Starting Fall 2022, Phoenix Seminary will begin offering an updated Academic Excellence Scholarship model for current and future students. The update has been made in an effort to provide simplicity and flexibility for students. Additionally, the updated model incorporates a reduced tuition rate for the summer semester for students, regardless of GPA or credit load.

What is Staying the Same:

All Phoenix Seminary’s credit programs are eligible for VA benefits. Only courses which count toward the degree will be included in the certification of enrollment. The VA’s progress requirements are the same as those stated in the Academic Standing and Academic Probation sections of the Student Handbook (see page 100). To begin the certification process, a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) must be submitted to your Student Services Advisor prior to enrolling in classes. Phoenix Seminary will inquire about each veteran’s previous education and training, and request that the student obtain transcripts from all prior institutions, including military training, traditional college coursework, and vocational training. Previous transcripts will be evaluated and credit will be granted, as appropriate.

In the Case of Involuntary Activation

• The student or a family member should notify the Dean of Students or the Registrar as soon as possible. The Seminary recognizes that the activation may make timely notification difficult and in some cases impossible.
• If the student cannot complete his or her coursework, all tuition for the incomplete work will be refunded to the student, including any fees which have not completely benefited the student.
• The student will be awarded the appropriate mark for the withdrawal (WP or WF) depending on the person’s standing in a class and without regard to the point in the semester when activation occurs.
• A student may complete current coursework, i.e., finish a course or distance education course, as appropriate and feasible. If the student desires to complete his or her current coursework, the faculty will make a reasonable effort to enable the student to do so.

Voluntary Activation in Time of War (Declared or Undeclared)

• The student or a family member should notify the Dean of Students or the Registrar as soon as they submit their request for voluntary recall or activation.
• The student will not register for any courses during a semester in which they expect to be recalled or activated.
• If the student cannot complete his or her current coursework by the date on which they receive transit orders, all tuition for the incomplete work will be refunded to the student. Fees attendant to registration and course requirements will not be refunded.
• The student will be awarded the appropriate mark for the withdrawal (WP or WF) depending on his or her standing in a class and without regard to the point in the semester when activation occurs.
• A student may complete current coursework, i.e., finish a course or distance education course, as appropriate and feasible. If the student desires to complete his or her current coursework, the faculty will make a reasonable effort to enable the student to do so.

Education Benefits Certification Process

To apply for federal education benefits, review VA education benefits programs and determine which benefit you are eligible to receive based on your military service or transfer of benefits from your parent to you. All students (veterans and veteran dependents) must complete an application with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This application will start the process for you to receive your federal education benefit. Once you receive your VA Certificate of Eligibility(CoE) in the mail, you will submit this to your Student Services Advisor. The certification letter from the VA will state what federal education benefits you are able to receive.

All veterans and veteran dependent students that will be using VA education benefits must apply for them at vets.gov.

Please be sure to submit VA Certificate of Eligibility(CoE) and the Request for Enrollment Certification sheet to your SSA. Specific questions can be addressed to Deborah Crane at dcrane@ps.edu.

New Veteran Using Federal Education Benefits

• Application for VA benefits or the confirmation page that it has been submitted.
  • Chapters 30, 33, 1606, 1607 use VA Form 22-1990
  • Chapters 30, 33, 1606, 1607 use VA Form 22-1995 if you have used the benefit in the past and are transferring from another school, or are returning for a new degree.
  • Chapter 31 Eligibility / Application is determined by VA Vocational Rehabilitation Office
• DD 214 member 4, or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE)
  Military transcripts
• Certificate of Eligibility from the VA (if not available, a copy of VONAPP or confirmation page)
• Complete VA forms

Continuing Veteran Using Federal Education Benefits

• Complete your VA forms
• Upload your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA (if not available, a copy of VONAPP or confirmation page)

Military & Transfer Credit

Credit for military schooling is evaluated upon receipt of Form DD 214, Service Separation Certificate, a Joint Services Transcript (JST) or a transcript from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). Only work that has received an upper-division baccalaureate recommendation by the American Council on Education (ACE) can be awarded credit. This work, however, is transferred and recorded at the lower-division level. Foreign language credit taken through the State Department, Department of Defense, or Defense Language Institute is assigned the recommended ACE credit. Applicability toward degree requirements is determined by the Dean’s office in the college/school to which you have been admitted. Regardless of whether or not you anticipate receiving credit, these transcripts are required if you plan to use any VA educational benefits for which you are eligible.

Federal Loan Eligibility

Students accepted for admission may apply for Direct Loan financial assistance. Phoenix Seminary certifies federal Direct Loan assistance on the basis of need, regardless of sex, age, disability, creed, or national origin of the applicant. Need is defined as the difference between a student’s cost of education and the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) as calculated by DOE with the FAFSA application. To receive federal Direct Loan assistance at Phoenix Seminary, the student must:

1. be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
2. have a social security number
3. be registered with the Selective Service for males between 18 and 25
4. be accepted in an eligible degree program
5. be enrolled at least half‐time to receive Direct Loan Program funds
6. sign FAFSA statements that you are not in default on a student loan or grant, and agree that you will only use money for educational purposes

Satisfactory Academic Progress

In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, students receiving VA or Title IV benefits are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP]. Maintaining SAP is both a qualitative and quantitative measurement.

• Qualitative measure–A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in all master’s‐ level degree programs must be maintained. Should the cumulative GPA drop below this level, there is a one‐semester probationary period to attain the GPA minimum.
• Quantitative measure–In addition, a student must satisfactorily complete: 15 credit hours per academic year (fall‐ spring‐summer) in the Master of Divinity or any MA degree program.

For financial aid eligibility, a leave of absence [LOA] does not extend the time period allowed for degree program completion. Rather, the time limit is calculated from the date of initial matriculation (which is the first semester a student enrolled for classes). The Financial Aid Office will evaluate SAP at the end of each payment period. If satisfactory academic progress is not met in a given semester, a Financial Aid Warning will be issued.

Financial Aid Warning

A student who fails to meet SAP at the end of a payment period may continue to receive Title IV aid for one payment period. If the student is not meeting SAP at the end of the Financial Aid Warning term, the student will be ineligible for financial aid until it is determined that SAP is being met.

Financial Aid Probation

If a student is not meeting SAP after the Financial Aid Warning term and becomes ineligible for financial aid, the student may file an appeal. If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and furnished with an academic plan for one payment period. If the student is not meeting SAP at the end of this probation period, the student will be ineligible for financial aid until it is determined that SAP is being met.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid

At the end of the probation period, the financial aid office will review the student’s academic progress. If it is determined that SAP is being met, the student’s eligibility for financial aid will be reinstated. The financial aid office will notify the student in writing of the reinstatement within two weeks of this determination.

The Appeal Process for Unsatisfactory Academic Progress

A student determined to be ineligible for financial aid because of unsatisfactory academic progress may appeal in writing to the Academic Administrative Committee and the Administrator of Financial Aid, indicating reasons why the minimum academic requirements were not met and why aid should not be terminated.

The committee’s decision concerning the appeal will determine whether the student’s eligibility to receive financial aid will be reinstated. The student will be notified of the decision within three weeks of receiving the appeal. The decision made by the committee is final.

Provisional Admittance

Any student who has been provisionally admitted due to outstanding required official transcripts or other required documents will be ineligible for financial aid until the provisional condition(s) has been satisfied.

Academic Probationary Admittance

Any student who has been admitted with an academic probationary requirement will be ineligible for financial aid until the requirement has been satisfied.

Students with Delinquent or Defaulted Student Loans

Delinquent Student Loans

Students who are reported by the National Student Loan Data Service as being in a delinquent or default status on their student loans will be ineligible to register for classes until the delinquency or default status is resolved AND NSLDS shows student in an approved status. A student who is enrolled less than half time must be in an approved status with their outstanding student loans. The NSLDS data base is updated each semester and all students are entered for monitoring by the NSLDS.

The student will be eligible to register in subsequent semesters when NSLDS reports student in an approved status. Any student who is delinquent on a student loan will be ineligible to receive any Seminary financial aid via loans or scholarships until all loan issues have been resolved.

Definitions

• “Employee” or “School employee” means any employee, agent, student financial aid contractor, director, officer or trustee of the School. For purposes of the Code provisions relating to gifts and stock ownership, this term includes family members of the Employee. For purposes of Paragraph 2 of this Code, this term includes family members living in the same household as the Employee.
• “School” means all colleges, campuses, departments or other components of the higher education institution adopting this Code of Conduct that are either located in Arizona or that offer on‐line classes to Arizona residents, including alumni associations if the associations are under the institution’s control and are not separately incorporated.
• “Student loan lender” or “lender” means any entity involved in making, holding, consolidating, originating, servicing or guaranteeing any loan to students or parents to finance higher education expenses. This includes lenders who provide private educational loans as well as lenders who provide loans that are made, insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education, except loans under the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program.

Employee Compensation Prohibition

No employee of the School or “school‐affiliated organization” (as defined in 34 CFR

682.200(b)(5)(i)(A)(8)) shall accept or solicit anything of other than nominal value from a student loan lender. “Nominal value” means a total retail value of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) as calculated over a 12‐month period, or as defined by a School policy consistent with applicable federal and state law. This paragraph shall not prohibit School employees from conducting non‐student lending business with any lender or accepting or soliciting anything of other than nominal value in any activity unrelated to student loans.

Lender Advisory Board Restrictions

A School employee shall not accept any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses for serving as a member of or otherwise participating on a student loan lender’s advisory board or committee, consistent with applicable federal student loan requirements.

Financial Relationship Prohibition

A person employed in the financial aid office of the School, or who otherwise has direct responsibilities with respect to educational loans or other financial aid, shall:

• avoid any equity or other interest in any student loan lender other than a remote interest; *
• avoid consulting or similar financial relationships with student loan lenders, and
• comply with the School’s Conflict of Interest Policies & Procedures.

Institutional Compensation Prohibition

• The School will not accept anything of value from a student loan lender in exchange for any advantage or consideration provided to the lender related to its education loan activity. This prohibition shall include, but not be limited to: (1) the School’s receipt from any lender of any computer hardware for which the School pays below market prices, (2) preferential

rates for, or access to, a lender’s other financial products and (3) printing costs or services.

Notwithstanding anything else in this paragraph, the School may accept assistance as contemplated by 34 CFR 682.200(b).

• The School shall not engage in revenue sharing with a student loan lender. “Revenue sharing” means any arrangement under which a student loan lender pays a higher education institution or an affiliated entity or organization a certain sum, fee or percentage

calculated in relation to the volume of loans received by the lender from students of the institution.

Preferred Lender List Requirements

• Best Interests of Students Paramount. If the School decides to develop and/or publish any list of suggested, recommended or preferred student loan lenders (“preferred lender list” or “lender list”), the School shall develop and maintain any lender list based solely on the best interests of students and parents borrowers.
• Required Disclosures. The School shall prominently disclose on all publications of a preferred lender list:
  • the process and criteria by which the list was assembled,
  • comparative information regarding interest rates and other benefits offered by the lenders; and
  • that borrowers have the right and ability to select lenders not included on the list.
• Prompt Certification of Loans from Any Lender. The School will timely certify any loan from any lender selected by the borrower that offers the loan, to the extent consistent with applicable federal student loan requirements. The School will not cause unnecessary certification delays for borrowers who use a lender that has not been recommended or suggested by the School.
• Minimum Number of Lenders Required. The School shall ensure there are at least three (3) student loan lenders named on each preferred lender list which are not “affiliates” of each other, as described in 34 C.F.R. § 682.212 (h)(3).
• Review and Update of Preferred Lender Lists. Preferred lender lists must be reviewed and updated at least once a year. When publishing preferred lender lists, the School shall either rotate or randomize the list of lenders or list them alphabetically.
• Loan Resale. The School shall require that all lenders on a preferred lender list commit in writing to disclose to the borrower before a loan agreement is signed whether there is an existing agreement to sell loans to another lender, and if so, the contact information for the lender who will be purchasing the borrower’s loan. The School shall inform student and parent borrowers that lenders can, and do, sell student loans, and encourage borrowers to contact their lenders for more information. Further, the School may remove a lender from its preferred lender list if that lender sells loans without ensuring that the advertised loan terms and benefits are honored with the new lender.
• Different Types of Loans. The School shall not include a student loan lender on a preferred lender list for one type of loan in exchange for benefits provided by the lender with respect to a different type of loan.

Promotion of Preferred Lenders Prohibited

The School shall not allow a lender included on a preferred lender list to use the name, emblem, mascot or logo of the School or other words, pictures, or symbols readily identified with the School, in the marketing of private educational loans to the students attending the School that implies the School endorses the private educational loans offered by the lender.

Master Promissory Notes

The School shall inform borrowers of the procedure(s) for completing the Master Promissory Note or other loan agreement with the lender of the borrower’s choice, whether or not the lender appears on the School’s preferred lender list.

Lender Restriction Prohibition

The School shall not restrict borrowers to any particular type of lender (e.g., those that process loans electronically).

School as Lender

If the School participates in the School as Lender program under 20 U.S.C. § 1085(d)(1)(E) and has an agreement to sell student loans to another lender, it must (a) disclose the existence of the agreement to the borrower and provide contact information for the lender who will be purchasing the borrower’s loan and (b) require that any lender to whom the loans are sold honors the loan terms and benefits the School advertised to borrowers.

Private Loans a Last Resort

The School shall not certify student eligibility for a private educational loan without first informing the borrower that (a) federal financial assistance (including grants and loans under Title IV) may be available and (b) federal loans may provide more advantageous terms to the borrower than private loans.

Opportunity Loans

• The School shall not enter into an opportunity loan agreement with a student loan lender under which the School provides concessions or promises to the lender that prejudice other borrowers. An “opportunity” loan means a student loan provided to borrowers with poor or no credit history, or who otherwise would not meet the student loan lender’s eligibility criteria.
• The School shall not certify student eligibility for an opportunity loan made available pursuant to an agreement between the School and a lender unless (i) the agreement includes the option of short term or partial loans not to exceed one year and (ii) the School informs the borrower of the short term or partial loan option, so the borrower can consider different or less expensive financing if the borrower’s financial condition improves.

Staffing Assistance from Lenders

The School shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center or financial aid office staffing, including in‐person school‐required initial or exit counseling, except as permitted by applicable federal student loan requirements. The School shall ensure that any lender employees on campus are accurately represented as such and not misidentified as School agents or employees. While lenders may provide professional development training to financial aid administrators and participate in financial literacy outreach activities, lender employees must clearly disclose the name of the entity preparing any written materials and may not promote the lender’s products.

Implementation

• The School agrees to publish the Arizona Student Loan Code of Conduct prominently on its website within ten business days of its adoption by the School.
• The School shall require all of its employees with direct responsibilities relating to student loans to obtain training concerning the Arizona Student Loan Code of Conduct, applicable federal and state student loan laws and regulations, and related School policies and procedures within 90 days of the date the School adopts this Code or, for new employees, within 90 days of the date of hire. The School shall adopt procedures to ensure these employees maintain current knowledge of the Code and applicable regulations.

* For the purposes of this Code, “Remote interest” is defined as: “the ownership of less than three per cent of the shares of a corporation for profit, provided the total annual income from dividends, including the value of stock dividends, from the corporation does not exceed five per cent of the total annual income of such officer or employee and any other payments made to him by the corporation do not exceed five per cent of his total annual income.” See generally, A.R.S. § 38‐502(e). Arizona Student Loan Code of Conduct.

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a veteran under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded.  When a student withdraws from some or all his/her courses, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.  When the student withdraws, the School Certifying Official will amend the student’s certification in VA-Once.  At that point, the VA will contact the student and the SCO by letter confirming the changes.  In compliance with the regulations issued by the Department of Defense, Phoenix Seminary will return unearned TA on a proportional basis through at least 60% of the period for which the funds were provided.  If this results in an unpaid tuition balance, payment would be the responsibility of the student.   If a student stops attending due to a military service obligation, Phoenix Seminary will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.

Phoenix Seminary’s Schedule of Return for Unearned Tuition Assistance:

16 Week Term

Before or during Week 1=100% return

During Weeks 2-3=75% return

During Week 4=50% return

During Weeks 5-10=40% return

During Weeks 11-16=0% return

Summer 10 Week Term

Before or during Week 1=100% return

During Week 2=75% return

During Week 3=50% return

During Weeks 4-6=40% return

During Weeks 7-10=0% return

All students in eligible programs (MDiv, MABTS, MAM, MAC, and Grad Diploma) will receive a 50% tuition discount for any courses taken during the summer semester ($262.50/credit hour). This discount will not be dependent on the number of courses a student is enrolled in or on a student’s current GPA.

If you need to take a Leave of Absence for a semester, this will not affect your eligibility to receive an academic scholarship during the semester you return to take classes. As long as you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the President’s or a 2.5 for the Dean’s, and as long as you’re enrolled for the required amount of courses for that semester, you will automatically receive the scholarship.

Academic scholarships will be applied to your net tuition balance each semester after all other internal or external scholarships or grants have been applied. For example, if you've also been awarded a Distinguished Scholarship, that award will be applied to your tuition balance first, and then the Academic Scholarship discount will be applied to your net tuition balance.

Academic Scholarships can also be combined with the Church Partnership Grant.

Additionally, Academic Scholarships will cover only the cost of tuition for credit courses. All non-credit courses, general fees, and books are not covered by this scholarship. This scholarship will not result in any refund or tuition credit for students who are fully funded by other scholarships.

If you need to take a lighter load one semester, you are welcome to do that. For that semester, you will simply be awarded the Dean’s 25% Scholarship. If you’re able to take three classes the following semester, you will receive the President’s 50% Scholarship again.

If you started your degree program before the Summer 2021 semester...

• To be eligible for the President's scholarship during a spring or fall semester, you will need to maintain a 3.0 and take at least two courses during that semester.
• To be eligible for the Dean's scholarship during a spring or fall semester, you will need to maintain a 2.5 and take at least two courses during that semester.
• All students in eligible programs (MDiv, MABTS, MAM, MAC, and Grad Diploma) will receive a 50% tuition discount for any courses taken during the summer semester ($262/credit hour). This discount will not be dependent on the number of courses a student is enrolled in or on a student’s current GPA.

You are able to advance to the President’s Scholarship if you are able to earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. Once you have reached that, you will be eligible for the President’s Scholarship the following semester provided that you enroll in at least three courses.

If you are a DMin student and you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from your previous institution (incoming students) or at Phoenix Seminary (current students), you are eligible for the Shepherd’s 25% Scholarship. This scholarship applies toward all required credit courses for the DMin program.

If you are a ThM student and you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from your previous institution (incoming students) or at Phoenix Seminary (current students), you are eligible for the Provost’s 25% Scholarship. This scholarship applies toward all required credit courses for the ThM program.

Six months after leaving school or dropping below half‐time enrollment, most students begin repaying their federal student loans. The following link will discuss repayment and strategies to help you plan effectively. https://www.mygreatlakes.org/educate/knowledge‐center/repayment‐strategy.html

Financial planning is recommended for all seminary students, our goal is to avoid a level of debt that is not feasible with your expected future earnings. Always review your current level of indebtedness, debt to income, and federal loan balances to be prudent in planning your future payments. The NSLDS student loan repayment calculator can help you plan more accurately.  Review this link: “Student Loan Simulator” https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator/. You are also encouraged to complete the financial awareness counsel offered by the Department of Education, Federal Student Loans. The link for this is: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/financialAwarenessCounseling.action?execution=e1s1