Financial Planning and Expenses

2012-2013

The Office of Student Financial Planning exists to help students who would be unable to attend Georgetown College without financial assistance. A student’s financial assistance award is designed to supplement the contributions of the student and family. Financial assistance comes in a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, or work opportunities. Typically, students will receive more than one type of assistance. Though awards are made each year on the basis of academic promise and ability alone, most financial assistance is dependent on the eligibility of the individual family.

Freshmen and transfer students who have been admitted, have filed the Free Application  for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in a timely manner, and whose Student Aid Reports are  received will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A student who receives  financial assistance is responsible for refiling a FAFSA each year. All institutional aid is  available for a maximum of eight semesters of enrollment. Assistance is renewed on the  basis of the past year’s academic record and current eligibility. Even those who do not qualify for need-based aid may qualify for academic and/or other non-need scholarships thanks to the generous donations of various individuals and organizations.

Contacts

How To Apply

All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility is determined through a national processor which considers a family’s income, assets, number of children, retirement needs and other expenses. The family financial resources available, based on the information supplied on the FAFSA, are subtracted from the cost of education to arrive at the family’s eligibility for need-based assistance.

The FAFSA should be completed as soon after January 1 as possible. Georgetown College is approved by the Kentucky Approving Agency for Veterans Education to provide education for Veterans, National Guardsmen, selected Reservists and other eligible persons (dependents of deceased and disabled veterans).

How To Receive Assistance

Applicants receive an award letter listing the types of assistance being offered. By checking acceptance of each type of assistance, signing and returning the award letter within 30 days to the Student Financial Planning Office, the account will be credited for the amount of the award.

Exceptions

Aid amounts marked as estimates will not be credited until paperwork is complete or funds are received from the lender. If Work-Study is part of the aid package, this amount will not be a credit on your account. This is an award that must be earned and is paid to a student recipient via payroll. All Georgetown aid is based on full-time, residential status. If you drop below full-time or are granted a waiver to live off campus, your aid will be adjusted accordingly. Institutional aid is reduced by twenty-five percent for students who live off campus. All college aid is limited to four years (eight semesters).

Scholarships

Academic Scholarships

Georgetown’s academic scholarships ranging from half tuition to the full amount of tuition, fees, room and board are awarded to incoming students each year on the basis of outstanding academic ability and demonstrated leadership potential. To be considered, students must normally be accepted for admission before February 1, and should complete the scholarship questionnaire included as part of the application for admission. Scholarships awarded in the academic scholarship category include the Trustee Scholarship, the Parks Baptist Scholarship, the Governor’s Scholar Scholarship, the Valedictorian Scholarship and the Salutatorian Scholarship. These scholarships are renewable for up to four years if the student maintains accumulative GPA of at least 3.3. Students with questions about their scholarship requirements should contact Student Financial Planning.

Other Merit Awards

Grants and awards ranging from $1,000 to half-tuition are awarded to incoming students each year on the basis of academic ability and leadership potential. To be considered, students must normally be accepted for admission before February 1, and should complete the scholarship questionnaire included as part of the application for admission. Scholarships awarded in this category include but are not limited to the Virginia Covington Award, Elijah Craig Award, Giddings Award, Patterson Grant, and Presidential Awards. These awards are renewable for up to four years if the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in the College Catalog. Students with questions about their scholarship requirements should contact Student Financial Planning. Specialized scholarship programs may have different requirements; recipients will be notified of those criteria.

Parks Baptist Scholarship

Up to four scholarships that cover the cost of tuition for students who are Baptist, are outstanding leaders and have outstanding scholarship potential. Applicants must have a minimum ACT score of 30 and a 3.5 GPA. Renewable through the fourth year with a cumulative 3.3 GPA. The deadline to apply is February 1. The Parks Scholarship cannot be combined with any other Georgetown College scholarship, including other academic scholarships, scholarships of special programs, fine arts or athletic scholarships, or college grants. Additional funds may be granted to the recipients based on results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or state-awarded KEES monies (for Kentucky high school students).

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

A $5,000 scholarship for a transfer student from a community or junior college, Phi Theta Kappa inductee, and a recipient of an A.A or A.S. Degree. Renewed for the second year with a cumulative 3.0 GPA. The deadline to apply is February 1.

Black Achiever’s Scholarship

Must be a participant in the Black Achiever’s program. The scholarship ($5,000-$9,000) is renewable through the fourth year with the appropriate GPA. The deadline to apply is February 1.

Christian Leadership Scholarships

Ten $2,500 and 100 other $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors on the basis of church and community service activities. Selection is made from pastors’ nominations; forms are available from the Admissions Office. Nominations and applications must be received no later than February 1.

Church Matching Funds Scholarships

Georgetown College matches church gifts up to $200 per year. For details, contact the Student Financial Planning Office. Matching scholarship checks should be sent directly to Georgetown College and must be received on or before registration day in order to qualify for the College matching portion.

Acteen and Royal Ambassador Scholarships

Scholarships of $50 per year for each step or service aide award earned to a total maximum of $250 per year. Have your RA or Acteen leader send a letter to the Student Financial Planning Office certifying your level of achievement.

Air Force/Army ROTC Scholarships

Two, three, and four year scholarships are available through the respective programs; contact the University of Kentucky Air Force ROTC Office (606-257-7115) or Army ROTC Office (606-257-2696) for an application and further information.

Endowed Scholarships

Georgetown College has many endowed scholarships provided by the generosity of donors and friends of the College. If a student receives one of these scholarships, it may reduce or replace other college funds received. There are no separate applications.

James Graham Brown Foundation Scholarships

This Louisville foundation has provided scholarships primarily for Kentucky students who have high moral character, demonstrate leadership, and contribute to the overall life of the College. Initial awards go to freshmen only. Preference is given to those who demonstrate financial need with a 3.8 high school GPA and a 30+ ACT and can be renewed with a 3.0 GPA.

Grants

Federal Grants

Federal Grants are awarded based on the expected family contribution, determined by the FAFSA. Grants include the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grants, and Science and Math to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant, and the Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program.

Kentucky Grants

Kentucky residents may be eligible for the College Access Program or the Kentucky Tuition Grant. Filing a FAFSA will automatically send information to the State for application. Deadlines are determined by the state.

Minister’s Grants

This grant is available to sons and daughters of ordained Southern Baptist ministers. This grant is not available in combination with the Kentucky Baptist Matching Scholarship or other institutional funds.

Fine Arts Performance Grants

A limited number of grants are given to students who demonstrate unusual aptitude in Art, Music, or Theatre and Performance Studies. Students interested in these grants should contact the respective department chairs.

Athletic Performance Grants

Grants are available to a limited number of students (both men and women) with outstanding ability in competitive sports. The student should contact the coach for the sport in which he or she participates.

Outside Scholarships

As some students receive scholarships from outside organizations, the Department of Education requires that these be considered as part of the financial assistance awards. If need has been met, the college will reduce a portion of the overall award, beginning with loans and work-study.

Loans

Bagby Loans, Stapp Loans

These are interest-free loans with no specific terms of repayment, under which recipients are asked to repay the amount borrowed at any time during their lives, as and if circumstances permit.

Federal Perkins Loans

These provide low interest, need-based, educational loans on which no interest or principal comes due until after the student is no longer enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Simple interest of five (5) percent begins nine months after the student ceases to be at least a half-time student. Payment may be spread over as many as ten years. In certain cases, the loan’s interest and principal repayment obligation may be cancelled entirely; contact the Business Office for details.

Federal Subsidized Direct Loans

Loans are made by a lender and certified by the College. (Call the Student Financial Planning Office for the current rate.) Repayment begins six (6) months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status. Maximum allowable subsidized loan amounts are based on the student’s classification level: Freshmen ($3,500), Sophomores ($4,500), Juniors ($5,500), Seniors ($5,500).  Graduate level students are only eligible for unsubsidized student loans beginning in 2012-13.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Every student who files the FAFSA is eligible for at least $2,000 of an unsubsidized loan in addition to any subsidized loan eligibility that they may have based on financial need (as determined by the FAFSA). All students are eligible for either Federal Stafford unsubsidized, subsidized, or a combination of both up to their maximum allowable per classification level.  These loans are much like the Federal Subsidized Stafford with the exception that the student and not the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled, or one can have the interest deferred, in which case the interest accrues and capitalizes.

Parent Loans

Special loans to parents through the Federal PLUS program are also available. Parents can borrow up to the full cost of education minus other aid. For more information, contact the Student Financial Planning Office.

Work Opportunities

Many Georgetown students earn a portion of their college expenses through parttime jobs on campus or in the surrounding community. Regular announcements of on-and off-campus opportunities are available in the Student Financial Planning Office. All students working in campus jobs must sign a work agreement and all required federal and state tax forms in the Student Financial Planning Office prior to starting their jobs.

Federal Work-Study Program

A wide variety of work-study jobs on campus are available to Georgetown students. Community opportunities are also available. Students must demonstrate eligibility by filing the FAFSA.

Georgetown Work Program

Institutionally funded jobs may also be available to a Georgetown student regardless of demonstrated eligibility. Any undergraduate student who wants to work should contact the supervisor in the area of work preference.

Continued Eligibility

In order to continue eligibility for receipt of financial assistance, the following criteria apply:

1. Academic Eligibility: Specific GPAs are required to renew scholarships each year. Students have a full year in which to make the required average.
2. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy:
   1. Students must be matriculated in a degree program.
   2. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average sufficient to show satisfactory progress toward their educational objective as outlined below:
      • 1-15 semester hours attempted 1.6 cumulative GPA or above
      • 16-30 semester hours attempted 1.7 cumulative GPA or above
      • 31-45 semester hours attempted 1.8 cumulative GPA or above
      • 46-60 semester hours attempted 1.9 cumulative GPA or above
      • 61 or more semester hours attempted 2.0 cumulative GPA or above
   3. Credit Hours Earned: Regardless of the number of hours attempted a student must successfully complete and earn cumulative hours as follows:
      • First Year – 20
        Second Year – 40
        Third Year – 60
        Fourth Year – 80
        Fifth Year – 100
      • The above standards will be prorated for part-time students.
   4. An extra term may be approved by the Student Financial Planning Office to accommodate the student who changes majors, or  experiences extraordinary circumstances during the regular terms. Pell Grants are limited to the first undergraduate degree. Institutional scholarships and grants are limited to a maximum of eight semesters. State grants are limited to nine semesters. Course incompletes will not be counted until the course is completed and the final grade appears on the transcript in the Registrar’s Office. Repeating a course will count toward hours earned if:
      1. a passing grade was received, and
      2. the course had not been counted previously toward hours earned.
3. Review and Appeal Procedure: Students may request a waiver of satisfactory academic progress for financial assistance if there were special circumstances. The following procedure is required and is separate from academic procedures:
   1. An appeal should be sent to the Director of Student Financial Planning prior to the start of the academic period for which aid consideration is requested.
   2. The student must submit documentation as to the extraordinary circumstances leading to the request (e.g., sickness, death in the family, etc.). Student’s satisfactory academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each academic year.
   3. The Director will review the appeal and notify the student accordingly.

Re-establishing Satisfactory Progress

To have financial assistance reinstated, students must take the hours required to bring them up to the standard at their own expense.

Rights and Responsibilities

Students’ rights and responsibilities in financial assistance matters include the following:

1. Students have the right to inspect information in their files and to challenge any errors found therein. To challenge contents of a file, a student must file a written request to the Student Financial Planning Office;
2. Students have the right to request a review of their aid and aid amounts by the Director of Student Financial Planning;
3. Students have a responsibility to report promptly any changes in their financial, marital, or academic status, as well as any scholarship or aid funds received from any outside source;
4. Students must understand the seriousness of any loan commitments and their obligation to repay such loans and to keep the lender informed of their mailing addresses;
5. Students must maintain satisfactory progress as explained under Criteria for Continued Eligibility;
6. A student who receives financial assistance is responsible to refile a FAFSA each year;
7. Students have a responsibility to promptly provide any additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Student Financial Planning Office or the agency to which they submit an application.

Expenses (2011-2012)

As a private, faith-based institution, Georgetown College receives no support through taxes or public revenue. In fact, tuition covers only a part of the actual expenses involved. Support from the endowment, gifts and grants from alumni, friends of the college, organizations, and churches total over 35% of the actual cost of each student’s education, helping to keep direct costs as low as possible. The College administers an extensive financial assistance program; no prospective student should overlook Georgetown College for purely financial reasons until investigating fully the amount and types of aid available.

Definition of Residence

Residence is defined as the permanent residence of parents ninety days prior to registration at Georgetown College, or the permanent address of the student one year prior to initial registration if the student is independent of parental support. A student who marries subsequent to enrollment may assume the residency status of the spouse.

Application Fee

The application fee of $30 is neither refundable nor applicable to College expenses. This fee defrays only part of the administrative cost of processing applications for admission.

Deposit

An enrollment deposit of $200 is required. It is refundable until May 1. Spring applicants may obtain a refund of their student deposit until December 15, after which it is nonrefundable but will be credited to the first semester bill.

Basic Charges

For the 2011-2012 academic year, the following basic student charges apply:

The tuition charge covers the cost of instruction, concerts, lectures, athletic events, and subscription to The Georgetonian. Housing options require participation in a meal plan. The cafeteria serves meals seven days a week. Each student on a board plan also receives credit for use each semester in on-campus food locations other than the cafeteria.

Special Fees

The following special fees apply for selected programs:

Service Charges

The following service charges apply:

Payment of Accounts

Charges for tuition, room, board, and fees are due and payable at registration. Students are personally responsible to the College for payment of their financial obligations. Registration may be cancelled upon nonpayment. Payment is always due by the first day of class. Students may view login on my.georgetowncollege.edu to view their schedule and bill online. Payment can be made on the GCePayment tab within the “Finances” section of my.georgetowncollege.edu. No paper bills are sent. E-bills are sent to the student. Students can enroll parents/spouses/others to receive e-billing or to access the Parent Portal version of my.georgetowncollege.edu. Call 502-863-8700 if you need help. Georgetown College accepts electronic checks on my.georgetowncollege.edu with a $3.00 convenience fee. Georgetown College accepts American Express, Discover, or MasterCard on the Portal with a 2.5% convenience fee. VISA cards are not accepted. Checks can be mailed to Georgetown College Student Accounts, 400 East College Street, Georgetown, KY 40324. Meals plan and Tigers Dollars are activated only after payment has been received.

Current Student Accounts

While a student may have submitted a class schedule (registration) to the Office of the Registrar, a student’s registration is only confirmed upon satisfactory completion of all financial obligations to the college. Completion of financial obligations may occur through payment in full of tuition, fees, room and board less any applicable financial aid; covering the entire account balance with financial aid; or enrollment in the college’s payment plan (Tuition Management Systems). This financial confirmation must occur by Registration Day as listed in the Academic Calendar.

Students who are not confirmed or have no satisfactory payment plan on record with the Business Office by Friday of the second week of classes forfeit their preregistered courses and will be removed from all class lists and will be charged tuition, room, board, and fees according to the refund schedule. Students removed from classes may register again when all financial obligations have been settled; however, these students cannot be guaranteed space in their original classes. Students who fail to confirm registration by Registration Day will be required to vacate residence halls within 24 hours, will not be allowed to access campus services (including dining privileges), must pay for any room/board charges incurred, and will be subject to the institution’s refund policy.

All student accounts shall be paid in full by the end of each semester, including charges incurred during the semester (such as parking fines). Students whose accounts are not current at the end of a semester will not be allowed to pre-register for subsequent semesters or if pre-registered will have their registration removed (as above).

Past Due Student Accounts

The student with a past due account(s) will not be permitted to register or, if preregistered, the registration will not be valid for the next semester, nor will the student receive a transcript or a diploma. At the end of each semester the student with an open account assumes collection and legal fees, if any.

Tuition Management Systems Payment Plan Information

Most students are eligible for monthly payment plans through Tuition Management Systems. International students are not eligible for deferred or extended payment agreements because of US Customs and Immigration Service regulations. Veterans attending Georgetown College under P.L. 550 are responsible for the fulfillment of financial obligations in the same manner as other students. The veteran should allow two months from the date the initial papers are sent to the Veterans Bureau to the first payment. Veterans are encouraged to initiate the paper work well in advance of the first semester of college work under P.L. 550. Payment information and plan application forms are made available well in advance of the first payment due date.

Service Fee

A service charge of 1% will be charged each month on balances beyond 30 days. Even if a student expects all or a portion of the balance due to be paid from an outside source, such as the Federal Government, a local club, or a church, it is the student’s responsibility to see that such amounts are received on time. The service fee will still be charged when applicable, even though further payments may be anticipated from such third party sources. Students enrolled with Tuition Management Systems may be subject to service charges if their payments are late or their budget falls short of their account balance.

Summer and Mini-Term Expenses

Expenses for summer and mini-terms are published each session along with the corresponding schedule of classes. Tuition and other charges for these sessions are paid in the Business Office and are due on the first day of the term.

Refunds

Prorated refunds of charges billed will be made in the following circumstances:

1. withdrawal by the student due to illness or other reason subject to administrative review and approval (calculated from the date of submission to the Registrar and/or the Provost);
2. reduction of course load from full-time to part-time (calculated from the date of official receipt by the Registrar’s Office); and
3. marriage, resulting in prorated refund of remaining room and board charges per the schedule below.

Students suspended or expelled for conduct reasons will not receive any refund.

Refunds during summer and mini-terms also will be prorated. Service charges will not be refunded. Students who complete their enrollment under the provisions of a payment plan are bound to fulfill the terms of the agreement even though they may withdraw from the College prior to the close of the semester. Students who withdraw during the first six weeks of fall or spring classes may be eligible for a partial refund or partial cancellation of an unpaid balance, depending upon the portion of costs deferred and the amount of the refund as determined by the schedule below. The withdrawal process is completed when the student submits the withdrawal card to the Registrar’s Office and signs a request for any applicable refund.

In all cases, student accounts will be billed for tuition, room, board, and fees for the fall or spring semester according to the following schedule:

• Week 1 – 0%
• Week 2 – 20%
• Weeks 3 & 4 – 40%
• Weeks 5 & 6 – 60%
• After week 6 – 100%