Financial Aid

Financial Aid Handbook2010-2011

Watch for Penmen FinancialTips for important information.

1. Tuition and Fees1.1. Undergraduate Day Students1.2. Continuing Education and Online Students1.3. Graduate Students

2. SNHU Financial Aid Programs2.1. Scholarships2.2. Grants2.3. Federal Student Loans2.4. Alternative Student Loans2.5. SNHU Student Employment2.6. Third Party Billing and Payments2.7. NHCUC/CIC Consortium2.8. Veterans Benefits

3. Applying for Financial Aid3.1. Determine your Eligibility3.2. Apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN3.3. File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

4. Determining a Student’s Financial Need4.1. Cost of Attendance (COA)4.2. Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

5. The Financial Aid Process 5.1. After your FAFSA is submitted5.2. Receive and review your Student Aid Report (SAR)5.3. SNHU and the awarding of Financial Aid5.4. How to read your Financial Aid Award5.5. How to Accept or Reject your Financial Aid5.6. Completing your Federal Student Loans Master Promissory Notes (MPN) 5.7. Disbursement of Financial Aid5.8. Appeal of your Financial Aid Award5.9. Credit Balance Refunds

6. Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility6.1. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)6.2. Enforcement of SAP6.3. SAP Enrollment Requirements6.4. Withdrawals and the Impact on Financial Aid6.5. Return of Federal Loans and Grants (Title IV Funds)

7. Students’ Financial Responsibility7.1. Paying your SNHU Bill and Credit Policies

8. Your SNHU ID Card8.1 Penmen Change

8.2 Penmen Cash

9. Student Medical Insurance10. Glossary11. Directory

Table of Contents

1. Tuition and Fees 2010-2011

1.1 Undergraduate Day StudentsSemester Total Annual Total

Tuition-Undergraduate Day (up to 18 credit hours) $13,056 $26,112 Student Activities Fee $165 $330 Orientation Fee (mandatory) New student-for Fall $150 $150 New student-for Spring $50 $50 Health Insurance (domestic) Full school year (charged in fall) $555 $555 New student-for Spring $380 $380

Housing Rates Dorm double (Winnisquam, Chocorua) $3120 $6240 Dorm double (Washington, Newcastle Halls, East Doubles) $3638 $7276 Dorm single, East Side Apartments, Townhouses $4580 $9160 West Side Apartments $3700 $7400

Residential Dining Plans Plan 1, premium $1820 $3640 Plan 2, dorm dining plan ($1500 minimum plan for Freshman) $1500 $3000 Plan 3, returning students in dorm $1040 $2080 Plan 4, apt./townhouse $895 $1790 Plan 5, apt./townhouse minimum dining plan $660 $1320

Commuter Dining Plans All first-time commuter students must enroll in a meal plan for $100. (First semester only)

Optional Commuter Dining Plans: Commuters have the option to buy commuter meal plans to have funds available on their ID card. Meal plan

options are $150, $300, or $500. Returning Students Charges stated above indicating “New Student” are one-time charges for new students only and do not apply to

returning students. Meal and housing charges vary based on housing selection by the student.

Miscellaneous FeesParking decal: (freshmen and new students) $150; (returning students) $100;Parking citations/violations: (parking in incorrect areas) $15.00- $50.00 (Pay citations and decals online:www.thepermitstore.com)Late payment fee: (assessed if semester balance is not resolved by payment due date) $150Graduation fee: $150Student ID replacement fee: $25SNHU OneCard replacement fee: $25

1.2 Continuing Education and Online StudentsTuition and Fees for Undergraduate Continuing Education and SNHU Online Location Tuition* Parking FeeSNHU Maine $675SNHU Online $906SNHU Online (Active Duty Military) $675SNHU Manchester $906 $45SNHU Nashua $906SNHU Salem $906SNHU Portsmouth $906*All tuition costs are per 3-credit undergraduate course

Tuition rates are subject to change, with increases typically taking effect at the start of Term 6.

1.3 Graduate StudentsLocation Tuition /courseOn Campus/Graduate Day Program Manchester $1,773SNHU Online $1,773SNHU Maine* (excludes PCMH) $1,041SNHU Manchester Evening* $1,773SNHU Nashua* $1,773SNHU Seacoast* $1,773SNHU Salem* $1,773* U.S. residents only

FeesComputer Fee $350Activity Fee: $300Graduation Fee: $150

D.B.A. in International Business CostsFull-time and part-time tuition $4,206 per 3-credit course Dissertation Colloquium $2,163 per term Books and materials $1,000-$1,500 per yearApplication fee (non-refundable) $100International students must purchase health insurance through SNHU $87 per monthFull-time students must pay a one-time student activities fee $650Tuition deposit if accepted into the program (non-refundable) $200

2. SNHU Financial Aid Programs

2.1 Scholarships

SNHU Merit ScholarshipsNew students applying to the undergraduate day programare automatically considered for merit-based, renewablegrants and scholarships. No separate application processis required for the scholarships below:• SNHU Presidential Scholarship• SNHU Academic Scholarship• Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship• Honors Program Scholarship• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Scholarship• DECA Scholarship• Skills USA Scholarship

At time of admittance to SNHU, you will receive a letterfrom the Office of Admissions. Within this letter, youwill be informed of what scholarship you have beenawarded and the requirements to maintain eligibility for your award.

Other Scholarship ProgramsOther Scholarship programs for SNHU students include: • Alumni Family Scholarship• Athletic Scholarship Program• Resident Assistant Scholarship Program• Women’s Faculty Scholarship

More information about these scholarship programs can befound by visiting the SNHU website at www.snhu.edu/financialaid.

SNHU Named & Endowed ScholarshipsSouthern New Hampshire University’s named and endowed scholarships are available through the generosityof alumni and friends of the SNHU community. Thesescholarships are based on academic performance or financial need or both.

To be considered for a named and endowed scholarship,you must apply with SNHU. In February, applicationsfor these scholarships will begin to be accepted by theOffice of Financial Aid. Completed applications are dueby the middle of March. Official application deadlinesand application instructions will be e-mailed to yourSNHU account in February.

A scholarship committee will meet to select the recipients for these scholarships. The scholarship

committee selects candidates that best meet the requirements of the specific scholarship.

Outside ScholarshipsMany high schools, community organizations, privateagencies and donors offer scholarship opportunities tostudents who demonstrate scholastic merit or meet otherspecific eligibility criteria. You must find and applyseparately for these outside scholarships

If you are awarded an outside scholarship, send us a copyof the specific scholarship award (letter from organization,high school, or agency). Financial Aid will then review to determine if this award will have any impact on the current award.

2.2 Grants

Federal Grant ProgramsFederal Pell GrantThe Federal Pell Grant ranges from $555 to $5550 peryear. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduatedegree program and not already have obtained a baccalaureate degree. Student eligibility and grantamounts are determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on the results of the FAFSA but may varybased on enrollment status (i.e., full time or half time).

FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)The FSEOG is a campus-based federal grant programwith awards ranging from $200 to $1,200 per year, depending on demonstrated need and availability offunds. Grants are awarded to students with exceptionalfinancial need, and typically to students receiving Federal Pell Grants.

ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant)The ACG provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second

Never pay to submit aScholarship Application.Applying for scholarships

is free. Your chances will not increase if you pay for a scholarship

application service.

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year of undergraduate study. This grant is for those students who have completed a rigorous secondaryschool program of study. The U.S. Department of Education defines which secondary school programs are considered rigorous.

National SMART Grant (National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant)The National SMART Grant is available during thethird and fourth years of undergraduate study to at leasthalf-time students who are eligible for the Federal PellGrant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computersciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or acritical foreign language.

State Grant ProgramsThe NH Governor’s Success GrantThe Governor's Success Grant program provides assistanceto full-time undergraduate students from New Hampshirewho have completed at least 30 credits. The state of NewHampshire provides funds with a matching contributionfrom Southern New Hampshire University. The Office ofFinancial Aid takes into account the results of the FAFSAas well as cumulative GPA (grade point average) when determining eligibility for this program.

Other State GrantsAmounts may vary based on enrollment and are subjectto change based on availability of funds at the state level.Also, New Hampshire has an agreement with Maine,Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticutand Pennsylvania through which residents of thosestates may be eligible for state aid for attendance at apost-secondary institution in New Hampshire, includingSNHU. Please take note of your state’s applicationdeadline for State Grants on the FAFSA website.

SNHU Grant ProgramsSNHU Need Based Grants Southern New Hampshire University Need Based Grantsare based on demonstrated financial need as determinedby the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal StudentAid) and are available for full-time undergraduate daystudents. Awards range from $500 to $12,000 annually.

SNHU Sibling Grant The Southern New Hampshire University Sibling Grantconsists of $2,500 per academic year when two siblingstudents are attending Southern New Hampshire University concurrently on a full-time basis from one family. Each student will receive $1,250 per year. This applies only to siblings enrolled full-time in the

Undergraduate Day program.

2.3 Federal Student Loans

Direct Stafford LoansDirect Stafford Loans are awarded to students based on their grade level and academic standing.

There are two types of Stafford Loans. A subsidizedStafford loan is based on financial need where an unsubsidized Stafford loan is not based on financialneed. These are guaranteed student loans in the student’s name and do not require credit approval. You will not be required to begin repayment on either of these federal student loans until you have been out of school or are not enrolled at least halftime for a period of six months.

Annual Dependent Loan Limits Total Subsidized UnsubsidizedFirst Year (0-29 credits) $5,500 $3,500 $2,000Second Year (30-59 credits) $6,500 $4,500 $2,000Third Year on* (60+ credits $7,500 $5,500 $2,000*Must be enrolled in a bachelor degree program

Annual Independent Loan Limits Total Subsidized UnsubsidizedFirst Year (0-29 credits) $9,500 $3,500 $6,000Second Year (30-59 credits) $10,500 $4,500 $6,000Third Year on* (60+ credits) $11,500 $5,500 $6,000Graduate $20,500 $8,500 $12,000*Must be enrolled in a bachelor degree program

Federal Perkins LoanThe Perkins Loan is a federally-subsidized (no interestwhile in school), fixed low interest (5%) loan that is offeredto full-time undergraduate day students. Repayment beginsnine months after the student ceases to be enrolled at leasthalf-time. Full disclosure of the terms of the loan is provided on the Perkins Loans Master Promissory Note.

Federal PLUS Loans for ParentsThe Federal PLUS Loan for parents is for parents tohelp pay for the cost of their son or daughters educationafter high school.

To receive approved Parent PLUS Loan funds, an electronic Master Promissory Note must be submitted

Need based grants are reviewed and

renewable annually and require a submitted FAFSA.

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2.5 SNHU Student Employment

Federal Work Study & Community Work StudyFederal Work Study & Community work study positionsare subsidized by the Federal Government and awardedby SNHU based on financial need. Work study awardamounts vary and only those that have been awarded work study (as indicated on your financial aid award) areeligible to apply for work study positions. Communitywork study opportunities are also available with local non-profit organizations.

If you have been awarded work study, you will not be placedin a position. Like any other job, you must research the position, apply for a job that interests you, be granted an interview with the hiring manager, and get hired.

University paid positions come directly from the university’s budget and are open to any student thatmeets SNHU’s employment eligibility requirements.These positions are extremely limited.

SNHU holds an annual campus employment job fair before classes begin in September for both work study and university paid positions.

Working Papers:After you are hired, you will need to complete workingpapers before you can start working. The following original and unexpired documents are needed to processworking papers:

Social Security Card or Birth Certificate AND a valid photo ID or a United States Passport

More information about Student Employment• Students average 8-10 hours per week, the maximum is 20 hrs per week.

• Employers will schedule students around their courseschedule

• The pay range: Minimum wage to $1 above minimum wage• Students will receive a bi-weekly pay check and cansign up for direct deposit

and approved by the Direct Loan Servicer, the Departmentof Education. The PLUS Loan Master Promissory Noteis a multi-year note designed to cover the maximumloan amount your parent chooses to borrow for all yearsof your undergraduate enrollment at SNHU. Your parentwill receive a disclosure statement each year identifyingthe exact amount disbursed.

If a parent is denied, first and second year students (up to59 credits) will be eligible for $4,000.00 in an unsubsidizedStafford Loan. Third and fourth year students (59 creditsand above) would be eligible for $5,000.00

Federal PLUS Loans for Graduate StudentsGraduate and professional degree students are eligibleto borrow under the PLUS Loan Program up to their costof attendance minus other estimated financial assistancein the Direct Loan program. The terms and conditionsapplicable to Parent PLUS Loans also apply to Graduate/Professional PLUS loans.

Applicants for these loans are required to complete theFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Youmust have also applied for your annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Subsidized and UnsubsidizedStafford Loan Program before submitting an applicationfor a PLUS Loan for Graduate Students.

2.4 Alternative Student Loans Alternative student loans are private education loansthrough a private lender to help finance the unmet cost of attendance at Southern New Hampshire University. We recommend that you apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA before applying for an alternative student loan.

Approval and interest rates are based on the credit worthiness of the student borrower and cosigner andvary from lender to lender. You should exhaust all federal, state and university options including the PLUSloan Program for Parents and Graduate Students beforeborrowing an alternative student loan. Alternative student loans are not federally guaranteed and have lessfavorable terms and conditions. Alternative loans alsocarry a variable interest rate with no cap.

Alternative student loan processing, from applying with thelender to the time when funds credit to your account, cantake 4-6 weeks. It is highly recommended that you applyfor an entire year's worth of funding at one time; otherwiseit will take 4-6 weeks every time you apply.

Students should exhuastall federal, state and

university options, includingthe Federal Parent PLUS Loan

and Federal Graduate PLUS Loan before borrowing an alternative student loan.

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The Career Development Center provides online and in-personresources for students seeking all types of employment,including off-campus part-time employment opportunities.These services include:• Resume, cover letter, and portfolio development• Interviewing skill development• CareerShift (your online job search resource and organizer)

• SNHU Recruit (your online database of job and internship postings)

• Career and major exploration, networking, and informational interview guidance

Check out the Career Development Office on the web at www.snhu.edu/cdc to learn about all the Career Development resources.

2.6 Third Party BillingThird party billing is when a third party (employer, etc)after authorization, will be billed directly from SNHU foryour Tuition Expenses. Students eligible to participate inthe third party direct billing, must submit a voucher/letteror military tuition assistance form to the Bursar’s Office or appropriate center.

Payment is due within 30 days of the billing, financecharges are waived upon confirmation of the approvedauthorization. Student reimbursement based upon satisfactory completion of the course and grades are not subject to third party billing.

Tuition ReimbursementTuition payments are your responsibility. You initiatethe reimbursement process by submitting your grades to your employer. Company reimbursement students are not exempt from finance charges. You will need tonotify the financial aid office if you are receiving tuitionreimbursement as it might change your Financial Aid Award. Course and grades are not subject to third party billing.

2.7 NHCUC/CIC ConsortiumTuition benefits may be available to dependents of studentswho work in a NHCUC or CIC member institution.

2.8 Veteran's Benefits SNHU is approved for the education of veterans and othereligible persons. A full-time academic load at SNHU, twocourses per each eight-week undergraduate term or twocourses per eleven-week graduate term, qualifies you forfull-time VA benefits. To maintain a full-time status, youmust take courses per your degree plan. The only exceptionis the last term before graduation.

If you are a new veteran student, you should select your degree program, complete an application online and submitthe following documents to SNHU, and matriculate as soonas possible. Per the VA’s certification regulations, a non-matriculated student will not be certified for educationalbenefits after two terms of attendance.• SNHU Online Undergraduate Application or SNHUOnline Graduate Application

• Official SMART or college and high school transcripts • Copy of DD-214 and any service school data includingSMART transcripts

• VA application for benefits is available online at:http://www.va.gov

If you are enrolling under the Montgomery GI Bill for the first time, it could take up to three months before you receive your first check. If you transfer from another institution where you had been using VA benefits, makesure the institution notifies the VA of your effective dateof termination.

If you were approved for the GI Bill and have not used your benefits, you need to complete a VA 22-1990 form (Application for Benefits) and send it to the VA with acopy of your DD-214 and NOBE. If you have used theGI Bill at another institution, you will also need to complete VA 22-1995.

The VA requires strict compliance with several regulations,including maintaining satisfactory academic progress andnotification of any changes in status such as withdrawalfrom a course. It is your responsibility to be aware of all VA regulations that affect your educational program.

For additional questions about veteran and military tuitionbenefits, please contact: SNHU Online at 866.860.0449or [email protected].

Check with your full-time employer

to see what educationalbenefits may be available to you.

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3. Applying for Financial Aid at SNHU

3.1 Financial Aid Eligibility RequirementsTo be eligible for Financial Aid, you must:• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen• Have a valid Social Security Number• Be registered with Selective Service if required• Not be in default of any federal student aid funds• Be enrolled at least half time in a degree program • Maintain satisfactory academic progress

3.2 Apply for a Federal Student Aid PINThe Federal Student Aid PIN is used to e-sign the FreeApplication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and insubsequent years, a Renewal FAFSA. You can also touse the Federal Student Aid PIN to e-sign your DirectLoan Master Promissory Note, and accessing variousfederal educational sites (such as the National StudentLoan Database your Direct Student Loan Account). Parents of dependent students must also obtain a Student Aid PIN in order to e-sign the FAFSA.

3.3 File the FAFSAYou should complete the FAFSA application each yearafter January 1 and prior to March 15. This will ensure

that you receive the optimum consideration for limitedfinancial aid resources. If you submit your applicationafter March 15, you will still receive all federal andstate funding that you are eligible for and you will beawarded institutional aid as funding permits.

Financial Aid Application Tips:• Apply before the priority date of March 15 of every year• Use your previous year Federal tax information (IRS)• If you haven’t filed your current year taxes by the prioritydate, estimate your current tax year tax information.

• After you file, you must correct the information on theprocessed FAFSA

• Apply online at www.fafsa.gov

SNHU’s School Code: 002580 Priority Filing Date:March 15

4.1 Cost of Attendance (COA)The COA is referred to as the “student budget,” and includes both the direct and indirect costs for your education. Direct costs consist of tuition, room, board,and applicable fees. Whereas indirect costs includeother important educational expenses such as books,personal expenditures, and transportation. Indirectcosts are determined by the Office of Financial Aid and are based on regional and national averages.

4.2 Expected Family Contribution (EFC)The Expected Family contribution (EFC) is the minimumamount of money that your family is expected to be ableto contribute to the student's education, as determined by

the Federal Methodology need analysis formula approvedby Congress. The EFC is calculated by results that arereported on the FAFSA.

Financial NeedThe difference between the COA and the EFC is thestudent's financial need, and is used in determining thestudent's eligibility for need-based financial aid.

The COA is subtracted by the EFC. This equals a student’s Financial Need.SNHU creates Financial Aid Awards based on a student’s financial need.

Need based financial aid consists of Federal Need BasedGrants, Subsidized Stafford Loans, the Federal Perkins Loan,Federal Work Study, and the SNHU Need Based Grant.

4. Determining a Student’s Financial Need

If you are under 24, notmarried, don’t have dependents of your own,

and are working towardsan undergraduate degree, you

are considered a dependent student for Financial Aid purposes (even if you don’t

live with your folks).

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5. The Financial Aid Process at SNHU

5.1 After the FAFSA is submitted When the FAFSA is submitted, you will receive an e-mailwith a submission confirmation number from the federalprocessor. You will also receive an e-mail verifying thatyour application was processed and that it has been submitted to the schools you listed on your FAFSA.

When your FAFSA application is submitted, it will be verified by a series of federally mandated datamatches (Social Security Number, date of birth andname information, Selective Service Status, INS status, citizenship status and default information). Ifany information is flagged, known as Federal c-flags,SNHU will be required to contact you to clear thec-flag. This process of clearing a c-flag must be completedbefore a financial aid award will be created.

5.2 Receive and review your Student Aid ReportYour SAR summarizes the data from your FAFSA andindicates your official Expected Family Contribution.

You’ll receive one of the following within a few days (ifyou filed your FAFSA electronically) to four weeks (ifyou mailed a paper FAFSA): • Student Aid Report (SAR), if you applied using the paperFAFSA and did not provide a valid e-mail address; or

• SAR Information Acknowledgment, if you appliedusing FAFSA on the Web but did not provide a valide-mail address; or

• An e-mail with a secure link to access your SAR online,if you provided a valid e-mail address when you ap-plied.

Review your SAR CarefullyAfter receiving your SAR, carefully check it for mistakes.Compare the information listed on the SAR to a copy ofyour FAFSA, since the Estimated Family Contribution(EFC) listed on your SAR will determine the amount of

financial aid you may be eligible for.

Selected for VerificationIf your report has been selected for verification, pageone of the SAR will have a message that states “you willbe asked by your school(s) to provide copies of certainfinancial documents.” This means that SNHU is requiredby the U.S. Department of Education to request supportingfinancial documentation to verify that the information youreported on your FAFSA is accurate. Selection for FederalVerification is a random process. Thirty percent of allFAFSA applicants are selected for federal verification.SNHU will not finalize financial aid awards until thefederal verification process is completed. The federalverification process can take 2-4 weeks to complete.

If you have been selected, please visit www.snhu.edu/financialaid

5.3 SNHU and the Awarding of Financial AidFinancial Aid awards are created for students upon time of being officially accepted and matriculated into a degree seeking program.

5.4 How to read your Financial Aid Award

New Undergraduate Day StudentIf you are a new day student, you will receive a papercopy of your award letter in early March.• Review your award letter and view descriptions of yourawarded financial aid by visiting Financial Aid Programson the SNHU website at www.snhu.edu/financialaid

• Reduce or refuse any amount of student loans youwish to not receive by crossing a line through the undesired amount

• Sign and return your award letter by the date on theback of letter to ensure proper time for processing

New Continuing Education, Online, or Graduate StudentIf you are a new continuing education, online, or graduatestudent, you will receive a paper copy of your financialaid award.• Review your award letter and view descriptions of yourawarded financial aid by visiting Financial Aid Programson the SNHU website at www.snhu.edu/financialaid

• On the letter, indicate the number of courses you planto take each term

If you believe your information is incorrect,

you can fix any mistakes by correcting them electronically

on your FAFSA.

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• Sign and return your award letter by the date on theback of letter to ensure proper time for processing

Returning Undergraduate Day StudentIf you are returning day student, you can view your Financial Aid award on PenPAL. If you wish to declineany part of your award, you will need to write a statementindicating the amount of award you wish to reduce orcancel and send it to the Office of Financial Aid.

Returning Continuing Education, Online, or Graduate StudentIf you are a returning continuing education, online, orgraduate student, you will receive a paper copy of youraward in May (for Continuing Education, and OnlineStudents) or June (Graduate Students)• Review your award letter and view descriptions of yourawarded financial aid by visiting Financial Aid Programson the SNHU website at www.snhu.edu/financialaid

• On the letter, indicate the number of courses you planto take each term

• Sign and return your award letter by the date on theback of letter

• A copy of your award letter can also be viewed on PenPAL.

5.5 How to Accept or Reject your Financial AidIf you are a new student, an award letter will be mailedto you. You will need to sign and return the letter to officially accept your student aid. Make sure you followthe steps on the award letter. These steps will ensurethat your financial aid is processed.

If you wish to reject any part of your student loans you will need to notify our office. Crossing a line through the undesired amount on your paper award letter or submittinga signed statement indicating the amount of student loansyou wish to decline or reduce is all that is required.

5.6 Completing your Federal Student Loans Master Promissory Notes

Direct Stafford LoanAll SNHU students who wish to receive federal Stafford student loans must sign a Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note and complete StaffordEntrance Loan Counseling. This MPN application canbe completed by visiting the Direct Stafford MPN pageat https://dlenote.ed.gov/empn/index.jsp. To complete the DirectStafford Loan MPN, you will need the following:• Your Federal Student Aid PIN

• Your driver’s License Number• Your social security number• Your date of birth• Addresses (no P.O. Boxes) of two cosigners

Perkins LoanYour Federal Perkins Master Promissory Note will beavailable to sign online via the Perkins Loan E-Signafter August 1, 2010. You will receive notification andinstructions via your SNHU e-mail address.

5.7 Disbursement of Financial AidOnce registered and attending classes, SNHU will confirmyour registered enrollment through the add/drop period.

Once class registration is confirmed and the add/dropperiod has ended, SNHU will:• Release institutional funds such as Merit BasedScholarships and institutional need based grants to your account.

• Credit your account with eligible Federal Grants (Pell,SEOG, ACG, SMART) and the Federal Perkins loan.

• Request Direct Stafford Loan disbursements and Direct Parent PLUS Loan from the U.S. Department of Education.

• Obtain the State Grant Eligibility Roster and award eligible state Grants.

To ensure a smooth and seamless awarding of your eligible Direct Loans, part of your responsibility is to make sure that:• You sign your award letter authorizing SNHU to credityour account with your eligible loans

• You have completed entrance loan counseling • You have a valid Direct Loan MPN

on file (you only have to signthis once!)

5.8 Appeal of your Financial Aid AwardThe Office of Financial Aid awards its ‘best offer’ basedon the information received from the Free Application for

Your student accountreflects the charges

and payments of yourSouthern New Hampshire

University expenses.

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6. Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility

6.1 Satisfactory Academic ProgressYou must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)on an annual basis in order to maintain both Federaland Institutional Financial Aid eligibility.

SAP requires you to meet both Quantitative and Qualitative measures each annual academic year:Quantitative: Complete at least 75% of all credits attemptedQualitative:Maintain at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)

If you have been awarded an SNHU Scholarship or grant,please note that you may need to maintain minimum GPArequirement. The GPA requirement can be found below:

Presidential Scholarship 3.00 GPAAcademic Scholarship 3.00 GPAGo-Getter Grant 2.00 GPAHonors Scholarship 3.00 GPA

6.2 Enforcement of SAP PolicyFailure to meet either the qualitative or quantitativestandard will result in the student being placed on financialaid probation or warning until the next evaluation period.The student still will be allowed to receive financial aidduring the probation period.

A student whose academic record meets both standardsat the end of the probation period will have his or heracademic eligibility for future financial aid reinstated.If a student still does not meet both standards, his orher eligibility for financial aid will be suspended.

A student whose aid eligibility has been suspended has10 days to appeal the suspension in writing to the Fi-nancial Aid Appeals Committee. The suspension maybe appealed based on undue hardship, such as studentillness or injury or the death of a relative. The student

Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students and parents mayrequest an appeal of the student’s financial aid award ifthere has been extenuating circumstances resulting in asignificant change (10% or more) to the total family income since the previous year’s income.

Students/families must meet one of the criteria for extenuating circumstances in order to be considered for a review.• Unusual medical or dental expenses, not covered byinsurance. (Prescription and doctor’s office co-pays,routine eye and dental exams will not be consideredas unusual expenses for appeals).

• A parent, student or student’s spouse has had a significant loss of income in 2009 or 2010 due to a period of unemployment, change of jobs, death inthe family, non-reoccurring income (i.e., loss of IRAor other pension distributions), divorce or separation,or going from full-time to part-time employment).

Home repairs, car repairs, credit card debt, weddings, and/or other lifeexpenses will not be considered as unusual expenses for an appeal.

To move forward with an appeal of your financial aid award,please submit a letter of circumstances explaining how yourfinancial situation has changed from the previous year.

SNHU will decide to move forward with your appeal basedon this statement. If SNHU decides that your described financial situation warrants further investigation, the university will send you the financial aid appeal form andletter explaining the next steps that are required. Financialaid appeals will not be looked at until a completed FAFSA is on file and an initial financial aid award has been created.

5.9 Credit Balance RefundsAs long as you are enrolled at least half time, you havesigned and returned your Financial Aid award letter accepting your Financial Aid, you have completed Entrance Loan Counseling, and that you have signedyour Direct Stafford Loan MPN, SNHU will receive your federal Direct Stafford Loans funds two weeks after the term begins.

SNHU processes student account refunds through High-erOne. The SNHU HigherOne Card will be mailed to youshortly after you are enrolled at SNHU. If a credit bal-ance exists after the awarded financial aid has been ap-plied to your account, SNHU will send this creditbalance to your SNHU HigherOne Card.

All credit balance returns are subject to account reviewand federal eligibility and regulation requirements. From

must show that the hardship that created the poor aca-demic performance has been resolved and should notimpede academic success in the future. In some cases,supporting documentation may also be required.

6.3 Enrollment RequirementsStudents must be enrolled full-time to remain eligiblefor institutional funding such as merit and need-basedscholarships. However, students may be eligible to continue to receive federal financial aid as long as theyremain enrolled at least half-time in some programs.

The definition of “half-time” enrollment varies dependingon the program in which the student is enrolled.

For example:• Continuing Education and Online students: one 3-credit course every 8 weeks• Standard Graduate Program: one 3-credit courseevery 11 weeks• Undergraduate Day students: 6 credits per semester

6.4 Withdrawals and the Impact on Financial AidFinancial aid recipients at SNHU who withdraw from acourse or from the institution are subject to proration ofinstitutional charges and federal aid. Students whowithdraw prior to the completion of 60% of the currentterm are subject to a Return of Financial Aid (Title IV)

Funds recalculation. This might impact the amount of financial aid a student is able to retain. Financial Aid recipients are subject to the university’s withdrawal policy as well as the Federal Return of Title IV Fundspolicy and procedures.

6.5 Return of Federal Loans and Grants (Title IV Funds)

If you receive financial aid, and subsequently do notenroll in the University, or enroll and then withdrawfrom the University, you may be required to return financial aid funds received.

The Financial Aid Office must calculate the amount offinancial aid you have “earned” prior to withdrawing orcanceling your registration. The calculation of earnedfederal funds is dictated by federal guidelines. Any aidreceived in excess of the earned amount is considered“Unearned”. This unearned financial aid must be returnedto the programs from which they were disbursed.

If you decide not to attend a semester or term, you mustnotify the University of your change in enrollment. Fail-ure to notify the appropriate offices may disqualify youfrom receiving a refund of tuition/fees, which will resultin a greater liability as the “earned” amount of financial aid disbursed and/or applied to your studentaccount may not cover the charges.

7. Students’ Financial Responsibility

7.1 Paying your SNHU Bill and Credit Policies

SNHU Payment Plan Options for Full-Time Day Students:• Tuition is due 30 days prior to the official terms start date.• Semester Balance In Full: Balance is paid to Southern NewHampshire University (ex: cash, check, credit card,approved Parent PLUS loan, other alternative loan orany combination that pays the net semester's balancein full). Payments must be received in the Office ofthe Bursar by the due dates shown on the statements.Outstanding balances are subject to finance chargesof 18 percent per annum.

• Monthly Payment Option: Payments are made to Tuition Management Services (TMS located at www.afford.com/snhu).An enrollment fee is necessary to open a payment plan

contract. Finance charges will not be assessed on yourSouthern New Hampshire University account as long asyou remain current with all payments to TMS. It is yourresponsibility to verify that your payment plan contractmatches the amount owed to Southern New HampshireUniversity. Contact the Bursar's Office at any time ifyou need a recalculation of the amount owed, due tochanges in your financial award, new loan approvals,etc. You are responsible to settle any balance due toSouthern New Hampshire University immediately atthe end of the contract.

SNHU Payment Options for Continuing Education and Graduate Students: • Full payment is due at the time of registration.• First time International full-time Manchester Graduate

Your SNHU ID Card is designed to be used for the durationof your stay at Southern New Hampshire University and entitles you to enter all activities sponsored by the university. You must carry your ID card whenever youare outside your residence area and are required toshow your ID at registration and whenever requested by any university official.

Your SNHU ID card will access:• Dining Dollars when used at the registers located atany Dining Services outlet. All resident students arerequired to participate in a Dining Dollars program

• Penmen Cash and Penmen Change accounts • In some cases your ID will grant you access to yourresidence hall.

If you leave SNHU before graduating, you must returnyour ID to complete the withdrawal process.

Report lost cards to the Bursar's Office immediately.Cards will be replaced for a non-refundable fee of $25.

8.1 Penmen ChangePenmen Change is a debit system that is available forstudents to use at the following locations: • Laundry and vending machines • Caffé É Dolce• Hospitality Restaurant • Follett Bookstore

Students may add money to Penmen Change at the‘Value Terminal’ located in the student center (cashonly), via the Office of the Bursar during businesshours, mailing a payment, or calling the 24 hour IDcard update voicemail line at 603.629.4636. Call-inpayments will be added to a student’s ID card on thenext business day (Visa, MasterCard, American Expressand Discover accepted).

Penmen Change is not eligible for a direct refund of cash.Unused Penmen Change will be transferred to the studentsaccount to pay down any balance owed upon graduationand/or any remaining balance owed prior to the end of thecurrent academic year. A refund will only be processed if astudent account has a credit balance (overpayment) afterthis transfer (once per academic year; per student). Due tothe multiple monies and functions of these cards, if astudent ID card is lost, please notify the Office of theBursar or the Office of Public Safety immediately to invalidate it. There is a replacement fee of $25.00 that will be charged to a student account if a card islost, stolen, damaged, or hole-punched. Southern New Hampshire University is not responsible for any financial loss due to the use or misuse of an ID card.

8. Your SNHU ID Card

Do not punch a holein your student ID

card as it will damageit. Damaged cards can be

replaced for a non-refundable fee of $25.

Penmen Financial TIp

students will get a 2 week grace period for payment of tuition.

• Payment plans can be arranged with Tuition ManagementSystems for day school students through the Bursar’s Office and for Manchester full-time Graduate studentsthrough the Graduate School in Webster Hall.

Finance charges for all students• Any outstanding balance as of the term’s official startdate will be subject to a finance charge of 18% annualrate, assessed monthly at 1.5%

• If the account balance is zero at the close of businesson the last day of the month, any accrued financecharges will not be assessed to the student’s accountfor that month.

If the student fails to remit the completed insurance waiver form by the payment due date, the student will be responsible for the cost of the insurance premium as indicated on their student account $555 for students in Fall and $380 for new students in the Spring semester).Please visit www.snhu.edu/2343.asp for additional information.Any questions about coverage should be directed toRichard Horan Agency, toll free, at 1.800.327.7567.

All Undergraduate domestic student accounts are automatically charged for the insurance plan offered by the University each year, until a completed HealthInsurance Waiver Form has been received by the Officeof the Bursar. Those who wish to have this charge removed from their student account must complete thewaiver form by visiting www.snhu.edu/2343.asp and return tothe Office of the Bursar by the tuition payment due date.

9. Student Medical Insurance

8.2 Penmen CashPenmen Cash is a debit system that is available for students to use at the following locations:• Dining Hall • Follett Bookstore • Common Grounds • Academic Center coffee shop• Concessions • Outside/off campus vendors• Petit Café in Webster Hall

A full list of outside vendors are listed at www.penmencash.com.Cash may be added to Penmen cash by visiting the SodexoDining Services office (603.645.9710). To add money bycheck or credit card, visit www.penmencash.com or call1.800.345.6126. Penmen Cash refunds may be requestedby visiting the Sodexo Dining Services office or calling1.800.345.6126.

10. GlossaryAppeal A formal request to have a financial aid administratorreview your aid eligibility and possibly use ProfessionalJudgment to adjust the figures.

Cost of Attendance (COA) The total amount it should cost the student to go to school, including tuition and fees, room andboard, allowances for books and supplies, transportation,and personal and incidental expenses.

Default A loan is in default when the borrower fails to payseveral regular installments on time or otherwise fails tomeet the terms and conditions of the loan.

Deferment Occurs when a borrower is allowed to postponerepaying the loan. If you have a subsidized loan, thefederal government pays the interest charges during thedeferment period. If you have an unsubsidized loan, youare responsible for the interest that accrues during thedeferment period.

Dependency Status Determines to what degree a student hasaccess to parent financial resources.

Entrance Loan Counseling (ELC) Students with educationalloans are required to complete entrance loan counselingbefore they receive their first loan disbursement.

Through entrance loan counseling, students will gain abetter understanding of Federal Student loans and theirrights and responsibilities for and to these loans.

Exit Loan Counseling If a student graduates or is no longerenrolled at SNHU, they are required to complete exitloan counseling. Students will be exposed again to theterms and conditions as well as repayment options.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) The Expected Family contribution (EFC) is the minimum amount of money that the family is expected to be able to contribute to the student's education, as determined by the FederalMethodology need analysis formula approved by Congress.The EFC is calculated by results that are reported on theFAFSA.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form used toapply for Pell Grants and all other need-based aid. Asthe name suggests, no fee is charged to file a FAFSA.

Federal Methodology The need analysis formula used to determine the EFC. The Federal Methodology takesfamily size, the number of family members in college,taxable and nontaxable income and assets into account.

Federal Processor The organization that processes the information submitted on the Free Application for FederalStudent Aid (FAFSA) and uses it to compute eligibility forfederal student aid.

Federal Verification Verification is a review process in whichthe FAO determines the accuracy of the informationprovided on the student's financial aid application.

Financial Aid Package The complete collection of grants,scholarships, loans and work study employment from all sources (federal, state, institutional and private) offered to a student to enable them to attend the college or university.

Financial Need The difference between the COA and the EFCis the student's financial need, and is used in determiningthe student's eligibility for need-based financial aid

Grant A type of financial aid based on financial need thatthe student does not have to repay.

Perkins Loan The Perkins Loan is a federally-subsidized (nointerest while in school), fixed low interest (5%) loan thatis offered to full-time undergraduate day students.

PLUS Loan Program The Parent and Graduate PLUS loan is alow, fixed interest rate student loan guaranteed by the U.S.Government. The Grad PLUS loan is a non-need creditbased loan similar to a private student loan with the benefitof having a fixed interest rate and federal guarantee.

Promissory Note A promissory note (or 'note') is a binding legaldocument that must be signed by the student borrower before loan funds are disbursed by the lender. Thepromissory note states the terms and conditions of theloan, including repayment schedule (e.g., level monthlypayments for a term of 10 years), interest rate, fees (e.g.,origination fees, guarantee fees, late fees, and collectioncharges), deferments, forbearances and cancellations. Itrepresents an agreement by the borrower to repay the debtaccording to the specified terms and conditions. The studentshould keep this document until the loan has been repaid.

Scholarships Scholarships are a form of financial aid givento students to help pay for their education. Awardedscholarships are considered gift aid and do not requireto be paid back.

Selective Service Registration for the military draft. Malestudents who are US citizens and have reached the ageof 18 and were born after December 31, 1959 must beregistered with Selective Service to be eligible for federalfinancial aid. If the student did not register and is pastthe age of doing so (18-25), and the school determines

that the failure to register was knowing and willful, thestudent is ineligible for all federal student financial aidprograms. The school's decision as to whether the failureto register was willful is not subject to appeal. Studentsneeding help resolving problems concerning their SelectiveService registration should call 1-847-688-6888.

Student Aid Report (SAR) Your SAR summarizes the datafrom your FAFSA and indicates your official ExpectedFamily Contribution.

Student Aid PIN The Federal Student Aid PIN is used to e-signthe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) andin subsequent years, a Renewal FAFSA. You can also touse the Federal Student Aid PIN to e-sign your DirectLoan Master Promissory Note, and accessing various federal educational sites (such as the National StudentLoan Database your Direct Student Loan Account) . Parents of dependent students must also obtain a Student Aid PIN in order to e-sign the FAFSA.

Student Academic Process (SAP) A student must make this inorder to continue receiving federal aid. A student mustcomplete 75 percent of his or her attempted courseworkand a minimum GPA (2.0 for Undergraduate students;3.0 for Graduate students)

Subsidized LoanWith a subsidized loan, such as the PerkinsLoan or the Subsidized Stafford Loan, the government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school, during the six-month (or nine month for the Perkins Loan)grace period and during any deferment periods. Subsidizedloans are awarded based on financial need

Unsubsidized LoanA loan for which the government does notpay the interest. The borrower is responsible for the intereston an unsubsidized loan from the date the loan is disbursed,even while the student is still in school. Students may avoidpaying the interest while they are in school by capitalizingthe interest, which increases the loan amount.

Veteran For Federal financial aid purposes such as determining dependency status, a veteran is a formermember of the US Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force,Marines or Coast Guard) who served on active duty andwas discharged other than dishonorably (i.e., received anhonorable or medical discharge). You are a veteran evenif you serve just one day on active duty - not active dutyfor training - before receiving your DD-214 and formaldischarge papers. (Note that in order for a veteran to beeligible for VA educational benefits, they must haveserved for more than 180 consecutive days on active duty before receiving an honorable discharge.

11. Directory

Telephone NumbersOffices open Monday through Friday, (business hours vary by office). Area code # (603)Admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9611Book Store (Follett on-campus location) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9618Bursar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668.2211 x2300Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9667

Credit and Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9754Dining Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9710Financial Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9645Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645-9639

Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9605Postal Services (Mail Room) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9651Public Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9700Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668.2211 x2280Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629.4647

Residence Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9758Student Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9608Student ID Card call-in line (available 24 hours a day) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629.4636Switchboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 668.2211Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645.9679

Other ResourcesOrganization Regarding Contact InformationSouthern New Hampshire University University information 603.668.2211 www.snhu.edu

Tuition Management Systems Monthly payment option 1.800.722.4867 www.afford.com/snhu e-mail: [email protected]

Department of Education (FAFSA) Free Application for 1.800.4.FEDAID Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov

Higher One SNHU OneCard 1.877.ONE.6161 www.snhuonecard.com

Richard Horan Agency Student medical insurance 1.800.327.7567