FINANCIAL AID

In an effort to provide accurate and timely financial aid information to all citizens interested in financial assistance at post-secondary institutions, the following information has been prepared to assist students in applying for financial aid at Montana State University-Northern. It also informs students of certain rights to available information. Student financial assistance at Montana State University-Northern is available in the form of loans, scholarships, fee waivers, grants and work opportunities, or combinations of the above. Financial assistance is based on academic ability and/or financial need.

All forms required for financial aid may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office. To be eligible for financial aid consideration, students must complete the federally approved application which requests the necessary information for determining eligibility for financial aid. Applications will be accepted and evaluated subject to the availability of funds. To be eligible for financial aid consideration, the student must enroll in an academic program leading to a degree. Applications can be obtained from the student's high school counselor or through the Financial Aid Office at Montana State University-Northern. Aid eligibility is determined by an analysis of the family's financial information and demonstrated need. The information provided on the application will be used to determine the maximum amount of Pell Grant which each student is eligible to receive. The total taxable and nontaxable income, number of members in the household, family members in college, and assets, are all factors used in determining aid awards. The amount of this award will vary depending upon numerous factors.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following listing of student's rights and responsibilities is taken from The U.S. Department of Education Student Guide. Montana State University-Northern abides by this listing, and is always willing to provide students with additional information. Students have the right to ask for the following information about the University:

The names off its accrediting or licensing organizations

About its programs; its instructional, laboratory, and other physical facilities; and its faculty

What the cost of attending is, and what its policy is on refunds to students who drop out

What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, local, private, and institutional financial aid programs

What the procedures are for submitting applications for each available financial aid program.

What criteria it uses to select financial aid recipients.

How it determines financial need. This process includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, and personal and miscellaneous expenses are considered in the student's cost of education. It also includes how resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, assets, etc.) are considered in calculating need.

How much of your financial need, as determined by the institution, has been met.

How and when you will be paid.

Who the school's financial aid personnel are, where they are located and how to contact them for information.

To explain each type and amount of assistance in your financial aid package.

What the interest rate is on any student loan that you have, the total amount you must repay, the length of time you have to repay, when you must start repaying, and what cancellation or deferment provisions apply.

If you are offered a work-study job - what kind of job it is, what hours you must work, what your duties will be, what the rate of pay will be, and how and when you will be paid.

To reconsider your aid package, if you believe a mistake has been made or if your enrollment or financial circumstances have changed.

How the school determines whether you are making satisfactory progress, and what happens if you are not.

What special facilities and services are available to the handicapped. A student may also want to ask about a school's dropout rate, whether the school's credits can be transferred to other schools, and any other information which will help to make a decision.

As a student, it is your responsibility to:

Review and consider all information about a school's program before you enroll.

Pay special attention to your application for student financial aid, complete it accurately, and submit it in a timely manner to the proper school official. Errors may delay or prevent you from receiving aid.

Know and comply with all deadlines for applying or reapplying for aid.

Know and comply with Satisfactory Progress Policy (copies available in the Financial Aid Office).

Provide all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which you submitted your application.

Read, understand, and keep copies of all forms you are asked to sign.

Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign.

Notify your school of a change in your name, address, or attendance status, e.g., half-time, three-quarter time, or full-time. If you have a loan, you must also notify your lender of these changes.

Satisfactorily perform the work agreed upon in a work-study job.

Understand your school's refund policy.

Take advantage of your rights as a student, which include not only inquiry into the topics discussed above, but your rights in a broader sense as they relate to the University as a whole. Normally, information concerning student rights may be obtained through the office of the Dean of Student Affairs. This information will assist you in your decision and help you in making your University career more pleasant and meaningful by easing your financial burden through useful knowledge of the financial aid programs available to you and an explanation of your rights. More information is available at your request through the Financial Aid Office.

APPEALS

Students have the right to appeal termination of aid eligibility due to unsatisfactory progress. Federal regulations provide limited flexibility where a student can demonstrate mitigating circumstances which contribute toward the student's lack of academic performance (e.g. illness or death in the family). In those cases where these circumstances can be documented, and the committee by majority vote approves the petition, the student may have their eligibility reinstated for one term. Eligibility for subsequent terms would be determined following an evaluation of performance for the reinstated enrollment term.

Deadlines and Procedures

In order for an appeal to be presented to the committee for the current term the following documents must be delivered to the Financial Aid Office no later than 10:00 a.m. on the first day of registration for that term OR 10:00 a.m. on one of the scheduled meeting dates (inquire at the Financial Aid Office).

Required Documentation

1. Financial Aid Appeal Form

2. Letters and independent third party documentation for committee consideration

3. Copy of academic transcript (Montana State University-Northern)

Appeal Procedure:

The assembled appeal packets (contents listed above) will be delivered to the Financial Aid Director for the committee's decision. The Financial Aid Director will inform the student of this decision. If the student is unsatisfied with this decision, then the student has the responsibility to inform the Director of Financial Aid that he/she wishes to further appeal and the Director of Financial Aid will deliver the appeal packet to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

COST OF ATTENDANCE

Cost of attendance is available in the Student Records, Business, or Admissions Offices. The University reserves the right to adjust costs as needed during the term of this catalog. It is important to distinguish between the cost of tuition and the total budget for attendance. The total budget used in determining aid eligibility will include not only tuition but room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expense allowances. The Financial Aid Office publishes yearly its estimates of total cost of attendance for students. This information is available upon request along with funding policies and other applicable policies and procedures in the Financial Aid Office located in Cowan Hall room 213.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Cooperative Education (See Graduation and General Education Requirements).

College Work-Study Program

This federally-sponsored program permits the granting of job opportunities to students eligible for federal financial assistance. Job opportunities are available with both on campus employers and qualified off-campus employers. Further information is available at the financial Aid Office.

State Work-Study Program

This state-sponsored program permits the granting of job opportunities to Montana resident students who attend full-time and who qualify for financial assistance. Job opportunities are the same as under the College Work-Study Program. Further information on this program is available from the Financial Aid Office. Part-time Employment opportunities are available for students both on- and off-campus. Job openings are listed in the Career Center, and personnel in that office assist students in locating employment.

FEE WAIVERS

Fee waivers do not require repayment.

State Fee Waivers

Montana State University-Northern is authorized to grant fee waivers of registration and incidental fees to undergraduate and graduate students. The number of fee waivers granted is limited. The award waives the registration and incidental fees. In order to retain the waiver it is necessary to complete a designated credit load with a 2.00 GPA. Contact the Financial Aid Office for application procedures.

State Indian Fee Waivers

This award waives the registration and incidental fees each semester. In order to retain the waiver, the student must complete a designated credit load and maintain a GPA of 2.00 These waivers are awarded by the Financial Aid Office to students who complete an affidavit stating they are at least 1/4 Native American, are bona fide residents of the State of Montana for at least one year prior to enrollment in the Montana University System and demonstrate financial need.

Students must file a federal application for student aid.

Non-Resident Fee Waivers

Montana State University-Northern is authorized to grant waivers of out-of-state fees to undergraduate and graduate students. Application for this waiver must be made each year. In order to retain the waiver, the student must complete a designated credit-hour load and maintain a GPA of 2.00.

War Service Fee Exemption

Registration and incidental fees are waived for honorably discharged persons who served with the United States Armed Forces in any of its wars and are currently residents of the State of Montana according to the Board of Regents residence policy. The provision of this act shall not apply to persons who qualify under federal laws granting educational benefits to veterans. For more information concerning these and other waivers contact the Financial Aid Office.

GRANTS

Grants do not require repayment.

Pell Grant

To be eligible for this grant program, a student must be an undergraduate, not have previously received a bachelor's degree, be enrolled in an eligible program of study offered by Montana State University-Northern and be a citizen of the United States, or be in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and be, or intend to become a permanent resident. Permanent residents of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands are also eligible.

Grants are available for ALL eligible students regardless of the credit loads for which the student enrolls.

Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grants are available only to Pell eligible undergraduate students having exceptional financial need. Exceptional need is defined as students who are Pell eligible with lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs). Grants vary in size depending on need and institution funding policies.

State Student Incentive Grants (SSIG)

In order to qualify for this grant program a student must be a resident of the State of Montana and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a post-secondary undergraduate student during the fiscal year for which the grant will be awarded. Grants vary in size depending on need.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA/Tribal Grants)

These are grants furnished by either the federal government or the respective tribes and handled through the particular agency or tribe from which a student is enrolled and by the financial aid office at the school he or she is planning to attend. Application forms for the BIA/Tribal Grants are usually obtained through the home agency or tribe along with other necessary forms required to receive the grant.

Applications and budgets must be filed yearly. The agency/tribe should be consulted concerning deadline dates.

LOANS

Long Term Loans

Repayment of Long Term Loans does not normally begin until enrollment on at least a half-time basis is terminated. ALL LOANS MUST BE REPAID even if a student is not satisfied with the program of instruction or the student does not complete their program.

Perkins Loan Program

The Perkins program provides loans to those regularly enrolled students demonstrating need of financial assistance. Interest at the rate of five percent per annum commences after termination of at least half-time student status. Payments on principal and interest begin 9 months after enrollment ends. Up to ten years is allowed for repayment. Persons teaching in certain designated educational institutions are entitled to partial loan cancellation. Under certain conditions, borrowers may receive special consideration for military service and certain National service programs (VISTA, Peace Corps). For more information contact the financial Aid office.

Nursing Student Loan Program (NSL)

These loans are available to those students enrolled in Nursing programs who demonstrate financial need. The NSL program provides loans to those regularly enrolled nursing students as funds allow. Interest at the rate of five percent per annum commences after termination of at least half-time student status. Payments on principle and interest begins 9 months after enrollment ends. Up to ten years is allowed for repayment.

Federal Family Education Loan Programs

(FFEL)Stafford Student Loans

This program enables a student to borrow directly from a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, or other participating lender who is willing to make the educational loan. The loan may be guaranteed by a state or private nonprofit agency and insured by the federal government. The current interest rate for first time borrowers is variable.

Other borrowers' interest rates are subject to conditions of the promissory note. The loan must be repaid. Payments of principal and interest begin six months after the student ceases to enroll on at least a half-time basis. The borrower is allowed up to ten years to repay. The amount of the payments depend upon the size of the debt. Special payment considerations are available for borrowers serving in the Armed Forces, Peace Corps, VISTA and other National Service.

Processing information for this loan program is available in the Financial Aid Office and the U.S. Department of Education Student Guide.

Parental Loans for Undergraduate Students Program (PLUS)

This program enables the parent of a dependent undergraduate student to obtain a PLUS loan from a participating lending institution. The interest rate on PLUS loans varies, and parent borrowers must begin repayment no later than 60 days following the date the loan is disbursed. Loan limits and repayment provisions for borrowers are available at the Financial Aid Office, as are application forms for potential borrowers.

Institutional Short-Term Loans

These funds are for emergency purposes, and repayment must be made according to terms of the promissory note. Most of the loans have been established by families and friends as memorials to persons named in the fund. There are no charges on these loans as long as they are repaid according to the repayment schedule.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Montana State University-Northern offers a number of scholarships yearly ranging from $50 to $2,000. Scholarships are awarded both to those students already in attendance at Northern and to first-time students.

Continuing students wishing to apply for scholarships should inquire at the Financial Aid Office in Cowan Hall. First-time students should contact the Admissions office for scholarship application instructions. Scholarships are awarded competitively on the basis of high academic achievements as well as financial need and major program of study. In cases where the student's established financial need exceeds the amount of the scholarship, the award may be supplemented by other forms of financial aid. Student scholarship brochures/applications are available from the Financial Aid Office in November and January of each year.

High School Honor Scholarships

The principal of each fully accredited Montana high school may name one or more members from each year's graduating class to receive a High School Honor Scholarship issued by the Montana University System. This scholarship is applicable at any of the six units of the Montana University System and covers registration and incidental fees for two semesters.