VIII - 2.41 - Policy on Institutional Financial Aid for Undergrad

Table of Contents

I. Purpose II. Definitions III. Policy IV. Consensual Relations V. Eligibility of Students Transferring from Maryland Community Colleges, Other USM Institutions, Other Maryland Public Four-Year Institutions, or Non-Maryland Institutions VI. Reporting VII. 2.41a - Policy on Institutional Student Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students: University Target for Apportionment of State-supported Unrestricted Funds among the Institutional Scholarship Programs

I. Purpose

The mission of the Bowie State University Office of Financial Aid is to provide a comprehensive program of financial assistance to BSU students and to insure that the institutional mission, goals and objectives are met. The University is committed to provide a strong, diverse institutional scholarship program. Awards will be made to in-state and out-of-state, full-time, part-time, transfers and incoming freshmen who enroll at the institution. Awards will be based on financial need, academic merit, artistic ability, musical talent and athletic ability. This policy will detail eligibility criteria, procedures for awarding, criteria for maintaining awards and the percentage of state supported unrestricted funds that will be allocated for the total institutional scholarship program, as well as each individual program. The policy is applicable to institutional student financial aid provided to undergraduate students.

II. Definitions

The following definitions are applicable to the institutional award policy:

A. Institutional Student Financial Aid

Monies that are provided from state-supported unrestricted funds including those tuition and fee revenues that are not designated for a specific purpose. (Tuition waivers are a part of USM employee benefits and as such, are not governed by this policy. Additionally, student employment that is based on job-related skills is not governed by this policy.)

B. Cost of Attendance

The educational costs (budget) that will be incurred by the student including tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation, personal and miscellaneous expenses. The Office of Financial Aid will calculate and publish these budgets on an annual basis in compliance with various federal and state regulations. Costs will be determined according to residency, full-time/part-time status, on/off campus status and dependency status.

C. Family Contribution

The amount the family can contribute toward the student’s education for a dependent student and the amount a student and spouse (if married) can contribute toward the student’s education for an independent student as calculated by an approved needs analysis methodology.

D. Financial Need

Cost of attendance less the estimated family contribution as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

E. Merit-Based

Awards that are made based on special abilities and/or talents (i.e., academic, athletic, musical, artistic, leadership).

F. Core

Minimum high school course requirements as defined by the USM Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents, III – 400 – Policy on Admission, excluding the list of electives.

G. Need-Based

Awards that are based on financial need.

H. Rescission of Awards

The University reserves the right to rescind any award as described in this policy when the student recipient violates the Bowie State University Student Code of Conduct.

III. Policy

A. Scholarships for Academically Talented Students

1. Criteria for Award
  a. Applicants must meet University admissions criteria and be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate, degree-seeking students.
  
  b. Students must qualify in one of the following categories:
  1. Minimum high school “core” GPA of 3.3 and SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 24. Student must be highly recommended by at least two academic instructors. Students are also given credit for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
  2. Associate of arts community college recipient with a cumulative “core” GPA of 3.5.
  3. In the top 10% of their graduating class or equivalent to the top 10% of the University’s previous year entering freshman class.
  4. Be able to demonstrate significant musical talents through the submission of two letters of reference from high school/community college teachers (preferably musical instructor), written evidence of performance in school or community activities and written audition results from the Music Department at Bowie State University.
  5. Be able to demonstrate significant talents in visual arts through the submission of two letters of reference from high school/community college teachers (preferably visual arts instructors) and present a portfolio to the Fine Arts Department at Bowie State University.
  6. Be able to provide evidence of successful participation in Advanced Placement classes, the ability in creative writing, significant involvement in high school/college clubs (i.e., election to office) and academic excellence through honor roll/ Dean’s List academic achievement awards.
2. Award Procedures
  a. Students admitted into the University will be screened for eligibility.
  
  b. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  
  c. Eligible students will be verified through the admissions process.
  
  d. Students will be selected for awards based on categories of eligible recipients.
  
  e. Students whose credentials meet the criteria will be considered for awards.
  
  f. The Office of Financial Aid will notify recipients of their selection. Awards will be contingent upon the receipt of the student’s final academic transcripts and maintaining the required “core” GPA as determined by the University.
  
  g. Awards will be made on a yearly basis with evaluations performed by the Office of Financial Aid at the end of the spring semester to determine the future status of the award.
  
  h. Recipients will have their Bowie State accounts credited through the Office of Financial Aid.
3. Criteria for Maintaining Scholarships for Academically Talented Students
  a. Recipients must apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.
  
  b. Recipients must maintain a full-time load each semester.
  
  c. Recipients entering the program will be required to complete the minimum credit hours in “Honors” courses as instructed by the program requirements.
  
  d. Recipients shall maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to remain in the program as well as to maintain their scholarship.
  
  e. Recipients must also fulfill the following requirement:
  1. Perform 200 hours of documented community service
  2. Write and defend an honors project in their specified major
  3. Take at least one graduate or professional school entrance examination
  4. Attend honors activities, such as Presidential and Honors lectures series, the Honors Induction Ceremony, all convocations and meetings of the Honors Student Organization.
  f. Recipients are eligible to receive a Scholarship for Academically Talented Students for a maximum of 4 years, provided all criteria for maintaining the award are being met.

B. Bowie State University Grants

1. Criteria for Award
  a. Applicants must meet University admissions criteria and be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate, degree-seeking students.
  
  b. Applicants must be freshmen, transfers, or returning students to be eligible.
  
  c. Applicants may be full-time or part-time. However, preference is given to full-time students.
  
  d. Awards can be need-based and/or merit based, however preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need.
  
  e. Awards are distributed to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents who are enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester.
2. Award Procedures
  a. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be received electronically by the advertised priority deadline.
  
  b. Applicants are reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid to determine compliance with the various financial aid regulations (admissions status, verification, enrollment status and satisfactory academic progress).
  
  c. Students who are awarded based on merit must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
  
  d. The Office of Financial Aid on a first-come first served basis according to financial need and/or merit.
  
  e. Awards can range from $200 to a maximum of tuition, fees, room, board and books.
3. Criteria for Maintaining Bowie State Institutional Grants
  a. Students must complete Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be received electronically by the advertised priority deadline.
  
  b. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the Office of Financial Aid.
  
  c. Students with merit-based awards must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Failure to so will result in a probation period of one semester. Failure to achieve the required grade point average at the end of this period will result in a loss of the grant. The Director of Financial Aid addresses appeals of decisions about eligibility and continuation. Procedures for appeals are maintained in the Financial Aid Office.

C. Athletic Scholarships

1. Criteria for Award
  a. Applicants must meet University admissions criteria and be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate, degree-seeking students.
  
  b. Applicants may be in- state or out-of-state and must qualify under National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), institution and conference criteria.
2. Award Procedures
  a. Applicants must complete the FAFSA and be received electronically by the Office of Financial Aid.
  
  b. Their respective Bowie State University coaches contact applicants and awards are determined through interviews, videotape evaluation and analysis, recommendations and individual try-outs.
  
  c. The Office of Financial Aid through an Athletic Grant-In-Aid Agreement notifies all recipients, after a review has been done to determine that NCAA and institutional requirements have been made.
  
  d. Awards must be approved through the Athletic Director before transmission to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid reviews the awards to ensure that over awards are not occurring.
  
  e. Continuing recipients will be notified for the upcoming award year by July 1 as to whether their scholarship will be continued.
  
  f. Awards will range from $100 to the cost of out-of-state tuition, fees, room and board.
  
  g. Funds are distributed to selected athletes through the Office of Financial Aid.
3. Criteria for Maintaining Athletic Scholarships
  a. Athletes must maintain NCAA, institutional and conference requirements and obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
  
  b. In addition, continuation will be based on recommendations of the head coach; the student/athlete’s continued compliance with athletic policy, regular attendance at practice and participation in all required study halls and training sessions.
  
  c. The Office of Financial Aid will send out continuation notices.
  
  d. Award and continuation decisions may be appealed through the Office of Financial Aid. Procedures for appeal are available in the Office of Financial Aid.

D. Bowie State University Institutional Scholarship

1. Criteria for Award
  a. Applicants must meet University admissions criteria and be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate, degree-seeking students.
  
  b. Applicants must be freshmen, transfers, or returning students to be eligible.
  
  c. Applicants must complete and submit an application and essay by the published deadline.
2. Award Procedures
  a. Applicant must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be received electronically by the Office of Financial Aid.
  
  b. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.
  
  c. The Office of Financial Aid will verify applications.
  
  d. Applications will be selected for awards based upon evaluation of their applications by the Scholarship Committee. The Office of Financial Aid will maintain summaries of each evaluation.
  
  e. Applicants whose credentials meet the criteria will be considered for funding.
  
  f. The Office of Financial Aid will notify recipients of the scholarship of their selection or denial of the award. Awards will be contingent upon verification of full-time enrollment.
  
  g. Awards will be made on a yearly-basis.
  
  h. Recipients will have their accounts credited through the Office of Financial Aid.
3. Criteria for Maintaining Bowie State Institutional Scholarship
  a. Students must apply each year for consideration.
  
  b. Students must complete the FAFSA each year.
  
  c. Students must remain enrolled as full-time students.
  
  d. Recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5.

IV. Eligibility of Students Transferring from Maryland Community Colleges, Other USM Institutions, Other Maryland Public Four-Year Institutions, or Non-Maryland Institutions

A. Full-time students are eligible to apply for Scholarships for Academically Talented Students, the Athletic Scholarship Program, Bowie State Institutional Scholarship and the Bowie State Institutional Grant Programs. Full-time is defined as a minimum of 12 semester credits.

B. Part-time students are eligible to receive funds from the Bowie State Institutional Grant Program at the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid. State funds under the Maryland Part-Time Grant Program are also utilized. Part-time is defined as less than 12 semester credits; however, the institution only awards state and institutional funds to students who are maintaining at least 6 semester credits. Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students taking fewer than 6 credits.

V. Eligibility of Students Transferring from Maryland Community Colleges, Other USM Institutions, Other Maryland Public Four-Year Institutions, or Non-Maryland Institutions

A. Maryland Community College transfers, as well as transfers from other USM institutions and from other Maryland public four year institutions, are eligible to apply for Scholarships for Academically Talented Students, the Athletic Scholarship Program, Bowie State Institutional Scholarship and the Bowie State Institutional Grant Programs.

VI. Reporting

A. The President shall submit a report to the Board of Regents that will include the amount and proportion of institutional student aid funds awarded in the various programs to the student categories listed. The copy of the currently applicable institutional policy guidelines will accompany the report.

B. The University will report awards at year-end to the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The Office of Financial Aid maintains documentation of awards made.

VII. 2.41a - Policy on Institutional Student Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students: University Target for Apportionment of State-supported Unrestricted Funds among the Institutional Scholarship Programs.

Generally, the University will include a minimum increase in the institutional scholarship budget that is equal to the proposed tuition increase for the ensuing academic year.

Effective Date: 06/17/2014