2007-2008 Catalog

Washington College: Your Revolution Starts Here

Financial Aid

Washington College is committed to providing educational excellence and equity for all students. The policies and principles of financial aid are based on the belief that all qualified students—regardless of their race, sex, or economic status—should have the opportunity to experience a Washington College education. The College supports the principle that the purpose of financial aid is to provide monetary assistance to students who can benefit from a Washington College education, but who, without such assistance, would be unable to attend. Access to such assistance is considered a privilege, not a right.

Washington College offers several types of financial aid to help qualified full-time undergraduate students meet their college expenses. College-sponsored tuition scholarships, tuition grants, work-study, and low-interest loans are available to full-time undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and who meet the College's admission criteria. In addition to Collegesponsored financial aid, eligible students can receive assistance from federal, state, and independent aid programs.

The financial aid process is predicated upon the precept that parents will assume primary responsibility for the educational expenses of their sons and daughters; it is also understood that students have a responsibility to help pay for their education. Since an education is an investment which should yield lifelong dividends, a family should be prepared to contribute to it both before entering and while in college. College support is intended to complement family financial resources (including any federal, state, or other outside aid to which a student may be entitled); College needbased tuition assistance is offered only after all other sources of aid have been exhausted.

The purpose of need-based aid is to reduce the difference between the student's estimated contribution to college expenses (as determined by the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) and Washington College's Institutional Application for Need-Based Financial Aid) and the actual cost of tuition, room, and board, plus an estimated amount for books and miscellaneous expenses. For the 2007-2008 academic year at Washington College, that total is $42,700.

Applicants for Fall 2008 should file the FAFSA and Washington College's Institutional Application for Need-Based Financial Aid between January 1 and February 15, 2008. Although 2007 federal tax information is needed to complete the two forms, families are advised to use estimated tax data rather than miss the February 15 filing deadline. Families with questions about estimating tax data are encouraged to call the Office of Student Financial Aid.

For students who show exceptional academic promise, Washington College also offers merit-based academic tuition scholarships. These are offered without regard to financial need; however, in cases involving both superior academic achievement and demonstrated financial need, a meritbased tuition scholarship will be included in the financial aid package.

Grant and scholarship assistance from all sources is applied first to full-time tuition charges. Grant and scholarship assistance in excess of tuition is then applied to direct College charges for fees, and on-campus room and board.

Application Procedures For Freshmen and Transfer Students

There are four items that must be submitted to be considered for need-based financial aid at Washington College:

The FAFSA is used to collect financial information needed to determine a student's eligibility for federal aid (Federal Pell, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans). The WC Institutional Application for Need- Based Financial Aid collects additional nonfederal data used by Washington College to determine eligibility for institutional needbased grants and loans. To be considered for maximum federal, state, and College financial aid, the FAFSA and WC Institutional Application for Need-Based Financial Aid should be completed and mailed between January 1 and February 15. Students who file these forms after the February 15 deadline will be processed in the order received and, if eligible, funded to the extent permitted by the availability of remaining funds.

All families who wish to be considered for need-based aid are required to provide the College with a signed copy of their 2007 federal tax return and W2's. Signed copies of both student and parent tax returns are required. Colleges and universities are required by law to use the signed federal tax return and W2's to verify data submitted on the WC Institutional Application for Need- Based Financial Aid and FAFSA. Awards cannot be finalized prior to receipt of the signed federal tax returns.

New students will be notified of financial aid decisions on a rolling basis beginning early in March. Upperclass award letters are sent to returning students in June after the completion of spring semester courses.

Upperclass Student Aid

Financial aid recipients are required to reapply for need-based aid each year. All requirements pertaining to the aid application process apply to upperclass students; notification of aid decisions begins in June.

Students who received no financial assistance during the fall semester, but who wish to be considered for need-based aid during the spring term, must file the appropriate applications with the Financial Aid Office no later than November 1. Spring term awards are based upon the availability of funds as well as demonstrated need and academic achievement.

Important notes regarding need-based aid award: All students who have applied for and qualify for need-based financial aid will be offered some form of self-help aid. Self-help aid is defined as Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and Federal Work-Study. All students offered WC Institutional needbased grant or scholarship assistance are expected to accept and use the self-help assistance to offset their educational expenses. Therefore, students who reject the need-based self-help (loan or work-study) portion of their financial aid award may jeopardize their eligibility for WC Institutional need-based grant assistance in future award years.

The percentage of demonstrated need that is met by the College's aid award varies from student to student. Although 100% of demonstrated need is met in some cases (e.g., a student with high academic ability and low to moderate need), meeting full need is not the policy of Washington College.

Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that students receiving need-based financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the College. Students are normally expected to complete their undergraduate degree within eight terms. Washington College is not obligated to continue aid to students who require more than eight terms to complete degree requirements. However, students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements if they earn credits and achieve cumulative quality point averages according to the following schedule. The following requirements apply to full-time students; part-time students are expected to complete their program within ten academic years:

Minimum credits completed successfully by end of...

1st academic year—24
2nd academic year—48
3rd academic year—72
4th academic year—100
5th academic year—128

In addition, students must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.75 by the end of their freshman year and a minimum CGPA of 2.0 each semester thereafter. Transfer students must achieve and maintain a minimum 2.0.

Incompletes, withdrawals, and failures will not count towards the minimum number of credits earned.

Student progress will be reviewed at the end of each academic year (two consecutive semesters of enrollment). If the student fails to meet the required minimum standards, a probationary period will be allowed for one academic year (two consecutive semesters). If the student fails to meet the required minimum by the end of the probationary period, their aid will not be renewed for the following semester. Students who are not maintaining academic progress will be required to resume normal progress before additional financial aid can be awarded. That may require completion of coursework without the benefit of financial aid. Any appeals regarding satisfactory academic progress must be filed through the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee.

Appeals of Satisfactory Academic Progress decisions can be made to the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee. Conditions for an appeal will be sent to all students who did not make satisfactory academic progress after the probationary period.

Merit-Based Scholarships and Grants: Students who receive merit-based tuition scholarships are also required to maintain satisfactory academic progress. The Admissions and Financial Aid Committee will review the progress of any merit scholarship recipient with a CGPA below 3.0 and, in such a case, reserves the right to reduce or remove the student's merit-based award.

Merit-Based Scholarships and Grants

Washington College recognizes and rewards exemplary academic achievement. More than 50% of all Washington College students qualify for a merit-based scholarship at the time of their admission to the College. On average, these scholarships range in amount from $5,000 - $17,500 per year. In most cases, eligibility for a merit-based scholarship is determined by high school GPA and SAT-I or ACT scores. Unless otherwise specified in the scholarship award letter, the annual renewal of all merit-based awards is contingent upon maintenance of full-time continuous enrollment and a CGPA between 3.00 and 4.00. NOTE: Only the Sophie Kerr Scholarship may be combined with another Washington College merit-based award. Students who meet the eligibility criteria for more than one Washington College award are entitled only to the largest award offered.

To be a contender for merit-based awards we recommend the following

  1. Pursue a challenging course schedule. We assign weighted values to AP, IB, Honors and Advanced courses. Without exception, the students who receive our largest scholarships have taken the toughest classes. Be realistic with your selections but avoid the path of least resistance!
  2. Seek letters of recommendation from those teachers who can attest to your best efforts and success. Let them help tell your story!
  3. Be sure to schedule an admissions interview/campus visit. Do not pass up the opportunity to meet and inform the individual who will be reviewing your credentials!
  4. Apply for admission well in advance of our February 15 deadline.

All recipients of merit-based scholarships are designated as Washington Scholars. Within the Washington Scholars Program there are several categories of awards; these include:

Washington College Academic Tuition Scholarships for Entering Freshmen

These four-year tuition scholarships are awarded to admitted applicants on the basis of secondary school achievement and potential for success. All admitted applicants are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee to determine their eligibility for these awards.

Admitted applicants who are members of their high school's National Honor Society or Cum Laude Society are awarded a $40,000 four-year Washington College Academic Tuition Scholarship ($10,000 annually for four years). To qualify, students must be NHS or CLS members by March 1 of their senior year. Some NHS/CLS members with exemplary high school academic records may qualify for awards that increase their Washington College Academic Tuition Scholarship from $10,000 per year to $11,500-$17,500 per year.

Admitted applicants who qualify for merit-based academic tuition scholarships are notified of their award and the amount of the award in early March.

Washington College Academic Tuition Scholarships for Transfer Students

These tuition scholarships are awarded to full-time, high-achieving transfer students including, but not limited to, students who have been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Society. Typically, awards range in the amount from $5,000 to $15,000 per year. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 - 4.0 and full-time enrollment are required for renewal.

Admitted transfer applicants who qualify for academic tuition scholarships are notified of their award and the amount at the time of admission.

Hodson-Gilliam Scholarships

Hodson-Gilliam Scholarships are given to entering students from ethnic backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in higher education. Award recipients are selected on the basis of academic and personal achievement.

Hodson Trust Scholarships

Hodson Trust Scholarships are awarded to admitted applicants who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, character, and school/community citizenship.

Sophie Kerr Gifts in English Literature

These $6,000 scholarships ($1,500 annually for four years) are awarded to entering students who intend to major in English and/or minor in Creative Writing and who show outstanding promise in the field of English or American literature. Scholarship finalists are selected by members of the English Department.

Colin Ferguson Grants

Named in honor of the second president of Washington College, Colin Ferguson Tuition Grants are awarded to entering international full-time students on the basis of scholastic and extracurricular achievement and overall promise for success in a collegiate environment. Awards generally range in amount from $5,000 to $12,500; a CGPA of 2.0-4.0 is required for renewal.

Readmission And Merit Scholarship Renewal Information For Students Who Withdraw From Washington College

A student who voluntarily withdraws in good standing and subsequently takes courses at another college or university prior to returning to Washington College is required to complete an Application for Readmission. Students who enroll in classes at another college or university prior to returning to WC will need to contact the Admissions Office to request an Application for Readmission. The readmission decision will be based on the grades received in the courses taken at the other college or university.

Students who receive merit scholarships to attend Washington College are expected to maintain full-time continuous enrollment at Washington College, and maintain a CGPA of at least a 3.00. Merit-based scholarships will not be reissued to students who withdraw from the College and subsequently re-apply for admission. Students who withdraw and re-apply will be considered for all appropriate need-based aid programs if they meet the College's need-based aid application deadlines.

College Scholarships and Grants

Income from the corporations, foundations, and individuals listed below provides funding for need- and merit-based scholarships at Washington College. Students need not apply for these scholarships, as the Director of Financial Aid awards them in accordance with the donors' stipulated criteria and administers them in conjunction with the College's financial aid program. Awards held by upperclass students may not be available to new students in any given year.

Annual Scholarships

Endowed Scholarships

Federal and State Grants and Scholarships

The Federal Pell Grant program makes funds available to undergraduate students to attend post-secondary institutions. Eligibility is based on financial need, and application is through the normal financial aid application process of Washington College.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) program provides funds for grants to undergraduate students with great financial need. Application is through the normal financial aid application process of Washington College, and the awards are determined by the institution.

State Scholarships are available to some students through their individual state scholarship administrative offices. To compete for these state awards, students should contact their state scholarship administration to inquire about application procedures, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines.

Student Loan Programs

The Federal Carl Perkins Student Loan Program provides funds to institutions for students who need loans to meet their educational expenses. Application is through the normal financial aid application process at Washington College. Awards are determined by the College after a review of the applicant's financial need.

Repayment begins nine months after graduation or leaving school. Students may take up to ten years to pay back the loan. During the repayment period 5 percent interest is charged on the unpaid balance.

The Federal Stafford Loan Program enables students to borrow directly from a participating lender. This loan is guaranteed by a state or private nonprofit agency and by the federal government.

The maximum for freshmen is $3,500; for sophomores, $4,500; and for juniors and seniors, the maximum is $5,500. All borrowers must complete a FAFSA. The amount of the loan is based on demonstrated financial need, up to the maximum. The current interest rate for Federal Stafford loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 is 6.8%.

Repayment of Federal Stafford Loans begins six months after leaving school, and borrowers may be allowed up to ten years to repay the loan. Students borrowing funds through the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan program are responsible for monthly interest payments while enrolled. Principal payment is deferred until six months after graduation. Consolidation programs, which may allow a longer repayment period, are also available.

The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) allows a parent to borrow funds to assist with payments for the current academic year. This program is not need-based and may be used in lieu of the family contribution. The interest rate is set in July of each year; however, the interest rate for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 is 8.5%. Repayment normally begins within 60 days of disbursement. Applications are available through the College's Financial Aid Office or a lender.

Federal Work-Study Program

Washington College participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, which provides job opportunities on campus for students who have financial need. There are a wide variety of jobs from which to choose: students assist in the Admissions and Student Affairs offices, in Miller Library, and for various departments and offices all over campus. In return for their efforts, work-study participants earn a biweekly paycheck to help cover their ongoing educational expenses. Application is made through the College's normal financial aid application process, and awards are determined by the College.

Campus Employment

Washington College also offers on-campus employment opportunities that are not need-based. Contact the Director of Human Resources for a listing of available jobs.

Federal Title IV Aid Refund Policy

Washington College adopted the refund policy that conforms to Section 668.22 of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Withdrawing, or expelled students with Title IV funding will be subject to both Federal Policy regarding the possible return of Title IV funds awarded to the student and to Washington College's policy regarding the possible return of institutional aid awarded.

The law requires that, if a student withdraws, is granted an approved leave of absence, or is expelled during a semester, the amount of Title IV assistance that the student has earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If the student received more assistance than he or she earned, the excess funds must be returned.

The amount of assistance that a student has earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. That is, if a student has completed 30 percent of the semester, the student earns 30 percent of the assistance they were originally scheduled to receive. Once the student has completed more than 60 percent of the semester, the student earns all of his/her assistance.

If a student received excess funds that must be returned, Washington College must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of

Copies of the Official Withdrawal Policy and procedures for requesting an Approved Leave of Absence can be found in the Office of the Academic Dean.

Any Title IV aid recipient who is withdrawing from the College, requesting a leave of absence, or is expelled must contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss how this action would affect his/her financial aid awarded. Any questions related to this refund policy should be directed to the Financial Aid Office in the Casey Academic Center.

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