Skip to main content

2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Costs and Financial Aid

Costs

Tuition is based on the classification of the student and the course: undergraduate or graduate, lower or upper division, resident or nonresident of Michigan.

Tuition rates and fees are set by the Board of Trustees. The rates listed here are for the 2020-2021 academic year and can also be found online at lkgear.com/tuition/. A per credit hour or per course surcharge will be assessed for certain classes to offset higher costs. For more information about special course charges, go to lkgear.com/tuitionExt.htm.

Tuition for lower division (0-54 earned credits) undergraduate students who are Michigan residents taking anywhere from 12 to 15 credit hours is $6,622 per semester. Tuition is $557 per credit hour for fewer than 12 credits and for each credit over 15. Tuition for upper division (55 or more earned credits) undergraduate students who are Michigan residents taking anywhere from 12 to 15 credit hours is $6,954 per semester. Tuition is $584 per credit hour for fewer than 12 credits and for each credit over 15.

For lower division (0-54 earned credits) nonresident undergraduate students, tuition is $9,422 total per semester for anywhere from 12 to 15 credits and $792 per credit for fewer than 12 credits and for each credit over 15. For upper division (55 or more earned credits) nonresident undergraduate students, tuition is $9,746 total per semester for anywhere from 12 to 15 credits and $818 per credit for fewer than 12 credits and for each credit over 15.

Master's-level tuition ranges from $691-$755 per credit hour. Doctoral-level tuition ranges from $847-$873 per credit hour. Rates are based on academic program and there are no separate rates based on residency status. Visit lkgear.com/tuition for a listing of graduate and doctoral program tuition rates.

The previously listed tuition rates apply to all students registering for credit courses, including guests, visitors, and all categories of students who are not pursuing a degree at Grand Valley State University. Rates for noncredit courses in special programs apart from the regular university curriculum are published with the announcements of such programs.

Rates of tuition and fees are those in effect at the time of publication of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog. They are subject to change at any time by Grand Valley's Board of Trustees.

Fees

Late registration (allowed only in the first five days of the semester) requires a $50 late fee. Fees for resident and nonresident are the same.

Schedule revision, or drop/add, is held concurrently with all registrations. A student may drop or add any course for which prerequisites have been met and capacity permits. Additional tuition charges are due when a student adds a credit. Under exceptional circumstances a student may be allowed to add a course after the deadline. The completed transaction, accompanied by support from the instructor, department chair, and collegial dean, must include a $25 late add fee and any additional tuition. Specific dates and times for all registrations are set by the registrar and listed in the schedule of courses. For more information on financial regulations regarding late registration and dropping or withdrawing from classes, click on the Policies section on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website at lkgear.com/financialaid/.

Parking

Students wishing to park on either the Allendale or Grand Rapids campuses must purchase a parking permit. Permits can be ordered electronically at lkgear.com/parking/. The permit costs range from $95 to $230 per semester, depending on the student's choice of parking permit. The permit charge will be billed directly to the student account and the charge will be based on the credit hours enrolled per semester.

Residency

Because students normally come to Grand Valley State University for the primary or sole purpose of attending the institution, rather than establishing a domicile in Michigan, those who enroll as nonresident students will continue to be classified as such throughout their attendance unless they demonstrate that they have permanently abandoned their previous home and permanently established Michigan residency. See Michigan Residence Requirements for Grand Valley's policy for determining residency.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

Students who reduce their number of credit hours or withdraw from Grand Valley may be eligible, upon application to the office of the registrar, to receive a refund of tuition. The amount of refund will be based on the following schedule:

1. Students withdrawing before the start of the semester and during the first week of classes are eligible for a full (100 percent) refund of the applicable credit hours assessed. All financial aid awarded to the student will be reduced based on the required federal Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation. Students should expect to have a portion of their financial aid returned. (See Financial Aid and Complete Enrollment Withdrawal section.)

2. Students withdrawing during the second week of classes in a shortened session (spring or summer) and in the second, third, and fourth weeks of classes in a full session are eligible for a 75 percent tuition refund of the applicable credit hours assessed.

3. Students withdrawing after the second week of classes in a shortened session (spring or summer) and the fourth week of classes in a full session are not eligible for a tuition refund.

4. Students who withdraw completely and are eligible for a 100 percent refund of tuition will be eligible for a full refund of their assessed credit hours and other mandatory fees. Students withdrawing completely during the 75 percent refund period will be eligible for a 75 percent refund of their assessed credit hours and other mandatory fees. There will be no refund of these fees after the last date for a 75 percent refund as stated in the Annual Class Schedule online.

Students who have financial aid should talk to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships before dropping/withdrawing from classes to understand how their aid will be affected.

A specific schedule of refunds, with qualifying dates, is published each semester in Grand Valley's official Annual Class Schedule.

The refund is based on the date of receipt of the completed class drop or withdrawal form in the office of the registrar. If a course does not begin during the first week of the start of the semester, refunds will be based on the date of the first class meeting.

When Grand Valley State University cancels a course or when it is determined that a student has registered for a course he or she was not eligible to take, a full refund will be made regardless of the date.

In cases in which financial aid was used to pay for all or part of tuition, the refund will be used to repay the sponsor first and then the student, when appropriate. Refer to the Repayment of Unearned Federal Student Aid section of this catalog for details of this procedure.

Tuition Refund Appeals

Student applications for refund of tuition are reviewed weekly by the Tuition Refund Appeals Committee. The applicant is notified in writing following the meeting. Approved refunds will follow the normal refund process returning federal and institutional funds as dictated by policy.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid and Complete Enrollment Withdrawal from University/Repayment of Unearned Federal Student Aid

For any student who officially withdraws, federal regulations require that any unearned funds be returned based on the withdrawal (R2T4) calculation as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after being notified of your complete withdrawal. This federal calculation will determine the amount of unearned federal financial aid funds that must be returned to the Department of Education. The statute makes clear that federal funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student ceases academic attendance before the end of that period, the student has not earned all of the federal financial aid and therefore may not be eligible for the full amount of the federal funds awarded. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships must determine that the student began attendance in the courses for which they were paid Title IV aid. Examples of academic activity which show that the student commenced attendance include: utilizing Blackboard, attending class, completing an assignment, etc. The amount of federal funds earned by the student is determined by multiplying the percentage of the enrollment period completed by the total amount of federal loans and grants disbursed. If a student completely withdraws before 60 percent of the semester is completed, the student may be required to repay a portion of the federal financial aid. If the percentage of the enrollment period completed is more than 60 percent, the student has earned 100 percent of the aid. Students who completely withdraw will be billed for any institutional charges that remain as well as the amount of the unearned federal student aid that has been given to them.

If the student performs an official complete withdrawal during the drop/add (100 percent refund) period, Grand Valley will return all financial aid funds prior to releasing any refund of tuition. A student may contact our office to request an R2T4 calculation for the purposes of receiving earned Title IV aid up to the date of withdrawal. This request must be made in time for us to perform the calculation before the 30th day following official notification of withdrawal. For each applicable course, the student must submit written documentation confirming that academic activity began. In cases where a student owes a balance, we will complete the calculation, if requested, and apply any earned aid toward their semester balance if applicable.

Students who stop attending but do not officially go through withdrawal procedures are considered to have unofficially withdrawn. If an unofficial complete withdrawal is determined to have taken place, federal regulation requires that we complete a federal Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation to determine the amount of unearned federal financial aid funds that must be returned to the Department of Education. The calculation will be completed within 45 days of identifying the unofficial complete withdrawal. In many cases, this would be the end of the semester after grades have been reported by faculty. Grand Valley faculty report a last date of academic activity (LDAA) for all students who completely withdraw. Our office will use the LDAA to calculate the amount of unearned aid.

Receiving Financial Aid for Repeated Courses

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is required to monitor and adjust a student's enrollment level for federal student aid if, or when, they repeat coursework for credit that they have already earned.

  • A student may receive aid when repeating a course for the first time.
  • A student may receive aid when repeating a course that was previously failed, regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.
  • A student may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time. For this purpose, a passing grade is defined as D- or better.
  • If a student retakes a course that is not aid eligible, the credit hours will be excluded from the total enrollment for the semester.
  • Students will receive an e-mail notification from our office if they are enrolled in a course that would need to be excluded from their eligible enrollment.

Financial Aid for Students

At Grand Valley State University, more than $300 million in financial aid was awarded to more than 22,200 students. More than $99 million of that was in the form of scholarships and grant assistance. Even though Grand Valley believes that the responsibility for financing a college education rests with students and their families, large amounts of aid are available. A student who receives a scholarship or grant may need to be willing to borrow and work to cover the remainder of his or her educational costs. In fact, because no one program can cover all college expenses, aid programs are usually combined in "packages" suited to the student's needs. This means that students receive aid in a variety of forms. Rarely would a student receive all one type of aid, a grant for example, but may receive a mixture of grant, scholarship, student employment, and loan.

To be considered for aid, students must be admitted as degree-seeking students. The financial aid students receive is based on their enrollment status each semester. Financial aid awards will be adjusted based on the number of enrolled credits. The majority of financial aid programs require at least half-time enrollment (six credits per semester for undergraduate students and four and one-half credits per semester for graduate students).

To maintain and renew aid, students must make satisfactory academic progress. For most federal and state aid, need must be demonstrated by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to visit http://studentaid.ed.gov/sa to file the FAFSA online and utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import their tax information. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you need assistance in accessing or completing this application.

Application Procedure

All financial aid is awarded for the academic year beginning with the fall semester. Students must reapply for financial aid every year.

We encourage students to file the FAFSA for the following academic year by the Grand Valley State University priority deadline of March 1. Students who file after March 1 may not receive full grant funds (see application dates in the next section). An individual must be a degree-seeking student to be eligible to receive financial assistance. Most aid is awarded to students attending at least half-time (six or more credit hours for undergraduate students), although students attending less than half-time may be considered for the Federal Pell Grant program. Continuing education students (part-time, nondegree-seeking students) are not eligible for federal financial aid; however, they may apply for and receive some types of alternative loan programs. These students, and all others, can also utilize the Grand Valley State University tuition payment plan offered by the Student Accounts office. For additional information on alternative loan programs, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Financial aid for international students is limited based on federal guidelines.

Additional aid may be awarded for the spring/summer session depending on the availability of funds. If you are seeking a spring/summer award, you must complete the spring/summer application, which is available on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website each February at lkgear.com/financialaid/summer/.

If you wish to be considered for financial aid, please refer to the deadline dates listed and follow the four basic steps outlined here.

1. If you are a new student, you must submit application forms for admission to Grand Valley. It is recommended that you submit a complete application for admission by December 31 for the fall semester.

2. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form must be completed by you and/or your parents and/or your spouse. Applications must be submitted online at http://studentaid.ed.gov/sa. In order for us to receive your FAFSA, you must list Grand Valley State University among your choice of schools. Our federal school code is 002268. The FAFSA is the only application for aid that Grand Valley requires.

3. In some cases you or your parent may be required to submit additional information to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to verify the accuracy of your financial aid application. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships may request additional information if, upon reviewing data you have presented, we believe further clarification of your financial situation is needed. Such additional information may include information about your household size, assets, or income.

4. Award notifications for new students will be mailed to your permanent address beginning in mid-January. Returning students will receive their award notification in May through myBanner.

Application Dates to Remember

October 1

December 31

  • Incoming freshman applicants must submit a completed admission application by this date to be considered for the major scholarship programs offered by Grand Valley.

January

  • Entering freshman students and transfer students receive notification of their financial aid award.

February

  • The Spring/Summer Financial Aid Application becomes available to all students interested in receiving aid for the spring/summer semester. The online form is available at lkgear.com/financialaid/summer/.

March 1

  • Incoming community college transfer applicants must submit a completed admission application by March 1 to be considered for Grand Valley incoming transfer merit scholarships.
  • This is the priority deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students who want to receive federal financial aid must file this application and list Grand Valley as a college choice. Our federal school code is 002268.

May

  • Returning upperclass and graduate students receive notification of their financial aid award through myBanner.

Cost of Attendance and Student Budgets

Before applying for financial aid, students and parents should assess all of the costs associated with attending Grand Valley. The following tables estimate the typical nine-month (two-semester) academic year expenses for single residents (living anywhere on or off campus except with parents or relatives) and commuting undergraduate students (living with parents or relatives). Some of the following expenses are discretionary (personal and miscellaneous, transportation, books, and supplies), therefore an average is used to determine the costs associated for such expenses. For more information regarding costs for graduate and doctoral level students, please visit lkgear.com/financialaid/budgets/.

Residential Students

On-Campus

Off-Campus

Tuition and fees* (Michigan resident)

$13,576

$13,576

Books and supplies

$740

$740

Personal and miscellaneous

$2,086

$2,086

Housing and dining*

$9,732

$7,200

Total

$26,134

$23,602

Commuting Students

Tuition and fees*

$13,576

Books and supplies

$740

Personal and miscellaneous

$2,086

Housing and dining*

$1,808

Total

$18,210

Out-of-State Students

 On-campus Off-campus

Tuition and fees* (Non-Michigan resident)

$19,168

$19,168

Books and supplies

$740

 $740

Personal and miscellaneous

$2,086

$2,086

Housing and dining*

$9,732

$7,200

Total

$31,726

$29,194

*Estimated tuition and fees and housing and dining charges. Actual charges are determined by the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees. The rates listed here may change for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Financial Aid for Study Abroad

Financial aid is available to assist in financing the cost of approved study abroad programs. Students may receive assistance for Grand Valley summer programs, as well as full year and one-semester programs through exchanges and other individualized programs.

Students participating in study abroad programs receive financial aid in the amount they normally would receive if remaining on campus; however, students are generally able to borrow loan funds to assist in covering the additional costs. Limited scholarships and grants are available for some study abroad programs. Meeting with a financial aid counselor is highly encouraged. This helps facilitate discussions to ensure your study abroad is fully covered.

Students interested in a study abroad experience must contact the Padnos International Center regarding available program options and are encouraged to apply early for financial aid.

Financial Aid Programs

At Grand Valley, financial aid includes scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment. This aid is usually combined in a "package" to offer the student flexibility in meeting their educational costs. This includes a combination of the various types of aid loans, jobs, scholarships, and grants put together for an award rather than just one of these sources. If you wish to apply for or renew financial assistance, you should review the following information on the types of available financial aid.

1. Programs not based on need. Each program requires different application procedures. Eligibility is determined jointly by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the agency or department funding the program.

2. Programs based on need. These require students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility is determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

3. Special programs. These require students to apply directly to the agency or department responsible for determining eligibility and funding.

Programs Not Based on Need

Scholarships

Incoming Merit Scholarships

Scholarship eligibility criteria indicated as follows are for freshman or transfer students entering in the 2020-2021 academic year. Scholarship information for future academic years may be found on our scholarship webpages at lkgear.com/scholarships/. Grand Valley offers a merit-based scholarship program. We determine initial eligibility for these scholarships at the time of admission, although final award decisions and the amount of some scholarships are made by the scholarship committee after the student has completed all required application materials. To be considered for the incoming freshman and incoming transfer scholarships, the Admissions Office must receive the student's completed admissions application and all supporting documents by December 31 for fall admission for incoming freshman and by March 1 for fall admission for incoming transfer scholarships. Final scholarship decisions are made by May 1.

Complete applications consist of an application for admission, official transcripts, official results of the ACT or SAT test, and a $30 application fee. The merit-based scholarships are described as follows.

Incoming Freshman Merit Scholarships

1. Awards of Distinction. This group of scholarships includes Grand Valley's highest merit-based scholarships, ones that many students aspire to receive. They generally require high academic achievement and top scores on the ACT or SAT. Additional amounts of up to $2,000 are awarded to students who are National Merit Finalists. Scholarship competitions typically take place in December and January.

a. Presidential Scholarships. To be considered for a presidential scholarship, you must have a 3.8 high school cumulative grade point average, a minimum 32 composite ACT score or a score of 1430 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math, and attend a scholarship competition. Awards range from $4,000-$7,000. Awards are made up to $9,000-$12,000 in combination with the Award for Excellence. Grand Valley must be the first institution you attend after graduation from high school. This award is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

b. Faculty Scholarships. To be considered for a faculty scholarship, you must have a 3.6 high school grade point average, a minimum 30 composite ACT score or a score of 1370 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math, and attend a scholarship competition. Awards range from $1,000-$3,000. Awards are made up to $6,000-$8,000 in combination with the Award for Excellence. Grand Valley must be the first institution you attend after graduating from high school. This award is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

2. Award for Excellence

a. Award for Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $5,000. You must be a graduate of a high school in Michigan and Grand Valley must be the first college you attend after graduation. All admitted freshman students will be considered for this scholarship. Students who receive this award must have a 3.5 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 26 or higher or a score of 1240 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

b. Out-of-State Award for Excellence. This scholarship provides awards of $5,000 plus the difference between full-time Michigan resident tuition and nonresident tuition. Grand Valley must be the first college you attend after high school graduation. All admitted freshman students will be considered for this scholarship. Students who receive this award must have a 3.5 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 26 or higher or a score of 1240 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

3. Laker Scholarship

a. Laker Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $2,000. You must be a graduate of a high school in Michigan and Grand Valley must be the first college you attend after graduation. All admitted freshman students will be considered for this scholarship. Students who receive this award must have a 3.3 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 23 or higher or a score of 1140 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship cannot be combined with the Award for Excellence, faculty, or presidential scholarships. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

b. Out-of-State Laker Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $2,000 plus the difference between full-time Michigan resident tuition and nonresident tuition. Grand Valley must be the first college you attend after high school graduation. All admitted freshman students will be considered for this scholarship. Students who receive this award must have a 3.3 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 23 or higher or a score of 1140 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship cannot be combined with Award for Excellence, faculty, or presidential scholarships. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

4. "Lakers Go Abroad!" Scholarship. This is a one-time $2,000 award that recipients may use toward the cost of an approved, for-credit study abroad program outside of the U.S. within four years after initial enrollment at Grand Valley. GVSU must be the first institution students attend after graduating from high school. All admitted freshman students will be prompted to write an essay to be considered for this scholarship when they complete a General Application in GVSU's myScholarships portal (lkgear.com/myscholarships). Students must be meeting Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards and be enrolled full-time during the semester they study abroad in order to use this scholarship.

5. Early Awareness Scholarship. Recipients of this scholarship will have at least two years of participation in one of the following programs: The Detroit Compact, Wade H. McCree Jr. Incentive Scholarship, Introspect Youth Services Inc., Ada S. McKinley Community Services Inc., TRIO Upward Bound, TRIO Talent Search, or GEAR UP while in high school. Students must have a completed admission application submitted by December 31 for the following fall semester. This scholarship cannot be combined with the Urban Schools Scholarship or a Native American Tuition Grant.

a. Early Awareness Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $3,000. Students who receive this award must have a 3.3 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 21 or higher or a score of 1080 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided the student maintains full-time attendance and meets Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

b. Out-of-State Early Awareness Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $3,000 plus the difference between full-time Michigan resident tuition and nonresident tuition. Students who receive this award must have a 3.3 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 21 or higher or a score of 1080 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided the student maintains full-time attendance and meets Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

c. Early Awareness Transfer Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $3,000. Transfer students must have at least two years of participation in one of the programs listed previously. Students who receive this award must have a 3.0 community college cumulative grade point average and have completed 30 college credit hours at the time of application review. Students must have a completed admission application by March 1 and transfer directly from the community college. This scholarship is renewable for one consecutive year provided the student maintains full-time attendance and meets Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.

6. Urban Schools Scholarship. This scholarship is for students graduating from one of the following high schools. Michigan: Grand Rapids Public Schools, Detroit Public Schools, Arthur Hill, Benton Harbor High School, Detroit High School of Fine and Performing Arts, Detroit University Prep Academy, Detroit University Science and Math, Flint Northern High School, Flint Northwestern High School, Flint Southwestern Classical Academy, John Pershing, JW Sexton, Northwestern, Pontiac High School, Saginaw High School, Southfield Arts and Technology High School, University High School, and Western International. Non-Michigan: Chicago High School Agricultural, Curie, Gwendolyn Brooks, Hillcrest, Hyde Park Academy, John Hope College Preparatory, Jones College Prep, Kenwood Academy, Lane Tech, Morgan Park, Percy Julian, Proviso East, Proviso West, South Shore International College Prep High School, Thornridge, Thornton Fractional North High School, Thornwood, Westinghouse High School, and Whitney Young. This scholarship cannot be combined with the Early Awareness Scholarship or a Native American Tuition Grant.

a. Urban Schools Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $3,000 to students graduating from one of the high schools previously listed. Students must have a 3.3 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of 21 or higher or a score of 1080 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided the student maintains full-time attendance and meets Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

b. Out-of-State Urban Schools Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $3,000 plus the difference between full-time Michigan resident tuition and nonresident tuition to students graduating from one of the high schools previously listed. Students must have a 3.3 or higher high school cumulative grade point average and a composite ACT score of a 21 or higher or a score of 1080 or higher on the SAT combined Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided the student maintains full-time attendance and meets Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

7. Alumni Heritage Scholarship. This is a $250 scholarship awarded to a child of a Grand Valley alumni. One or both parents must have graduated from Grand Valley with a bachelor or master's degree. Students who have stepparents or grandparents who are alumni are not eligible. Must be entering as a freshman with GVSU being the first college or university attended after high school, have at least a 3.3 high school cumulative grade point average, full-time enrollment and must not be the recipient of merit scholarships* offered by Grand Valley. A formal application is not required. To be considered for an award, students must indicate their parent's alumni status on their admissions application. Complete admissions application must be submitted by December 31 for fall admission. This scholarship is renewable for three additional consecutive years provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

*Merit scholarships offered by GVSU are classified as the Laker, Award for Excellence, faculty, presidential, early awareness, and urban scholarships.

*If you are awarded more than one scholarship listed here that covers the difference between resident and nonresident tuition, you will only receive this differential once.

The previously listed scholarships are only for use in fall and winter semesters. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will review each scholarship recipient at the end of winter semester for renewal for the next academic year. If a student fails to meet the renewal requirements, the scholarship will be canceled for the following academic year. A student can petition for reinstatement once they again meet the minimum requirements. The appeal for reinstatement form is available online at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website (lkgear.com/financialaid).

Incoming Transfer Merit Scholarships

1. Awards for Excellence Transfer Scholarship. This scholarship provides awards of $2,000. You must have only attended an accredited community college in Michigan and completed 30 college credit hours at the time of application review. All credits earned must be from a Michigan Community College. All admitted transfer students with a completed admission application by March 1 will be considered for this scholarship. Students who receive this scholarship must have a 3.5 or higher college cumulative grade point average. This scholarship is renewable for one additional consecutive year provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

2. Transfer Student Early Awareness Scholarship. Recipients of this scholarship will have at least two years of participation in one of the following programs: The Detroit Compact, Wade H. McCree Jr. Incentive Scholarship, Introspect Youth Services Inc., Ada S. McKinley Community Services Inc., TRIO Upward Bound, TRIO Talent Search, or GEAR UP while in high school. This scholarship cannot be combined with the Urban Schools Scholarship or a Native American Tuition Grant.

This scholarship provides awards of $3,000. Transfer students must have at least two years of participation in one of the programs listed previously. Students who receive this award must have a 3.0 or higher community college cumulative grade point average and completed 30 college credit hours at the time of application review. Students must have a completed admission application by March 1 and transfer directly from the community college. This scholarship is renewable for one additional consecutive year provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

3. Transfer Student Urban Schools Scholarship. This scholarship is for students graduating from one of the following high schools. Michigan: Grand Rapids Public Schools, Detroit Public Schools, Arthur Hill, Benton Harbor High School, Detroit High School of Fine and Performing Arts, Detroit University Prep Academy, Detroit University Science and Math, Flint Northern High School, Flint Northwestern High School, Flint Southwestern Classical Academy, John Pershing, JW Sexton, Northwestern, Pontiac High School, Saginaw High School, Southfield Arts and Technology High School, University High School, and Western International. Non-Michigan: Chicago High School Agricultural, Curie, Gwendolyn Brooks, Hillcrest, Hyde Park Academy, John Hope College Preparatory, Jones College Prep, Kenwood Academy, Lane Tech, Morgan Park, Percy Julian, Proviso East, Proviso West, South Shore International College Prep High School, Thornridge, Thornton Fractional North High School, Thornwood, Westinghouse High School, and Whitney Young. This scholarship cannot be combined with the Early Awareness Scholarship or a Native American Tuition Grant.

This scholarship provides awards of $3,000 to students graduating from one of the high schools previously listed. Students must have a 3.0 or higher community college cumulative grade point average and completed 30 college credit hours at the time of application review. They must have a completed admission application by March 1 and transfer directly from the community college. This scholarship is renewable for one additional consecutive year provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

4. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarships. New entering transfer students who are members of the PTK Honor Society are eligible to apply for this scholarship, up to $1,200. Applicants must possess a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher, be a member of the PTK fraternity, be a graduate of an accredited community college and have earned an associate degree, be admitted to Grand Valley, and enroll as a full-time student. Applicants must have a completed application for admission by March 1. Scholarship applications are submitted through myScholarships, the online scholarship portal at lkgear.com/myscholarships/. Applicants include a letter of application indicating their educational and career goals, a letter of recommendation from their PTK chapter advisor, and a resume. The scholarship is renewable for one additional consecutive year provided the student maintains full-time attendance and meets Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

5. Distinguished Community College Graduate Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to select graduates of all Michigan community colleges. The respective community colleges select the recipients. Students must have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, be completing their associate degree, matriculate directly to Grand Valley, and have a completed application for admission by March 1. This scholarship is renewable for one additional consecutive year provided you maintain full-time attendance and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

The previously listed scholarships are only for use in fall and winter semesters. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will review each scholarship recipient at the end of winter semester for renewal for the next academic year. If a student fails to meet the renewal requirements, the scholarship will be canceled for the following academic year. A student can petition for reinstatement once they again meet the minimum requirements. The appeal for reinstatement form is available online at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website (lkgear.com/financialaid).

Additional Grand Valley Scholarship Opportunities

1. Upperclass Honor Scholarships. A limited number of scholarships up to $1,000 are awarded annually to upperclass students not receiving scholarships from other sources. Students must be full-time undergraduates, have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, and have completed at least 40 semester hours at Grand Valley, or if a transfer student, must have completed at least 15 hours at Grand Valley. Scholarship applications are submitted through myScholarships, the online scholarship portal at lkgear.com/myscholarships/. Selection of upperclass honor award recipients are made by the Grand Valley Scholarship Committee. These scholarships may be renewed for one additional consecutive year for students who enroll full-time and meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Students must have a completed application for admission by the March 1 deadline.

2. Athletic Scholarships. Scholarships are given to students participating in varsity sports. Awards are determined by the coaches. Athletic scholarships are awarded in all men's and women's varsity sports. Men: baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, swimming and diving, track, and tennis. Women: basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, softball, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track, and volleyball. If you think you would be eligible for athletic aid assistance, you should contact the appropriate Grand Valley coach for more information.

3. Music and Dance Scholarships. Talent awards are available to outstanding instrumentalists, pianists, singers, and dancers attending Grand Valley State University and participating in various performance groups, regardless of financial need or academic major. Contact the chair of the music department for more information.

4. Fine Arts Scholarships. These scholarships are for students majoring in the fine arts program at Grand Valley. Information and application forms for these scholarships are available from the departmental offices. Selection of scholarship winners is made by a committee of fine arts faculty members.

5. Detroit Promise Scholarships. The four-year Detroit Promise is last dollar funding provided to eligible students to cover the costs of tuition and fees. Detroit Promise funding is not competitive. To qualify, students must: reside in the city of Detroit from ninth grade through 12th grade; attend all four years and graduate from any Detroit high school (DPS, EAA, charter, private, parochial, home school, etc.); have a 3.0 cumulative GPA as of February 1 of their senior year; have a minimum 21 ACT/1060 SAT as of senior year (can re-test through February); and meet Grand Valley admission requirements. Students must complete an official registration form online at www.detroitchamber.com/profile. For more information, please contact the Detroit Chamber at (313) 964-4000.

6. International Scholarships. International students attending Grand Valley with an F-1 visa may qualify for scholarship funding. Students must submit applications to the Padnos International Center. For more information, visit lkgear.com/istudents/.

7. Laker Lifetime Learning (L3) Account. All Grand Valley State University graduates who have been conferred a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from GVSU are eligible. Each GVSU alum will have a $1,000 lifetime award available to use to pay charges toward credit-bearing coursework for all future GVSU programs, including badges, certificates, advanced degrees, and additional bachelor's degrees. Funds will automatically be applied to a student's bill as they are enrolled. Current GVSU employees and graduate assistants receiving a tuition waiver or reduction are not eligible to receive funds from the account. For more information, visit lkgear.com/l3/.

8. Other Grand Valley State University Scholarship Programs. Grand Valley offers an ever-increasing number of endowed, departmental, and annually funded scholarships. Please refer to our scholarship website at lkgear.com/scholarships for more information or to apply through myScholarships, our online application database. The scholarship cycle begins October 1 and ends March 1 for most scholarships.

Programs Based on Need

Grants

Grant programs are considered "gift" assistance and do not require repayment.

1. Grand Valley Need-based Grand Programs. These grants are available to full-time undergraduate students with exceptional unmet need after all other financial aid is awarded and is based on availability of funds. To apply, you must complete the FAFSA. Priority given to students who file their FAFSA by March 1 each year.

2. Federal Pell Grant. This program is the main source of need-based federal financial aid grant funds. To apply for a Federal Pell Grant, you must submit the FAFSA and indicate on this form that you wish Grand Valley State University to receive your application. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in turn will notify you of the exact amount of the grant, which is determined from a payment schedule published by the U.S. Department of Education. No specific GPA is required for renewal; however, students must be making Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible.

3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). These federal grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional unmet financial need. No specific GPA is required for renewal; however, students must be making Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible. Priority is given to students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant program.

4. Michigan Competitive Scholarship. This state scholarship program is available to undergraduate students pursuing their first degree. Students must demonstrate both financial need and merit. Eligible applicants must complete the FAFSA by March 1 for priority consideration. Ending with the Class of 2016, students must achieve a qualifying ACT score of at least 23 (composite). Starting with the Class of 2017, an ACT score will not be considered. Students must achieve a qualifying score of at least 1200 on the SAT. Please visit www.michigan.gov/missg for all eligibility requirements. Awards from this program are subject to state funding.

5. Federal TEACH Grant. The federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher (TEACH) Education Grant program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in specified content areas in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

6. Native American Tuition Benefit. Students who are certified by the Michigan Intertribal Council to be a member of a federally recognized tribe and a Michigan resident are eligible for a tuition benefit equal to their tuition costs. Students who believe they are eligible Native Americans can contact the Michigan Intertribal Council at (800) 562-4957 for an application and additional information. Students must be meeting institutional eligibility requirements to qualify.

7. Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. This federal loan program operates through the U.S. Department of Education and provides loans to students to help meet their educational expenses. Interest rates are fixed at 2.75 percent for 2020-2021. The interest rate changes each year on July 1. The federal government deducts a 1.059 percent origination fee from the total amount of the loan. If you are eligible for a federal subsidized loan, the federal government will pay the entire interest charge while you are in college. Students must demonstrate financial need to qualify. A student can borrow up to $3,500 for the freshman year of study; $4,500 for the sophomore year; and $5,500 for the junior and senior years, although the total borrowing plus other available resources cannot exceed the calculated financial need of the student to attend Grand Valley. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). First-time borrowers on or after July 1, 2013 will not be eligible to receive subsidized direct loans if the period during which the borrower has received such loans meet or exceeds 150 percent of the published length of the program. Eligible students will be notified by the Grand Valley Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

8. Federal Nursing Loans. These federal loans are to assist with educational expenses for undergraduate and graduate students who are admitted to the Kirkhof College of Nursing at Grand Valley, have financial need, are U.S. citizens, meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, and are not in default on previous federal loan programs. The interest rate is fixed at 5 percent and does not accrue while you are enrolled at least half-time in most institutions of higher education. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Grand Valley Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify eligible students.

Educational Loans Not Based on Need

1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The federal unsubsidized loan is not based on need. Eligibility is determined by taking the cost of education to attend Grand Valley and subtracting any financial aid the student has been awarded. The interest rate is fixed at 2.75 percent for undergraduate students and 4.30 percent for graduate students for 2020-2021. The interest rates change each year on July 1. Under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan Program, however, the interest accrues on the loan while the student is enrolled in school, during the grace period, and during any periods of deferment or repayment. Students may pay on the interest while in school. Students not paying on their accruing interest should be aware that their loan principal will increase based on the amount of that unpaid interest. The federal government deducts a 1.059 percent origination fee from the total amount of the loan. Repayment of the loan principal begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. To be considered for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Grand Valley as a college choice.

2. Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Parents with Undergraduate Students. Parents of dependent students may borrow funds under the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program. The program makes loans of up to the full cost of educational expenses without regard to financial need. The interest rate is fixed at 5.30 percent for 2020-2021. The federal government deducts a 4.236 percent origination fee from the total of the loan. Funds are made available through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program. Grand Valley, not local banks, will originate these loans for parents.

3. Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate Students. Graduate students may borrow funds under this program. The program makes loans of up to the full cost of educational expenses without regard to financial need. The interest rate is fixed at 5.30 percent for 2020-2021. The federal government deducts a 4.236 percent origination fee from the total of the loan. Funds are made available through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program. Grand Valley, not local banks, will originate these loans for students.

4. Alternative Loan Programs. Alternative loans are nonfederal loans to supplement financial aid for credit-worthy students and their families. A student may borrow an amount up to the cost of educational expenses minus other financial aid already awarded. Both fixed and variable interest rates are available. Interest rates may vary depending on the student's decision to pay on the loan while in school versus deferring repayment until after graduation.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships or visit our website lkgear.com/financialaid for more information.

Student Employment

Student Employment assists students in obtaining employment that will help finance their education and develop valuable work skills for their future career choice. Student Employment works with all university departments and the community to create part-time and summer employment opportunities for students. The Student Employment Office is part of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and administers the Federal Work-Study Program at Grand Valley.

Federal Work-Study Program:

Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program that is awarded to students based on demonstrating financial need by filing the FAFSA. Students awarded Federal Work-Study must apply and be hired for Federal Work-Study positions through Handshake. If students do not have Federal Work-Study on their financial aid award, they can still apply for other jobs on campus. Many jobs do not require Federal Work-Study. All students receive biweekly paychecks. Federal Work-Study awards do not pay toward a student's bill.

Students considering on-campus jobs should search and apply for jobs under on-campus student employment in Handshake at lkgear.com/studentjobs/. Handshake is the job-sharing platform that GVSU uses to help students find jobs and connect with their future employer. Handshake is also a great way for students to upload their resume and connect with other student employees. For more information, contact Student Employment at (616) 331-3238, [email protected], or visit us at 100 Arend and Nancy Lubbers Student Services Center.

MoneySmart Lakers

MoneySmart Lakers is a financial education program on campus specifically focused on educating students about financial skills for their future. This program provides students with the tools and resources to help them understand their personal finances and to help them develop their money management skills. MoneySmart Lakers provides on-demand presentations, interactive events, and individual appointments to address the financial literacy needs of the community.

Topics addressed by MoneySmart Lakers include:

  • Creating a spending plan/budget
  • Learning how to build and maintain good credit
  • Understanding loans
  • Financing your education
  • Wealth building

For more information, please visit the MoneySmart Lakers website at lkgear.com/moneysmart, email [email protected], or call the office at (616) 331-3234.

Payment Options

The Student Accounts Office is responsible for all student accounts, billing, collections, and Perkins Loan repayment. Payment options are as follows:

  • Credit card ($20 fee)

  • Electronic check (no fee)

  • Cash

  • Check or money order

Additional Payment Options

  • Grand Valley Deferment Plan. The deferment plan covers all current semester charges on the student account after financial aid has been applied. Past due balance cannot be included in the deferment plan and must be paid on or before the payment due date. There is a $40 nonrefundable fee to utilize the deferment plan. Students can enroll in myBanner under Student Account. Contact the Student Accounts Office for more information at (616) 331-2209 or toll-free at (800) 789-1923.
  • Company Deferment Plan. This plan is for students who qualify for their employer's tuition reimbursement program and allows the amount of tuition and fees paid for by the employer to be deferred until the end of the semester. Any amount of tuition, fees, and other charges (including parking permits) not paid for by the employer must be received by the tuition deadline and included with an application for enrollment in the deferment plan. For more information, visit lkgear.com/studentaccounts/.
  • Western Union Payments for International Students. This payment option allows students to pay their student account balance in the currency of their choice and provides a simple and reliable way of initiating payments electronically. For payment support, contact Western Union Business Solutions at (402) 884-3041 or [email protected].

Guardian/Family Access (Proxy)

Students are able to grant proxy access to allow secure payments through Guardian/Family Access. If someone other than the student typically makes a payment on the student account, we highly recommend they set up proxy access so the proxy can make a payment with their own login and password. For more information, please visit lkgear.com/registrar/family/.

Emergency Student Options

Grand Valley Short-term Loans. For a small service fee, short-term loans of up to $500 are available for books and other emergencies. Repayment dates are determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the time of application but do not exceed 60 days or the end of the semester (whichever comes first). Students need to be in good standing with the institution to apply for this loan. Applications and general policies regarding short-term loans are available at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Special Programs

Michigan Works!

The workforce development system, Michigan Works!, provides financial assistance designed to prepare individuals for entry into the labor force. Go to www.michiganworks.org to find out more about these funding options and the steps necessary to receive this financial assistance.

Private Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available from private sources. Contact organizations in your community that may provide scholarships, especially those in which you and/or your parents are active. Your local high school guidance office is also a source of this information. Scholarships may have deadlines beginning as early as October 1 for the following year, so it is important to begin your search as early as possible.

Tribal Grants

Financial assistance may be available for Native American students who are affiliated with a tribe. For more information on requirements and application materials, contact your tribal higher education officer.

Veterans Benefits

Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 Penalty Waiver: Pursuant to the Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act (SIT-REP Act), any student who receives educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33 through the Department of Veterans Affairs will not be assessed any late fees, denied of access to classes, libraries, or other instructional facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds because of the student's inability to meet their financial obligations to Grand Valley State University as a result of the delayed disbursement of any payment provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Michigan Public Act 245 provides partial tuition payment to students from Michigan who are children of veterans who died in service or were totally disabled because of service causes. You can request an application and review further information at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid.

Veterans Administration Benefits: Information about education benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is available at the official U.S. government website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. The GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the VA.

Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act (GI Bill) provides educational benefits for servicemen and women who have served on active duty. You can obtain further information from the Veterans Administration office nearest your home or by calling them. They also have a website you can go to for more information, visit www.va.gov.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The Michigan Department of Education, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, provides services and financial assistance to students with certain disabilities. You can obtain information by calling your local Bureau of Rehabilitation office or writing to Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Box 30010, Lansing, MI 48909 or calling (517) 373-3390. For a listing of district offices, call (800) 605-6722. To renew vocational rehabilitation assistance, you must submit the necessary financial aid forms each year and make arrangements for a review of your case with your vocational rehabilitation counselor.

Enrollment Requirements for Disbursement of Aid

Your financial aid award is based on full-time enrollment, regardless of the plans you indicated on the FAFSA. Specific funds, however, have enrollment requirements and will apply toward your bill and be backed off your bill as your enrollment changes (i.e. as you drop and add credits). For more information, please visit: lkgear.com/financialaid/enrollment/.

The following funds will pay on your bill as long as you are enrolled for at least one credit:

  • Grand Finish grant
  • Some private (nonfederal) loans
  • Some private scholarships

The following funds will pay on your bill as long as you are enrolled at least half-time (six or more credits as an undergraduate; four and one-half credits or more as a graduate):

  • Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans
  • Some private loans

The following funds will be prorated based on your enrollment:

  • Michigan Competitive Scholarship
  • Federal Work-Study
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal TEACH Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The remaining funds require full-time enrollment of 12 or more credits to pay on your bill:

  • Federal nursing loan
  • Grand Valley grants
  • Grand Valley scholarships
  • Some private scholarships

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require institutions to monitor the academic progress of financial aid recipients. Grand Valley's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is to provide financial aid to students capable of remaining in good academic standing and who make adequate progress toward a degree. Students must meet the academic requirements as follows to remain eligible for financial aid.

Undergraduate Students

  • Maintain a minimum 1.5 cumulative GVSU grade point average for 0-24 credits completed
  • Maintain a minimum 1.8 cumulative GVSU grade point average for 25-54 credits completed
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GVSU grade point average for 55+ credits completed
  • Complete and pass a minimum of two-thirds of all attempted credit hours (will include only credits enrolled in at the end of the 100 percent drop/add period each semester)
  • Complete all degree requirements within 150 percent of the minimum number of credit hours required to graduate (based on 120 credit hours required to graduate x 1.5 = 180 attempted cumulative credit hours)

Second Undergraduate Students

  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GVSU grade point average
  • Complete and pass a minimum of two-thirds of all attempted undergraduate credit hours (will include only credits enrolled in at the end of the 100 percent drop/add period each semester)
  • Complete all subsequent undergraduate degree requirements within 270 attempted cumulative credit hours. An additional 90 credits will be allowed for a subsequent undergraduate degree. First bachelor degree students must not exceed 180 attempted cumulative credit hours, which is 150 percent of the minimum requirement to obtain an undergraduate degree.

Graduate Students

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GVSU grade point average
  • Complete and pass a minimum of two-thirds of all attempted graduate credit hours (will include only credits enrolled in at the end of the 100 percent drop/add period each semester)
  • Complete all degree requirements within 150 percent of the minimum number of credit hours required to graduate (based on 60 credit hours required to graduate x 1.5 = 90 attempted cumulative credit hours)

Doctoral Students

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GVSU grade point average
  • Complete and pass a minimum of two-thirds of all attempted credit hours (will include only credits enrolled in at the end of the 100 percent drop/add period each semester)
  • Complete all degree requirements within 150 percent of the minimum number of credit hours required to graduate (based on 120 credits required to graduate x 1.5 = 180 attempted cumulative credit hours)

General Provisions and Information

  • Grand Valley must take into consideration all attempted credits, regardless if financial aid was received for those credits.
  • Transfer credits accepted at GVSU are used to calculate the student's remaining eligibility under the maximum time frame and included in the completion rate calculation. Transfer credits accepted at GVSU are counted as both attempted and earned in the calculation of completion rate. Transfer courses are not used in the calculation of cumulative GVSU GPA.
  • Satisfactory academic progress will be determined at the end of each semester for all enrolled students regardless of whether or not financial aid was received that semester.
  • Repeat classes increase the total attempted hours, but do not increase the total number of credits completed.
  • All courses, including incomplete credits, repeated credits, and remedial credits are evaluated for completion rate.
  • For all students, grades of W, NC, F, X or I will be considered as hours attempted, but not considered as successfully completed credits.
  • Credit hours earned by testing or other nonstandard means will be included in calculating the 150 percent required credit limit for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.
  • All credit hours attempted through international programs and through concurrent enrollment agreements count in both attempted and earned calculations.
  • If a student notifies the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships that a grade from a prior-term course has been changed retroactively, we will conduct a review of the student's SAP status in light of the updated grade information
  • If a student elects to double major, complete more than one degree at a time, and/or start a degree and then change majors, all classes previously taken will still be used in the evaluation of SAP. Each time a degree is conferred, the student's SAP status resets and only classes taken from that point forward are included in SAP calculations.

Appeal Process and Definitions
Students who fail to meet the previously listed academic progress standards will be placed on SAP financial aid warning for one semester. Students receive a warning status after having been in a SAP eligible status. If a student is unable to regain eligibility by meeting the minimum SAP requirements after one semester (while on warning status), they have the option of completing the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. All appeal forms should be turned in to the financial aid office by the last day of the fourth week of classes to allow the committee time to review the request prior to the end of the drop/add period of the semester which the appeal is being requested. The form is available on the financial aid website. Students must submit the form, an Academic Plan (myPath), and a statement explaining why the student failed to meet the requirements, what steps the student has taken to be successful, and the student's goals for the future. A student may submit an appeal based on the death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstance.

Financial Aid Warning. Students in good financial aid academic standing who fail to meet the requirements in the subsequent semester will be placed on financial aid warning to allow them one semester to regain eligibility. If students are not meeting the overall satisfactory academic progress requirements after one semester of warning, they will no longer be eligible for aid. Students who were placed on a SAP warning status who were unable to meet the minimum requirements will be given the option of appealing to the SAP Appeals Committee to request an exception to receive financial aid for one probation semester.

Financial Aid Probation. Students who were placed on SAP warning status who were unable to meet the minimum requirements will be given the option of appealing to the SAP Appeals Committee to request an exception to receive financial aid for one additional semester. While on probation, a student must meet the following requirements to maintain financial aid eligibility:

  • Undergraduate: Earn a 2.5 semester GPA or a 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Graduate/Doctoral: Earn a 3.0 semester GPA or a 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Complete all credits the student is still registered for at the end of the drop/add period

Failure to meet the financial aid probationary GPA and/or credit completion requirement while on financial aid probation will result in the loss of eligibility for continued financial aid.

Financial Aid Academic Plan. Students who were unable to regain and meet overall SAP standards after having been on Warning and Probation status may be placed in an Academic Plan status. An Academic Plan is intended to support and encourage students to successfully progress toward earning their degree, and can be met by:

  • Undergraduate: Earn a 2.5 semester GPA or a 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Graduate/Doctoral: Earn a 3.0 semester GPA or a 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Complete all credits the student is still registered for at the end of the drop/add period

Financial Aid Ineligible. If students were unable to meet overall eligibility or the minimum required of their Probation or Academic Plan, they will not be eligible to receive aid for subsequent semesters without an additional appeal, which may require a meeting with a financial aid administrator. Students may regain financial aid eligibility by achieving the minimum requirements at their own expense.

Note: Refer to the Academic Policies and Regulations for the Academic Review Policy. These are separate from and different than the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements discussed previously.

Terms and Conditions Governing Acceptance of Award

Grand Valley State University's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships makes every effort to provide timely and accurate information in your award notification. The university also reserves the right to change without notice any award due to federal, state, or university changes in policies, procedures, or regulations.

In accepting your financial aid award offer, you are stating that you have met and will continue to meet all the following conditions of acceptance set by federal regulations and Grand Valley policies:

  • The information submitted on your aid application is correct and complete.
  • You will notify Grand Valley's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you receive assistance not originally on your award notification (e.g. an outside scholarship). A reduction of other aid may be necessary even if funds have already been disbursed.
  • You will use the financial aid awarded to you only for payment of tuition, books, housing costs, transportation, and other related educational expenses.
  • Financial aid disbursements will begin on the 10th day preceding the first day of classes of any given semester. After this day, semester financial aid disbursements will be applied to student accounts daily.
  • You agree that financial aid awarded to you may be used as a credit toward payment of all tuition, fees, room, board, and all other charges that may be due or past due on your student account.
  • You will maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress toward your degree according to the policy of the Grand Valley Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
  • You will maintain the minimum credit hour(s) that you have registered for after the 100-percent refund period each semester. Your award will be based on full time attendance and will be adjusted after the 100-percent tuition refund period each semester. If you drop below the number of credit hours upon which your award was based or withdraw completely from your courses, you may be expected to repay all or part of your award.
  • You will notify the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you do not plan to enroll in a semester for which you have been awarded aid.
  • You are not in default on educational loans and do not owe a balance as a result of returned aid for any federal funds received at GVSU or elsewhere.
  • You must meet all the requirements regarding registering for selective service, citizenship status, and drug conviction status.
  • You will respond promptly to any requests for additional information. Failure to do so may result in you being billed for a portion or all of the aid disbursed to you or will delay additional disbursements.
  • You will immediately notify the Grand Valley Registrar's Office if you withdraw from the university. You may be billed for part or all of your financial aid. The bill will depend on the date of your withdrawal and the percentage and amount of institutional refund to be received.
  • You agree to repay to GVSU any financial aid funds disbursed to you in error. If a mistake was made, whether by you, GVSU, or another agency, federal regulations require that the mistake be corrected and funds be billed back as necessary.
  • If you are incarcerated or become incarcerated while you are in attendance at GVSU and receiving financial aid, you must notify the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. If your parent participates in the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program, and your parent is incarcerated or becomes incarcerated during an academic year in which he/she has borrowed the PLUS on your behalf, your parent must notify the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.