Financial Aid Mission Statement

The mission of the Financial Aid Office is to provide accurate and timely financial aid information to students to meet their educational expenses.

Our goal is to offer all students a balanced financial aid package that is competitive and attractive, and best utilizes the resources available.

We strive to assist and educate our students by providing the best service possible so that they can focus on their educational experience.

Financial Aid Office

The LSSU Financial Aid Office staff is available to assist students with the financial aid process. Our experienced staff is available during office hours to respond to financial aid questions and requests. We can meet virtually, via phone or in the office. Financial Aid staff can be contacted via email – finaid@lssu.edu, phone – (906) 635-2678, or text – (906) 379-9557. The Financial Aid Office is located in the Fletcher Center for Student Services.

Applying for Federal Financial Aid

To apply for most forms of aid, students must complete the FAFSA. This application must be renewed each year for a student to continue receiving financial aid. For some State of Michigan programs, the priority deadline is March 1st. Lake Superior State University’s federal school code for the FAFSA is 002293.

Scholarship Selection

Students are automatically considered for Board of Trustees Scholarships upon admission into the institution. For these admission-based scholarships, the amount is determined by high school or transfer GPA. See scholarship renewal requirements. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements for the Retention of Financial Aid

If you are receiving any form of financial aid, you must meet these satisfactory academic progress requirements to retain your aid each semester.

Financial aid regulations require that a student must make satisfactory progress to remain eligible for financial aid. Financial aid programs affected by this policy include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, State of Michigan and Institutional Scholarships, Grants, Loan and Work Programs, and some Rebates and Tuition Waivers.

The minimum requirements for all types of financial aid include three standard measures:

Minimum GPA Standard:

• Maintain a 2.0 cumulative LSSU grade point average
• Students who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Failure to meet this requirement after the warning semester will result in suspended status, which the student will lose all federal, state, and institutional eligibility.

Credits Earned Standard:

• Earn 67% of credits attempted at LSSU throughout your academic career
• Attempted credits are courses you are enrolled in after the end of the add/drop period, which is after the first 6 days of the start of the semester.
• Example: 48 earned credits / 56 attempted credits = 85% of credits earned
• Students who fail to meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Failure to meet this requirement after the warning semester will result in suspended status, which the student will lose all federal, state, and institutional eligibility.

Maximum Time Frame:

• Complete the highest degree being sought within 150% of the published length of the program. For example, students working on a baccalaureate program of 124 credits may receive aid for 186 attempted credits, including transfer credits.

Degree Maximum Time Frame

Degree	Average Credits Needed	Maxium Time Frame
Paramedic Certificate	40	Within 60 attempted credits
LPN Certificate	47	Within 70 attempted credits
Pre-Nursing BSN	56	Within 84 attempted credits
Associate	62	Within 93 attempted credits
Bachelor	124	Within 186 attempted credits
Teaching Certificate	136	Within 204 attempted credits
Master's	36	Within 54 attempted credits

One Warning Semester

If a student does not meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of each semester, the student will be given one warning semester. Students may receive aid during the warning semester. If a student fails to meet the standard for the second consecutive semester enrolled, the financial aid will be suspended. During the warning semester, it is highly recommended that students plan ahead and work with an advisor to correct deficiencies.

Financial Aid Suspension

No aid will be granted once a student’s eligibility is suspended, including but not limited to federal, state, and institutional aid.

Right to Appeal

A student whose aid is suspended may request reinstatement through the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The student must effectively demonstrate that the failure to meet satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) was due to an unusual or extenuating circumstance, and explain what has changed. The directions and required forms for the appeal process are available online.

Financial Aid Self-Reinstatement

Once financial aid is suspended, both the cumulative GPA and credit hour completion standards must be met in subsequent semesters of at least six credits before reinstatement of aid is possible. Students who successfully complete a minimum of six credits at LSSU while not receiving financial aid must contact the Financial Aid Office to request a review for reinstatement.

If completion of “I” grades or other record changes warrant a reinstatement, a copy of the transcript must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office with a written request for a review.

Repeat Policy for Financial Aid Recipients

Students may use financial aid to repeat coursework that has been previously failed. Students may also use financial aid one time when repeating coursework to improve an earned letter grade of D- or higher.

For example, a student taking a course for the first time who received an F grade could have financial aid to repeat the course. If the student received a D grade for the repeated course, the student could have financial aid one more time to repeat the course to raise the grade. Students advised to retake passed courses more than once to improve their GPA may do so at their own expense, provided the repeats are allowed by the department.

Note: Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is in compliance with the Department of Education Final Regulations published Oct. 29, 2010 – 34CFR 668.16(e), 668.32(f) & 668.34.

Scholarships, Grants, Loans

Frequently Asked Questions

• Full tuition scholarships are limited to 12-16 credits per semester for the academic year and do not cover any type of fee.
• Full tuition scholarships can not be combined with tuition waivers, such as Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver or Employee Rebates.

Recipients of foundation scholarships are encouraged to write a thank you letter to the donor.

LSSU Scholarship Renewal Requirements

See scholarship renewal requirements.

Transfer Scholarships

Formula to determine the maximum number of semesters of eligibility:

• Senior (88+ credits) = Two semesters of eligibility
• Junior (56-87 credits) = Four semesters of eligibility
• Freshman/Sophomore (12-55 credits) = Six semesters of eligibility

Length is based on number of attempted credits prior to LSSU

Note: Some types of financial aid awards, such as an employee rebate, the Native American Tuition Waiver, or the Tuition Incentive Program, could affect your eligibility for an LSSU scholarship. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for further details.

New Scholarships for Current Students

Renewable scholarships are based on your grade level and number of credits transferred or earned at the time of your award. For example, if you are offered a renewable scholarship as a sophomore, you will generally be eligible for two additional years of scholarship. If an ending date is not stated in your offer of scholarship, please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about the renewal features of your award. Except for students in their fifth year of the teaching program, scholarships are generally not available to students with more than four years of higher education or eight semesters of study or more than 124 attempted credits.

Grant Programs

Institutional Grant Program

This program provides assistance to incoming and currently enrolled students based on financial need. Students must file a FAFSA to be reviewed for this program.

Federal Pell Grant

All students filing the FAFSA are automatically reviewed for Pell Grant eligibility. Pell Grants provide assistance to which other forms of aid may be added.

Pell Grant amounts vary according to the year and number of credits enrolled in each semester.

There is a limit to the total amount of Federal Pell Grant that a student may receive in their lifetime, which is the equivalent to 6 full time school years.

Although awards are made through the University, the U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility. The University Financial Aid Office uses a standard procedure established by the Department of Education to calculate the award.

To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Forms are available online at www.fafsa.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The Higher Education Act of 1965 created this program of financial assistance to help college students with the greatest financial need. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants may be used to meet all or part of student financial need.

Financial need is the primary consideration in the selection of grant recipients. Priority is given to the neediest Pell Grant recipients. Recipients are selected from those applying for all forms of financial aid by using the FAFSA.

Federal Occupational Education Program

The Perkins Grant Program provides OCED funding for students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and who are enrolled in certain associate’s degree programs. Students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant and have earned less than 72 credits will automatically be considered if enrolled in one of the following associate’s degrees:

• Criminal Justice – Corrections
• Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement
• Early Childhood Education
• Fire Science
• Health Care Provider
• Manufacturing Engineering Technology
• Natural Resource Technology
• Small Business Administration
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
• Technical Accounting

This grant provides supplemental funding for qualified students and may be pro-rated for less than full-time attendance.

Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (tip)

The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is a program offered by the State of Michigan that provides tuition assistance for the first two years of college and beyond. To meet the financial eligibility requirement, a student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-consecutive-month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). TIP provides assistance in two phases:

Phase I covers tuition and mandatory fee charges for eligible students enrolled/taking classes that count toward a credit-based associate degree or certificate program at participating Michigan community college, public university, degree-granting independent college, federal tribally-controlled college.

Phase II provides a maximum of $2,000 total tuition assistance for credits earned in a four-year program at an in-state, degree-granting college or university.

Awards are subject to legislative changes.

Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loan (Student)

Qualified applicants must be a United States citizen or eligible alien. Students may borrow up to $5,500 the first year of undergraduate study, $6,500 as a sophomore and $7,500 as a junior or senior. The lifetime maximum amount is $31,000 for dependent students and $57,500 for independent undergraduate students.

The student loan program is administered through the Financial Aid Office. A loan fee is charged on all loans, under federal law. Loans are disbursed in two equal disbursements (one-half in the fall semester; one-half in the spring semester).

For subsidized loans, the federal government does not charge interest while attending school at least half-time, during the six-month grace period, and during deferments (postponements of repayments). Financial need must be shown to receive this type of loan.

For Direct Unsubsidized Loans, the federal government charges interest on these loans while attending school, in the grace period, and in deferment.

Once enrolled at Lake Superior State University, students must meet the satisfactory progress standards to be eligible for additional loans. Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to qualify for a student loan.

Repayment begins six months after graduation or the date the student attends school less than half-time. Interest rates are set each June for the following academic year.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Parent)

Parents may borrow up to the difference between the cost of education and other financial aid for which the student is eligible. The interest rate is adjusted annually for new loans.

Students must meet the satisfactory progress standards to be eligible and must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to obtain a Federal Direct PLUS loan.

An origination fee is deducted from each of two disbursements made in a school year. Repayment begins within 60 days of disbursements, or may be deferred until six months after student graduates or drops below half time. Interest rates are set each June for the following academic year.

Federal Nursing Student Loan

The Nursing Education Loan Program provides loans of up to $5200 a year for bachelor’s degree or completion nursing programs. Payment assistance is available by annual application to the Department of Health and Human Services at nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-loan-repayment-program. Eligibility requirements include United States citizenship, enrollment of at least half-time and demonstrated financial need.

Federal TEACH Loan Forgiveness Program

The TEACH Grant is a Loan Forgiveness Program for students who plan to become teachers in certain fields and for teachers who are seeking a graduate degree.

Qualified students may borrow up to $4,000 per year if full time, prorated for part time.

Maximum of $16,000 for undergraduate student.

Maximum of $8,000 for Masters with lifetime limit of $24,000.

Award becomes an unsubsidized federal student loan with interest accruing from initial point of disbursement if student does not meet forgiveness criteria within eight years.

Qualifications:

1. Student must be admitted into an approved major- see list on website www.lssu.edu/financial-aid.
2. Student must have scored above 75th percentile on admissions test or Graduate Records Exam (GRE). Submit a copy of your original ACT results clearly showing your score above the 75th percentile.
3. Student who did not meet the test criteria must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
4. If qualified by GPA, must meet that minimum each semester.
5. Student must complete Entrance Counseling, Interim and Exit Counseling.
6. Student must complete Agreement to Serve each year.

Criteria for forgiveness of loan for students:

1. Must complete four years of teaching within eight years of finishing program.
2. Must perform teach service as a highly-qualified teacher.
3. Must teach in a high-need subject area for at least four years at a school serving low-income students.
4. Must be a full-time teacher with majority of time spent teaching one of the high need subjects:
   1. Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition
   2. Foreign Language
   3. Mathematics
   4. Reading Specialist
   5. Science
   6. Special Education
   7. Other teacher shortage areas documented as high need by Federal, State or local education agency and listed in Department of Education Annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide at the time the student begins teaching.

Canada Student Loan

Canadian students who need financial help to earn a degree at Lake Superior State University may apply for aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

To qualify for a loan, the student must:

1. be a Canadian citizen or have landed immigrant status;
2. be a resident of a province that participates in the plan;
3. have attained a satisfactory scholastic standard;
4. be enrolled, or qualified to enroll in a post-secondary course of studies;
5. be taking at least 60 percent course load (eight credits);
6. complete an application for OSAP at osap.gov.on.ca;
7. bring Program Information Form to the LSSU Registrar’s Office to be completed and mailed by LSSU.

The loans are interest free for full-time students and until six months after graduation or termination of full-time studies. After the interest-free period has expired, students are responsible for the repayment of principal and the interest on the outstanding balance at a loan rate in effect when repayment begins.

Application forms are available on-line at www.osap.gov.on.ca.

Short-Term Educational Loan

Several short-term loan funds are available. These funds provide cash with a small loan to meet immediate, temporary financial problems.

Generally, loans up to $300 are allowed for no longer than 30 days during the school year when classes are in session. These loans are signature loans and do not bear interest if repaid when due.

A minimum service charge is assessed on all loans.

Student Emergency Fund

Established in 2000 through the Bud Mansfield Endowment, this fund is used to assist students in crisis. Application for funds is made at the Financial Aid Office. Students with insufficient resources to meet textbook needs or other obligations may apply for one-time assistance through this fund.

Campus Employment

Federal Work Study

If you have demonstrated financial need, you may be eligible for employment by Lake Superior State University under the federally supported Work-Study Program. You must file a FAFSA to be considered for this program and have financial need.

Students may work up to 19 hours weekly while attending classes at least half-time. During the summer or other vacation periods when you do not have classes, you may work full-time (40 hours per week) under this program.

The basic starting rate tends to be commensurate with the current minimum wage. Higher rates are paid for highly specialized work.

America Reads Program at Lake Superior State University is another work study opportunity for students. Students work as reading tutors in the local elementary schools and are paid through the Federal Work-Study Program. Interested students should request this unique employment experience when submitting their applications for employment.

Campus Job Opportunity

If you are interested in working on campus, but do not qualify for work study, you may be employed under the Campus Job Opportunity Program. Students must be enrolled full-time, and may work up to 19 hours per week. During the summer and other vacation periods, students may work up to 40 hours per week.

Every effort is made to employ students in areas of study providing a “learn while you earn” situation. On-campus jobs include work in laboratories, libraries, maintenance, offices, switchboard and food service areas.

Programs for Native Americans

Bureau of Indian Affairs Scholarship Grant

Members or those eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe showing need, may apply for Bureau of Indian Affairs Scholarship Grants by contacting their tribal education office for an application. It is possible to receive up to full university expenses per year in scholarship grants if financial need is demonstrated.

All applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Bureau of Indian Affairs Vocational Training Assistance

Native students enrolled in certificate or associate degree programs are eligible for assistance to pay for tuition, books and living expenses. You must be a member or eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe.

Awards are based on financial need. Applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications may be obtained by contacting the Tribal Education Office.

Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver

As of July 1, 2010, Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver applications are processed by the Department of Civil Rights. To be eligible for the MITW, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be admitted to LSSU and
• You must be 1/4 or more Native American blood quantum as certified by your Tribal Enrollment Department and
• You must be a legal resident of the state of Michigan for not less than 12 consecutive months and provide proof of Michigan residency upon request of the Financial aid Office. Waiver requests must be received and complete prior to the census date each semester. Applications are submitted to your Tribal Education Department.

Veterans Educational Benefits

Lake Superior State University’s VA Certifying Official acts as a liaison between the United States Department of Veteran Affairs and eligible students. Student eligibility for Veterans Educational Benefits is determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Students who believe they are eligible for Veterans Educational Benefits are encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for educational assistance programs. Additional information is available on LSSU’s Veterans Educational Benefits and Services website.

A Veterans Educational Benefits recipient must be admitted into a degree program or as a guest student. Any military transfer credit is evaluated and recorded as “credit for previous training”. Classes may not be repeated if passing grades were received except under special circumstances.

Each semester the student must provide a completed certification form of scheduled classes within their declared major to the University’s VA Certifying Official. The student must also notify the University’s VA Certifying Official of any change to their scheduled classes, academic program, or withdrawal from the University. These activities along with attendance are monitored and reported to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Students who are receiving VA Educational Benefits are expected to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline date established by the University each semester, with exception to the following:

• Students receiving Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefits and have a current semester course certification on file in the Registrar’s Office will automatically receive a deferment on tuition and fee charges eligible for payment until payment arrives from the VA.
• Students participating in the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E), Chapter 31 will not receive late fees for any charges eligible for payment in accordance with the VR&E program.
• Students must arrange payment for all other charges on account by the payment deadline each semester to avoid delinquent account status.

Standards of Progress requirements for recipients of Veterans Educational Benefits follow the University’s Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy as stated in this catalog. If a student fails to meet these standards, the University’s VA Certifying Official must notify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the student’s benefits may be terminated for unsatisfactory progress.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.