Expenses and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees account for more than three-quarters of the operating budget for Gustavus Adolphus College. The remainder is supplied through gifts to the College and income from the endowment. Thus, tuition and fees play an important role in maintaining the quality of a Gustavus education.

2010–2011 Tuition, Room, and Meal Plan Fee

The 2010–2011 tuition, room, and meal plan fee for entering students and returning students not on the Guaranteed Cost Plan in Fall 2010 semester is listed below, along with the tuition, room, and meal plan fee of returning students who joined the Guaranteed Cost Plan in earlier years.

Year in GCP	Tuition	Room	Meal Plan	Total
N/A	$33,100	$5,400	$3,000	$41,500
2007–08	$31,644	$4,840	$3,000	$39,484
2006–07	$30,900	$4,566	$2,800	$38,266

This includes tuition for a regular program of courses, standard room, and standard meal plan. It does not include textbooks, transportation, long distance telephone, any residence hall damage, laundry, or pocket money. These expenses are estimated at $2,160. Other fees (both voluntary and mandatory) are described in the Payment of Fees section, which follows.

Because all full-time students are required to live in College-operated residences unless granted a specific exemption by the Director of Residential Life, or unless College housing is not available (see section on Residential Life), students who do not comply with the College residence requirement will be liable for the full tuition, room, and meal plan fee as if they were living in College housing. The additional costs will not be considered for financial assistance purposes.

Gustavus will waive the room and meal plan portion of the fee for students living with their parents or for upperclass students who have obtained permission from the Director of Residential Life to reside off-campus.

The Board of Trustees will announce 2011–2012 tuition and fees in March 2011.

Financial Assistance

The Gustavus financial assistance program reaches out to all first baccalaureate degree-seeking students in three ways:

• Need-based financial aid
• Academic/Merit-Based Scholarships
• Financing Plans

Need-based financial aid is awarded to those students whose expected family contribution is less than the total estimated cost of attendance at Gustavus for one year.

In order to determine the family contribution, students and their parents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available after January 1 online at www.fafsa.gov. Limited numbers of paper FAFSAs

are available in high school guidance offices. The completed FAFSA is to be sent by the applicant to the federal processor for calculation of the “expected family contribution” (EFC).

Gustavus subtracts the expected family contribution from its estimated annual total costs. The resulting difference is the student’s financial aid eligibility for the academic year. We do not guarantee that demonstrated financial need will be met one hundred percent.

Need-based grants, including the Gustavus Tuition Grant, are awarded by the federal or state government, foundations, organizations, or by the College. Grants, sometimes referred to as scholarships, do not have to be repaid. Because such grants are based on need as determined by FAFSA, these awards may change year to year.

Academic/Merit-Based Scholarships

The following scholarships are based on merit and do not require a student to demonstrate financial need. They may be awarded as part of a need-based financial aid package. All merit-based scholarships are subject to reclassification to a more prestigious Gustavus-funded scholarship. The student will retain honorary winner status of the original scholarship. The total grant/scholarship award will never decrease due to a reclassification.

The following information refers to the scholarship programs as revised for 2010–2011. The terms and conditions listed apply only to students entering Gustavus in 2010–2011. Other students will continue under the terms and conditions of their original scholarships until they graduate from Gustavus.

Students may receive only one academic scholarship plus any other supplementary merit-based scholarships.

1. Academic Scholarships:

The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to selected incoming students (including transfer students) who have shown academic achievement in high school as measured by the difficulty of courses taken as well as grade point average and standardized test scores.

The President’s Scholarship represents the College’s commitment to academic excellence and is renewable with a 3.25 cumulative grade point average. Past recipients of these awards ranked near the top of their graduating class, enrolled in the most academically challenging courses offered, and/or earned above a composite score of 30 on the ACT or 1320 on the SAT. A separate application is required and is available online.

2. Supplementary Scholarships:

The Merit Scholarship is offered in cooperation with the National Merit Scholarship Program. Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition who designate Gustavus as their first-choice college will receive a renewable scholarship of $7,500 in addition to one other academic or supplementary merit-based scholarship. Any additional scholarships earned will be honorary.

The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship of $2,500 may be offered to members of Phi Theta Kappa enrolling from a community college. A minimum of 42 quarter credits or 28 semester credits and an earned community college grade point average of 3.5 are required. A separate application is required and is available online.

The Gustavus Art Scholarship, ranging from $500 to $2,000, is awarded to incoming students with demonstrated talent in and commitment to the field of visual art. Although scholarships are open to students of any major, all winners will participate in departmental activities. Awards are renewable through departmental review. A special application is required and is available online.

The Evelyn Anderson Theatre and Dance Scholarship, ranging from $500 to $2,000, is awarded to candidates with demonstrated talent and commitment in at least one of the following areas: acting, directing, technical theatre, playwriting, and dance. Winners represent a wide range of academic majors and are also interested in pursuing theatre and/or dance within the context of a liberal arts education. Awards are renewable based on satisfactory participation in departmental activities as determined by the faculty. A separate application is required and is available online.

The Jussi Björling Scholarship, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, is awarded to incoming students based on audition and commitment to music. The Gustavus Music Award ($840 for 2010–2011) is added to this award. Both awards are renewable subject to satisfactory participation each semester in an appropriate ensemble and private music lessons as determined by the Department of Music. Separate application and recommendation forms are available online.

The Gustavus Music Award is an annual scholarship that offsets the cost of enrolling in .50 course of private music lessons per semester ($840 for 2010–2011). The award is renewable based upon audition and satisfactory completion of private music instruction each semester as determined by the Department of Music.

The Gustavus Legacy Award is a $2,500 annual award ($10,000 over four years) given to students whose siblings are current Gustavus students or graduates, or whose parents or grandparents are Gustavus alumni.

Paul L. Rucker Scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for four years are awarded to students who bring diversity to campus. Ethnicity is one of several factors to be considered, but it is not an exclusive condition of eligibility. Scholarship recipients are selected by the Financial Aid Office.

Congregational Scholarships awarded by a student’s home congregation, regardless of denomination, will be matched by Gustavus up to $1,000 per year. The congregation must have a formalized scholarship program as evidenced by a written document of which Gustavus may request a copy. The church must send written notification of eligibility and an estimated amount each year for each student to the Financial Aid Office by August 31. The scholarship funds must arrive by August 31 each year to qualify for the Gustavus match. There are no exceptions.

Army ROTC Scholarships are available for students wishing to become an officer in the U.S. Army: active duty, National Guard, or Army Reserves. These scholarships pay full tuition plus $450 a semester for books and supplies, and a monthly stipend ranging from $300 for a first-year student to $500 for a senior. These scholarships are good for 2, 3, or 4 years and are available for incoming students as well as students already on campus. Additionally, ROTC students receive a scholarship to pay room and meals at Gustavus each year. Gustavus is a partnership school of the Army ROTC program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. For specific information on the program, go to http://ed.mnsu.edu/armyrotc.

Student Employment

Student Employment provides a wage in exchange for services performed. Work schedules are arranged around class schedules. Most Gustavus students eligible for employment work 6–10 hours per week. Students are encouraged to have their monthly earnings paid via direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Paper paychecks are issued to those students who do not authorize direct deposit.

Loans

Loans are repaid after students leave Gustavus. The two major federally sponsored student loan programs are called the Federal Perkins Loan and the Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loan. (See reference to the Federal Direct Stafford Loan-Unsubsidized in the paragraph below that references “Loan programs where need is not a qualifying factor.”) Principal repayments on both the Federal Perkins and the Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loan are deferred until after graduation, and the interest is subsidized by the federal government while the student is enrolled at least half time.

Financing Plans

1. Payment Plans arranged through Tuition Management Systems (TMS) are options which many Gustavus families use. Information about the monthly budget plan and the long-term loan plans from TMS are mailed to all students.
2. Loan programs where need is not a qualifying factor enable students to finance a portion of their education. Several programs are available, including The Federal Direct Stafford Loan-Unsubsidized, Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, and many other Private Alternative Loans. Details on these and other loans are obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

Enrollment and Residency Requirements for Aid Recipients

1. Financial assistance of all types and sources is reduced or eliminated for students enrolled less than full time (less than three courses per term). Minnesota State Grant will be reduced for students enrolled in less than 3.75 courses per term or for those who have exceeded eight semesters of enrollment.
2. Financial assistance is not awarded to students subsequent to enrollment in the last coursework necessary to receive their first baccalaureate degree.
3. Students who choose to live off campus will be eligible for $500 less in College grant/scholarship assistance per year than the amount normally awarded when living on campus.

Satisfactory Progress Standards for
Financial Aid Recipients

All students receiving financial aid must make satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree in order to maintain eligibility. The following standards apply:

1. A student must attain a B.A. degree within a maximum of ten semesters of full-time attendance or its equivalent.
2. A student must maintain the minimum GPA as established by the College. (See below.)

Students placed on academic probation are eligible to be considered for financial aid as follows:

1. First semester of probation – aid continues.
2. Second consecutive semester of probation – aid continues if there is evidence of academic improvement from the previous semester.
3. Third consecutive semester of probation – aid suspended unless the student completes a minimum of three courses with a GPA of 2.0 or higher during the second consecutive semester of probation.
4. Students denied financial aid for academic reasons are eligible to be considered for financial aid after a one-semester waiting period. All appeals are directed to the Academic Operations Committee.

Payment of Fees

Advance Registration Deposit $300

This non-refundable deposit is due when a student accepts an offer of admission and is fully credited to the fall semester payment.

Fall Registration Deposit $500

This deposit, due in March, permits returning students to register for the following fall semester classes and is credited to the student’s Fall Semester Fee Statement. The deposit is refundable if the Registrar’s Office is notified in writing prior to June 30 of the student’s intention not to enroll. Refunds are processed in July, after all other accounts—including telecommunications, library fines, and residence hall damages—are transferred to the Finance Office.

Enrollment Deposit for Fall 2010 $200

This deposit is due June 30 and confirms new students’ intentions to enroll. It is fully credited toward the Fall Semester Fee Statement. If a student does not enroll, this deposit and the Advance Registration Deposit are forfeited. Failure to submit this deposit may result in the cancellation of class registration, housing assignment, and financial assistance. A statement is mailed to the student’s home address on or about June 5.

New Student Fee $200

This one-time fee is due with the Fall Semester Fees for students enrolling for the first time. It is used to partially cover the costs of testing, advising materials, and special programming for new students. The fee is non-refundable after orientation is completed.

Student Government Fee $158

This annual fee is due with the Fall Semester Fees and is used to partially fund student government and student clubs and organizations. This fee is charged to students enrolled full-time for at least one semester, except for international exchange students. The fee is non-refundable after the first day of class attendance.

Student Wellness Fee $200

The Student Wellness Fee funds campus programs and activities that encourage positive change in students’ health and wellness: wellness education, encouragement of healthy lifestyles and choices, and wellness assessment opportunities.

One-Time Transcript Fee $200

This fee is assessed once when a student enrolls and it provides for lifetime transcripting service. A student’s account must be paid in full before a transcript will be released.

Fall Semester Payment One-half of tuition, room, and meal plan fee

less advance deposits of $500

This payment is due August 31. The fee statement, sent by the College on or about July 31, will credit financial aid provided by the College (except the student employment allotment which is paid directly to the student as earned) and the advance deposits described above.

Spring Semester Payment One-half of tuition, room, and meal plan fee

The second payment is due January 31 and represents the remaining half of the annual fee. The statement is mailed on or about December 28

Other Fees

Certain other fees may be assessed that are not covered by the tuition and fee structure. For the 2010–2011 academic year, these are:

Music Lesson Fee $420 per half course

This fee is charged each semester to all students enrolled in lessons, MUS-245–MUS-367. The fee is waived for Music majors, upon completion of MUS-112 and successful completion of the Audition for Music Major. Music lesson scholarships are available by audition

Music Instrument Maintenance Fee $55 per semester

Students requesting the use of a college-owned instrument for enrollment in music activities will be charged this fee. There is no charge for the use of pianos, organs, harpsichords, harps, or percussion instruments.

Health Insurance Premium (supplemental) $250 annual premium

All Gustavus students are expected to carry health care insurance. Those students not covered by a family policy while enrolled at Gustavus may choose to enroll in this supplemental insurance plan or find coverage on their own. Information is mailed with the Fall Semester Fee Statement at the end of July. An online waiver must be completed by a parent or guardian of each dependent student no later than August 31 to waive coverage for 2010–2011.

Course Overload Fee $1,680 per course

Students taking more than 4.8 courses per semester are charged this prorated academic fee.

Special Student Audit Fee $610

This per course academic fee is charged to students carrying fewer than three full courses for academic credit.

Regular Student Audit Fee $380

This per-course academic fee is charged to students whose total load of both credit and audited courses exceeds 4.8 courses. There is no audit fee charged for regular students taking more than three but less than 4.8 courses.

Part-time Student Fee $4,520 per course

Students taking fewer than three courses will be charged at this rate.

Late Course Change Fees $110, $160

This is a non-refundable processing charge for each change in registration approved by petition after the second week of the fall or spring semester and after the third day of the January Interim. The change fee in the fall and spring semester is $100 from the third through the seventh week and $150 thereafter. For January Interim, it is $100 through the second week and $150 thereafter.

Special Housing Fee: All Houses/Apartments $1,750

Special Housing Fee: Guaranteed Single $1,900

Special Housing Fee: Uhler Hall Reduced Occupancy $580

Special Housing Fee: Carlson International Center/Southwest Hall Suites $880

These annual fees are itemized and split between fall and spring semester billings. Information on special housing availability is mailed to upperclass students each year from the Residential Life Office.

For information concerning any additional special fees for the following programs, contact the respective campus representative:

Internships: office phone, 933-7532

Study Abroad: office phone, 933-7546

Statement of Financial Responsibility (SFR)

A signed and notarized SFR is required of each student before the first day of attendance. The use of the SFR provides assurances to the College in regard to collection of fees and makes it possible to offer a variety of payment options to students and parents. This form indicates who, in addition to the student, is responsible for the payment of fees. The SFR also explains the Gustavus policies relating to past due accounts, including the 1 percent per month (12 percent nominal annual percentage rate) finance charge. The student, and at least one parent or legal guardian, must sign the SFR, unless the student is married or at least 24 years old. The SFR covers all fees incurred through the student’s final date of attendance, which is usually graduation. A new form may be filed prior to the start of any semester if the responsible party changes due to a change in family status.

Overdue Payments

Students whose accounts are past due, either through special arrangement with the Finance Office or other reasons, may be assessed a finance charge of one percent per month (nominal annual percentage rate of 12 percent) on the outstanding balance owed for each month or part of a month for which the account is past due. Students who are unable to make the payments on the dates specified should contact the Student Accounts Office before the payment is due. In the absence of special arrangements, the College may cancel the student’s registration and housing.

Registration and Transcript Hold Policy

The Student Accounts Office will place a hold on a student’s ability to register for a subsequent term if the student account is not current. Additionally, the College reserves the right to withhold transcripts and the diploma until a student’s account has been paid in full.

Special Circumstances and Appeals

The College recognizes that individual circumstances may require special consideration. Students and/or their parents are encouraged to contact the College’s Finance Office, Financial Aid Office, Dean of Students’ Office, or Admission Office should they have any questions. An appeals process exists for students or parents who feel that circumstances warrant exceptions from these published policies. Appeals should be directed to the Vice President for Finance.

Changes in Fees and Schedules

he College attempts to maintain all published charges throughout the academic year, but reserves the right to make adjustments and change procedures should unforeseen conditions make it necessary.

The Gustavus Refund Policy

For either semester and regardless of whether a student is a recipient of federal financial aid, the following credits will be applied to the student’s account upon withdrawal for any reason:

Tuition: If the date of withdrawal is before the first day of classes, 100 percent credit less $500.

For students in their first semester of attendance at Gustavus, after attending at least one class, but before the end of the 60 percent point in the term (see dates below), 35 percent credit.

For all other students, after attending at least one class, but before the end of the twentieth day of classes, 35 percent credit.

Room: The entire room fee is non-refundable after classes have begun. The College’s expenses related to the operation of the residence halls do not decline substantially when a student withdraws.

Meal Plan: The meal fee will be divided by the number of weeks in the term (usually 15) to determine a per-week amount. Then the per-week amount will be multiplied by the number of weeks remaining in the term as of the date of withdrawal. This result will then be multiplied by a food cost factor of 35 percent to determine the actual credit. The fixed costs involved with operating the dining service do not decline substantially when a student is no longer enrolled.

New Student Fee, Student Government Fee, Student Wellness Fee, and One-Time Transcript Fee: These fees are non-refundable after classes have begun.

No refund or credit of any charges will be made to a student who is suspended or dismissed from the College for any reason on or after the first class day in a semester.

Important Dates for Fall and Spring Semesters 2010–2011:

First Day of Classes: September 7 and February 7
Twentieth Class Day: October 6 and March 5
60 Percent Point of Term: November 5 and April 15

Withdrawal Process: The withdrawal process begins either the day a student informs the Office of the Registrar of intent to withdraw or the day a student requests a medical leave of absence or standard withdrawal from the Dean of Students or his designee. The Office of the Registrar or the Dean of Students provides the student with a Withdrawal Request Form. The student is asked to visit a series of offices including the Financial Aid Office and Student Accounts to obtain signatures and to complete exit interviews, etc. The student is also asked to complete a questionnaire regarding his/her experiences at Gustavus. Once the Withdrawal Request Form and exit questionnaire are completed, the student returns the forms to the Office of the Registrar.

If a student is not able to complete the official withdrawal process as described above, then the student must, at a minimum, provide notice either to the Office of the Registrar or the Dean of Students of an intent to withdraw from the College. The notification may be in writing, by phone, by e-mail, or in person.

Medical Withdrawal: When health reasons force a withdrawal from the College before the end of the term, the student may apply to the Dean of Students for a medical leave of absence. The leave can be granted only with proper medical documentation. Likewise, suitable medical documentation must accompany the student’s request to the Dean of Students to resume enrollment. Students who are granted permission to withdraw for medical reasons will receive grades of “W” indicating withdrawal for the semester. Upon re-enrollment within one calendar year, students on medical leave will be charged 90% tuition for the semester during which they resume enrollment.

Gustavus offers an optional insurance plan through a private insurance company that can provide up to a 60 percent or 100 percent refund of all tuition, room, and meal expenses for withdrawals due to mental or physical illness, respectively. Information is mailed each summer to all full-time students. The Dean of Students is the College official who is authorized to recommend claim requests to the company based upon certification received from the student’s healthcare professional and other information. Any student receiving such a benefit must notify the Financial Aid Office. This funding could impact eligibility for state, federal and institutional financial aid.

Return of Federal Title IV Funds Policy Summary, 2010–2011

Students who receive Federal Title IV financial assistance are subject to this policy. The types of assistance included under this policy are the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, ACG, SMART, TEACH, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loan.

A student who withdraws after the 60 percent point of a semester is entitled to retain all Federal Title IV aid for that semester. However, if the student withdraws prior to the 60 percent point of the term, unearned Title IV funds as determined by the Federal policy must be returned to the various programs. These funds must be returned even if the College provides no financial credit to the student. This means the student could owe the College and/or the U.S. Department of Education a significant amount of money.

Title IV financial aid is earned by the calendar—not class—day. This includes weekends, holidays, and breaks of less than five consecutive days. The College is required to determine the amount of Title IV aid the withdrawing student has earned and then either disburse any additional funds the student may be entitled to up to the amount earned or return funds in excess of the amount earned which the student has already received. If an amount to be returned to a Federal program is determined, then a further calculation is made to determine how much of the amount needs to be returned by the College and how much, if any, needs to be returned by the student. The amount to be returned is distributed in a specified order: Federal Direct Loan-Unsubsidized, Federal Direct Loan-Subsidized, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, and then Federal SEOG. Any grant amount that is to be returned by the student will be reduced by 50 percent under the regulations. This provision does not apply to grant funds that must be returned by the College. The College has specified timeframes within which to disburse additional funds, return excess funds, and contact and advise the student of what is occurring and of any needed actions on the student’s part.

Due to the complexity of these policies, the College strongly encourages students and parents to consult with the Financial Aid Office and the Student Accounts Office to determine the financial impact of withdrawing before making a final decision.

Related Topics

Eligibility and Appeals: The Vice President for Finance is the institutional officer responsible for determining a student’s eligibility for a credit or refund. This officer is also the person to whom appeals concerning special individual circumstances should be made.

Interim Experience Credits/Refunds: Students who enroll for the academic year but elect to omit Interim are not eligible for a credit or refund for the term. Students who attend Gustavus for fall semester only, fall semester and January only, January and spring semester only, or spring semester only will be charged one half of the annual tuition, room, and meal fee.

Release of Transcripts: Official academic transcripts will be released after all outstanding College account balances have been paid in full. This includes all amounts owed on the general student account in the Finance Office as well as outstanding amounts in the Telecommunications Office, Dean of Students’ Office, the Book Mark, Office of Campus Safety, etc. Students who have established individual payment plans with the College may continue to pay under the established agreements, but transcripts will be released only after payment in full is received.