Undergraduate Students

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are funds that may be awarded to eligible undergraduate students who have not yet received a Bachelor’s degree and who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. The amount of these awards is determined by the federal government and is based on each student’s eligibility, need and the number of hours in which they are enrolled.

***Year-Round Pell***

Eligible students may now receive a Pell Grant year-round for fall, spring, and summer even if they received a full Pell Grant during the fall and spring semesters.  Year-round Pell Grant availability can provide students with an excellent opportunity to accelerate program completion, possibly saving on overall degree cost and limiting student loan debt.

As an example of how Year-Round Pell will work: An eligible student receives a full-time Pell Grant of $2960 in the fall semester and another at $2960 for full-time again in the spring. This student can now also receive up to another full-time Pell Grant of $2960 for the summer semester even though they have technically received 100% of their annual Pell award during fall and spring.  This would mean that the student may now be eligible to receive a total of $8880, or 150% of their scheduled Pell Grant during one academic year.

Note: All Pell Grant payments continue to count toward lifetime limits.

Pell Lifetime Limits

Effective July 1, 2012, students can receive a Pell Grant for no more than 12 full-time semesters, or the equivalent, during their lifetime. This rule applies to all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant. Students that have already reached their lifetime limits for Pell Grant eligibility will no longer be eligible to receive a Pell Grant.

If you have received the Pell Grant for a number of semesters, you may be in jeopardy of exhausting your lifetime limit of Pell Grant eligibility.

Students who have used 450% or more of their Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility are notified by the Department of Education after submission of their FAFSA.

To learn more about the Federal Pell Grant, Lifetime Limits and how your eligibility is calculated please visit http://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

Students can review their Pell Grant disbursements and Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) at www.studentaid.gov

Students who have exhausted their Pell grant eligibility will not be eligible for state aid such as CCRG grants or other federal grants such as SEOG, regardless if they meet other qualifications such as Satisfactory Academic Progress or Expected Family Contribution (EFC) criteria. Please contact our office if you need additional clarification.

Additional Requirements and Information Regarding Federal Pell Grants

• If you receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that requires correction, please refer to the instructions on the SAR. Our office must obtain official authorization of all corrections from the federal processor before any funds can be disbursed to students.
• The maximum Pell Grant amount is set by the federal government annually.  The amount of your Federal Pell Grant is based on your financial need, cost of attendance and on the number of credits for which you are enrolled each semester at Census Date. Full-time students will receive their full eligibility. Awards for students enrolled less than full time are prorated based on actual enrollment. Please refer to Enrollment and Proration under the Getting Awards section of this website for more information.
• You cannot receive a Pell Grant at two different schools for the same semester. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will be notified if a student receives a Pell Grant disbursement at another school; this can result in a billing from either school and a balance may be owed.
• If you are in default or have a federal overpayment, you will not be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. You must also be making Satisfactory Academic Progress to be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are federal funds awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree and who are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. This type of grant is usually awarded to students demonstrating exceptional need. The amount of SEOG awards awarded at MSU Denver are $300 per semester. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive the disbursement of SEOG. This award will prorate according to the student’s enrollment.

Students who have exhausted their Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility used (Pell LEU) are no longer eligible to receive SEOG. If you lose the Federal Pell Grant during the academic year, future grants will be canceled and not disbursed.

Funding is limited and is awarded on a first-come first-served basis to eligible students with a complete financial aid file.

Colorado Student Grant (CSG) is a need-based grant funded by the Colorado General Assembly and awarded to undergraduate students who do not have a prior bachelor’s degree and who are Colorado residents. Students must be a U.S citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined by the FAFSA or must be classified as an ASSET student as determined by the state of Colorado. ASSET students must fill out the CASFA to be considered for this grant.

CSG is awarded to MSU Denver students who demonstrate high financial need based off the submission of their FAFSA or CASFA application. Students must be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program at least half-time and grant amounts may be prorated based on enrollment. Students must be in good standing with MSU Denver’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy each semester to receive the grant and meet all other financial aid eligibility criteria such as not owing an overpayment on a loan or grant or be in default on a student loan.

The amount of CSG awards will vary each year, depending on the allocation received from the state, the number of eligible MSU Denver undergraduate students who demonstrate high need, a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI), and enrollment status. The maximum amount of the award is given to students who demonstrate the highest need and can typically be between $5000-$6000 for the year based on full-time enrollment.

Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students with a complete financial aid file. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships recommends you have your FAFSA/CASFA submitted by March 1 of every year to receive full consideration for most state and institutional financial aid awards.

MSU Denver Need Based Grant (MNEED) are institutional funds awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree and who are Colorado residents for tuition purposes. The amount of MNEED awards are typically $500 per semester and is awarded based on a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive the disbursement of MNEED. This award will prorate according to the student’s enrollment.

Students who have exhausted their Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility used (Pell LEU) are no longer eligible to receive MNEED. If you lose the Federal Pell Grant during the academic year, future grants will be canceled and not disbursed.

Funding is limited and is awarded on a first-come first-served basis to eligible students with a complete financial aid file.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who agree to teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families and to meet other requirements.

Only students who are completing their first Bachelor’s Degree are currently eligible at MSU Denver. Other eligibility requirements include:

• GPA of 3.25+ or score within the 75th percentile in any battery of the ACT/SAT
• Citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Sophomore standing or greater (30+ completed/transferred credits)
• Complete Financial Aid file
• Completing coursework to become a teacher in one of the following areas:
  • Secondary Education/Math
  • Secondary Education/Science
  • Special Education
  • K-12 Modern Languages
  • Elementary Education with Linguistically Diverse Endorsement

If you feel you may qualify for and are interested in receiving the Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, contact MSU Denver’s Office of Financial Aid in order to complete a Pre-Application.  
Important Notice:  The Federal TEACH Grant is not need based and is awarded in amounts of up to $4,000/academic year and is subject to an undergraduate maximum of $16,000.  The Grant is pro-rated based on the student’s enrollment status.  Students receiving the Federal TEACH Grant agree to teach full time for at least four years in a Title I school in a high-need field within eight years of receiving their teacher licensure.  If the student fails to do so, the Federal TEACH Grant is converted to an unsubsidized loan, accruing interest as of the date of the first disbursement.

Students who have exhausted their Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility used (Pell LEU) are no longer eligible to receive TEACH. If you lose the Federal Pell Grant during the academic year, future grants will be canceled and not disbursed.

For more information, please visit the Federal Aid website on the TEACH Grant.

Loans are types of financial assistance that must be repaid. Be sure that you understand the terms of any loans you borrow for your education. It is important that you and your family consider the amount of loans you truly need for your education related costs.

Federal Direct Loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students and are made through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

*These are federal loans offered to anyone with an official FAFSA record on file here at MSU Denver.

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) is a loan designed to help parents pay for their child’s education. The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is offered to a birth parent, stepparent or an adoptive parent of a dependent student. MSU Denver offers PLUS Loans through the Direct Lending program.

If a student has completed with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a Federal Direct PLUS Loan may be possible if they are also a dependent student.

A Federal Direct PLUS Loan will be awarded to a credit-worthy applicant. Eligibility for PLUS Loans is not based on household income so parents at all income levels are welcome to apply. With a Federal Direct PLUS Loan you may borrow up to the entire cost of attendance (including books, room, board, fees, tuition, etc.). The school will certify the actual dollar eligibility based on the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid awarded. Direct PLUS Loans not only offer a great low interest rate but the interest payments may be tax deductible. Parents are advised to consult with their tax advisor for details.

Institutional Emancipation and Taking out a Parent PLUS Loan

If a student has been approved for institutional emancipation through the Office of the Registrar, PLEASE be advised of the following:

IF UPON PERIODIC RE-EXAMINATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S STATUS AS AN EMANCIPATED MINOR IT APPEARS THAT THE STUDENT IS NO LONGER EMANCIPATED, THE STUDENT IS SUBJECT TO BEING RE-CLASSIFIED AS OUT-OF-STATE FOR TUTITION PURPOSES. EVIDENCE THAT A MINOR IS NO LONGER EMANCIPATED MAY INCLUDE SUPPORT BY PARENT(S), LOANS FROM PARENTS, OR BEING CLAIMED AS A TAX EXEMPTION BY PARENT(S). THE FEDERAL PLUS LOAN IS CONSIDERED SUPPORT.

How to apply:

We encourage you to borrow only what you need. If you have an award notice from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships you are not required to borrow the full amount for which you are eligible.

Step 1: Parent must go to Federal Student Aid Plus Loans

Step 2: Sign in with their FSA ID.  If parent does not yet have an FSA ID please go to Create FSA ID.

Step 3: Complete the “Request a Direct PLUS Loan” application.

Step 4: Complete the Master Promissory Note for Parent PLUS loan if approved. A Master Promissory Note is the contract that the borrower must sign before the loan can be disbursed. This contract states that the borrower agrees to repay the loan and accepts the terms and conditions of the loan.

Step 5: Disbursement of the funds. Once all of the necessary forms are completed the funds will be disbursed to the school. Your loan funds will be disbursed in two equal disbursements for fall/spring requests. For a one-term loan, it will be in a single disbursement. The funds will be applied to your student’s Tuition and Fee charges. Any excess funds will be issued in a refund to the student or as a paper check mailed to the parent depending on the method selected at the time of application.

Please visit http://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent for additional information on PLUS loans.

Interest Rates and Fees

For current interest rates and loan fees please go to Federal Student Aid.

Credit Check Requirements

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan requires that the parent borrower not have any “adverse credit.” This can include, but is not limited to, a recent bankruptcy, excessive delinquencies, and certain court judgments. This credit check will occur at the time of the online application submission.

Note about credit denials: If the Federal Direct PLUS Loan is denied because of the credit check the parent may do the following:

• The parent may appeal the credit decision or obtaining an endorser.
• The denial is only based on one parent. The other parent has the option of also applying for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
• If our office receives the Parent PLUS Loan credit denial, we will initiate the process for the student to qualify for additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. An email will be sent to the student via their Student Hub email account notifying them of the next step. An undergraduate student’s ability to borrow through the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program is not as liberal as the parent’s level of borrowing ability and has annual and lifetime limitations.

The additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan borrowing limits are:

Freshman: $4,000
Sophomore: $4,000
Junior: $5,000
Senior: $5,000

How to Accept Additional Unsubsidized Loan Funding: The student must still apply for the additional Unsubsidized funds via the MSU Denver Online FDLA.  The student will have 180 days from the date of the PLUS Loan denial to accept the additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. After the 180 days, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will be unable to process the additional Unsubsidized Loan and a new PLUS Loan credit check will have to be made. Other limitations and eligibility requirements may apply.

Eligibility Requirements

For Student: The student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours in a degree seeking program and must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships). The student cannot be in default on an educational loan and cannot owe any education grant refunds.

Please note: If you are a non-resident for tuition purposes, the Parent PLUS loan may prevent you from qualifying for in-state residency in future semesters. Please contact the Office of the Registrar to learn how the Parent PLUS loan may affect you.

For Parents: A parent may not be in default on an educational loan or owe any education grant refunds, and must be a natural parent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, or stepparent.

Parents must be a Citizen/Eligible Non-citizen: You must be one of the following to receive federal student aid:

• U.S. citizen
• U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
• U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card)

If you do not fall into one of those categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) showing one of the following designations in order to be eligible:

• “Refugee”
• “Asylum Granted”
• “Indefinite Parole” and/or “Humanitarian Parole”
• “Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending”
• “Conditional Entrant” (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)

If you have only a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), you are not eligible for federal student aid. If you’re in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa only, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa only, you cannot get federal student aid. Also, persons with G series visas (pertaining to international organizations) are not eligible for federal student aid.

Borrower Responsibility

• The borrower is required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).
• Repayment begins 60 days after the funds are fully disbursed, and the repayment term is up to 10 years.
• PLUS Loans are the financial responsibility of the parents, not the student.
• Your repayment conditions will be determined by your loan service provider.

Borrowing Limits and Loan Periods

Borrowing Limits: For each undergraduate child, parents may borrow up to the student’s cost of attendance minus all other financial aid awarded. The cost of attendance may include tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. The student’s school will determine and certify this amount.

Once the loan is approved, the funds will be sent to the school. Loans are made co-payable to both the parent and the school, with any excess funds being issued in a refund to the student. To view budget information, please click the following link: Student Budget (Cost Of Attendance).

Repayment Details

All repayment plans can be found at: http://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans

Deferment: Parent may opt through the PLUS loan application to have the loan deferred while the student is in school for 6 or more credit hours.

Repayment: usually begins within 60 days of full disbursement. Under the Standard Repayment Plan, borrowers will pay a fixed amount each month for up to 10 years. Choosing the Extended Repayment Plan will lower the monthly payment and extend the repayment period. Parents who choose the Extended Repayment will pay more interest over the life of the loan. Under both of these plans, the monthly payment will be at least $50.

For specifics on repayment options, please contact your direct loan servicer through Federal Student Aid website.

 Cancellation

If a Parent wants to cancel a loan that has been submitted or processed they must submit a LNEVL Form (found on our Student Forms page). If your loan has already disbursed and you have received a check and want to cancel your loan, you must return the check with a written statement requesting cancellation of your loan and a legible copy of your parent’s driver license. If you have cashed the check and still wish to cancel the loan, you must contact the Loan Department at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to learn how to cancel this loan.  A representative from the Loan Department at the Office of Financial and Scholarships can let you know how to make the payment back to the school.

Alternative Loans, also known as Private Loans, can help a student cover the difference between their cost of attendance and financial aid. Alternative Loans should only be considered after careful review of your financial aid package. Please visit the Alternative Loans Webpage for additional information.

1. You must have completed a FAFSA for the academic year;
2. Your financial aid file must be complete for the academic year;
3. You must remain enrolled in at least 6 credits;
4. You cannot be on financial aid suspension;
5. You must have an unmet need of at least $4,000 for the academic year;
6. You must turn in a work-study form confirming your employment (WK__) form found on our Student Forms webpage.

The Colorado Work-Study program is an employment program funded by the Colorado General Assembly designed to allow Colorado resident, undergraduate students to earn funds to assist in attending post-secondary institutions. Students who have financial need or those who show no evidence of financial need but who have a personal need for work experience may benefit from the program.

Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students with a complete financial aid file. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships recommends you have your FAFSA/CASFA submitted by March 1 of every year to receive full consideration for most state and institutional financial aid awards.

For more information on the Colorado work-study program please visit our work-study webpage.

Verification is the process of confirming that the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accurate. You can get selected for verification either by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at MSU Denver or by the U.S. Department of Education.

If selected, you will be required to complete the verification process by submitting all requested documentation. You will be notified of the documentation that you will be required to submit through your MSU Denver email and through your Student Hub.

In accordance with the Department of Education’s guidelines, you will not be offered financial aid until verification is completed. In some cases, you may be institutionally selected or selected by the Department of Education after you have been offered or received aid. Typically, this may happen if any corrections or updates to your FAFSA are made after you have been initially awarded aid.

If during the verification process it is determined that corrections need to be made to your FAFSA, the Office of Financial and Scholarships will make those corrections on your behalf and submit your FAFSA for reprocessing. This may cause a change to your EFC which will be used to determine your aid offer. If you have already been offered or received aid and were selected for verification afterwards, your current aid offer may be adjusted after verification is completed. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify you of any changes to your awards through a Revised Award Letter sent to your MSU email account.

The deadlines to submit verification documents are as follows:

• The deadline to submit complete verification documents for Direct Loans and Campus-based aid is 3 weeks prior to the end of your enrolled term
• The deadline to submit complete verification documents for Pell Grant is the earlier of 120 days prior to the end of your enrolled term or the federally published Pell Grant deadline date

If selected for verification, all documents you will be required to submit will be listed on your Student Hub.

Please review the requested documents carefully. Submitting an incomplete document will delay processing time.

If selected for verification, most students will typically be required to submit:

• MSU Denver’s Verification Form
• Verification of Household Size Form
• Tax and income information depending on your family’s circumstances.

Tax Filers

• A copy of your, your spouse’s (if applicable), and your parents’ (if considered to be a dependent student) Tax Return Transcripts OR A signed copy of your federal income tax returns and all filed schedules

How To Obtain A Tax Return Transcript From The IRS

Go to the IRS website.

Click “Get Your Tax Record”

Click “Get Transcript Online”

Individuals Filing An Extension

• A copy of the IRS’s approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year
• Verification of non-filing from the IRS
• Copies of all your W-2 forms (or equivalent) for employment income
• If self-employed, a signed statement with the amounts of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and U.S. income tax paid

Joint Filers Who Are No Longer Married

• When a dependent student’s parents filed a joint return and have separated, divorced, married someone else, or been widowed, the student must submit a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript (this can be requested at irs.gov) OR a signed federal tax return form with filed schedules
• A copy of each W-2 form for the parent whose tax information is on the FAFSA form
• An independent student must submit an IRS Tax Transcript (this can be requested at irs.gov) OR a signed federal tax return form AND the student’s W-2 forms if he or she filed a joint return and is separated, divorced, or a widow

Non-Tax Filers

• A W-2 form for each source of employment income
• Except for dependent students, a verification of non-filing (VNF letter) obtained from the IRS
  • The non-filer can get the VNF letter by sending IRS form 4506-T and checking box 7. Please keep a copy of the 4506-T for your records
• Other acceptable documentation in lieu of the VNF letter would be IRS documentation that states the IRS does not have a tax record for the requested year with a message that says “No record of return filed” or “No transcript on file”

Residents of The Freely Associated States (Republic of Marshall Islands, The Republic of Palau, or The Federated States of Micronesia)

• A copy of the wage and tax statement from each employer (substitute for W-2s)
• You must submit (except dependent students) a Verification of Nonfiling (VNF) letter from the IRS, attesting that you did not file a tax return
• Other acceptable documentation in lieu of the VNF letter would be IRS documentation that states the IRS does not have a tax record for the requested year with a message that says “No record of return filed” or “No transcript on file”

Individuals Who Can’t Get A Verified Nonfiling Letter (VNF) From The IRS or Other Tax Authority

• A copy of the IRS Form 4506-T that you sent to the IRS to request a verification of nonfiling letter. Most requests are processed within 10 business days so at least that amount of time must have elapsed before submitting a copy of your 4506-T to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
• A signed statement asserting the nonfiler attempted but was unable to get the VNF. The statement must also confirm that the nonfiler has not filed and is not required to file a tax return for the relevant year
• For extension filers, the statement must also confirm that they have not yet filed a return for the tax year and must list the sources and amounts of income; if they are self-employed, it must include the amount of AGI and U.S. income tax paid
• *Note that in both cases, for non-tax filers and extension filers, the other required documentation (for example, W-2 forms) must still be provided

Filers of Non-IRS Tax Returns

• A transcript from a government of a foreign nation or a U.S. territory or commonwealth that has all the filer’s income and tax data to be verified
• A copy of the tax return, which must be signed by the filer or one of the filers of a joint return
• If the accuracy of the information on the signed copy of the return is questioned, the filer must provide a copy of the tax account information issued by the tax authority

Filers of Amended Returns

• A signed copy of the 1040X form that was filed
• You may import original tax information by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) on your FAFSA. If you’ve already done this, no action is needed. To use the DRT, log back in to your FAFSA at studentaid.gov OR
• Any IRS transcript that includes all the income and tax information required to be verified or a signed copy of the federal tax return and all filed schedules

Victims of Identity Theft

• A signed and dated statement indicating that you or a family member was a victim of tax related identity theft and the IRS is aware of it
• A tax return database view (TRDBV) transcript. You can obtain this by calling the IRS identity protection specialized unit (IPSU) at 800-908-4490
• Students who cannot obtain a TRDBV transcript may submit a copy of the tax return or another official IRS transcript or equivalent IRS document if it includes all the income and tax information required to be verified
• *Note that filers must first attempt to get a TRDBV before they can use a copy of the tax return or another transcript

Failure to submit verification documents by the deadlines may result in certain aid not being offered or a cancellation in some aid you have already received. This may cause a balance on your student account in which you would be liable to pay.

The U.S. Department of Education has established regulations to prevent fraud and abuse in the Federal Student Aid program by identifying students with unusual enrollment histories. Some students who have an unusual enrollment history have legitimate reasons for their enrollment at multiple institutions. However, such an enrollment history requires our office to review your file in order to determine future federal financial aid eligibility. If selected by the Department of Education, this must be resolved before you will receive financial aid.

At times, students are selected for unusual enrollment history after their financial aid has already been awarded. In these cases future financial aid disbursements will be held until your file is reviewed and resolved. If it is determined that you are ineligible for financial aid based on unusual enrollment history, any previous awarded and disbursed financial aid for the academic year will be returned to the appropriate sources and future disbursements will be cancelled. You will be provided with the opportunity to complete a semester of 6+ hours out of pocket to demonstrate your ability to earn academic credit successfully, at which point your unusual enrollment history can be re-appealed.

Definition of Unusual Enrollment History

The specific pattern the Department of Education uses to select students includes those students who have received a Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal Direct Loans at multiple institutions during the past four academic years. Once the Department of Education has indicated that a student has an unusual enrollment history, the Financial Aid Office must take action and review the academic history prior to determining federal financial aid eligibility for that student.

Appeal Process and What Will be Required of You

If selected to complete an Unusual Enrollment History Appeal (UEHAP), our office will notify you of what is required via a Missing Information Email sent to your es-one.com student email account. You are required to have received academic credit at any institution you received the Federal Pell grant or Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loan while attending in those relevant academic years. If you are uncertain which schools will be relevant to your appeal you may review your Federal financial aid history at studentaid.gov.

Regaining Federal Student Aid Eligibility

Students that have been denied federal student aid based on an Unusual Enrollment History Appeal have the ability to regain financial aid eligibility by successfully completing one semester of at least 6 credits with at least a 2.0 semester GPA (2.25 GPA for students who do not have a good SAP status). Students can also obtain at least half time credit receiving at least a 2.0 GPA at another institution, at which point you may submit another UEHAP. If credit was obtained at a college other than MSU Denver, you must submit a transcript for review.

Bankruptcy cannot include student loans, however our system still notifies us & students currently. If this is the case, we will update this as DEFAULT to confirm that your student loans are in good standing.

Default occurs when a student who is required to repay their student loans fails to do so for several months and becomes delinquent. If the loan delinquency exceeds 270 days the student is considered to be in default. Default makes the loan due in full immediately. Default appears on the student’s NSLDS record and prevents the student from receiving any federal aid until the default is cleared. Clearing default requires communication between the company holding the loans and the student. It typically requires a nine (9) month consecutive payment plan.

Note: Default is damaging to a student’s credit and it can lead to the garnishment of wages, withholding of tax refunds and possible legal action.

All financial aid funds can be used for your educational expenses, including living expenses, while you are in school.

It is our intent to have your financial aid credited to your student account as early as 10 business days before the first day of class for each term. In accordance with federal regulation, this is the earliest date that aid can be disbursed. You must, however, have a complete application on file in our office to have your aid disbursed. If you apply late or do not complete your file promptly, your financial aid funds may be delayed. Almost all financial aid awards (with the exception of out-of-state loan checks, alternative loan checks, consortium checks, and some scholarship funds) are disbursed into your student account by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Contact our office for more information regarding the schedule of disbursements.

• In order for a disbursement to occur: you must have a complete file, must be registered for the minimum credits required for your awards, must not be on financial aid suspension, and you must have no holds on your financial aid file.
• Aid will be canceled if not disbursed by census date each semester. Census date is the “Last Day to Add/Drop Full-Semester Classes with 50% Refund” date as published in MSU Denver’s Academic Calendar.
• If you must buy books or if you need other financial assistance before your financial aid funds are available, you may be able to obtain a short-term loan against your pending financial aid award. Please visit the Short Term Loan Program page for more information.
• Disbursements for the current semester occur more frequently than disbursements to reimburse students for prior term awards. For example, during the spring semester, we disburse spring financial aid awards more frequently than we disburse the prior fall semester’s awards.
• Students can enroll to have their refunds deposited into a personal bank account. For information on enrolling in Direct Deposit please visit the Office of the Bursar webpage at http://q635.es-one.com/bursar/
• For first-year, first time Federal Stafford Loan borrowers, the first loan disbursement of the semester can occur no earlier than 30 days after the start of the semester. Please Note: If you have already taken out a Federal Stafford loan at Metropolitan State University of Denver, then you will not have your loan funds delayed.
• If you are a Freshman (less than 30 credit hours completed) and have never borrowed a Federal Direct Loan before, under Federal regulation your first scheduled disbursement must be delayed by 30 days from the start of the semester. You can view this scheduled payment date by visiting Student Hub.

All students will initially receive an aid package quote that is based on full-time enrollment status (12 or more credit hours each semester) even if you indicated three-quarter time (9 to 11 credit hours) or half-time (6 to 8 credit hours) anticipated enrollment on your FAFSA. However, if you make any changes to your enrollment status prior to the census date (which is the “Last Day to Add/Drop Full-Semester Classes with 50% Refund” date as published in MSU Denver’s Academic Calendar for each semester) your entire aid package will be prorated if your enrollment status drops to less than full time. Likewise, if you increase your enrollment status upward from half- or three-quarter time enrollment prior to the census date, your award package will be prorated to the appropriate enrollment level. Please note that each time you adjust your enrollment status before census date, your aid award will be prorated and your student account will be adjusted for necessary increases or decreases in tuition charges and financial aid awards. The example below illustrates the proration of a full-time award package. Note that the amount of your actual financial aid award package depends upon your calculated need.

A late start class is a class that starts AFTER the regular semester has already begun. Please be advised that if you drop a late start class after census date and it is removed from your academic record, The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will determine if you established attendance in that course. If it is determined that you did not establish attendance in the course, you may be subject to grant proration and bill back along with potential bill back of your student loans. Please remember you MUST be at least a part-time student in order to receive student loans and part-time status for an undergraduate is 6 credits per semester.

Offered grants and institutional scholarships will automatically be accepted for you once you are registered for a given term.

Any aid not disbursed by census date for a semester, will be cancelled and awarded to another eligible student. This date typically falls within the third week of any given semester.

Work-Study is offered to students. To have this award accepted, you will need to turn in an annual work-study (WK) form after it is filled out by your supervisor and yourself. This form can be found on the Forms Page.

As of July 1, 2012 Financial Aid no longer covers 030 remedial courses. This means that if you tests into a 030 level course in Math, Reading, and/or English you will be required to pay for the course out-of-pocket.

If you hope to avoid this out-of-pocket expense, the following is suggested:

• Get tutoring
• Retest on the Accuplacer

Here’s how:

Free tutoring is offered by The MSU Denver Tutoring Center in SSB 220.

• Accuplacer Math and English Tutoring: Monday — Friday from 8AM to 5PM
• Tutoring can be reached at (303) 615-1919

Retest on the Accuplacer and place into a higher level class. This can be done by going to the Assessment and Testing Center Tivoli 347 (303) 615-1700.

After you have retested and placed into a higher level course, please contact your advisor (Advisor Contact Information Here) for more information on adding your new course.

You can see how this effects financial aid awards that prorate on the Proration section (below).

Per federal regulations (34 CFR Section 668.2) schools are required to keep track of students repeating courses while on financial aid. Repeated courses count toward a student’s enrollment status, changing their possible eligibility for enrollment based programs.

Repeated coursework that falls under the following conditions cannot be included in a student’s enrollment status for Title IV Federal Aid eligibility:

• Failed courses can be repeated with financial aid coverage multiple times until a passing grade is received.
• Courses that have ever received a passing grade may be retaken only once more and be covered by financial aid. Any additional repeats will not be eligible for financial aid.

The awards that are effected by this regulation are:

• Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
• MSU Denver Need Grant (MNEED)
• Colorado College Responsibility Grant (CCRG)
• Federal Supplemental Opportunities Grant (SEOG)
• Work-Study (CWS, NNWS, FWS)
• Subsidized Stafford Loan (SDL, SMSDL, GSDL, SMGDSL)
• Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (UDL, SMUDL, GUDL, SMGUDL)
• Federal Parent PLUS Loan (PDL, SMPDL)
• Federal PLUS Graduate Loan (GPDL, SMGPDL)
• Federal TEACH Grant (TEACH)
• Federal TEACH Grant Summer (STEACH)

The following external scholarships are also effected:

• Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF)
• CollegeInvest (CINVST)
• CollegeInvest Colorado Early Achievers Scholarship (CICEAS)
• College Access Challenge Grant (EduCents)

Federal Title IV aid will be recalculated based on the student’s adjusted enrollment status. This recalculation will be applied regardless of whether a student received aid for previous course enrollments.

For example: A student is enrolled in 12 credits and 3 credits of her enrollment is for a financial aid ineligible repeated course. The student’s grants will be prorated to ¾ time amounts instead of full-time amounts.

If a student enrolls in 6 credits and 3 of those credits is for a financial aid ineligible repeated course, the student will not be able to receive Stafford Loans and grants will pay out at less than half-time amounts.

Some courses are repeatable per university policy and are not restricted by these regulations. Students will be notified if they are receiving Title IV aid and enrolled in non-repeatable coursework for a term.

See the below examples for how the Repeated Coursework Policy affects financial aid:

Example 1: A student has received an “F” in a class. He receives an “F” in the same class next semester, and the semester following that. Financial aid will count those courses toward his enrollment for programs that require certain enrollment statuses. After the fourth try, the student receives a “D”. The student decides that he will try to get a better grade next semester. The following semester, he receives another “F”. Financial aid will no longer pay for that course for subsequent semesters.

Example 2: A student has received a “C” in a class. She takes the class again in hoping to achieve a better grade but then receives an “F” in the same class next semester. Financial aid will not pay for the course again. The student would be responsible for payment of the course if they register for it again. NOTE: Last Grade Stance will take effect and the “C” will be replaced by the “F”.

You may request that the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships review your registered hour status if you are actually enrolled in more hours than our office indicates as frozen on your file. Federal regulations dictate that you may only have your frozen hours reviewed if you did actually begin your attendance in your classes prior to census date but due to a registration issue you were not able to have the credit hours posted onto the system before census date.

Repeat courses are covered by financial aid if the course has not been already completed once with a passing grade and then completed again. 030 remedial courses such as MAT 030 (math), EGL 030 (English), are not covered by financial aid. Please visit the highlighted pages for more information.

To obtain a Frozen Hours Appeal (FRHRS) please contact our office directly.

All students will initially receive an aid package quote that is based on full-time enrollment status even if you indicated three-quarter time or half-time anticipated enrollment on your FAFSA. However, if you make any changes to your enrollment status prior to the census date (which is the last day of each semester that you can drop a full-semester course and have it deleted from your academic record), your entire aid package will be prorated. If you increase or decrease your enrollment status from half- or three-quarter time enrollment prior to the census date, your award package will be prorated to the appropriate enrollment level. Please note that each time you adjust your enrollment status before census date, your aid award will be prorated and your student account will be adjusted for necessary increases or decreases in tuition charges and financial aid prorations.

Proration of aid ceases after each semester’s census date. At that time, your aid package and the amount of aid credited to your student account will be held at the appropriate amounts based on your recorded enrollment status on census date. No increases or decreases to your aid award will be made after the census date based on changes to your enrollment status. However, if you reduce your enrollment hours after the census date, you will be subject to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regulations governing the completion rate for that term. All aid proration activities will be reflected on your student account billing statements. Therefore, we encourage you to change your enrollment status as little as possible.

Please note: If our office receives your FAFSA after the census date of the semester, aid will be disbursed according to your current enrollment rather than frozen hours. Federal Stafford Loans are ALWAYS disbursed according to current enrollment.

Note: Summer awards may vary.

Undergraduate students Enrollment Level by Credits:

Full-Time Enrollment: 12+ credit hours
3/4 Time Enrollment: 9-11 credit hours
Half-Time Enrollment: 6-8 credit hours (6 CREDITS IS MINIMUM FOR FEDERAL LOANS TO DISBURSE)
Less than Half-Time Enrollment: 1-5 credit hours

You have the right to:

• Know what financial assistance is available, including all federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs

• Request information on the opportunity to obtain financial assistance from state-funded programs. The Colorado General Assembly is the source of state-funded student financial assistance including the Colorado Student Grant funds, Colorado Graduate Grant, and Colorado Work Study program

• Know the application deadline for each of the financial assistance programs

• Know how your financial need is determined

• Know what resources are considered in the calculation of your financial need

• Know how much of your financial need, as determined by the University, has been met

• Receive an explanation of the various programs in your student package

• Receive equitable treatment in the consideration of your application for financial aid

• Receive copies of all policies with which you are expected to comply

It is your responsibility to:

• Review the financial aid programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver
• You read, understand, and agree to any of your financial aid award conditions.

• Comply with all University and Office of Financial Aid deadlines

• Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the renewal application completely for each year you plan to attend MSU Denver

• Respond promptly to all requests for additional documentation, verification items, corrections and/or new information

• Read and understand all forms you are asked to submit or sign

• Keep copies of all forms that you sign or are required to submit (You are legally responsible for all agreements that you sign)

• Notify the Office of the Registrar of any changes in your name or address (You are responsible for keeping all lenders and loan agencies informed of address changes)

• Know what portions of your financial aid award must be repaid and what portions are grant aid (If the aid is a loan, you are responsible for knowing the terms of your loan)

• Comply with the University’s Return to Title IV Policy should you withdraw from the University or fail to earn a passing grade in all of your classes for the semester

• Comply with the University’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

• Individuals willfully misrepresenting information provided in applying for Colorado student aid funds are subject to penalty of Colorado law

The U.S. Department of Education has required institutions and students to repay or refund unearned student aid funds. Student aid may be considered unearned if a student withdraws completely during a term in which federal Title IV money was received.  Refund and repayment regulations specify, in complex formula, exactly how much is due back to the federal programs from the institution and/or the student. The Return of Funds calculation determines how much aid a student earned based on how many days the student attended classes. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships uses the date the student withdrew from MSU Denver to determine the date of withdrawal in the calculation. The definition of what constitutes a student’s withdrawal date is below.

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 adopted a new approach for the return of unearned federal funds. The new approach became law on October 7, 1998 and was implemented in the 2000/2001 year.

Federal Regulations require that all or a portion of a student’s Title IV financial aid be returned to the appropriate aid program following the student’s complete withdrawal from classes. Following withdrawal, any credit balance in the student’s tuition and fees account will first be refunded to the aid programs from which funds were awarded. Any remaining credit balance will be refunded to the student. The student may owe the school money if funds were disbursed directly to the student.

For information on how to withdraw from your classes or to provide official notice of your intent to withdraw, please follow this link to the Office of the Registrar: http://q635.es-one.com/registrar/student/drop-and-withdrawal/

For important dates to consider for withdraw and tuition refund policy, please visit this Bursar Office webpage:  http://q635.es-one.com/bursar/importantdates/

Schools have certain responsibilities if a student with Title IV funds

• Officially Withdraws
• Drops Out
• Is Expelled
• Unofficially Withdraws
• Takes an unapproved leave of absence
• Fails to return from an approved leave of absence

A student’s withdrawal date is

• The date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw OR
• The midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the institution OR
• The student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity
• Oral notification may be acceptable if the institution has acceptable documentation to verify the intent to withdraw

A student is considered an unofficial withdrawal

• If the student does not officially withdraw from classes and stops attending all classes. A pro-rated portion of the federal aid received, based on the documented last day of attendance, must be returned to the federal aid programs (Return of Title IV Funds calculation).  If the school is unable to document the last day of attendance, then the institution will use the mid-point of the term as the last day of attendance.
  • Please note: If all of your final grades post as “F”, “F#”, “U”, “UE”, “U#”, “CC”, “DW”, “SN”, “I”, “AW”, “W” and/or “NC”, by Federal regulation we are required to assume you unofficially withdrew. Your earned aid will be calculated based upon 50% attendance of the term, thus, you have earned only 50% of your total aid and you must repay all or a portion of your unearned federal aid. You must repay a portion or all of your unearned federal aid.

The Office of Financial Aid’s responsibilities in regard to the return of Title IV funds follow

• Providing students with the information given in this policy
• Identifying students who are affected by this policy and completing the Return of Title IV Funds calculation for those students
• Returning any Title IV funds programs within the timeline specific to these policies. The school has 45 days to return and process Return of Funds calculations from the date the student withdrew or when the school was notified that the student has withdrawn. For students who unofficially withdrew, the 45 days begins when final grades post at the end of the semester.

The student’s responsibility in regard to the return of Title IV funds include

• Returning to the Title IV programs any funds that were disbursed to the student and which the student was determined to be ineligible for via the Return of Title IV Funds calculation
• Withdrawal does not eliminate the student’s financial responsibility to the university. The student is responsible for any charges owed to MSU Denver, including any billing that was conducted through the Return of Title IV calculation.
• If a student withdraws and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships verifies that the student never attended their courses, 100% of all aid will be billed for that semester.

Return of Title IV funds to the Federal government will be in the following order

• Unsubsidized Direct Loan
• Subsidized Direct Loan
• Direct PLUS Loan
• Federal PELL Grant
• TEACH Grant
• Federal SEOG

Post-Withdrawal Disbursements

A student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement based on certain eligibility requirements and the Return of Funds calculation. Written authorizations to disburse any Federal Stafford loans will be sent along with the amount and any additional steps that need to be taken by the borrower. The student has 14 days from the date of the notification to confirm that they would like the school to make a post-withdrawal disbursement.

Summer Semester

In addition to a complete withdrawal or unofficial withdrawal for Return of Title IV purposes, the summer semester at MSU Denver has several parts of terms, or, different start and end dates for classes. Therefore, federal regulations have mandated separate policies regarding classes that begin and end at different times during the course of a semester. A Return of Title IV calculation may be done even if a student passes one course but fails to complete another and the student may be billed because he did not attend the entire duration of the courses for which he registered.

For example, if a student registered for two courses that ran consecutively and are 4 weeks long each and he withdraws on day 13 of the second course, a Return of Title IV calculation must be performed because he did not attend the entire 8 weeks of both courses, even though the student completed the first class. If the student completes the first course but did not establish attendance in the second course, no Return of Title IV calculation will be performed, however, his financial aid will be adjusted and prorated based on the number of credit hours the student actually attended which can result in a bill and a balance due to MSU Denver. If both classes began and ended at the same time and he successfully passes one class, a Return of Title IV calculation will not be performed and no billing will occur.

Study Abroad

For students traveling abroad it is very important to have your transcripts sent to MSU Denver within 30 days after completion of the semester abroad. If we received information that you have not completed any of your courses or never received transcripts, you will be subjected to the Return of Title IV funds process for the semester traveling abroad.

Your financial aid will likely be delayed the semester following your study abroad term.  The Office of Financial Aid cannot calculate your release your unofficial withdrawal hold until your official academic transcript from the study abroad program has been received and reviewed by the University.  All financial aid will be held until this transcript has been evaluated.  You may submit an unofficial transcript to our office but that does not guarantee that we can update your status and release your financial aid.

It is important to be aware that withdrawing from courses may negatively affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which may make you ineligible for financial aid. Please see the Satisfactory Academic Progress section for more information. If you would like to discuss the implications of our SAP Policy and reapply for aid at a later date, you may contact our office.

General

When students apply for financial aid, the government uses standard formulas to determine financial aid eligibility and dependency status. All students are treated equally by the formula that determines aid eligibility. Since the federal government understands that not all student and family situations are similar, they have given schools the authority to make individual adjustments to a student’s file on a case-by-case basis.

This process of adjustment is called professional judgment, and MSU Denver has a Professional Judgment Committee made up of full-time staff. Students can appeal to this committee regarding any unusual circumstances they can document which may affect their financial aid eligibility.

The Office of Financial Aid can make adjustments in some cases for loss of income or benefits, death, divorce or separation of a parent or spouse, unusually high medical bills or problems obtaining parental data due to family situation.

Medical Expenses

In some circumstances, you may be able to borrow additional loan funds to help cover the cost of uninsured and paid medical expenses that occur during the academic year.

To request that we evaluate your medical expenses and bills, you must complete a Medical Expenses Reevaluation Appeal (MEDCAL) Form available from our Forms Page. Documentation showing that you have paid the medical expenses will be required for us to adjust your income based on this appeal.

Loss of Employment/Separation

If you or your parents experience a change in income and/or financial situation after you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we may be able to make an adjustment to your financial aid eligibility.

To make an adjustment of this type, you must complete an Income Adjustment Appeal Form (INCOME) available from our Forms Page. Please read the form carefully and be sure to provide all the necessary documentation. We will consider income adjustments for the following circumstances that occur after the FAFSA has been submitted to the federal processor:

• Your spouse or parent(s) die(s)
• You or your parents separate or divorce
• You, your spouse or your parent
  • lose(s) a verifiable benefit OR
  • become(s) disabled OR
  • experience(s) a loss or decrease of income

Family Situation

If you are unable to obtain your parental information for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or for our office, you may apply for a Family Situation Appeal (DEPFAM) located on our Forms Page.

These appeals will only be considered for students who have a documented situation of extreme abuse, neglect, etc. A student cannot be independent based on the fact that they pay their own bills and live on their own.

SAP status is calculated at the end of each term. All credit hours (including transfer credit hours) are used in this calculation. The highest grade you receive for any repeat courses will be used in the GPA calculation for your SAP status.

“GOOD STANDING”

You are in Good Standing if you meet the following:

• a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
• a cumulative completion rate of 67% or higher.
• By Completing your degree within 150% of the credits needed to graduate (most undergraduate students need 120 credits to graduate, therefore, 180 credits is the maximum allowed). 

“WARNING”
You will be placed on warning status which will not affect your financial aid for your next term of enrollment if: 

• During any term, your cumulative GPA drops below a 2.0 and/or your cumulative completion rate drops below 67% and you were not on SAP. 
• NOTE – You have one term of warning to get back into Good Standing. 

“FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION” (FORMERLY SAP)
You will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will not be eligible to receive financial aid at MSU Denver if you do not meet the following terms for two consecutive semesters:

• • Cumulative GPA below 2.0 
  • Completion of less than 67% of all credit hours attempted  
  • Exceeding 150% of the credits needed to complete your degree. This includes transfer credits (see Teacher Licensure and Post Baccalaureate Sections for possible exceptions). 

“MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME”
You will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will not be eligible to receive financial aid at MSU Denver if:

• • You exceeded the Maximum Timeframe for completing your degree. Federal regulations and MSU Denver’s SAP Policy require students to complete their Undergraduate Degree within 150% of the total credits needed to graduate.  At MSU Denver, most undergrads can attempt a maximum of 180 credits*.   
  • It is mathematically impossible for you to graduate within the 180 attempted credit hour limit. 
• If you have attempted but not completed 60 or more credits, it is mathematically impossible for you to graduate with the required 120 completed credits without reaching the 180 attempted credit limit.  You will not have the option to appeal to receive any Title IV financial aid at MSU Denver. 

  Note: Your entire academic record, including all transfer credits, are counted toward the 180 credit hour maximum. undergraduate degree. 

“PROBATION”

You will be placed in a probation status for one term (which makes you eligible for financial aid) if:

• • Your SAP appeal is approved. 

  While on Probation, you have one semester to achieve Good Standing, or you must complete and meet all terms of an Academic Plan until you are back in Good Standing. 

If you are in a SAP or Maximum Timeframe status, you have the right to submit a written appeal to our office. 

• • Appeals must be based on extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting the requirements of this policy. Extenuating circumstances can be defined as medical problems, a death in the immediate family, and/or other personal issues that interfered with your education. 
  • Documentation of these circumstances must be submitted with the appeal. The appeal must also explain why the circumstances no longer exist and what you will do to ensure meeting SAP standards are met in the future. 
  • A plan for future academic success should also be included.  

   

  If you are a Freshman or Sophomore, you will be required to submit an Academic Plan (APLAN) along with your Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal (SAPAP). An academic plan must be completed with your advisor. You can schedule an appointment with your advisor in Navigate Student. The SAP Appeal will not be reviewed without the academic plan and vice versa. 

  If you are a Junior or Senior, we will run a calculation upon receipt of your appeal to insure that you can achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA prior to graduation, and that you can graduate within 150% of your program length (usually 180 credit hours total).  If you meet these standards and your appeal is successful, you must meet the academic standards listed in your Appeal Approval each semester until you once again meet the 2.0 GPA and 67% completion requirements to be in “Good Standing”.  

   

  Once you have an Approved Appeal, you must exactly follow the terms of your APlan or Appeal Approval.  To change the APlan or terms of Appeal Approval, you must submit an appeal with an explanation of why the change is necessary.  Failure to follow the plan or submit an appropriate appeal for change places you back on SAP the following semester.  Any future appeals after failure to follow your plan will be reviewed more thoroughly by the committee and requires new circumstances that prevented you from meeting terms of your original appeal / plan. 

Financial aid eligibility will be restored once you are back in Good Standing – 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 67% completion rate.  There are options to help you pay for school on your own until you are back in Good Standing for financial aid.  

To continue taking classes at MSU Denver, please work with your Academic Advisor to ensure you have a plan to get back into Good Standing.  You also have the following options for paying for college: 

• Sign up for a payment plan with the Bursar’s Office 
• Pay out of pocket – the Cashier’s Office can assist with payment methods  

• Alternative Loans may be explored at www.elmselect.com  

• Please filter the list to indicate that SAP policy is not required – some lenders will not provide a loan if you are not in Good Standing for SAP. 

NOTE: SAP policy is for FINANCIAL AID ONLY & is independent of Academic Probation. 

If you are working on a first degree at MSU Denver and are classified as TLIC – you MAY be approved up to 195 attempted credits as long as you are completing 100% of attempted courses with a GPA of 2.20 each semester. 

• If you have posted a MSU Denver degree AND are formally admitted into TLIC (Teacher Licensure Program), you MAY BE ELIGIBLE for financial aid up to 220 credits. 
• Your appeal will be reviewed if you have at least a 75% cumulative completion rate and are continually completing 100% for each semester after the original 180 attempted credit hours. 
• There are no guarantees that your appeal will be approved. You are still coded as not meeting SAP standards and will have to appeal to be considered for further aid. 

For both appeals, students are required to submit a Degree Works report to show successful completion of courses, as well as any remaining coursework. Also, the OFAS will review course selection per term to ensure that all courses attempted are pertinent to your selected degree program. 

If you have received your first MSU Denver degree and have now come back to get a second undergraduate MSU Denver degree you MAY BE ELIGIBLE for up to 240 attempted credits. 

• Your appeal will be reviewed if you have at least a 75% cumulative completion rate and are continually completing 100% of attempted courses with a GPA of 2.20 for each semester after the original 180 attempted credit hours. 
• There are no guarantees that your appeal will be approved. 

For both appeals, students are required to submit a Degree Works report to show successful completion of courses, as well as any remaining coursework. Also, the OFAS will review course selection per semester to ensure that all courses attempted are pertinent to your selected degree program. 

Your financial aid will likely be delayed the semester following your study abroad term.  The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships cannot calculate your SAP status until your official academic transcript from the study abroad program has been received and reviewed by the University.  All financial aid will be held until this transcript has been evaluated.  You may submit an unofficial transcript to our office but that does not guarantee that we can update your status and release your financial aid. 

• • If you are not meeting SAP standards, all financial aid is suspended, including student loans. A student on SAP will not be considered for any federal, state, or institutional awards at MSU Denver. 
  • The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships does not offer financial aid or scholarship awards to students who are not meeting SAP standards. Students need to submit a SAP Appeal and have it approved before they will be awarded financial aid. 
  • You must complete credit hours with a grade of “D” or better. A grade notation of “W”, “AW”, “AP”, “CC”, “CL”, “EX”, “F”, “D#”, “F#”, “I”, “NC”, “NR”, “PL”, “PP”, “SA”, “SN”, “U”, “U#”, “SP”, and “UE” does not meet SAP requirements for credit hour completion. The credit hours you attempt but do not complete will be counted when determining the total number of credit hours you have attempted toward the 180 credit limit. Remedial courses must have a grade of “C#” or higher to count as completed. 
  • Your entire academic record is taken into consideration when an appeal is reviewed. Please note that this does include any terms in which you paid for classes without financial aid assistance. 
  • Credit hours removed from your record due to an approved Tuition and Fees Appeal will be included when calculating your overall completion rate and attempted hours. 
  • If you have completed a “best grade stands” request after retaking a course, the credits from your previous attempt will count toward your attempted hours and thus will affect your cumulative completion rate. This is the result of your previous grade being changed to an “NC” and being replaced by the most recent grade earned. If you have any questions regarding the “Best Grade Stands Policy”, please visit the Repeated Courses topic in the current student handbook. 
  • For each student who has repeated coursework, all attempted hours will be calculated within the SAP review, even if the repeated coursework was not eligible for financial aid. 
  • Withdrawals count against a student’s cumulative completion rate when calculating SAP, but are not included in the GPA component. 
  • A change in major does not affect the overall calculation of SAP. 
  • Students pursuing more than one degree must still ensure that they receive both degrees within the maximum timeframe, 180 credits, for their undergraduate degree program if they are working on them concurrently.