Graduate Financial Information

Financial Policies

Tuition and Fee Policy

Degree seeking students enrolled at least half-time (three credits/semester) may be eligible for Federal direct Loans. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 440.375.7100 for more information.

Fees may be calculated by referring to the tuition and fee schedule listed on the website for each semester. Financial refund schedules are published there as well. Be sure to reference this information when making decisions to add or drop classes after the semester begins.

Due to federal regulations, all international students entering the United States on an F-1 Visa are required to prepay their tuition before registering for classes. International students are not eligible for time-payment plans.

Students who do not meet financial obligations on a timely basis may be removed from their educational program. Re-entry into the program will require payment of a re-matriculation fee equal to the current late registration fee in addition to the regular tuition and fee charges assessed.

The College reserves the right to withdraw a student from his or her academic program, to withhold diplomas and transcripts, to deny entry to the residence halls and to deny participation in graduation exercises if tuition and fees are not paid on a timely basis. The student may apply for re-admission to the program for following semesters; re-admission will be dependent on proof of financial stability.

Late fees will be charged on all accounts 30 days past due. Charges that remain unpaid will be sent to a third party collection service. At that time, the collection fees, interest charges and legal fees will be added to the balance on the student’s account and these accounts will also be reported to the credit bureau.

Methods of Payment

Four options are available for paying education expenses:

• Pay each semester’s expenses in full. The amount, less financial aid and loans, is due on May 1-summer, August 1-fall, December 1-spring.
• Apply for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program at www.fafsa.gov. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per academic year with this program.
• Apply for a private student loan and/or GRAD PLUS loan, The Lake Erie College Financial Aid website has more information on how to apply. Proof of loan funds approval and disbursement date information is due on the semester due dates as indicated in option one.
• Enroll in the Time-Payment Plan, pay the enrollment fee and begin making the monthly payments prior to the semester due date as indicated in option one. This plan is interest free. Note: All of the above options may be combined to make a financial plan that is suitable for budgeting needs, making sure they are in place on or before the semester due dates as indicated above.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Students eligible for employer reimbursement have two options:
  
  For an employer who reimburses 100% of tuition and fees, students will supply a letter each semester verifying their employment and their eligibility for reimbursement of tuition and fees. Tuition will be deferred up to four weeks after the semester ends.
  
  For an employer who reimburses less than 100% or requires certain grade achievement, students will pay 50% of tuition and fees by the semester due date, and the remaining 50% may be deferred up to four weeks after the semester ends.
   
• There is a fee of $30 per semester for either of these plans. Plans are available for graduate level studies only. Tuition payment due dates are: May 1-summer, August 1-fall, December 1-spring.

For more information, please contact: Lake Erie College Bursar 440.375.7022 or 800.533.4996 email: bursar@lec.edu

Veterans Benefits

Lake Erie College is approved by the State Approving Agency for Veterans’ Training. Veterans who are eligible for educational benefits should contact the VETS Office. Veterans receive the educational benefits from the Veteran Administration (VA) and eligibility and amounts are determined by the VA. Lake Erie College School Certifying Official is located in the Financial Aid Office. Students receiving veteran’s benefits will not be assessed any College late fees due to a delay in processing from the Veteran Administration.

Refund Policy

If registration is canceled prior to the start of classes, a full refund will be made with the exception of the admissions deposit. The student’s account will be credited only after the proper withdrawal forms have been filed with the Registrar’s office and the exit interview is completed. Students must contact the Registrar’s Office to officially withdraw from the school.

Refund dates are found on the website each semester. Refer to this information for the financial impact of dropping/withdrawing from classes. Students withdrawing and/or changing status between full-time and part-time should speak with both the Financial Aid and Bursar Offices to be sure they understand the full impact of their decision.

Students who discontinue class attendance without officially completing the withdrawal procedure will be responsible for the full amount of applicable tuition and fees. A student receiving Title IV financial aid who does not officially complete the withdrawal procedure will be required to return 50% of the Title IV funds.

Refunds for withdrawals after the official dates will not be made in cases of inability to attend classes due to changes in business or personal affairs. If extraordinary circumstances require a student to withdraw from classes after the refund period, the student will need to file an Exceptions Petition. Forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Refunds due to overpayment of tuition and fees will be processed in accordance with Title IV guidelines.

Refund Schedule

Tuition will be refunded according to the following schedules:

Summer Semester 2023- 2024

Tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:

Session A May 15 - 100%  |  May 16 - 80%  |  May 17 - 0%

Session B June 28 - 100%  |  June 29 - 80%  |  June 30 - 0%

Session E May 15 - 100%  |  May 22 - 80%  |  May 29 - 60%*

****After May 29th no refunds will be issued.

Fall Semester 2023 - 2024

Tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:

Z - Schedule (Full Semester)

During the first week of the semester Aug. 21 through Aug. 27  |  100%

During the second week of the semester Aug. 28 through Sept. 3  |  80%

During the third week of the semester Sept. 4 through Sept. 10  |  60%

****After Sept 10th no refunds will be issued

X - Schedule (7 week courses)

During the first week: Aug. 21 through Aug. 27  |  100%

During the second week: Aug. 28 through Sept. 3  |  80%

****After Sept 3rd no refunds will be issued

Y - Schedule (7 week courses)

During the first week: Oct. 11 through Oct. 15  |  100%

During the second week: Oct. 16 through Oct. 22  |  80%

****After Oct. 22nd no refunds will be issued

Spring Semester 2023 - 2024

Tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:

Z - Schedule (Full Semester)

During the first week of the semester Jan. 16 through Jan. 21  |  100%

During the second week of the semester Jan. 22 through Jan. 28  |  80%

During the third week of the semester Jan. 29 through Feb. 3  |  60%

****After Feb. 3rd no refunds will be issued

X - Schedule (7 week courses)

During the first week: Jan. 16 through Jan. 21  |  100%

During the second week: Jan. 22 through Jan. 28  |  80%

****After Jan. 28th no refunds will be issued

Y - Schedule (7 week courses)

During the first week: Mar. 5 through Mar. 10  |  100%

During the second week: Mar. 11 through Mar. 17  |  80%

****After Mar. 17th no refunds will be issued

Financial Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)a

Federal regulations require that schools monitor academic progress of each applicant for federal financial assistance and that the school certify that the applicant is making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward earning his or her degree. To be eligible to receive financial aid from federal, state and institutional sources at Lake Erie College, students must make satisfactory academic progress in their degree program. This rule applies to all students applying for aid, whether or not financial aid has been previously received. The purpose of measuring and enforcing this regulation is to ensure financial aid recipients’ progress toward graduation. The policy and terms described in this SAP policy is for financial aid purposes and is separate from academic probation policies for academic standing with the college.

Not meeting these requirements for SAP may result in loss of all financial aid.

Requirements

The measure of SAP is threefold:

1. GPA
2. Percentage Completion Rate
3. Maximum Timeframe

Students who fail to meet the any of the SAP requirements become ineligible to receive financial aid until compliance with these requirements are met.

The Financial Aid Office evaluates SAP after the completion of each semester or term. All terms of enrollment, including summer, will be considered in the determination of SAP including periods in which the student did not receive federal student aid funds.

Students academically dismissed from their academic program will be recognized as failing to meet SAP standards.

Requirement Definitions

Grade Point Average: A graduate student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0

Percentage Completion Rate: Pace of progression

To ensure a student is making progress in progression toward their degree, a student must earn 67% of hours attempted. This is calculated by dividing cumulative hours earned by cumulative hours attempted. Attempted credit hours. Courses with grades and with marks of “W” withdrawn, “I” incomplete or “F” failure are counted as courses attempted. Course repetitions and remedial coursework count as credit hours attempted and count toward the maximum time frame. Overall transfer hours accepted are included in attempted credit hours. Hours enrolled are counted after the add/drop period of the semester.

Earned credit hours are the credit hours recorded as earned on the student’s academic transcript at the end of each semester for which a student received a passing grade. All other grades, including “F” failing, “W” withdrawal, “I” incomplete or no credit will not be counted as a successful completion or earned. Credits excluded from the credit completion calculation include audit credits and CLEP credits.

Transfer credit hours are included in cumulative number of hours attempted and earned

Example: Joe Freshman was enrolled for 18 hours fall semester. He withdrew from a 4 credit hour course, receiving a “W” and failed another 4 credit hour course. At the end of the semester, his transcript showed he earned 10 credit hours. He has a 2.52 cumulative GPA. His percentage of credit hours earned based on his attempted is 55.5% (10/18). He did not make SAP for the fall semester based upon his earned hours. He must have had at least 67% earned hours from those attempted.

Maximum timeframe

Students are required to complete their degree requirements within a specific time frame. Federal regulations require that students complete their degree program by the time they have attempted 150% of the hours normally required for the completion of the degree. Students who have reached the maximum timeframe limit and who have completed coursework to graduate but have not yet received their degree cannot continue to receive further financial aid.

A student cannot exceed 150% of the published length of time of the program measured in credit hours attempted. Students are normally expected to complete a graduate degree by the end of 2 years of full time enrollment.

Periods of enrollment when a student does not receive federal aid are counted toward the maximum timeframe. A graduate student cannot exceed 150% of the published length of time of the program measured in credit hours attempted.

MBA program: published length 33 credit hours, maximum timeframe 50 credit hours
MPS program: published length 33 credit hours, maximum timeframe 50 credit hours
MED program: published length 33 credit hours, maximum timeframe 50 credit hours
MSPAS program: published length 112 credit hours, maximum timeframe 168 credit hours

Transfer students are awarded aid without regard to probation status at their prior post-secondary school. Transfer credit hours accepted for the both undergraduate and graduate student’s academic degree are counted when measuring the maximum time frame to complete the degree or program.

Change of Major or Second Major:

All hours attempted and earned are counted, even if a student adds a second major or changes major and needs additional coursework to complete their degree due to the change or addition. Students who need to remain enrolled beyond their maximum time frame due to a change of major or a second major will be required to submit an appeal. This appeal must include documentation from their academic advisor indicating the number of credit hours needed to complete their degree or second major.

Outcomes: SAP Warning, Financial Aid Suspension, SAP Probation

Student’s progress is monitored after grades are finalized each semester, summer, fall and spring, to determine if a student is eligible to receive financial aid for subsequent enrollment periods. The Lake Erie College Financial Aid Office will notify student’s not meeting SAP at the end of each semester via their LEC email. Notification will include why SAP is not met, if an academic plan is required and the timeframe to appeal. It is the student’s responsibility to know whether or not these requirements are met. It is possible that a subsequent term may be in progress at the time of SAP notification from the Financial Aid office. (For example: summer term begins within days of spring term ending). Students with concerns should contact the Financial Aid Office.

SAP Warning

The first time a student does not meet the SAP requirement the student will receive a SAP Warning. The student will be eligible to receive financial aid for the next semester. This warning period lasts one semester. No other action is required by the student. The SAP Policy will be delivered to the student for review.

Exception: Any student dismissed by Academic Standards after one semester, (GPA is zero and no hours are earned) will be automatically placed into SAP Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension

Financial Aid Suspension occurs when any of three SAP requirements was not met and no appeal was provided and approved. The student will not be eligible for financial aid in subsequent terms. Students in this status may enroll at their own expense. Personal resources, an LEC payment plan or private loan resources may be payment options during enrollment period(s) while attempting to regain eligibility.

Neither paying for classes out-of-pocket nor sitting out for an enrollment period is sufficient for students to re-establish eligibility for financial aid.

SAP Probation and the Appeal Process

Students who fail to make SAP after one semester on SAP Warning will lose all eligibility for financial aid and be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. If extenuating circumstances contributed to the student not meeting SAP requirements, the student may appeal the denial for financial aid by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal to the Financial Aid Office. The purpose of the appeal is to show there were extenuating circumstances that occurred during that semester that led to requirements not being met. The student must submit a letter of appeal to petition reconsideration for financial aid eligibility for the next term. The appeal must include a dated and signed statement with:

• The reason for failing to make SAP including any extenuating circumstances that caused failure to meet the SAP standards
• A description of how circumstances have changed to be in a better position to be academically successful
• Specific steps that will be taken during subsequent enrollment to ensure academic success. This can be the same plan delivered by Academic Standards Committee
• Statement or documentation from a third party sources that can support your circumstance and clearly indicate your situation has been rectified to ensure successful future enrollment
• If Maximum Timeframe has been exceeded, a signed statement from an academic advisor indicating the hours remaining for degree completion

An appeal must be based on significant extenuating circumstances that seriously impacted academic performance. Examples of extenuating circumstances include serious illness or injury, death of a family member or other extreme hardship or personal situation. The appeal letter must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office within 14 days of receiving notification. Include supporting documentation if indicated.

An appeal will be approved if the Financial Aid Office can determine the student will be able to make SAP standards by the end of the next term. The student with an approved appeal will be on SAP Probation and regains eligibility for financial aid for the next term.

Academic Plan

If the Financial Aid office determines that SAP cannot be made during the next term, for example, even with a 4.0 GPA earned in the next semester, the SAP GPA requirement of 2.0 cannot be obtained, the student must include an Academic Plan of action from the Academic Standards Committee or meet with their academic advisor to devise a plan to restore their SAP standards by a specific point in time. The academic plan must be submitted as part of the appeal. The student must adhere to the requirements specified in their academic plan to be eligible for financial aid.

Requirements to Re-Qualify for Financial aid

Students who are placed on Financial Aid Suspension for any reason may appeal their case to the Financial Aid Office. If the appeal is approved, the student regains financial aid eligibility for the next semester. The student is considered to be on SAP Probation.

Students can regain full eligibility for financial aid by successfully completing coursework that will raise their GPA (2.0 undergrad, 3.0 graduate) to meet or exceed the minimum requirement, raise their Percentage Completion Rate for all coursework attempted to 67% or more or have submitted an academic appeal for maximum timeframe that has been approved.

Return of Title IV Policy

Refund of Student Account Credit Balances

Federal law requires the college to automatically refund any credit balance from a student account that was created by Federal Title IV financial aid. Title IV aid, as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, includes the following programs: Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal TEACH Grant
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Federal PLUS Loans
Federal GRAD PLUS Loan
Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Any credit balance created by federal funds will be refunded to the student (or parent for PLUS loan if indicated on their application) within 14 days.

A credit may remain on a student account to be applied to next semester charges if the student indicates so in writing to the Bursar’s office. However, this credit can only be held on the account during the academic year in which the aid was awarded. A student may withdraw this authorization at any time. Upon receipt of such notice in writing, the college will refund any excess within 14 days.

Return of Federal Title IV Funds for Withdrawal

A student who withdraws from the college and is a recipient of Federal Title IV financial aid is subject to the following policy regarding refund and repayment of federal funds to the Department of Education. A return of Title IV calculation must be determined when a student withdraws from the College. This policy does not apply to students who cancel their registration prior to the first day of classes or to students who drop some, but not all of their classes. However, students who make changes to their enrollment status should notify the Financial Aid Office because their aid eligibility may be affected.

When a student withdraws, the Financial Aid Office must calculate the amount of aid you have earned prior to withdrawing. Any Federal aid received in excess of the earned amount is considered unearned. Unearned aid must be returned back to the respective Federal Aid program within 45 days. If the student is a Federal Work-Study employee, the student is no longer eligible to receive payment from the Federal work-study employment.

Other financial aid funds, such as state grants and institutional grants are not a part of this calculation; however they may be subject to a reduction in case of withdrawal.

Calculating Earned Funds

The amount of Federal Title IV aid earned is based upon the percentage of the semester completed. This is calculated by dividing the number of days the student attended classes by the number of days in the semester.

Any student who withdraws on or before the 60% point in the semester will have to return or repay unearned Federal Title IV financial aid funds. Unearned aid percentage is calculated by subtracting the earned percentage from 100%

A student who withdraws at the 60% point of the semester is considered to have earned 100% of their aid and will not have to return funds to the Federal Title IV programs. Unless it is later determined that the student stopped attending classes and unofficially withdrew before the 60% point of the term.

Students who withdraw from the College once classes begin must file a Withdrawal Form. This form can be obtained from the Registrar’s office.

A student’s withdrawal date is determined by Lake Erie College to be:

1. The date the student began the withdrawal process (as outlined in this catalog) or notified the school of the intent to withdraw.
2. A student who does not notify the College of withdrawing and walks away and no date can be determined, the Financial Aid Office will recalculate financial aid eligibility at the midpoint of the term and consider it an unofficial withdrawal.
3. The student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically-related activity.
4. Student’s whose registration is canceled prior to the beginning of the semester will not be considered a student for that semester. No enrollment means no aid eligibility for that semester. Any prior awarded aid will be canceled.
5. Retroactive withdrawals after completion of a term. If a student is granted a late action that allows a retroactive withdrawal after the end of the semester and the official withdrawal date is past the 60% point of the term, the student’s financial aid status will not change. If the date of the late action allows an official withdrawal date prior to the 60% point of the term, aid eligibility will be recalculated.

Calculating the Return of Title IV Aid Amount

Once the earned and unearned percentages are determined, the Financial Aid Office calculates the dollar amount of the total unearned aid that must be returned. The return of aid amount is determined by multiplying the unearned aid percentage by the total of all Title IV aid received:

Example:

An student withdraws during week 4- day 19 of the fall semester.
Total of all Federal aid received $5,686
105 days in the fall semester
Student withdrew on day 19
Percentage completed: 19/105 = 18.1% ; percentage unearned = 81.9%
Total unearned aid = $4,656

Funds will be returned to the programs in the order specified by federal guidelines, up to the net amount disbursed from each source:

Unsubsidized Direct Loans
Subsidized Direct Loans
Direct PLUS Loans / Direct GRAD PLUS Loans
Federal Pell Grants
Federal SEOG
TEACH Grants
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

When aid is returned, the student may have a debit or credit balance on their college account. Students who owe a debit balance to the College must contact the Bursar’s office to make payment arrangements. If a credit balance occurs, a refund check will be generated within 14 days and mailed to the student’s home address.

Post -Withdrawal Disbursements

If a student withdraws from a semester and receives less federal aid than the amount earned, the student is entitled to a post-withdrawal disbursement. The student must have met all of the conditions for a late disbursement prior to the date the student became ineligible (date of withdrawal). If the student or parent is eligible for a post-withdrawal from Title IV loan funds, the Financial Aid Office will notify the student or parent in writing prior to making any post-withdrawal disbursement, whether those loan funds will credit the student’s account or be disbursed in a refund directly to the student or parent. The written notification must be made within 30 days to confirm in writing that the student or parent wants the post-withdrawal disbursement. If no confirmation is received, the loan will be canceled.

Future Aid Eligibility

Withdrawing may affect your eligibility to receive financial aid in future terms. Student should review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Scholarships

Any student participating in extra- or co-curricular activities who wishes to cease the extra- or co-curricular activity but remain at Lake Erie College will retain all Lake Erie College Merit and need-based scholarships in accordance with their academic performance.

Military Veterans

Lake Erie College will assist eligible students to receive education benefits under various state and federal programs. All incoming veterans or eligible dependents should contact an Admissions Counselor who will assist with all the aspects of the enrollment process at Lake Erie College. Lake Erie College is proud to be a “Yellow Ribbon” college in agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Program Mission

The mission of the Veteran Education and Transition Support Program (V.E.T.S.) at Lake Erie College is to facilitate the successful enrollment, registration, advising, retention, and graduation of our Military Student Veterans by assisting them in transitioning from the military to the college and civilian world successfully. The V.E.T.S. Program provides academic support, benefit and education counseling, program information, and referrals to appropriate resources through a personalized approach that emphasizes individual attention and care.

Drilling Reservist/Military Duty Policy

This policy is designed to assist those students who, due to national, local, or state military duty, have received a written order to report for active-duty in the Armed Services of the United States. Included under this policy are current and former members of the United States Armed Forces, Reserve Units, National Guard and other such military organizations.

Students who are called to active-duty or transferred during the semester must contact the Registrar’s Office and the VETS Coordinator to discuss procedures related to their enrollment as soon as possible after their orders have been received. Spouses and/or dependent impacted by new orders should contact the VETS Coordinator to discuss options. A copy of the order will be required for the official student academic file. Each student’s circumstances will be evaluated individually by the VETS Coordinator, who will work with the Registrar’s Office, the Bursar, Financial Aid Office, and the instructors to determine the most beneficial action for the student.

Options include:

• Complete withdrawal, backdated to start of term, with 100% refund
• Subject to the approval of the appropriate faculty member, continued enrollment with special grading options of Pass-Fail, Non-Credit, audit, or awarding of a grade of I (incomplete)
• Subject to the approval of the appropriate faculty member, continued enrollment through electronic participation, which may or may not require an adjustment of course assignments
• Any other action deemed appropriate

Students who are called to active-duty and are away from Lake Erie College for more than four consecutive semesters will be grandfathered into the academic catalog in force on their academic record at the time of departure for duty. Students must resume classes within 12 months of their return from active-duty in order to qualify for this exception.

Lake Erie College requires academic residency of a minimum twenty-five percent of the degree requirements for all degrees for active-duty service members. Academic residency can be completed at any time while active-duty service members are enrolled. All active-duty members of the Armed Services of the United States are covered under this policy.

LEC Evaluation of Military Training/Service

Lake Erie College recognizes and uses the ACE Guide to evaluate educational experiences in the Armed Services for the purpose of determining the value of learning acquired during military service. Credit is awarded consistent with ACE Guide recommendations and/or those transcripted by the Community College of the Air Force, when applicable to a service member’s program. Official transcripts are required to receive credit. Official transcripts may be requested online at jst.doded.mil for all branches of the military except the US Air Force; USAF must follow AU transcript procedures and submit a request directly to the Community College of the Air Force. Visit www.au.af.mil/au/barnes/ccaf/transcripts.asp for detailed instructions.