Financial Aid

The primary purpose of the financial aid program at Huntington is to provide assistance to students who can benefit from further education but who cannot afford to do so without such assistance. The financial aid awards may be based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or merit which encompasses academic success, athletic performance, various departmental awards and affiliation with key associations. Students receiving financial aid are expected to uphold the ideals of the University as a condition of their awards. Students who are placed on disciplinary probation or academic probation may have their aid reduced or withdrawn by action of the financial aid committee.

Parents of dependent students are expected to contribute according to their means, taking into account their income, assets, number of dependents and other relevant information. Students themselves are expected to contribute from their own assets and earnings, including appropriate borrowing against future earnings. The investment that one makes in one’s own education or in one’s children’s education often is made sacrificially. The financial aid program is designed to help share the burden after other resources have been drawn upon.

Need-based financial aid is offered to accepted students only after determination that resources of the family are insufficient to meet the students’ educational expenses. The amount of aid offered will not exceed the amount needed to meet the difference between the students’ total educational expenses and their families’ resources.

To be considered for need-based financial aid, students must be regularly admitted to Huntington and must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be filed by going to studentaid.gov/fafsa. The FAFSA should be received at the Federal Processor by April 15 for priority consideration. To be eligible for financial aid, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, must be making satisfactory academic progress and must have completed all necessary forms. A student's FAFSA must be filed and all requested paperwork related to verification or federal requests must be completed with the financial aid office by September 1 in order to be eligible for institutional aid for the fall semester or February 1 to be eligible for institutional aid for the spring semester. We understand that unusual circumstances sometimes arise which create scenarios where the FAFSA does not truly represent the household’s situation. If parents and/or students believe they may have one of these circumstances, they may be able to appeal for review of their situations. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information concerning this process.

The Office of Financial Aid will determine eligibility and award aid to students based on the difference between the cost of attending the University and the family contribution by institutional methodology. As nearly as possible, the University attempts to meet students’ needs with financial aid award packages that may include scholarships, grants, loans and employment.

University-funded scholarships and grants are not awarded to students carrying fewer than 12 hours except for those in the Graduate School and tuition remission programs.

Financial aid is awarded for two semesters with one-half the annual amount granted for each semester. The students’ awards are reviewed and renewed each year.

Except in rare situations, no combination of University-funded scholarships and grants may exceed the lesser of full-time tuition or the students’ actual semester tuition. Students who do not reside on campus may receive reduced awards. 

In the event that students withdraw from Huntington either voluntarily or by request, University scholarships and grants are recomputed and the students are charged for the unpaid cost.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations mandate that a student receiving financial aid under Title IV programs must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in his/her course of study regardless of whether or not financial aid is awarded each semester. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the satisfactory academic progress policy. SAP will be measured at the end of each academic year for all students and is measured based on the following standards: Qualitative (cumulative Grade Point Average), Quantitative (67% Rule - -hours earned divided by hours attempted) and Maximum Time Frame (150% of required hours for program completion). See below for further information regarding each of these standards. Federal Regulations specify minimum standards for these measures, but Huntington University may set stricter standards in its policy.

Qualitative Standard - Grade Point Average (GPA)

Huntington University's qualitative standard is determined by the student’s earned Grade Point Average (GPA). HU uses a 4-point scale for GPA. Students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average based on the student’s cumulative credit hours completed as noted below:

Cumulative Credit Hours	Minimum Cumulative GPA
56 or more	2.0
41 but fewer than 56	1.9
26 but fewer than 41	1.8
0-25	1.7

If a student fails the cumulative quantitative standards, their financial aid will be suspended. The criteria for appeal is listed below. 

Quantitative Percentage Standard (QPS or 67% Rule)

The satisfactory academic progress policy must also include a quantitative measure to determine the number of credit hours attempted and percentage of credit hours completed (passed). The minimum percentage of work a student must successfully complete by the end of academic year is 67% of all attempted hours.

If a student fails the cumulative qualitative and/or cumulative quantitative standards, their financial aid will be suspended.  The criteria for appeal is listed below.

Maximum Time Frame (MTF) Standard

Students are expected to complete their degree credentials within a Maximum Time Frame (MTF) of 150 percent of the required number of credit hours to graduate from their enrolled program of study. MTF of 150% includes all classes required for the credential plus 50%. An example is provided in the table below:

NOTE: Transferred hours, repeated classes, bankrupted hours, incompletes, withdrawals, failed in graded courses, failed in pass/fail courses and audit (changed from credit to audit after the last day to add a class) count toward maximum time frame and quantitative standards. Courses that do not apply to a student's current degree program will not be considered in the MTF calculation.

For a standard 16-week term, Student Aid enrollment status for payment purposes will be established at the close of the last day to add a course. Courses added after this date will not be considered for enrollment for student aid purposes but will be counted as attempted for quantitative and MTF standards. 

Other Elements

Grades - Grades of A, B, C, D, P and S will be considered in determining credit hours earned. Grades of E, F, W, WF, WP, MP, U, or I will not be considered as credit hours earned but, will be considered as hours attempted for the semester. 

Failure to Meet the Standards of Academic Progress

If a student fails at the end of the academic year either of cumulative qualitative and/or cumulative quantitative standards, the students will be considered SAP unsatisfactory and will have their financial aid suspended. Students who exceed Maximum Time Frame (MTF), after having their transcripts reviewed by the registrar's office to exclude any courses which do not apply to their degree program, will be suspended immediately upon exceeding the MTF.

Appeal Process

Students who are placed on financial aid suspension may appeal their SAP Suspense status if they feel extenuating circumstances (illness, death in the family, accidents, etc.) prevented them from meeting SAP standards. To appeal, students must complete a SAP Appeal Form which will accompany the notice of suspension.

Appeal Requirements

To appeal, students must complete a SAP Appeal Form and provide any additional information/documents required by the college. The appeal will be evaluated by the director of financial aid. Students will be notified of the decision within ten days receipt of the appeal. Students are responsible for payment arrangements with the institution pending a decision of the appeal.

Probation and Reinstatement of Aid

If the SAP appeal is approved, the student will be notified using their Huntington student email account of this decision. The student will be assigned a Financial Aid SAP probation status and will be notified of a SAP plan and any conditions or academic requirements of this plan. The student's aid will be reinstated for one additional term. At the end of that term, the student's status will be re-evaluated. Federal student aid for the next term will not be awarded or disbursed until the student has successfully completed all terms specified in the notification email or is found to have met SAP requirements. If a student fails SAP standards or the SAP plan at the end of that term, the student may appeal for reconsideration of SAP again.

If the SAP appeal is denied, the student is not eligible for federal student aid will remain ineligible until they are again in compliance with SAP standards. These students may continue to attend college at their own expense, or may utilize a private student loan. A student who is suspended from financial aid and achieves SAP standards without the assistance of federal financial aid, may request to be evaluated for re-instatement. All requests must be submitted to the Huntington University Student Financial Aid office.

NOTE: Students are responsible for all expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies pending the decision of the Director of Financial Aid and must contact the Business Office to make payment arrangements with the institution. Decisions made by the director of financial aid are final unless additional documentation is received from the student to support additional extenuating circumstances.

Repeat Class/Completing/Repeating a Program Policy

Huntington University will use the highest grade when calculating a student’s GPA, but must include the credits from all attempts when calculating maximum time frame (MTF).

Additional Information:

1. Student Aid will not be provided for courses taken by audit, credit hours earned by placement tests and non-credit coursework.
2. If the student receives a change in grade for a class, he/she must report this to the Huntington University Financial Aid Office in writing for the change to be evaluated in the student's financial aid eligibility record.
3. Developmental remedial course work may receive funding up to a maximum of 30 credit hours according to federal regulations.
4. All transfer hours will count in the attempted hours.

Readmit Policy

Students, who previously attended Huntington University and are readmitted and in good SAP standing, will be eligible to receive their academic scholarship for the same amount as their initial award. Additionally, the Office of Financial Aid will match any non-need based, non-talent based, and non-special aid based financial aid that the student previously received. Examples of aid that will be reinstated include, but are not limited to, UB scholarships, alumni grant, church service grant (if the student is still a dependent of a family serving in a pastoral role), and Lenawee scholarship. Aid that will not be automatically reinstated includes, but is not limited to, athletic, departmental, Horizon, UB international, international grant, endowed scholarships, or HU Grant.

Readmit students are encouraged to file a FAFSA to determine state, federal, and institutional need-based financial aid for the current academic year.

Huntington University Office of Financial Aid will make every effort to notify a student of any potential concerns with remaining state, federal, or institutional eligibility for the foreseeable length of their intended program. However, students must ultimately take responsibility for ensuring they fully understand the limitations of available aid.

State aid is generally available for eight semesters, Pell grant is available for 12 semesters, and institutional academic aid for eight semesters total.

Federal direct loan programs have aggregate lifetime limits. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions regarding eligibility and to determine the best financial and academic plan as a readmit student.

University Scholarships and Awards

Through its scholarship program, the University attracts superior students for undergraduate and graduate study. Scholarship students are expected to make contributions to the total academic program, to challenge all students to academic excellence and to enhance the intellectual life of the campus. Talent and leadership award winners bring a special vitality to the overall University program. Students receiving awards are expected to uphold the ideals of the University as a condition of their awards. University awards may not exceed the amount that would diminish state or federal awards and may be awarded as partial awards to meet University award guideline limitations or based on academic achievement. Financial aid packages include appropriate self-help contributions from work-study earnings, loans, parental contributions and summer earnings and savings. Students must maintain continuous enrollment for renewable awards that are applicable only toward institutional charges for the first baccalaureate degree. Institutional aid is awarded on an annual basis and renewal cumulative GPAs are determined after spring semester for all students. Institutional scholarships, grants and awards may be received for a maximum of ten semesters (some forms of aid are limited to eight semesters).

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships are provided to recognize academic success. Awards made for the first year of attendance are based on high school GPA for freshman students. Transfer students meeting a minimum college cumulative GPA and completed credits may also qualify based on their high school information. Academic scholarship award amounts are final at the point of admission and will not increase once students have began attending Huntington University. Funds for these scholarships have been provided by generous donors through the Forester Fund. Students may be asked by the Office of Advancement to write thank you notes to donors who help support the Forester Fund. Students are expected to comply with this request.

Further information of specific awards may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Office of Financial Aid.

University Grants and Performance Awards

The University’s grants and awards program brings students to the campus with particular skills to enhance the overall programs of the University. The University also administers various governmental aid programs that enable worthy and needy students to attend.

Students receiving awards are expected to uphold the ideals of the University as a condition of their awards. University awards may not exceed the amount that would diminish state or federal awards and may be awarded as partial awards to meet University award guideline limitations or based on academic achievement. University awards are applicable only toward institutional charges for the first baccalaureate degree. Financial aid packages include appropriate self-help contributions from work-study earnings, loans, parental contributions and summer earnings and savings. Returning students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continuous enrollment for renewable award. 

United Brethren Grants

United Brethren Grants are provided to full-time, regularly admitted undergraduate students who regularly attend a United Brethren in Christ Church.

International Student Grants

International Student Grants may be awarded to a limited number of non-North American international students based on need and academic achievement who have potential for spiritual, social, physical and intellectual development. International student grants are renewable for each of the four years provided the students maintain satisfactory academic progress, maintains continuous enrollment and lives in University housing. United Brethren International Student Grants may be awarded toward the costs of tuition.

Matching Church Grants

Matching Church Grants may be awarded to full-time students whose local church contributes directly to the Huntington University Church Matching Grant Scholarship Fund. 

Fine and Performing Arts Awards

Fine and Performing Arts Awards are available to students who have outstanding skills in music, art, broadcasting, communication studies, journalism, public relations, digital media arts or theatre and who participate in various music ensembles, broadcasting, art or dramatic productions. 

Athletic Performance Awards

Athletic Performance Awards are given in all varsity sports to both men and women on basis of specific athletic ability and academic achievement. Awards depend upon the qualifications of the student athletes and the particular sport. The award is divided between semesters and conditioned upon the students being in good standing academically and socially. 

Governmental Programs

Federal Pell Grants are provided by the federal government to needy students in amounts that are determined by the students’ ISIR, the cost of attendance at the University and a payment schedule issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Students apply by filing the FAFSA with the Department of Education who computes the students’ eligibility.

Eligible students enrolled less than full time may receive a partial Pell grant award. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for help in determining Pell grant eligibility if they plan to enroll part time.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is provided by the federal government to students with exceptional need, subject to federal funding guidelines. The award is based on the family’s ability to contribute as determined from the FAFSA and the amount of grant funds made available to the University. Priority consideration for FSEOG is given to out-of-state students.

State of Indiana Grants are provided to residents of Indiana through the Frank O’Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholarship Programs. The Frank O'Bannon grant is a need-based program based on FAFSA results. The 21st Century Scholar is offered to income-eligible students who enroll in the seventh or eighth grade. 

Veterans’ Benefits provided by government agencies may be used at Huntington. The University is approved for educational training of veterans and their families under US Code Title 38, Section 3675. Applications and certifications for veterans programs are handled through the Office of the Registrar.

Vocational Rehabilitation Grants are under the provision of Public Law 565, in which the federal and state governments jointly provide funds for grants to students who have a physical or mental impairment that constitutes a vocational handicap. The State Vocational Rehabilitation Division determines the grants that may be applied to tuition and certain fees. The Office of Financial Aid will complete the requested Financial Aid Communications form.

Student Loan Programs

Students without immediate resources to complete payment for their educational expenses may choose to borrow against future earnings through several loan programs. Borrowing for such an investment may well yield monetary returns, but the greater return on an investment for one’s education comes in the enhanced quality of life and sense of self-worth.

Federal Direct Loans are obtained through the federal government in amounts ranging to $5,500 for freshmen, $6,500 for sophomores and $7,500 for juniors and seniors. Subsidized Loans are government subsidized for students whereby no interest accrues to the students while they are attending classes at least half-time, and Unsubsidized Loans are government loans whereby the interest accrues immediately. Repayment of Direct Loans begins six months after students cease to be halftime students.

Student Employment

Students should have at least one semester’s expenses on hand before attending Huntington University and preferably one year’s expenses. The University recognizes, however, that many students need to earn part of the cost of their education while in attendance.

Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program that provides jobs for students who have financial need. Job opportunities are made available to students, who secure their own jobs.

Campus Employment is available for students who qualify in jobs ranging from those in dining service, bookstore, grounds, audiovisual, laboratory assistants and Admissions SAS.

Off-Campus Employment in the city of Huntington is possible in the many retail stores, restaurants, shops and factories.