Offer Guidelines

Please read this handbook thoroughly to understand the types of aid you have been offered and your associated responsibilities.

The estimated funds from federal and state programs are based on our professional judgment. However, since these funds are not controlled by the College, final amounts may differ, and the College may not be able to cover the difference. Note that your Federal Pell Grant eligibility may vary at institutions similar in cost to Elizabethtown College.

• Log into the Elizabethtown College Student Aid Portal to view and accept or decline your financial aid offers.
• First-year students must accept/decline by May 1. Returning students have 14 days from receipt. Extensions are rare but can be granted if justified.
• Updated Offer Letters supersede all previous ones.

Student Aid Index and Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial aid is funding that colleges, donors and government agencies make available to students to bridge the gap between a family’s federally demonstrated ability to pay and the cost to attend college.

Elizabethtown College uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assist the Office of Financial Aid in determining each student’s need. A Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated using information that you (and other contributors, if required) provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. 

Institutional Grant Ineligibility

There are three reasons why a student might not be eligible for institutional grants.

• The student does not demonstrate financial need as determined by the College’s need analysis.
• The student’s need is met from outside sources (such as Pell Grant, state grant, etc.).
• The student applies after the deadline date.

Your Financial Aid Offer

When all information has been submitted, a financial aid counselor verifies the accuracy of the data reported and begins to assemble the financial aid “offer.” The offer might be composed of a combination of scholarships, grants, loans and employment. The exact composition of an offer depends upon several factors. Students and parents are the primary source of funds for post-secondary education and are expected to contribute to the extent they are able. The extent of financial need and the availability of funds are prime considerations. Academic record, date of admission and the date on which the financial aid application was filed also could affect the composition of the financial aid offer.

The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility for each category of financial aid and assigns awards appropriate to need. Federal regulations prohibit a student from receiving subsidized grants, loans and job earnings in excess of demonstrated need. A student's total financial aid offer can not exceed their total cost of attendance (COA).  

If your need increases, your offer might be increased if funds are available. If your need decreases, a corresponding decrease in your offer will be calculated. Items such as estimated reductions in current year income may be verified midyear and might cause changes to your aid offer.

In general, to be eligible for Title IV (Federal financial aid authorized under Title IV per the Higher Education Act of 1965) student financial aid you must:

• Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States.
• Have a valid Social Security Number. 
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or have completed homeschooling, or have completed one of the ability-to-benefit (ATB) alternatives and is either currently enrolled in an eligible career pathway program or first enrolled in an eligible post-secondary program prior to July 1, 2012.
• Be enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.

Financial Aid Offers

Elizabethtown College Merit-based Scholarships — Excelsior, Presidential, Founders, Dean’s

These scholarships are awarded to first-year students on the basis of high school academic achievements and test scores. Students awarded Elizabethtown College Scholarships must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average, maintain good social standing, and be enrolled full-time in order to be eligible for renewal of the scholarships. These scholarships are not transferable to the summer sessions and are available for only eight semesters (up to 10 semesters for 4+1 Master's Degree students, up to 12 semesters for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate, or up to 8 semesters for the accelerated 5-year Physician Assistant Program ). This money is an outright scholarship to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill. Amounts retain their original values all four years. No increases are given.

Music Performance Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to first-year and transfer students who are outstanding performing musicians and who meet the challenges of Elizabethtown’s academic environment. Scholarships are open to music and non-music majors. The scholarships are renewable for four years. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

Scholarship recipients must participate in a College music ensemble identified by the College and take private music lessons for credit in their primary performing areas to maintain their scholarships. Students must receive “pass” grades in the ensembles and no less than “B-” in the lessons to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Out of State Resident Scholarship

Awarded to incoming students whom reside outside of the state of Pennsylvania. The award is renewable for four years (up to 8 regular consecutive semesters).

Special Majors Scholarship

Awarded to incoming students in certain majors deemed by the College. The award is renewable for four years (up to 8 regular consecutive semesters).

Transfer Scholarship (Formerly Transfer Book Award)

Awarded to incoming transfer students. The award is renewable for four years (up to 8 regular consecutive semesters).

Bonner Leader Program

The Bonner Leader program at Elizabethtown College provides student participants with dynamic and meaningful opportunities to develop and expand their commitment to service, leadership qualities, civic engagement, and social justice. View more information about the Bonner Leader Program.

Hatch a Jay Scholarship

The Hatch a Jay program is a community referral program, where community members are encouraged to refer prospective students who they believe would be a good fit for the Blue Jay community. Currently enrolled students at the college are not eligible to make referrals.

Trustee Grant

These grants are available to students who demonstrate financial need. A student must apply annually using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for this grant. This money is an outright grant to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill. The receipt of additional institutional awards/aid, outside scholarships/aid or a change in residential status may impact this amount. The Trustee grant may be replaced dollar for dollar for a named endowed scholarship.

Mosaic Award

Mosaic Award winners have a demonstrated commitment to valuing and fostering the diversity reflected in their community and in the bigger world beyond. They have sought opportunities to both seek and provide perspective in conversations and activity related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, age, and national origin. Elizabethtown expects Mosaic Award winners to continue to contribute in similar ways during their time on campus. All incoming accepted students are considered for the Mosaic Award. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill and is renewable for up to four years. Find more information about the Mosaic Award on the Admissions office website.

Church of The Brethren Scholarship

These awards are available to students who are active members of the Church of the Brethren when they are admitted to the College. Students will need to submit a letter from their pastor confirming the student is an active member. This money is an outright award to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill and is renewable for four years.

Elizabethtown High School Graduate Scholarship

Awarded to first year incoming graduates of Elizabethtown High School. The award is renewable for four years ( up to 8 regular consecutive semesters).

Stamps Scholarship

The Stamps Scholars Program recognizes and rewards exceptional students who exemplify leadership, perseverance, scholarship, service, overcoming obstacles and innovation. Stamps Scholars receive an award meeting 100% of the total cost of tuition plus access to a $6,000 enrichment fund which can be used for study abroad, internship support, community/civic engagement opportunities and other qualified educational activities. This prestigious scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters. Students must apply to Elizabethtown College by February 1 to be eligible for this scholarship; interviews are encouraged. Find more information about the Stamps Scholarship on the Admissions office website.

Legacy Scholarship

At Elizabethtown College, relationships are important. Relationships that develop between students, faculty, staff, and alumni are a large part of what makes the College distinct. Elizabethtown recognizes the relationship legacy students have with our community by awarding Legacy Scholarships to incoming accepted students who are children or grandchildren of Elizabethtown alumni. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill and is renewable for four years.

Sibling Scholarship

The Sibling scholarship is available to incoming Elizabethtown College students who have a sibling enrolled at Elizabethtown during the same academic year. This money is an outright award to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

Endowed Scholarships

Elizabethtown College offers dozens of endowed scholarships. Students applying for financial aid are automatically considered for these funds. Selection is based on a student’s match with a donor’s criteria. A named endowed scholarship does not change the total amount of financial aid offered. Endowed scholarships are College resources provided by donors to support institutional grant funding awarded to students.

Veteran's Benefits and Information

Elizabethtown College, in conjunction with the Veterans/Military Education State Approving Agency, manages veterans education benefits for students attending Elizabethtown College. Visit the Records and Registration website to find more information about the certifying officials and frequently asked questions.

J. Wood Platt Scholarship

Available to students who have caddied for at least one season at one or more Member Clubs of the Golf Association of Philadelphia.  The selection of caddies to receive scholarship funds is made on an annual basis by the Trustees. The scholarship award ranges up to $10k each year depending on need and as long as the student continues caddying. The College provides a $1,000 match to recipients of the scholarship. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

Pennsylvania State Grant

These funds are awarded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the basis of its financial need formula. Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) must have received your FAFSA results prior to May 1 to be eligible. The figure shown is only an estimate of your award. You will receive a confirmation notice from PHEAA. This is a grant which does not have to be repaid. PHEAA limits students to 8 semesters of Pennsylvania State Grant eligibility. Students with  Pennsylvania State Grants must advance a minimum of 24 credits per academic year in order to maintain eligibility. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill. Note: Late state grants received reduce institutional need-based gift aid by 100%.

Other State Scholarships/Grants

These funds are awarded by your state on the basis of its financial need formula. The figure shown is only an estimate of your award. You will receive a confirmation notice from your state. This is a grant or scholarship that does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill. Note: State grants received after the deadline will reduce institutional need-based gift aid by 100%. This policy applies to all need-based state assistance regardless of the title of the program. For example, Delaware and others title their programs “scholarships” but are still need-based assistance programs.

Federal Pell Grant

These grants are funded by the federal government on the basis of its financial need formula. This grant does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

These grants are federally funded need-based awards granted through Elizabethtown College. These grants are given to students with extremely high financial need. This money is an outright grant to the student and does not have to be repaid. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) program is an opportunity to seek on-campus employment. The amount awarded is the maximum you will be allowed to earn under the FWS Program during the academic year. Students are paid at least minimum wage for each hour of work completed. If your FWS award is $1,500, you would work approximately seven hours a week during the academic year to receive your full $1,500 at minimum wage per hour. Job interviews are conducted when students arrive on campus in the fall. Students may not use the FWS award as a credit against their bills. Rather, students may use these work earnings for books and spending money. Due to supply-and-demand changes, on-campus Work-Study jobs cannot be guaranteed. The FWS award, therefore, is not listed as a credit on the College bill. If on-campus employment is not obtained, the student may inquire with the Career Development Center for off-campus employment opportunities.

Tuition Exchange/Remission

Tuition Exchange/Remission awards supersede institutional awards. This aid is listed as a credit on the College bill.

Tuition Benefits From Other Institutions

The Tuition Benefit combined with gift aid cannot exceed the Tuition, housing, and food.

Outside Scholarships/Aid

After receiving an official financial aid offer from Elizabethtown College, a student may be the recipient of an outside scholarship or grant. It is the policy of Elizabethtown College that outside scholarships or grants will first be applied to unmet need which includes need-based self-help awarded. If the total amount of outside scholarships and/or grants exceed the unmet need, the College will reduce its institutional need-based gift aid (i.e. Trustee) dollar for dollar.

This policy allows the student to benefit from outside scholarships, and, at the same time, the College is able to maintain the parameters of its program. If the student has not received any need-based gift aid, this policy does not apply. If outside aid is not renewed in subsequent years and contingent upon the financial profile remaining the same, need-based gift aid will return to the original level of funding. Merit-based scholarships (Excelsior, Presidential, Founders, and Dean’s), as well as the Achievement Award, are not reduced by outside scholarships but could be reduced by receipt of VA benefits or tuition benefits, or if the student’s total gift aid exceeds their Tuition, Food, and Housing.

Outside aid and loans could have an impact on the financial aid offer. Federal law requires that the Office of Financial Aid must be notified in writing of any outside awards, including loans. If a student receives a scholarship because of post-secondary enrollment, it must be included in their financial aid offer. A copy of the letter from the outside organization is preferable.

Important Note: When a student’s aid offer includes assistance from multiple programs and those programs have different overpayment regulations/requirements, a school must apply the most stringent/restrictive requirements.

Campus Employment

Campus employment consists of two programs: Federal Work-Study Program and Student Assistance (College Funded) Program

Federal Work-Study (FWS) includes institutional employment and community service jobs. Priority for jobs is given to students with demonstrated need under the FWS Program. Students not awarded FWS may be placed in the Student Assistance (College Funded) program.

All students are paid at least minimum wage per hour. Students are paid by direct deposit every other week.

All students are encouraged to complete employment forms upon entering college so that they are able to begin work at any time during their enrollment at Elizabethtown College. Students must complete an I–9, W–4, Direct Deposit Authorization form, and Workers Compensation form before working on campus. These forms are available at Summer Orientation. Also, direct deposit through a bank is a condition of employment.

All students must be interviewed for their jobs. Campus jobs are posted on the College’s Student Employment website. Employment is not guaranteed; however, students who are flexible and persistent usually are able to find work. The College has many community service opportunities for students. Students with Federal Work-Study awards have the opportunity to work with local non-profit organizations. To learn more about available opportunities, please contact the Center for Community and Civic Engagement

All supervisors and student employees are expected to follow the College’s Employment Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, which is available on the Student Employment website. Failure to meet supervisor expectations may lead to dismissal of the student from the job. If a serious infraction of campus regulations is involved, the student may not be permitted campus employment for a designated period of time.

Study Abroad/Affiliated Programs

Check with the Office of Financial Aid to verify that a program you are considering is an “affiliated” program. Visit Elizabethtown College's Study Abroad website to find more information about affiliated programs and scholarship opportunities for study abroad.

Students enrolling in a study abroad program must be enrolled in an affiliated program with Elizabethtown College in order to receive federal, state and institutional financial aid. Institutional financial aid is limited to the cost of attendance for a full-time resident at Elizabethtown College.

Credits transferred into Elizabethtown College from study-abroad programs do not affect the student’s GPA. Credits transferred back to Elizabethtown College often come in late, impacting academic progress and loan level eligibility. For Federal/State aid purposes we can’t assume credits until they are officially posted.

What costs are associated with Study Abroad?

Semester Study Abroad Programs and Fees

Borrowing a loan to pay for housing and food?

• Elizabethtown will not automatically forward payment to the study abroad provider for your housing and food. A refund request and a copy of the provider’s housing and food invoice must be submitted to the Business Office.
• Payment cannot be issued to the provider until the loan funds are received, after the semester begins at Elizabethtown.
• Contact your provider to obtain necessary forms to extend the due date for your housing and food payment. Typically, the Office of Financial Aid will need to complete the form to confirm the amount of any available credit to pay for housing and food.
• The provider may require you to pay a housing and food deposit.

Important Note: If you choose a study abroad program beyond those on our affiliated list, you must pay the full costs for these respective programs. Your Etown financial aid offer will not be applied to these programs. However, you can still use your federal financial aid. A consortium agreement/contract may be required. Contact your financial aid counselor for documents needed.

Federal Loans

Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

As part of your financial aid offer, Elizabethtown College recommends Federal Direct Loans for students. All students who wish to use Federal Direct Loans must file a FAFSA to determine eligibility.

The maximum Federal Direct Loan limits are set by the U.S. Department of Education. Dependent undergraduate students may borrow: $5,500 for first-year, $6,500 for sophomores and $7,500 for juniors and seniors. Grade level is determined by successful completion of credits. Students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by federal regulations, might qualify for a portion of their Federal Direct Loan to be subsidized.

In addition to the amounts listed, above, dependent undergraduate students, whose parents are denied a Federal Direct PLUS loan, and independent undergraduate students may borrow an additional $4,000 a year for their first-year and sophomore years and $5,000 a year for their junior and senior years in the unsubsidized loan program.

All Federal Direct Loan funds will be multiple-disbursed via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and made payable to the school. Disbursements are scheduled for the end of the first week of classes in each semester. Interest on the unsubsidized portion of the loans will begin to accrue from the date of disbursement. Subsidized loans will begin to accrue interest when the student drops below half-time status. Interest rates are determined each July for new loans being made for the upcoming award year. Each loan has a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. Fees of approximately 1% will be deducted from the gross amount of the loan. This aid will be listed as a credit on the College bill.

View loans information for current information on student loan interest rates and fees.

Repayment on Federal Direct Loans will begin six months after the student drops below half-time status. Further information, including sample loan repayment schedules, can be obtained at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans.

Federal Loan Requirements

First-time borrowers of Federal Direct Loans are required to complete online entrance counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Instructions for completing both of these processes will be sent to deposited students in May.

Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS)

Parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow the Federal Direct PLUS Loan for which the U.S. Department of Education is the lender. The maximum loan amount is the student’s cost of attendance less any financial aid. Students whose parents are denied a Federal Direct PLUS Loan can borrow an additional unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan.

Parents must complete a separate application for this loan. All students whose parents apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan are required to file a FAFSA. Under this program, eligible parents may borrow up to the cost of education minus other aid. Repayment can be deferred until six months after the student graduates.

There is no in-school federal interest subsidy on these loans. The interest rate is determined each June for new loans being made for the upcoming award year. Each loan has a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. Federal Direct PLUS Loans are multiple disbursed and payable directly to the school via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Disbursements are scheduled for the end of the first week of classes each semester.

View current information on PLUS loans.

*Please contact your PLUS loan lender to request an in-school loan deferment.

Private Education Loans

After taking into account the Monthly Payment Plan and Federal Direct Student Loan, students and parents might find there is need for additional financing. Two main sources to consider are the Federal Direct PLUS Loan and/or private education loans.

A private education loan is offered through a bank or another lending institution. For those families who choose to borrow a private education loan, keep in mind that it is usually beneficial to obtain a co-borrower. Having a creditworthy co-borrower can significantly reduce the rates and fees for most borrowers.

Professional Judgment (PJ) Appeal for Special or Unique Circumstances

The College recognizes that standard financial aid forms do not always capture the full financial profile of our students and their families. Through the use of the Professional Judgement (PJ) Appeal process, the Office of Financial Aid may be able to make adjustments to your FAFSA which could result in a recalculation of aid eligibility at Elizabethtown College. All PJ requests are reviewed to determine if a student qualifies for an adjustment to their financial aid eligibility status. Please note that Professional Judgment requests will be processed with the understanding that it is the responsibility of the student to utilize all federal financial aid sources made available to them. For PJ appeal consideration, please complete and submit the PJ form posted on our website along with required documents through our Secure Document Upload. The Office of Financial Aid will review the Professional Judgment Appeal within 60 days of receipt. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for the username and password by emailing finaid@etown.edu or by calling 717-361-1404.

Billing and Financial Aid Guidelines

• Costs for the academic year are equally divided between the fall and spring semesters.
• Bills for the fall semester will be mailed by July, and payment will be due August 1.
• Bills for the spring semester will be mailed in early December and payment will be due January 1.
• Elizabethtown College scholarships and grants, Federal grants, Pennsylvania State Grants and other state grants, as well as Federal Direct Loans for students, will appear on the bill as a credit (half of the award per semester).
• All other financial aid might not appear on the bill. We ask that you refer to your latest Financial Aid Offer Letter and subtract half of each type of financial aid received, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, from the amount due on your bill. Remit the difference by the due date.
• Private Outside Scholarships/Loans—Find out from the source of your private outside scholarships if the amount will be split between two semesters or paid to the College all at once. Deduct the proper amount from the amount due on your invoice. Send the Office of Financial Aid a copy of your outside scholarship letter. (See Outside Scholarships on this page for details.)
• Monthly Payment Plan—Contact the Business Office regarding the details of the College’s payment plan option. Deduct the proper amounts from the amount due on your bill. Once you have established your total contract amount for the year, you can deduct half of the total contract from the amount due on your tuition bill for each semester.
• Any student who has not paid his or her bill by the due date is assessed a late fee by the Business Office. The late fee will not be charged if arrangements have been made for deferral of an amount anticipated from a governmental or outside source. Any student whose payment arrangements are not complete before validation/check-in is not permitted to register.
• Financial aid for current or future semesters cannot be used to pay past semester debts.

Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights

Students applying for financial aid have the right to:

• apply for all funds.
• review their financial aid file.
• accept or decline any aid offered.
• appeal cancellation of financial aid.
• review the rules, regulations manuals and policies pertaining to financial aid.
• make an appointment to meet with a member of the Office of Financial Aid.
• know what financial aid programs are available at Elizabethtown College.
• know the deadlines for submitting applications for each of the financial aid programs.
• know how financial aid is distributed, how decisions on that distribution are made and the basis for these decisions.
• know how their financial aid was determined—this includes how costs for tuition and fees, housing and food, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc., are considered in their budget.
• know what resources (such as parental and student contributions) are considered in the calculation of financial need.
• know how much of their financial need has been met.
• apply for supplemental financing in a timely manner after aid has been determined.
• request an explanation of the various programs in their financial aid offer.
• know the College’s refund policy.
• know what portion of the financial aid they receive must be repaid and what portion is gift aid—if the aid is a loan, they have the right to know the rate of interest, the total amount that must be repaid, the length of time for repayment, and when repayment begins.
• know how the College determines whether they are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if they are not.

Student Responsibilities:

Students receiving financial aid must assume responsibility for maintaining their aid from semester to semester. If the following criteria are not met, financial aid will be cancelled. Students must:

• complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the proper office or agency.
• provide correct information—in most instances, deliberately misreporting information on a financial aid application is a violation of law and may be considered a criminal offense which may result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code.
• return all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by either the Office of Financial Aid or the agency to which they submitted their application.
• be responsible for reading and understanding all forms they are asked to sign and for keeping copies of all financial forms.
• accept responsibility for all signed agreements.
• perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a College employment assignment.
• maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• notify the Office of Financial Aid when family financial circumstances change.
• be aware of the College’s refund policy.
• notify the College’s Counseling Services office when withdrawing from the College and complete an exit interview with a Financial Aid counselor.  
• submit a written request to the Office of Financial Aid if they wish to review their financial aid file.

Adjustments and Cancellations

The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for administering all financial aid funds in accordance with Federal and State regulations and institutional policies. Therefore, we reserve the right to review and, if circumstances warrant, adjust or cancel offers at any time during the year. A student aid offer, an accepted offer or a portion of such may be voided for any or a combination of any of the following reasons:

• Falsification of information on financial aid documents.
• Failure to fulfill the satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• Failure to enroll or remain in attendance.
• Failure to report changes in financial resources or other circumstances affecting the calculation of the financial aid offer.
• Use of financial aid for expenses that are not educationally related.
• Failure to sign or submit required/requested information/documents (statement of educational purpose, promissory note, etc.).
• Changes in program guidelines after financial aid has been offered.
• Unexpected cutbacks in funding levels.
• Verification of sibling enrollment or reduced income that changes financial need from initial time of application.
• Students continue to be eligible for financial aid in subsequent semesters as long as they meet program requirements, demonstrate financial need, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• A student’s financial aid offer might change in value and form from year to year, depending upon changes in the family circumstances and the availability of funds.
• Elizabethtown College reserves the right to make changes in the amount and type of a student’s financial aid at any time during a year in which the student receives additional, unanticipated assistance from an outside source, or the College receives information about current family income which varies from the income reported. Such changes are made to protect the equity of financial aid awards and to meet mandated federal program requirements and eligibility.
• A student who is or could be eligible to receive tuition remission/exchange benefits is ineligible for any other College-administered gift aid.
• Changes in a student’s housing status will change a student’s eligibility for need-based aid from the College.
• Late applications are considered only if funds are available.
• Refund Policy: If a student withdraws or changes credit hours or housing and food status after the beginning of a semester, the student is obligated to pay for actual housing and food charges for the semester. Tuition charges are refunded* on the following basis:
  • First Week 75%
  • Second Week through Third Week 50%
  • Fourth Week 25%
  • Beginning of Fifth Week No Refund

*Title IV recipients are refunded according to the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. The exact provisions of this policy are available in the Office of Financial Aid or the Business Office upon student request. (Institutional aid upon withdrawal will be reduced by the same percentage as is refunded to the student.)

• Withdrawal from Elizabethtown College terminates any financial aid commitment the College has with a student.
• Students must reapply each year for all need-based financial aid. Aid is not automatically renewed.

Appeals Process

If you feel that your financial aid is insufficient, or your special circumstances require an exception to financial aid policy, you may appeal your offer in writing.

Financial Aid Policies & Definitions

The primary responsibility for financing the student’s education rests with the student and the student’s family.

• The College holds, in strict confidence, all family financial information and considers any financial aid offer to be a confidential matter between the College, the applicant and the family.
• The College does not release information concerning individual financial aid offers and considers it inappropriate for aid recipients to do so. Information regarding student rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is available from the Office of Registration and Records.
• Financial aid offers are made for one academic year and are generally divided equally between the fall and spring semesters.
• Merit-based aid is limited to eight semesters (10 semesters for 4+1 Master's Degree Programs or 12 semesters for Occupational Therapy Doctorate or 8* semesters for the accelerated 5-year Physician Assistant Program). Institutional aid for subsequent semesters is solely based on demonstrated need.
• The College does not offer institutional aid to a student who already holds a bachelor’s degree.
• A student must be enrolled on a full-time basis in the traditional daytime program (12–18 credit hours a semester) to be eligible for all institutional financial assistance. Students who enroll for less than 12 credit hours in a semester may still be eligible for funding from State and Federal programs.

Official College Communication Policy

Students and faculty and staff members in the residential/day program should expect to receive official Elizabethtown College communications through:

• College-issued email addresses
• College-issued campus mailboxes

Members of the campus community should check these modes of communication frequently for important information from the institution. On some occasions, communications may also be sent via U.S. mail to a permanent home address or a home telephone number via the information individuals provide annually to the College.

Definition of an Academic Year

At Elizabethtown College, an academic year requires a minimum of 30 weeks instructional time. A full-time student is expected to complete at least 24 credits during an academic year.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Office of Financial Aid has established the following policies and procedures stated to fulfill the requirements expressed in the Higher Education Act (HEA) as revised effective July 1, 2011. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies and procedures of Elizabethtown College are reviewed when changes at the federal or institutional level require review to ensure compliance with Federal Regulations. All Elizabethtown College students applying for Title IV federal aid must meet the stated criteria regardless of whether or not they previously received aid.

Policy Requirements: The HEA revised section 668 contains updated regulations concerning Satisfactory Academic Progress. Section 668 requires that an institution establish, publish and apply reasonable standards for measuring a student’s ability to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. The federal programs governed by these regulations include Federal Pell Grant, FWS, SEOG, Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Federal Direct PLUS.

SAP standards include the following:

Maximum Time Frame (MTF) is defined as the required length of time it will take a student to complete a degree program based on the appropriate enrollment status. Federal regulations allow a student to be eligible to receive federal aid up to 150% of the time that it would normally take to complete a degree. MTF is calculated for all aid applicants whether or not they previously received aid. All course credits in which a student enrolls or transfers to the College (including AP credits) are included in the MTF calculation, regardless of the number of degrees a student chooses to obtain. All hours are considered when determining the MTF calculation for a degree. Grades that are considered course credit hours attempted and completed in the calculation of maximum time frame include: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, I, P, NP, TR, W, WF. Proper withdrawal from classes or a class during the “withdraw-without-record” period will not affect maximum time frame.

For a student, 150% of the course credit hours that it would normally take to complete a baccalaureate degree is 187.5 course credit hours. This is determined by multiplying 125 course credit hours by 150%. For a student seeking a degree, the student may remain eligible through 187.5 course credit hours of enrollment. If the 187.5 course credit hours maximum time frame limit is exceeded while pursuing a degree a student is no longer eligible for federal financial aid. (For an associate degree, the 150% is 96 course credit hours or 64 credits x 150%)

The Minimum Completion Percentage (MCP) is the percentage of coursework that a student must earn during enrollment. This component requires Elizabethtown College students to earn passing grades in at least 67% of their cumulative course credit hours attempted. Day students must properly withdraw from a class prior to the end of the fourth week of classes for that class to not be considered in calculation of the minimum completion percentage.

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must satisfy the qualitative portion of Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations by maintaining the minimum cumulative grade point average accepted as described below.

• 1.7 after up to 18 credits have been completed but before 19 credits have been completed
• 1.9 after 19 credits have been completed but before 35 credits have been completed
• 2.0 between the time that 35 credits have been completed and the student graduates

Proper withdrawal from day classes during the first four weeks of a term will not affect the cumulative GPA. Incomplete courses do not earn credit or influence the GPA in the semester in which the course is incomplete; however, they are counted once they are completed.

Basic Requirement: Federal regulations require students applying for or receiving federal financial aid to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. These standards are applied to Elizabethtown College institutional aid recipients as well. To measure progress, the Office of Financial Aid evaluates a student’s academic record at the completion of each semester, reviewing both the quantitative (the maximum time frame and completion rate) and qualitative (cumulative grade point average) as a student pursues his or her degree. Failure to meet these standards will result in the suspension of financial aid eligibility, which may include federal, state and institutional aid.

Repeated Coursework: Students may repeat a previously passed course one time and maintain financial eligibility, assuming all other academic progress requirements have been met. Repeated coursework counts toward the 150% completion time frame.

Consequences of not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

The following statuses refer to Financial Aid Warning and Suspension, not academic probation.

Financial Aid Warning: The first time a student fails to meet the SAP standards as defined in this handbook, the student will be placed on financial aid warning. The student will remain eligible for financial aid during the warning period.

Financial Aid Suspension: If, after being placed on financial aid warning status, the student fails to maintain the SAP standards as defined in this handbook, the student will be placed in a suspension status and will immediately lose financial aid eligibility.

Maximum Time Frame Suspension: If the student fails to meet the maximum time frame standards as defined in this handbook, the student will be placed in a suspension status and will immediately lose financial aid eligibility.

Summer Semester: Credit hours attempted during the summer semester will be included in the calculation of SAP standards just as any other period of enrollment. If a student is in a warning status after the spring semester, then the summer will count as the warning period and the student will lose eligibility for the fall semester if standards are not met by the end of the summer term.

Returning Students (including those on approved Leave of Absence [LOA] or Medical LOA): Returning students are evaluated on a continuing basis from acceptance (if out for more than a year) or enrollment. If SAP standards have not been met, as detailed in this handbook, the student may be placed on warning (first SAP violation) or suspension (subsequent violation). Students on suspension may appeal and must follow the appeal process provided to them at the time of their financial aid suspension.

Study Abroad Semester: The study abroad credits attempted will be counted when determining the minimum completion percentage for SAP evaluation. If the College does not receive the transcript from the student’s semester abroad, the student will be put on financial aid warning for the term, unless evaluation of the student’s completion rate determines SAP ineligibility. If the transcript is not received after the warning period or the student failed to meet SAP requirements upon receipt and evaluation of their transcript, they will be placed on financial aid suspension until SAP requirements are met.

Reinstatement of Eligibility: Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated when a student has removed all SAP deficiencies acquired during all periods of enrollment or caused by transfer credits and their federal financial aid eligibility for academic reasons is restored. Reinstatement is not a status granted in regard to an appeal. Students who regain eligibility by completing required coursework must notify the Office of Financial Aid in order to have their progress reevaluated and financial aid reinstated. After eligibility has been established, any aid will depend upon the availability of funds and other aid eligibility criteria.

Federal Verification

What is Verification?

Verification is the federal process that requires the institution to check the accuracy of the information a student and/or a student’s parents have given when applying for federal financial aid. Information is verified by securing additional documentation, or in some cases, a signed statement attesting to the accuracy of the information provided.

What Information is Verified?
There are a number of items that must be verified. For a dependent student, these items must be verified for the student and parents. For an independent student, they must be verified for the student and spouse. The Institution is required to verify the information that you supplied to the IRS (tax returns) to that of your FAFSA, along with additional information about your household and income or expenses not captured on a federal tax return. In addition, conflicting information in a student’s file must always be resolved.

Who is Selected?
A certain number of Free Applications for Federal Student Aid are selected for verification by the federal government. The selection criteria are established by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the College can (and does) select students for verification.

What documentation is needed?
If a student’s application is selected for verification, the school the student plans to attend is required to collect certain documentation in order to verify the accuracy of the student’s application. The Office of Financial Aid will contact you with instructions on what documents are needed and how to obtain them.

What is the deadline for verification?
Students will be notified in writing of their deadline to submit verification documents. Students should submit verification documents as soon as requested.

What happens when verification is complete?
Receipt of a final financial aid Offer Letter constitutes notification to the student that verification has been completed. If, for some reason, an award was sent prior to verification, a revised offer will be sent if the offer changes due to verification. If the amount of the revised offer is less than the original offer and the student is now ineligible for aid that was disbursed, the student will be responsible for repaying the amount of the overpayment. The student will also be responsible for repaying the amount of any aid disbursed if he or she fails to complete the verification process.

Financial Aid for Fifth-Year 4+1 Master's Degree and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Students:

When you file your FAFSA, you will be considered independent because you are a graduate student.

Elizabethtown College Need-Based Aid: Trustee Grants and other need-based grants offered by the College may continue for the master’s year (fifth-year) and OTD year (sixth-year) contingent upon demonstrating financial need. Financial need is determined by using the student's prior year's parental information from FAFSA as a dependent student.

Pennsylvania State Grant or other state grant programs: Pennsylvania and most state grant programs do not permit grants to be offered to students for the master’s year (fifth-year) or OTD year (sixth-year).

Federal Pell and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG): The federal government does not permit these grants to be offered to students for the master’s year (fifth-year) or OTD year (sixth-year).

Federal Work Study: Students may be employed under the Federal Work Study program for the master’s year (fifth-year) and OTD year (sixth-year).

Federal Direct Stafford Loan: As a Master’s or Doctorate Degree student, you will be considered independent for federal financial aid. This entitles you to $20,500 in an Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan for the year.

PLUS Loans: Parents are not federally permitted to borrow for their students. Due to this regulation, the federal government allows a student to borrow at an increased level through the Federal Direct Stafford loan program. In addition, graduate students are eligible to borrow Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans.

Alternative Loans: Private education loans can be borrowed for the master’s year (fifth-year) and OTD year (sixth-year). It is to the student’s advantage to apply with a co-borrower because the co-borrower’s credit determines the interest rate and fees for the loan, and having a co-borrower will usually decrease the interest rate and fees.

Loan Repayment / Deferment / Forbearance: Student loans typically enter repayment six months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The interim six months is referred to as a student’s “grace period.” Students who are no longer enrolled in classes at the college but are completing fieldwork that is a requirement to receive a degree may find themselves in this six-month “grace period” and then in repayment. These students may be eligible to have their payments deferred or to make interest-only payments in forbearance during this time. Students who are completing fieldwork and NOT pursuing the fifth year option will need to contact their loan servicers to determine eligibility for deferment or forbearance options. Students enrolled at least half-time will not have this concern. Check out the Federal Student Aid Guide to Repaying Your Federal Student Loans for repayment information.

For more information regarding the Occupational Therapy program please visit the Occupational Therapy homepage.

Important Note:

• Students enrolled in 12 or more credits will be billed at the current undergraduate full time student rate and retain eligibility for institutional financial aid
• Students may receive institutional financial aid for a maximum of 2 semesters during the graduate portion of the program and an additional 2 semesters for the OTD portion of program
• Students enrolled in less than 12 credits in the fall or spring will be billed at the current undergraduate part time student rate and will not receive institutional financial aid

Financial Aid for Physician Assistant (PA) Students:

PA students should file the FAFSA with both student and parent income and asset information. However, once the student is enrolled as a graduate student, only the student's income and asset information is considered on the FAFSA.

Elizabethtown College Merit-Based Aid: Excelsior, Presidential, Founder's, and Dean’s Scholarships, including the Achievement Award, are offered up to the 8th* semester of B.S./M.S. PA program. The scholarship amount does not change over the eight* semesters and is contingent upon maintaining good academic and social standing.

Elizabethtown College Need-Based Aid: Trustee Grants and other need-based grants offered by the College may continue up to the 6th semester of the undergraduate program and are contingent upon demonstrating financial need.

Through the 8th* semester, undergraduate students will remain eligible for federal and state aid otherwise available to undergraduate students.

The federal government and most state grant programs do not permit grants to be offered to students for the master’s years.

For information regarding the PA program costs, view the PA Cost Schedule.

For more information regarding the Physician Assistant program, view the Physician Assistant homepage.

 

Financial Aid for 3 + 2 B.A. & 4 + 2 B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling Psychology Pipeline Program:

Elizabethtown College Merit-Based Aid: Excelsior, Presidential, Founder's, and Dean’s Scholarships, including the Achievement Award, are awarded up to the 6th regular full-time semester of the 3 + 2 Counseling Program, and up to the 8th regular full-time semester of the 4 + 2 Counseling Program. The scholarship offer amount does not change and is contingent upon maintaining good academic and social standing. Merit-based aid will not be offered during summer terms.

Elizabethtown College Need-Based Aid: Trustee Grants and other need-based grants offered by the College may continue up to the 6th regular full-time semester for the 3 + 2 program and up to the 8th regular full-time semester for the 4 + 2 program of the undergraduate program and is contingent upon demonstrating financial need. Need-based institutional aid will not be offered during summer terms.

Pennsylvania State Grant or other state grant programs: May continue through the completion of the undergraduate program if eligible. Students may be eligible to utilize the grant over the summer terms if the student applies on PHEAA’s website. Pennsylvania and most state grant programs do not permit grants to be offered to students in their master’s years.

Federal Pell and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG): May continue through the completion of the undergraduate program if eligible. Students may be able to utilize the federal Pell Grant over the summer terms if eligible. The federal government does not permit these grants to be offered to students after they have earned a bachelor's degree.

Federal Work-Study: Students may be employed under the Federal Work Study program for the undergraduate and master's years.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan & PLUS Loans: View more information on Federal student loan eligibility during undergraduate and master’s years. Students may be able to utilize loans during the summer term if eligible. The student must be taking at least 6 credits.

Alternative Loans: Private education loans can be borrowed for the undergraduate and master’s years. It is to the student’s advantage to apply with a co-borrower because the co-borrower’s credit determines the interest rate and fees for the loan, and having a co-borrower will usually decrease the interest rate and fees.

For more information regarding the Counseling Psychology Program, view the Master's in Counseling Psychology page.