Financial Aid
Undergraduate Policies | Graduate Policies
Financial Agreement
A student may not participate in graduation ceremonies, register for further sessions, or receive any diploma, certificate, transcripts, or Degree Verification Letter until all financial obligations (excluding NDSL/Perkins Loan) have been satisfied with a zero balance. Any diploma, certificate, transcripts, or letter of recommendation shall be retained by the university as a security interest until all such obligations are satisfied. Release of any such security interest prior, or subsequent to, any default by the debtors shall not be considered a binding precedent or modification of this policy.
The university reserves the right to make any changes in costs, payment plans, and refund policies without notice.
Satisfactory Progress
Students who wish to receive financial assistance must be in good academic standing and make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree or certificate program, in addition to meeting other eligibility criteria.
Quality of Progress – "Good Academic Standing"
- Students requesting aid must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade-point average.
- Grade-point averages are reviewed at the end of each term.
- Students who fail to maintain the minimum grade-point average will be given one term of "aid probation" in which they must earn a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average, or they will be suspended from aid programs.
- Transfer students entering with less than a 2.0 grade-point average will not be eligible for aid until a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average is attained.
Quantity of Progress – "Unit Completion Requirement"
- CAPS students must complete at least two-thirds (67%) of all units in which they originally enroll from the time of first attendance at APU. Thus, a first-term CAPS student who originally enrolls in 9 units, withdraws from 3 units, and successfully completes the remaining 6 units, would be meeting the quantitative measure requirement since the student passed at least two-thirds (67%) of the units in which he or she originally enrolled.
- Students requesting aid must make progress toward their degrees as follows: Full time: 12 units/semester; 3/4 time: 9 units/semester; 1/2 time: 6 units/semester
- Unit completion is reviewed at the end of each term.
- The following grades are considered to demonstrate satisfactory course completion: A, B, C, D, and Pass. These grades do not demonstrate course completion: F, In-Progress, Incomplete, No Pass, and Withdrawal.
- Remedial course work may be considered if it is specifically prescribed by the student's academic advisor.
- Students failing to complete the required number of units per term will be given one semester of "aid probation" in which they must complete the deficit units or they will be suspended from all aid programs. Students may petition their satisfactory progress status by submitting an APU General Petition form to the CAPS Office of Student Financial Services.
Quantity of Progress – "Maximum Time Frame"
- Students requesting aid are expected to complete an academic program within a reasonable amount of time. A student may petition for extended time by using an APU General Petition form and submitting it to the CAPS Office of Student Financial Services. The student would be expected to work with the associate director of the center to work out a plan for completing required units.
- Students may not attempt more than 189 units prior to completing their undergraduate degree.
Time Limit for Graduate Student Financial Aid
Credential-only students must complete their educational objectives within a reasonable period of time. To accommodate all students and their schedules, this "reasonable period" is not measured chronologically, but by the number of units in which a student originally enrolls. The time limit is based on the number of units required for graduation multiplied by 150 percent. For instance, students who are required to earn 30 units for graduation can apply for financial aid for the first 45 units in which they enroll (30 x 150 percent).
This policy refers to all units in which a credential-only student enrolls. Thus, a student who enrolls in nine units but withdraws from three would be considered to have utilized nine units of the maximum number allowed.
The time limits for receiving federal financial aid for students in graduate and doctoral programs are:
- 5 years for School of Business and Management degrees.
- 10 years for the Master of Divinity.
- 8 years for all other master’s and doctoral degrees.
Financial Aid Packaging
Azusa Pacific University offers financial aid in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. In order to serve the large number of students needing financial assistance, the university coordinates various elements of each student's financial aid program. This "packaging" approach may include assistance from two or more sources of financial aid. The university's goal is to award all applicants the maximum scholarship, grant, and loan for which they qualify, given restrictions in availability of funds, institutional policies, and state and federal guidelines.
A student's budget, as determined by APU using federal calculations, could reduce the total aid package. A student must be completely admitted before all aid can be transferred to a student's account.
Cal Grant B Access Award
The Cal Grant B Access award may allow up to $1,551 for the academic year. The Access Grant is designated for costs including living expenses, transportation, supplies, and books.
Azusa Pacific University policy maintains that the university will automatically transfer eligible Access Grant awards to student accounts, which will go toward paying off any outstanding balance.
As the student, you have the right to request, in writing, that the Access Grant not be used to pay the outstanding balance on your account but rather be refunded directly to you. Please note that you are then responsible for any outstanding balance remaining on your account. An outstanding balance will prevent you from being allowed to register for classes. If your award has been applied to your account prior to your written request, APU will make a note to no longer apply future disbursements to an outstanding balance.
Release of Records
It is understood that by applying for financial aid, the student grants the Office of Student Financial Services the right to release the student's grades and enrollment records to scholarship, state, federal, and loan agencies as needed.
Keeping in Touch
The university will attempt to inform students about deadlines and procedures, but the final responsibility for the timely filing of the FAFSA and related documents is the student's. The student must notify the Office of Student Financial Services regarding changes in financial situation, marriage, loss of a job, change in class load, withdrawal from school, or change of address. In order to contact the Office of Student Financial Services, a student may write, call, or come in person.
Outside Aid Resources
Students are required to report all resources known or expected to be available to them during the period for which they seek financial assistance. These resources include, but are not limited to: veterans' benefits, scholarships, fellowships, stipends, and unemployment earnings (including spouse's, where applicable). Failure to report these resources can result in delays in receiving aid funds for which the student may be eligible, cancellation of the award, or even the return of funds already received.
Should any new resources become available, the student is required to report this fact. Withholding or concealing information about these resources may constitute fraud, as the student would be receiving financial aid to which he or she is not entitled.
Overawards
Each year a number of financial aid recipients are distressed to learn that their aid package is being reduced due to an overaward. As required, students must inform the Office of Student Financial Services of any outside aid awards or changes in their class load. This will save the frustration and inconvenience that may result from an overaward.
A student's budget, as determined by APU using federal calculations, could reduce the total aid package.
Availability of all aid is subject to federal, state, institutional, and private funding.
