Albion College offers need-based financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and student employment. Sources of funds include Albion College scholarships, grants and work; private sources; and State of Michigan and federal grant, loan and work programs administered by the College.

To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA may be obtained from your high school guidance office or the Albion College Financial Aid Office. The Albion College Financial Aid Office will develop a financial aid package based on the FAFSA information. The package will include a combination of grants, scholarships, loans and work. Students have the option of accepting all or part of the aid awarded. Albion College also offers a number of academic scholarships to incoming students. Students who qualify for an academic scholarship receive notification from the Admissions Office.

While we do everything we can to assist students with financial need, it is important to remember that, at Albion, we believe the primary responsibility for financing your education lies with you and your family. In awarding need-based aid, the College requires that each student and his/her parent(s) contribute funds toward the cost of the student's education. Information about loans, scholarships and work opportunities may be secured by contacting Albion's Financial Aid Office. Because the amount of aid is limited, entering first-year students applying for financial aid are urged to make their requests by filing the FAFSA as soon after January 1 of their senior year as possible. Awards are made in the order that processed forms are received. The deadline for the State of Michigan scholarship/grant program is February 21. For maximum consideration, Albion academic scholarship applications must be received by February 1.

Need-Based Aid Renewal

You must reapply annually for need-based financial aid. All enrolled students receiving aid automatically receive renewal information in early December. Based on available funding, aid usually continues at the same level each year, unless there is a change in your family situation.

Satisfactory Progress Policy
The Higher Education Act of 1965, reauthorized in 1998, mandates that institutions of higher education maintain minimum standards of `satisfactory progress' for students receiving financial aid. At Albion, these standards apply to students receiving institutional funds and federal and state grants, loans and work. To meet satisfactory progress requirements, a student must maintain a minimum grade point average each semester, complete a required number of units each year, and complete degree requirements within a determined number of semesters.

A full-time student is one who is enrolled for at least 3.0 units each semester. A half-time student is one who is enrolled for at least 1.5 units per semester. Students enrolled on a less than full-time basis will have adjustments made in their financial aid package; students carrying fewer than 1.5 units will be ineligible for financial aid for that semester.

For the purpose of awarding financial aid, students are considered to be making satisfactory progress if cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) and units completed at Albion College are as follows:

1.00 with a minimum of 2.5 units completed at the end of the first semester;
1.62 with a minimum of 5 units completed at the end of the first academic year;
1.75 with a minimum of 9 units completed at the end of the third semester;
1.81 with a minimum of 13 units completed at the end of the second academic year;
1.90 with a minimum of 16.75 units completed at the end of the fifth semester;
2.00 with a minimum of 20.5 units completed at the end of the third academic year;
2.00 with a minimum of 25.75 units completed at the end of the seventh semester.

Satisfactory progress toward the G.P.A. requirement is reviewed after each semester; satisfactory progress toward units completed is reviewed in May of each academic year.

A student who has insufficient units to qualify for aid may become eligible for aid only when enough units, including incomplete courses, have been completed to make up the unit shortage. Unit credit may be transferred in, but G.P.A. will be affected only by courses taken at Albion College. The academic year begins with the first day of classes of the fall semester and continues to the first day of classes the following fall, thus allowing the possibility of reinstatement of aid eligibility over the summer term. If there are extenuating circumstances, students may appeal the loss of their financial aid by writing the director of financial aid.

In addition, regardless of the cumulative G.P.A., a student who fails to obtain a minimum 2.0 G.P.A. for three consecutive semesters is not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress for aid renewal.

This policy requires that students complete their bachelor's degree within eight semesters. Albion students are ordinarily eligible to receive federal, state and Albion College financial aid for eight semesters. Students who are continuing in order to complete teacher certification or bachelor of fine arts degree requirements will be eligible for an additional semester of aid.

All semesters in which the student enrolled and attended any classes will count in semesters attended, including semesters in which the student withdrew. This policy applies even if no financial aid was received during a particular semester. Semesters in which the student was granted a leave of absence will be considered on an individual basis.

Transfer Students--Class standing of transfer students will be considered according to units transferred in. For example, a student who is deemed to have first-semester sophomore class standing upon entrance will be eligible for six semesters of Albion financial aid.

Notification of Aid Termination--The Financial Aid Office will notify, by letter, any student qualifying for financial assistance who does not meet minimum satisfactory progress and is being terminated from aid. Following the spring semester, notices will be sent to the most recent permanent address supplied to the registrar by the student, and such notices are considered delivered.

Academic Withdrawal--See p. 102 for academic status and withdrawal information.

Albion College Academic Scholarship Renewal

Academic scholarships are renewable annually provided students maintain the required yearly grade-point average and are in good personal standing with the College.

Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain superior academic performance while at Albion College. To renew a Distinguished Albion Scholar award, a Trustee Scholarship and a Presidential Scholarship, a student must maintain a yearly grade point average of 3.00. To renew a Webster or Briton Scholarship, a student must maintain a yearly grade point average of 2.50.

Grade point averages and units earned are reviewed at the end of the academic year by the Financial Aid Office. A student's first year of college is often the most challenging. Therefore, students are encouraged to seek the advice of their faculty adviser while making decisions regarding their class schedule. Eligibility to retain an academic award will require the yearly G.P.A. or a written plan of action from the faculty adviser regarding the issues surrounding a student's G.P.A. Students must also maintain good social standing to be eligible for renewal of an academic award, as defined in Albion College's Student Handbook.

Student Employment

Campus employment is available to help students meet expenses. Federal Work-Study programs are available for students who show financial need, based on analysis of the FAFSA. In addition to on-campus Work-Study positions, there are positions available off-campus in the community of Albion that are now funded through the federal Work-Study program. Earnings from student employment are paid directly to the student by payroll check each month; the amount earned is not credited to the student's account.

The Student Employment Office has a listing of on- and off-campus jobs that are available for everyone (Work-Study and non-Work-Study students). This listing includes job description, qualifications needed and rate of pay.