INTRODUCTION
This Consumer Information Guide is designed to provide current and prospective students with certain information regarding sources of financial aid, related Hussian School of Art ® policies, and other important information for students related to financing their education. Students should review this Consumer Information Guide in concert with the Hussian School of Art ® Catalog and the Student Handbook to more fully understand their options, rights and responsibilities as a current and/or prospective student.
QUESTIONS?? If you have any questions regarding this Consumer Information Guide, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (215) 574-9600, and ask for Susan Cohen, Director of Financial Aid.
LICENSES, ACCREDITATIONS AND APPROVALS
Hussian School of Art ® is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Private Licensed Schools. The Division of Occupational Training Schools supports the State Board of Private Licensed Schools in the licensure and regulation of Private Licensed Schools and can be contacted at 333 Market Street, 12th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333, and by phone at 717-783-8228.
Hussian School of Art ® is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which is located at 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302, Arlington, Virginia 22201, and can be reached by telephone at 703-247-4212.
The Hussian School of Art ® current license and certificate of accreditation are available for review in the Office of the President of the College.
Additionally, Hussian School of Art ® is approved by:
The State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation
The New Jersey Rehabilitation Commission
The Pennsylvania Department of Education for the training of Veterans.
WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?
Any financial resource a student receives through sources other than their parents and their own contribution is considered financial aid.
Financial Aid includes: (1) Grants – Gift assistance based on demonstrated needs that does not have to be repaid; (2) Loans – Borrowed money, based on need, that must be repaid with interest; and (3) Awards – Normally based on academic merit and need and normally are not repaid.
Financial Aid is available through state and federal programs. In addition students may be eligible for financial aid as a result of their service in the military, through private education lending companies, and through organizations offering privately funded grants and scholarships. It is important that current and prospective students understand their options with regard to available financial aid sources, as well as the applicable terms and conditions relating to each source.
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
FEDERAL STUDENT AID – Hussian School of Art ® participates in the following federal student aid programs:
1. The Federal Pell Grant Program
2. William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Programs
3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant – FSEOG
4) Federal Work-Study Program
STATE STUDENT AID – Please contact the Hussian Financial Aid Office current information regarding student eligibility for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Grant (PHEAA Grant).
OTHER SOURCES – Students may be eligible for other sources of financial aid and should discuss their options with members of the Hussian financial aid staff.
WHAT WE DO FOR YOU
Hussian Financial Aid Staff is available to assist current and prospective students with:
1. Locating sources of financial aid.
2. Understanding eligibility requirements for each source of financial aid.
3. Understanding the general terms and conditions associated with any chosen financial aid program.
4. Obtaining financial aid applications.
5. Completing and filing financial aid applications.
YOUR RIGHTS
Hussian School of Art ® feels that each student has the right to a full explanation of financial aid and determination of individual eligibility. For this reason, all prospective students are given a personal interview with the Financial Aid Office. Please understand that the above eligibility requirements provided in this Consumer Information Guide are general statements and a full and complete determination of a student’s eligibility will always depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of each student.
Every student will be given the opportunity to seek eligibility to receive any sources of financial aid they choose.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Every student is responsible for submitting accurate information when applying for financial aid, failure to do so can result in denial of aid and/or changes in the aid awarded. Students are required to provide documentation intended to verify student aid application information when requested by the Financial Aid Office. Failure to provide verification information in a timely manner when requested may result in a denial of financial aid.
Most information regarding approval of grants and loans is sent directly to the student. The student is responsible for delivering such grant and loan information to the school as soon as possible. Students are expected to notify the Financial Aid Office when there are changes in their financial status, enrollment status, address, or telephone numbers. Failure to do any of the above can result in denial of financial aid and interruption of classes.
Students must maintain satisfactory progress to remain eligible for financial aid.
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS
For a summary of Federal Student Aid programs, including information students should know when financing their education, students should access the “Funding Your Education” informational pamphlet available online at:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/12-13_Guide.pdf
PLEASE CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IMMEDIATELY IF THIS LINK BECOMES INACTIVE!!
PENNSYLVANIA STATE GRANT – (PHEAA) 2012-2013
The Pennsylvania State Grant Program provides grants to eligible Pennsylvania residents who are in need of financial assistance to attend PHEAA-approved postsecondary schools as undergraduate students. To be eligible for a PHEAA State Grant the student must be an undergraduate who has been domiciled in Pennsylvania for at least 12 months prior to the date of application, is enrolled or intends to enroll in a PHEAA approved program of study, and who demonstrates financial need in accordance with PHEAA requirements.
Students receive notice of their eligibility through a statement of Term Eligibility from PHEAA. PHEAA State Grant will determine the award of the grant based upon eligibility and income information. An eligible student will receive a grant award of two disbursements. Income documentation is requested of all students applying for a PHEAA State Grant. Payments are made according to period of enrollment such as, Fall, and Spring. All payments on the PHEAA State Grant program are credited directly to the student account.
Award amounts are based on the allowable college costs and a student’s demonstrated need. Applicants for 2011-2012 were eligible to receive up to $4,348 as a full-time student at a Pennsylvania school.
Students enrolled on a half-time basis (at least six credits per semester or its equivalent) were eligible to receive up to $2,174 at a Pennsylvania school. Students enrolled in summer study may also be eligible for a Summer State Grant. *The maximum award is dependent upon available State funding and subject to review and adjustment.
For State Grant consideration, there are two deadlines by which applications must be received by PHEAA:
May 1, 2012 – The deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant (FAFSA application) is May 1 for students attending colleges and ALL renewal students.
August 1, 2012 – The deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant (FAFSA application) is August 1 for first-time students attending trade or technical schools.
For more information on the PHEAA State Grant program go to:
http://www.pheaa.org/college-planning/student-aid-guide/guide.shtml
OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
In addition to federal and state programs, certain students may be eligible for other programs which provide educational cost assistance. These benefits, like grants, do not have to be repaid:
Veteran’s Administration: Veterans may qualify for educational benefits under the GI Bill (Chapter 34) or the Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). Students can obtain further information on all GI benefit programs from the Veteran’s Administration or from the School VA coordinator, the Registrar. Click on the Funding Your Education link for more information.
Vocational Rehabilitation: The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation provides services and financial assistance to students with certain disabilities. Further eligibility information can be obtained by the local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Outside Sources: There are many outside sources of financial aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships and loans which might be available to you. Some publications which might help you in your search are as follows:
1.Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans – by S. Norman Feingold and Marie Feingold. Check your local library for this booklet.
2. A Selected List of Fellowship Opportunities and Aids to Advanced Education – from the National Science Foundation, Publications Office, 1800 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 10550.
3. Paying for Your Education, A Guide for Adult Learners – available at a cost of $3.50 post paid from College Board Publications Orders, Box 2815, Princeton, NJ 08541.
4. Lovejoy’s Scholarship Guide – available at your local library.
5. The Scholarship Book – by Daniel J. Cassidy – available in the Financial Aid Office.
6. Many religious, ethnic, civic and service organizations offer scholarships through their local chapters. A check with your organization may prove beneficial.
7. Many companies offer loans, grants and tuition refunds to employees, their spouses and their children. Unions also offer educational aid to their members. A check with company personnel offices may be beneficial.
DETERMINING FINANCIAL NEED
Federal Student Aid is awarded based on a determination of “Financial Need.” The Financial Aid Office determines Financial Need by subtracting the “Student Expense Budget” by the “Expected Family Contribution.” The federal government refers to this procedure as Needs Analysis.
The Student Expense Budget is based upon the cost of student tuition, fees, books, and supplies, which can be found on the Hussian website at www.hussianart.com, under the “Consumer Information” tab, and in the Hussian School of Art ® Catalog, as well as nationally standardized cost of living estimates. The nationally standardized estimates supply room, board, and other living expenses while taking into account student specific circumstances like marital status, whether the student lives independently or with parents, childcare costs, and living expenses associated with disabled students.
Hussian School of Art ® has broken its population into two categories for purposes of determining the Student Expense Budget, student living with parents and students living independently. The average Student Expense Budget for students living with parents is $25,769. The average Student Expense Budget for students living independently is $29,453. In either circumstance, average transportation costs are $166 per month.
The Expected Family Contribution is the amount that a student and the student’s family can be expected to contribute to their educational costs, in this case the Student Expense Budget. The expected family contribution is based upon information provided by the student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Central Processing System of the Department of Education analyzes the FAFSA information and takes into consideration elements such as available income, whether the student is a dependent of their parents, is independent, or has a spouse and/or dependents of their own. The expected contribution of a student and their parents, if applicable, forms the basis of the Expected Family Contribution.
The calculation of the Expected Family Contribution is required to determine eligibility for any Financial Aid Programs. Financial need of the student is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution from the Student Expense Budget.
[Student Expense Budget – Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need]
Click on the Funding Your Education link for more information.
VERIFICATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
All applicants selected for verification will be required to submit verification of household size, number in post-secondary school, AGI, U.S. income taxes paid and untaxed income and benefits. Students must complete a verification worksheet and provide documentation of income. Documentation should be submitted within two (2) weeks of the request. Sometimes it is necessary to contact outside sources which could result in additional delays. Therefore, while the student must obtain the necessary documentation, a longer period of time is permitted, as long as the student meets all Federal submission deadline dates for verifications.
If you are applying for a PELL Grant, you must complete verification no later than sixty (60) days after the last day of enrollment or August 30 (following the end of the award year), whichever is earlier. Failure to submit needed documentation by stated deadlines may result in denial of aid. Pell applicants who do not meet Federal deadline for submission cannot receive a PELL Grant. The student must meet with the Financial Aid Officer to discuss any problems in verifying information.
The student will know the required documents to submit to the financial aid office at the entrance interview. These documents will include an IRS FORM 1040/1040A/1040EZ (where applicable) to verify adjusted gross income and U.S. income taxes paid. In addition, a statement of untaxed income will be required where applicable. Documentation of untaxed income may include a Social Security 1099, an Unemployment Compensation 1099, or letter from the local Welfare Agency.
If the submitted data fails to meet requirements, or the award changes due to verification, the financial aid administrator will contact the student either through a note to the classroom or by asking the student to come to the Financial Aid Office. If corrections must be made to the application, it will be necessary for the student and parent/spouse to sign part 2 of the SAR and resubmit it for corrections. After the verification procedures are complete, the student will receive a notification that will confirm that their file meets Federal standards of accuracy.
All of the above constitutes the applicant’s responsibility with respect to verification of required information. You are required to meet the deadlines set above and report to the Financial Aid Office when requested.
We are required by Federal regulations to make referrals to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, if it is suspected that aid was requested under a false pretense. Hussian School of Art ® takes its role as a proper steward of federal funds very seriously and will cooperate with government agencies in the full prosecution of students who are found to have provided falsified documentation.
Conflicting Information: The student is always required to resolve information that appears to be conflicting. This requirement holds true whether or not the student was selected for verification by the central processing system.
Required Verification Items: There are five items that are required to be verified if a student is selected by the CPS. They are:
1. Adjusted Gross Income
2. U.S. Taxes Paid
3. Certain Untaxed Income
4. Household Size
5. Number in Postsecondary Schooling
The above items have been identified for verification by the Federal government because they have a material effect on the EFC formula.
Certain Untaxed Income: There are eight types of untaxed income which must be verified.
1. Social Security Benefits
2. Child Support
3. IRA/Keough Deductions
4. Foreign Income Exclusion
5. Earned Income Credit
6. Interest on Tax-Free Bonds
7. Untaxed Portions of Pensions
8. Credit for Federal Tax on Special Fuels
In addition to verifying these sources untaxed income, non-filers must submit a statement which certifies their non-filer status and list the sources and amounts of untaxed income and benefits.
Acceptable Documentation: All applications selected for Verification must complete and sign (including spouse and parent signatures, if applicable) a Verification Worksheet. There are separate worksheets for dependent and independent students.
The Verification Worksheet provides a chart to document household size and number in postsecondary education. You must provide the name, age, and relationship to student of all members of the household. In addition, for those members of the household who are reported as enrolled in postsecondary education, you must provide the name of the institution in which they are enrolled.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS STATEMENT
Student eligibility for certain state and federal programs of student financial aid depends upon maintaining satisfactory academic progress in their program and completion of their degree in accordance with this policy. However, students should be informed that this policy applies equally to full-time and part-time students as we as students that do not receive financial aid. The student aid programs affected by the satisfactory academic progress policy are:
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal Work-Study Program
Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Federal PLUS Loan
Recipients of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant must also follow certain academic progress guidelines (contact PHEAA for these guidelines).
Compliance with satisfactory progress is determined at the end of each academic year (September through May) through evaluation of individual student progress reports. To be considered in satisfactory progress, Freshmen students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 1.75 for their first semester, and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for their second semester as well as complete a minimum of 80% of their attempted credits (i.e. completed credits/attempted credits) during each semester. Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 2.0 as well as complete a minimum of 80% of their credits attempted during each semester.
Courses where a student withdrew, failed, or was awarded no credit count as attempted but not completed. Credits transferred in will count as attempted and completed. Students in all levels must be working toward graduation requirements. Under no circumstances may a student receive aid for more than 150% of the published program length (e.g. Hussian’s 4 year program must be completed in no more than 6 years).
If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress with regard to the minimum grade point average or completed credits at the end of any academic year, the student will be officially notified in writing by Hussian and immediately be placed on probationary status. The probationary status will remain in place until the end of the immediately following academic year. During probation, students will continue to be eligible for federal student aid. Hussian may place academic restrictions on the student during the probationary period to help ensure that the student successfully reinstates satisfactory academic progress by the end of the probationary period. Students that fail to obtain a cumulative grade point average in accordance with the minimum standards of this policy or fail to complete the minimum percentage of credits during the probationary period will cease to be eligible for federal student aid programs and all federal student aid will be cancelled. Students whose aid is canceled are not eligible for additional financial aid until the student completes all necessary coursework or improves their GPA to exceed the minimum threshold.
WITHDRAWAL/LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Students must make all requests for leave of absence in writing. The request must provide the date on which leave of absence is requested to commence, and a reasonable explanation as to why the student is requesting a leave of absence. Hussian School of Art ® may approve a leave of absence in its discretion. A Leave of Absence cannot exceed 30 days. Please contact the Registrar for additional details and requirements.
Students are encouraged to provide written notice of withdrawal to the Registrar prior to withdrawing from a Hussian program. Failure to provide written notice of withdrawal can delay any refunds owed to the student. Students considering withdrawal should contact the Registrar for information and withdrawal forms. Additionally, students considering withdrawal who have been the recipients of financial aid will have continuing obligations and options available to them, and should contact the Hussian Financial Aid Office to discuss the effect of withdrawal on their financial aid portfolio and schedule an Exit Interview as applicable.
REFUND AND CANCELLATION (Effective July 1, 2012)
REJECTION Any student who is rejected for admission to Hussian School of Art ® will receive a full refund of monies paid.
CANCELLATION All monies paid by an applicant will be refunded following their delivery of a written request for cancellation to the Registrar’s Office within five (5) days after signing an Enrollment Agreement. If unable to provide a written request within five (5) days, the student may preserve their right to a full refund by verbally requesting cancellation from the Registrar within five (5) days, and submitting the formal written request within ten (10) days from signing the Enrollment Agreement. Students will not be entitled to a full refund if a written request for cancellation is submitted after the start of classes.
WITHDRAWAL PRIOR TO CLASSES Students will receive a full refund of all tuition and fees if they provide a written notice of withdrawal to the Registrar no later than five (5) days following their initial visit and opportunity for inspection of the School facilities, but in any even no later than ten (10) days prior to the first day of classes. Students providing a written notice of withdrawal to the Registrar, which does not comply with the policy regarding cancellation or inspection of School facilities, but is provided before the start of classes, will receive a full refund of all monies paid to Hussian School of Art ® in excess of the $100.00 Enrollment Deposit.
REFUNDS AFTER THE START OF CLASSES Students missing seven (7) consecutive class days and will be administratively terminated. In all circumstance the date of termination or date of withdrawal for the purpose of calculating a student refund will be the last date of attendance. The following refund calculation shall apply to all students:
Failure to Start: Students that fail to start the program, and do not withdraw prior to the first day of classes, will be charged the weekly pro rata cost* applicable to the first week of class.
The First Nine Weeks: Students whose last day of attendance falls in the first nine (9) weeks of the semester will be charged the weekly pro rata cost* plus $150.00.
Weeks Ten and On: Students whose last day of attendance falls between week ten (10) and the end of the semester will not be entitled to a refund of any tuition and fees charges applicable to the semester.
* In computing the “weekly pro rata cost”, any portion of a week will be considered a full week.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All monies to be refunded in accordance with any provisions of this Refund and Cancellation policy will be refunded within thirty (30) days from the date that Hussian School of Art ® determines a student’s last date of attendance, the date Hussian receives written notice of cancellation, or the date that a student fails to return from an approved leave of absence. The Refund and Cancellation policy will apply equally to students that are administratively terminated from a Hussian program. All refunds shall be paid to the student unless payment to a lender or other entity is required by the terms of a student financial aid program in which Hussian participates.
RETURN OF FEDERAL STUDENT AID
The amount of Federal assistance that a student receives and is ultimately retained to cover institutional charges is dictated by Federal Regulations. After the student has attended for sixty (60%) percent of the semester, all Federal student aid received by or on behalf of the student may be retained to cover institutional charges. If a student withdraws from a semester prior to completing sixty (60%) percent of the semester, a pro-rata share of the Federal student aid received must be returned to the aid source within forty-five (45) days of Hussian’s determination of withdrawal, or formal written withdrawal by the student. To determine the amount of Federal aid to be retained to cover institutional charges, Hussian must divide the number of days of the semester up to an including the student’s last day of attendance, by the total days in the semester. The resulting percentage will be used to determine the pro rata amount of Federal aid to be retained.
Federal student aid refunds must be made in the following priority order.
1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan
3. Federal Direct PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. FSEOG
6. Other Federal student aid programs
7. Other Federal sources of aid
8. Other state, private, or institutional aid
9. The student
Students are strongly encouraged to check with school officials prior to officially or unofficially withdrawing.
ENTRANCE AND EXIT COUNSELING
ENTRANCE COUNSELING – Each student will be required to attend an Entrance Counseling session. This is held in a group setting where the Director of Financial Aid will outline:
1. Types of Direct Loans
- Subsidized
-Unsubsidized
-PLUS
2. Annual Loan Limits
3. Aggregate Loan Limits
4. Interest
5. Deferments and Forbearances
6. Delinquency and Default
7. Paying Back Your Loan
A Rights and Responsibilities summary checklist will be distributed to the student for their review and signature, and collected for placement in the student’s file. An Entrance Counseling Guide booklet will be distributed to each student for their guidance and referral.
EXIT COUNSELING – Each student is required to attend an Exit Counseling session. In the event of an unexpected withdrawal, the student will be contact via phone or letter to set up an appointment. If it is a planned withdrawal, the student will be sent directly to the Financial Aid Office to complete their Exit Counseling immediately.
The graduating class will attend a group session the month prior to their graduation. During the group session the Director of Financial Aid will outline:
1. Repayment
2. Avoiding delinquency and default
3. Deferment and forbearances
4. Consolidation
A Rights and Responsibilities summary checklist will be distributed to the student for their review and signature, and collected for placement in the student’s file. An Exit Counseling Guide booklet will be distributed to each student for their guidance and referral.
DISABILITY SERVICES
In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Hussian School of Art ® does discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations with regard to its programs, activities and facilities to students with a qualified disability. Students are responsible to both self-disclose their disability to, and request accommodation from, the Hussian Disability Services Coordinator. Students requesting accommodation with be required to provide verification of their disability in the form of documentation from their health care provider. Verification through documentation from a health care provider is required prior to accommodations being determined and fulfilled. Communicating with faculty or other staff members regarding a disability is not the proper method of informing Hussian regarding a disability and will meet the requirements necessary for documenting a disability or initiating a request for reasonable accommodations.
The Hussian Disability Services Coordinator is responsible for managing the verification and accommodation process, including documenting the request for accommodation, requesting verification documentation from the student, collaborating with the student and other necessary parties (faculty, facilities manager, et cetera) to determine the reasonable scope of accommodation under the circumstances, finalizing appropriate student accommodations, and maintaining a record of the student’s disability and accommodation to the extent required by law.
Students may contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 215-574-9600, for more information about Hussian’s Disability Services as well as ADA accessible facility entrances, exits, elevators, and restrooms.
DISCLAIMER
While Hussian School of Art ® has put forth reasonable efforts to ensure that this Consumer Information Guide is accurate and current, it is not a complete record of all information applicable to student aid programs available to current and prospective Hussian students, and as with any document, there may be errors, omissions, or misinterpretations that can be drawn from the summary nature of the contents. Students are advised to also review the Hussian School of Art ® Catalog, Student Handbook, and seek clarification from the appropriate Hussian representatives as necessary or appropriate to inform their understanding of the school, its programs, and student aid. We will make every effort to assure an adequate answer.
OTHER INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL
The Hussian School of Art ® Catalog can provide students with further information on the School. Additional information including but not limited to placement figures, retention rates, graduation rates, and information regarding tuition and fees can be found on Hussian’s homepage under the “Policies and Disclosures” link.
