Financial Aid

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending a particular university or college and the total amount a student and their family can be expected to provide for educational expenses. Educational expenses include tuition, fees, books, transportation, and personal and living expenses.

Financial assistance in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work-study employment is available to qualified students who are unable to pay the entire educational expense.

The Office of Financial Aid evaluates each applicant’s particular financial situation and identifies a financial aid package that will meet the need to the extent that available funds allow. The financial aid program does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion or physical ability. Heritage University strives to meet the demonstrated financial need of each qualified student with a program of work, loans, grants and scholarships to the extent possible.

Eligibility

In general, to be eligible for aid, a student must meet the following criteria:

1. Be enrolled at least half time (minimum of 6 credits/term) as a regular student; some campus-based aid may be available for less than half time under special conditions.
2. Be officially admitted for enrollment in an eligible program as a graduate or undergraduate student at Heritage.
3. Be in one of the following categories: a.) U.S. citizen or national; b.) a “permanent resident” of the U.S.; c.) in the United States for other than a temporary purpose, with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident, and provides evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service to that effect; or d.) a permanent resident of Palau or a citizen of the Marshall Islands in post-secondary education in the U.S. on Oct. 20, 1986, or a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia in post-secondary education in the U.S. on Nov. 2, 1986 (eligible for Pell, SEOG, and FWS only).
4. Be in need of financial assistance, as determined by a specific need analysis.
5. Have maintained satisfactory progress in the course of study pursued, according to the standards and practices of the U.S. Department of Education and the university’s Office of Financial Aid.
6. Not owe a return of Title IV funds or repayment on a Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG or Washington state Need Grant received to meet the cost of attending that institution or any prior institution.
7. Not be in default on any Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Loan, SLS loan, PLUS Loan, any other loan through the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or other federal or state loan received to meet the cost of attending Heritage or any prior institution.
8. Have a high school diploma or GED, or have achieved junior standing (received an A.A degree).

Determining Need

Two factors affect a student’s eligibility for financial aid: 1.) the cost of attendance and 2.) the expected contribution from income and assets of the student and his or her family. The formula is as follows: Cost minus family contribution equals need. The need determines the maximum amount of financial aid awarded.

The total cost of attendance depends upon several factors, such as marital status, whether the student has children to support, and whether the student is dependent on his or her parents. For a dependent student, the expected family contribution would include the parents’ contribution and the student’s contribution. Single students under 24 years of age are considered dependent unless they meet certain criteria involving veteran status, having dependents of their own, etc. For the independent student, the resources usually include only the student’s contribution and the spouse’s. See Federal Student Financial Aid’s publication titled “The Student Guide” or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for details.

The family’s contribution is officially calculated from the FAFSA, which requires up to six weeks for processing and may be submitted by mail or online. This analysis determines the family’s expected contribution.

Once the need has been determined by subtracting family contributions from the cost of attendance, a combination of loans, grants, scholarships and/or employment is packaged to meet the need. The composition of the package will depend upon the need level, eligibility requirements for the various programs, meeting of deadlines for various programs, availability of funds and student choice.

Application Process

To be considered for maximum funding for each academic year, the admission application and the FAFSA should be submitted by February 15.

To apply for financial aid, all applicants must submit the following forms:

1. Application for admission. Students must be officially admitted before financial aid will be awarded.
2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or by mail.
   Purpose: Analysis of financial need.
   Fee: None. Sent directly by students to the address on the form, or apply on the Web.
3. Verification worksheet and other required documents. Students selected for verification will be asked to provide additional documents as needed. Call the Financial Aid Office at (509) 865-8502 for additional information.

Financial Aid Programs

Grants  

1. Federal Pell Grant
   Amount: Up to $5,645 yearly (2013-2014), as set by the federal government
   Qualifications: Demonstration of financial need; undergraduate
   Donor: Federal government, through congressional appropriation
   Applicable: To any college costs, awarded on basis of cost of college
   Form: FAFSA, available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or in high school counseling office, college admissions and financial aid offices, and public libraries
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
   Amount: $100 to up to $4,000 yearly; average award at Heritage is $400
   Qualifications: Demonstration of financial need; undergraduate
   Donor: Federal government
   Applicable: To any college costs
   Form: FAFSA, available as above
3. Washington State Need Grant (WSNG)
   Amount: To be set by the Washington state Legislature each biennium; available in limited numbers, depending on state funding
   Qualifications: Demonstration of extreme financial need; Washington state resident; at least half-time undergraduate student
   Donor: state of Washington, with matching funds from the federal government
   Applicable: Books, transportation, childcare expenses, or room and board; or tuition, at student’s request
   Form: FAFSA, available as above
4. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (Teach Grant) program. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created the Teacher Education Assistance for college and Higher Education (Teach) Grant Program, which provides up to $4,000 per year ($8,000 total for 2-year programs) in grants to undergraduate and graduate students who commit to 1.) teach full-time, 2.) in high need subject areas, 3.) for a least four years AND 4.) at schools that serve students from low-income families. If the commitment is not fulfilled, the grant is permanently converted to a loan to be repaid by the recipient. The loan is an unsubsidized Direct Federal Stafford Loan with interest calculated from the time of the grant disbursement.
5. Veterans Benefits
   The university’s V.A. certification officer assists veterans, their dependents, and service personnel in obtaining educational benefits from the Veterans Administration. Total financial aid award cannot exceed demonstrated need.

Loans

1. Federal Perkins Loan
   Amount: Up to $4,000/year, to $20,000 aggregate, toward baccalaureate degree; $6,000 per year, to $40,000 aggregate, toward professional or graduate degree (including undergraduate total)
   Interest: 5% annually, accruing nine months after leaving college
   Repayment: Begins nine months after leaving college, with 10 years to pay
   Deferment: For Peace Corps and VISTA volunteers, military, student status or hardship
   Cancellation: Under certain teaching situations, social work and law enforcement; contact the Perkins Loan officer in the Business Office
   Forms: FAFSA and a required loan application through the university’s Business Office
   Administrator: Heritage University
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan
   Amount: Up to $3,500 first-year undergraduate, $4,500 second-year undergraduate, and $5,500 third- and fourth-year undergraduate.
   Interest: Federal Government subsidizes cost by paying interest on loan for borrower during enrollment period; interest becomes the borrower’s responsibility six months after leaving school. Interest rate set by the federal government each year for loans borrowed that academic year. 
   Deferment: For at least half-time student status, unemployment, or economic hardship; see Financial Aid Office for complete list
   Forms: FAFSA, Master Promissory Note, and Loan Counseling
   Administrator: Department of Education
   Note: The loans are long-term with low interest rates; repayment on the long-term loans begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time status, with 10 years to repay.
3. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan 
   Amount: $6,000 annual loan limit first and second years; $7,000 for third, fourth and fifth years; graduate student limit is $20,500 for the 2013-2014 year. The annual unsubsidized limit increased to $7,000 in 2009-2010 for the following categories of students:
   • Students with undergraduate degrees who are enrolled in course work necessary for a professional credential or certification for employment as a teacher
   • Students with undergraduate degrees who are enrolled in courses that will prepare them to enter a graduate program

4. Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
   Unsubsidized loan taken by a parent for a dependent student. Terms and conditions are similar to those for unsubsidized Stafford, but the parent takes out the loan (not the student). Limited up to the student’s budget less other awarded aid.
5. Grad PLUS Loans
   Available to qualifying graduate students. This loan is not based on financial need, so Grad PLUS borrowers can apply for a loan amount up to the full cost of education, less other aid received. However, Heritage requires that you apply for financial aid before you apply for a Grad PLUS loan. A credit check is required for a Grad PLUS loan.
6. Emergency Short-Term Loans
   $150 maximum for personal expenses. Funded through donations to the Heritage University Student Emergency Loan Fund.

Employment

1. Federal Work-Study Program. Available only to students with demonstrated financial need. The federal government subsidizes a percentage of the student’s on-campus wages; the university pays the balance. Percentage may vary from year to year (2013-14 was federal 75 percent, Heritage 25 percent).
2. Off-campus employment through Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program or State Work Study (SWS) Program. Students may be placed in off-campus employment with qualified employers. The Washington Student Achievement Council (for SWS) or the Federal Government (for FWS) reimburses the employer a percentage of the student’s wages. Funding for both programs is limited. Student applies through the FAFSA and the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships

Heritage awards a number of scholarships each year from university funds and donations from outside corporate and private sources. These scholarships range from $100 to $5,000 per academic year. Awards are generally made based on some combination of need plus academic performance and/or leadership qualities.

In addition, the university makes available information on scholarships from organizations outside of the institution. Contact your advisor for assistance in researching and applying for other scholarships.

Annual Re-Application

Aid is granted for a period of one academic year at a time. Re-application is needed each year. Complete the FAFSA and apply in the winter or early spring for fall attendance. For maximum funding consideration, apply by February 10.

Sample Student Budget

The following sample budget may be used as a guide in estimating college expenses for the purposes of financial aid.

Undergraduate Enrollment Status per Semester:

12-15 or more credits per semester = full-time undergraduate status
9-11 credits per semester = 3/4-time undergraduate status
6-8 credits per semester = half-time undergraduate status
5 or fewer credits = less than half-time status

Graduate Enrollment Status per Semester:

6 or more credits per semester = full-time graduate status
4 or 5 credits per semester = 3/4-time graduate status
2 or 3 credits per semester = half-time graduate status

Additional Allowances:

Dependent care and/or childcare may be added. These are restricted to costs directly resulting from the student’s attendance at college. Additional budget adjustments can be made with proper documentation or expenses.

Right to Make Changes

Heritage reserves the right to make changes in procedures, policies and charges related to its tuition and aid programs. Announcements concerning changes are made available in the Student Services Center.