As a result of filing the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) by email if you provided an email address on your FAFSA. Otherwise, you will be sent your SAR through regular mail. You have the ability to access you SAR by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will need your USDE PIN to access your SAR.

 

Review your SAR for accuracy. If you need to make any corrections, you may do so by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will always need your PIN (and your parent’s, if dependent) to access, make corrections and sign your SAR electronically.

 

When you make corrections to your SAR, Marshall University and if you are a WV resident, WV Higher Education Policy Commission will automatically receive these updates electronically. It takes one to two weeks before the corrections are processed and received by the school and the state.

 

If you have already received an award notice from Marshall University and you make corrections to your SAR (or your processed FAFSA), you will receive a revised award notice if your eligibility has changed.

If you don’t receive a SAR within a week of filing, you may access and print your SAR by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will need your PIN to access and print your SAR. You may also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to make inquiry about your financial aid application.

Eligibility Confirmation

Upon receipt of your FAFSA by the Federal Student Aid Processor, some of the information on your FAFSA will be checked with federal agencies to confirm that you meet basic eligibility requirements. The following student eligibility criteria are checked:

• Social Security number and citizenship status with the Social Security Administration
• Selective Service registration with the Selective Service System, if required
• Eligible non-citizenship status with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Veteran Status with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
• Default, disability discharge, bankruptcy, aggregate loan history statuses for federal student loans and overpayment status for federal student grants.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance must also review other eligibility requirements, which include, but are not limited to:

• Admission Status
• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Enrollment Status
• Academic Level
• Dependency Status
• Marital Status

If any of these items come up as discrepant, the Office of Student Financial Assistance is required to     resolve the issue. This may require the Office of Student Financial Assistance to follow up with you to request documentation to resolve any of the eligibility issues referenced above.

Verification

Verification is the process in which Student Financial Assistance (SFA) - as dictated by federal and state regulations - compares the information you reported on the FAFSA with your prior-year federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial documentation. If your application is selected for verification, you will be sent a post card or an email instructing you to access your financial aid records through your Marshall Information Liaison Online (MILO) account. To access your Marshall University financial aid records, go to: mymu.marshall.edu. You will need your Marshall University ID and your Marshall University (PIN) to access your records. From there you can determine the specific information SFA needs in order to verify your data.

SFA must receive all requested documentation before your financial aid can be disbursed (or credited) to your Bursar account. If there are differences between the data you supplied on your FAFSA and the verification documentation you submit, corrections to your SAR may be needed, and your application will be reprocessed.

Your responsibilities are to:

• Submit all documents requested promptly
• Ensure that all documents are signed and complete and include the student’s name and Marshall University ID
• Keep copies of all information used to file the FAFSA and of documents submitted to the Office of Student Financial Assistance

It is extremely important that you respond to requests for information promptly because finalized financial aid awards are processed in the order of file completion date. To ensure that your financial funds disburse as scheduled at the start of the fall semester, you must be registered for classes and submit all required documentation by May 15. You may still submit documents after the May 15 deadline; however, you should be prepared to make payment arrangements with the Bursar Office in the event your financial aid is not finalized by the billing due date. The absolute deadline for submittal of all documents is 30 days prior to the end of the academic year you are enrolled. The designated deadlines allow SFA to process and authorize disbursements within the timeframe permitted under regulations set forth for administering the federal and state financial aid programs.

The deadline for students to submit documentation may be extended up to 60 days after the student’s last day of enrollment during the academic year on a case-by-case basis and will be processed to the extent that is administratively possible.

If you have already received an award notice from Marshall University and corrections are made to your SAR (or your processed FAFSA) after verification, you will receive a revised award notice if your eligibility has changed.

Financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is the term used to define successful completion of coursework to maintain eligibility for financial aid. Marshall University is required by federal and state regulations to determine whether a student is meeting SAP requirements. Marshall University Office of Student Financial Assistance monitors SAP once a year after the spring semester.

The student’s entire academic history must be considered when determining SAP status. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits as well as transfer credits that reflect on the student’s Marshall University transcript as earned. Students enrolling at Marshall University for the first time (including transfers) will be considered initially to be meeting satisfactory academic progress.

The following three components are measured to determine whether the student is meeting SAP standards: Qualitative, Quantitative and Maximum Time Frame.

Qualitative

The qualitative component is measuring the quality of the student’s SAP by conducting an annual review of the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA). The charts below provide the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.

Community and Technical College and Associate Degree
Completed Credits (Hours)	Qualitative (GPA) Requirement
0 – 29	1.7
30 +	2.0

 

Undergraduate (Baccalaureate Degree)
Completed Credits (Hours)	Qualitative (GPA) Requirement
0 – 25	1.6
26 - 57	1.8
58 +	2.0

 

Graduate (Certificate, Master, Ed. S. and Doctoral) Degree
Completed Credits (Hours)	Qualitative (GPA) Requirement
0 – 17	2.5
18 +	3.0

 

(Specific federal, state and institutional scholarships and grants may require a higher GPA for continued eligibility. This is a separate and distinct factor in renewing or continuing eligibility for these specific funds. The grade point requirement for specific scholarships supersedes the grade point average requirements referenced above. Information on the terms and conditions of specific financial aid programs that have GPA requirements are provided to the student at the time the award is offered).

Quantitative

The quantitative component is measuring the student’s credit completion rate by percentage. This is calculated by dividing number of Marshall University credits the student attempted against the number of credits earned. If the student has transfer credit, those credits that reflect on the Marshall University transcript as earned are added to his/her attempted credits to measure the quantitative component.

The charts below provide the minimum quantitative standards required:

Community and Technical College and Associate Degree
Attempted Credits (Hours)	Quantitative Requirement
0 – 29	67%
30 +	75%

 

Undergraduate (Baccalaureate Degree)
Attempted Credits (Hours)	Quantitative Requirement
0 – 25	50%
26 - 57	67%
58 +	75%

 

Graduate (Certificate, Master, Ed. S. and Doctoral) Degree
Attempted Credits (Hours)	Quantitative Requirement
0 – 17	50%
18 +	75%

 

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum time frame during which an undergraduate student may receive financial aid may not exceed 150% of the published length of the student’s academic program measured in attempted credits. For example, a student pursuing an associate degree would be limited to 102 attempted credits (68 credits X 150%) and a student pursuing a baccalaureate degree would be limited to 192 attempted credits (128 credits X 150%).

Students pursuing a Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certificate are limited to 36 attempted credits (24 credits X 150%).

 If the student has transfer credit, those credits that are reflected as earned credits on the student’s Marshall University transcript are added to his/her attempted credits to measure the maximum time frame component.

(Although students have a 150% maximum time frame to remain eligible for financial aid, there are limits on the number of years a student may receive certain financial aid programs. The time limit on certain financial aid programs supersedes the quantitative measure requirements referenced above. Information on the terms and conditions of specific financial aid programs that have time limits is provided to the student at the time the award is offered).

Undergraduate students who have attempted credit hours totaling 125% of the degree will be sent a SAP Maximum Time Frame Warning Notice. This warning is meant to provide a reminder that the student is approaching the maximum time frame allowable to receive financial aid and suggests that the student plan to complete his or her coursework to finish the degree requirements within the maximum time frame. 

The maximum time frame for completing a Master Degree, an Ed. S. Degree or a Doctoral Degree is 7 years from the date of completion of the earliest course applied toward the degree, including transferred credits.

Effects of Developmental and Repeated Courses

Developmental courses do not count toward the student’s degree requirements; however, they are counted as earned hours and are used to determine a student’s academic grade level or classification. Thus, developmental courses are calculated in the quantitative and maximum time frame measures.

(It is important to note that financial aid may be awarded to cover up to 30 developmental course credits. Developmental course credits in excess of 30 cannot be calculated as enrolled hours for financial aid purposes. This rule is not related to Satisfactory Academic Progress, but is a general financial aid eligibility requirement).

If the student repeats a course, those credits are counted again when calculating attempted credits. However, if the student repeats a course in which he/she has earned a D or F grade taken no later than the semester or summer term during which the student attempts the 60th semester hour, and before he/she earns a baccalaureate degree, the original grade shall be disregarded and the new grade (excluding a W) shall be used in determining the student’s Grade Point Average. Students must apply for the D/F Repeat rule by filling out a form in his/her college office early in the semester in which the course is repeated.

Effects of Withdrawal and Incompletes Grades

If the student withdraws from a course after the first week of classes during any given semester (i.e. student receives a grade of W for the course), the course credits are included in the count of attempted credit hours. Thus, withdrawn courses are calculated in the quantitative and maximum time frame measures.

Credits for an incomplete course (i.e. student receives a grade of I for the course) are counted as credits attempted but are not included in the GPA or the credits earned count until the incomplete grade changes to a passing or a failing grade. Thus, incomplete courses are calculated in the quantitative and maximum time frame measures.

Change Majors/Second or Subsequent Degree

If a student changes majors, the credits the student earns at Marshall under all majors will be included in the calculation of qualitative, quantitative and maximum time frame measures.

If a student continues to take classes towards a second major or second degree after having completed all required coursework for a first degree, the student may continue to remain eligible for financial aid as long as the qualitative, quantitative and maximum time frame measures of SAP are met.

Procedures/Deadlines for Appealing

If a student fails one or more of the three measures (qualitative, quantitative and maximum time frame), the student is not eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid, which includes grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. However, students failing SAP standards, who have had mitigating circumstances (i.e., death in the family, illness, major change) may request reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility by completing the SAP Appeal for Financial Aid Reinstatement form and submitting it to the Financial Aid SAP Appeals Committee, c/o Office of Student Financial Assistance. Students may download and print the form from the Office of Student Financial Assistance “Forms & Applications” tab at www.marshall.edu/sfa.

Appeal requests must provide an explanation of mitigating circumstances that contributed to the student’s inability to meet the minimum SAP standards, including documentation when applicable, and a realistic plan for academic improvement.

The deadlines to appeal are as follows:

July 1 – for summer terms and fall and spring semesters

August 17 – for fall and spring semesters

January 6 – for spring semester

If the Financial Aid SAP Appeals Committee approves the appeal, the student’s financial aid eligibility is reinstated for the applicable terms/semesters. For example, if the student appeals by July 1 and the appeal is approved, the student’s financial aid eligibility would be reinstated for an entire year, for summer terms and fall and winter semesters.

If the student misses the July 1 deadline, the student may appeal by August 17 for consideration of financial aid reinstatement for fall and spring semesters; and, if the student misses the August 17 deadline, the student may appeal by January 6 for consideration of financial aid reinstatement for the spring semester.

This means that a student may not receive financial aid retroactively for a payment period if a deadline is missed. For example, if a student enrolls for the fall semester but doesn’t appeal until August 19 assuming the appeal is approved, the student cannot receive financial aid for the fall semester, but would only be awarded for the spring semester.

Students will receive a decision of the Appeals Committee through an email and as a personal announcement through their myMU account. The decision of Financial Aid SAP Appeals Committee is final. A decision on the appeal is rendered within 3 days of the appeal committee meeting.

Each type of financial aid (program) has specific requirements regarding enrollment status. In general, SFA uses the following undergraduate enrollment criteria to determine eligibility for financial aid programs it administers:

Credits Per Term/Semester	Enrollment Status Classification
12 +	Full time
9 – 11	Three-quarter time
6 – 8	Half time
1 – 5	Less than half time

 

As a rule your financial aid package is based on full-time enrollment and the Office of SFA uses your enrollment status on the first day after drop/add period (usually the 8^th day of the semester) to determine your financial aid eligibility.

Graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credits are considered full-time students, and graduate students enrolled between 5 and 8 credits are considered half-time student for financial aid eligibility purposes.

Developmental Courses

Developmental courses do not count toward the student’s degree requirements; however, students may receive financial aid up to 30 developmental or remedial credits. Developmental course credits in excess of 30 cannot be calculated as enrolled hours for financial aid purposes.

Preparatory Coursework

Students may receive certain financial aid programs when taking preparatory coursework required for enrollment in a graduate or professional program; however, the course of study to complete the preparatory coursework may not exceed 12 consecutive months.

Professional Staff Development Courses

Professional staff development courses (560 – 564 S/U or CR/NC series) do not count toward the student’s degree requirements; therefore, they cannot be calculated as enrolled hours for financial aid eligibility purposes.

Some financial aid programs have specific criteria based on the student’s academic (grade) level. According to University Academic Policy, the following criteria are used to define the student’s academic level:

Total Credits Earned	Academic Level
0 – 25	1st Year or Freshman
26 – 57	2nd Year or Sophomore
58 – 89	3rd Year or Junior
90 +	4th Year or Senior

Students enrolled in the post-baccalaureate teacher certification program are classified as 5th year undergraduate student.

The rules and the formula to determine financial aid eligibility are standard for all applicants. However, there is some flexibility, when appropriate, for financial aid administrators to exercise professional judgment on a case-by-case basis to override the student’s dependency status and/or recalculate the student’s eligibility for financial aid. However, this may only be done when the circumstances are extraordinarily unusual and they can be thoroughly documented. Submitting an appeal for special circumstances does not guarantee that it will be approved or additional financial aid will be granted. Your appeal must be received at least 30 days prior to your last day of enrollment for the current academic year. You will need to allow 2 to 4 weeks processing time for appeals.

Remember...

·         There must be good reason for any adjustment to be made.

·         You will need to provide adequate proof for your appeal.

·         The decision by the Office of Student Financial Assistance is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

·         The FAFSA must be filed annually and the process of exercising professional judgment must be done on an annual basis. To make exception for subsequent academic years, the student must have the same circumstances and go through the appeal process on an annual basis.

  Below are some examples of appeals due to special circumstances and the procedures to appeal:

Cost of Attendance

The Office of Student Financial Assistance uses an estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) budget, which reflects an estimate of the total amount it should cost a student to attend Marshall University – usually expressed as an annual figure, which includes average costs for tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, dining, personal and transportation.

Students who believe their estimated COA doesn’t reflect their actual educational expenses for the academic year may submit a Cost of Attendance Appeal Form for reconsideration of the COA. Over-load credit hours, additional fees, dependent care, study abroad expenses, special equipment, and other types of non-standard educational costs are examples of additional expenses that may be added to your COA. You may download and print the Cost of Attendance Appeal Form by visiting www.marshall.edu/sfa and clicking on the “Forms & Applications" tab.

 

Adjustment of Expected Family Contribution

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is derived by a mandated Federal Congress formula used to measure a family’s financial strength and ability to fund educational expenses and it is determined by the information that the student and parents report on the FAFSA. Schools are required to use the standard EFC to calculate student’s eligibility for financial aid. If you feel that your family has special circumstances that may affect the amount you and your parents are expected to contribute toward your education, you may appeal. Special circumstances affecting your EFC that may warrant reconsideration include, but are not limited to:

 

o   Recent change in the household due to separation, divorce or death

o   Student, spouse, or parent recently became unemployed

o   Reduction or complete loss of untaxed income such as social security benefits, child support

o   Complete loss of unemployment compensation

 

To appeal for any of the circumstances listed above, you must complete an Income Adjustment Form for consideration of an EFC adjustment. You may download and print the Income Adjustment Form by visiting www.marshall.edu/sfa and clicking on the “Forms & Applications tab.

Other circumstances may also include:

o   Extraordinary or excessive medical or dental expenses that exceed 11% of AGI

o   Parents of dependent student enrolled in college

o   Unusually high child or dependent care costs

For the circumstances listed above, you will need to submit a letter to the Office of Student Financial Assistance detailing the circumstances and the costs and attach supporting documentation.

Student Dependency Status

Federal financial aid regulations dictate the criteria under which a student applies independently of parents for financial aid. Students are considered “Independent” for financial aid eligibility if one or more of the following conditions are met:

o   You are 24 years of age or older

o   You are married as of the date you file the FAFSA

o   At the beginning of the academic year, you will be working on a master’s or doctorate program or graduate certificate

o   You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training

o   You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

o   You have children who will receive more than half of their support from you during the academic year you will be enrolled

o   At age 13 or older, both of your parents were deceased, you were in foster care, or you were a dependent ward of the court

o   You are an emancipated minor as determined by court as of the date you file the FAFSA

o   As of the date you file the FAFSA you are in legal guardianship as determined by a court

o   At any time on or after July 1, 2008, you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless

If one of the conditions above is applicable to you, you may submit the FAFSA without providing parental information. However, the Office of Student Financial Assistance is required under certain circumstances to document some of the “Independent” student conditions above. You will be contacted if further information is required.

Federal law provides that, under very limited special circumstances, you may submit your FAFSA without parental information. If you have special circumstances and are unable to provide parental information, FAFSA on the Web will instruct you on how to proceed. In addition, to request exception to the dependency rules, you must submit an Appeal for Independent Status Form  to the Office of Student Financial Assistance for consideration and approval. You may download and print the Appeal for Independent Status Form  by visiting www.marshall.edu/sfa and clicking on the “Forms & Applications tab.

Exceptions (or a dependency override) may be made on a case-by-case basis. The following are examples of allowable special circumstances for a dependency override:

o   Your parents are incarcerated; or

o   You have left home due to an abusive family environment; or

o   You do not know where your parents are and are unable to contact them (and you have not been adopted)

However, the circumstances listed below do not qualify as “unusual and special circumstances” or that do not merit a dependency override:

o   Your parents do not want to provide their information on your FAFSA; or

o   Your parents refuse to contribute to your college expenses; or

o   Your parents do not claim you as a dependent on their income taxes; or

o   You do not live with your parents.

If you are not able to provide parental information on the FAFSA because the conditions above apply to you, you may file your FAFSA without parental information. However, you will not receive an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is required to calculate your eligibility for all federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. In this instance, the only financial aid available to you through federal financial aid programs would be a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You may also consider a private educational loan; however, you most likely will need a credit-worthy co-signer for approval.

When you are a Marshall University student and plan to enroll at another college or university simultaneously, or if you have been approved to study elsewhere or abroad for a semester, you may have your other enrollment elsewhere considered for financial aid eligibility at Marshall University.

You may not receive federal financial aid at more than one institution of higher education for the same courses or at the same time. You must declare which institution is to be considered the “home school” or the institution where you will receive your degree for financial aid eligibility purposes. To be considered for financial aid as a dually enrolled student or a student taking courses elsewhere during a given semester, a consortium agreement form must be completed and approved by both Marshall University and the other school.  You may download and print a Consortium Agreement Form by visiting www.marshall.edu/sfa. Clic on the “Forms & Applications" tab, and then click on the "General Forms & Applications" tab.