Financial AidStudent Financial Aid SourcesDakota State University
makes every effort to help eligible students secure the finances needed to begin
and complete their college education.
The university provides financial aid assistance to qualifying students
in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work. In addition, all sources of student financial aid (agency,
private, federal, state and institutional) are coordinated through the Office of
Enrollment Services. Any funding in
addition to the student and family contribution is considered financial aid and
is processed through this DSU office. Veteran Benefits and National Guard
Assistance are also coordinated by this office. For more veteran information, see the section on Veteran
Benefits in this catalog. For a complete listing of
financial aid programs, costs, policies, other financial aid information sites
and alternative financing options, visit the Office of Enrollment Services or
the DSU home page. Application information, eligibility requirements, loan
counseling, Federal Work-Study Job Listings, and links to current loan
information can be accessed via the DSU home page. Eligibility is determined annually based on the results of
the Federal application-FAFSA, DSU scholarship application, student date of
application and student financial aid satisfactory academic progress (See
Financial Aid Policies). The
priority date for annual financial aid application is March 1. Electronic applications for institutional and federal aid may
be done through links found on our home page. Counselors are available to
assist students in determining educational funding options and in understanding
available programs. If students
have a change in their family situation during the school year, they should
contact the Office of Enrollment Services regarding special circumstance
consideration. In addition, DSU
Student Emergency Loans are coordinated through that office. Scholarships, Grants, Jobs and LoansThe following types of
available student income or assistance are described in more detail in the
Financial Aid brochure: Scholarships -
a variety of DSU awards are available. Application deadline is March 1st each
year. Also, visit the DSU Financial Aid web site for regional listings. Program Grants -
Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant,
State Student Incentive Grant Program or Leveraging Education Assistance Program
(Not funded by SD Legislature for the upcoming year). Jobs -
The Federal Work Study Program, Job Development positions Loans -
Federal Perkins Loan/Federal Family Education Loan Program/Alternative Loans Outside Agency Assistance
- Workforce Investment Acts,
Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Funds exist for
those who qualify. Veterans BenefitsDakota State University programs are approved
by the South Dakota State Approving Agency as eligible programs for veteran
benefits. Any veteran or dependent
entitled to benefits, including tuition assistance through the National Guard,
should provide eligibility documents to the Veterans Affairs Coordinator at DSU.
The Office of Enrollment Services coordinates and certifies student
Veteran Benefits required for payment. Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress PolicyIn order to receive
Federal Student Aid, the U.S. Department of Education requires that students
maintain satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their degree.
Federal Student Aid includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental
Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan,
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (LEAP), Federal Stafford
Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), and Federal PLUS Loan. Also, other Federal
Agencies may require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for
their aid programs. The academic record of all students will be monitored to
ensure compliance with the requirements specified below. Therefore, even the
academic record of those who have not received Federal Student Aid in the past
may impact future eligibility. Failure to meet the following standards will
result in financial aid suspension of eligibility for Federal Student Aid. An undergraduate student must meet minimum
academic progression standards as established by the South Dakota Board of
Regents. These standards are based on the student’s
cumulative grade point average and system term grade point average. The
system term grade point average is based on credits earned from the six Board of
Regents universities during a given term. The cumulative grade point average
includes all credits earned (transfer plus system credit). All remedial and
audited coursework is excluded from this calculation. Making satisfactory
academic progression is as follows: 1.
A student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is
considered to 2.
If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 in any
academic 3.
While on academic probation, the student must earn a system term grade
point 4.
When a student on academic probation achieves a cumulative grade point 5.
A student on academic probation who fails to maintain a system term grade
point A review takes place at the end of
every term (summer, fall, spring). A student placed on academic suspension is
also placed on financial aid suspension. Being reinstated academically does not
guarantee financial aid reinstatement. The student must separately appeal the
financial aid suspension as outlined below (Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension). A graduate student must meet all requirements listed above with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. In order to maintain satisfactory progress
toward the completion of their degree, all students must successfully complete
67% of cumulative attempted credit hours. Attempted credit hours include all
hours that would appear on a student’s academic transcript at the end of any
given term, including withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, remedial
coursework, transfer hours and hours attempted at any time when not receiving
Federal Student Aid. Audited coursework is not included. Hours that may have
been part of a successful academic amnesty appeal will still be included.
Successfully completed hours for both graduate and undergraduate students
include grades of A, B, C, D and S. A grade of EX for undergraduate students is
also considered successful completion. All other grades would not be considered
successful completion. Evaluation of this quantitative standard will be measured
once per year, generally at the end of the spring term. Maximum Attempted Credit Hours The U.S. Department of Education has established a limit on the number of credit hours a student can attempt and still remain eligible for Federal Student Aid. This limit is based on 150% of the credit hours needed to complete the degree for which the student is pursuing.
Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension Students who have had their eligibility for
Federal Student Aid suspended may complete an appeal form to explain mitigating
circumstances. There is no guarantee for approving a financial aid eligibility
appeal. Such appeals will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. An appeal form
is available in the Office of Enrollment Services or on-line at
www.departments.dsu.edu/financial/Newsite_Forms.htm. To ensure a timely
review, students must have submitted an appeal prior to the census date of the
term for which they wish to receive aid. Based upon the circumstances of an
approved appeal, the Appeal Committee reserves the right to place conditions
which the student must meet in order to be considered for financial aid on a
probationary basis for subsequent semesters. Students suspended from receiving Federal
Student Aid must appeal to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee, which is separate
from and in addition to the academic appeal process. Being reinstated
academically does not guarantee financial aid reinstatement. A notification will
be provided to the student regarding the financial aid appeal decision. Reinstatement of EligibilityStudents who have lost their Federal Aid
eligibility, but have subsequently met the qualitative and/or quantitative
standards as stated above, will have their aid eligibility reinstated.
Reinstatement will be considered effective with the next term of attendance. Satisfactory Academic Progress and Non-Federal AidThere are also non-federal sources of financial assistance (institutional, local, private, state), which may require students to meet satisfactory academic progress standards. Students who apply for non-federal forms of aid are advised to review their academic standards in order to determine or ensure continued eligibility.
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