SVSU’s Federal School Code is 002314
A variety of financial aid programs are available to help finance your education. While most financial aid assistance is distributed on a basis of established need, many scholarships and awards are available for qualified students regardless of their financial status. The Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid will create a financial aid package that can include scholarships, grants, loans and student employment to make your education possible.
SVSU Scholarships
Saginaw Valley State University offers a variety of scholarships (See sample below). For an additional list of scholarships, please go to SVSU’s financial aid website at www.svsu.edu/cfsc.
A substantial number of additional scholarships based on merit and need are awarded through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. For further information on these scholarships and other financial aid assistance, refer to SVSU’s financial aid website or contact the Campus Financial Services Center at (989) 964-4900.
Grants
Saginaw Valley State University offers the SVSU Opportunity Grant for students who qualify.
Federal Programs
SVSU participates in the following U.S. Department of Education federal programs:
- Pell Grant
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- TEACH Grant
- College Work-Study
- Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan Program
- PLUS Loan for Parents of Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students
State of Michigan Programs
Saginaw Valley State University participates in the Michigan Competitive Scholarship program.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
1. Apply and be accepted for admission to SVSU as a degree seeking student. On-line admission is available at www.svsu.edu/apply
2. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Although some scholarships do not require submission of the FAFSA, SVSU strongly recommends its submission In order to maximize award eligibility. The FAFSA must be filled each academic year. You can apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
3. Because some funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it is to your advantage to apply soon after Jan. 1 as possible.
Awarding Financial Aid
Federal, State and SVSU Grants and some SVSU scholarships are awarded to students after the financial aid file is complete. Other awards are made based upon selection processes. Financial aid awards are based on the following enrollment statuses for the fall and winter:
Enrollment Undergraduate Graduate
Status Students Students
Full-time 12 or more credits 9 or more
Three-quarter-time 9, 10, or 11 credits
Half-time 6, 7 or 8 credits 5, 6, 7 or 8 credits
Less than half-time 5 or less credits
If students plan to obtain financial aid for the spring/summer semester, they must complete and submit the Spring/Summer Federal Grant, Scholarship, and/or Student Loan Request Form, which can be obtained on the financial aid website by clicking “Forms.”
Students are notified of their financial aid award letter through their SVSU e-mail account.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) For Scholarships and Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be maintained while receiving federal, state and institutional financial aid at Saginaw Valley State University. There are three measurements for Satisfactory Academic Progress: SVSU cumulative grade point average (GPA), percentage of attempted courses completed, and maximum credit hours needed in which to complete a degree. Students must meet all three measurements. Students are reviewed at the end of EACH SEMESTER. Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic standards after a semester will receive one subsequent semester of aid while in Financial Aid Warning status. Students who are on financial aid warning can receive federal, state and institutional aid as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.
At the end of the warning period, a student who still has not met the standards will lose their eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid.
Policy
Undergraduate student requirements (Must meet all requirements):
- GPA requirements: Maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Failure to meet requirement after a financial aid warning is given, will result in loss of federal, state and institutional aid after the warning period
- Completion rate: Pass 67% of credits attempted throughout your academic career (transfer credits are included) Attempted courses are credits you are enrolled in after the refund period. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Failure to meet this requirement after a financial aid warning is given, will result in a loss of federal, state and institutional aid after the warning period
- PROGRAM COMPLETION: must be by 186 credit hours.
Graduate student requirements (Must meet all requirements):
- GPA requirements: *Maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Failure to meet this requirement after a financial aid warning is given, will result in loss of federal, state and institutional aid after the warning period
- Completion rate: Pass 67% of credits attempted throughout your academic career (transfer credits are included). Attempted courses are credits you are enrolled in after the refund period. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Failure to meet this requirement after a financial aid warning is given will result in a loss of federal, state and institutional aid after the warning period.
- PROGRAM COMPLETION: Program completion must be by 54 credit hours.
* Graduate students must maintain a 2.00 GPA or meet the academic standards required by departments, whichever is higher.
The program completion requirements are mandatory and have no warning period. Program completion for undergraduate students is 186 completed credit hours; program completion for graduate students is 54 completed credit hours.
Financial Aid Cancellation
A student will not be eligible for financial aid if any of the following has occurred:
- If the student does not meet the SAP requirements at the end of their warning or probation period.
- If a student has met the maximum number of credit hours for program completion.
Repeat Courses
All courses repeated and passed, will count toward the completion rate (67%). Courses repeated and failed, will count as an attempted course and will affect a student’s completion rate (67%).
Non-Credit Courses and Non-Degree Courses
Students enrolled in non-credit courses or non-degree courses in which the full tuition rate is charged, may use the credit hours for determination of full-time or part-time enrollment status. Non-credit courses numbered below 100 level of the basic skills requirements (ENGL 080, MATH 081, MATH 082) will be used to meet the credit hour requirement of this policy. Non-degree courses cannot be used to meet the credit hour requirement.
Incomplete Courses
Incomplete courses will not be counted as courses completed, but will count as an attempted course toward your completion rate. A student’s GPA is not affected by an incomplete grade.
Course Withdrawals
Course(s) withdrawn after the refund period will be counted as attempted courses and will count toward your completion rate (67%). Grades of “W” and “WP” does not affect a student’s GPA. A grade of “WF” (failing grade) will affect a student’s GPA.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit from other institutions will be counted towards your program completion rate and program completion.
Academic Program Changes
Students who change their academic program may appeal to have previous program requirements excluded from their program completion requirements.
Appeal Process
Students may appeal the decision to cancel financial aid based on the following circumstances:
1. The student became very ill or severely injured.
2. A death of a relative.
3. Other special circumstances.
Students must submit a financial aid reinstatement form and supportive documentation. Students must explain their failure to meet SAP and what has changed to allow them now to regain their aid. The reinstatement form is available on the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website. Applications for reinstatement must be received in the Academic Advisement Center, 117 Wickes Hall, by the deadline of the Late Registration and Add/Drop period for the semester in which the appeal or reinstatement is requested. Refer to the Course Schedule book for a specific semester date. Decisions are made within 10 business days after receipt. Students will be notified in writing.
If the student files a successful appeal, the status will be changed to Financial Aid Probation and the student will have one subsequent semester to meet SAP requirements to continue receiving aid.
The student will be monitored at the end of their probation semester. If the student meets the SAP requirements after their probation semester, then they will regain their aid for the next semester of attendance. If the student does not meet the SAP requirements after their probation semester, the student will lose eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid until the student meets the GPA and completion rate requirements above. Students who are on financial aid probation can receive federal, state and institutional aid as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.
Some students may be required to set up a Progress Plan with an Academic Advisor for their probationary period, which will consist of multiple semesters. Students must meet the plan requirements each semester to receive aid in remaining semester(s) of the plan. Students must meet the following requirements of the Progress Plan: Obtain a semester grade point average of 2.5 and pass 75% of courses attempted after the refund period for each semester. At the completion on the Progress Plan, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.00, have passed 67% of credits attempted after the refund period in their academic career (including transfer credits) and have not exceeded their program completion credits.
Reinstatement of Scholarship and Financial Aid Eligibility
If a student does not appeal their denial of federal, state and institutional aid, a student may regain eligibility when Satisfactory Academic Progress standards are met. The student must complete a Financial Aid Reinstatement Form. Retroactive payments will not be made for semesters in which a student was not eligible for financial aid. Contact an SVSU academic advisor if you plan to attend another institution and transfer credits back to SVSU.
Students who have questions concerning the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy are advised to see the Campus Financial Services Center.
Contact Information
Saginaw Valley State University
Campus Financial Services Center
Telephone: (989) 964-4900
E-mail: cfsc@svsu.edu
131-A Wickes Hall
7400 Bay Rd.
University Center, MI 48710
Financial Assistance
Among the financial assistance programs available to SVSU graduate students are:
Graduate Student Loans
SVSU participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program. Eligibility is based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information, go to the SVSU financial aid website at www.svsu.edu/csfc. Students may also apply for alternative loans to help meet their cost of attendance. These alternative loans are student loans, but require an additional application. For more information, go to the SVSU financial aid website at www.svsu.edu/csfc.
Graduate Payment Plan
The Graduate Payment Plan (GPP) is available for fall or winter semester for students enrolled in a graduate program allowing them to spread their educational expenses over two, interest-free payments. Students can use the payment plan in combination with financial aid or a student loan. An application is required. For more information, go to www.svsu.edu/cfsc/graduatepaymentplan
Tuition Reimbursement
Many companies reimburse employees for graduate level course work. Students should check with the Human Resource Department at their place of employment to see if this benefit is available. Saginaw Valley State University also has a third party billing arrangement with UAW-GM. This allows a student to receive approval for payment of tuition and fees prior to the payment date established by SVSU.
Graduate Scholarships
The awards are made by the respective academic departments based on academic merit and need (additional criteria may apply). Students are encouraged to submit an application and/or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form on an early basis. For more information, go to the SVSU financial aid website at www.svsu.edu/csfc.
Private Scholarships
Private scholarships are available to qualified full and part-time graduate students. Selection criteria differ for each scholarship as the scholarships are competitive. For more information, go to the SVSU financial aid website at www.svsu.edu/csfc.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships
A limited number of Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships are available to qualified students.
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