Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid

Walsh College participates in federal and state financial aid programs and offers scholarships based both on academic achievement and financial need. Policies, procedures, and regulations relating to these areas are published in the Walsh College academic catalog.

Financial assistance is based upon the following criteria:

Financial Need - A student who demonstrates financial need as defined by the federal government may be eligible to receive financial assistance through federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid programs. These programs include grants, scholarships, and loans. A student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis to receive federal and state grants and federal loans. A student who is enrolled less than half-time will have grants and/or loans for that term cancelled.

Financial Aid Eligibility - To be eligible for financial aid, a student must:

• Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen
• Be enrolled in degree or eligible certificate program
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The FAFSA is available each year typically beginning October 1 for the following academic award year.

New and continuing students are also eligible to apply for scholarships for a limited number of donor-funded scholarships.

Students who have received a financial aid offer may charge books and supplies from the Walsh College bookstore to their student accounts if they have completed the Walsh College Bookstore Authorization form, available at the time a financial aid offer is made.

Walsh College participates in the following financial aid programs:

Federal Programs

• Federal Pell Grant Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)
• Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loan Program
• Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) Program
• Federal Direct Grad (PLUS) Program

State Programs

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship
• Michigan Tuition Grant*
• Michigan Competitive Scholarship*
• Tuition Incentive Program (Phase II)*

*FAFSA is required and should be submitted by July 1st for full consideration.

Attendance Policy for Financial Aid

Regular class attendance is required for students receiving financial aid. If a student fails to begin attendance or stops attending classes (unofficial withdrawal), financial aid may be reduced or cancelled.

At the end of each semester, students who fail to earn credit (F-grade) for coursework are reviewed. Students who receive an F-grade because they never attended class will have all financial aid cancelled. Students who receive an F-grade because they stopped attending class may have their financial aid reduced based on a Return to Title IV calculation. Students who earned an F-grade will not be affected by this policy. An F-grade may affect a student’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.

This policy applies to consortium students attending Walsh College and a community college. Attendance will be reviewed for courses at both schools to determine if the grades were caused by a failure to attend.

Concurrent Enrollment

Bachelor’s level financial aid students concurrently enrolling at Walsh College and a community college during the same semester may complete a consortium agreement form located within the student financial aid portal.

Federal Direct Loan Program

A financial aid recipient who is a first-time borrower of the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan programs at Walsh College must complete loan entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note online at studentaid.gov. This must be done before a request for a Direct Loan can be processed.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office of Walsh College to provide financial assistance to students who remain in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their degree while receiving financial aid. Walsh’s SAP policy applies to all students, those receiving federal and/or state financial aid as well as those who do not. Walsh College evaluates each student’s academic progress at the end of each term in which the student is enrolled (fall, winter, spring, and summer).

To maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility while attending Walsh College, a student must meet both a Qualitative Factor and a Quantitative Factor described below.

Qualitative Factor

This is the cumulative grade point average a student must achieve to receive financial aid. A grade of A through D- is included in the cumulative GPA even if the grade is not an acceptable grade for the student’s program of study.

Quantitative Factor

This is the pace a student must progress through their program to ensure they will graduate within the maximum timeframe.

Bachelor’s Level Students

Must have a cumulative grade point average at Walsh College of 2.000 or higher and must successfully complete 67% of their cumulative credits attempted. Bachelor’s level students must complete their degree within 150% of the length of the program. 120-124 semester credit hours are required for graduation.

Second Degree Bachelor’s Level Students

Must have a cumulative grade point average at Walsh College of 2.000 or higher and must successfully complete 67% of their cumulative credits attempted. A degree audit will need to be performed by the Admissions Office to determine the credit hours required to complete the new degree. This will allow the Financial Aid Office to determine their maximum timeframe.

Master’s and Doctoral Level Students

Must have a cumulative grade point average at Walsh College of 3.000 or higher. Master’s level students must complete 50% of their coursework attempted and complete their degree requirements within 5 years or 20 semesters. Doctoral level students must complete 50% of their coursework attempted and complete their degree requirements within 6 years or 24 semesters.

SAP Status Definitions

Acceptable Status

A student who is meeting both qualitative and quantitative requirements above. A student with an acceptable status is eligible to receive the financial aid for which they qualify.

Warning Status

A student who does not meet both qualitative and quantitative requirements listed above will be placed on a warning status. Students are eligible to receive financial aid while on a warning status. Their progress will be reviewed at the end of the warning status semester and must meet the qualitative and quantitative factors above to continue receiving financial aid.

Unacceptable Status

A student who does not meet both qualitative and quantitative requirements at the end of their warning status semester will be placed on an unacceptable status. While on an unacceptable status a student is not eligible for financial aid.

Maxed Status

A bachelor’s level student who has attempted more than 150% of their program who is unable to complete their degree requirements within 5 years is no longer eligible for financial aid. A master’s level student who is unable to complete their degree requirements within 5 years is no longer eligible for financial aid. A doctoral level student who is unable to complete their degree requirements within 6 years is no longer eligible for financial aid.

Appealing the Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student who has lost financial aid eligibility due to an unacceptable status may appeal their status. Appeals should be based on circumstance beyond the student’s control such as, injury or illness, death of a relative, or other special circumstances. Supporting documentation will be required. A student who wishes to appeal must complete a Satisfactory Academic Appeal Request Form. Other forms of appeal will not be accepted.

If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on an academic plan and is eligible to receive financial aid on a semester-by-semester basis until they meet the qualitative and quantitively factors described above. For students on academic plans who do not meet qualitative and quantitively factors, their academic progress will be determined based on whether they have met the terms of their academic plan for the prior semester. If they have met the terms of the academic plan, they will be placed on a continued academic plan. If they have not, their SAP status will remain unacceptable.

Bachelor’s level students who have attempted more than 150% of their program and master’s level students who are unable to complete their degree requirements within 5 years (20 semesters) are no longer eligible for financial aid. They can appeal to the Financial Aid office and if approved, will be placed on an academic plan. The student will remain eligible for financial aid as long as the student meets the terms of the academic plan. If the student fails to meet the terms of the academic plan, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid for the remainder of their program.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

A student who has lost financial aid eligibility due to SAP or has been denied an SAP appeal will be reviewed at the end of their next semester of enrollment at Walsh College. Their SAP status must be Acceptable to receive financial aid for which they qualify.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits from other institutions at the time of the SAP review are included in both the attempted and completed credits. Transfer credits are also included in the 150% maximum timeframe. The cumulative grade point average is determined only with courses taken in residence at Walsh College.

Attempted Coursework

Withdrawals, earned F-grades, F-grades due to non-attendance (see Attendance Policy for Financial Aid), incomplete and NR coursework, retroactive drops, repeated courses, coursework removed from transcript due to clean slate and non-credit remedial coursework count as attempted coursework, and may cause a student to be placed on SAP status which could jeopardize future financial aid eligibility. Students who have a grade change after SAP has been determined must notify the Financial Aid Office from their Walsh College email to finaid@walshcollege.edu. Upon notification the student’s SAP will be recalculated to determine if the SAP status needs to be modified. The student will be notified of the outcome of the recalculation.

Change of Major

A student who decides to change majors will have all classes already taken count in the maximum timeframe.

Loan Exit Counseling

A financial aid recipient who has borrowed Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized loans must complete the loan exit counseling session online at studentaid.gov. Exit counseling must be completed when the borrower ceases at least half-time enrollment such as upon graduation or withdrawing.

Return of Title IV Policy

Federal law requires Walsh College to determine the amount of Title IV financial aid a student earns if the student withdraws from or stops attending school. A student’s withdrawal date is the date the student began the withdrawal process or officially notified Walsh College of their intent to withdraw. If a student leaves without notification, otherwise known as an unofficial withdrawal, the midpoint of the term or the student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity is used as the withdrawal date. A student who never begins attendance in all classes is considered not eligible for financial aid and all Title IV aid is returned to the appropriate originating agency.

The Title IV programs include, and the return of aid is made in the following order:

1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized
2. Federal Subsidized Loans
3. Federal PLUS Loans
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal financial aid is “earned” directly in proportion to the number of days attended during the academic term. Walsh College must calculate the total amount of federal financial aid the student has earned and is entitled to keep up to the date of withdrawal.

The calculation of earned financial aid is derived from a formula mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. The portion of federal grants and loans a student is entitled to keep is calculated on a percentage basis by comparing the total number of days in the term (less any scheduled breaks of 5 consecutive days or more) to the number of days the student completed up to the withdrawal date. For example, if a student completes 30% of the semester, then 30% of the federal financial aid awarded is considered earned, and 70% of the scheduled awards must be returned.

If a student has already received more financial aid than earned, the unearned funds must be returned to the appropriate originating agency. When the date of withdrawal occurs after 60% of the term has elapsed, the student is considered to have earned 100% of aid, and no action is required. All unearned Title IV funds must be returned within 45 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew.

If a student did not receive all the funds that were earned, the student may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement. If the student’s post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, Walsh College must obtain the student’s permission before a disbursement can be made. Federal grants do not require permission from the student if the tuition and fees charges are greater than the federal grant to be disbursed.

If a post-withdrawal offer requires the student’s permission, a letter will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service. To receive a post withdrawal disbursement the student must accept the offer within the timeframe allowed in the post withdrawal letter. A post-withdrawal offer must be made within 30 days from the date the school determined the student withdrew.

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

Walsh College strives to help our students maximize the return on their educational investment by offering multiple types of financial assistance. The following resources can help students meet the costs of their Walsh education.

It is strongly recommended all eligible students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to receive the fullest consideration for Walsh scholarships. Students should also explore tuition reimbursement opportunities through their/parents’ employer(s).

Walsh College Merit Awards

To be considered for Walsh College undergraduate merit awards, new bachelor’s level students must apply and submit all admission materials. Bachelor’s level students meeting admission requirements will be considered. Master’s level student merit awards may be considered if funding is available.

Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award (AEA)

• Awarded at admission to new bachelor’s degree seeking students with a 3.75 or higher admission grade point average.
• Up to $10,000 award prorated each semester based on enrollment.
• Requires a minimum of part-time enrollment (6 undergraduate credits).
• Must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA at Walsh College to renew award each semester.
• New bachelor’s degree seeking students who had Phi Theta Kappa membership at their transfer institution and who meet the above listed criteria will also be considered.

Graduate Academic Excellence Award (AEG)

• Awarded at admission to new graduate students with a 3.75 or higher admission grade point average.
• Up to $6,000 award; flat rate of $1,000 per semester up to a maximum of 6 semesters.
• Requires a minimum of part-time enrollment (3 graduate credits).
• Must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA at Walsh College to renew award each semester.

Students meeting the eligibility criteria will receive an Academic Excellence Award offer notification email from Financial Aid subject to funding availability.

Walsh College Donor Scholarships

To be considered for Walsh College donor scholarship awards, newly admitted and continuing students must submit one scholarship application for consideration for any available donor scholarship opportunities.

While the requirements of individual donor scholarships vary, most take factors such as academic level (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral), program of study, cumulative grade point average, and enrollment status (must be at least half-time enrollment) into consideration. To receive the fullest consideration for all Walsh College scholarship opportunities, eligible students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA each year.

Applicants who submit a scholarship application prior to the applicable scholarship application priority date below are given first consideration. Applications received after the priority date and no later than the first day of the semester, may be considered if funding remains available.

Applicants selected to receive a donor scholarship will receive a scholarship offer notification email from Financial Aid. The number of qualified applicants for scholarships may be greater than the available funding. Not all qualified applicants will receive scholarships. The decisions of the scholarship committee are final.

Important Dates