ON THIS PAGE
- Overview
- Important Dates to Remember
- Basic Eligibility Criteria
- Standards of Academic Progress
- Applying for Financial Aid
- Cost of Attendance
1. Overview
Claremont School of Theology strives to make theological education affordable
through its financial aid program. Claremont provides aid in three ways: scholarships,
loans and employment opportunities. These funds should supplement your efforts
to finance your education, as Claremont can not take primary responsibility
for your financial needs.
Each year you must reapply for financial aid for the next school year; application
materials are available online after January 1 and at the Financial Aid Office
starting in December. It is your responsibility to apply on time (by April 15th).
We evaluate your expected eligibility each year based on your family's current
financial circumstances. We also reevaluate the estimated cost of attendance
by taking into account any changes in school tuition, student fees or housing
charges. It is the policy of the Claremont Financial Aid Office to provide a
similar amount of aid throughout your education, depending on funding levels
and your family's ability to contribute. However, there are many factors that
can lead to a change in eligibility. Listed below are some of the factors that
can lead to a change in your financial aid award package.
- If you submit any documents after the published deadlines, we may not have
sufficient funds to consider you for Claremont financial aid.
- If there is a change in your family's financial circumstances, including
a change in the number of dependent siblings in college, your eligibility
may change. If we discover information about your circumstances that was not
taken into account in previous years, your eligibility may change.
- If there is a change in federal or state law, or School policy, your eligibility
may change.
- If you fail to continue to meet all basic eligibility criteria required
to be considered eligible to receive financial aid, you will no longer be
eligible to receive financial aid.
2. Important Dates to Remember
- February 1 -- Top scholarship consideration for Ph.D. applicants
- February 15 -- Top scholarship consideration for M.A. and M.Div. applicants
- April 15 -- Priority Financial Aid Deadline for returning students
3. Basic Eligibility Criteria
In order to apply for financial aid, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
- Be working toward a degree;
- Be registered with Selective Service (if required, men only);
- Be making satisfactory academic progress (as defined in the Satisfactory
Academic Progress section);
- Not be in default or owe a refund on a federal grant or federal loan;
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 units per semester). A student enrolled
at least half-time may apply for federal loans. Students registered for at
least 9 units (8 units for Ph.D. students) during the regular fall and spring
semesters will be considered for Claremont School of Theology Tuition Scholarships.
NOTE: Institutional scholarships do not cover courses taken during the summer
or interterm.
4. Standards of Academic Progress for Financial Aid
Federal regulations require institutions of higher education to establish
minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for recipients of financial
aid. These standards must equal or exceed the academic standards for students
not receiving financial aid. In keeping with these regulations, Claremont School
of Theology has established the following policy governing Satisfactory Academic
Progress.
Satisfactory Academic Progress is cumulative and made up of both a qualitative
component and quantitative component. Students must meet both aspects of the
standard in order to maintain their eligibility during all periods of enrollment,
even those for which the student did not receive or request financial assistance.
The satisfactory academic progress policy is printed in the Claremont School
of Theology catalog. All students are urged to review this policy.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some scholarships have additional grade point average requirements
that may be higher than those listed below. Review the catalog for the specific
grade point average requirements for your scholarship or contact the Financial
Aid Office for additional information.
Master's Degree Programs: Master of Arts, Master of Divinity
- Qualitative Progress: All students must achieve a 2.50 cumulative
grade point average (GPA) to meet the Qualitative Progress Standard requirement
for financial aid. Students receiving aid are required to take at least 50
percent of their coursework for letter grade to prove that they are adequately
meeting the Qualitative Standard. If students drop below the required 2.50
GPA, they will have one semester of grace in which to bring the GPA up to
the required level. If students are unable to raise their GPA, they will lose
their eligibility for financial aid.
- Quantitative Progress: All students must complete their program
of study within the maximum time frames established in the Claremont School
of Theology catalog.
- Students Registered More Than Half-Time: In order to complete their
program within the maximum time frame, students must complete a specific percentage
of their coursework per year. For example, a student in the Master of Divinity
program has a six-year maximum time frame in which to complete 90 units. Therefore
a student enrolled more than half-time (7 units or more per semester) must
complete 16.66 percent or 15 units per academic year to maintain Satisfactory
Academic Progress.
- Half-time Students: Students enrolled in 6 units per semester will
meet the Quantitative Progress component if they meet the Qualitative component
(2.50 GPA) and do not fail, withdraw or take incompletes. Students who enroll
half-time (6 units per semester) or less may not be able to complete their
degree program within the established time frames. However, any student who
is making steady progress toward the completion of their degree program may
petition the Academic Dean to extend the time limitation. Petitions will be
evaluated on an individual basis.
Doctor of Ministry
- Qualitative Progress: A student must achieve a 3.30 GPA to meet the
Qualitative Progress standard requirement for financial aid. Doctor of Ministry
students must take at least 50 percent of their course work for letter grade.
If students drop below the required 3.30 GPA, they will have one semester
of grace in which to bring the GPA up to the required level. If students are
unable to raise their GPA, they will lose their eligibility for financial
aid.
- Quantitative Progress: Doctor of Ministry students have four years
in which to complete all coursework and one additional year to write their
project. Students enrolled at least half-time will maintain Quantitative Satisfactory
Academic Progress. Students enrolled at least half-time who fail to withdraw
or take incompletes will maintain eligibility for financial aid as they are
meeting both the Qualitative (3.30 GPA) and Quantitative Standards (successfully
completing enough coursework to finish their program within the established
time frames).
Doctor of Philosophy
- Qualitative Progress: A student must achieve a 3.30 GPA to meet the
Qualitative Progress standard requirement for financial aid. Doctor of Philosophy
students must take 100 percent of their course work for letter grades. If
students drop below the required 3.30 GPA, they will have one semester of
grace in which to bring the GPA up to the required level. If students are
unable to raise their GPA, they will lose their eligibility for financial
aid.
- Quantitative Progress: Doctor of Philosophy students must complete
all coursework and advance to candidacy within four years. Once Ph.D. students
complete all coursework requirements, they will be eligible to apply for financial
aid for up to three additional years with the possibility of one additional
year of eligibility after advancing to candidacy. Students who fail, withdraw
or take incompletes will maintain eligibility for financial aid as long as
they are meeting both the Qualitative (3.30 GPA) and Quantitative Standards
(successfully advance to candidacy within five years).
Academic Progress Review
The Director of Financial Aid, in conjunction with the Registrar, will review
the records of each student who applies for financial assistance at the time
the student applies for assistance and before the disbursement of aid. Students
will be notified in writing if they are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress
as defined in this policy, and will be placed on probationary status for one
semester. If after the probationary period expires students are still unable
to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, they will be ineligible
to receive further financial assistance.
Ineligibility/Reinstatement of Aid
Students disqualified from financial aid but maintaining minimum academic standards
for enrollment at Claremont School of Theology may register for classes at their
own expense. If students are not meeting the requirements for Satisfactory Academic
Progress, they will not receive further financial aid assistance (institutional,
state or federal). When a student again meets both the Qualitative and Quantitative
components of Satisfactory Academic Progress, her or his eligibility will be
reinstated. Financial Aid will not be awarded retroactively. Students with extenuating
circumstances may appeal their disqualification from financial aid and/or request
earlier reinstatement to the Director of Financial Aid, who will make recommendations
to the Dean.
5. Applying for Financial Aid
PRIOR to Receipt of Financial Aid Award Letter
Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Be sure to include the Claremont School of Theology school code: G01288.
Helpful Hints for completing the FAFSA:
- Complete the FAFSA on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov
. You can check the results of your processed FAFSA online. You can correct
any errors you made while filling out your application. You can print a copy
of your Student Aid Report online.
- Prevent delays in processing your financial aid by making sure that you
answer all questions on the FAFSA completely and accurately.
- Make sure you sign the FAFSA. You can use the personal identification number
(PIN) to sign electronically or you can print a signature page.
- Do NOT leave items blank; if the answer is zero, write "0".
- If you have not completed your prior year's taxes yet, use estimated figures
based on W2s/1099s or the previous years figures.
- If you receive a request from the Claremont Financial Aid Office for additional
information or documentation, respond immediately to avoid delays in the processing
of your financial aid.
Step 2: Complete and submit the online Claremont Supplemental
Financial Aid Form.
Step 3: Expect to receive the Student Aid Report from the U.S. Department
of Education (retain it for your records) within 4-6 weeks after completing
the FAFSA. The Department of Education will electronically send the Claremont
Financial Aid Office your Student Aid Report.
Step 4: The Claremont Financial Aid Office will determine if additional
information from you (e.g., tax returns) is required. If you receive a request
for additional information or documentation, please respond immediately to avoid
delays in the processing of your financial aid award. Please allow 4-6 weeks
processing time.
Step 5: When your file is complete, the Financial Aid Office will review
it and determine your eligibility for financial aid awards, including scholarships,
loans, and work-study.
Step 6: After your eligibility has been determined, you will receive
a Financial Aid Award Letter, which will indicate each award and amount(s) offered
to help you fund your studies. Sign and return the form to the Financial Aid
Office to secure your award.
UPON Receipt of Financial Aid Award Letter
Step 1: Complete the Scholarship
Recipient Profile Form if you were awarded
a Claremont scholarship.
Step 2: Complete the Supplemental
Financial Aid online Form.
Step 3: Visit the Federal Aid
page if you are taking out a loan for the first time, and read the steps
for applying for a Federal Stafford Loan.
Step 4: Processing of your loan application with the lender
is conducted automatically upon successful submission of your loan application.
Step 5: Sign and return a copy of the financial aid award
letter to the Financial Aid Office to accept your award and have your student
account updated to reflect the awards offered to you.
6. Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimated amount it costs you to attend
Claremont School of Theology. Your actual COA will depend on your enrollment
and personal lifestyle. The estimated COA budgets for all degree programs
are:
2007-2008 Academic Year
Estimated Cost of Attendance
|
|
M.A./M.Div.
|
D.Min.
|
Ph.D.
|
|
Tuition*
|
$13,728
|
$14,784
|
$19,800
|
|
Cost per unit **
|
575
|
620
|
825
|
|
Room & Board
|
12,376
|
12,376
|
12,376
|
|
Student Fee**
|
110
|
110
|
110
|
|
Technology Fee**
|
280
|
280
|
280
|
Books and Supplies
|
1,134
|
1,134
|
1,134
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
3,938
|
3,938
|
3,936
|
|
Transportation
|
2,835
|
2,835
|
2,835
|
|
Loan Fees
|
340
|
340
|
340
|
|
|
Total Estimated Budget
|
$35,316
|
$36,417
|
$41,636
|
*Estimated Tuition (based on 12 units/semester)
** Click here for a more detailed
list of tuition and fees.
