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 includes 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. Also included are 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 documents.

Application Deadlines

• Institutional priority deadline: February 1 for the following fall semester, November 1 for the following spring semester.
• Federal: June 30, 2024, for the 2023-2024 academic year or the last day of the semester.
• State: June 30, 2024, for the 2023-2024 academic year or the last 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) or student aid index (SAI) 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 to allow adequate time for processing. The FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov. The Crown College school code is 002383. The FAFSA can be signed electronically by creating an FSA ID at https://studentaid.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) 
• Signed IRS tax return or tax transcript (if requested)
• IRS W2 Forms (if requested)
• Other documents as needed

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 and reviewed.

Financial Aid Offers

Once an applicant is accepted to Crown and the financial aid file is complete, a financial aid offer will be prepared and emailed to the applicant. This offer will include information and requirements for student loans (if applicable). Financial aid is 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. Financial aid will be recalculated for undergraduate students enrolled for less than 12 credits. It is a federal requirement for Title IV aid that the credits a student takes must apply toward a degree to be eligible for financial aid.  Financial aid will not be available for courses taken outside of the student’s approved degree program.

Student Loan Requirements and Disbursement of Funds

Financial Aid is disbursed after a student’s financial aid file is complete.  A student must be eligible for aid at the time of disbursement and for loans, registered at least half-time.
For loan information and requirements, visit https://studentaid.gov.

• School of Arts and Sciences disbursement of funds
  • Student Loans and Gift Aid - about 30 days after the beginning of the semester
• School of Online and Graduate Studies disbursement of funds
  • Student Loans and Gift Aid - in the middle of the student’s first class

Loan Agreement (MPN) and Loan Entrance and Exit Counseling

All students taking out a Federal Direct Loan for the first time at Crown are required to complete a Loan Agreement and Loan Entrance Counseling prior to disbursement of loan funds. These requirements may be completed at https://studentaid.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. Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling may be completed at https://studentaid.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.

Arts & Sciences Eligibility for Institutional Grants and Scholarships

1. New students must be accepted by the Admissions Office.
2. Applicants must be full-time students at Crown.

International Student Financial Aid

See financial aid website for current international student financial aid.

International student’s 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.

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 bachelor’s 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.

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 offer 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.

Institutional Aid

See Financial Aid website for current grants and scholarships.

Veteran’s Benefits

See Veteran’s Benefits section for information.

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 dependent on the scholarship, complete an application to be considered. Applications are available online in the spring semester. Recipients are notified via email. Scholarships are based on the student’s academic excellence, career goals, character, and funds available for each scholarship, which is used to source the institutional aid that is awarded in the upcoming academic year.

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 of approximately 1%. Loan funds (less the fees) are disbursed directly to the student’s Crown College account and they are evenly split between the terms of enrollment.

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 offered the Federal Direct Loan, they must accept the loan(s), complete a Loan Agreement (MPN), and complete Entrance Counseling before funds can be disbursed.

Maximum Annual Loan Limits*

*Please note that this chart shows maximum amounts students may receive. The amount you qualify to borrow may be less depending on your cost of attendance, financial need, and other financial assistance.
 

To view Crown College’s Federal Loan Default Rate, visit https://nsldsfap.ed.gov/cdr-searchable-database/school/search.

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.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is subject to an origination fee.

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

The PLUS loan is in the parent’s name and it is the parent’s responsibility to repay the loan.  The PLUS loan cannot be consolidated with the student’s loans.

The PLUS loan application can be found at https://studentaid.gov.

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, 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 .5% per month on the unpaid balance. Principal repaid to the College will be used to fund subsequent loans 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/finaid 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, 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

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 bachelor’s degree. Students must complete the FAFSA.

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 offer is calculated based on estimated enrollment. Students who enroll for more or less 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.

Institutional Aid

See Financial Aid website for current grants and scholarships.

Veteran’s Benefits

See Veteran’s Benefits section for information.

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 of approximately 1%. Loan funds (less the fees) are disbursed directly to the student’s Crown College account and they are evenly split between the terms of enrollment.

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 offered the Federal Direct Loan, they must accept the loan(s), complete a Loan Agreement (MPN), and complete Entrance Counseling before funds can be disbursed.

Maximum Annual Loan Limits*

*Please note that this chart shows maximum amounts students may receive. The amount you qualify to borrow may be less depending on your cost of attendance, financial need, and other financial assistance.

To view Crown College’s Federal Loan Default Rate, visit https://nsldsfap.ed.gov/cdr-searchable-database/school/search.

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.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is subject to an origination fee.

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

The PLUS loan is in the parent’s name and it is the parent’s responsibility to repay the loan.  The PLUS loan cannot be consolidated with the student’s loans.

The PLUS loan application can be found at https://studentaid.gov.

Veteran’s Benefits

Crown College is approved for veterans’ education training by the Minnesota State Approving Agency. A veteran’s eligibility to receive benefits is determined by the Veteran’s Administration (VA). Potentially eligible students must contact their unit’s Education Officer or their local VA representative to determine the educational benefit(s) for which they are eligible prior to enrollment.

As in the case of other applicants to Crown College, potential VA-eligible students should apply for admission to Crown and for financial aid by completing the FAFSA. Upon receiving information concerning their VA eligibility and enrolling for classes, “covered individuals” must:

• Request verification of enrollment by Crown’s VA Certifying Official through the Crown student portal at Our.Crown > Students > Online Forms > Veterans Request for Enrollment Certification.
• Present Crown College with a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility, Statement of Benefits, or VA Form 28-1901 by the date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution or within 90 days after the date, Crown certified their tuition and fees with the VA.
• Pay the balance, if any, which remains once the VA educational benefits and other financial aid have been subtracted.
• Pay any late fees, if any, which apply to this balance if it is not paid in a timely manner.

Upon a student’s enrollment certification, the Crown College Billing Office will estimate the amount of VA education benefits the student will receive and apply that amount to the student’s school obligations along with other financial aid. Crown College will not:

• Assess fines or late fees on the amount pledged by the VA.
• Require the student to borrow the amount of the VA educational benefit in the interim.
• Require the student to withdraw from school while waiting for the VA to process and disburse the benefit.

Crown College welcomes and encourages veterans seeking to pursue higher education. Additional information, including military scholarships, is available at https://www.crown.edu/veterans/.

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 or summer session 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 credits shown on the chart above, for example due to added emphasis, the student’s maximum credits allowed will reflect 150% of the actual program credits required. Example: Counseling with Alcohol and Drug Emphasis- 69 credits x 150%=103 credits. Additional examples are found below.

Degree programs with larger minimum credit requirements then standards:

SOS= School of Online Studies

SAS= School of Arts & Sciences

All Students will be officially evaluated for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) 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. Students placed on warning will be emailed by the Crown Financial Aid Office. Students who fail to meet the above standards after their warning period will be placed on suspension and be notified by email and mail. Financial aid is terminated until re-establishing eligibility. Students who submit an appeal will be notified by the Financial Aid Office of their financial aid probation, financial aid academic plan probation, or financial aid termination status.

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

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: Some of Crown’s courses offer a grade of Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). These courses are not included in the calculation of GPA; they are counted as attempted credits. Courses with an S grade are considered earned credits. Courses with a U grade are not earned credits.

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). In some limited cases, a third attempted may be financial aid eligible. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for specifics

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, 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 at the end of any semester or summer session. 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, state, and institutional financial aid during the warning period. 

SAP Probation: Students who were on financial aid suspension and were successful in appealing the suspension are placed on probation and are eligible for financial aid in the next enrollment term.  Student must develop an academic improvement plan with their advisor.  If after a semester on probation, the student is meeting SAP, the student is will no longer be on probation and will be eligible for financial aid. 

SAP Academic Plan: (Probation Extension)  Students who are on probation and did not meet SAP after the semester but did meet the conditions of the probation, will still be eligible for financial aid but will be placed on academic plan. The student continues to eligible for financial aid if they meet the conditions of the academic plan.

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 Director of Financial Aid. If approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation and eligibility for aid will be reinstated. An academic plan must also be made with the student 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 was terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic 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 if they have questions about this policy, the appeal process, or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

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 (Return to Title IV): If a student withdraws from Crown after a term has begun, Crown or the student may be required to return some of the federal funds awarded to the student. 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) Federal 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 Direct Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loan
3. Federal PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
6. 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. Crown will automatically credit the students account of earned Pell Grant and FSEOG funds within 45 days of the date the institution determined the student withdrew. If the post-withdrawal disbursement includes Federal Direct Loan funds, Crown must obtain the student’s, or parent’s (if PLUS Loan), permission before it can be disbursed. The borrower will be notified within 30 days of the date of determination of withdrawal and have 14 days from the date of notification to respond. disbursement within 30 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.

Military Tuition Assistance Refund Policy

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded based on the assumption that the student will attend for the entire term for which the funding is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funding originally awarded.

In accordance with the regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, Crown College will return any unearned TA funding on a proportional basis through the 60% portion of the term for which the funds were provided. This funding is earned proportionally throughout the term until after the 60% portion.  At that time, the student has earned 100% of the TA funding. Crown College will return any unearned TA funds directly to the military service and not the service member. Determining the eligibility for TA is course specific.

If a service member is required to stop attending due to a military service obligation, Crown College will work with the impacted service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

Calculation of Unearned TA Funding

Students are awarded under the assumption that the student will attend the entire period.  Once the student stops attending, the institution must return a portion of the funds back to the service that provided the funds.  The following is the calculation of institution’s return of unearned TA.

16-week Course Withdraw submitted

Before or during weeks 1-2         100% return

During weeks 3-4                           75% return

During weeks 5-8                           50% return

During weeks 9-10                        40% return (60% of course is completed)

During weeks 11-16                      0% return

14-week Course Withdraw submitted

Before or during weeks 1-2         100% return

During weeks 3-4                           75% return

During weeks 5-7                           50% return

During weeks 8-9                           40% return (60% of course is completed)

During weeks 10-14                         0% return

8- Week Course Withdraw submitted

Before or during week 1                    100 % return

During week 2                                     75% return

During weeks 3-4                                50% return

During week 5                                     40% return (60% of course is completed)

During weeks 6-8                                0% return

7- Week Course Withdraw submitted

Before or during week 1                     100 % return

During week 2                                     75% return

During weeks 3-4                                50% return

During week 5                                     40% return (60% of course is completed)

During weeks 6-7                                0% return

5- Week Course Withdraw submitted

Before or during week 1                     100 % return

During week 2                                     75% return

During week 3                                     50% return

During week 4                                     40% return (60% of course is completed)

During week 5                                       0% return

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.

Minnesota National Guard Education Assistance Program: Visit their website for more information https://minnesotanationalguard.ng.mil.

The website to visit for links to Federal Direct Loan entrance and exit counseling as well as repayment information and calculator is https://studentaid.gov.

The U.S. Department of Education has information on federal programs at https://studentaid.gov.

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

Free Application for Federal Student Aid https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Other web sites include:
https://www.finaid.org
https://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.
 

Crown Graduate Summary of Available Aid

Institutional Aid

See Financial Aid website for current grants and scholarships.
 

Veteran’s Benefits

See Veteran’s Benefits section for information.
 

Loans

Federal Direct Loan

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

Students must be enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution.

The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan does not carry an in-school interest subsidy.

• Interest accrues immediately once funds are disbursed.
• Students have the option of repaying interest while in school.

The Federal Direct Loan is subject to an origination fee of approximately 1%. Loan funds (less the fees) are disbursed directly to the student’s Crown College account and they are evenly split between the terms of enrollment.

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 offered the Federal Direct Loan, they must accept the loan, complete a Loan Agreement (MPN), and complete Entrance Counseling before funds can be disbursed. Graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time (3 credits) to be eligible for Federal Direct Loan.

Maximum Annual Loan Limits*

*Please note that this chart shows maximum amounts students may receive. The amount you qualify to borrow may be less depending on your cost of attendance, financial need and other financial assistance.

For more information about  Federal Direct Loans visit Loans and Grants at https://studentaid.gov/.

To view Crown College’s Federal Loan Default Rate visit https://nsldsfap.ed.gov/cdr-searchable-database/school/search.
 

Direct PLUS Loans

PLUS loans are low-interest loans to eligible graduate or professional students. Funding is provided directly from the Department of Education. To receive a PLUS loan, a student 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.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is subject to an origination fee.

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

The PLUS loan application can be found at https://studentaid.gov.

Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

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 or summer session 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 programs shown in the chart below represent minimum requirements for the degree programs listed and the corresponding maximum attempted credits allowed for purposes of student financial aid eligibility.
 

If a student’s degree program requires more than the minimum credits shown on the chart above, for example due to added emphasis, the student’s maximum credits allowed will reflect 150% of the actual program credits required. Example: Counseling with Alcohol and Drug Emphasis- 63 credits x 150%=94 credits.

NOTES:

Pass/Fail Courses: Some of Crown’s courses offer a grade of Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). These courses are not included in the calculation of GPA; they are counted as attempted credits. Courses with an S grade are considered earned credits. Courses with a U grade are not earned credits.

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 Courses: 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 be used for one repeat of a course (original attempt plus one repeat). In some limited cases, a third attempt may be financial aid eligible. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for specifics.

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/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, 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 at the end of any semester or summer term. 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.

SAP Probation: Students who were on financial aid suspension and were successful in appealing the suspension are placed on probation and are eligible for financial aid in the next enrollment term. Student must develop an academic improvement plan with their advisor. If after a semester on probation, the student is meeting SAP, the student is will no longer be on probation and will be eligible for financial aid.

SAP Academic Plan: (Probation Extension) Students who are on probation and did not meet SAP after the semester but did meet the conditions of the probation will still be eligible for financial aid but will be placed on academic plan. The student continues to eligible for financial aid if they meet the conditions of the academic plan.

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 Director of Financial Aid. If approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation and eligibility for aid will be reinstated. An academic plan must also be made with the student 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.

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