Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid welcomes your interest in attending Holy Names University (HNU). This guide will help you complete the process of applying for financial aid at the University. It will lead you through recent changes in state and federal law that affect your eligibility and will assist you in identifying the aid programs for which you qualify.

The primary objective of the Office of Financial Aid is to provide financial assistance to the greatest number of eligible students through coordination with and full use of all governmental, community, and on-campus resources. Financial aid is available to students through grants, loans, and scholarships. Whatever form your aid package takes, we will design it to help you bridge the gap between the cost of your education and your resources.

This means we will provide you with personalized attention throughout the application process. We work carefully to deliver that assistance within the framework, regulations, and policies of federal, state, and institutional donors. Truly, our staff endeavors to fund students to the greatest extent possible under the law and strives to eliminate unnecessary application steps. We provide intervention and liaison support to resolve any problems related to the student’s award. In addition, we take a proactive approach to default management and prevention by performing an active role in loan counseling and delinquency notification procedures.

In short, we are committed to helping you obtain the financial support you need to attend Holy Names University. Please feel welcome to contact our office with any questions you may have as you read this guide. We are looking forward to hearing from you—and we are ready to help.

Christina Miller, Ph.D.

Director of Financial Aid

Important Information

• Eligibility
• Application Process
• Deadlines
• How Financial Aid is Determined
• State Grant Programs
• Enrollment Status

Eligibility

Students are eligible for need-based financial assistance if they meet the following criteria:

• United States citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen of the United States.
• Officially accepted into a degree, certificate or credential program by the Office of Admission.
• Have a high school diploma, GED or the equivalent.
• Enrolled at least half-time per term

• Undergraduate semester and teacher credential programs -- 6 units per semester
• Undergraduate trimester programs--4 units per trimester
• Graduate semester programs--5 units per semester
• Graduate trimester programs--3 units per trimester.

• Not owe a refund on a federal grant and not be in default on a federal educational loan received at any institution of higher education.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined by HNU policy.

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Application Process

• Students should apply for financial assistance as early as possible after January 1st for the coming academic year. Students who have applied for financial assistance will receive an official Financial Aid Award after formal admission to the University.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the financial aid form used by Holy Names University. This form may be obtained from any college financial aid office, or high school, or on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For priority consideration, the FAFSA should be submitted to the Central Processor (CPS) by March 2nd for the coming academic year.
• Students selected for verification will be required to submit a copy of their Federal income tax return. If a parent provided information on the FAFSA, a parent's Federal tax return is also required. For married students, the spouse's Federal tax return must also be submitted.
• Students may also need to submit other documentation, such as childcare expenses, medical expenses, child support, citizenship, private school tuition, untaxed income and benefits, etc., if requested by the Financial Aid Office.
• The Financial Aid Office will review all information submitted and send a Financial Aid Award to all admitted students who complete the process. Students should carefully review the Award and accompanying information and return it to the Financial Aid Office by the deadline date on the Award.

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Deadlines

The deadline for the state Cal Grant programs, Holy Names scholarships, and the priority deadline for Holy Names grant assistance, is March 2nd for the upcoming Fall. Students applying for aid after that time will be considered as funds are available and on a "first come-first served" basis. Continuing students are expected to reapply for financial aid each year by the March 2nd deadline.

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How Financial Aid is Determined

The majority of financial aid funds at Holy Names University are awarded based on "financial need." Income and asset information provided on the FAFSA is evaluated using the Federal Methodology (FM) formula determined by the U.S. Congress. The results of this calculation provide each student/family with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This EFC is subtracted from the total cost of education at Holy Names University to determine a student's "need" for financial assistance.

Several merit scholarships and loan programs are available to students who do not demonstrate financial need. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, and alternative student loans, are designed for these students and families.

Each year the Financial Aid Office reviews the cost of attending Holy Names University and develops budgets tailored to meet the needs of semester, weekend and accelerated undergraduate and graduate students. These budgets provide for a modest standard of living and include tuition, room and board/food and housing, books, supplies, personal expenses and required travel. The cost of attendance budgets provide average figures, using actual institutional charges with estimates for other expenses. Financial aid may not cover a student's total need or cost of education.

After an applicant has been formally admitted to Holy Names University and the financial aid file is complete, the Financial Aid Office will determine the Financial Aid Award. The types and amounts of the awards are individually calculated based on financial need and the resources of the University.

Financial aid recipients should notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes in enrollment, housing status, or financial resources. Such changes can also require a change in the amount of financial assistance.

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State Grant Programs

The following programs are available to California residents and are administered by the California Student Aid Commission. To apply, students need to complete and submit the FAFSA and a GPA Verification form by the March 2nd postmark deadline. These Grants are renewable for students who maintain a 2.0 GPA and at least half-time enrollment.

Cal Grant A

This grant is solely for tuition expenses. Recipients are selected based on financial need and scholastic achievement. This grant is available to undergraduate students attending at least half-time and ranges up to $9,708. Students entering their freshman, sophomore, and junior years are encouraged to apply.

Cal Grant B

This program is designed for California's high potential first-year college students from low income families. Recipients receive Cal Grant B subsistence of $1551 their first year of college. In subsequent years, in addition to the Cal Grant B subsistence, recipients will receive a full Cal Grant of $8,322. Recipients must be undergraduates and enrolled at least half-time.

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Enrollment Status

Enrollment status is based on the program to which the student has been accepted at Holy Names University. These programs fall into the following categories:

1. Undergraduate semester and teacher credential programs
2. Undergraduate trimester programs
3. Undergraduate accelerated programs (ex.cel, BSN)
4. Graduate semester programs
5. Graduate trimester programs