Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office provides financial assistance to students who, without such help, would be unable to attend Columbus State University. In addition, the office provides information and assistance to students seeking loans, grants, or scholarships. In cooperation with high school counselors and administrators, local civic organizations and interested individuals, Columbus State University encourages eligible students to participate in this program.
Financial aid may be awarded based on a combination of financial need, academic ability, and leadership potential. Students apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA. Applications can be completed as early as January 1 for the next academic year, and may be secured from the Financial Aid Office or from area high schools. In order to expedite the application and notification process of a student's financial aid request, applicants are highly encouraged to complete the FAFSA by accessing the Internet at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students may also apply for financial aid on-line in the Financial Aid Office at CSU. Students should apply at least three (3) months before the semester they wish to receive aid. Students who submit all required documents by the deadline date listed on the official calendar in this catalog will be notified regarding their request for assistance before the fee payment deadline.

Grants

Federal and state grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and no repayment is required. All students must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for award consideration.

Federal Pell Grant - Award is available to eligible undergraduate students who qualify in accordance with federal regulations.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant - Awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, as funds are available.

Scholarships

General Scholarships

Academic Decathlon Scholarship - Awarded to academically talented entering freshman. This is a one-time award of $600. Contact the Muscogee County School District at (706) 649-0500 for further information.

Benjamin Thomas Siegfried Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to juniors and seniors with above average GPAs and strong records of school or community service. Qualified students will be notified and requested to complete an application and essay. This award covers tuition and fees and is renewable up to one year.

Columbus State University Honors Scholarship - Awarded to academically talented entering freshmen who have a minimum SAT score of 1200 or ACT score of 25, and a high school GPA of at least 3.5. Awards are granted without regard to financial need and provide recipients with $2,500 for full-time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters and $3,200 toward the study abroad program during the junior or senior year. The award may be renewable for three years while participating in the Honors Program and maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4.

Columbus State University President’s Scholarship - Awarded to the top two graduates of Chattahoochee Valley Community College. This scholarship covers tuition and fees for two semesters, and is renewable for an additional year for students who maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.

Fieldcrest Scholarship - Awarded to dependents of active or retired Fieldcrest employees with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Students must be enrolled full time each semester and have demonstrated financial need. The maximum amount awarded is $500 per year.

Georgia Governor’s Scholarship - Awarded to entering freshmen selected as Georgia scholars, STAR students, valedictorians and salutatorians. The maximum award is $1,540 per year. Contact your guidance counselor for further information.

Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) - Funded through the Georgia lottery, HOPE is a state-sponsored scholarship program. Freshmen students are identified as HOPE recipients by their high schools. The Financial Aid Office will notify college sophomores, juniors and seniors who are HOPE eligible. The scholarship covers mandatory tuition and fees and awards a maximum book allowance of $150 per semester.

HOPE Promise Teacher Scholarship Program - Awarded to juniors or seniors, as defined by the institution, who are legal residents of Georgia, who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2, and who are aspiring to be teachers in Georgia schools. The maximum amount awarded is $3,000 per year for students who are enrolled full time. The award is renewable for the senior year.

HOPE Teacher Scholarship Program - Awarded to legal residents of Georgia seeking advanced education degrees in critical fields. Recipients must commit to teach in a Georgia public school after earning an advanced degree. The maximum amount awarded is $125 per semester hour.

Hughston Sports Medicine Education Foundation Scholarship - Awarded to students who are enrolled in a degree-seeking program at CSU and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Hughston employees are given priority. Award varies depending upon hours enrolled.

Jessie J. Taylor Scholarship - Awarded to students who have completed at least one year of college. Students must be pursuing a degree in social work, medicine or psychology. Awards are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Awards vary based on annual appropriations. The application deadline is June 1st of each year.

Kennon and Parker Scholarship - Awarded to juniors or seniors with above average GPAs and strong records of school or community service. Award covers tuition and fees for one year and is renewable up to one year.

Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant and Public Safety Memorial Grant - Awarded to children of law enforcement officers, firemen, EMT, or correction officers in Georgia who are permanently disabled or were killed in the line of duty. Recipients must be legal residents of Georgia working on their undergraduate degree. The maximum amount awarded is $2,000 per year. Contact Georgia Student Finance Commission at (770) 414-3085 for further information.

Mildred Miller Fort Foundation Scholarship - Awarded to students in good academic standing by the Center for International Education. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 per year. The number of awards varies based on annual appropriations.

Paul S. Amos Scholarship - Provides support to CSU students employed full-time in the Columbus/Phenix City area who have strong community service records and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Award covers tuition and fees up to a maximum of nine semester hours each term.

Ralph H. & Annie G. Owen Curry Scholarship - Awarded to students who are not Columbus State University employees or family members of CSU employees. Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students, have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.5, and have demonstrated financial need. Award covers tuition and fees up to a maximum of two semesters.

Regents’ Opportunity Scholarship - Awarded to academically talented, economically disadvantaged legal residents of Georgia who are enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment. Awards vary based on annual appropriations.

Regents’ Study Abroad Scholarship - Awarded to students attending CSU to assist them in paying for a study abroad program. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 per year. The number of awards varies based on annual appropriations.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship - Awarded to entering full-time freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Maximum amount awarded is $1,500 per year. Contact your high school guidance counselor for further information.

Servant Leadership Scholarship - Awarded to students who have demonstrated leadership in school and/or the community and are actively involved in clubs, youth programs or student activities. Students must have demonstrated academic success with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The maximum amount awarded is $4,000 per year. Applicant screening consists of an interview and essay. Application deadline is January 2nd each year. Contact the Servant Leadership Program Coordinator at (706) 565-3655 for further information.

Teen Achievers Award - Awarded to a high school graduate who was a member of the CSU Teen Achievers Program during grades 8-12. Award covers tuition and fees for one semester at CSU. Other teen achievers attending CSU may receive a $100 book allowance. Contact the Minority Affairs Office at (706) 568-2273 for more information.

Wal-Mart Competitive Edge Scholarship - Awarded in conjunction with the Columbus State University Honors Scholarship to an academically talented entering freshman. The recipient must be a computer science major with demonstrated leadership abilities and strong community service record. Recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student. The maximum award amount is $5,000 per year and may be renewed for three years.

William Henry Shaw Scholarship - Awarded to academically talented graduates of the Muscogee County School System. Recipients must be enrolled full time at CSU majoring in education. Awards vary based on annual appropriations. Contact the Muscogee County School District at (706) 649-0500 for further information.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Georgia Foundation Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student who is a Georgia resident with financial need, and who has demonstrated successful academic achievement and active participation in community and student activities. Award covers tuition and fees for one year.

WRBL Scholarship Fund - Awarded to students with above average GPAs and strong records of extracurricular university activities, and departmental and/or community service. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of January 2nd each year.

Contact the Financial Aid Office at (706) 507-8800 for further information, unless otherwise indicated.

Alumni Scholarships

Columbus State University Alumni Scholarship - Awarded to graduates of CSU with a bachelors or masters degree. Recipients must be active donors to CSU, be enrolled in a degree program, and have completed at least three semester hours. The maximum amount awarded is $1000 per semester. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of June 30th (fall semester) and November 30th (spring semester).

Columbus State University Alumni Association Book Scholarship - Recipients are alternates for the CSU Alumni, William Howard, and Roy Tanner scholarship along with other eligible students. Financial need and academic potential are also considered. The minimum GPA required is 3.0. The maximum amount awarded is $500 per year. The application deadline is June 30th (fall semester) and November 30th (spring semester).

Columbus State University Roy Tanner Alumni Scholarship - Recipients must be adult re-entry students and have successfully completed 30 semester hours (minimum of nine hours at CSU). The maximum amount awarded is $800 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of June 30th each year.

Columbus State University William Howard Alumni Scholarship - Awarded to entering freshmen who are alternates for the CSU Honors Scholarship. Recipients must have a minimum SAT score of 1200 or ACT score of 25 and minimum high school GPA of 3.5. The award covers tuition and fees for one year, and is renewable for the sophomore year.

Miss Columbus State University Scholarship - Awarded to the winner of the Miss CSU Title. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 per year. Contact the CSU Campus Athletics Coordinator at (706) 568-2317 for further information.

Contact the Alumni Association at (706) 568-1589, unless otherwise indicated.

Athletic Scholarships

Columbus State University Athletic Scholarship - Awarded to men and women with demonstrated talent in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, softball and tennis. Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students. Awards vary depending on annual appropriations. Contact the Department of Athletics at (706) 568-2204 for further information.

Abbott Turner College of Business Scholarships

Accounting Scholarship - Awarded to an undergraduate accounting major with the highest GPA. Additional departmental criteria are considered. A College of Business faculty committee selects the applicant. The maximum amount awarded is $100 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of May 1st each year. Contact the Scholarship Committee at (706) 568-2150 for more information.

Judge John S. Averill Scholarship - Awarded to a graduate MBA student with the highest GPA. Additional departmental criteria are considered. The Director of the MBA program selects the applicant. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of May 1st each year. Contact the MBA Director at (706) 568-2296 for more information.

Philips Lin Scholarship - Awarded to a graduate MBA student, who has completed one year of graduate school with the highest GPA. Additional departmental criteria are considered. The maximum amount awarded is $2,000 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of May 1st each year. Contact the MBA Director at (706) 568-2296 for further information.

Regina Jankiewicz Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to juniors and seniors who have completed at least one year of study in the College of Business and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. Students must be enrolled full time. The maximum amount awarded is $500 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of May 1st each year. Contact the Scholarship Committee at (706) 568-2150 for more information.

Fine Arts Scholarships

Bebe Smith Art Scholarship - Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students in a minimum of two art courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and active involvement in departmental activities are required. Awards vary based on annual appropriations. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.

Columbus Artist Guild - Awarded to a student who is enrolled full time and in a minimum of two art courses. The student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be actively involved in departmental activities. The maximum amount awarded is $500 per year. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.

Edward Shorter Endowment Scholarship - Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students in a minimum of two art courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and active involvement in departmental activities are required. Awards vary based on annual appropriations. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.

General Art Scholarship - Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students in a minimum of two art courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and active involvement in departmental activities are required. Awards vary based on annual appropriations. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.

Mary Passailaigue Art Scholarship - Recipients must be enrolled as full-time students in a minimum of two art courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and active involvement in departmental activities are required. Awards vary based on annual appropriations. The application deadline is April 1st of each year.

Contact the Department of Art at (706) 568-2047 for further information.

Alma Taliaferro McGee Piano Endowment Fund - Provides scholarship support to students majoring in music with a concentration in piano.

Columbus State University Pep Band Scholarship - Awarded to talented students for performing with the CSU Pep Band. This spirit organization pays a stipend per basketball game.

Dwight Curtis Floyd Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship Fund - Awarded to talented students majoring in music. The amount ranges from the cost of applied music lessons to full tuition and fees.

Gerald B. and Charlotte A. Saunders Music Scholarship Endowment Fund - Provides assistance to talented students majoring in music.

Helen Roberts Endowed Music Scholarship - Awarded to talented students majoring in music. The amount ranges from the cost of applied music lessons to full tuition and fees.

Jill Howard Music Education Fund - Awarded to talented students majoring in music with an emphasis in voice. The amount ranges from the cost of applied music lessons to full tuition and fees.

L. Rexford Whiddon Music Scholarship - Provides assistance to talented students majoring in music.

Maude Flournoy Dixon Piano Scholarship Fund - Provides support to students majoring in music with a concentration in piano.

Patrons of Music Scholarship Fund - Scholarships are available for talented students in the fields of music and music education. The amount ranges from the cost of applied music lessons to full tuition and fees. Auditions are held throughout the spring to determine the recipients of the scholarships.

Presser Foundation Music Scholarship - Awarded to a rising senior majoring in music. The award provides full tuition and fees.

Ruth S. Schwob Music Scholarship Endowment Fund - Provides support to talented students majoring in music and music education.

Service Awards - Awarded to students who have demonstrated musical talents in piano, organ, strings, vocal, wind and percussion. Applicant screening consists of an audition and interview.

Simon Schwob Foundation Music Endowment Fund - Provides support to talented students majoring in music and music education.

Virginia Cook Lee and Katie Lou Cook Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund - Provides support to students majoring in music and music education.

Young Artist Competition - Applicants must be students in grade 11 or 12 at the time of competition. The maximum amount awarded is $500 to the winners in each of the following six categories: woodwinds, brass, strings/guitar, percussion, piano/organ and voice. Participants may be eligible to win a full tuition scholarship to the Schwob Department of Music at CSU.

Contact the Schwob Department of Music (706) 568-2049 for deadline dates and any further information.

Department of Theatre Assistantships - Awarded to theatre majors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The maximum amount awarded is $1,400 for one year. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Department of Theatre Scholarships - Awarded to theatre majors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The maximum amount awarded is $800 for one year. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Emily Woodruff Scholarship - Awarded to the top academic theatre majors who are classified as sophomores. Award covers tuition and fees for one year. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

Springer Theatre’s Bill Evans Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to theatre majors who are sophomores or above. Other departmental considerations apply. The maximum amount awarded is $500 for one year. The application deadline date is April 1st each year.

Contact the Department of Theatre at (706) 568-2048 for further information.

Celia B. Taylor Communication Scholarship - Awarded to students with above average GPAs, strong records of extracurricular university activities, and departmental and/or community service. The maximum amount awarded is $500 per year. The award is renewable and has an application deadline of January 2nd each year. Contact the Department of Communication at (706) 565-3650 for further information.

Military Science Scholarships

ROTC Three- and Four-Year Scholarships - Awarded to high school seniors and college freshmen who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a minimum SAT score of 920 or ACT score of 19. The maximum amount awarded is $16,000 per year for tuition and fees, $450 per year for books, and a $200 per month stipend. The application deadlines are November 14th for high school seniors and April 17th for college freshmen.

ROTC Two-Year Scholarships - Awarded to students who have two years remaining to graduate and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. The maximum amount awarded is $16,000 per year for tuition and fees, $450 per year for books, and a $200 per month stipend. The application deadline is June 1st each year.

Contact the Department of Military Science at (706) 568-2449 for further information.

Nursing Scholarships

F. L. Griffin and Louise B. Griffin Nursing Scholarships - Awarded to outstanding rising seniors in the BSN program who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 per year based on annual appropriations.

Louise Garrard Davis Blanchard Scholarship - Awarded to an outstanding BSN student based on demonstrated leadership and scholastic achievements. The maximum amount awarded is $250 per year.

Contact the Department of Nursing at (706) 568-2243/3649 for further information on these and other scholarships available for students in the clinical portion of the nursing program. The application deadline is April 1st each year.

College of Science Scholarships

American Lung Association of Georgia - Awarded to students who have been accepted into the clinical portion of the Respiratory Therapy Program at CSU. Students must demonstrate financial need and successful academic achievement. The maximum amount awarded is $600 per year. The award is renewable for up to two years and has an application deadline of July 31st each year. Contact the Respiratory Therapy Program Office at (706) 568-2130 for further information.

Asian Pacific Alliance Educational Foundation, Inc. Scholarship - Awarded to entering freshmen who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and a minimum SAT score of 1100. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The maximum amount awarded is $500. The award is renewable up to four years and has an application deadline of May 31st each year. Contact the Asian Pacific Alliance Educational Foundation program office at (706) 568-2054 for further information.

Environmental Science Scholarship - Sponsored by The Columbus Water Works and awarded to juniors who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2, who are majoring in science, and who are interested in a career in or directly related to environmental science. The maximum amount awarded is $1,000 for the senior year. Contact the College of Science at (706) 568-2056 for further information.

Loans

The Columbus Rotary Education Foundation - Information and applications may be secured from the secretary, Columbus Rotary Educational Foundation, Box 1138, Columbus, Georgia 31902-1138.

Dora G. and Jac. H. Rothschild Assistance Fund - This fund was established through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild for the benefit of Columbus State University students who are in need of small, short-term loans to help defray college expenses. These awards are for a maximum of 90 percent of in-state tuition and fees and must be repaid by the day before early registration for the next semester.

Elisabeth D. Pattillo Loan Fund - Provides support to undergraduate students majoring in special education with an emphasis in mental retardation. Students who qualify may borrow up to $800 annually. Borrowers may qualify for service repayment by teaching in the Muscogee County School District in the field of mental retardation.

Federal Direct Student Loan - FDSL is a federal loan bearing the following loan limits: freshmen - $2,625, sophomores - $3,500, juniors and seniors - $5,500. Graduate students may borrow up to $8,500. Students must demonstrate financial need for the amounts received. Independent students may borrow an additional unsubsidized amount of $4,000 - freshmen and sophomores, $5,000 - juniors and seniors, and $10,000 - graduate students.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan - Parents may borrow for dependent undergraduate students. Parents and the Financial Aid Office determine loan limits.

Federal Perkins Loan - Students may borrow up to $3,000 per year as undergraduate students and up to $5,000 per year as graduate students. Recipients must demonstrate financial need for the amounts borrowed.

Greentree-Sevier Educational Loan - A limited number of these loans are awarded annually to students who have demonstrated satisfactory academic ability and are in need of funds to continue their education. These loans, in amounts generally up to $1,000 per semester, bear a simple interest rate of 8.5 percent per annum. No interest accrues, nor is any payment due, while the student is enrolled. Repayment and interest begin 90 days after termination of studies.

Master’s Programs in Counseling Loan - Students who have been fully admitted to either the MEd in school counseling or the MS in community counseling may borrow up to two-thirds of in-state tuition and fees per semester. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

The Pickett and Hatcher Educational Fund - A nonprofit, non-commercial educational trust fund created to assist full-time undergraduate students in fields of study other than law, medicine, or the ministry. The deadline for submitting an application is June 15. For more information write to: Pickett and Hatcher Educational Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 8169, Columbus, GA 31908.

Part-Time Employment

Federal Work-Study Program - Students who qualify for the program are permitted to work in an approved part-time job and earn a specific amount of money, normally $4,000 per year. An award is made for a specified period, and job assignments are based on funding, availability of jobs, and an interview with the employer.

Off-Campus Jobs - Listings of many part-time job opportunities (as well as full-time) are available in the Career Center. Often, employers who call the center regarding job openings are willing to allow a student flexibility in order to work around class schedules.

Regular Student Assistant Program - A limited number of part-time positions is available to students through various campus departments. Applications should be made directly to the Career Center. Opportunities under this program are based on university work needs.

Graduate Assistantships

A student holding an appointment as a graduate assistant must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program, be in good academic standing, and earn a minimum of nine and maximum of 10 semester hours of graduate course work (or required prerequisites) during the period in which the assistantship is held. Work assignments cannot exceed 19 hours per week. Students interested in seeking an assistantship should contact the dean of the college offering the graduate program in which they are enrolled.

Veterans and Dependents

Veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, and eligible dependents attend Columbus State University under the provisions of Title 38, U.S. Code and Veterans Administration regulations. These federal laws provide educational assistance to veterans and eligible spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans.

Veterans and eligible persons entitled to VA educational benefits may be certified for a total of 30 non-degree credit hours in learning support if progressing academically. Only nine hours may be certified in each of the basic skills (i.e., mathematics, reading, writing). The need for enrollment in learning support courses must be established by testing and must be required by the university. VA payments are not allowed if the student is classified as a volunteer (audit student).

Veterans and eligible persons may enroll in and be certified for appropriate non-degree credit courses or remedial reading and/or remedial writing courses of the Regents' Testing program. However, under no circumstances may a student be certified for more than 30 semester hours of remedial courses (courses numbered 0001-0999) in the two programs (Regents' Testing and Learning Support). The maximum number of hours in each skill (writing and reading) is nine semester hours.

Interested persons should contact the Office of Veterans Affairs, 125 Richards Hall, (706) 568-2139 for information and assistance pertaining to eligibility and application for veterans' educational benefits. For information regarding credit for military service, please refer to the non-traditional sources of credit under the Undergraduate Admissions section of this catalog.

Financial Aid Policies and Conditions of Awards

The following financial aid policies and conditions of awards apply to students who are recipients of federal or state financial assistance while attending Columbus State University.

Students must apply for financial aid annually by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students applying for HOPE only may complete the HOPE Alternative Application in lieu of the FAFSA so long as their adjusted gross income for the prior year (independent students) or their parents’ adjusted gross income for the prior year (dependent students) was greater than $50,000.

Students must be admitted to Columbus State University in a degree-seeking status and must be enrolled in an eligible degree-seeking program prior to the first day of the term to participate in any federal or state aid programs. Students must not currently be in default on any federal loan programs and must not owe a refund to any federal grant programs.

Students must attend the classes in which they have enrolled. These classes are used to compute student aid eligibility. Financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment for each term awarded. For students enrolled less than full-time, awards may be reduced in accordance with the number of hours enrolled for that term. Students must be enrolled at least half time to receive funds from the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Student Loans, and Federal Work Study programs. Students enrolled less than half time may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or the HOPE Scholarship. Financial aid cannot be used to cover courses taken as audit or credit by exam.

Financial aid is awarded for the fall and/or spring semesters. Students planing to attend summer term must submit a summer application to the Financial Aid Office by the application deadline date listed in this catalog in order to be processed before the fee payment deadline.

Students awarded a Federal Student Loan must receive loan counseling each academic year prior to receiving any loan funds. First time borrowers will not be eligible to receive any loan funds until 30 days after the beginning of the term. Arrangements will be made to defer the tuition payment until the end of the 30-day period. Students with housing charges must make arrangements with the Business Office to pay the housing and meal plan charges at the beginning of the term.

Students whose loan period is for one term will receive funds in two disbursements - at the beginning of the term and after the midpoint of the term. Students who have defaulted on a student loan previously, must receive loan counseling each term prior to receiving any loan funds for one academic year. Students making payments on a defaulted loan must provide proof each term to the Financial Aid Office that the loan payments remain in good standing.

Institutional (tuition and fees) and non-institutional (room, board, fines, and etc.) charges will be deducted from the federal financial aid award each term. Students who do not authorize Columbus State University to deduct non-institutional charges from federal financial aid awards, must notify the Business Office in writing. If the financial aid award is not enough to cover all charges for the term, students must pay Columbus State University the difference in the manner prescribed by the Business Office. The Business Office will mail any remaining funds approximately ten business days after the schedule change period. If the award is made after schedule change, the remaining balance will be mailed by the Business Office approximately ten business days after receipt of all required documents in the Financial Aid Office.

Students must be enrolled and a financial aid application must be received in the Financial Aid Office before the last day of that term in order to be reimbursed for a term within the current award year. Students will be reimbursed only for classes completed successfully. Prior to withdrawing from a course at the 100 percent refund period, students must notify the Financial Aid Office. Award adjustments may be necessary as a result of a reduction in course load. Students must report any additional financial aid received throughout the school year to the Financial Aid Office.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid. Failure to maintain SAP will result in students being placed on financial aid probation or suspension. Repeated SAP violations may result in termination of financial aid eligibility. (Refer to the Columbus State University Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress.) Each student’s academic record will be reviewed at the end of each term.

Students are responsible for providing the Financial Aid Office with a copy of a Financial Aid Transcript (FAT) from each post-secondary institution attended during the current award year.

Employment in the Federal Work-Study program is not guaranteed. Awards are based on funding, availability of jobs, and an interview with an employer. Students cannot earn more than the annual award. Students who receive an "unsatisfactory" job performance evaluation will be terminated from the program.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Columbus State University Financial Aid Office administers Title IV Federal Student Aid under guidelines from the U. S. Department of Education. The Secretary of Education requires schools to develop and implement policies by which academic progress is evaluated and monitored. Academic progress is evaluated as part of the initial financial aid application process and at the end of each term. In order to receive federal or state financial aid, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Students who fail to maintain SAP will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office.

Determination of eligibility will be based upon a historical evaluation of all hours accepted for transfer and hours earned at CSU. A student will be evaluated on both qualitative and quantitative measures. The minimum acceptable standards for receiving federal or state aid are as follows:

Qualitative – All financial aid recipients are expected to earn the minimum required grade point average (GPA) that corresponds with the total number of GPA hours.

*transfer hours and CSU hours, including hours for repeated and learning support courses (courses numbered 0001-0999)

Graduate students must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0. HOPE recipients must maintain a minimum overall financial aid GPA of 3.0 at each checkpoint of 30, 60, and 90 attempted hours. 

Quantitative – Students are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress if they do not exceed 1.5 times the normal length of the program. For example, the maximum timeframe for undergraduate students is 184 attempted hours or 15 full-time terms. The maximum timeframe for graduate students is 54 attempted hours or 6 full-time terms.

Students are expected to successfully complete a minimum of 67 percent of the total hours attempted (transfer hours included). Successful completion is limited to grades of A, B, C, D, and S. Grades of F, WF, W, U, I, IP, and NR are considered unsuccessful attempts. Students who fail to successfully complete 67 percent of hours attempted, fall below the minimum overall financial aid GPA, or exceed the maximum timeframe for degree completion will be in violation of the SAP policy. Initial violation will result in students being placed on financial aid probation.

Undergraduate students on probation must complete at least six semester hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the term. Graduate students must complete five graduate semester hours with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the term. A grade of W, WF, I, IP, and U, will result in termination of eligibility. For students enrolled in more than six hours (five graduate hours), all hours attempted must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (3.0 for graduate students). Financial aid will be terminated for students enrolled in less than six hours (five graduate hours) and students who fail to complete all hours attempted with the required minimum GPA.

When computing the standards of satisfactory academic progress, courses with grades of I, IP, U, W, WF, and NR, repeated courses, and remedial courses (courses numbered 0001-0999) are included in total hours attempted toward the maximum timeframe and incremental measure.

Students notified that they are not making satisfactory academic progress, may request their eligibility for assistance be reinstated upon the removal of the deficiencies or submit a written appeal explaining the unusual circumstances regarding the deficiencies to: Director of Financial Aid, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907-5645. Students will receive a written response to appeals in approximately two weeks.

Students admitted on transfer probation and students granted reinstatement are not eligible for federal or state aid during the probation or reinstatement term. Transient students are not eligible to receive federal or state aid with the exception of transient students receiving the HOPE Scholarship at their home institution.