Financial Aid

Mr. Joshua Morey
Director of Financial Aid
Phone 951.343.4236
Toll Free 877.228.8855
FinAid@calbaptist.edu

The Purpose of Financial Aid

California Baptist University coordinates and provides financial assistance to students. Financial aid at California Baptist University is administered in accordance with federal, state, institutional, and NCAA policies. It is important students understand they bear the principal responsibility for meeting educational costs. A federal methodology calculation is used in determining eligibility for financial aid. There are various scholarships, grants, and loans available for students who are eligible for financial assistance. These forms of financial assistance are grouped into the following categories: Federal programs, state programs, institutional and private scholarships. Specific information on each of these sources of financial aid is available on the Financial Aid website and in the Financial Aid Office.

Applying for Financial Aid

Students who apply for federal, state, institutional, or private aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. This form is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov. The Renewal FAFSA can also be done on the internet at www.studentaid.ed.gov. All applicants are required to create a FSA ID. A FSA ID gives students access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature.

Completion of the FAFSA will generate a Student Aid Report (SAR) which is sent directly to the student by the federal government. This report provides information regarding the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Financial Aid Office will receive the FAFSA information electronically provided that the student has listed California Baptist University (school code 001125) on the FAFSA. Other documents may be requested to complete a financial aid file. All requested documents must be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days prior to the close of the term.

To qualify for a financial aid award, master level students must be enrolled in five (5) units of degree applicable coursework for half-time status, seven (7) units of degree applicable coursework for three-quarter time status, and nine (9) units of degree applicable coursework for full-time status. Doctorate level students must be enrolled in three (3) units of degree applicable coursework for half-time status, five (5) units of degree applicable coursework for three-quarter time status, and six (6) units of degree applicable coursework or be enrolled in an approved dissertation or internship course for full-time status.

Graduate students are awarded up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Loans annually. Additional loans are available. Visit the Financial Aid section on InsideCBU for more information on additional loans.

Requirements for Awarding

An offer of financial aid is generated upon acceptance to the University and completion of the registration process, provided a valid FAFSA has been filed. Copies of federal income tax transcripts may be required if the student is selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to require tax documents to verify information contained on the FAFSA.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Offer of Financial Aid

Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office of changes in financial, residency, or academic status. Changes of this nature will be reviewed and adjustments may be made to the Financial Aid Award when necessary.

Students have the opportunity to have financial aid decisions reviewed and explained by the Financial Aid Office.

Disbursement

Federal loan funds are credited directly to the student’s account. Federal Direct loan and Graduate Plus disbursements are sent directly to the University each semester via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Withdrawal from the University

Withdrawal from the University (all classes) during any period of enrollment, whether official or unofficial, may necessitate the return of federal financial aid.

Pursuant to federal regulations (CFR 668.22), a refund calculation will be performed to determine the amount, if any, of Title IV aid (Direct loans, Grad Plus, Perkins loans) earned by the student for their attendance up to the date of withdrawal.

The official withdrawal process begins with the completion of the Petition to Withdraw form, which is available in the Office of Admissions. Please refer to the Academic section of this catalog for further details of the process.

Unofficial withdrawals encompass those students who fail to initiate and/or complete the official withdrawal process as noted above.

Ceasing to attend class without proper notification to the Office of Admissions or the Office of the University Registrar will result in an unofficial withdrawal and a refund calculation will be performed to determine the amount of Title IV aid earned and the amount to be returned to the Title IV programs. The student is responsible for any resulting balance owed to the University.

All students who borrow federal student loans and cease attendance at the University are required to complete exit counseling at www.studentloans.gov.

Leave of Absence

If a student is approved for a Leave of Absence during the academic year, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with the Financial Aid Office to adjust aid appropriately. If the student has borrowed Federal Direct Loans, repayment begins 6 months or sooner after ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To be eligible for financial aid, a student must be in good academic standing, making satisfactory progress toward the completion of a certificate or degree, within a maximum time frame. Students are evaluated annually following the springsemester of the academic year to insure the minimum standards are met. Students failing to meet the minimum standards will progress through the aid statuses defined as follows:

Financial Aid Suspension

Status assigned to a student who fails to make Satisfactory Academic Progress at the time of Satisfactory Academi Progress (SAP) evaluation. The student is no longer eligible to receive financial aid. The student has the right to appeal the suspension. Aid is terminated until student’s written appeal is submitted and approved.

Financial Aid Probation

Status assigned to a student who received a Financial Aid Suspension and submitted an appeal which has been approved for a term of Financial Aid Probation. The student’s aid will be reinstated for the probationary term. The student must complete their probationary term successfully or their future aid will be terminated.

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Financial Aid Office of any status changes, grade changes, summer or winter term classes. Once the Financial Aid Office has been notified and the student has provided appropriate documentation, the Financial Aid Office can review and reassess the student’s financial aid eligibility and Satisfactory Academic Progress status. If a student proves to be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress due to additional degree applicable classes or grade change, the student will no longer be subject to SAP and their financial aid will be reinstated. The Financial Aid Suspension status will become void for the term in these situations.

Measure of Progress

Qualitative Measure

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. GPA’s are reviewed after the spring semester of each academic year. Students failing to achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA are given a Financial Aid Suspension status. The student is eligible to appeal the suspension.

If the student fails to earn the minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA after one additional term, the student is placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The student is eligible to appeal the suspension.

If the appeal is approved, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation and must continue to earn a minimum 3.0 term GPA to continue making satisfactory progress toward a cumulative 3.0 GPA. 3.0 term GPA is the minimum standard measurement for continuing progress. The student will need to earn higher than 3.0 term GPA(s) to correct deficiency.

Students on Financial Aid Probation failing to earn the minimum 3.0 term GPA will be returned to a Financial Aid Suspension status. The student will not be eligible to receive financial aid until the cumulative GPA is raised to a 3.0.

Quantitative Measure

Student must successfully complete a minimum of 67 percent of units in which they enroll. Unit completion is reviewed after the spring semester of each academic year.

Grades of C, D, F, W (Withdraw), SP (Satisfactory Progress), and I (Incomplete) do not demonstrate satisfactory course completion. Challenge exams and audited courses are not considered. Transfer credit that has been officially accepted to complete program requirements will demonstrate satisfactory course completion for quantitative measure (unit requirement) of Satisfactory Academic Progress, but will not figure into the 3.0 GPA qualitative measure requirement of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students initially failing to complete 67 percent of their enrolled cumulative units will be given a Suspension. The student is eligible to appeal the suspension.

If the appeal is approved, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation and must continue making satisfactory progress in each subsequent term according to a specific plan of action determined for the student to reach the minimum qualitative requirement of 67 percent.

Students on Financial Aid Probation failing to achieve prescribed unit requirement plan in a subsequent term will be given a Financial Aid Suspension. The student will not be eligible to receive financial aid until the successful completion of 67 percent of enrolled unit requirement is achieved.

Maximum Time Frame Measure

Students are expected to complete their degree within a reasonable time frame. The maximum time frame is 150 percent of the published program. For graduate students, the maximum period is based upon length of educational program. The measurement begins from the date of the initial enrollment in the student’s program.

Appeal Process

Before filing an appeal for reinstatement of financial aid, it is important the students seek assistance from an Academic Advisor in order to explore ways of eliminating unit deficiencies and to establish a realistic plan towards graduation. At the time of termination, the Financial Aid Office will provide the student with instructions on how to appeal. A copy of the appeal form can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or on InsideCBU. When filing an appeal, make sure that a full explanation is provided, along with documentation, verifying the circumstances that led to the inability to meet the minimum progress requirements. It is important that a definite plan towards graduation is established. An Academic Success Plan must be completed with the assistance of an Academic Advisor and submitted along with the letter of appeal. Should the appeal be approved, it is important that the Academic Success Plan be realistic as the ability to adhere to the plan will be closely monitored. Failure to follow the courses and units outlined may result in future denial of financial aid.

If the Appeal is Denied

Students that do not have their appeals approved will receive information regarding other alternatives available to them. Some options include:

1. Continuing enrollment at CBU without any financial assistance.
2. Continuing enrollment at CBU with the assistance of private loans. The Financial Aid Office can provide the student with information on these loans.
3. Taking a leave of absence from CBU to make up a portion or all of the deficient units at a Community College. In this case a student will have to file an additional appeal to have aid reinstated once the student has completed the required units and demonstrated the ability to continue at CBU without incurring any additional deficiencies. The Financial Aid Office recommends that the student speak with Academic Advising to ensure that any classes taken elsewhere will count towards the student’s program.

Repeated Courses

Financial Aid will be awarded only twice for the same class. The cost of the third attempt will not be covered by financial aid and will not be counted as part of the half-time minimum aid eligibility requirement.

Institutional Financial Aid Programs for Graduate Students

Common Requirements for Institutional Programs

With regard to institutional financial assistance, the following common requirements have been established for all students enrolled in the Graduate Program:

• All scholarships are applied directly to a student’s account. No cash distributions are made directly to the scholarship recipient. Scholarships are not transferable to any student other than the recipient.
• In order to maintain aid eligibility, students receiving any financial aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress, as stated in this catalog.
• Institutional scholarships are limited and vary by program.
• Students must complete their financial aid file by the first published Payment Due Date.
• All awards are based on full-time enrollment of 9 units per semester or session. Students enrolled for less than 9 units are eligible to receive aid, prorated accordingly.
• All institutional aid is tuition-based. If a student receives additional non-institutional tuition-based aid, the amount of tuition-based aid may need to be reduced so the total tuition based aid does not exceed the cost of tuition.

VA Yellow Ribbon Program Scholarship

Description

• The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008. The program provides for an agreement between California Baptist University and the Veterans Affairs to award scholarships to qualified VA students to fund tuition and fees that exceed benefits available under the Post 9/11 GI Bill^® (Chapter 33). Under the agreement, VA will match CBU’s scholarship contribution.

Eligibility

• Student must qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill ^® through Veteran’s Affairs and elect to receive benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® program.
• Students must qualify for Yellow Ribbon program benefits as defined by the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program.

Award

• Recipients may receive varying amounts to be determined by semester enrollment, tuition, and fee charges.
• Yellow Ribbon Scholarships are offered in lieu of CBU funded aid, including previously offered CBU funded academic or other institutional scholarships. However, Yellow Ribbon recipients will remain eligible to receive specific participation scholarships, in addition to the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship. The specific participation scholarships are as follows: athletics related, music, theater, speech/debate. The combination of these specific participation scholarships and Yellow Ribbon scholarships will only be funded up to direct charges and books and will not be refundable. If veteran benefits expire prior to graduation, academic or other institutional scholarships may be reinstated as long as academic renewal requirements have been met.
• Recipients will be awarded in the current and subsequent academic years in which the university participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and the student maintains continued enrollment, conduct, and attendance.
• CBU’s graduate Yellow Ribbon Scholarship award shall not exceed $3,000 for any given academic year.

Procedure

• Students who qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® and the Yellow Ribbon Program as determined by their VA Certificate of Eligibility should apply directly with the Veterans Resource Center, Office of Student Success.

Federal Financial Aid Programs

Common Requirements for all Federal Programs

• All students applying for federal aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• All federal aid recipients must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen.
• All federal aid recipients must not be in default of a student loan and not owe a refund of any federal educational grant.
• All federal aid recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress according to institutional standards as stated in this catalog.
• Students concurrently enrolled at other institutions will only be eligible to receive financial aid for registered units at California Baptist University.

Note: Federal programs are subject to change at any time.

Federal Work Study Program

Description

• Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally-funded, need-based, campus-based work program designed to assist undergraduate and graduate students desiring a job on campus to help earn money for their educational expenses.

Eligibility

• Eligibility is determined by a student’s financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA. Availability is limited.

Award

• FWS funds are not disbursed separately to the student, nor applied to the students account; they are included in the student’s regular paycheck. Work Study awards indicate a maximum amount for which a student is eligible. Student’s earnings will be monitored each pay period and counted toward their eligibility.

Procedure

• Students obtain an employment application from Career Services. The application is reviewed by Financial Aid for FWS eligibility. Once employment is obtained, FWS will be applied. FWS amounts are based on hours worked and financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Federal Direct Loan

Description

• The Federal Stafford Loan is a low-interest loan available to students who have financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA. The loan is made to the student by the Federal Department of Education through the Direct Loan Program. Upon repayment, loan payments are made directly to the Department of Education on a monthly basis. Interest rates for Direct loans are calculated yearly. Please visit studentaid.ed.gov for current interest rates
• Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan Interest Rates - Interest begins accruing after the first disbursement. The student is responsible for any interest accrued but can defer the interest with the principle of the loan.
• Unsubsidized loans have a fixed interest rate calculated yearly based upon ten year Treasury note index, plus an add-on determined by congress. The interest rate is capped at 9.5%.

Eligibility

• Eligibility is determined by a student’s financial need and grade level.
• First-time borrowers and transfer students must complete entrance counseling before any funds will be disbursed. Upon withdrawal from the university or graduation, all recipients must also complete exit counseling.
• Funds will be disbursed via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer).

Award

• Students enrolled in graduate programs are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 per academic year.
• The Aggregate loan limit for Graduate students is $138,500.
• All students who borrow federal student loans and cease attendance or drop below half time at the University are required to complete exit counseling at www.studentloans.gov.

Federal Perkins Loan

Description

• The Perkins Loan Extension Act of 2015 amended HEA section 461 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, to end an institution’s authority to make new Perkins Loans to graduate students on September 30, 2016 and to undergraduate students September 30, 2017. While some eligible students were to receive Perkins Loan disbursements through the 2017-2018 award year, “no Perkins Loan disbursements are permitted after June 30, 2018, under any circumstances.” (DCL ID: GEN-17-10). As a result, CBU will no longer award Perkins Loans to students.

State Financial Aid Programs

Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program

Description

• The Cal Grant TCP is a state funded, need-based grant that provides tuition assistance to graduate students enrolled in a Teaching Credential Program.

Eligibility

• Students must have been recipients of Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B as an undergraduate.
• Form G-44 must be completed and submitted to the California Student Aid Commission for approval. Forms are available in the Financial Aid Office.
• Based on eligibility, Cal Grant TCP Grant awards are awarded to cover up to the amount of tuition and fees only. The grant covers only credential applicable coursework.
• Funding for the Cal Grant TCP Grant is subject to state budget allocations.