Financial Aid

Wilson’s financial aid program is designed to supplement the family’s or student’s best efforts to fund the student’s education. The College strives to meet financial need through a combination of grants, loans and work on campus. Scholarships may be awarded based on student attributes (e.g., academic or extracurricular ability), while grants are provided based on financial need. More than 95 percent of Wilson students receive financial aid. All students are encouraged to apply. Financial aid office staff will meet with any prospective student to discuss the various financial aid programs and options available. Families with extenuating circumstances are also encouraged to discuss their concerns.

Financial Aid Application Process

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. This form is completed online at https://fafsa.gov. Families can attend FAFSA completion workshops or contact the financial aid office for assistance in completing the FAFSA.

Submit FAFSA after October 1 for the next academic year. Students who complete the FAFSA and submit all requested documents to the financial aid office prior to April 30 will be considered for maximum aid eligibility, including Wilson College scholarships. Supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to, correction forms, FAFSA worksheets, federal income tax data and documentation of citizenship status. Students completing the FAFSA or their financial aid application files after April 30 will receive consideration for the Federal Pell Grant, loans and other aid on a funds-available basis.

Complete the verification process. Occasionally, the federal processor or the financial aid office may require that verification be completed. The IRS tax transcript form or other documents may be requested. Award packages are not finalized until the verification process is completed. The priority deadline to complete the verification process for maximum consideration of financial aid assistance is April 30.

Award Process

The financial aid office sends an award letter to the student that may include grants, scholarships, work-study and loans.

• All newly accepted traditional undergraduate students who file an FAFSA will receive an estimated financial aid package.
• Continuing students and new adult students will receive financial aid packages in the order in which the FAFSA was filed and verification completed.
• The award package cannot exceed the total cost of education.

Students may accept or decline any portion of the aid package offered. For example, a student or parent may reduce or cancel a loan and may instead use the College’s monthly payment plan. To reduce or decline any portion of the financial aid package, please provide written instructions to the financial aid office or update the award online in Student Selfserve.

Financial aid will be credited to the student’s account after the end of the drop/add period. Any excess aid, after institutional charges are deducted, will be refunded to the student.

• Aid may be reduced if the student drops courses before financial aid is disbursed. Any student receiving federal or institutional financial aid who withdraws from all classes (or stops attending all classes) before the end of 60 percent of the enrollment period (approximately the ninth week) is subject to a federally mandated refund policy. (See Withdrawal and Refund Policy.)
• Students should report all enrollment changes to the financial aid office.
• Students must maintain enrollment and make satisfactory academic progress (see below) to receive the awarded aid.
• Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six semester hours) to receive most types of financial aid except the Federal Pell Grant.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid

Students who receive federal or institutional financial aid must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward completion of their academic program. The Higher Education Act of 1965 (34 CFR 668.16[e]), as amended, requires Wilson College to establish a policy with reasonable qualitative and quantitative standards that students must meet to be eligible for financial aid. All students receiving financial aid will be evaluated for SAP at the end of each semester. Institutional aid includes all need-based Wilson aid, work-study, and tuition remission/exchange for college employees.

Students with merit scholarships or state grants have different progress requirements that must be met for renewal of those awards.

Qualitative Standards

Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the end of each semester for continuing students. Students must earn the minimum grade-point average as required by the College’s Academic Probation Policy. Some merit scholarships require a higher GPA.

Note: Students who are provisionally admitted into the Adult Degree Program must meet the academic standards set forth in their admission letter.

Quantitative Standards

Students must also successfully complete at least 75 percent of all courses that are attempted. All courses that are part of the student’s record after the drop/add period will be considered attempted credits. Grades of W, F and NCR are credits attempted but are not considered successful completions; a grade of IN will be excluded from the credits attempted. Repeated courses will impact the GPA and credits attempted but not necessarily the credits earned. Audited courses do not count as credits attempted.

All TIP and master’s degree students must pass at least 80 percent of the credit hours attempted.

Transfer Students

Transfer students will be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress at the time of admission. The credits accepted toward a Wilson degree will count toward the total hours attempted and earned. Any credits the student earns while enrolled in high school will not impact the credit limits. Only the Wilson College GPA will be considered for SAP.

Maximum Length of Study

Students may receive aid up to 150 percent of the published time frame for an undergraduate degree. Students enrolled in associate degree programs, which require 60 credits and four semesters (if full time), would be limited to 90 credits and the equivalent of six full-time semesters. Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs, which require 120 credits for graduation and eight full-time semesters, would be limited to 180 credits and 12 full-time semesters. Part-time students would have an equivalent limit. Students who first receive federal aid after July 1, 2009, will not be able to appeal the maximum time frame per federal law.

Students enrolled in the TIP or master’s programs may receive aid for a maximum of six full-time semesters or the part-time equivalent.

Aid Suspension, Probation and Appeal Process

Students who do not meet the qualitative and quantitative standards at the end of their first semester or prior to their first receipt of financial aid at Wilson College will be notified by the financial aid office that they are not making satisfactory academic progress for federal and most institutional aid programs. The receipt of future institutional and federal financial aid will be suspended.

Students who do not meet either the qualitative or quantitative standard at the end of the fall, spring or summer semesters will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Students will be eligible to have their aid continue if they are able to successfully complete at least 75 percent of their credits attempted and earn a minimum GPA according to the table in the Qualitative Standards section. Students who are unable to maintain this requirement will have their aid eligibility suspended.

Students who have had their aid suspended have the right of appeal to the Academic Procedures Committee of the College. Students should complete the Appeal Form and submit a letter to the financial aid office with an explanation of any extenuating circumstances that prevented successful completion of courses. Supporting documentation is also helpful for the committee’s consideration. Students should also explain what steps, if any, need to be taken to assure future academic success. The committee will make a decision about aid eligibility and the dean of financial aid or a designee will send a letter to the student about the outcome of the appeal.

The committee may reinstate aid eligibility for one semester for those students who do not meet the standards for satisfactory academic progress. The student will be on financial aid probation and must successfully follow the academic plan that is outlined by the committee.

Should the committee deny the appeal, the student is not eligible for any further financial aid from Wilson College until such time that the student becomes compliant with the SAP policy. Neither paying for classes nor sitting out a semester will automatically reinstate a student’s financial aid eligibility.

Veterans Programs

Military veterans, active-duty personnel and their dependents, National Guard and Reservists may receive educational benefits at Wilson College. Federal Veterans Administration education benefits as well as state grant programs are available to part-time and full-time students. The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) educational benefits may fully pay for a student’s tuition and fees. The Veterans Administration approved Wilson’s participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students should contact the financial aid office for more information about the application procedure. Wilson College students may participate in the Army ROTC program through nearby Shippensburg University. ROTC scholarships have been awarded to Wilson students.