Messages and Funds for New Students

Listed below are important messages for each student to review. The following information provides a detailed description of eligibility and renewability criteria for the funds that appear on your financial aid award letter.

Messages

1. Apply Now
2. Deposit
3. Multiple Grants and Scholarships
4. Outside Scholarship
5. Payments
6. Verification
7. Housing Status

 

Funds

Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Estimated Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) First Year Students
Confirmed Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) First Year Students
Estimated Academic Competitiveness Grant  (ACG) Second Year Students
Confirmed Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Second Year Students
Confirmed National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)

State Grants
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
Ohio Student Choice Grant (OSC)
PHEAA State Grant

College Grants and Scholarships
CIC Tuition Exchange
Dean's Scholarship
Employee Tuition Discount
Founder's Scholarship
Hartshorn Award
Heritage Award
International Grant
Legacy Award
Methodist Grant
Ministerial Award
Mount Union College Grant
Presidential Scholarship
Trustee Scholarship
Tuition Exchange Scholarship

Federal Loans and Workstudy
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal PLUS Loan
Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Work Study

United Methodist Loans
Methodist Loan

Messages

1. Apply Now
All financial aid (grants and loans) must be applied for and processed by the Office of Student Financial services prior to a student's last date of attendance. Be sure to meet with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing. Please note that the college and state grants are based on full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 hours). If you are not enrolled as a full-time student, contact us right away so that an aid award adjustment can be made on a timely basis.

2. Deposit
For first-time students who have not yet paid the tuition deposit: To reserve a place in next year's class, a one hundred fifty dollar ($150.00) tuition deposit should be forwarded to the Office of Admission and postmarked no later than May 1, 2008. Should you elect to pay your deposit prior to that date, it is refundable until May 1.

3. Multiple Grants and Scholarships
The initial merit-based award is offered without regard for financial need. Students who may be eligible for multiple grants and/or scholarships from Mount Union College funds will receive at least the value of the highest grant or scholarship. It is our general policy not to "stack" multiple institutional awards on the basis of merit. Consideration that is given for any portion of a second grant/scholarship or award made up of Mount Union College dollars will be based on financial need and will require the student to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

4. Outside Scholarship
Students are required to inform the Office of Student Financial Services when an outside scholarship is received. A copy of the letter, certificate, or check would serve as notification of this award. If any adjustment to the aid award must be made, loans and campus employment will be reduced before any need-based awards. This amount will always show as estimated on the financial aid award but once the payment has been received, it will show as a credit to the student's account in the Office of Business Affairs.

5. Payments
The Office of Business Affairs offers student payment options. Many students and their families choose to explore additional resources. There are Federal Parent PLUS Loans and alternative loans available. Information about these loans is listed online at www.muc.edu/studentloans .

6. Verification
You have been selected for review in a process called verification. Financial aid funds (federal, state, and institutional) will not be credited to your account in the Office of Business Affairs until this process is complete. In addition, you are not eligible to work until this process is finalized. The following documents must be turned in to Mount Union College and reviewed for the process to be complete: signed copies of the 2007 federal tax returns for you and your parent(s), all 2007 W-2 forms for you and your parent(s), and the 2008-2009 Verification Worksheet available from the Office of Student Financial Services. Changes in eligibility resulting from the information provided could result in a change in the amount of the aid awarded. Verification must be completed no later than 120 days after the last day of the student's enrollment or August 31, 2009, whichever is earlier. If you do not complete verification by the deadline, you will forfeit all need-based aid. Call the Office of Student Financial Services for other details.

7. Housing Status
College policy requires freshman and sophomores to live on campus or to commute from their parent's home. For purposes of the initial financial aid award, we will make the assumption that the student will reside on campus unless the FAFSA indicates "with parents." In the case of non-FAFSA filers, we will assume "on campus" unless notified otherwise by the family.

Funds

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant
This grant is awarded after students have submitted the FAFSA to the Federal Student Aid Programs and is based upon Federal Pell Grant eligibility. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA must be less than $4,111. If you have been selected for Federal Verification, you must submit the documents listed above prior to the funds being credited to your student account.

Estimated Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) First Year Students
Academic Competitiveness (ACG) Grant for first year (freshman) students: a federal grant available to freshmen who receive Federal Pell Grant, are U.S. citizens, have completed a rigorous high school program of study as defined by federal regulation, are enrolled full time in college, and have graduated from high school after 1/1/07. Additional information is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/NewPrograms.jsp . This award is estimated because you self-reported your eligibility for this ACG grant on the FAFSA and will be confirmed on a revised financial aid award only after your final high school transcript is reviewed and all the requirements have been met.

Confirmed Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) First Year Students
Academic Competitiveness (ACG) Grant for first year (freshman) students: a federal grant available to freshmen who receive Federal Pell Grant, are U.S. citizens, have completed a rigorous high school program of study as defined by federal regulation, are enrolled full time in college, and have graduated from high school after 1/1/07. Additional information is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/NewPrograms.jsp .

Estimated Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Second Year Students
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) for second year (sophomore) students: a federal grant available to sophomores who receive Federal Pell Grant, are U.S. citizens, have completed a rigorous high school program of study, are enrolled full time in college, graduated from high school after 1/1/06, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additional information is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/NewPrograms.jsp. This award is estimated because you self-reported your eligibility for this ACG grant on the FAFSA and will be confirmed on a revised financial aid award only after your final high school transcript is reviewed and all the requirements have been met.

Confirmed Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Second Year Students
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) for second year (sophomore) students: a federal grant available to sophomores who receive Federal Pell Grant, are U.S. citizens, have completed a rigorous high school program of study, are enrolled full time in college, graduated from high school after 1/1/06, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additional information is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/NewPrograms.jsp .

Confirmed National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) for third and fourth year students is a federal grant available to third and fourth year students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grant, U.S. citizens, enrolled full time, have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better each semester, and who are majoring in specific areas in science and math as designated by federal regulation (http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/SmartGrants.jsp?tab=funding)

State Grants

Funding for state programs in Ohio is dependent on the State of Ohio's annual budget review

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is available to students who enroll in college for the first time during or after 2006-2007 and whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is from 0 to 2190. Students and parents must be Ohio residents. Note that there is a deadline of October 1 for the receipt of the FAFSA information to reach the Ohio Board of Regents and any changes made to the FAFSA could affect the amount of the OCOG you will receive. This award will remain estimated until the Ohio Board of Regents confirms the amount of the award. This grant is available for up to 10 semesters and can only be applied toward tuition costs.

Ohio Student Choice Grant (OSC)
The requirements for the Ohio Student Choice Grant are: U. S. citizen, Ohio resident, full-time enrollment (minimum 12 hours per semester), not enrolled as a full-time student in college prior to July 1, 1984. Parents of dependent students must be residents of Ohio for at least the last twelve months, also. NOTE: The amount of the OSC Grant for 2007-2008 is $660, as recently released by the Ohio Board of Regents. A revised financial aid award will be sent when that information has been updated.
This state fund can only be applied toward tuition costs.

PHEAA State Grant
The PHEAA State Grant is available to full-time students (minimum 12 hours each semester) who are Pennsylvania residents and whose eligibility is confirmed by PHEAA. A completed FAFSA must be filed by May 1st in order to be considered. Mount Union College must be listed as the first school on the FAFSA. Any changes made to the FAFSA information after that time could affect the amount of the grant that you will receive. First time students must sign the PA Grant eligibility statement which is available in the Online Forms section of the Mount Union Website. This award will remain estimated until PHEAA confirms the amount of the award.

College Grants and Scholarships

CIC Tuition Exchange
Please be aware that the CIC Tuition Exchange Award is granted for the 2007-2008 academic year only. You will not be eligible for Tuition Exchange beyond the 2007-2008 academic year. Should you have questions about this, please contact our CIC Tuition Exchange liaison officer Amy Tomko at 1-800-334-6682.

Dean's Scholarship
The Mount Union College Dean's Scholarship is available for up to 8 semesters and is renewable as long as you are a traditional full-time student (minimum 12 hours each semester) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. We will review this at the end of your fourth semester and each spring semester after that. If you lose the scholarship because of the GPA requirement and bring the cumulative GPA up to 3.0 or above after the next semester, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for a review of your financial aid.

Employee Tuition Discount
For the Employee Tuition Discount, you must be a dependent of a current full-time employee of Mount Union College. Human Resources must have the Dependent Educational Benefits Request Form to confirm the student's enrollment each semester. A form is available on the Mount Union website or from that office. Any changes to your current enrollment status could affect the amount of the tuition benefit. Tuition support at Mount Union College is limited to 128 attempted semester hours.

Founder's Scholarship
The Mount Union College Founder's Scholarship is available for up to 8 semesters and is renewable as long as you are a traditional full-time student (minimum 12 hours each semester) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. We will review this at the end of your fourth semester and each spring semester after that. If you lose the scholarship because of the GPA requirement and bring the cumulative GPA up to 3.0 or above after the next semester, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for a review of your financial aid.

Hartshorn Award
The Hartshorn Award from Mount Union College is based on a review of the student's high school academic credentials. Eligible students must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 hours per semester) in the traditional program and the award is renewable for up to a total of 10 semesters.

Heritage Award
The Heritage Award from Mount Union College is based on a review of the student's high school academic credentials. Eligible students must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 hours per semester) in the traditional program and the award is renewable for up to a total of 10 semesters.

International Grant
The International Grant is a grant available from Mount Union College to international students who have demonstrated financial need, are enrolled as full-time students (minimum 12 hours per semester) and are ineligible for federal and/or state funds on the basis of citizenship status. The International Grant is renewable for up to 10 semesters.

Legacy Award
The Legacy Award is awarded to traditional students who are dependent sons or daughters of Mount Union College graduates. It is renewable for up to 8 semesters as long as the student is full-time (minimum of 12 hours per semester). Transfer students are eligible to receive the award less the semesters enrolled at any other institution.

Methodist Grant
The United Methodist Grant is for traditional students who have indicated that they are members of the Methodist denomination and who have financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA. The student must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 hours per semester). The grant is renewable for up to 10 semesters.

Ministerial Award
The Ministerial Award is for dependent sons or daughters who are enrolled as traditional full-time (minimum 12 hours each semester) and who currently live with the parent who is a full-time ordained minister or missionary. The primary source of income for the minister must come from this full-time position. Awards are up to $10,000. These awards are renewable to undergraduate students for up to five years (10 semesters). The parent must sign the Ministerial Award Certification in order to receive this award.

Mount Union College Grant
The Mount Union College Grant is a grant available to traditional full-time students (minimum 12 hours each semester) who have financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA. The grant is renewable for up to 10 semesters.

Presidential Scholarship
The Mount Union College Presidential Scholarship is available for up to 8 consecutive semesters and is renewable as long as you are a traditional full-time student (minimum 12 hours each semester) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. We will review this at the end of your fourth semester and each spring semester after that. If you lose the scholarship because of the GPA requirement and bring the cumulative GPA up to 3.0 or above after the next semester, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for a review of your financial aid.

Trustee Scholarship
The Mount Union College Trustee Scholarship is available for up to 8 semesters and is renewable as long as you are a traditional full-time student (minimum 12 hours each semester) and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. We will review this at the end of your fourth semester and each spring semester after that. If you lose the scholarship because of the GPA requirement and bring the cumulative GPA up to 3.0 or above after the next semester, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services for a review of your financial aid.

Tuition Exchange Scholarship
The Tuition Exchange Scholarship included in your financial aid award is given for this year and you must reapply each year at the institution at which the student's parent is employed. The specific criteria for this award is noted on the Scholarship Certification sent to the student from the Tuition Exchange liaison officer at Mount Union College. The signed acceptance of the award on that Certification form must be returned to the Office of Student Financial Services. New students who haven't done so already, are required to send the $150 advance deposit to the Office of Admissions by May 1.

Federal Loans and Workstudy

Federal Perkins Loan
A limited amount of money is available to students for the Federal Perkins Loan program. A notice will be sent in August to all students who have been awarded the Federal Perkins Loan to go online to do the Master Promissory Note (MPN). This loan is deferred while the student is attending school at least half-time (minimum of 6 hours) and repayment will begin 9 months after the student leaves school or drops to less than half-time. The interest rate is 5%. Verification, if applicable, must be completed before a student can access the website for signing the Federal Perkins Loan electronically. This program is generally awarded for only the first year because of the limited funds available.

Federal PLUS Loan
We have received your Federal PLUS loan Request Form. The Federal PLUS Loan amount listed on this award letter is the amount that has been certified. To complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) from Great Lakes Higher Education go to www.muc.edu/studentloans . Your loan will not be guaranteed or disbursed until the MPN is complete. Remember that up to 3% of the requested amount will be deducted to cover origination and/or guarantee fees.

Federal Stafford Loan
To apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, you need to complete the online Stafford Loan Request Form and turn it in to the Office of Student Financial Services. First time borrowers are required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling. Information on how to electronically complete these items is located at www.muc.edu/studentloans .

Federal Work Study
The amount of Federal Work Study listed is the maximum amount you may earn working on-campus or in off-campus community service jobs sponsored by the College. Monthly earnings can be used as payment toward your student account or used as spending money.

United Methodist Loans

Methodist Loan
The United Methodist Loan is offered through the United Methodist Church. The regulations and interest rates are established by them. Your account will be credited when the check is received.