Eligibility Requirements for Title IV Federal Aid Recipients

To be eligible to apply for federal financial aid, matriculated nursing students must:

• demonstrate financial need (some exceptions).
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• have a valid Social Security Number.
• maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The Ellis School of Nursing Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requires the student to meet both qualitative and quantitative standards in order to be considered in compliance. If a student fails to meet the minimum standards, that student will no longer be eligible to receive financial assistance administered by the state or federal government.

A student making satisfactory academic progress must maintain a minimum grade of C in all required courses (2.00 GPA and CGPA). All courses required in each semester must be satisfactorily completed before promotion to the next semester. An incomplete grade (I) may be granted but course requirements must be completed prior to the first day of the next semester. If the requirements are not met in the specified time the Incomplete (I) will become a Failure (F) and the school's policy on dismissal will apply. If a student withdraws from a nursing course according to the established policy on withdrawals or receives a grade below a C, reapplication to the school for acceptance is required to repeat a course. Upon acceptance to the school, the student will be deemed eligible for financial assistance as long as a grade of C is received for the repeated course and the student meets the quantitative standards.

The ESON curriculum requires a total of 72 credit hours. Nursing courses are comprised of classroom and clinical instruction. The program spans four academic semesters and one Summer session. Maximum time frame for completion of the program is within three academic years. Once the student exceeds this time requirement, the student is no longer eligible for financial assistance administered by the state or federal government.

Student applicants must certify that they do not owe a refund on any grant or student loan, are not in default on a student loan or have made satisfactory arrangements to repay any defaulted loan, and have not borrowed in excess of the loan limits under Title IV programs at any institution. Students must provide accurate and truthful data on applications and agree to use all Title IV money received for expenses related to study at ESON.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students have a right to know the conditions of their awards and will be notified of these conditions through their financial aid award letters. In accepting an award, students are indicating that they understand, accept and agree to abide by these conditions. Upon satisfactory payment of tuition, fees and other financial obligations due to ESON, all semester awards and grants will be disbursed to aid recipients according to the disbursement schedule for that term. For purposes of eligibility for Title IV financial aid, ESON has established a maximum period of three academic years of full time equivalent enrollment to earn an Associate in Science degree.

The Federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 requires that all financial aid grant assistance minus the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies must be considered taxable income for the recipient. It is the student's responsibility to keep appropriate records and receipts. Questions should be addressed to the IRS or other tax professional.

Refunds and Repayments

Title IV financial aid recipients who officially withdraw or are dismissed from the school follow the ESON refund policy. In the event that a federal aid recipient does not officially withdraw, all refund/repayment calculations will be based on the student's last recorded date of classroom or clinical attendance. The school's policy has been developed to comply with the required federal refund calculation standards. Upon calculation of a refund, the school will determine whether a portion of the refund must be returned to one or more Student Financial Assistance (SFA) programs. In the event that a student received a cash disbursement from a Title IV program prior to withdrawing, ESON will determine if a portion of that disbursement is an overpayment. If an overpayment for institutional costs has occurred, repayment by the student, or the school, will be made to the appropriate Title IV program.