General Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive federal or state financial aid, students must meet the following conditions. Failing to meet one of these conditions at any time during the period covered by the award letter may result in financial aid revision or cancellation:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen;
- Not be in default on a prior education loan or owe a repayment on a prior education grant;
- Have earned HS diploma or G.E.D.;
- Be admitted to, and maintain enrollment in, an eligible program as a regular degree or certificate-seeking student;
- If male, be registered with the Selective Service Administration;
- Not have been convicted of a drug offense resulting in termination of eligibility for federal benefits;
- Meet the academic progress standards for maintaining satisfactory academic progress for financial aid;
- Not be incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution; and
- (For Minnesota State aid programs only) Meet the Minnesota residency requirements and be within maximum credit hour limit for each type of financial aid.
Acceptance of Awards
- The student does not need to take any action to accept grant awards. The actual amount of the grant is determined by the number of registered credits at the time financial aid applies to the student's account.
- Loan awards must be accepted by completing the loan acceptance process required by the Financial Aid Office and the Department of Education.
- Student Employment awards must be accepted by obtaining a student employment position which has been pre-approved for Federal or State funding, and completion of all required documents for employment and payment of wages, including providing proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Application for Financial Aid
You must apply for financial aid each academic year (fall semester through summer semester.) It is recommended that students complete the FAFSA no later than 45 days before the start of the first term in which they intend to enroll. The Financial Aid Office publishes annual recommended application filing dates on the Financial Aid website.
Additional Financial Aid
Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office in writing if they are the recipient of any additional grants, scholarships, loans or other financial assistance not shown on the Financial Aid Award Notice for the academic year.
Course Degree Applicability
It is presumed that the courses for which students are registered will apply toward their general education/liberal studies (GELS) requirements or are requirements for a major. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to adjust enrollment status for the purpose of determining award eligibility if a course is found not to meet any degree requirements.
Graduate students enrolled in undergraduate-level courses and Undergraduate students enrolled in graduate-level courses must provide documentation from their Academic Advisor stating that the course is required for completion of the student's degree before that course may be counted in the student's enrollment status.
Fees on Federal Direct Loans
The U.S. Department of Education will charge an origination fee of the total amount of each of your Federal Direct Student loan requests. These fees are deducted from each loan disbursement and students are notified of these fees in the Loan Disclosure statement. Please visit studentaid.ed.gov for details.
Fraudulent Activities
If a student is suspected of fraudulent activities in connection with financial aid, their education records may be provided without prior consent to the U.S. Department of Education, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor, the Minnesota State Internal Auditor, and other federal and/or state agencies as required for investigation and possible prosecution.
Liability for Over-Awards
Metropolitan State University will use its best efforts to ensure that student records and systems upon which the Financial Aid Office relies are free of errors. However, if financial aid funds are disbursed in error, students may be liable to repay to the university the amount of financial aid received that was determined to be in excess of the correct eligibility. Furthermore, if the university takes actions against a student which results in an administrative withdrawal or drop from some or all courses, the student may be liable to repay any funds the university is required to return on his/her behalf.
Loan Pro-ration Requirement (undergraduate students only)
If a student is enrolled in a program of less than 30 credits (such as an undergraduate certificate) or will graduate from an undergraduate degree program after attending only one semester of the academic year, the student is required to have their loan pro-rated for that semester. This will result in an adjusted and lower borrowing limitations. For more information click here: Loan Pro-ration Requirement.
Right to Revise Awards
Metropolitan State reserves the right to revise the amount and type of financial aid offered due to:
- Changes in laws, regulations or policies;
- Changes in eligibility status;
- Disciplinary actions as determined by the university's student conduct officer;
- Errors that result in aid being offered or received to which the student was not entitled;
- Inability to confirm a student's participation in academic activities related to registered course(s);
- Requirements of Federal, State or Institutional auditors;
- Withdrawal or cessation of attendance in courses after the term has begun.
Student Employment Awards
An award of Federal or State Work Study provides students with an opportunity to work in a position eligible for need-based student employment. These award amounts are estimates of what you could earn based on your financial need, expected hours of work and hourly pay rate. Student employment funds are earned over the course of the academic year and are paid to you according to the university's payroll schedule. You are not guaranteed to earn this award amount, and this award amount may be reduced or canceled if you cease employment.
Suspension of Financial Aid and Appeals
Students who fail to meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and have their financial aid eligibility suspended may appeal based on unusual or extenuating circumstances. See the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for more information.