Student Financial Aid Information

Financial Aid Application Process

Assistance From Other Sources

Change of Major or Second Degree

Transfer Students

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Grades

Financial Aid Probation or Suspension Policy
Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension
Refunds
Bacone College Scholarship
Endowed Scholarships
Native American College Students

 

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

 

Bacone’s financial aid program is designed to assist those who otherwise would be unable to attend the College because of need and to recognize outstanding achievement and leadership potential.  In addition to many forms of institutional aid, Bacone College participates in all traditional types of financial assistance available through state, federal and, tribal governments, and lending institutions.

 

We are committed to working with families to make higher education affordable.

 

Most federal and state educational assistance is based on financial need as determined by the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending Bacone College and the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).  The EFC is calculated using formulas prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education. The applicant must have a high school diploma, GED, or demonstrate the “ability to benefit” in order to receive financial aid at the institution to which he/she is applying according to the guidelines set forth by the Department of Education.

 

Some additional requirements for financial aid are: 

 

a.       Students must maintain a cumulative 1.60 grade point average (GPA) for the first 30 credit hours attempted; and a cumulative 2.00 GPA for all hours attempted thereafter.

b.       Students must successfully complete at least 70% of all attempted course hours. Withdrawals, I, F, and other unsatisfactory grades are examples of grades that will be counted against the completion rate.

c.       Audit courses do not qualify for financial aid. Should a student receive financial aid for any classes, or hours, which are later changed to audit, the student will be required to repay any applicable financial aid funds.

 

Financial Aid Application Process

1.       Apply for admission to Bacone College .

2.       Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st of each year. FAFSA forms can be filed electronically on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to include our Title IV code (003147) in step 6 of the FAFSA.

3.       After completing the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail from the US Department of Education processing center.  READ IT!!  If corrections need to be made to any information, please contact our office at the numbers below.  If everything is correct, keep it for your records.

4.       You may receive a Document Tracking Letter from our office requesting additional documents needed for your file.  For Example: Federal Income Tax Forms, Federal Worksheet A, B, C, etc.  Make sure you respond quickly to this letter.  This will allow us to process your financial aid package quicker.

5.       We will send you a Financial Aid Award Letter to your home address. This form must always be signed and returned to our office promptly.

6.      Please note that this award is for the current school year only.  A renewal application must be completed for each subsequent year.

7.       If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Financial Aid Office at the number listed below.

 

Office of Financial Aid

Bacone College

2299 Old Bacone Road

Muskogee , Oklahoma 74403-1597

1-888-682-5514, Ext. 7298 or 1-918-683-4581, Ext 7298

Fax: 1-918-682-5514

www.bacone.edu

e-mail: financialaid@bacone.edu

 

Types of Financial Assistance Available

The following is a list of various funding opportunities available for eligible students.

 

·          GRANTS - money available for education expenses; does not require repayment.

·          PELL — Federal Pell Grant; based on financial need; available only to undergraduates.

·          FSEOG — Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant; available only to under­graduates with exceptional financial need.

·          OTAG — Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant; available to needy Oklahoma residents who enroll at least half-time (application deadline date April 30).

·          TRIBAL ASSISTANCE — Available for American Indian students; please apply early to the appropriate tribal higher education agency (see tribal list (A) in this section).

·          INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS – Scholarships are intended to help meet various costs of attending Bacone such as books, tuition, fees, and rooms & board. (B)

·          ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS –Money given to the college by donors. The interest is used to assist students in covering the cost of attending Bacone (see chart (C) in this section).  Application required.

·          FWS — Federal Work-Study Program; on-campus employment; normally ten hours per week at minimum wage. Financial aid eligibility is required and exceptional financial need.

·          LOANS - money available for education requiring repayment with interest.

o         FEDERAL SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN — Money borrowed from a lending institution at a variable interest rate not to exceed 8.25%, the present rate is 3.46%; repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after leaving school.

o         FEDERAL UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN — Money borrowed from a lending institution at variable interest rates not to exceed 8.25%, the present rate is 3.46%; repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after leaving school; borrower is responsible for interest payments while in school.

o        FEDERAL PARENT PLUS LOAN – Money borrowed from a lending institution at a variable interest rate not to exceed 9.0%, the present rate is 4.06%; repayment begins 45 days after second distribution.

Ø       There maximum amounts a student can borrow per year.  Please see the table below

 

 

Year in College

 

Subsidized Loan

 

Unsubsidized Loan

Total Annual Eligibility

Freshman

$2625

$4000

$6625

Sophomore

$3500

$4000

$7500

Junior

$5500

$5000

$10,500

Senior

$5500

$5000

$10,500

 

Note:  There is a 3% loan origination fee that is automatically deducted from loan proceeds before they are sent to the school.

 

 

Assistance From Other Sources

Other sources of state and federal financial assistance are available to qualified students including Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans’ education benefits, Workforce Oklahoma , and assistance from the Department of Human Services. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate government office in their community for more information about these programs. Bacone’s Financial Aid Office is also available to assist you in applying to the above agencies for assistance.

 

Change of Major or Second Degree

Students who change their major or course of study are advised to try to complete their degree or certificate in a reasonable, prescribed amount of time in order to retain eligibility for financial aid. All students enrolled in an eligible degree program may attempt 150% of the hours required in pursuit of that degree or certificate.

 

Students who have a degree and are pursuing a second degree of the same type are required to meet with an advisor in the new major to establish what classes are needed to complete the new degree. Students can only receive financial aid for up to 150% of these hours.

 

Transfer Students

The Office of Admissions will review academic transcripts for all transfer students.  Transfer students with no grade history at Bacone College will be placed on financial aid probation their first semester of attendance if the transcript shows that the minimum requirements shown below have not been met. Transfer students admitted on financial aid probation are eligible to receive financial assistance their first semester of attendance. Continuation of financial aid eligibility beyond the first semester of attendance will be approved only if the requirements shown below are met.

 

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Students receiving assistance through the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, Oklahoma Tuition Grant (OTAG), Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and Federal Parent Plus Loan programs are required to meet two separate requirements in maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress at Bacone. First, students are required to maintain a minimum satisfactory cumulative grade point average. Second, students are required to complete (pass) at least 70% of the credit hours attempted each academic year. These two requirements are summarized in the following chart. Failure to meet both of these minimum academic standards will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility.

 

Total Hours Attempted from All Institutions

 

1-30 credit hours

31 hours or more

Minimum Cumulative GPA

 

1.60

2.00

Percentage of Attempted Hrs. which must be completed each academic year

 

70%

70%

 

Grades

1.         For financial aid purposes, all grades of A, B, C, D, F, P, S. W, AW, WP, WF, I, N, NP, and U are hours attempted.

2.         Only grades of A, B, C, D, F, and P are counted as hours successfully completed.

3.         Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and are not counted as hours attempted.

4.         All classes attempted at all institutions are used in satisfactory academic progress calculations.

5.         Passing grades received in zero level remedial classes count as hours attempted for financial aid purposes.

 

Financial Aid Probation or Suspension Policy

1.         Satisfactory Academic Progress is calculated annually after the spring semester. For students on financial aid probation, financial aid suspension, or on appeal, it is also checked at the end of each term

2.         FINANCIAL AID PROBATION will be required for students not meeting the requirements shown above. This is a warning status and students on probation may continue to receive financial aid.

3.         FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION will be required for students on probation who do not meet the requirements shown above. Students cannot receive funds from financial aid programs while on financial aid suspension. (See Appeals Below)

4.         Rules are applied uniformly to all students whether or not aid has been received previously.

5.         Eligibility is re-established after the students improve their scholastic record to meet the minimum standards.

6.         If a student completely withdraws during a semester, he/she will be placed on PROBATION.  Two consecutive semesters of complete withdrawal will place a student on financial aid SUSPENSION.

 

Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension

Students who have been placed on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal such action in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The letter should give reasons why the students feel they should not be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The Student Academic Status Committee will review the appeal and make a determination that will include the consideration of mitigating circumstances. The student will be informed in writing concerning the decision within 5 working days.

 

Refunds

A student, who drops individual classes or withdraws completely from the college prior to the first day of classes for the semester, will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees.

 

A student who totally withdraws during the semester of the fall/spring semester or during the regular summer semester will receive a refund of tuition according the table below. The period of time to drop short-term classes will be pro­rated based on the length of the class.

 

1st Week

75%

2nd Week

50%

3rd Week

0%

 

Refund Policy For Financial Aid Recipients Who Withdraw

Effective October 7, 2000 any student receiving federal financial assistance who completely withdraws from all classes at Bacone College will be subject to the Return of Title IV Funds refund policy required by federal regulation.

 

This policy only applies to students receiving assistance through the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students Programs.

 

This policy assumes a student “earns” his or her financial aid based on the period of time the student remains enrolled through the semester. Upon withdrawal, the Office of Financial Aid will determine the date of the student’s withdrawal on record in the Office of Admissions and will calculate the amount of financial assistance the student “earned” while enrolled in classes according the following formula: number of days enrolled divided by total number of days in the semester.

If the amount of federal aid disbursed exceeds the amount of federal aid earned as of the date of withdrawal, either the college, the student, or both are required to return some portion of the federal aid received. Late disbursements for which the student is eligible are required to be included.

 

Students who remain enrolled beyond the 60% of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of the financial aid received. Students who are enrolled for less than 60% of the semester will likely be responsible for repaying a portion of the financial aid received.

 

The Office of Financial Aid will calculate the amount of any refund due according the Return of Title IV Funds Formula outlined in federal regulation. Examples of this refund formula are available in the Office of Financial Aid. Any refund amount calculated from this formula will be returned to the appropriate federal financial aid programs. Refunds for financial aid recipients are never given directly to the student. Calculated refunds amounts are returned to the federal financial aid programs in the following order: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Federal Pelt Grant, SEOG Grant, other federal financial aid programs.

 

Under this policy, the date of withdrawal is the date the student began the withdrawal process by contacting the Bacone College Office of the Registrar either in person or by phone to complete a Notice of Withdrawal form. If a student leaves Bacone College without contacting the Office of Admissions to formally withdraw, the withdrawal date will be designated as the midpoint of the semester or the last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity. For students who fail to return from an approved leave of absence, the withdrawal date will be designated as the date the leave of absence began.

 

Bacone College Scholarship Program

Our goal at Bacone College is to seek the best and brightest students. Each year many scholarships are awarded to deserving students based on merit and talent.  If more than one scholarship is offered, the student will receive the highest award.

 

The scholarships listed below can be applied towards a student’s total expenses as a main campus student enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) in the fall and spring semesters.  These scholarships aid students in meeting their college tuition expenses and are not cash awards.  These awards cannot exceed a student’s total college expenses. 

 

Bacone Scholars Society

Up to Full Tuition, Books and Fees for Fall and Spring Applied Toward Total Costs -- Application Deadline February 14th for Upcoming Fall Eligibility

 

        Initial Eligibility Requires Meeting Two of the Following Three Criteria: 

1)       A minimum ACT composite score of 24 or a minimum combined SAT I score of 1090;

2)       A high school GPA of at least 3.75;

3)       High school standing within the top 10% of graduating class.

 

Renewable Each Year Up To Four Years Based on the Following Criteria:

1)       Be a student in good standing

2)       Maintain a full academic load of at least 12 credit hours per semester

3)       Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50

4)       Actively served in some type of leadership/service role on campus

 

Members of the Bacone Scholars Society are expected to participate in various leadership roles on campus such as Student Government Association, The Baconian Newspaper, Campus Ambassador’s, etc.  Students will be eligible to participate in special classes, seminars and workshops.

 

Presidential Scholarships

Up To Six Thousand Dollars ($6000) of Fall and Spring Tuition Applied Toward Total Costs

 

Initial Eligibility Requires Meeting Two of the Following Three Criteria:

1)          A minimum ACT composite score of 23 or a minimum combined SAT score of 1060

2)          A high school GPA of at least 3.50

3)          High school standing within the top 15% of graduating class.

 

Renewable Each Year Up To Four Years Based on the Following Criteria:

1)          Be a student in good standing

2)          Maintain a full academic load of at least 12 credit hours per semester

3)         Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25

 

Success Scholarships

Awards Range From Up to Twenty-Five Hundred Dollars ($2500) to Five Thousand Dollars ($5000) of Fall and Spring Tuition Applied Toward Total Costs

 

Initial Eligibility Requires Meeting the Following Two Criteria:

1)          A minimum ACT composite score of 22 or a minimum combined SAT score of 1020

2)          A high school GPA of at least 2.50

 

Renewable Each Year Up To Four Years Based on the Following Criteria:

1)          Be a student in good standing

2)          Maintain a full academic load of at least 12 credit hours per semester

3)          Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00

 

Program Specific Scholarships

The following academic programs offer specific, merit-based tuition scholarships for eligible students enrolled full-time in both fall and spring terms of an academic year.

 

Business, Nursing, Education, Criminal Justice,

Art, Theatre, and Journalism

 

Awards range from partial to full-tuition funding. 

 


2002-2003 Bacone College Scholarship Program Quick Reference Guide

 

Program

Name

Application

Form

Deadline

Maximum