Guilford College

Many students’ family resources are insufficient to meet the cost of a college education
without special assistance. The Office of Student Financial Services attempts to identify such students and
arrange assistance for them consisting of scholarships, grants, loans and work opportunities.
About 60 percent of Guilford students receive need-based financial assistance; another
32 percent receive other financial assistance, such as merit awards or entitlements.

Basis of Awards
In granting or renewing financial aid, the Office of Student Financial Services takes into consideration both satisfactory academic performance and financial need, according to the terms of the particular scholarships available.

NOTE: Financial aid based on need is not automatically continued but must be applied
for each year.

Application for Awards
Guilford evaluates financial need by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completed FAFSA applications must be submitted to the Department of Education by February 15th. FAFSAs may be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (Guilford’s Federal School Code is 002931.)

Applications for scholarships and other financial assistance, or requests for additional information, should be addressed to:
Guilford College
Office of Student Financial Services
5800 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410
(336) 316-2354

Scholarships

Merit Scholarships
Incoming traditional students are awarded merit scholarships by the Office of Admission based on their academic performance in high school.

Aid for Quaker Students
To the extent that funds are available, Guilford follows the guidelines below for financial aid to Quaker students.

Quaker Leadership Scholarship Program
In an effort to recognize leadership potential among young Friends and to cultivate that potential, Guilford offers an average of eight to 10 Quaker Leadership Scholarships to each entering first‑year class. Scholars are selected on the basis of interest in the Religious Society of Friends, leadership and academic potential.

Students selected as Quaker Leadership Scholars receive financial awards renewable for four years. Selected QLSP recipients may apply for the “Sojourners” program after their first year. Sojourners undergo a more intense series of self-examinations and program requirements. Quaker Leadership Scholars must participate in a variety of program activities that include mentoring, community service, internships, Quaker studies courses and involvement in campus groups. The program is coordinated through the Campus Ministry Office and Friends Center.

Other Aid for Quaker Students
Guilford matches scholarship funds provided by a student’s Meeting House up to a maximum of $500.

Aid to North Carolina Residents

To qualify for North Carolina State grants, a student must have established legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least 12 months immediately prior to the beginning of the semester. Grants are not available for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree or have qualified for such a degree.

North Carolina Need Based Scholarship (NCNBS)
The State of North Carolina provides scholarship assistance to North Carolina students with demonstrated need. The NCNBS is awarded to students by the North Carolina Student Education Assistance Authority. The amount of each grant is determined by a legislature-approved schedule.

Federal Grants and Loans

Guilford administers the Federal Pell Grant Program. The amount of each grant is determined by a congressionally approved schedule. Application for a Pell Grant is made via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available for students from low-income families with exceptional financial need who require these grants to attend college.

The Federal Perkins Loan Program offers loans to be repaid within 10 years. Payments begin nine months after the student leaves school. Deferments may be granted with no interest to be charged for up to three years for a variety of postgraduate study and working experiences.

Federal Stafford Student Loans
Guilford also participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Progam. A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid serves as the official application for a Federal Direct Student Loan. Stafford loans are federally funded and insured. If a loan is awarded, it will be included on the Financial Aid Award. Students will complete their Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling at www.studentloans.gov. Funds will be transferred electronically to the student’s tuition account. In instances where students are due a refund, a college check will be issued.

Work Opportunities

Guilford operates a Student Employment Services office to assist students who need to work while in school. Placements are made in a variety of jobs, both on and off campus. The college also administers a federally funded work‑study program as well as an institutionally funded work program for which students may qualify on the basis of need.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients

Guilford seeks to provide a high quality educational experience for all who choose to benefit from this opportunity. Guilford is committed to extending all possible resources in pursuit of this goal. However, students have responsibilities in regard to their educational pursuits. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the completion of course work in a reasonable time and with a quality of performance that meets accepted gradepoint standards. These benchmarks are described in detail below.

In compliance with appropriate federal regulations, Guilford adheres to policies stated herein for determination of satisfactory academic progress compliance relative to eligibility for financial aid. This includes federal, state and institutional funds. Certain academic awards and some endowed scholarships may require higher academic performance than this Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. Students must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress before financial assistance can be awarded.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy Defined

A Guilford student is maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress towards the completion of a degree if he/she is meeting standards according to the following measurements:

1. Qualitative Measurement of Academic Progress
GPA of 2.0 or greater after two or more terms of enrollment. GPA of greater than 1.0
after first term of enrollment.

2. Quantitative Measurement of Academic Progress
A. Successful Completion of 66 Percent of Hours Attempted for Academic Credit.

In order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must successfully complete with a grade D- or better at least 66 percent of all hours attempted for credit. At the end of each term all enrolled students’ credentials will be reviewed for compliance with this requirement. Any class enrolled in for which the student does not receive a 100 percent refund when withdrawing will be considered “attempted hours” for purposes of this policy. Any student who does not pass at least 66 percent of these attempted hours will be placed on SAP warning status. These students will be allowed to continue to receive financial assistance during the next term of enrollment.

Students failing to meet the 66 percent threshold during this warning term will not receive financial assistance in the subsequent term. Upon reaching a cumulative mark of hours passed equal to or greater than 66 percent, students will be removed from SAP warning status.

A student that fails to reach a cumulative mark for hours passed of 66 percent, by the end of this warning semester, will be ineligible for aid in the subsequent semester.

B. Maximum Time-Frame for Degree Completion

Students are expected to enroll and satisfactorily complete the required number of credit hours for completion of their chosen degree. Federal regulations limit the maximum time frame for receipt of financial assistance to no more than 150 percent of the length of the academic program. Students are allowed to “attempt” a total number of credit hours not to exceed 150 percent of the total credit hours required for completion of their program. (At Guilford this regulation limits eligibility to 190 attempted hours. If a student exceeds this regulatory limitation, financial assistance will be discontinued.)

Maximum allowable credit hours attempted includes all terms of enrollment at Guilford:

• Semesters during which students are not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Semesters during which students are enrolled for less than half-time
• Semesters during which students do not receive financial assistance

NOTE: All credit hours for which students enroll for credit during any term of enrollment are included as “attempted hours,” whether or not the student successfully completes the course or officially withdraws. (Exception: Courses which a student drops and receives a 100 percent refund for are not included in “attempted hours”). Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated each semester for determination
of eligibility for assistance for the subsequent semester.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

Should a student have his or her financial aid eligibility revoked due to this policy, termination will continue until the student completes one full-time semester or the equivalent, without benefit of financial assistance, to reach the required performance threshold. Once satisfactory progress is achieved, eligibility may be re-instated for the next term. A student should request reconsideration of aid when he/she has met the satisfactory academic progress definition. Reinstatement of aid will depend on the type of funds requested and the availability of funds.

General Information

Transfer students: Transfer credits from other institutions are used in determining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Incomplete courses: Credits of incomplete courses are counted in the number of attempted hours and GPA calculations.

Course withdrawals: W’s are not considered in computing grade-point averages. They
are counted in attempted hours.

Withdrawal from the College: When a student withdraws from Guilford with grades of W in all courses, these courses will be counted in the number of attempted hours.

Audited courses: Because students do not receive credit for audited courses, these courses are not counted as hours attempted or completed. (Financial aid is not awarded for classes taken on an audit basis.)

Grades: In evaluating coursework for Satisfactory Academic Progress compliance, all coursework attempted for academic credit for which tuition charges are assessed will be counted in the number of attempted hours to determine the pass-rate percentage. All grades will be included in measuring the pass-rate, including W, WP, WF, F and XF.

Re-admitted students: Students who return to Guilford after an absence of one semester or more will have their Satisfactory Academic Progress status continued.

Enactment of policy: This updated Satisfactory Academic Progress policy became effective with the 2010-11 academic year. The policy will be reviewed periodically to determine its effectiveness and compliance with federal regulations.

Appeals of Financial Aid Termination Due to SAP Non-Compliance

To appeal financial aid termination a student must be able to demonstrate unusual circumstances affecting his/her academic performance. A student must appeal, in writing, to the Assistant Director of Student Financial Services. This written appeal must include the reason(s) why the student did not make Satisfactory Academic Progress, a plan of action that states the steps the student will take to meet the minimum guidelines governing SAP and any pertinent documentation pertinent to the appeal. This written appeal should be received in the Office of Student Financial Services within 30 days of the date of the email of notification to the student informing the student of the termination of eligibility.

The appeal will be reviewed within three to five business days of receipt and the student will be notified, via e-mail, of the decision.

Academic Probation. A Guilford student will be on academic probation if the cumulative grade-point average is below the level required for graduation: 2.00. Students placed on academic probation are not allowed any unexcused absences from classes. Their eligibility to continue at Guilford is contingent upon earning at least a C (2.00) average during each term of academic probation. Earning a C average during a given term may not remove a student from academic probation, but it will assure eligibility to continue at Guilford. Failure to meet the conditions of academic probation will result in suspension or dismissal. Academic probation is not considered a punitive measure, but rather an indication that the student needs to make greater effort. Students on academic probation are advised to seek special counseling from their academic adviser, staff of the Learning Commons or from the campus life staff to help surmount difficulties that might lead to suspension or dismissal.

Academic Suspension or Dismissal. If a student fails to attain a term average of C while on academic probation, the student will either be suspended for an academic year or dismissed for academic deficiencies. After any semester, if a student’s term and cumulative grade-point averages are both a 1.00 or less, the student will be dismissed from the college without a probationary period. Suspended students may apply for readmission through the assistant dean for student academic affairs after their suspension period. The assistant dean for student academic affairs has the authority to readmit students whom the college has previously dismissed. If they are readmitted, students who have been suspended or dismissed return on academic probation. These students may become eligible again for financial aid; the returning student must file an appeal with the assistant director of student financial services. Similarly, readmitted students are permitted to resume athletic participation if all eligibility standards are met.

Disciplinary Suspension or Dismissal. The Student Handbook outlines rules and regulations for disciplinary suspension or dismissal.