Student Responsibilities and Common Questions
Review rules to follow and choices to avoid:
Financial aid is offered from federal, state, private, and UAA sources of funds and the student responsibilities can vary by program and aid type. Students have responsibilities when it comes to aid and it is important to understand all of the rules behind each award. Some awards may require that you meet consistent academic standards and/or credit requirements in order to receive the award. If your award is from a private organization, you may need to look at their website or contact them for more information.
Always remember, your financial aid eligibility could be in jeopardy if program rules are not followed. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns, we're here to help!
- MEET Degree/Certificate Program Requirements
In order to be eligible for federal, state, and most types of UAA financial aid programs, a student must be fully admitted in an eligible degree or certificate program.
There are 6 types of admission into the University of Alaska Anchorage:
- Non-degree-seeking - students may take classes but are not eligible for most types of financial aid, except for some private sources.
- Occupational Endorsement Certificates (OEC) - These can be both undergraduate and graduate level. It is important to note that not all occupational endorsements are eligible for financial aid. It is important to verify with either the Registrar's Office or the Financial Aid Office to confirm eligibility. * The Alaska Performance Scholarship does not define any OECs as eligible for their funding.
- Certificate Program - These can be both undergraduate and graduate level and typically average 30 credits.
- Associate Degrees - These are typically undergraduate programs that average 60 credits. It is important to note that a student with prior federal loans at the bachelor's level may lose previous subsidized interest rights by changing to a lower degree program such as an associate, certificate, or OEC.
- Bachelor's Degree - These are typically undergraduate programs that average 120 credits. It is important to note that a student with prior federal loans at the bachelor's level may lose previous subsidized interest rights by changing to a lower degree program such as an associate, certificate, or OEC.
- Masters or Professional Level Programs - These are typically graduate programs that vary in earned credit requirements. It is important to note that a student accepted into a graduate program MUST enroll in graduate level courses, unless the UAA Catalog specifies that undergraduate courses fulfill a graduate degree requirement. Undergraduate leveling courses that must be taken BEFORE a student gains unconditional admission into a graduate program are not eligible for graduate level financial aid. The UAA Admissions and Registrar's Offices in coordination with the Financial Aid Office can help to determine if there is an undergraduate funding option.
* UA Foundation Scholarships: Awarding of UA Foundation scholarships usually takes place up to 7 months prior to the start of the academic year in which the scholarship is disbursed. Many of these scholarships are selected based on admission to a particular degree program or college/department. Changing from one program or college to another could place your award in jeopardy.
PLEASE CHECK WITH THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PROGRAM CHANGES
- Consortium Agreements
A Consortium Agreement exists between two higher education institutions (a primary "home" campus and a secondary "host" campus) to grant financial aid to a student concurrently attending both schools. UAA does not enter into consortium agreements on behalf of admitted UAA students with institutions outside the University of Alaska system. Therefore, students needing to take courses outside of UAA will need to budget private funds to do so.
UAA will enter into consortium agreements on behalf of students attending UAA as their host campus.
According to federal and state regulations, students ARE NOT permitted to receive financial aid at more than one college/university in a given semester or overlapping academic period. Please contact our office if you have questions or need further clarification.
- MEET Enrollment Requirements
The amount of financial aid you are eligible to receive can be affected by the number of "financial aid eligible" credits you are enrolled in. All initial awards shown on your UAOnline aid package are based on full-time enrollment (if not registered) and actual enrollment (if registered). Most federal and state financial aid can be adjusted throughout the semester, however, eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant program "locks" on the Add/Drop Deadline at 5 PM.*
*Why is this important? This means that after the Add/Drop Deadline has passed, adding another class, even one that is late-starting, will not increase your Pell Grant award if you were granted one by the federal government. During the summer semester, this rule still applies even though the summer semester has multiple sessions. The "lock date" for the Federal Pell Grant occurs in the first session unless you are only enrolled in a later session, at which point the "lock" will be during the Add/Drop period of that session. Remember, adding summer classes after the first session's Add/Drop deadline has passed will not increase Federal Pell Grant awards.
Federal PELL Grant (PELL): Actual amounts are subject to Federal Payment Schedules, FAFSA "EFC" number and grade mode.
- Full-time - 12+ credits = 100%
- 3/4 Time - 9-11 credits = approx. 75%
- Half-Time - 6-8 credits = approx. 0-50%
- Less than 1/2 Time - 1-5 credits = approx. 0-25% (varies based on FAFSA EFC)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG):
- Half-Time - 6 or more credits = 100%
- Less than 1/2 Time - 1-5 credits = 0%
Federal Direct Student Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Federal Graduate PLUS Loan for Graduate Students)
Undergraduate Students
- Half-Time - 6 or more credits = 100%
- Less than 1/2 Time - 1-5 credits = 0%
- * Award subject to Cost of Attendance adjustment and "pro-rated" loans for fall semester graduating students
Graduate Students
- Half-Time - 5 or more graduate-level credits = 100%
- Less than 1/2 Time - 1-5 credits = 0%
- * Award subject to Cost of Attendance adjustment and "pro-rated" loans for fall semester graduating students
Federal Work Study Program:
- Half-Time - 6 or more credits = 100%
- Less than 1/2 Time - 1-5 credits = 0%
State and Institutional Scholarships:
Refer to your scholarship award notification for confirmation. There are some UA Scholarships that require Full-Time (12+) Enrollment to remain eligible unless a special exception has been granted. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about eligibility.
Private Scholarships:
Please refer to the parameters established by your donor.Ineligible and Repeat Coursework (Courses taken more than once)
Federal, State, and most UAA-funded programs require enrollment in financial aid eligible courses. Some courses do not meet the definition to qualify.
Audit Mode - Taking a class in "audit mode" makes a class ineligible for federal, state, and most institutional financial aid. To "audit" a class means that you will not receive a final grade to identify your successful course participation and comprehension.
Challenge courses and 500-level courses: These courses are NOT fundable by any type of financial aid.
Course Level Not Matched to Degree Level: Students in an undergraduate program may not take graduate level classes and have them count towards financial aid enrollment rules. Students admitted in a graduate program MUST enroll in graduate level courses, unless the UAA Catalog specifies that undergraduate courses fulfill a graduate degree requirement. Undergraduate leveling courses that must be taken BEFORE a student gains unconditional admission into a graduate program are not eligible for graduate level financial aid. The UAA Admissions and Registrar's Offices in coordination with the Financial Aid Office can help to determine if there is an undergraduate funding option.
Repeat Courses: Students may receive financial aid funding once for repeating a previously passed class; a failed course may be repeated until it is passed.
- AVOID Ineligible and Repeated Coursework (Classes Taken More Than Once)
Federal, State, and most UAA-funded programs require enrollment in financial aid eligible courses based on undergraduate or graduate program status.
Some courses do not meet the definition to qualify:
- Audit Mode: Taking a class in "audit mode" makes a class ineligible for federal, state, and most institutional financial aid. To "audit" a class means that you will not receive a final grade to identify your successful course participation and comprehension.
- Challenge courses and 500-level courses: These courses are NOT fundable by any type of financial aid.
- Course Level Not Matched to Degree Level: Students in an undergraduate program may not take graduate level classes and have them count towards financial aid enrollment rules. Students admitted in a graduate program MUST enroll in graduate level courses, unless the UAA Catalog specifies that undergraduate courses fulfill a graduate degree requirement. Undergraduate leveling courses that must be taken BEFORE a student gains unconditional admission into a graduate program are not eligible for graduate level financial aid. The UAA Admissions and Registrar's Offices in coordination with the Financial Aid Office can help to determine if there is an undergraduate funding option.
- Repeat Courses: Students may receive financial aid funding once for repeating a previously passed class; a failed course may be repeated until it is passed.
- Remedial Courses: Students who enroll in remedial coursework (less than 100 level) may receive financial aid for these courses.
- Full "Repeat Coursework Guidance"
Federal Regulations specify that students may receive federal financial aid funding for one repetition of a previously-passed course.
Repeated coursework may be included if:
- The student received an "unsatisfactory" or failing grade. Students may repeat a failed course until it is passed
- Determining enrollment status in a term-based program if a student needs to meet an
academic standard for a previously-passed course, such as a minimum grade.
- e.g. A student received a 'D' in a course which requires a minimum of 'C' for his/her major. Please note that this is limited to one repetition of a passed course.
- If a student passed a class once, is then repaid for retaking it, and withdraws the second time, that withdrawal does not count as their paid retake, and the student may receive financial aid for another attempt.
Repeated coursework that may not count towards a student's enrollment status for the purpose of financial aid eligibility include:
- Retaking a passed course more than once. If a student receives a 'D' in a course and decides to repeat the course, he/she may repeat this passed course one time. If this student wishes to repeat it a second time, the course would not count toward the student's enrollment status.
- If a student passed a class once, then retakes it and fails the second time, that failure counts as their second retake and the student may not be repaid for retaking the class a third time.
Additional Notes
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All repeated courses affect financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress calculations. Regardless of whether the student received financial aid or not, all repeated coursework must be counted as attempted credits.
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Certain course descriptions listed in the UAA Catalog may state that a specific course "must be repeated for degree" or "may be repeated for credit if content differs." A student may receive financial aid for these courses as long as the course content differs, regardless of receipt of a passing grade.
- AVOID Dropping Classes (Before the Semester Starts OR During Add/Drop)
The number of financial aid eligible credits a student is enrolled can determine how much financial aid they are eligible to receive. All initial awards are based on full-time enrollment (if not registered) and actual enrollment (if registered). Eligibility for federal and state financial aid "locks" on the Add/Drop Deadline at 5 PM. (*Summer Session: Even though the summer semester has multiple sessions, the "lock date" for federal aid occurs only in the first session. Adding summer classes after the first sessions Add/Drop deadline will not increase Federal Pell Grant awards.) Final grant and scholarship award amounts are made the week after the deadline has passed. Check your UAOnline account to make sure you do not owe a balance after dropping a class. *Adding a class after the add/drop deadline may not result in additional funds, so it is important to check with the UAA Office of Financial Aid before making ANY add/drop decisions.
Two adjustments that can seriously impact your financial aid in a negative way:
- Dropping SOME CLASSES before the Add/Drop Deadline: Students who drop some courses before the deadline may be eligible for a reduced award if the aid program allows it. If you have already received a disbursement for full-time, you may need to return the funds or you will be in jeopardy of receiving account holds and collections costs. Some aid programs do not allow allow less than full-time enrollment, so please check with our office.
- Dropping ALL CLASSES before the Add/Drop Deadline: Students who drop all courses during the Add/Drop period are not eligible for any financial aid, therefore 100% of federal and state aid initially offered to you will be returned to the government on the student's behalf. If you have already received a disbursement, you will need to return the funds or you will be in jeopardy of receiving account holds and collections costs.
*For the summer semester, the published ADD/DROP DEADLINE is used to determine award amounts for all sessions during summer. If an initial award arrives after you have already withdrawn from a class(es), payment will match current enrollment.
If you change/reduce your enrollment after financial aid disbursement has occurred for a given semester, you will be responsible for all overpayments that are the result of your credit load reduction or change. Any credit balance of loans that exist as a result of an approved "Petition for Refund" or from dropping below half-time enrollment will be returned without student authorization to reduce your student loan debt and the risk to the institution's cohort default rate.
- AVOID Not Attending / Not Participating in Class(es)Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant award and who do not begin attendance or participation in class(es) will have the award returned to the Federal government. The federal government will not allow students to keep financial aid without attendance and/or active participation in courses. College instructors report this information to our office and we are required by the federal government to take action on those notices even if the semester has ended.
- AVOID Withdrawing from ONE or MORE Classes - But Not ALL ClassesStudents who receive a financial aid award at a higher enrollment credit load who later withdraw from a class(es) or switch them to "audit" may not immediately be in jeopardy of losing financial aid but the reduction could impact the Satisfactory Academic Progress - Cumulative Completion Rate, which could prevent future aid eligibility. In addition, certain scholarships, like the Alaska Performance Scholarship and the UA Scholars award require a student to earn specific credits (milestones/benchmarks) by the end of an academic year in order to earn eligibility in the upcoming year.
- AVOID Withdrawing from ALL Classes
In a given semester (period of enrollment), students earn a portion of their awarded federal financial aid for every day of attendance or active participation in academically-related activity. Eligibility for aid must be recalculated for a student who withdraws from all classes prior to completing 60% of the period of enrollment. If, due to the withdrawal calculation, the student owes the federal government a portion of the loans or grants received at the beginning of the semester, the university will automatically pay this to the government on the student's behalf. This may result in a debt placed on the student account and an institutional hold, preventing registration or release of official transcripts until resolved. Students will be subject to any collection costs incurred according to UAA Bursar's Office policies.
There are three types of student behaviors that will result in a recalculation review:
- Official Total Withdrawal: Students who withdraw from all courses on UAOnline or in writing after the Add/Drop Deadline has passed are eligible for a percentage of financial aid based on the percent of the semester completed. For example: a student who totally withdraws after completing only 30% of the term will have “earned” only 30% of any federal financial aid received. The school and/or the student must return the remaining 70% to the government.
- Unofficial Total Withdrawal: Students who do not officially withdraw but they instead STOP attending or participating in class, or fail to earn a successful grade in any of their semester classes will also be reviewed. Failure to successfully complete coursework after receiving federal financial aid will result in a recalculation of earned aid based on faculty-reported last date of attendance submitted for students who earn an "F", "NB", or "NG" during grade submission. Federal regulation permits institutions to use the midpoint (50%) of the semester during the calculation of Unofficial Withdrawals unless the student did not commence attendance in the course(s).
- Noncommenced Attendance: If faculty report that a student did not attend/participate in any portion of a course, the student has earned zero (0%) percent of financial aid and all aid will be returned to the government. Note: A student may submit instructor-certified documentation of attendance within five (5) business days in order to keep a prorated portion of federal funds. Until the calculation is completed, affected students will be subject to an "Unofficial Withdrawal Hold", preventing future financial aid disbursements.
The Return of Title IV Funds Calculation is based on the number of calendar days a student attended*, divided by the number of days within the enrollment term. * For distance education courses, "attendance" is based on "participation in academically-related activity" under the direction of the instructor. Please note: Logging into the UAA BlackBoard portal does not indicate active participation.
A student thinking about withdrawing from classes should contact the Office of Financial Aid to see how the withdrawal will affect their current and future aid eligibility.
- Return of Federal Title IV Funds Calculation Instructions
The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 changed the formula for calculating the amount of aid a student and school can retain when the student totally withdraws from all classes. Students who withdraw from all classes prior to completing more than 60% of an enrollment term will have their eligibility for aid recalculated based on the percent of the term completed. For example, a student who totally withdraws after completing only 30% of the term will have “earned” only 30% of any Title IV aid received. The school and/or the student must return the remaining 70%. The Office of Student Financial Aid encourages you to read this policy carefully. If you are thinking about withdrawing from all classes PRIOR to completing more than 60% of the semester, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid to see how your withdrawal will affect your financial aid.
- This policy applies to all students who withdraw, drop out, are expelled from the
University of Alaska Anchorage or otherwise fail to complete the period of enrollment
for which they were charged, and who receive financial aid from Title IV funds:
- The term “Title IV Funds” refers to the Federal financial aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and includes the following programs: Unsubsidized Stafford loans, Subsidized Stafford loans, Federal PLUS loans, Federal Perkins loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG grants.
- A student’s withdrawal date is:
- the date the student completed the course withdrawal form, or the date the student officially notified the Enrollment Services Office (this notification may take place via email, letter, phone or personal contact); or
- the midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the institution; or
- the student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity.
- The term “period of enrollment” includes every day, including weekends, that the student is enrolled, excluding breaks of at least five consecutive days (the length of the break is determined by counting the first day of the break through the last day before classes resume).
- Title IV aid is earned in a prorated manner on a per diem basis up to and including
the 60% point in the semester. Title IV aid and all other aid is viewed as 100% earned
after that point in time.
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The percentage of Title IV aid earned shall be calculated as follows:
Number of days completed by student / Total number of days in term* = Percent of term completedThe percent of term completed shall be the percentage of Title IV aid earned by the student.
*The total number of days in term excludes any scheduled breaks of more than five days.
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The percentage of Title IV aid unearned (i.e., to be returned to the appropriate program) shall be 100% minus the percent earned.
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Unearned aid shall be returned first by UAA from the student’s account calculated as follows:
Total institutional charges X percent of unearned aid = amount returned to program(s)Unearned Title IV aid shall be returned to the following programs in the following order: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Perkins Loans, Parent Loans to Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, other Title IV grant programs. Exception: no program can receive a refund if the student did not receive aid from that program.
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When the total amount of unearned aid is greater than the amount returned by UAA from the student’s account, the student is responsible for returning unearned aid to the appropriate program(s) as follows: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan*, Subsidized Stafford Loan*, Parent Loans to Undergraduate Students (PLUS)*, Federal Pell Grant**, Federal SEOG**, other Title IV grant programs**.
* Loan amounts are returned according to the terms of the promissory note.
** Amounts to be returned by the student to federal grant programs will receive a 50% discount. -
If a withdrawing student is determined to have earned more aid than was actually disbursed by the official withdrawal date, UAA may apply “post-withdrawal disbursements” to current year charges and to minor prior year charges that the student owes without specific permission of the withdrawing student, providing the student would have otherwise been fully eligible for the disbursement on the date of withdrawal.
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If earned but not disbursed amounts remain after a post-withdrawal disbursement is applied to outstanding eligible institutional charges, withdrawing students (or their respective PLUS borrower) will be offered, in writing, postwithdrawal disbursements of the remaining amounts within 30 days of the date of UAA’s determination that the student withdrew. The withdrawing student or his/her parent must accept the balance of the “post-withdrawal disbursement” within 14 days of being notified. If the student or parent accepts the offer of a post-withdrawal disbursement within 14 days, UAA must provide the funds within 90 days of the date on which UAA became aware of the withdrawal. If the student or parent does not respond within the 14-day window, UAA is not required to make the disbursement, but may do so at it discretion.
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Written offers of post-withdrawal disbursements, refunds and adjusted bills will be sent to the student’s home address on file in the Office of Records and Registration following withdrawal. Students are responsible for any portion of their institutional charges that are left outstanding after Title IV funds are returned.
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- A student may rescind his/her official notification of withdrawal by filing a written
statement with the Records and Registration Office that he/she is continuing to participate
in academically related activities and intends to complete the period of enrollment.
- If the student subsequently ceases to attend UAA prior to the end of the period of enrollment, the student’s rescission is negated and the withdrawal date is the student’s original date, unless a later date is determined.
- Institutional and student responsibilities concerning the return of Title IV funds.
- UAA’s responsibilities concerning the return of Title IV funds include:
- providing each student with the information given in this policy;
- identifying students who are affected by this policy and completing the Return of Title IV Funds calculation for those students;
- returning any Title IV funds based on federal calculation regulations that are due the Title IV programs.
- The student’s responsibilities in regard to the return of Title IV funds include:
- becoming familiar with the Return of Title IV policy and how complete withdrawal affects eligibility for Title IV aid;
- returning to the Title IV programs any funds that were disbursed directly to the student and which the student was determined to be ineligible for via the Return of Title IV Funds calculation.
- UAA’s responsibilities concerning the return of Title IV funds include:
- The fees, procedures, and policies listed above supersede those published previously and are subject to change at any time.
- Refunds of institutional charges for students who do not totally withdraw will be calculated using the UAA refund policy published in the UAA Class Schedule and Academic Catalog.
- Withdrawn students who later have a Petition for Refund approved may not receive the full refund if the source of funds used to pay for university charges is from a federal or alternative student loan source. UAA will return any credit balance of student loan funds to reduce the loan debt burden on the student and to effectively support institutional default management goals.
- This policy applies to all students who withdraw, drop out, are expelled from the
University of Alaska Anchorage or otherwise fail to complete the period of enrollment
for which they were charged, and who receive financial aid from Title IV funds:
- MEET Federal Work-Study and Student Employment Responsibilities
- Begin work only after all new hire paperwork has been completed
- Notify the Office of Financial Aid and your immediate supervisor at once if you withdraw from the University or drop below half-time (6 credit hours). You cannot receive Federal Work Study funds if you are taking less than 6 credit hours.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the SAP policy of the University.
- Student employees should only work up to 20 hours a week while the University is in session.
- No students can work during times scheduled for classes.
- Report time worked accurately and in a timely manner every pay period (every two weeks).
- Notify supervisor in advance if rearranging regularly scheduled hours.
- Notify supervisor of absences in advance.
- Refrain from conducting personal business while working.
- Do not misuse University property, including keys, access cards, office equipment, vehicles, or mail and phone service.
- Be professional and respectful while on the job. Discuss dress and appearance with your supervisor.
- For additional assistance in learning how to expand your professional reputation, visit the UAA Career Services Center
- MEET Alaska Performance Scholarship and UA Scholars Continuing Eligibility Requirements
ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP
The Alaska Performance Scholarship is an opportunity for Alaska high school students to earn money to help cover the cost of an Alaska postsecondary eligible degree or vocational certificate. Alaska high school students who take a more rigorous curriculum, get good grades, and score well on college placement or work-ready exams, can earn an Alaska Performance Scholarship to attend UAA or other qualified Alaska colleges, universities, or vocational/technical programs.
UA SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The UA Scholars program offers a merit-based scholarship that students qualify for based on their class ranking in high school. The purpose of the UA Scholars Award is to provide an incentive for Alaska's middle and high school students to achieve academic excellence, to nourish efforts of schools to provide high quality education, and to encourage the top high school graduates from every community in Alaska to attend the University of Alaska. The UA Scholars Award continues to keep Alaska's top high school graduates in state while continuing their education at the University of Alaska. UA Scholars enrich the academic environment at UA as they develop in their roles as future leaders of Alaska. They represent all the corners of the state and serve as ambassadors between their community and the university.
Eligibility for the UA Scholars Award is based on academic standing at the end of the junior year. Each eligible high school in Alaska is responsible for notifying the UA Scholars Program about the students who qualify for the UA Scholars Award through a "Designation Process" which takes place from May 1 - October 1 each year. The program office then notifies eligible students what action to take before May 1st of their senior year in high school. It is a $12,000 scholarship to any of the 15 University of Alaska campuses. With over 500 degree and certificate programs to choose from you are likely to find a program that will help you meet your career goals.
- For initial and continuing eligibility criteria, award information, and more, visit the UA Scholars Program website.
- For new or current UA Scholars, review the UA Credit Milestones chart on the UA Scholars Program Website to determine how to remain in program compliance.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - Follow Rules to Remain Eligible for Financial Aid
What is SAP?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the federal requirement that students make real and measurable progress toward their degree in order to be eligible to receive federal aid. SAP was created due to increasing accountability for the use of federal, state, and institutional student financial aid funds. Universities and students are required to demonstrate that financial aid funds are being used to assist students in efficiently completing their academic goals. In order to remain eligible for federal, state, and most institutional financial aid, students must comply with the SAP standards represented in the University of Alaska SAP Policy.
All students are monitored for SAP whether or not they applied for or received financial aid during prior semesters. Students are not eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial assistance if they do not meet SAP requirements.
- What Does my SAP Status Mean?
To view your SAP status...
1. Go to UAOnline,
2. Click on the Financial Aid tab,
3. Select UAA,
4. Select Financial Aid Status,
5. Select the appropriate Academic Year.
6. Review your overall financial aid status. Your SAP (academic progress) status will be listed.
What does my SAP status mean?
StatusDefinition Eligible
The student is meeting all SAP standards and is eligible to receive financial aid. 125% Early Alert
The student is meeting all SAP standards and is eligible to receive financial aid. This is an informational status to advise students they are approaching the 150% maximum timeframe for their primary degree program. Warning
The student has been placed on financial aid warning for one semester after they failed to meet the GPA and/or the cumulative completion rate standards.
This warning status allows students to receive financial aid for one additional semester of enrollment without need for appeal or any other action. This gives students an opportunity to rectify their academic progress for the next semester. Students must meet ALL SAP standards by the end of the warning term or have financial aid eligibility suspended.
Ineligible
The student has been suspended from receiving financial aid if they did not meet the GPA or cumulative completion rate by the end of their warning semester. The student may have also been suspended for failing to complete their program by the established maximum timeframe.
Students on financial aid suspension are ineligible for federal, state, and institutional aid. The financial aid suspension affects only financial aid and does not prevent a student from enrolling and paying for classes on their own. Suspension will persist until the student either reinstates their eligibility or successfully appeals for an exception to policy.
Probation
The student was on financial aid suspension but successfully appealed. Students on probation are eligible for financial aid disbursements but must meet the requirements of their academic plan and the conditions of their appeal until they can reinstate their eligibility. Students who fail to meet the requirements of their academic plan or the conditions of their appeal will be placed back on financial aid suspension. - What are the minimum requirements to be in a status eligible for financial aid?
- When does evaluation and notification happen?
Frequency of Evaluation
UAA evaluates SAP at the end of each semester after grades are posted. Students are evaluated to determine their financial aid eligibility for the upcoming semester.
Every student who receives financial aid must be making SAP, regardless of whether they are a first-time applicant or have received financial aid in the past. First-time freshman with no prior post-secondary coursework are presumed to be meeting the SAP standards for their first semester of enrollment and will be eligible for financial aid.
Enrollment Status
SAP evaluations are based on the student’s enrollment status. Undergraduate students will have only undergraduate coursework counted in their SAP evaluation. Similarly, graduate students will have only graduate coursework counted in their SAP evaluation.
Notification
Shortly after SAP is evaluated, Financial Assistance staff will notify students who fail to meet the minimum SAP standards. Staff will inform students via email to their preferred email address that they have been placed on financial aid warning or financial aid suspension. SAP is evaluated for each student within the UA system regardless of whether they are using financial aid or not.
SAP status can also be found on UAOnline under the "Financial Aid" tab under "Eligibility".
- Are there classes, programs, or rules could make me ineligible for financial aid?
- Occupational Endorsements: Some occupational endorsement certificates do not qualify for financial aid under federal, state, and UAA rules. Check with the UAA Financial Aid Office to make sure you are admitted into an eligible program.
- Audit Grade Mode Classes: Classes taken in "audit" grade mode are not eligible for financial aid. Students must be taking a class for credit, actively participate, and earn a successful grade at the conclusion of the course in order to avoid violating several federal aid eligibility rules.
- Repeat Courses: Students may receive financial aid funding once for repeating a previously passed class; a failed course may be repeated until it is passed.
- Remedial Coursework: Students who enroll in remedial coursework (less than 100 level) may receive financial aid.
- eLearning and Distance-Delivered Courses: These courses count toward the credit hour load and may be used to fulfill credit hour requirements for financial aid if the courses are required for a student’s degree program. Note: Students are still required to complete these classes within the term that they enroll (year-long correspondence courses are NOT eligible for financial aid).
- Challenge courses and 500-level courses: These courses are NOT fundable by any type of financial aid.
- Institutional Funds: Students receiving most scholarships, grants, or tuition waivers from UA are expected to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements listed in this document. Please be advised, however, that some scholarships and waivers require a higher GPA for continued receipt.
- Other Sources of Aid: Students receiving scholarships or financial aid from such sources as State of Alaska, BIA, regional and village corporations, civic groups, and private organizations will be evaluated under the requirements of the funding agency.
- Disbursements: Appeals may be approved for current or future semesters only and cannot be approved for a prior term. Funds cannot be disbursed for prior semesters when a student had failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Financial Aid Warning: A student in good standing who fails to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements will be placed on Warning for the first semester s/he falls below the cumulative 67% standard and/or who fails to meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement.
- Financial Aid Suspension: Financial aid suspension will result from:
- Failure to complete the minimum percentage of credits and/or cumulative GPA required after being on Financial Aid Warning.
- Academic Disqualification, Dismissal, or removal from program as defined by the academic catalog.
- Exceeding 150% of the maximum number of credits required for graduation from the student's program.
- Failure to meet the requirements of an appeal approval and/or academic plan.
- How can I appeal my current status or regain eligibility for financial aid?
UAA does not have the authority to waive SAP requirements. However, the UAA Office of Financial Aid may make exceptions to the requirements in individual cases, if the student can demonstrate his or her failure to meet the minimum standard was caused by exceptional or unusual circumstances beyond his or her control. To be eligible for an exception to policy, students must appeal their SAP status.
The Office of Financial Aid will email students notifying them of their status and advising them of their right to appeal while providing a link to the appeal form and instructions. Students may obtain additional copies of the appeal form at the UAA Enrollment Services Center in the Student Union building or from the UAA Financial Aid Forms website.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Financial Aid Terms & FAQs
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAFSA and Verification
The Awarding Process
Federal Loans
Refund & Disbursement
Cost of Attendance
- Glossary of Common Terms
Glossary
This glossary lists terminology commonly used at UAA.
For additional terminology please visit the U.S. Department of Education Official Glossary-
General
Term Definition Any sources of money that students have received which were not factored into their cost of attendance estimate. Alaska Commission on Post-Secondary Education (ACPE) ACPE Website Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) Alaska Performance Scholarship Website Aid Offer Letter Letter sent each award year to students informing them of their award status and policies. Award Year The year for which a student receives a specific type of financial aid. For federal aid, Award Years usually begin on July 1st ends June 30th. Budget Forecast Estimation of the cost of attendance or a student to attend the university during a specific award year. Census Date (Add/Drop Deadline) The date that enrollment and the Federal Pell Grant award amount are locked for financial aid purposes. UAA's "census date" is at 5 PM on the Add/Drop Deadline. Consortium Agreement A Consortium Agreement is an official agreement between two higher education institutions (a primary/"home" institution, and a secondary/"host" institution) to grant financial aid to a student concurrently attending both schools. Cost of Attendance or "Budget" An estimate of how much money the university expects a student will need to pay for college — including living expenses — throughout an academic year. Data Retrieval Tool Simple Steps to Transfer Tax Information into FAFSA. Dependency Dependency Status refers to whether a FAFSA applicant is dependent or independent. Disbursement The process of "disbursing" or applying financial aid to a student's UAA account. Emergency Loan Fund (ELF) Designed primarily to assist students through funds for books or other school- related costs during the first three weeks of the semester. - PROGRAM DISCONTINUED in 2018-2019 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) A measure of your family's financial strength, calculated from your family's taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security). Federal Work Study (FWS) Federally-subsidized employment through the university. Financial Aid Authorization A form that allows students to authorize the use of Federal Financial Aid to cover non-institutional charges such as: housing damages, parking permits, or any charges not directly tied to taking a class. This form also allows students to authorize use of Federal Financial Aid to prior-year charges. Financial Aid Probation Status of students whose SAP Appeals we were permitted to approve but are not yet officially reinstated. Students on probation must meet with an advisor and follow a strict degree plan created for them in UAOnline - DegreeWorks. Financial Aid Assistance in the form of money for students attending the university. Financial Need A specific financial aid status according to the information on a student's FAFSA. Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) Free form used to assess federal and many non-federal aid award amounts. Gainful Employment Disclosure Disclosure of information regarding post-educational employment. Gift Aid Aid that is given to a student which does not need to repaid. Grant Gift aid based on financial need. Overaward Refund Return of funds over the estimated cost of attendance. This risk can happen throughout the semester if some awards, like private scholarships, are received after federal or state aid has already been released. In some cases, a return of federal/state aid is required. UAA will do everything we can to try to avoid returning funds and creating a debt on a student account. Overaward When students are inadvertently awarded more financial aid than their cost of attendance. Professional Judgment (PJ) A Financial Aid administrator's judgment whether students' special circumstances exempt them from their FAFSA status. Proration When aid is calculated according to credit load and other aid-specific requirements. Refund Disbursement of financial aid funds directly to the student for non-university expenses. Revision Any change made to financial aid that has already been awarded, either increase or decrease. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) A measurement of academic progress and participation in all college classes for financial aid purposes. Even classes taken at another non-UAA college/university can influence your SAP status at UAA. Working with an advisor will help you make academic decisions to keep you in a financial aid eligible SAP state. Scholarship "Free" financial aid, can be based on academic performance, financial need, or family or student membership, or demographic details. Title IV Higher Education Act of 1965 definition Federal Loan, Grant, and Work Study Programs. Tuition Waiver "Free" University of Alaska financial aid that may only be used to pay for tuition. Unusual Educational History (UEH) FAFSAs that are flagged by the U.S. Department of History as potentially fraudulent. Verification The process of reviewing the accuracy of information reported on a student's FAFSA. - Student Loans
Term Definition Aggregate Loan Limit: The maximum amount you can borrow in Federal Student Loan money over your lifetime. Capitalization of Interest: The addition of unpaid interest to the principal balance of a loan. When the interest is not paid as it accrues during periods of in-school status, the grace period, deferment, or forbearance, your lender may capitalize the interest. This increases the outstanding principal amount due on the loan and may cause your monthly payment amount to increase. Interest is then charged on that higher principal balance, increasing the overall cost of the loan. Default: Failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed to in the promissory note. For most federal student loans, you will default if you have not made a payment in more than 270 days. You may experience serious legal consequences if you default. Deferment: A postponement of payment on a loan that is allowed under certain conditions and during which interest does not accrue on Direct Subsidized Loans, Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans. All other federal student loans that are deferred will continue to accrue interest. Any unpaid interest that accrued during the deferment period may be added to the principal balance (capitalized) of the loan(s). Delinquent: A loan is delinquent when loan payments are not received by the due dates. A loan remains delinquent until the borrower makes up the missed payment(s) through payment, deferment, or forbearance. If the borrower is unable to make payments, he or she should contact his or her loan servicer to discuss options to keep the loan in good standing. Direct Consolidation Loan: Allow borrowers to combine one or more of their Federal education loans into a new loan that offers several advantages:
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One Lender and One Monthly Payment: With only one lender and one monthly bill, it is easier than ever for borrowers to manage their debt. Borrowers have only one lender, the U.S. Department of Education, for all loans included in a Direct Consolidation Loan.
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Flexible Repayment Options: Borrowers can choose from multiple plans to repay their Direct Consolidation Loan, including plans that base the required monthly payment amount on the borrower's income. These plans are designed to be flexible to meet the different and changing needs of borrowers. With a Direct Consolidation Loan, borrowers can switch repayment plans at any time.
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No Minimum or Maximum Loan Amounts or Fees: There is no minimum amount required to qualify for a Direct Consolidation Loan! In addition, consolidation is free.
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Reduced Monthly Payments: A Direct Consolidation Loan may ease the strain on a borrower's budget by lowering the borrower's overall monthly payment. The minimum monthly payment on a Direct Consolidation Loan may be lower than the combined payments charged on a borrower's Federal education loans.
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More information about consolidation loans may be found at Federal Student Aid Consolidation Loans.
Direct Loan: A federal student loan, for which eligible students and parents borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools. Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans and Direct Consolidation Loans are types of Direct Loans. Direct PLUS Loans: Made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students. The borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest regardless of the loan status. A credit check is required for the borrower. Direct Subsidized Loans: Based on financial need, the federal government pays the interest that accrues while the borrower is in an in-school or deferment status. (Interest accruing during your grace period depends on when your loan was dispersed- check with your loan servicer for more info on your specific loan(s) and grace period interest accrual). If offered, take these out first. Direct Unsubsidized Loans: The borrower is fully responsible for paying the interest, regardless of the loan status. Interest on unsubsidized loans accrues from the date of disbursement and continues throughout the life of the loan. Financial need is not required. A credit check is not required. Federal Student Loan: A student loan funded by the federal government to help pay for your education. A federal student loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest. Financial Need: The difference between the cost of attendance (COA) at a school and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is determined by your completed FAFSA. While COA varies from school to school, your EFC does not change based on the school you attend. Forbearance: A period during which your monthly loan payments are temporarily suspended or reduced. Your lender may grant you a forbearance if you are willing but unable to make loan payments due to certain types of financial hardships. During forbearance, principal payments are postponed but interest continues to accrue. Unpaid interest that accrues during the forbearance will be added to the principal balance (capitalized) of your loan(s), increasing the total amount you owe. Grace Period: A period of time after borrowers graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment where they are not required to make payments on certain federal student loans. Some federal student loans will accrue interest during the grace period, and if the interest is unpaid, it will be added to the principal balance of the loan when the repayment period begins. Interest: The cost to borrow money. The expense is calculated as a percentage of the unpaid principal amount of the loan. Interest Rate: The rate at which interest is paid by a borrower for the use of money that they borrow from a lender. Specifically, the interest rate is a percentage of principal to be paid. Lender: The organization that made the loan initially; in the case of Federal Direct Student Loans, the lender is the U.S. Department of Education. Loan Fee: A fee charged for each student loan you receive that is a percentage of the total loan amount you are borrowing (gross amount). The loan fee is deducted proportionately from each disbursement of your loan. This reduces the actual loan amount you receive (net amount). Loan Servicer: A company that collects payments, responds to customer service inquiries, and performs other administrative tasks associated with maintaining a federal student loan on behalf of a lender. This is who your loan payments go to. Minimum Monthly Payment The smallest payment you can make towards your unpaid balance to remain in good standing with the credit card company. Making the minimum monthly payment on time will avoid late fees and positively affect your repayment history on your credit report. The amount of the minimum monthly payment is calculated as a small percentage of your total credit balance and you can find this on your monthly statement. Principal: The total sum of money borrowed plus any interest that has been capitalized. Promissory Note: The binding legal document that you must sign when you get a federal student loan. It lists the terms and conditions under which you agree to repay the loan and explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. It's important to read and save this document because you'll need to refer to it later when you begin repaying your loan or at other times when you need information about provisions of the loan, such as deferment or forbearance. Subsidized Usage Limit Applies (SULA) In addition to the aggregate loan limit, there is also a time limit on how long a student can receive Direct Subsidized Loans. The maximum eligibility period is based on the length of the current program of study and can change if the program is switched to one of a different length. This may cause a student to become responsible for the interest that accrued on the loan, when the US Dept of Ed usually would have paid it.
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- Miscellaneous Terms
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General