Undergraduate Financial Aid Policies
It is Wheelock College's intent to maintain the same level of grant/scholarship financial aid a student received in his/her first year of undergraduate education for the remainder of his/her academic career as long as the student:
- maintains satisfactory academic progress;
- re-applies for financial aid by the stated filing dates;
- shows the same level of financial need;
- shows the same housing status; and
- continues the same enrollment status (full-time versus part-time).
All aid is contingent upon the level of support from resources available to the College.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid maintain satisfactory academic progress. Financial aid is withheld or withdrawn if a student fails to meet the minimum academic requirements as outlined below. Appeals may be made in writing to the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid within 30 days of receipt of the aid decision, on the basis of extenuating circumstances such as illness, accident, or death of an immediate family member. Financial assistance may be reinstated, as funds allow, when the student meets either the minimum standards or the conditions set by the appeals committee.
Incompletes, failures, or withdrawals are not considered earned credit hours, and repeated courses are not counted as either attempted or earned credits.
A student must receive passing grades in any practicum undertaken. Grades of Fail, Withdrawn, and Incomplete do not count toward completed credits. Transfer and Colleges of the Fenway credits are counted as earned credits. A student must have successfully completed the number of credits and maintained the minimum grade point averages listed on the chart below by the end of each successive academic year. This chart differentiates full-time, three-quarter-time, and half-time students.
| YEAR | FULL-TIME | 3/4 TIME | 1/2 TIME | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Credits | Min. GPA | Min. Credits | Min. GPA | Min. Credits | Min. GPA | |
| 1 | 24 | 1.50 | 18 | 1.5 | 12 | 1.50 |
| 2 | 48 | 1.75 | 36 | 1.5 | 24 | 1.50 |
| 3 | 76 | 2.0 | 54 | 1.75 | 36 | 1.50 |
| 4 | 104 | 2.0 | 72 | 1.75 | 48 | 1.75 |
| 5 | 134 | 2.0 | 90 | 2.0 | 60 | 1.75 |
| 6 | 110 | 2.0 | 76 | 1.75 | ||
| 7 | 134 | 2.0 | 90 | 2.0 | ||
| 8 | 104 | 2.0 | ||||
| 9 | 118 | 2.0 | ||||
| 10 | 134 | 2.0 | ||||
Review Policy
Once a year, following the spring semester,
the cumulative grade point average (GPA) and number of credits earned
by each financial aid recipient will be reviewed. Undergraduate students
who have not met the standards for satisfactory academic progress
will be notified of their status.
A student may remain on financial aid probation for two semesters and still receive financial aid awards. At the end of the second semester, a student who has not reestablished satisfactory academic progress will be denied financial aid for the next semester. The student must file a petition for the reinstatement of financial aid once she/he is considered in good academic standing at Wheelock and meets the criteria listed above.
Appeal Procedures
Any student whose personal or household
circumstances have changed since completion of the application may
request a reevaluation. To do so, the student should submit a letter
to the Director of Financial Aid explaining the reasons for requesting
a review.
Any student who is declared ineligible for financial aid for not maintaining satisfactory academic progress may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid within one month of the date of notice of ineligibility. The student should describe any extenuating circumstances that have compromised satisfactory academic progress.
Study Abroad/Off-Campus Programs
Students wishing to study abroad/off-campus must complete additional paperwork in order to be eligible for federal and state student aid during the period that they are studying off-campus. The following documents must be filed prior to the student leaving for their semester off-campus:
- Consortium Agreement - this is a document that must be completed by the host school which states the cost of attendance for the program and that the host institution will not process financial aid for the student.
- Transfer of Course Form - the student must obtain prior approval from their academic dean/department head to be in attendance in another institution.
These forms must be provided to the Office of Financial Aid prior to leaving for the study abroad/off-campus program. Additionally, the student must make arrangements for the payment of the program and for the completion and/or signature of any documents or checks while studying away from Wheelock.
Please be aware that you will not be eligible for any need-based Wheelock financial aid funds while participating in a study abroad/off-campus program.
Refunds/Return of Title IV Aid
Refunds:
The refund of tuition/fees or Room and
Board are determined by the student's last day of attendance as indicated
on the student's official withdrawal form. Students contemplating
a withdrawal from courses should contact the Office of the Bursar
for further information on the refund of tuition/fees, and room and
board.
Students who receive institutional grants, scholarships, and loans will have these forms of aid refunded in the same percent as the refund of tuition and fees. Students who are recipients of federal student aid are subject to the Return of Title IV Aid policy for the refunding of these aid programs.
Return of Title IV Aid:
This policy applies to students who withdraw
from all coursework during the semester in which they were enrolled
and who have received federal student aid funds. Additionally, students
who obtain a Leave of Absence from the College and do not return within
180 days of the start of the leave are subject to this policy. The
Return of Title IV Aid policy is as follows:
- A student's withdrawal is:
- The date the student began the institution's withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw.
- The midpoint of the period of enrollment for a student who leaves without notifying the institution.
- The student's last date of attendance as documented by academically-related activity.
-
Determining the amount of Title IV funds to be returned:
The amount of Title IV funds to be returned will be based on the number of days in attendance as a proportion to the number of days in the term or period of enrollment, up to the 60% point in the semester. There are no refunds after the 60% point in time, as the federal regulations view the aid to have been "100% earned" after that point in time.
In accordance with federal regulations, the return of Title IV funds is paid in the following order:
- Unsubsidized FFEL Stafford Loans
- Subsidized FFEL Stafford Loans
- Federal Perkins Loans
- FFEL PLUS Loan
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Other Title IV assistance
- Institutional and student responsibilities in regard to the return
of Title IV Funds:
- Wheelock College's responsibilities include:
- Providing each student with the information given in this policy
- Identifying students who are affected by this policy
- Completing the Return of Title IV Funds calculation for students who are subject to the policy
- Returning the Title IV Funds that are due the Title IV programs
- The student's responsibilities include:
- Contacting the Office of Student Services for details on procedures for withdrawing or requesting a leave of absence
- Notifying the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid immediately of a pending withdrawal or leave, as federal refunds must be made within 30 days of the date of withdrawal or leave
- Returning to the Title IV programs any funds that were disbursed directly to the student and for which the student was determined to be ineligible via the Return of Title IV funds calculation
- Wheelock College's responsibilities include:
Students have a right to obtain a final calculation of the Return of Federal Funds.
