Financial Aid

Chicago State University makes every effort to extend financial assistance to qualified students who need funds to complete their education. The university is a participant in federal student assistance programs that provide financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and employment for admitted and enrolled students. No student should be reluctant to apply for admission to the university because of a lack of funds. A variety of financial assistance programs are administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

A student who wishes to apply for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You are encouraged to file online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa You may link to this web site through the Office of Student Financial Aid page of the Chicago State University website. Chicago State University’s Federal school code is 001694. You will need to enter this code on your FAFSA so that Chicago State University will receive a copy of your application once the US Department of Education (USDE) has processed it. Financial assistance awards are based upon demonstrated financial need and processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Eligibility

Students must be admitted to a master’s or doctoral degree program. Unclassified, graduate-at-large students (i.e., those not formally admitted into a degree or certification program) are ineligible for assistance. Students must be in compliance with the Chicago State University Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Federal Direct Student Loan Program; Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan; Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Under these programs, low-interest loans are provided to students who are enrolled at least half-time as graduate students and enrolled in a degree or certification program. Loan eligibility will be made available to all enrolled students once they have completed a FAFSA and the results are received by Chicago State University. Students will be notified to access CSU X-Press to review their loan eligibility and to complete any requirements to finalize loan funding.

Students must complete a master promissory note and entrance counseling via studentaid.gov to accept the terms of the unsubsidized Stafford loan.

The Graduate PLUS loan requires a credit check and approval via studentaid.gov.  Once approved, students must complete a master promissory note and credit counseling to accept the terms of the loan. If a student is approved with an Endorser, the Endorser must complete the addendum and the student must complete the master promissory note and credit counseling after the Endorser has completed all of the steps to Endorse the loan. For assistance regarding the GRAD PLUS loan, students may contact 800-433-3243.

Entrance Counseling

Students who receive Federal Direct Loans are required to participate in a federally mandated Entrance Counseling (loan counseling) session. Students are also required to complete an exit interview when they completely withdraw or graduate from Chicago State University. Additional information is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Federal Awards and Loans

Types of Aid

Financial aid is usually grouped into two main categories:

• Gift aid is financial assistance that does not have to be repaid. It includes need-based federal, state and institutional grants, all scholarships, veteran’s educational benefits and employer tuition reimbursement.
• Self-help aid refers to educational loans or student employment. It includes both student and parent federal loans, alternative loans (from private lenders, banks or guarantee agencies), federal work-study and assistantships.

Federal Awards and Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program: By completing a financial aid application (FAFSA), the student will be considered for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program. This loan is commonly referred to as the Federal Direct Loan Program. There are two types of Federal Direct Stafford Loans for students who meet all federal eligibility requirements: the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (available to undergraduates only), and the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (available to both undergraduates and graduates).

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan (undergraduates and graduates):

A student’s eligibility for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on financial need. A student may borrow the cost of education minus all other financial aid you receive, up to the Direct Loan maximum for the academic level. The interest on the Unsubsidized Direct Loan accrues from the date of disbursement. Students have two choices for paying interest: pay it while still enrolled as a student or it can accrue and become part of the principal that will be owed. The student is required to begin making payments six months after graduation; or when enrollment ceases for more than six months; or when enrollment is less than half-time for more than six months.

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work-Study Program is a need-based, federally funded, part-time employment program. Students must be in good academic standing in order to be considered for a work-study position and must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA for continued eligibility. Salaries are paid by Federal funds. The amount of a student’s Federal work-study eligibility is based on the student’s financial need. When accepting a Federal work-study award, it is the student’s responsibility to seek employment through the job portal located at csu.edu.

Please note that work-study dollars are paid directly to the student for hours worked; funds are not credited to the student’s account. The hourly rate of pay will be based on the requirements of the job and on university pay scales but will not be less than the state minimum wage. Students are required to submit time via webtime entry for hours worked. Students are paid on the 15th and the last day of the month.

Grants

Grants are funds that do not need to be repaid. Grants are awarded based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants are credited directly to the student’s account during each semester for which the student has been awarded funds. The funds are first applied against any amounts owed the university.

Federal TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH Grant) is a federal grant program for students who plan to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year. In order to qualify for the TEACH Grant students must, among other requirements, have achieved a 3.25 GPA, and must maintain such a GPA for ongoing eligibility. In exchange for receiving the TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. Recipients of a TEACH Grant must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing their program of study for which the TEACH Grant was received.

IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. This loan must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Students will be charged interest from the date the grant(s) was disbursed.

Illinois Veterans Scholarship

Tuition and certain fees for the equivalent of four calendar years at state colleges or universities are covered. Students who wish to be considered for military scholarships must submit a copy of their separation papers (Form DD214) to the Office of Veterans Affairs, located within the Office of Student Financial Aid, ADM-207, extension 3549, and complete an application for the scholarship. Students must submit the Veterans Benefits Waiver Request form each semester.

MIA/POW Scholarship

Tuition and activity fees for an equivalent of four calendar years are covered for any spouse, natural child, legally adopted child, or stepchild of an Illinois veteran or service person who has been declared by the US Department of Defense or the US Veterans Administration to be a prisoner of war or missing in action, who has died as the result of a service-connected disability or is 100 percent disabled. More detailed information may be obtained from the Office of Veterans Affairs, located within the Office of Student Financial Aid, ADM-207, extension 2304.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for graduate students. Students interested in applying for an assistantship should contact the chairperson of the department of their specialization after enrolling in classes.

Fellowships

The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program (DFI) was established by the Illinois General Assembly and signed as Public Act 093-0862 on August 4, 2004. The purpose of the DFI Program is to increase the number of underrepresented faculty and staff in Illinois institutions of higher education and higher education governing boards.

Chicago State University is a participant in the DFI Program. The program carries an annual stipend and a full tuition waiver for eligible students. Applicants must be unconditionally accepted to a degree program, demonstrate financial need, and meet other program criteria. For additional information consult the Dean of the Graduate School. The applications usually are due in the first week of February.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Note: This policy is subject to revision at any time due to a change in Federal, State of Illinois or CSU regulations and/or policies).

Policy Explanation

In accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations, Chicago State University (CSU) is required to establish Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards for Federal and State financial aid recipients. These minimum standards ensure that only those recipients demonstrating satisfactory progress toward the completion of their educational objective continue to receive financial assistance.

Policy Standards

The following are “minimum standards” required for a student to be eligible for financial assistance:

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

• Teacher Certification and 2nd Bachelor students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, or better, on a 4.0 scale.
• Master’s and Doctorate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, or better, on a 4.0 scale.
• Professional/Pharmacy students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, or better, on a 4.0 scale.

Minimum Completion Rate Requirement (credit hours earned vs. attempted)

All students must successfully complete at least 67% of cumulative attempted hours by the end of each term.

Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the credit hours required to receive an undergraduate and/or graduate degree.

Maximum Time Frame Requirement

Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the credit hours required to receive an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. Transfer hours from other institutions accepted by the University will count toward the maximum attempted credit hour limit. If a student is nearing the maximum attempted hours a warning letter will be sent.

Maximum Time Frame Requirement

Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the credit hours required to receive an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. Transfer hours from other institutions accepted by the University will count toward the maximum attempted credit hour limit. If a student is nearing the maximum attempted hours a warning letter will be sent.

Typical Maximum Time Frames

• Undergraduate - 180 hours for a 120-hour degree (degree requirements may vary)
• Graduate - 45 hours for a 30-hour degree (degree requirements may vary)

Minimum Completion Rate Standards

All students must comply with the minimum standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rate. Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rate refers to the percentage of cumulative hours earned in relation to cumulative hours attempted. Attempted hours include all transfer credits, exam (CLEP) credits, hours with A, B, C, D, F, P, W, WA, I (incomplete), X (missing grade), repeated hours, and developmental hours. Earned hours are those classes for which there is a letter grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, P1, I/F, and accepted transfer credits and exam (CLEP) credits.

Example: A student who has attempted 28 hours at the end of spring semester must have earned a minimum of 19 hours to reach the 67% completion rate.

Transfer credits accepted will not be included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. However, all attempted courses, withdrawals, transfer credits accepted from other colleges, or credits earned at CSU, will be counted toward the Minimum Completion Rate Requirement and the Maximum Time Frame Requirement components as herein defined.

Students who have changed majors can request to have their credits and grades reevaluated. Credits and grades that do not count towards the new major will not be included in the Satisfactory Academic Progress determination.

The Office of Student Financial Aid is NOT notified when a student finishes an incomplete class or receives a grade change. Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid when Incompletes are finished and/or grade changes are made.

Review Period

At the end of each semester, the record of every student will be reviewed to determine if the student has made progress according to the minimum standards set by this policy. All periods of enrollment (fall, spring, and summer) count toward the Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average Requirement, the Minimum Completion Rate Requirement and the Maximum Time Frame Requirement components, even if a student is not receiving financial aid funding for a period(s) of enrollment.

Students not meeting SAP at the end of a semester and who have an existing academic plan must have their academic progress reviewed by their academic advisor.

Financial Aid Warning

If a student, for the first time, is not making progress according to the minimum standards as set forth under this policy, he/she will be placed on Financial Aid Warning and allowed an additional semester of financial aid eligibility to achieve the aforementioned minimum standards. The student will be eligible to receive financial aid funds during this semester. If at the end of that Financial Aid Warning semester the student has not achieved Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation.

In the event that a student had once been placed on Financial Aid Warning, but subsequently met compliance guidelines within the SAP policy, and then, in a future semester violates the SAP Policy, the student would once again be placed on Financial Aid Warning.

Students who are in violation of the Maximum Time Frame Requirement will not be placed on Financial Aid Warning, but rather will be Denied Reinstatement for further financial aid funding. 

Financial Aid Probation

Any student who has not maintained Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by this policy after one semester on Financial Aid Warning will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and not eligible to receive Federal and State financial aid funds. Students on Financial Aid Probation may continue to attend Chicago State University at their own expense or until they once again meet SAP criteria or submit an Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility that is approved.

Reinstatement

There are two ways a student’s eligibility can be reinstated:

• Meet minimum standards as set forth in this policy by the end of next enrollment period
• File a successful SAP Appeal, which must include an approved Academic Plan and Satisfactory Academic Progress Review Form

Appeals Process

A student who fails to meet the CSU Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements may submit a written Appeal to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form is available from an Academic Advisor, on the Office of Student Financial Aid website, or in the Office of Student Financial Aid. Appeals must clearly explain and provide proof (if warranted) of why Satisfactory Academic Progress standards were not met. Proof can include injury, illness, death of a relative, or other mitigating circumstances.

As a part of the SAP Appeal process undergraduate students must meet with their academic advisor, and graduate students must meet with advisors in their major department, to develop an academic plan that successfully meets the requirements of both their academic program and the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. If after completing an academic plan, a student wishes to modify the plan, any change must be approved and dated by the student’s advisor.

Completed appeals will be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid and must include an Academic Plan, a Satisfactory Academic Progress Review Form, and an Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form. Appeals are reviewed each semester on an individual basis. Students are notified by the Office of Student Financial Aid of the decision as to whether or not a student is reinstated for financial aid/loan eligibility. The decision of the Office of Student Financial Aid is final.

Please Note

• Hours earned/attempted under a financial aid Consortium Agreement, with another school, are subject to CSU’s SAP Policy.
• Students, who have changed majors and have provided a reevaluation of their degree audit from the academic advisor in the new major, will have their financial aid reset, so that only credits and grades which apply toward the new major are included in SAP evaluation/review.

GPA and completion rate may be affected by incomplete grades, withdrawals from courses, repeat courses and transfer credits.

NOTE: Graduate students must see advisors in their departments. The Academic Plan must be completed when submitting the appeal form to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Completed appeal forms should be returned to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Appeals are reviewed each semester on an individual basis. Students are notified by the Office of Student Financial Aid of the decision of the committee. The decision of the committee is final.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of all students to keep themselves informed of issues and policy changes that may affect their financial aid eligibility by regularly accessing the Office of Student Financial aid website, and CSU X-press.

Treatment of course withdrawals, incomplete(s) or not reported, and repeated courses Withdrawals (W)

Courses dropped before the conclusion of the add/drop period each semester as defined by the Office of Records and Registration will not count as a class attempted. Classes dropped after this point will count as a class attempted. Students who totally withdraw after the conclusion of the add/drop period in any semester will have all their classes counted as attempted. Before students drop a class, they need to take into consideration their SAP status.

Incompletes (I) or Not Reported (NR)

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Courses in which a student has an incomplete or the faculty member has not reported a grade at the time when SAP is reviewed will be included in the attempted hours. However, as there will be no current grade in the system, these courses will not be included in the cumulative GPA determination at such time. 

All students must comply with the minimum standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rate. Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rate refers to the percentage of cumulative hours earned in relation to cumulative hours attempted. Students who request an approved Incomplete Contract for any given course will be ineligible for Financial Aid disbursement until the Incomplete grade is resolved. 

Notes:

• If a given faculty member won’t be on contract for a subsequent term, an alternative evaluator should be noted on the Incomplete Contract to allow for a final grade to be posted to the student record. 

• For example, if an “I” grade is awarded for Spring term to be resolved over the Summer and the faculty member is not on contract for the Summer, the faculty member and Chair should identify an alternative evaluator to review the student’s work so a final grade can be awarded once the requisite work is completed. 

For assistance or questions, regarding the Incomplete Contract, please reach out to the Registrar’s Office in the Cook Administration Building, Rm. 128 or email: csu-registrar@csu.edu. 

For assistance or questions regarding Financial Aid please reach out to the Office of Student Financial Aid in the Cook Administration Building, Rm. 207 or email: csu-finaid@csu.edu.

Repeated Courses

For courses repeated, only the most recent grade is included in the student’s cumulative GPA. When determining if a student is meeting the quantitative SAP standards, all courses will be included in the attempted hours. Federal Financial Aid guidelines have changed. Please refer to Financial Aid Repeat policy for additional information or check the Financial Aid website at www.csu.edu. Financial aid will only cover two attempts for a course.