Eligibility and Awarding Process

Determining Eligibility

All qualified students are eligible for some type of aid. A qualified student is one who meets all the academic and enrollment criteria. Aid amounts are determined by financial need, enrollment status, and availability of aid.

To be eligible for aid, you must:

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal Application. You can submit the form online or pick up a paper copy in the Financial Aid Office.
• Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Be admitted to or enrolled in an eligible major at the college.
• Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the college.
• Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.

Student Aid Index (SAI) 

A federally mandated formula calculates the Student Aid Index (SAI) from information on your FAFSA, such as taxed and untaxed income, family size, savings and investments. The SAI is always computed from a base-year income. If there has been a significant change in your family's income or resources since the base calendar year, you can complete a financial aid appeal, Special Circumstances Form, or apply for a possible adjustment to your SAI to see if this offers you additional grant aid. 

Cost of Education 

When computing financial aid eligibility, the first figure used in the equation is the cost of education. The Financial Aid Office determines the estimated amount it will cost you to attend the College for a standard academic year (see the 2024/2025 Cost of Attendance (COA) below). You should determine your own approximate cost of education based on your program of study. 

The cost of education consists of direct and indirect expenses. Direct educational expenses are tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Indirect educational expenses are projected living expenses (including transportation) and childcare.

Tuition and fees are based upon the factors below:

• Domicile (in-state or out-of-state)
• Enrollment period (academic year or semester)
• Enrollment level (full-time, part-time)

The average book and supply allowance is based on national survey estimates. Based on full-time enrollment, a minimum $735 per semester allowance is budgeted for books and supplies.

The Financial Aid Office calculates your cost of attendance and subtracts the amount you and your family are expected to contribute (as determined by FAFSA) toward that cost. If there is anything remaining, you are considered to have financial need.

2024-25 Cost of Attendance (COA)

In-State Budget (Living Without Parents)

Tuition and Fees: $4,410

Books: $1,470

Personal: $2,500

Transportation: $1,930

Living Expense: $9,970

Total: $20,280

Example:

Cost of Attendance (COA): $20,280

Student Aid Index (SAI): -$2,500

Financial Need: $17,780

Enrollment Status

While some types of financial aid are only available to full-time students, many types of financial aid may be utilized by students who attend part-time. Students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester. 

If you are already registered for classes and have already received your financial aid package notification, you can see how your enrollment will affect your financial aid. To determine if your financial aid will be recalculated based on your enrollment status, as well as whether you will owe a balance, you can check the "Account Inquiry" on the SIS Student Center. 

• Log into myBrightpoint
• Select the "SIS" tile 
• Select the ”My Student Information” tile
• Under “Finances,” click “Account Inquiry”
• Click the amber-colored bar at the bottom of the screen to recalculate your aid based on your current enrollment status

Enrollment Requirements for Common Types of Financial Aid

When financial aid awards are not enough to satisfy the balance due on your student account, you must pay the remaining amount with personal funds by the deadlines outlined. You may also sign up for the Tuition Payment Plan to help pay your educational expenses. The plan is administered by an external vendor, Nelnet, and it allows students to pay tuition in monthly interest-free payments for a small, non-refundable fee.

Dropping vs. Withdrawing

During the add/drop period of the semester, you will drop a class by filling out the proper paperwork in the Admissions and Records Office or on our website using myBrightpoint. Dropped classes never show up on your record; you do not pay for them, and we do not count them toward your enrollment status. Your aid will most likely be reduced if you drop a class.

After the end of the add/drop period, leaving a class will be considered a withdrawal. Withdrawals can only be executed in the Admissions and Records Office. The withdrawal stays on your record; we do count it toward your enrollment status, and you may owe funds to the federal government and/or the college if you withdraw from all courses. Students who withdraw frequently run the risk of losing their eligibility in the future.

Total Withdrawal and Return of Federal Financial Aid

If you withdraw from or stop attending all classes after the end of the add/drop period but before the 60% point of the class session (last day to withdraw without academic penalty) has passed, you will have to repay a portion of your aid that was disbursed. The longer you attend, the less you might owe. Stick with it as long as possible.

Federal and state law requires us to return part of your financial aid if you withdraw from or stop attending all classes before the 60% point of the class session has passed. You will have to repay part of your financial aid that is deemed “unearned” by the U.S. Department of Education. The specified percentage of funds you are financially liable to return is based on your last date of attendance for that particular semester.

A school is required to return Title IV funds to the programs from which the student received aid during the payment period or period of enrollment as applicable, in the following order, up to the net amount disbursed from each source:

• Unsubsidized Direct Loans
• Subsidized Direct Loans
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grants for which a Return is required
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) for which a return of funds is required
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, for which a Return is required

If you do not repay the portion of financial aid funds for which you are responsible, you may be reported to the federal government, thus becoming ineligible for future financial assistance at any college or university in the United States.

This applies to all students who receive Federal & State aid (i.e. Pell Grant, SEOG, G3, COMA, VGAP, Foster Care and/or a Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)), and who withdraw from or stop attending all classes. Because each student’s situation is based on several factors (i.e. the type and amount of aid received, the last date of attendance, tuition, fees, and/or book charges) it is very important that you discuss your individual case with a financial aid representative. If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.