Financial Aid for Returning Students

If you receive need-based financial aid (grants, Stafford Loans, work-study) you must, with a few exceptions, complete an application every year. As noted above, international students and undocumented students are exempt from this requirement. 

Step 1. Complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA.

• Suggestions for completing the application are found  here.
• This FAFSA asks for 2023 income values. If your/your parent's 2025 income is significantly less than  2023, see  Step 2 below.

Step 2.  Optional. Complete any applicable " Special Circumstance Form(s)."  These allow you to report things that are not collected on the FAFSA: large income changes vs. 2023, large healthcare costs in 2024 or 2025, tuition payment for K-12 or college, during the 2025-2026 academic year, large unusual expenses in 2025, etc. Be sure to choose the version for the correct academic year. Feel free to contact our office to determine if your family should submit a particular form.

Step 3. Submit additional documentation (only) if requested. We will notify you by email or within the award letter if additional information is needed. Your prompt response will be appreciated. 

What Happens Next?

After we review your FAFSA, we will notify you of other required documents.  After the spring semester grades are posted, we will also review your “satisfactory academic progress” status (see below) and -  if you continue to be eligible - prepare your financial aid award letter for the new academic year. The award letter is sent only by email, with one copy to you and one copy to your parent.

Scholarships from the College are renewed with continued, full time enrollment. Duration is limited to eight semesters for freshman and pro-rated for transfer students.  Additional eligibility time may be granted on appeal. Unless noted otherwise, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to renew, in addition to the renewal requirements below.

Fine Arts Scholarships are renewed conditional on meeting the requirements of the respective department, as shown below or otherwise defined by the department. Scholarships will be evaluated individually by the department every spring to determine renewal of the award.  

Art Scholarships:

• Complete at least one course in the Art or Art History Department each academic year. 
• Attend at least two openings at the Sonnenschein and Albright Galleries each semester. 
• Take part regularly in other arts-related co-curricular activities throughout the year. 

Music Scholarships: 

Actively contribute to the music department, and maintain membership in a department ensemble. 

Theater Scholarships:

• Enroll in at least one Theater Department Class and participate in at least two department shows in any capacity such as acting, stage crew, dramaturgy, public relations, etc. 
• Submit a scholarship renewal application to the department chairperson for approval each spring.

Continued eligibility for financial aid is dependent upon maintaining “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP). At the end of every semester you must achieve and maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a least 2.00 and must complete at least 67% of all classes attempted.

If you do not meet SAP standards you will be placed on “financial aid warning” for one semester, but will continue to receive financial aid. If you do not meet these standards after the semester of warning status, you will be placed on “financial aid suspension” and will not be eligible to receive financial aid until you meet SAP standards.

If extenuating circumstances have kept you from making satisfactory progress, you may appeal your “Financial Aid Suspension.” The appeal must include an academic plan (approved by the advisor) on how you plan to meet this standard within a reasonable time-frame. If you appeal and are  granted an extension of the aid, you will be placed on Financial Aid Probation, on a semester-by-semester basis. The appeal form is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

More, detailed information about this policy can be found here. 

If  you have been notified of “financial aid suspension” complete the Financial Aid SAP Appeal Form.