The Student's Right to Know

A Guide to Consumer Information

In accordance with federal regulations set forth by The Higher Education Act of 1965 (amended in 2008), below is a summary of consumer information that must be made available to all students at Pittsburg State University.  Each topic listed gives a brief description of the information that must be disclosed and explains how it can be obtained.  If you need assistance obtaining information listed or would like a paper copy, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Information about the Institution
  • Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Estimated Cost of Attendance for financial aid purposes
  • Refund Policy
  • Withdrawal Procedures
  • Return of Title IV (Federal) Financial Aid
  • Descriptions of Academic Programs
  • Instructional Facilities and Labs
  • Instructional Personnel
  • Accreditation Information:
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress:
  • Services for Disabled Students:
  • Completion/Graduation Rates
  • Job Placement Rates (Employment Data Report)
  • Completion/Graduation Rates for Student Athletes
  • Athletic Program Participation and Financial Support
  • Campus Safety and Security
  • Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Contact Information for Admitting Offices and Schools/Colleges
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Regents of the University:
  • Information about This Web Site

This page is maintained by Student Life. Once website is completed, link to this site:

 Go there

Estimated Cost of Attendance for financial aid purposes

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) establishes standard student budgets each year as a basis for awarding financial aid funds. These budgets reflect typical "modest but adequate" expense patterns of Pittsburg State University students based on research conducted by the OSFA. While actual expenses will vary based on your lifestyle and level of enrollment, the estimated costs listed below should assist you in planning your own budget. "Direct" educational expenses include Tuition/Fees, Books and Room/Board. "Indirect" educational expenses include Transportation and Miscellaneous expenses. Please note that actual indirect educational expenses vary by student.

2017-2018 Cost of Attendance Table

Resident and Gorilla Advantage (In-State Tuition Program) 

 

 Tuition/Fees*

Books  

Room/Board

Transportation

Miscellaneous

TOTAL 

Dependent, Undergraduate

   On-Campus

 7156

1000

7700

1000

2766

19622

   Off-Campus

 7156

1000

7174

1576

2766

19672

   With Parents

 7156

1000

6096

1576

2766

18594

Independent

   Undergraduate 

 7156

1000

7174

1576

2766

19672

   Graduate

 8011

1000

7174

1576

2860

20621

 

 Non-Resident 

 

 

Tuition/Fees*

Books

Room/Board

Transportation

Miscellaneous

TOTAL

Dependent, Undergraduate

   On-Campus

 18338

1000

7700

1000

2766

30804

   Off-Campus

18338

1000

7174

1576

2766

30854

   With Parents

18338

1000

6096

1576

2766

29776

Independent

   Undergraduate

18338

1000

7174

1576

2766

30854

   Graduate

18498

1000

7174

1576

2860

31108

 

*Tuition/Fees

The numbers used are estimated tuition and fees for the academic year. Actual tuition is set by the Kansas Board of Regents each July, and additional fees may be incurred for certain courses. The rates listed above are for a full-time credit hour load, defined by the University as 10 or more credit hours per term for undergraduates, and 9 or more credit hours per term for graduate students.** Undergraduate students who elect fewer than 10 credit hours and graduate students enrolled in fewer than 9 credit hours per term will be charged on a per-credit-hour basis. Current full- and part-time tuition and fees are available from the Registrar's Office.

**PLEASE NOTE: Full-time enrollment requirements for students receiving federal financial aid are defined as 12 or more credit hours per term for undergraduate students, and 9 or more credit hours per term for graduate students.

Books

Costs vary by program, course load and classes selected. You may be able to reduce your costs significantly by purchasing used books, renting, or purchasing ebooks.

 If you qualify, take advantage of the PSU Bookstore Voucher.  

Room/Board

Housing costs can vary significantly based on the living arrangements you select. The University residence halls offer a variety of room types and meal plans. A detailed schedule of room and board options and their rates are available from the PSU University Housing Office.

Transportation and Miscellaneous

This category represents other miscellaneous student expenses, including transportation, meals not covered under the standard meal contract, communication (cell phone, internet), clothes, personal hygiene, entertainment, etc. It is the most variable and personal component of anyone's budget. Personal spending can make or break a college budget! The most important thing is to set yourself an allowance, keep track of your expenses, and stick to your budget. Keep in mind:

  • If you live off-campus, you may save money by having roommates.
  • The four C's - cars, clothes, credit cards and calls - can bust your budget!
The University has a Tuition Refund Policy that stipulates the amount of tuition and fees that are refunded to a student who withdraws from all classes during a term. This policy is published by the Office of the Registrar.
Students who are withdrawing from all classes at the University must notify the Registrar's Office by following specific withdrawal procedures. For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Information on the University's academic programs and degree offerings is available from the various Schools/Colleges and admitting offices. See the University Catalog for more information.

Information on the University's instructional facilities and laboratories is available in the University Catalog.
Information on the University's faculty and instructional personnel is available in the Office of Academic Affairs.
Information regarding the associations, agencies/and or governmental bodies that accredit, approve, or license the school and its programs, can be found in the University Catalog.  If you would like a copy of our accreditation information, please contact Trish Peak at tpeak@pittstate.edu or by phone at 620-235-4113.

Federal guidelines require that financial aid recipients maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), Parent PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and TEACH Grant).


The SAP Policy for students receiving financial aid must be held to the same standard as those who are not receiving federal aid, and must be applied consistently.


The Policy must include both a qualitative measure (cumulative grade point average) and a quantitative (pace and maximum timeframe).


Students who qualify for Academic Fresh Start can petition for, and if approved will have ALL PSU hours and credit points removed from their transcript. Financial Assistance is required to include ALL hours completed and ALL hours attempted for each individual aid recipient, so these hours will be added back in when we calculate the total completion rate.


Students that are aware of learning or other disabilities should contact the Center for Student Accommodations so appropriate accommodations can be made. A student with a documented disability and/or functional limitations is still held to the same academic expectations as other students.


Qualitative (Cumulative Grade Point Average) Requirements


Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA according to the chart below (this includes students seeing a Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and Teacher Certification)


CUMULATIVE SEMESTERS ATTEMPTED     CUMULATIVE GPA 

BY END OF THE SECOND SEMESTER             1.8
BY END OF THE FOURTH SEMESTER              2.0


Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.


Quantitative-Pace (Overall Completion Rate)


All students receiving Title IV Federal Aid must complete a minimum of 67% of the credit hours attempted. This is determined using the following calculation


Completed Hours / All Attempted Hours = Completion Rate


Examples of Completion Rate:

  • Student completes 75 credit hours and has attempted 85 credit hours, the completion rate would be 88.24%. Since this is higher than the minimum 67% required, the student meets pace requirement.
  • Student completed 15 credit hours and has attempted 24 credit hours, the completion rate would be 62.5%. Since this is below the 67% required, the student does not meet the pace requirement.

All attempted and completed hours are included in the calculation, regardless of whether or not they were at PSU, if aid was received for the courses or if the classes were for a degree/major/minor that has since changed. Remedial Courses will be counted as completed as well as attempted even if not applicable toward degree completion.


The following grades/codes are considered completed on the academic transcript: A, B, C, D, P.

A - Excellent achievement, credit given, four grade points per semester hour.
B - Above average achievement, credit given, three grade points per semester hour. 
C - Average achievement, credit given, two grade points per semester hour. 
D - Below average achievement, credit given, one grade point per semester hour.
P - Passing work (equivalent to “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” achievement), credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.

The following grades/codes are considered incomplete on the academic transcript:
F, XF, IN, IP, W, WX, NC.

The Pittsburg State University grading system includes the following grades: “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “P”, “F”, “XF”, “IN”, “IP”, “W”, "WX" ,“NC”, “NR”. 

F -  Failing work, zero credit given, this grade is given at the end of the semester or if the student with-draws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is doing failing work. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted, for both academic and Financial Assistance purposes. Included in computation of grade point average. 

XF - Indicates the “F” was the result of academic dishonesty. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted, for both academic and Financial Assistance purposes. Included in computation of grade point average.

IN - Incomplete grade is to be utilized in rare instances when a student is unable to complete a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control. The student must have successfully completed a majority of the course work to be eligible. The instructor must state clearly in writing what is needed to successfully complete the course. This information will be provided via GUS to both the student and the department chairperson. The plan cannot require the student to repeat the course as an option for removing an “IN” grade. Instructor must provide the grade the student would earn if no additional work is completed by entering a grade of “IB” “IC” “ID” “IF”, calculating the missing work as zero grades. The second letter supplies the default grade that will replace the “IN” grade at the end of one full subsequent fall or spring semester if no additional work is completed. Instructor permission may extend the semester deadline up to one year beyond the initial deadline. If the student opts to graduate prior to the allowed deadline for removal of an incomplete, the default grade will be recorded, and the student may not complete the work to achieve a higher final grade after graduation. Counted as a course attempted, for Financial Assistance purposes

IP - In Progress, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is enrolled in a course that requires the student to engage in projects that extend past the end of the semester. The “IP” signifies that the faculty member acknowledges the student is enrolled in a long term project and that the project is not yet complete. Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student’s grade point average. An In Progress course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the “IP” was given. An In Progress not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the “IP” grade will be changed to “F” and included in the computation of the student’s GPA. Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

Courses to be established for the use of the “IP” grade must be legislated through department/college curriculum committees and the Faculty Senate/Graduate Council. Courses can be legislated to be excluded from the one-year regulation of changing to “F” if the course is not completed. These courses may qualify for special circumstances in the Financial Assistance office. Please contact the office for further detail.

W - Withdrawal, zero credit, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not computed in the grade point average. This grade is given under two conditions: 1) when a student withdraws from a course prior to the end of the eleventh week; 2) when a student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is passing. Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

WX - Administrative Withdraw. A grade of WX is recorded for Administrative Withdrawals from the 11th day of class and beyond. Proportionate deadlines apply to summer sessions and less than full term courses. The grade of WX is not computed in the grade point average and therefore involves no academic penalty. The Registrar must authorize the recording of this grade based on documentation provided.

NC - No Credit, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. No credit given (does not necessarily imply failure). Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

NR - Not Recorded. The instructor has not submitted a grade for this course. The aid recipient will receive zero credits for these hours completed, and they will be included in the hours attempted.

 

POLICY ON REPEAT COURSES

Students who have received a passing grade of "D" may retake the course for a higher grade one time for financial aid. Courses in which a grade of "F", "W" (withdrawal), or "NC" (no credit) is recorded, do not count as credit hours completed and may be repeated one time for financial aid.


Quantitative-Maximum Timeframe

All students receiving Title IV Federal Aid must complete their degree within 150% of the published length of the program. There is no limit to the number of times a student can change his/her degree, major, or minor; however, all attempted hours will count toward the maximum timeframe calculation.

Students that do not complete their degree within the maximum time frame will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.


The chart below shows what hours attempted will be considered 150% of a program

Degree                Average Length of Program         Maximum Time Frame (hours attempted)

Associate Degree                   64                                                  96
Teacher Certificate            18-24                                                  36
1st Bachelor Degree             124                                                186
2nd Bachelor Degree            124                                                186
1st Graduate Degree              32                                                 48
2nd Graduate Degree             32                                                 96


Calculations
Associate Degree: 64 x 1.5 = 96

Teacher Certificate: 24 x 1.5 = 36

1st Bachelor Degree: 124 x 1.5 = 186

2nd Bachelor Degree: 124 x 1.5 = 186 (including 1st Bachelor Degree)

1st Graduate Degree: 32 x 1.5 = 48

2nd Graduate Degree: 32 x 1.5 + 48 (1st Graduate Degree credit hour assumption) = 96

Students that go on Financial Aid Suspension as a result of exceeding the maximum time frame may submit an appeal to request a reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility.


Immediate Financial Aid Suspension

Students receiving Title IV Federal Aid will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension without a Warning term if

  • The student completes zero credit hours for the term,
  • The student is academically dismissed,
  • The student has exceeded the maximum time frame to complete the degree, or
  • The student does not meet all the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards while on Financial Aid Probation

Financial Aid Warning

Students that do not meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (Qualitative & Qualitative) at the end of a term will be placed on Financial Aid Warning Status, unless the student falls in the category of Immediate Financial Aid Suspension.


Financial Aid Warning Status will apply to the next term that the student receives Title IV Federal Financial Aid at PSU. If the student does not meet all of the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of the Warning term, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.


Financial Aid Suspension

A student is not eligible to receive Title IV Federal Financial Aid at PSU while on Financial Aid Suspension. A student may reestablish eligibility by:

  • Having an appeal approved by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee (see Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal section for more information), or
  • Meeting all of the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, qualitative and quantitative. A student that believes they have become eligible by meeting these requirements should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for a review of eligibility.


While it may be taken into consideration in a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal, a student will not reestablish eligibility by:

  • Having a period of nonattendance
  • Being academically reinstated after academic dismissal
  • Completing a semester without Title IV federal aid at PSU (unless the student now meets all minimum standards)
  • Completing a semester without Title IV federal aid at another institution (unless the student now meets all minimum standards)


Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

A student on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal to have their eligibility reinstated by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Appeals should include a thorough explanation of the reason the student did not meet the minimum standards as well as copies of any documentation to support your appeal.


Appeals will be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee at least three times per year, once before the beginning of each term. Please see our website or contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for upcoming deadline dates.


Appeals submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed until the next committee meeting.


Possible appeal outcomes:

  • Denial-If an appeal is denied, the committee will set requirements for the student in order to reestablish eligibility. This may include but is not limited to
  • Retaking a specific class with a specific grade
  • Completing a certain number of hours without Title IV Financial Assistance with a specific GPA
  • Approval with the requirement of an Academic Plan-If an appeal is approved and the committee determines that the student will not be able to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of the upcoming term, the student will be required to have an Academic Plan in place (see Academic Plan section for more information)
  • Approval-If an appeal is approved and no additional requirements are set by the committee, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and become eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance.


Financial Aid Probation


A student that has had a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved will be placed on probation and is eligible to receive Title IV Federal Financial Assistance.


If it is possible for the student to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, probation will last for one semester. If the student does not meet the minimum standards by the end of the probationary term, he will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension with no Financial Aid Warning term.


Academic Plan


If a student has a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved but will not be able to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of one semester, the student will have an Academic Plan in place.


An Academic Plan will be developed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance along with the student, the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee and any other office or individual PSU faculty or staff member that would have relevant input to the student’s successful progression toward program completion.


An Academic Plan will be designed to ensure the student is able to meet the minimum standards by a specific point in time, which could include program completion.


A student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension if the Academic Plan requirements are not met. A student must appeal any changes to an Academic Plan.


Change of Status

A student may request the Office of Student Financial Assistance to review their eligibility status for reasons including but not limited to:

  • Grade Changes
  • Completion of Incomplete
  • Receipt of transfer transcript

Request for review may be made at any point during the academic year, to be applicable for the next term.


A review of eligibility status may determine that the student is still on Financial Aid Suspension or that the student has regained eligibility for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance at PSU.

For information on programs and services for disabled students, contact the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office.
The Pittsburg State University six-year graduation rate for the freshman class entering in fall 2006 is 51.39%. This is the rate for degree-seeking full-time undergraduates who have graduated from their programs within 150% of the normal time for graduation.
The most recent job placement rates can be found in the Office of Career Services.
This must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletically related student aid offer is made. The NCAA provides this information directly to high schools. For information contact the Athletic Department, (620) 235-4389.
As part of The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men's and women's sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available by request to students and the general public. For more information or to receive a copy of the report, contact the Athletic Department, (620) 235-4389.

The Pittsburg State University Police has state certified police officers, public safety officers, and parking enforcement officers who patrol the campus area. These officers are supported by communications officers, administrators, and investigators. University Police is a service-oriented department whose mission is to contribute to and promote a safe and secure community while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons utilizing facilities and programs of the University.

The University Police distributes the University's Campus Safety handbook and Annual Security Report. These reports include statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Pittsburg State University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus. The reports also include institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can view the Campus Safety Handbook and the Annual Security Report online.

In carrying out their assigned responsibilities, many offices at Pittsburg State University collect and maintain information about students. Although these records belong to the University, both University policy and federal law accord students a number of rights concerning these records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) establishes the rules and regulations regarding access to and disclosure of student records.

To fulfill FERPA requirements, the University has established a Student Rights and Student Records policy. This policy outlines a student's rights regarding his/her records, where records about the student may be kept and maintained, what kinds of information are in those records, the conditions under which the student or anyone else may have access to information in those records, and what action a student can take if it is believed that the information in his/her record is inaccurate or that the student's rights have been compromised. Contact the Registrar's Office, (620) 235-4200, for more information.

Because the University does not maintain all student records in one location, each office that maintains student records is required by the Pittsburg State University Regents to develop a written statement of its policies and procedures for handling those records; that statement is available for students to examine in the respective offices.

 

Pittsburg State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, or disabilities.  The following person has been designated to address inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Director of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator, 218 Russ Hall, 1701 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762-7528, 620-235-4189, equity@pittstate.edu.

The President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents: Blake Flanders
Blake Flanders- President & CEO
•Shane Bangerter (June 2021)
• Joe Bain  (June 2018)
• Bill Feuerborn  (June 2018)
• Dennis A. Mullin, Vice Chair   (June 2019)
• Ann Brandau-Maurguia (June 2021)
• Zoe Newton  (June 2018)
• Dave Murfin, Chair  (June 2019)
• Helen Van Etten (June 2021)
• Daniel J. Thomas   (June 2019)
This web page is maintained by the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).  Because of the nature of federal, state, and institutional guidelines affecting financial aid programs, the information contained in this Web site is subject to change.
Information about Financial Assistance
  • Overview of Financial Aid Programs
  • How to Apply for Aid
  • Aid Eligibility Requirements
  • How Need-Based Aid Eligibility is Determined
  • How Need-Based Aid is Awarded
  • Financial Aid for Study Abroad

Steps to apply and receive financial aid:

  1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. This application is available January 1st every year for the following fall semester. 
  2. Check your application status. After filing the FAFSA, you will need to follow-up with each university listed on your FAFSA. Each university may require different documentation to verify the information submitted on your FAFSA.
    • To see if PSU is requesting any documentation for your financial aid file, you can check your FAFSA Application Status online through your GUS account. If you don't have GUS access, you can contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) to find out if anything is being requested.
      • You will need to be admitted to PSU before gaining access to GUS. To apply for Admissions, please contact the Admissions Office.
      • If you need assistance logging into GUS, please contact Gorilla Geeks.
    • Any missing documentation will cause a delay in receiving your financial aid. Please submit any requested documentation in a timely manner to avoid receiving your financial aid late.
    • If you need to retrieve your tax information, please review the options for submitting your 2016 tax information.
  3. Check your online Award Letter status. Once your financial aid file is complete, OSFA will create an online Award Letter for you to review and accept your financial aid awards.
    • You will receive an email to your GusMail account with instructions on how to view and submit your Award Letter online once it is available.
    • You can check your Award Letter status online through GUS.
      • You will need to have access to GUS to create a GusMail account. If you need assistance setting up the GusMail account, contact Gorilla Geeks.
  4. Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling online. If you are borrowing a Direct Loan for the first time at PSU, you will need to complete both the MPN and Entrance Counseling online before these funds will be disbursed.
  5. Verify your enrollment online through GUS. Each semester you are required to verify your enrollment online before any funds will be disbursed to you.
    • Make sure that you do not have any University holds on your account that will prevent you from verifying your enrollment and/or disbursing your funds.
    • You will need to verify your enrollment before any federal aid or scholarships will be disbursed.
  6. After the semester has started...

 

Monitor your GusMail account for correspondence from all PSU administrative offices (Financial Assistance, Registrar's, Cashier's, and Admission's). If you need help setting this account up, please contact Gorilla Geeks. 

Basic Requirements:

Although each aid program has certain specific requirements, there are basic eligibility conditions all students must meet to be eligible to receive financial aid. These include:

  • be a US citizen or eligible non-US citizen (federal regulations and Univerisity policy severly limit the types of financial assistance available to non-citizens, see International Programs and Services for more information);
  • have a valid Social Security Number (SSN);
  • have financial need (except for some loan programs and several scholarship programs)-need is established by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be sure to apply by the deadline dates listed on this site to be considered for all eligible aid programs;
  • be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a program leading to a degree or certificate;
  • register with Selective Service, if required;
  • be making satisfactory academic progress, as established by the University;
  • not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on any federal educational loan;
  • use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

For more information about eligibility to receive federal aid, also see The U.S. Department of Education's Student Guide. For more information on eligibility for specific financial aid programs, see our Types of Financial Aid Available.

Students Who Have Already Received A Bachelor's Degree(s):

Undergraduate students who have already received a bachelor's degree will only be eligible for certain aid programs, such as loans, TEACH, and Work-Study while pursuing additional bachelor's degree(s). This includes students in dual degree programs who have already met the requirements for one of their degrees and are continuing their education toward the additional degree. Financial aid is limited to two undergraduate degrees and two graduate degrees.

Please contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more specific information that is required for this situation.

Students Enrolled at More than One Institution:

Students who are enrolled at more than one college or university at the same time may receive financial aid from only one of the institutions, not both. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.

Special Note to Out-of-State Students

While the Office of Student Financial Assistance does not have sufficient funds to meet the full demonstrated need of out-of-state students directly, those students who are eligible for scholarships from Pittsburg State University or private sources can often cover their costs through these combined resources. Another option often utilized by out-of-state families is the Federal PLUS Loan available to the parents of dependent undergraduate students.

For questions about residency requirements Prospective Students should contact the Office of Admission and Enrollment Services, current PSU Students should contact the Registrar's Office.

 

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal guidelines require that financial aid recipients maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), Parent PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and TEACH Grant).

The SAP Policy for students receiving financial aid must be held to the same standard as those who are not receiving federal aid,  and must be applied consistently.

The Policy must include both a qualitative measure (cumulative grade point average) and a quantitative (pace and maximum timeframe).

Students who qualify for Academic Fresh Start can petition for, and if approved will have ALL PSU hours and credit points removed from their transcript. Financial Assistance is required to include ALL hours completed and ALL hours attempted for each individual aid recipient, so these hours will be added back in when we calculate the total completion rate.

Students that are aware of learning or other disabilities should contact the Center for Student Accommodations so appropriate accommodations can be made.  A student with a documented disability and/or functional limitations is still held to the same academic expectations as other students.

Qualitative (Cumulative Grade Point Average) Requirements

Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA according to the chart below (this includes students seeing a Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and Teacher Certification)

Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted

Cumulative Grade Point Average

By End Of The Second Semester

1.8

By End Of The Fourth Semester

                                  2.0

 

 

Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Quantitative-Pace (Overall Completion Rate)

All students receiving Title IV Federal Aid must complete a minimum of 67% of the credit hours attempted.  This is determined using the following calculation

Completed Hours / All Attempted Hours = Completion Rate

Examples of Completion Rate:

  • Student completes 75 credit hours and has attempted 85 credit hours, the completion rate would be 88.24%.  Since this is higher than the minimum 67% required, the student meets pace requirement.
  • Student completed 15 credit hours and has attempted 24 credit hours, the completion rate would be 62.5%.  Since this is below the 67% required, the student does not meet the pace requirement.

All attempted and completed hours are included in the calculation, regardless of whether or not they were at PSU, if aid was received for the courses or if the classes were for a degree/major/ minor that has since changed.  Remedial Courses will be counted as completed as well as attempted even if not applicable toward degree completion.

The following grades/codes are considered completed on the academic transcript: A, B, C, D, P.

A    Excellent achievement, credit given, four grade points per semester hour.
B    Above average achievement, credit given, three grade points per semester hour.
C    Average achievement, credit given, two grade points per semester hour.
D    Below average achievement, credit given, one grade point per semester hour.
P    Passing work (equivalent to “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” achieve­ment), credit given, zero grade points per semester hour.  This grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.

 

The following grades/codes are considered incomplete on the academic transcript:

F, XF, IN, IP, W, WX, NC.

The Pittsburg State University grading system includes the following grades:  “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “P”, “F”, “XF”, “IN”, “IP”, “W”, "WX" ,“NC”, “NR”.

F    Failing work, zero credit given, this grade is given at the end of the semester or if the student with­draws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is doing failing work.  Zero grade points given per semester hour.  Counted as a course attempted, for both academic and Financial Assistance purposes.  Includ­ed in computation of grade point average.

XF  Indicates the “F” was the result of academic dishonesty.  Zero grade points given per semester hour.  Counted as a course attempted, for both academic and Financial Assistance purposes.  Included in computation of grade point average.

IN   Incomplete grade is to be utilized in rare instances when a student is unable to complete a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control. The student must have successfully completed a majority of the course work to be eligible. The instructor must state clearly in writing what is needed to successfully complete the course.  This information will be provided via GUS to both the student and the department chairperson. The plan cannot require the student to repeat the course as an option for removing an “IN” grade.  Instructor must provide the grade the student would earn if no additional work is completed by entering a grade of “IB” “IC” “ID” “IF”, calculating the missing work as zero grades. The second letter supplies the default grade that will replace the “IN” grade at the end of one full subsequent fall or spring semester if no additional work is completed. Instructor permission may extend the semester deadline up to one year beyond the initial deadline. If the student opts to graduate prior to the allowed deadline for removal of an incomplete, the default grade will be recorded, and the student may not complete the work to achieve a higher final grade after graduation. Counted as a course attempted, for Financial Assistance purposes

IP   In Progress, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour.  Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is enrolled in a course that requires the student to engage in projects that extend past the end of the semester.  The “IP” signifies that the faculty member acknowledges the student is enrolled in a long term project and that the project is not yet complete.  Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student’s grade point average.  An In Progress course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the “IP” was given.  An In Progress not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the “IP” grade will be changed to “F” and included in the computation of the student’s GPA. Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

Courses to be established for the use of the “IP” grade must be legislated through department/college curriculum committees and the Faculty Senate/Graduate Council.  Courses can be legislated to be excluded from the one-year regulation of changing to “F” if the course is not completed. These courses may qualify for special circumstances in the Financial Assistance office.  Please contact the office for further detail.

W   Withdrawal, zero credit, zero grade points per semester hour.  This grade is not computed in the grade point average.  This grade is given under two condi­tions:  1) when a student with­draws from a course prior to the end of the eleventh week;  2) when a student with­draws from the univer­sity after the last day of the eleventh week and is passing. Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

WX   Administrative Withdraw.  A grade of WX is recorded for Administrative Withdrawals from the 11th day of class and beyond.  Proportionate deadlines apply to summer sessions and less than full term courses.  The grade of WX is not computed in the grade point average and therefore involves no academic penalty.  The Registrar must authorize the recording of this grade based on documentation provided. 

NC  No Credit, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour.  No credit given (does not necessar­ily imply failure).  Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

NR  Not Recorded. The instructor has not submitted a grade for this course. The aid recipient will receive zero credits for these hours completed, and they will be included in the hours attempted.

 

POLICY ON REPEAT COURSES 

Students who have received a passing grade of "D" may retake the course for a higher grade one time for financial aid.  Courses in which a grade of "F", "W" (withdrawal), or "NC" (no credit) is recorded, do not count as credit hours completed and may be repeated one time for financial aid.

       Quantitative-Maximum Timeframe

All students receiving Title IV Federal Aid must complete their degree program within 150% of the published length of the program.There is no limit to the number of times a student can change his/her degree, major, or minor; however, all attempted hours will count toward the maximum time frame calculation.

 Students that do not complete their degree within this maximum time frame will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

 The Chart below shows what hours attempted will be considered 150% of a program

Degree

Average Length of Program

Maximum Time Frame (hours attempted

Associate Degree

64

96

Teacher Certificate

18-24

36

1st Bachelor Degree

124

186

2nd Bachelor Degree

124

186

1st Graduate Degree

32

48

2nd Graduate Degree

32

96

 Calculations

Associate Degree: 64 x 1.5 = 96

Teacher Certificate:  24 x 1.5 = 36

1st Bachelor Degree: 124 x 1.5 = 186

2nd Bachelor Degree: 124 x 1.5 = 186 (including 1st Bachelor Degree)

1st Graduate Degree: 32 x 1.5 = 48

2nd Graduate Degree:  32 x 1.5 + 48 (1st Graduate Degree credit hour assumption) = 96

Students that go on Financial Aid Suspension as a result of exceeding the maximum time frame may submit an appeal to request a reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility.


Immediate Financial Aid Suspension

Students receiving Title IV Federal Aid will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension without a Warning term if

  • The student completes zero credit hours for the term,
  • The student is academically dismissed,
  • The student has exceeded the maximum time frame to complete the degree, or
  • The student does not meet all the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards while on Financial Aid Probation

Financial Aid Warning

Students that do not meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (Qualitative & Qualitative) at the end of a term will be placed on Financial Aid Warning Status, unless the student falls in the category of Immediate Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Warning Status will apply to the next term that the student receives Title IV Federal Financial Aid at PSU.  If the student does not meet all of the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of the Warning term, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension

A student is not eligible to receive Title IV Federal Financial Aid at PSU while on Financial Aid Suspension.  A student may reestablish eligibility by:

  • Having an appeal approved by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee (see Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal section for more information), or
  • Meeting all of the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, qualitative and quantitative.  A student that believes they have become eligible by meeting these requirements should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for a review of eligibility.

While it may be taken into consideration in a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal, a student will not reestablish eligibility by:

  • Having a period of nonattendance
  • Being academically reinstated after academic dismissal
  • Completing a semester without Title IV federal aid at PSU (unless the student now meets all minimum standards)
  • Completing a semester without Title IV federal aid at another institution (unless the student now meets all minimum standards)

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

A student on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal to have their eligibility reinstated by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  Appeals should include a thorough explanation of the reason the student did not meet the minimum standards as well as copies of any documentation to support your appeal.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee at least three times per year, once before the beginning of each term.  Please see our website or contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for upcoming deadline dates.

Appeals submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed until the next committee meeting.

Possible appeal outcomes:

  • Denial-If an appeal is denied, the committee will set requirements for the student in order to reestablish eligibility.  This may include but is not limited to
    • Retaking a specific class with a specific grade
    • Completing a certain number of hours without Title IV Financial Assistance with a specific GPA
    • Approval with the requirement of an Academic Plan-If an appeal is approved and the committee determines that the student will not be able to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of the upcoming term, the student will be required to have an Academic Plan in place (see Academic Plan section for more information)
    • Approval-If an appeal is approved and no additional requirements are set by the committee, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and become eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance.

Financial Aid Probation

A student that has had a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved will be placed on probation and is eligible to receive Title IV Federal Financial Assistance.

If it is possible for the student to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, probation will last for one semester.  If the student does not meet the minimum standards by the end of the probationary term, he will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension with no Financial Aid Warning term.

Academic Plan

If a student has a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved but will not be able to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of one semester, the student will have an Academic Plan in place.

An Academic Plan will be developed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance along with the student, the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee and any other office or individual PSU faculty or staff member that would have relevant input to the student’s successful progression toward program completion.

An Academic Plan will be designed to ensure the student is able to meet the minimum standards by a specific point in time, which could include program completion.

A student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension if the Academic Plan requirements are not met.  A student must appeal any changes to an Academic Plan.

 

 Change of Status

A student may request the Office of Student Financial Assistance to review their eligibility status for reasons including but not limited to:

  • Grade Changes
  • Completion of Incomplete
  • Receipt of transfer transcript

Request for review may be made at any point during the academic year, to be applicable for the next term.

A review of eligibility status may determine that the student is still on Financial Aid Suspension or that the student has regained eligibility for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance at PSU

 

Financial aid programs were created with the idea that the primary responsibility for paying college costs rests with the student and his or her family. Need-based financial aid is available to families who demonstrate a need for additional resources to help pay college costs. The formula is used to determine whether you are eligible for need-based aid is:

  Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution
- Scholarships/Other Resources (Vocational Rehabilitation, ROTC Funding, etc.)
=Need for Aid

Cost of Attendance represents a reasonable estimate of the cost of attending the University for a full academic year (two semesters-Fall and Spring terms), including estimated amounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, plus a modest allowance for personal/miscellaneous expenses.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is derived from a federal need assessment formula known as Federal Methodology, which is legislated by the U.S. Congress. The information used in the Federal Methodology calculation is taken from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and from documents you may file with the Office of Student Financial Assistance when applying for financial aid. Federal Methodology uses this information and a consistent analysis of a family's situation to calculate the EFC.

Federal Methodology includes two parts:

  1. The Parent Contribution-an estimated amount, based on their income and assets (including cash, checking, savings, and money market accounts, etc.; investments and real estate holdings other than your family's primary residence; and business equity) that your parents are expected to pay toward your college costs for the year. Allowances for living expenses, taxes paid, number of family members in college, and asset protection for retirement are built into the formula.
  2. The Student Contribution-an estimated amount, that you are expected to pay toward your college costs for the year. It is based on your income and a percentage of your savings and other assets.

Need for aid equals the total cost of attendance minus the family contribution: If your family contribution is less than the cost, you may be eligible to receive financial aid.

Students are encouraged to seek scholarships from private sources and Pittsburg State University, and to utilize other resources such as ROTC, and veteran's benefits to help offset financial need.

 

 

If the Cost of Attendance (Budget) - Expected Family Contribution = Need for Aid calculation indicates that you are eligible for financial aid, you may be awarded a financial aid package/offer that consists of a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and Work-Study. Your estimated eligibility letter for financial assistance is the figure upon which your financial aid award(s) are based. Award amounts are determined by a combination of demonstrated financial need, federal award maximums, and the funds available. The OSFA attempts to distribute grant, loan, and Work-Study funds equitably among the population of all eligible applicants.

Every student who applies for aid is awarded the maximum amount of grant funds for which he or she is eligible. A student whose parents do not have sufficient resources to contribute very much to his or her education may receive more grant funds than a student whose family can make a more substantial contribution. Whatever your family situation, you can be sure that you will be treated fairly and equitably with respect to students in similar financial circumstances.

If there is remaining unmet need, eligibility for loan and Work-Study awards will be determined. Perkins Loans, Nursing Loans, and Work-Study employment, by federal regulation, must be awarded to students with the most need. Because there are not enough of these funds to meet all students' needs, those who have the fewest family resources are awarded funds from these programs. Students with remaining financial need are awarded Federal Stafford Loans, up to award maximums.

Scholarships and Other Resources:

Students are encouraged to seek scholarships from private sources and Pittsburg State University, as well as to utilize other resources such as ROTC Scholarships, or veteran's benefits. Although federal regulations and University policies require that these forms of assistance be counted as financial resources when determining eligibility for need-based aid, they will improve your overall aid package. These scholarships and other resources will first be used to meet any gap between the cost of attendance, the EFC, and the financial aid offered. Next, they will reduce the amount of loan or Work-Study offered. Only if all loan and Work-Study funds have been replaced by scholarships or other resources will the amount of grant aid be reduced.
Students enrolled in a Pittsburg State University sponsored study abroad program may apply for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Assistance. More Study Abroad Information.
Rights and Responsibilities of Aid Recipients
  • Continued Eligibility for Aid
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial aid eligibility can be maintained if you follow the appropriate steps and meet the Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid Awards.


Federal guidelines require that financial aid recipients maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), Parent PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and TEACH Grant).


The SAP Policy for students receiving financial aid must be held to the same standard as those who are not receiving federal aid, and must be applied consistently.


The Policy must include both a qualitative measure (cumulative grade point average) and a quantitative (pace and maximum timeframe).


Students who qualify for Academic Fresh Start can petition for, and if approved will have ALL PSU hours and credit points removed from their transcript. Financial Assistance is required to include ALL hours completed and ALL hours attempted for each individual aid recipient, so these hours will be added back in when we calculate the total completion rate.


Students that are aware of learning or other disabilities should contact the Center for Student Accommodations so appropriate accommodations can be made. A student with a documented disability and/or functional limitations is still held to the same academic expectations as other students.


Qualitative (Cumulative Grade Point Average) Requirements


Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA according to the chart below (this includes students seeing a Bachelor Degree, Associate Degree and Teacher Certification)


CUMULATIVE SEMESTERS ATTEMPTED     CUMULATIVE GPA 

BY END OF THE SECOND SEMESTER             1.8
BY END OF THE FOURTH SEMESTER              2.0


Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.


Quantitative-Pace (Overall Completion Rate)


All students receiving Title IV Federal Aid must complete a minimum of 67% of the credit hours attempted. This is determined using the following calculation


Completed Hours / All Attempted Hours = Completion Rate


Examples of Completion Rate:

  • Student completes 75 credit hours and has attempted 85 credit hours, the completion rate would be 88.24%. Since this is higher than the minimum 67% required, the student meets pace requirement.
  • Student completed 15 credit hours and has attempted 24 credit hours, the completion rate would be 62.5%. Since this is below the 67% required, the student does not meet the pace requirement.

All attempted and completed hours are included in the calculation, regardless of whether or not they were at PSU, if aid was received for the courses or if the classes were for a degree/major/minor that has since changed. Remedial Courses will be counted as completed as well as attempted even if not applicable toward degree completion.


The following grades/codes are considered completed on the academic transcript: A, B, C, D, P.

A - Excellent achievement, credit given, four grade points per semester hour.
B - Above average achievement, credit given, three grade points per semester hour.
C - Average achievement, credit given, two grade points per semester hour.
D - Below average achievement, credit given, one grade point per semester hour.
P - Passing work (equivalent to “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” achievement), credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.

The following grades/codes are considered incomplete on the academic transcript:
F, XF, IN, IP, W, WX, NC.

The Pittsburg State University grading system includes the following grades: “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “P”, “F”, “XF”, “IN”, “IP”, “W”, "WX" ,“NC”, “NR”.

F -  Failing work, zero credit given, this grade is given at the end of the semester or if the student with-draws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is doing failing work. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted, for both academic and Financial Assistance purposes. Included in computation of grade point average.

XF - Indicates the “F” was the result of academic dishonesty. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted, for both academic and Financial Assistance purposes. Included in computation of grade point average.

IN - Incomplete grade is to be utilized in rare instances when a student is unable to complete a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control. The student must have successfully completed a majority of the course work to be eligible. The instructor must state clearly in writing what is needed to successfully complete the course. This information will be provided via GUS to both the student and the department chairperson. The plan cannot require the student to repeat the course as an option for removing an “IN” grade. Instructor must provide the grade the student would earn if no additional work is completed by entering a grade of “IB” “IC” “ID” “IF”, calculating the missing work as zero grades. The second letter supplies the default grade that will replace the “IN” grade at the end of one full subsequent fall or spring semester if no additional work is completed. Instructor permission may extend the semester deadline up to one year beyond the initial deadline. If the student opts to graduate prior to the allowed deadline for removal of an incomplete, the default grade will be recorded, and the student may not complete the work to achieve a higher final grade after graduation. Counted as a course attempted, for Financial Assistance purposes

IP - In Progress, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is enrolled in a course that requires the student to engage in projects that extend past the end of the semester. The “IP” signifies that the faculty member acknowledges the student is enrolled in a long term project and that the project is not yet complete. Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student’s grade point average. An In Progress course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the “IP” was given. An In Progress not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the “IP” grade will be changed to “F” and included in the computation of the student’s GPA. Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

Courses to be established for the use of the “IP” grade must be legislated through department/college curriculum committees and the Faculty Senate/Graduate Council. Courses can be legislated to be excluded from the one-year regulation of changing to “F” if the course is not completed. These courses may qualify for special circumstances in the Financial Assistance office. Please contact the office for further detail.

W - Withdrawal, zero credit, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not computed in the grade point average. This grade is given under two conditions: 1) when a student withdraws from a course prior to the end of the eleventh week; 2) when a student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is passing. Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

WX - Administrative Withdraw. A grade of WX is recorded for Administrative Withdrawals from the 11th day of class and beyond. Proportionate deadlines apply to summer sessions and less than full term courses. The grade of WX is not computed in the grade point average and therefore involves no academic penalty. The Registrar must authorize the recording of this grade based on documentation provided.

NC - No Credit, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. No credit given (does not necessarily imply failure). Counted as a course attempted for Financial Assistance purposes.

NR - Not Recorded. The instructor has not submitted a grade for this course. The aid recipient will receive zero credits for these hours completed, and they will be included in the hours attempted.

 

POLICY ON REPEAT COURSES

Students who have received a passing grade of "D" may retake the course for a higher grade one time for financial aid. Courses in which a grade of "F", "W" (withdrawal), or "NC" (no credit) is recorded, do not count as credit hours completed and may be repeated one time for financial aid.


Quantitative-Maximum Timeframe

All students receiving Title IV Federal Aid must complete their degree within 150% of the published length of the program. There is no limit to the number of times a student can change his/her degree, major, or minor; however, all attempted hours will count toward the maximum timeframe calculation.

Students that do not complete their degree within the maximum time frame will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.


The chart below shows what hours attempted will be considered 150% of a program

Degree                Average Length of Program         Maximum Time Frame (hours attempted)

Associate Degree                   64                                                  96
Teacher Certificate            18-24                                                  36
1st Bachelor Degree             124                                                186
2nd Bachelor Degree            124                                                186
1st Graduate Degree              32                                                 48
2nd Graduate Degree             32                                                 96


Calculations
Associate Degree: 64 x 1.5 = 96

Teacher Certificate: 24 x 1.5 = 36

1st Bachelor Degree: 124 x 1.5 = 186

2nd Bachelor Degree: 124 x 1.5 = 186 (including 1st Bachelor Degree)

1st Graduate Degree: 32 x 1.5 = 48

2nd Graduate Degree: 32 x 1.5 + 48 (1st Graduate Degree credit hour assumption) = 96

Students that go on Financial Aid Suspension as a result of exceeding the maximum time frame may submit an appeal to request a reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility.


Immediate Financial Aid Suspension

Students receiving Title IV Federal Aid will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension without a Warning term if

  • The student completes zero credit hours for the term,
  • The student is academically dismissed,
  • The student has exceeded the maximum time frame to complete the degree, or
  • The student does not meet all the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards while on Financial Aid Probation

Financial Aid Warning

Students that do not meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (Qualitative & Qualitative) at the end of a term will be placed on Financial Aid Warning Status, unless the student falls in the category of Immediate Financial Aid Suspension.


Financial Aid Warning Status will apply to the next term that the student receives Title IV Federal Financial Aid at PSU. If the student does not meet all of the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of the Warning term, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.


Financial Aid Suspension

A student is not eligible to receive Title IV Federal Financial Aid at PSU while on Financial Aid Suspension. A student may reestablish eligibility by:

  • Having an appeal approved by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee (see Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal section for more information), or
  • Meeting all of the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, qualitative and quantitative. A student that believes they have become eligible by meeting these requirements should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for a review of eligibility.


While it may be taken into consideration in a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal, a student will not reestablish eligibility by:

  • Having a period of nonattendance
  • Being academically reinstated after academic dismissal
  • Completing a semester without Title IV federal aid at PSU (unless the student now meets all minimum standards)
  • Completing a semester without Title IV federal aid at another institution (unless the student now meets all minimum standards)


Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

A student on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal to have their eligibility reinstated by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Appeals should include a thorough explanation of the reason the student did not meet the minimum standards as well as copies of any documentation to support your appeal.


Appeals will be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee at least three times per year, once before the beginning of each term. Please see our website or contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for upcoming deadline dates.


Appeals submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed until the next committee meeting.


Possible appeal outcomes:

  • Denial-If an appeal is denied, the committee will set requirements for the student in order to reestablish eligibility. This may include but is not limited to
  • Retaking a specific class with a specific grade
  • Completing a certain number of hours without Title IV Financial Assistance with a specific GPA
  • Approval with the requirement of an Academic Plan-If an appeal is approved and the committee determines that the student will not be able to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of the upcoming term, the student will be required to have an Academic Plan in place (see Academic Plan section for more information)
  • Approval-If an appeal is approved and no additional requirements are set by the committee, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and become eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance.


Financial Aid Probation


A student that has had a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved will be placed on probation and is eligible to receive Title IV Federal Financial Assistance.


If it is possible for the student to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, probation will last for one semester. If the student does not meet the minimum standards by the end of the probationary term, he will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension with no Financial Aid Warning term.


Academic Plan


If a student has a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved but will not be able to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards by the end of one semester, the student will have an Academic Plan in place.


An Academic Plan will be developed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance along with the student, the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee and any other office or individual PSU faculty or staff member that would have relevant input to the student’s successful progression toward program completion.


An Academic Plan will be designed to ensure the student is able to meet the minimum standards by a specific point in time, which could include program completion.


A student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension if the Academic Plan requirements are not met. A student must appeal any changes to an Academic Plan.


Change of Status

A student may request the Office of Student Financial Assistance to review their eligibility status for reasons including but not limited to:

  • Grade Changes
  • Completion of Incomplete
  • Receipt of transfer transcript

Request for review may be made at any point during the academic year, to be applicable for the next term.


A review of eligibility status may determine that the student is still on Financial Aid Suspension or that the student has regained eligibility for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance at PSU.

For actual tuition and fee charges contact:

For estimated tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and personal/miscellaneous expenses view Estimated Cost of Attendance Tables.