants.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that all financial aid recipients progress at a reasonable rate (“make satisfactory progress”) toward achieving a certificate or degree. This requirement applies to all terms regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. Progress is measured by (1) the student’s cumulative grade point average, (2) the number of credits earned in relation to those attempted, and (3) the maximum time frame allowed to complete the academic program.

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average. Grade point average is calculated by the Registrar’s Office. Students who drop below the following minimum cumulative GPA at the end of any semester, summer session or specified period determined by the academic dean will be placed on Financial Aid Warning:

2. Cumulative Credits Earned. Students who fail to complete the required percent of credits as defined below will be placed on Financial Aid Warning.

3. Maximum Time Frame. Students must complete their degree or certificate within a maximum time frame measured by attempted credits equal to 150% of the number of credits required for their primary degree program. The examples shown in the chart below represent minimum requirements for the degree programs listed, and the corresponding maximum attempted credits allowed for the purpose of student financial aid eligibility:

If a student’s degree program requires more than the minimum number of credits shown on the chart, the student’s maximum credits allowed will reflect 150% of the actual program credits required. For example, the MBA degree requires 42 credits x 150% = 63 maximum number of attempted credits.

All Students will be officially evaluated for satisfactory academic progress at the end of every semester. Students who fail to meet any of the above standards of satisfactory progress will be placed on financial aid warning. Students may receive financial aid during the warning period. Graduate students with a GPA lower than 3.0 or a completion percentage lower than the minimum at any time after attempting 9 credits of course work will be placed on satisfactory academic warning and notified by the Financial Aid Office.

Crown reserves the right to withhold aid from any student who at any time is not performing satisfactorily at minimal academic standards, or has demonstrated a questionable attendance pattern, or appears to abuse the federal and state financial aid programs.

Definition of Terms

Incomplete Classes: Courses which are assigned an incomplete grade are included in the cumulative credits attempted. These credits are not earned until a passing grade is assigned.

Withdrawals: Courses from which the student withdraws after the close of registration are included in the cumulative credits attempted.

Remedial Classes: Remedial courses are included in the cumulative credits attempted but not counted in the maximum time frame.

Repeated Classes: Repeated courses enable students to raise their cumulative grade point average. Credits for repeated courses are counted as both attempted credits and earned credits (assuming a passing grade is earned). However, Federal Title IV Funds can only be used for one repeat of a course (original attempt plus one repeat).

Change in Major/Degree: If a student changes majors, the credits earned under all majors will be included in the calculation of attempted, earned and maximum attempted credits as well as the GPA calculation.

Summer Terms: Students will be reevaluated for Satisfactory Academic Progress compliance if a summer class is attempted or completed.

Transfer Students: All transfer credits accepted by Crown will be used in determining when the maximum time frame requirement has been reached. Transfer credits are also used when calculating the required completion percentage.

Second Undergraduate Degree Students: Students who already have a first baccalaureate degree are eligible for loans if they are pursuing an initial teacher licensure or a second degree (i.e. they have a B.A. and are now seeking a B.S.). These students have up to an additional 187 attempted hours before exceeding the maximum time frame.

Graduate Students: Graduate students with a GPA lower than a 3.0 or a completion percentage lower than the minimum, who at any time after attempting 9 credits of course work will be placed on satisfactory academic warning and notified by the Financial Aid Office. Students who raise their graduate GPA above 3.0 will be removed from warning.

Financial Aid Warning: Students will be officially evaluated for satisfactory progress annually at the end of any semester, summer session or specified period determined by the academic dean. Students who fail to meet any of the above standards of satisfactory progress will be placed on financial aid warning for the next semester they attend Crown. Students may receive federal and state financial aid during the warning period.

Termination of Financial Aid: Following the warning period students will be evaluated for satisfactory progress. If the student is not meeting the standards of satisfactory academic progress at the end of the warning period, financial aid will be terminated. If the student is making satisfactory academic progress, the student will be removed from financial aid warning.

Students who are academically suspended (and not reinstated on appeal) are immediately terminated from financial aid without a warning period.

Crown reserves the right to withhold aid from any student, at any time, who is not performing satisfactorily at minimal academic standards, or has demonstrated a questionable attendance pattern, or appears to abuse the federal and state financial aid programs.

Appeals: Students who fail to meet satisfactory progress may appeal this decision. Acceptable reasons for appeal include injury or illness of the student, illness or death of an immediate relative of the student, or other extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control. The appeal must be presented in writing and should be accompanied with supporting documentation. The appeal must include information regarding why the student failed to make SAP, and what has changed in the student’s situation that would allow the student to demonstrate SAP at the next evaluation.

Appeals should be sent to the Crown College Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Office. If approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation, and eligibility for aid will be reinstated. The student must also develop an academic plan with an academic advisor to ensure that the student is able to meet overall SAP by a specified point in time.

Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility: Students whose financial aid was terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic progress may choose to enroll without benefit of financial aid. Such students may request a review of their academic record after any warning term to determine whether they have met the satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, financial aid eligibility is restored for subsequent terms of enrollment.

Undergraduate students who withdraw from Crown College after their financial aid is terminated due to lack of satisfactory progress may apply for financial aid after earning the equivalent of at least 24 semester hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at another post-secondary institution.

Questions: Students should contact the Financial Aid Office at 952-446-4177 if they have questions about this policy, the appeal process, or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

Arts & Sciences Eligibility for Institutional Grants

All continuing students applying for Crown College grants must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students on financial aid probation are not eligible to receive Crown grants.

Arts & Sciences Eligibility for Crown Scholarships

All students applying for Crown Scholarships must meet the following requirements:

1. New students must be accepted by the Admissions Office.
2. Continuing students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
3. Applicants must be full-time students at Crown.

Financial Aid Refund and Repayment

Withdrawal from the College: Students who withdraw from the College during a term are subject to a recalculation of their student financial aid. All students considering withdrawing mid-term are strongly encouraged to consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine the financial impact of their decision. If the student provides official notification, the withdrawal date will be the last official date of academic attendance. If there is an unofficial withdrawal, an effort to determine the last date of attendance will be made. If the date cannot be determined, the midpoint of the semester will be used.

Federal Refund Policy (R2T4): A Federal Refund calculation will be made for all students who received student financial assistance and withdrew on or before the 60% point in the payment period of enrollment. After the 60% point, the student is considered to have earned 100% of their paid (disbursed) Title IV aid. The refund calculation will be processed within 30 days, and refunded to the student financial aid program(s) within 45 days.

The percent of aid earned is determined by dividing the number of calendar days from the start of the term through the student’s last date of attendance by the number of calendar days scheduled in the term.

The Federal Refund policy states that the lesser amount of the following calculations must be returned to Title IV programs:

1. Total Title IV aid paid or disbursed times percent of unearned aid equals Federal refund amount to be returned.
2. Total institutional charges times percent of unearned aid equals Federal refund amount to be returned.

Order of Refunding Aid: Any refund will be returned to the student financial aid programs in the following order:

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 Aid Programs

Post-withdrawal Disbursement: If a student withdraws prior to Title IV funds being disbursed, the College will determine the Title IV funds earned by the student and make a post-withdrawal disbursement within 30 days. If the disbursement creates a credit to the account, the student will receive the credit within 14 days.

State Refund Policy: The refund remaining after all Title IV programs have been fully refunded is refunded on a proportional basis to the State Grant Program, not to exceed the actual amount the student initially received from the program. The same would apply to other state aid programs, excluding State Work Study.

Institutional Refund Policy: After calculating the federal and state refunds, Crown College grants and scholarships will be reduced by the same percentage as the student’s tuition reduction.

Internet Resources

The following Internet web sites provide reliable and helpful information on student financial aid.

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education has information on Federal and State programs including the SELF Loan at www.ohe.state.mn.us

The website to visit for links to Stafford Loan entrance and exit counseling as well as repayment information and calculator is www.studentloans.gov.

The U.S. Department of Education has information on federal programs at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s web site has information for parents and students at www.nasfaa.org

Other web sites include:
www.finaid.org
www.fastweb.com

These web sites are provided for the user’s convenience. Crown College does not control or guarantee accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Crown College does not necessarily endorse any views expressed, products or services offered, or the organizations sponsoring these sites.