Frequently Asked Questions

Who receives financial aid?
Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of "need." Need is determined through a complex analysis of each family's income, assets, family size, and other variables. When you file a FAFSA, strict federal formulas are used to arrive at your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This number is subtracted from the cost of education to arrive at your "need." Thus financial aid awards are very individualized.

What is included in a financial aid award?
The Financial Aid award is comprised of need-based aid, merit-based aid and other types of aid. For more information see the section entitled Types of Financial Aid. If you have further questions regarding the financial aid award, please contact our office.

Do I have to accept all the loan funds that I am offered?
No. When you receive your financial aid award letter, you can indicate on the form which loans you accept and which loans you wish to decline. You can even choose to receive a portion of a loan you are offered.

How will my financial aid change if I receive an outside scholarship?
Investigating all possibilities for asssistance, such as scholarships from corporations and private organizations can be very beneficial. If you receive such awards, you or the awarding party will need to notify the financial aid office of such an award. Usually loans and work are the only aid revised, if revisions are necessary.

Will my financial aid change if my circumstances change?
Possibly.  It must be a significant change, worthy of review and reconsideration. You must submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office outlining the reason for the change and specifically what portion of your income or situation has changed. All requests are reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid.

What if I don't qualify for need-based aid?
Students who do not qualify for need-based aid awards are still eligible for other loans, scholarships, parent loans and payment plans. If you don't think you will qualify, you are still encouraged to file the FAFSA as many awards are based upon this application.

What will happen next year?
Each year you must reapply for financial assistance. A renewal FAFSA must be filed as soon as possible after taxes are filed. Upon receiving the updated FAFSA information, the Financial Aid Office will award you a new financial aid package. The March 15 priority deadline applies.

Where can I get more information?
E-mail your questions to financialaid@geneva.edu or call us at 800-847-8255 or 724-847-6530

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress is checked at the end of the spring semester for students in traditional calendar programs. For the cohort type programs, it is checked after each term. In order to receive financial aid (including loans), students must maintain satisfactory progress as indicated below:

I. Full-Time Undergraduate Students: All full-time students must pass a minimum of 24 “new” hours of academic credit annually to remain eligible for aid consideration (twelve “new” hours for any student with only one term or semester in the year) and maintain a minimum1.7 G.P.A. as a freshman or sophomore (under 60 credits earned). Juniors and Seniors must maintain a minimum 2.0 G.P.A.

II. Part-Time Undergraduate Students: All part-time students must complete 75% of all credits attempted. If, in a specific term less than 75% are completed, then 75% of cumulative attempts must be completed. Part-time students must maintain a minimum1.7 G.P.A. as a freshman or sophomore. Juniors and seniors must maintain a minimum 2.0 G.P.A.

III. Graduate Students: Graduate students are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress if they are meeting their program’s standards for continued enrollment.

IV. Review Policies: If, after review, it is found that the student has not maintained "satisfactory progress," the student will be placed on financial aid suspension until the required credit hours or grades have been attained. The student may not receive any Federal or Geneva aid. State aid has different standards. Pennsylvania state grant requires 24 “new” credits per year and does not have a GPA requirement.

V. Appeals: Any student who has been placed on financial aid suspension may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid indicating why minimum requirements were not met and why aid should not be terminated. The Director and/or Financial Aid Committee will review the appeal to determine if an exception is justified. The student will be notified in writing of the appeal decision.

V. Total Semesters of Aid Eligibility: Full-time students are normally eligible to receive financial aid for no more than eight semesters. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. Part-time students' eligibility will be extended proportionate to the number of credits enrolled each term.