Financial Aid

Financial Aid at Point Loma 

The financial assistance program at Point Loma Nazarene University includes federal grants and loans, state grants, PLNU institutional aid, and external aid, including scholarships and grants awarded by corporations, civic organizations, and churches. Financial assistance is intended to recognize and assist students who otherwise would be unable to attend the university.

The university recognizes that the primary responsibility for paying expenses rests with the student (and spouse, if married) and parents who are expected to contribute in proportion to their resources. Any financial assistance awarded by the university is intended to help bridge the gap between the student's expected family contribution and the cost of attending PLNU.

Financial assistance is usually awarded to students based on need. The student's financial need and eligibility for various programs and the family's ability to pay are determined best by analyzing the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Various federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and funding-level limitations may affect the types and amounts of financial assistance that a student may receive from year to year. Additionally, changes in information and circumstances may cause financial assistance awards to be reduced, increased, or eliminated subsequent to the initial determination of these awards.

If the student’s package includes need-based aid, then outside scholarships and all forms of PLNU institutional aid are treated as need-based also, and in certain cases may have to be reduced or canceled to prevent funding in excess of financial need.

Applying for Aid at PLNU

To receive any type of federal, state, or institutional aid at PLNU, the student should complete the FAFSA (or renewal FAFSA) each academic year of enrollment prior to the March priority deadline. Some PLNU institutional aid programs require submission of the FAFSA and completion of the current on-line PLNU Application for Financial Assistance. Students who complete both by the March 2 filing date receive priority consideration for the full range of financial aid programs available at PLNU. Students who complete both after the priority filing date are considered for institutional need-based awards only if there are remaining funds available. Students may submit a FAFSA throughout the academic year.

Financial Need

Financial Need is defined as the difference between the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) for the academic year and the “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC) as determined by completion of the FAFSA.

Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution equals Financial Need
Cost of Attendance is the sum of tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous costs. Expected Family Contribution is a statistical figure calculated using the financial information provided on the FAFSA by the student and parent that represents the ability of the student’s family to contribute to the cost of the student’s education.
 

Appeals for Special Circumstances

Federal regulations provide the SFS office with discretionary authority to make case-by-case adjustments to student/parent FAFSA data in cases of special circumstances. Special circumstances include:

• Significant reductions to income
• Unusually high medical or dental expenses (uninsured amounts only)
• A parent attending college
• Dependency status appeals

If a student believes there are special circumstances that should be reviewed, the student must submit a Request for Appeal Form for Special Circumstances (available at the SFS office or on-line at www.pointloma.edu/financialaid) with supporting documentation.
 

Financial Aid Programs

Need-Based Federal Aid Programs:

Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students with a qualifying EFC as determined by the FAFSA. Pell Grant is gift aid and does not have to be repaid. It can be used to help pay university charges (tuition and fees, on-campus room and board) or living expenses. The maximum award for the 2009-2010 Academic Year (AY) is $5,350. 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a form of “campus-based” federal gift aid that is awarded to Pell Grant recipients only. Since FSEOG funding is extremely limited, not all students who qualify receive an award. The average FSEOG Grant for the 2009-2010 Academic Year (AY) is $1,200.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

Freshman and sophomore PLNU students who are eligible for a Pell Grant and who have successfully completed a “rigorous high school course of study” (as recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education) may receive a Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant of up to $750 for their freshman year of college and up to $1,300 for the sophomore year. Second year students must have a 3.000 cumulative university GPA and must be able to provide PLNU with a final high school transcript documenting completion of a recognized rigorous high school course of study.

National SMART Grant

Junior and senior PLNU students who are eligible for a Pell grant and are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology or engineering, or in certain foreign languages may be eligible for a National SMART Grant for up to $4,000 per academic year. Students must have a cumulative university GPA of at least 3.000 and be enrolled in at least one course required by their declared major each semester.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work Study (FWS) program is awarded to eligible students but it is only guaranteed if the student acquires on-campus employment. If awarded Federal Work Study, the student should contact the Student Employment Office to secure employment at 619-849-2633 or on-line at www.pointloma.edu/work. FWS is disbursed in the form of bi-weekly paychecks from the cashier's office in Draper Hall. Because the student must earn these funds through working, FWS awards cannot be applied toward the student’s semester charges.

Need-Based Federal Loan Programs:

Subsidized Stafford Loan

The Subsidized Stafford loan requires that the student demonstrate financial need (based on the FAFSA). The federal government pays (“subsidizes”) the interest on this loan from the time of disbursement until six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below halftime status (i.e. less than six units). The subsidized Stafford loan interest rate is fixed at 5.6%, effective July 1, 2009. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time status (i.e. less than six units). The student’s Stafford loan eligibility (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, or combination) is based on financial need and academic class level. The annual undergraduate borrowing limits are as follows: $3,500 for the first year; $4,500 for the second year; and $5,500 for the third and subsequent years. The Student Financial Services office recommends that students borrow conservatively to minimize indebtedness. New Stafford borrowers at PLNU are required to complete an entrance interview during the first two weeks of the semester. Loan amounts are generally released in two disbursements, regardless of enrollment period. Exceptions may be made for students enrolled in one semester. Students are free to select the lender of their choice.
 

Perkins Loan

The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest federal loan for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The interest rate is fixed at 5% for the life of the loan, and begins accruing nine months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping to below half-time status (i.e. less than six units). Repayment also begins at this time. Students have up to ten years to repay the loan. Payments are sent directly to PLNU, since Perkins is a “campus-based” program. Students awarded a Perkins loan must sign a promissory note and complete an on-line entrance interview before funds can be credited to their student account. Because of limited funding, there is no guarantee that a student will continue to receive Perkins loan funding in subsequent years.
 

Nursing Student Loan

The Nursing loan is a low-interest federal loan for juniors and seniors enrolled in the PLNU Nursing program who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The interest rate is fixed at 5% for the life of the loan and begins accruing nine months after graduation, withdrawal, or dropping to less than half-time status (i.e., less than six units). Repayment also begins at that time. Students have up to ten years to repay the loan. Payments are sent directly to PLNU. Students awarded a Nursing loan must complete entrance counseling at the SFS office and sign a promissory note before funds can be credited to their student account. Because of limited funding, there is no guarantee that a student will continue to receive Nursing loan funding in subsequent years.

Need-Based State Aid Programs:

Cal Grant

Cal Grant is a program of the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Students may receive a Cal Grant for a maximum of four academic years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study. In addition, teacher credential students who received Cal Grant as undergraduates may be eligible for a two-semester extension of their benefits.

CSAC notifies new Cal Grant recipients whether they have been awarded an Entitlement or Competitive Cal Grant. Before a Cal Grant award can be added to a student's Financial Aid Award Letter, the SFS Office must review the data provided by the student and parents on the FAFSA to make sure that the student is financially eligible.

Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A is for students from low to middle income families. It is restricted to paying tuition and mandatory fee charges only. Cal Grant A awards for the 2008/2009 Academic Year were $9,708.

Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B is for students with exceptionally high need (based on the FAFSA). During the first year of the award, Cal Grant B pays an Access Grant of up to $1,551. PLNU credits these funds directly to the student’s account to help pay down semester charges. However, the student has the option of receiving Access Grant funds as a check each semester by submitting a written request to the Student Financial Services office before the end of the fall semester Add Period. After that date, the semester Access Grant is credited to the student’s account and may not be available for refund. During the second and subsequent years, Cal Grant B includes a tuition and fee-paying component in addition to Access. Cal Grant B awards for the 2008/2009 Academic Year were $9,708.

Application Process for New Cal Grants
Students must have submitted a 2009-2010 FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) by March 2, 2009, and a verified grade-point average (GPA) to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by the same date. High school seniors request their high school to provide this information to CSAC electronically. Current PLNU students who are California residents and who have completed 24 or more college units should request that the PLNU Office of Records submit their GPA to CSAC.

Renewal Cal Grants

Renewal Cal Grant recipients must maintain at least $100 of need based on the information provided on the FAFSA for each subsequent academic year. Students may renew a Cal Grant award for up to four academic years (eight semesters). Submission of a verified GPA is not required to renew a Cal Grant. Students who received a Cal Grant at another institution must complete Form G-10 (Grant Record Change form for Schools) or contact CSAC at 1-888-224-7268. 

BYRD SCHOLARSHIP

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is a federally funded program, administered by all 50 states, that is awarded to exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise of continued excellence in post-secondary education. Checks are disbursed by Student Financial Services directly to the student. Like all other merit-based awards, the Byrd Scholarship is treated as need-based aid if the student’s financial aid package includes any form of federal need-based aid or a Cal Grant.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT GRANT

The Child Development Grant program is a need-based grant designed to encourage students to enter the field of child care and development, in a licensed children’s center. Students who plan to enroll at least half-time in coursework leading to a Child Development Permit as teacher, master teacher, site supervisor, or program director are eligible to apply through PLNU. To receive funding, students must sign a Service Commitment Agreement stating that they will provide one year of full-time service in a licensed children’s center for each year they receive the grant.

Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents’ Grant

The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents grant (LEPD) is a need-based educational grant awarded to dependents and spouses of California peace officers (Highway Patrol, marshals, sheriffs, and police officers), employees of the Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority, and both full-time and permanent firefighters who have been killed or totally disabled in the performance of duty. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year.

Chafee Grant

The California Chafee Grant program gives money to current or former foster youth to use for career and technical training, or college courses. The grant does not have to be repaid and is intended to help the student pay living expenses. The Chafee Grant, also known as the Education and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally funded program and is subject to the availability of federal funds each year.
 

Governor’s Scholarship

Students should contact Golden State Scholarshare at www.scholarshare.com for eligibility criteria. Awards are included as a resource in the student’s financial aid package, and can be used to help pay tuition and fees and on-campus room and board charges. The Governor’s Scholarship is treated as need-based financial aid.
 
For details about any California state fund programs, students may visit the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Web site at http://www.csac.ca.gov.

Non-Need Based Federal Programs

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

The Unsubsidized Stafford loan does not require financial need. The borrower is responsible for paying all the interest that accrues, from disbursement until the loan is fully repaid. The interest rate for the Unsubsidized Stafford loan is 6.8%. The annual undergraduate borrowing limits are as follows: $3,500 for the first year; $4,500 for the second year; and $5,500 for the third and subsequent years. An additional $2,000 in Unsubsidized Stafford loans is also available to undergraduate dependent students and up to an additional $6,000 for undergraduate independent students.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

The PLUS loan is a credit-based loan for parents of dependent undergraduate students. The PLUS loan annual borrowing limit is equal to the student’s cost of education minus any other financial aid awarded. The annual minimum is $150. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5%, effective July 1, 2009. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or borrowers may request a deferment of repayment until their student leaves the university. Normally, PLUS loan funds are released in two equal disbursements: one for fall semester and one for spring semester. If the parent wishes to have the entire loan disbursed in a single semester, the parent must specify this on the PLUS loan application.
 

PLNU Institutional Aid

All forms of PLNU institutional aid are limited by semester charges, enrollment status, and financial need. Award amounts are divided equally between fall and spring semesters, and generally cannot be used for summer session coursework.

Financial Need

All forms of PLNU institutional aid, including merit-based awards, may be limited by the student’s financial need. This means that in certain cases, institutional aid may need to be reduced or canceled if the student is receiving either federal or state need-based aid.

Enrollment Status

All forms of institutional aid require full-time enrollment (12 units or more per semester) through the end of the Refund Period—the first eight weeks of the semester. Institutional aid is canceled for any student dropping below 12 units before that time. Students may be eligible to receive a prorated amount of institutional aid on an appeal basis only for a maximum of one semester. An official appeal must be submitted to and approved by SFS. Graduating seniors may also receive a prorated amount of institutional aid if enrolled less than full-time during their final academic year. 

Institutional Merit Awards

Academic Scholarships

For first-time freshmen who begin attending PLNU during 2009-2010, academic awards are made for an initial two-year period and, subject to maintaining renewal criteria, can be received for a maximum of 10 semesters. Continuous full-time enrollment is required (12 units or more per semester). Renewal eligibility is based on the student’s cumulative GPA calculated at the end of the fall semester of the second year of the award and each subsequent year. Any student not meeting the renewal criteria at that time will not be eligible for the scholarship beyond the following spring semester. Once lost, an academic scholarship cannot be regained.

To be eligible for selection, first-time freshmen must:

• be offered admission to PLNU
• submit an official seven-semester high school transcript to PLNU by the deadline date
• have a 3.700 weighted GPA
• have a 1200 SAT (combined math and critical reading) or a score of 26 on the ACT

National Merit Scholarship ($4,000)
National Merit finalists are eligible for any of the academic scholarships listed below in addition to their National Merit award. Candidates should Scholarship is renewable with a cumulative GPA of 3.400 (not rounded), calculated at the end of the fall semester of the second year. The student’s cumulative GPA will be reevaluated at the end of each subsequent fall semester for renewal during the next academic year. This award is given for a maximum of ten (10) semesters.
 
Honors Scholarship
A total of two university scholarships may be awarded to first-time freshmen. This award covers most tuition expenses for the year. All application materials must be received by the deadline date to be considered for this award. This scholarship is initially awarded for two years and is then renewable annually with a 3.500 cumulative GPA at PLNU.

President’s Scholarship 
A total of 30 President’s Scholarships will be awarded to first-time freshmen for the 2009-2010 academic year. The President’s Scholarship is renewable with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 (not rounded), calculated at the end of the fall semester of the second year. The student’s cumulative GPA will be reevaluated at the end of each subsequent fall semester for renewal during the next academic year. This award is given for a maximum of ten (10) semesters.

Trustee’s Scholarship 
A total of 40 Trustee’s Scholarships will be awarded to first-time freshmen for the 2009-2010 academic year. The Trustee’s Scholarship is renewable with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 (not rounded), calculated at the end of the fall semester of the second year. The student’s cumulative GPA will be reevaluated at the end of each subsequent fall semester for renewal during the next academic year. This award is given for a maximum of ten (10) semesters.

Provost’s Scholarship ($4,000)
The Provost’s Scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen with a weighted high school GPA of 3.700 and a 1200 SAT (combined math and critical reading) or a score of 26 on the ACT.

The Provost’s Scholarship is also awarded to new transfer students; eligibility criteria vary depending on the number of college units completed, as shown below:

Provost’s Scholarship Criteria for Incoming Transfer Students:

No. of Completed Award Criteria Units	Award Criteria
0-11	A cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.700 A 1200 SAT (combined math and critical reading) or 26 ACT
12-23	Same as for students with 0 – 11 units In addition, the student must have a college transfer GPA of 3.400 (unevaluated)
24 or more	A college transfer GPA of 3.400 (unevaluated)

For transfer students, the Provost’s Scholarship is renewable with a cumulative GPA of 3.400 (not rounded), calculated at the end of the fall semester of the second year of the award. The student’s cumulative GPA will be reevaluated at the end of each subsequent fall semester.

Second Chance Provost’s Scholarship
Students who did not qualify for any academic award at the time they were admitted to PLNU may be considered for this award after completing at least three full-time semesters at PLNU, and attaining a cumulative GPA of 3.700 or higher. If selected, this scholarship will be awarded for the following academic year. Applications for this award are available from the Student Financial Services office. Due to limited funding, all students who are eligible may not be awarded.

Science Honors Scholarships
Science Honors Scholarships are awarded by the departments of mathematics and in the sciences. For students entering the university during the 2009-2010 academic year, these scholarships are awarded for two years. They are then renewable annually with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 (not rounded), calculated at the end of the fall semester of the second year. The student’s cumulative GPA will be reevaluated at the end of each subsequent fall semester. This award is given for a maximum of ten (10) semesters. Once lost, a Science Honors Scholarship cannot be regained.

Performance Awards

Athletic Scholarships
The student should contact the Intercollegiate Athletic Department at 619-849-2265 or go to www.pointloma.edu/athletics. For students who live on-campus, athletic scholarships can only be used to help pay tuition, mandatory and other fees and on-campus room and board.

Forensics Scholarships
The student should contact the forensics coach in the Department of Communication and Theatre at 619-849-2391 (www.pointloma.edu/communication).

Music Scholarships
The student should contact the department assistant in the Department of Music at 619-849-2445 (www.pointloma.edu/music).

Theatre Scholarships
The student should contact the department chair in the Department of Communication and Theatre at 619-849-2248 (www.pointloma.edu/communication).

Tuition Discounts

Hawaii Travel Discount

The Hawaii Travel Discount ($1,200) is for students whose primary and permanent residence is in the state of Hawaii and is intended to offset travel expenses to PLNU. The award is activated when Student Financial Services receives a copy of the student’s current and valid Hawaii driver’s license or state ID card.

Multiple Child Discount

The Multiple Child Discount is for siblings from the same household who are concurrently enrolled as undergraduates at PLNU. To be eligible for this discount, both the student and the student’s siblings must each qualify as a “dependent” student and be enrolled full-time (12 units or more) through the end of the Refund Period each semester. A student is “dependent” if each of the following statements is true:

• The student was born after January 1, 1986
• The student will be working on a baccalaureate degree or teaching credential during the 2009-2010 year
• The student is not married
• The student does not have children
• The student is not a veteran of the U.S. Armed forces

A Multiple Child Discount is awarded as follows:

No. of siblings	Total family discount divided among siblings
2	$2,000
3	$4,000
4	$6,000

Award amounts can be divided among siblings in any way the family chooses provided the amount fits within each sibling’s budget, financial need, and semester charges.

Ministry Discount

The Pastor's or Missionary Child Discount for the 2009-2010 academic year provides a percentage discount on tuition charges for the dependent children of Nazarene and non-Nazarene pastors.

For the dependent child of a Nazarene pastor or missionary to qualify, each of the following statements must be true:

• The pastor must be a full-time *career senior pastor or in a full-time career pastoral leadership position during the 2009-2010 academic year
• The student was born after January 1, 1986
• The student is not married
• The student does not have children
• The student is not a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
• The student will be working on a B.A. or B.S. degree or continuing Teaching Credential during the 2009-2010 academic year. (This award is given for a maximum of 10 semesters.)

*"Career" is defined as someone whose full-time vocation is a pastoral leadership position. This may include bi-vocational pastors whose full-time salary may not be covered by the church, but whose primary occupation is a pastoral leadership position.

Due to limited resources, eligibility is not extended to administrative staff, support staff, or independent children of pastors or missionaries. Students wanting to apply for either the Pastor's or Missionary Child Discount should contact the Office of Church Relations at 619-849-2735, or visit them on-line at  ww.pointloma.edu/PastoralLeadership/ChurchRelations.htm.

Tuition Remission

PLNU employees and their dependents may be eligible for tuition remission and should contact the Office of Human Resources at 619-849-2200 or go on-line at www.pointloma.edu/HumanResources.htm for more information.

In addition, a limited number of students whose parents are employed at Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) institutions may be eligible for tuition remission benefits. These students must apply through the PLNU Admissions Office to determine their eligibility for this benefit.
 
If a student earns a PLNU academic scholarship, the amount of tuition remission must be reduced by the amount of the academic award. If the student has remaining unmet need as determined by the FAFSA, they may be awarded up to a maximum of $4,000 of their earned academic scholarship to apply for the cost of attendance, including on-campus room and board.

NOTE: Although tuition remission is a benefit, it is a resource and may limit the student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.

Institutional Grants

Church Scholarship, Nazarene Grant-in-Aid and District Grants

The Nazarene Matching Grant program is for Nazarene students from the Southwest Educational Region of the Church of the Nazarene (#9), which is comprised of the following districts (with amount available):

District	Amount
Anaheim	$2,600
Arizona	$2,600
Central California	$2,600
Hawaii	$2,600
Los Angeles	$2,600
New Mexico	$2,700
Northern California	$2,600
Sacramento	$2,600
Southern California	$2,600
SW Latin America	$2,600
Western Latin American	$2,600

The program consists of three awards: the Church Scholarship, the Nazarene Grant-in-Aid, and a District Grant. In order to receive these three awards, the student’s home Nazarene church must send PLNU a Church Scholarship check (up to $250 per year). PLNU matches this with the Nazarene Grant-in-Aid (up to $250 per year) and also applies the appropriate District Grant (amounts vary). A student whose home Nazarene church does not participate in the matching grant program may still be able to receive District Grant funds if the church’s pastor sends a written request to Student Financial Service on church letterhead.

For students living on-campus, these three awards can be used to help pay tuition and mandatory fees or on-campus room and board charges. For students living off-campus, the awards are restricted to tuition and fees. Neither the Church Scholarship nor the Nazarene Grant-in-Aid can be refunded to the student. However, for off-campus students whose total financial aid exceeds semester charges, the student may use District Grant funds to purchase meal tickets, provided that a FAFSA has been filed and the student demonstrates remaining financial need.

Students may receive the Church Scholarship, Nazarene Grant-in-Aid, and District Grant during the fall and spring semesters only, for up to ten regular semesters. Full-time enrollment (12 units or more per semester) is required through the end of the refund period.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the church and request that it send the Church Scholarship check to PLNU. If the church does not send the money, the Church Scholarship, Nazarene Grant-in-Aid, and District Grant will be removed from the student’s financial aid package.

The student should contact the church as early as possible during the academic year to find out if there are any special eligibility requirements (i.e., a minimum period of church attendance, church involvement, etc.) or if it requires submission of an application form.
 

Need-Based Institutional Aid

Nazarene Need Grant

The Nazarene Need Grant (NNG) is awarded to students who are Nazarene from the Southwest Educational Region with exceptional financial need (based on the FAFSA). To be considered, the student must file a FAFSA and complete the on-line PLNU Application for Financial Assistance. Students must be packaged with a Subsidized Stafford Loan before being packaged with NNG. Due to limited funding, not all students eligible for NNG will be awarded.

PLNU Need Grants

PLNU Need Grants (PLNG and NEED) are awarded to students with financial need (based on the FAFSA) and who meet all eligibility requirements. To be considered, the student must file a FAFSA and complete the on-line PLNU Application for Financial Assistance. Students must be packaged with a Subsidized Stafford loan before being packaged with PLNU. Due to limited funding, not all students eligible for PLNU will be awarded NEED grants

Leadership or Elected Office Institutional Aid

Point Loma Diversity Leadership Grant

Students should contact the Director of Diversity and International Student Services, at 619-849-2524, or the Associate Director of Admissions for Outreach, at 619-849-2518 for eligibility criteria.

Diversity awards are limited by financial need if the student’s financial aid package includes any form of federal or state need-based aid.

ASB and Resident Assistantships (RA)

Both Associated Student Body (ASB) leadership and RA awards are treated as need-based if the student’s financial aid package includes any form of federal or state need-based aid. This means that an ASB or RA award may have to be reduced or in rare cases, canceled to prevent the student from being funded in excess of financial need.

An alternative to having an ASB or RA award reduced or canceled is for the student to receive the excess award through student payroll. Under this option, the student will receive the amount of the excess as monthly checks. The drawback is that ASB or RA funds disbursed in this way must be reported to the IRS, and the student must pay taxes on these earnings. Neither ASB nor RA awards are disbursed directly to the student.

RA awards are based off the 19 meal per-week plan. Please note that if the student changes to a lesser meal plan, the difference cannot be refunded.

The contact person for ASB awards is the Director of Community Life. The contact person for resident assistantships is the Associate Dean of Residential Life.

Departmental/School and Endowment Awards

Each year, various academic departments and schools award a limited number of scholarships to selected students. Students should contact their academic department or school for applications and deadlines. Students in their freshman year are not eligible for these awards. 

 

Friends of Point Loma Nazarene University have established a number of special scholarships and loan funds to assist PLNU students. These scholarships are awarded only to continuing students (i.e., current PLNU students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors for the 2009-2010 academic year). Each academic department, school, or other unit at the university responsible for awarding these scholarships has its own application process and deadline.
 
Endowed awards for the 2009-2010 academic year may be viewed at www.pointloma.edu/FinancialAid/Undergrad/PLNU/EndowedAwards.htm. Students who are interested in applying for these scholarships should contact the category under which the scholarship is listed.

Financial Aid from Outside Agencies

Various organizations, such as businesses, community groups, churches, administer scholarships based on merit, athletics, community service, organizational affiliation, academic performance, or educational objective. Some of these awards require financial need. It is the student's responsibility to research outside scholarship opportunities. Once awarded, it is the student’s responsibility for contacting the outside agency sponsoring the scholarship award and requesting that it send the scholarship check to PLNU. Outside scholarship awards are always divided evenly over both the fall and spring semesters, unless the scholarship donor specifically states otherwise. Even if the scholarship donor sends the funds directly to the student, the award must still be treated as a resource, which means that other aid in the student’s package may need to be reduced or canceled to prevent the student from being funded in excess of campus charges, financial need, or cost of attendance.

ROTC and Vocational Rehabilitation

Both Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) help students to pay tuition and fee charges. Award amounts must be verified by the organization providing the financial assistance. Both ROTC and Vocational Rehabilitation are treated as need-based aid. This means that both of these awards can limit a student’s eligibility for merit and other need-based financial aid programs.

VA Benefits

Veterans Administration (VA) benefits are awarded to veterans of the Armed Services and dependents who qualify. These funds treated as a resource that count against the student’s eligibility for other need-based financial aid programs, including scholarships, grants, and loans (Subsidized Stafford loan is not affected by Chapter 30 VA Benefits). VA Benefits are certified by the university and paid directly to the student.

The student is responsible for accurately reporting on the FAFSA the expected monthly amount of VA Benefits and the number of months the benefit will be received. Inaccurately reported VA Benefits could result in adjustments to the student’s overall financial aid package.

Other Resources 

If a student receives any form of non-PLNU financial assistance, such as outside scholarships or veterans benefits, the SFS office may have to reduce previously awarded financial aid so that funding does not exceed financial need. Whenever possible, the SFS office will reduce Federal Work-Study and loan amounts before adjusting grant or scholarship assistance.

Limits of Financial Aid Awards

For students living on-campus, semester charges include tuition, mandatory fees (not including travel fees), and on-campus room and board charges. For students living off-campus, semester charges include tuition and mandatory fees only. Regardless of the student’s housing status, institutional aid (including endowed awards) can never exceed semester charges.

Students Living On-Campus: the only types of aid that can exceed semester charges are: Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, ACG, SMART, Federal Work-Study, and loans. External scholarships (excluding the Nazarene Church Scholarship) can also exceed semester charges, provided the student files a FAFSA and demonstrates unmet financial need at the time the outside scholarship is added to the student’s financial aid package.

Students Living Off-Campus: the only types of aid that can exceed semester charges are: Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, ACG, SMART, Federal Work-Study, loans, and outside scholarships (excluding the Nazarene Church Scholarship).

Students Studying Abroad: Students in a study abroad program may not be eligible for any form of institutional aid unless the study abroad program is required by the student’s academic major. However, both the Nazarene Church Scholarship and certain endowed scholarships can be used for a study abroad program. Recipients of endowed awards should check with the Student Financial Services Office for specific criteria. Majors at PLNU that require study abroad include Political Science, Romance Languages, International Studies, Environmental Science, International Business, and Media Communications with a Film Production emphasis. Tuition remission (including CCCU) cannot be used for a study abroad program. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require that PLNU students adhere to a policy of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to retain eligibility for federal financial aid (this policy also applies to Cal Grant A and B recipients). The SAP Policy does not apply to any form of Institutional Aid, including Church Scholarship, Matching and District Grants. Recipients of Academic Awards must maintain the renewal eligibility criteria as stated in the PLNU undergraduate Catalog.

The policy consists of a qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (unit) standard. Student Financial Services (SFS) conducts SAP review at the end of each academic year.

Qualitative Standard (GPA Requirement)

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (grade-point average) at the end of each academic year, as follows:

Freshmen (first semester only):	1.800
All other undergraduate students:	2.000
Teaching Credential students:	2.750

Quantitative Standard (two parts)

1. Minimum Unit Completion


2. Maximum Unit Completion

Financial Aid Probation and Disqualification

Students who have completed fewer than 57 semester units by the end of their second year, and who do not meet the qualitative or quantitative requirements, are placed on financial aid probation for the entirety of the following academic year. If students are placed on financial aid probation, they are still eligible to receive financial aid, but are made aware that they are not meeting the requirements for SAP. Students failing to meet SAP requirements following the probationary year are disqualified from receiving financial aid for the next academic year. Students in this category may file an appeal.

Students with more than 57 semester units who do not meet the qualitative and/or quantitative requirements are automatically disqualified from receiving financial aid for subsequent terms. There is no probationary period. The SFS office notifies such students in writing of their status and indicates whether or not they are eligible to submit an appeal.

Extenuating Circumstances and Appeal Process

If a student is eligible to file an appeal, this must be done within 21 days of being notified of loss of financial aid eligibility. The appeal must include an explanation of the extenuating circumstances that resulted in the student’s inability to make SAP, and include supporting documentation, if appropriate. The student’s appeal must include a plan from the Academic Advising Office that shows intent to make up the unit deficiency or raise the GPA. The SAP Committee will review all appeals and respond in writing. The Committee’s decision is final. A student may appeal only once throughout enrollment at PLNU.

Reinstatement

A student’s eligibility for financial aid may be reinstated if they make up their unit deficiency or raise their GPA. The student, however, cannot receive federal or state financial aid retroactively for periods in which they failed to maintain SAP.

SAP Definitions

Academic Year – an academic year is considered 30 continuous weeks of instruction.

Attempted Units – the cumulative number of units on a student’s academic transcript at the end of the semester. Attempted units include course repetitions and courses for which the student received a letter grade of F, I, IP, NC, W, or WF. Attempted units do not include remedial courses (099).

Completed Units – the cumulative number of units on a student’s academic transcript for which they earned a grade of A, B, C, or D. An incomplete course “I” counts as a grade of “F” in determining SAP. In order to clear SAP and receive financial aid, the incomplete course must be completed by the end of the next regular semester (refer to “Academic Policies” in the PLNU undergraduate Catalog). Once completed, the student will be able to receive financial aid retroactively for that semester. Completed units do not include remedial courses (099).

Study Abroad Units – units completed in a Study Abroad program count toward the number attempted and completed units, but not toward the student’s PLNU cumulative GPA. PLNU must receive transcripts from the host institution upon completion of the semester.

Transferable Units – evaluated units that PLNU accepts for transfer from another institution based on content approval.

Refund Policies

If a student withdraws from PLNU, federal, state and PLNU institutional aid awards may be refunded to their sources according to federal policy. The PLNU undergraduate Catalog contains information on the university’s institutional withdrawal policy. Under federal regulations, if the student withdraws at any point prior to completing 60% of the semester, the student will lose eligibility for all or part of your federal aid.

Resident halls fees are refundable according to the tuition refund schedule (below) except for the first two weeks of the semester, during which there is a per-night charge. The housing deposit may be refunded to students who withdraw after the eighth week of the semester (after a 30-day waiting period), providing that the student has paid all accounts in full. Meals are prorated from the date of official withdrawal with the Office of Records.

Tuition refunds are computed during regular semesters at the following percentages. These percentages are based on forms being received by the end of the business day on Friday.

First two weeks of the semester	100%
Third Week	75%
Fourth Week	50%
Fifth through eighth weeks	25%

Students are not entitled to any tuition refund after the eighth week of a regular semester. A schedule of refund dates is available at the beginning of each semester in the Records and Business offices, in the Alert (the university student newsletter), and on-line at www.pointloma.edu/records/academiccalendar.

Billing Calendar

Payment of tuition and fees and on-campus room and board charges is due by the following deadlines:

• Fall 2009 Semester: August 3, 2009
• Spring 2010 Semester: January 4, 2010

Prior to the payment deadline each semester, the enrolled student will be sent a Statement of Account (a comprehensive printout showing class schedule, semester charges, and expected financial aid). The Statement of Account also serves as the invoice from which payment should be made. Once classes have begun, an electronic billing statement showing all activity on the student’s account will be available on-line through the student and parent portals. Students will be assessed a 5% late fee if there is an unpaid “net balance” on their account after the semester payment deadline (see above).