Undergraduate Admission & Financial Polices

Accreditation

Lake Erie College is a private, not-for-profit institution, accredited by The Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Higher Learning Commission (https://www.hlcommission.org). The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, national origin or disability in admissions or access to its programs and activities. Education licensure programs and the M.Ed. degree are authorized by The Ohio Department of Higher Education, approved by The Ohio Department of Education, and have CAEP accreditation status by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The Physician Assistant program offered through the School of STREAMS is in good academic standing with the Accreditation Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

This Catalog reflects the curriculum, policies, personnel, and expenses at Lake Erie College at the time of printing. It is intended for the guidance of current and prospective students and the College’s faculty and staff. The catalog is not intended and should not be regarded as a contract between the College and any student currently enrolled or applying for admission, or any other person. The College reserves the right to depart without notice from the terms of this Catalog. To the extent possible, a student who has been continuously enrolled full time and who has continuously made satisfactory progress towards a degree will be allowed to graduate according to policies and requirements in effect during the first semester in which the student is enrolled at Lake Erie College.

Institutional Overview and Mission Statement

Institutional Overview

Founded in 1856, Lake Erie College is an independent, coeducational institution located thirty miles east of Cleveland, Ohio, offering instruction at the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels. Programs of study are founded in the liberal arts and are offered through the Schools of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Business; Equine Studies; and Education and Professional Studies. The College seeks to accommodate traditional and nontraditional age students on both a full-time and part-time basis.

The College is located in Painesville, the seat of Lake County, in the heart of the Western Reserve. The small-town setting and historic homes surrounding the campus provide a traditional academic environment, while the proximity to Cleveland offers the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.

The campus consists of 18 buildings of both traditional and contemporary styles. Five miles south of the campus is Morley Farm, whose eighty-six acres are home to the George M. Humphrey Equestrian Center and Victor Manor House, residence of the College President and site of a variety of College and community activities.

Mission Statement

Lake Erie College prepares students for meaningful careers through academic excellence and real world engagement

Learning Outcomes

Guided by our mission and vision, the broad learning outcomes are intended to provide a framework for the collegiate experience at Lake Erie College and are attributes, skills, abilities and attitudes that students are expected to develop and obtain during their learning experience.

As a result of a Lake Erie College education, students will:

• Understand the value and processes of self-discovery
• Practice and apply creative problem-solving skills
• Analyze complex information and reach conclusions backed by credible and fact-based evidence
• Communicate in a clear, inclusive, engaged and well-reasoned manner
• Engage in the development of strong personal attributes
• Achieve a balance of personal and professional goals in relation to the needs of others to include the local and global communities
• Apply quantitative methods to analyze, interpret and solve problems from a wide array of practical and applied contexts
• Critically reflect upon works of creative expression and create and think with innovation and imagination
• Employ a cultural awareness to engage effectively in a variety of intercultural contexts

Open Campus

Lake Erie College has an open campus. Open Campus means that the physical property of the college is not surrounded by a fence and that Faculty, staff and students may come and go as they please. It also means that visitors to the campus also can freely come on campus. The open campus concept does not mean that individuals or groups can come on campus and not follow the rules set forth.

As an open campus, students have access to all campus buildings. Buildings and rooms are secured at certain hours of the day. Faculty, staff and students are permitted access to secured buildings or rooms that are secured for purposes of study, projects and other college related activities. After-hours access does require that all Faculty, staff and students carry a form of identification with them in case the person from whom they are requesting access does not know or recognize them.

Students should always carry their Lake Erie College identification card to be presented for access to secured buildings or rooms. Access may not be granted if the faculty, staff or student isn’t able to present proper identification or if they are unable to explain the college related activity for which they are requesting access.

Admission to Lake Erie College

Admission to the Freshman Class

Students admitted to the College are expected to be enrolled in a college preparatory course of study in high school/secondary school in order to have a solid academic foundation to begin college-level coursework. This course of study should include 

four years of English, three years each of social studies and mathematics, three years of natural science with two courses of laboratory experience and two years of a foreign language. The cumulative grade point average in the core academic classes should be no lower than 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions to this requirement are considered on an individual basis and holistic review.

Students applying for admission must submit:

• An admission application form
• An official high school transcript
• SAT or ACT scores (LEC is a test-optional school)This is no longer a requirement but can be submitted as an optional document.
• An essay/writing sample (required for registration) This is no longer a requirement but can be submitted as an optional document

Applicants may apply online at , or complete the common application at www.commonapp.org. Paper applications are available upon request.

Prospective students who are out of high school four or more years and have never attended college are encouraged to meet with an admission counselor to discuss the application process and criteria for admission.

Tower Honors Programs

The Lake Erie College Tower Honors Program is an interdisciplinary core of courses designed to challenge and stimulate high achieving students. Students applying from high school need to have a grade point average of 3.5 or to graduate in the top 10% of their class.

Admission as a Transfer Student

Students who have been enrolled at a college or university for the equivalent of one full semester or more are regarded as transfer students. Students who completed college coursework while in high school as part of a dual-enrollment program are exempt from this definition. To be considered for admission to Lake Erie College, students must be good social and financial standing at the college from which they are transferring with the eligibility to re-enroll if they have not yet earned a degree.

Students seeking to transfer to Lake Erie College must submit the following:

• An admission application form
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• An official high school transcript must be submitted in the first semester of matriculation if the applicant does not currently hold an associate’s degree or higher from another regionally accredited institution

Criteria for Acceptance of Transfer Credit

Lake Erie College will grant transfer credit according to the following criteria:

1. Official transcripts must be forwarded directly from the sending institution to the Office of Admission of Lake Erie College. An official transcript presented by the student in a sealed envelope from the sending institution may be accepted in certain circumstances. Only official transcripts can be used for official evaluation and awarding of transfer credit. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for a preliminary transfer evaluation. A student may be required to provide copies of catalog descriptions or course syllabi to assist in the evaluation of transfer credit.
   
   Note: A registration block will be placed on a student’s account for the second semester if the official transcript is not received. An official transcript is required even if courses are not transferable.
2. A maximum of 90 semester hours or 136 quarter hours will be accepted from a regionally accredited institution.
   Credit will be accepted only from institutions that are accredited by one of the regional associations listed below:
   • The Higher Learning Commission
   • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
   • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
   • Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools
   • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
   • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
3. Only non-remedial courses with a grade of “D-” or higher will be accepted, unless program requirements dictate a specific grade.
4. A course with a grade of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” will be accepted provided the grading policy of the sending institution considers a grade of “Pass” or “Satisfactory” to be a “D-” or higher.
5. Quarter-hour credits are converted to two-thirds of semester-hour credits. For example, 15 quarter credits would transfer as 10 semester credits.
6. Transfer students must meet Lake Erie College residency requirements:
   1. 20 semester credits in a major
   2. 50% semester credits in a minor
   3. 50% semester credits in a concentration

Lake Erie College has developed transfer agreements with several two-year institutions, such as Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College and Cuyahoga Community College. Contact the Academic Advisor for a transcript evaluation. Lake Erie College will accept an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) as having met the general education, CORE, requirements of our degree offerings.

Final Transcript

First-time freshmen must submit a final official high school transcript that specifically demonstrates that the student graduated from high school prior to the beginning of their first semester. Transfer students are required to submit final official transcripts from all institutions attended, including an official high school transcript if the student does not currently hold an associate’s degree or higher from another regionally accredited institution. A registration and transcript block will be placed on a student’s account if the final transcript is not received.

Admission Deferral Policy

Undergraduate Admission

An application for admission to Lake Erie College remains valid up to two (2) semesters after the original term of submission.

Deferrals for admission may be requested within this time period without the need to reapply. Once an application has expired a new application must be submitted for consideration. Restrictions for deferrals may apply as some academic programs only admit during certain times of the year.

Deferred students will be charged tuition and fee rates effective at the time of enrollment in their first semester of classes.

Transfer Candidates: You may continue to take courses at your current institution before starting at Lake Erie College. You must maintain a 2.5 GPA and have an official transcript sent to us for any course work taken during the deferral period. Your class standing at LEC will depend on how many credits you are transferring. Please remember, a minimum of 30 overall semester hours, 20 major semester hours, and 50% of the minor and concentration semester hours must be completed at Lake Erie College to meet the Residence Requirement for Graduation.

Questions or requests for standard deferrals may be directed to the Office of Admission at 1.855.GO.STORM or admission@lec.edu.

Note: If at any time during the deferral period college coursework is completed and credit earned, the deferral will be nullified, any deposit made will be forfeited, and the applicant must formally reapply to the college as a transfer student, supplying transcripts from each institution attended.

Admissions Revocation Policy

• Failing to maintain academic performance as presented in the admissions application;
• Falsifying, misleading, or providing incomplete information during the application process;
• Failing to provide final, official transcripts and/or additional required documentation by established deadlines;
• Violating the College’s code of ethics or community standards;
• Displaying behavior that reflects negatively on the student’s character or integrity, whether occurring before or after the offer of admission; or
• Other reasons deemed appropriate by the Vice President of Enrollment, in consultation with other college leadership, in alignment with its mission, values, and institutional policies.

Decisions to revoke admission prior to enrollment will be made by the Vice President of Admissions in consultation with appropriate institutional leadership. If it is determined that a student no longer meets the conditions or expectations of admission after the student has matriculated, the Vice President of Enrollment, may rescind admission in consultation with the Academics Standard committee.

Scholarships

Lake Erie College scholarships are valid for the semester(s) for which they are originally awarded. Students who defer from fall to spring semester normally will receive a proportionate share of their previously granted full-year award. Students who defer to the following fall must reapply for financial aid and scholarships might not be deferred. To apply for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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.

Special Program Eligibility

Deferred students might not maintain admission to special programs, such as the Honors Program, to which they were initially admitted.

Post Baccalaureate Licensure Programs Transfer Credit

At the time of application as a licensure seeking student to the Mild to Moderate Intervention Specialist post baccalaureate program, a student may request approval of transfer up to six (6) credit hours of graduate study from an accredited institution of higher education.

Consideration for transfer credit to meet program requirements will be based upon work in equivalent courses to those required. Elective transfer credit may be accepted when approved by the Dean of Education and Professional Studies.

Only credits in which a grade of “B” or better has been earned will be considered for transfer .

Only recognized comparable catalog coursework will be accepted from other institutions.

International Students

Prospective students who are not citizens of the United States nor have “Permanent Resident” status are considered to be international students. International students may be eligible for college-based academic funding. International students are not eligible for federal financial or state financial aid.

The international applicant must submit an International Student Financial Aid Application and Certification of Supoort form officially demonstrating that the family or sponsor is able to provide sufficient financial support for the student. This support should cover tuition, fees, enrollment and housing deposits, and I-20 fee in addition to books transportation, room and board, and other miscellaneous costs. one year of study at Lake Erie College.

Students whose first language is not English must prove English proficiency by achieving one of the following:

• TOEFL: For degree-seeking undergraduate students, a paper score of 550, a computer score of 213 or an internet score of 79 is required. Non-degree seeking students must produce scores of 500 on the paper test, 173 on the computer test or 63 on the internet test.
• IELTS: for degree-seeking undergraduates, we require a score of 6.0 or higher.
• STEP: We accept passing grades at the first and pre-first levels.
• DuoLingo scores may be substituted under certain circumstances with permission.

TOEFL scores must be submitted directly from ETS. IELTS and STEP scores must be submitted directly from their issuing organization. Scores sent by the student will not be accepted. Students are required to take the TOEFL exam at the local testing facility nearest their official residence unless documented extenuating circumstances exist.

Students suspected of falsifying their test scores may be asked, at their own expense upon arrival, to re-take the English placement exam. Failure to perform within a similar range as previously achieved on the test, or otherwise raising suspicion of falsifying data, may result in immediate expulsion and revocation of student visa status.

Students applying as freshmen will follow the application procedures outlined above for freshman admission; transfer applicants will follow the procedures listed in the transfer section. All documents, transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays must be accompanied by an official English language translation from WES (World Education Services, Inc.) www.wes.org, ECE (Education Credential Evaluators, Inc.) www.ece.org, or SpanTran www.spantran.com. Students seeking transfer credit from a foreign institution must also submit an official course-by-course evaluation by one of the aforementioned organizations. A video chat or phone interview may be required prior to admission decision.

Test scores vs. English Proficiency

Students interested in participating in intercollegiate athletics have requirements from the NCAA Eligibility Center (eligibilitycenter.org)

International Student Fees

Enrollment deposit: $200
International Student Fee: $200
Continuing International Student Fee: $150 per semester

Readmission to Lake Erie College

A student who has attended Lake Erie College but has not taken classes for two or more semesters is considered inactive. If the student has not attended another college or university in the interim, the student should contact the Registrar’s Office at Lake Erie College to begin the process of reactivation based upon the student’s past record at the College. A student who withdraws from Lake Erie to attend another institution must apply for admission as a transfer student. Contact the Office of Admission for a new application form to begin the process. The complete details for transfer admission are stated above.

A student who has been accepted to Lake Erie College but does not attend after acceptance for more than one semester must reapply to the College.

A student who was on Academic Probation at the time of withdrawal, or becoming inactive, will remain on Academic Probation upon his/her return. Any student who has been suspended or academically dismissed from the institution must formally petition the Academic Standards Committee in seeking approval to reenroll.

Post-Baccalaureate Students

Students who wish to enroll for further undergraduate coursework after completing a bachelor’s degree are considered post baccalaureate students and will complete the application form for post-baccalaureate study.

Degree Seeking

Students seeking an additional undergraduate degree must follow the Admission application process. The applicant must also submit an official transcript from the college or university from which he/she was awarded the bachelor’s degree; if the student attended a graduate school or an additional baccalaureate institution after earning the baccalaureate degree, official transcripts from those institutions are also required. Degree-seeking post baccalaureate students follow all Lake Erie College degree requirements including academic standing, graduation, SAP policies, as well as any additional degree requirements. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid to determine aid eligibility.

Teacher Licensure

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue teacher licensure must follow the admission application process. Coursework for teacher licensure is at the undergraduate level. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid to determine aid eligibility.

Licensure endorsements are available to students who have earned a bachelor’s degree and initial licensure. Course work is completed as required for specific endorsements as described in the academic catalog.

Non-Degree Seeking

Students seeking to take additional coursework with no intent of earning an additional baccalaureate degree from Lake Erie College must complete a Lifelong Learner Application in the Registrar’s Office. No more than 12 semester credits taken as a non-degree seeking post baccalaureate student may count towards a degree at Lake Erie College. Enrollment is limited to regularly scheduled courses on a space-available basis.

Transient Students

A student enrolled at another institution who wishes to take courses at Lake Erie College must submit a letter of authorization from the Registrar or other designated official at the student’s home institution. This authorization letter is submitted to the Registrar’s Office at Lake Erie College at the time of registration.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) courses, administered by the College Board, are college level classes that students take while in High School. Lake Erie College recognizes the merits of the Advanced Placement (AP) Program and awards credit as appropriate. Students who earn a score of ‘4’ or ‘5’ will be awarded credit. A score of ‘3’ is granted a course waiver. Credit and waivers are awarded based on the below AP chart. Official scores from the College Board must be received by Lake Erie College in order for a waiver and/ or credit. Transfer students who have earned AP credit need to have official scores sent to Lake Erie College. To request a copy from the College Board, please review College Board’s score reporting services. (https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/score-reporting).

International Baccalaureate Program

International Baccalaureate courses will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students bringing in IB work should schedule a meeting with the Lake Erie College Academic Advisor.

College Credit Plus

College Credit Plus (CCP) was established by Ohio law in September 2014, replacing the Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. Effective beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, CCP redefines “alternative dual enrollment programs.” For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Education.

Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to apply for the CCP program. To apply, students must submit the following material:

• The CCP Admission Application
• Guidance Counselor Recommendation Form
• Official High School Transcripts
• Be able to provide SSID or CCP ID when requested

Students must meet the following criteria to be accepted into the CCP Program:

• Have a 3.0 Cumulative GPA in Core Classes (English, Math, Science); preferred Cumulative GPA of 3.3
• If students do not meet these requirements, an Accuplacer may be requested

Class placement for CCP students will be determined by The Office of Academic Advising as well as the College Math and English Departments. Upon successful completion of courses, students will receive Lake Erie College credits.

School districts are responsible for payment of CCP courses. Please see primary and secondary partnership agreements for each individual district for pricing. If a student should fail a course the student is responsible for paying for the course fees.

College Credit Plus Students Applying for Undergraduate Admission

CCP students are welcome to apply to Lake Erie College for undergraduate admission their senior year. CCP students interested in enrolling at Lake Erie College follow the Undergraduate Admission requirements stated in the previous section.

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 Admission 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 (30 semester credits of the required 120 for degree completion). 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.

Educational Assistance

The School complies with USC 3679, has a policy in place that will allow an individual to attend or participate in a course of education, pending VA payment, providing the individual submits a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33.

Financial Aid

Although the primary responsibility for financing a college education belongs to the student/family, the mission of the Office of Financial Aid at Lake Erie College is to facilitate access and affordability for students choosing to pursue a course of study at the College. We accomplish this by:

• Assisting students and families in the financial aid application process
• Determining financial aid eligibility and making offers of financial assistance
• Providing information on financing options
• Facilitating the timely delivery of financial aid funds
• Delivering financial aid to all eligible applicants in a fair and equitable manner, recognizing that the amount of aid varies with the need of each student

Applying for Financial Aid

Students seeking financial aid from federal, state and need based college sources should apply for aid each year at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

1. Create an FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. An FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. If you are a dependent student, a parent must obtain an FSA ID as well.
2. The FAFSA application is available on October 1 for the next upcoming academic year. For example, the FAFSA for the 2026- 2027 academic year will be available October 2025. The 2026-2027 FAFSA will include income and tax data from 2024. The summer term begins the academic year at Lake Erie College.
3. Include Lake Erie College’s federal school code 003066 on your application. Your results will be electronically submitted to us within 3-5 business days from the federal processor.
4. In accordance with federal regulations, to ensure that the application information used to determine financial aid eligibility is complete and accurate, a student’s FAFSA may be selected for a process called verification. Records, including Federal tax transcript information may be requested. Students selected will be notified of the information and documentation required for continued processing. These documents should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid upon request.
5. A Financial Aid Notification will be issued to students who have been accepted to the college and have a valid FAFSA application on file. Cost of attendance is determined for each student. This includes direct expenses such as tuition and fees, housing and meals, as well as indirect expenses a student may incur such as transportation, books, and miscellaneous expenses. Eligibility for need based aid is determined by a student’s cost of attendance and their FAFSA results.
6. Types of aid and amounts are unique to each individual student based upon their application information. Awards are subject to change due to changes in cost of attendance, enrollment, funding levels or aid from outside sources. In general, federal financial aid is prorated based on student’s enrollment. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours per semester for undergraduates and three credit hours for graduates) to be elgible for federal loans. Institutional scholarships and grants require full time enrollment.

Types of Aid

Federal Funds

Pell grant: A need based grant for undergraduate students enrolled part or full time. The Pell grant has a lifetime limit of 600% Lifetime Eligibility Units. (Equivalent to 6 years or 12 semesters of receiving a full time Pell award).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): For part- or full time undergraduate students who have financial need.

TEACH Grant: For students planning to teach in certain subject shortage areas. An Agreement to Serve (ATS) must be signed each year with the Department of Education. Academic requirements must be met each pay period. Students who do not meet the agreement requirements will have this grant converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan which must be repaid with interest accruing froomt he time of disbursement. 

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: A student may be eligible for this grant if their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 and the student was under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s death.

Federal Direct Loans: A federal loan program for students enrolled at least half-time. Amount depends upon grade level. Direct loans may be subsidized (interest is paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled at least half-time) or unsubsidized (interest accrues from the time of disbursement), as determined by need. Loans must be repaid with interest. Repayment begins after a 6-month grace period once the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal PLUS Loan: A credit-based loan from the federal government for a parent of a dependent, undergraduate student. Application can be found at www.studentaid.gov. A student whose parent is declined for the PLUS loan may receive additional unsubsidized loan funds of up to $4000-$5000 per year, depending on grade level. 

GRAD PLUS Loan: A credit-based federal loan for a graduate student. Application can be found at studentaid.gov

Federal Work Study: A work program for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. 

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG): For part- or full-time undergraduate students from Ohio, and whose parent(s)/FASFA contributor(s) are Ohio resident(s) and demonstrate financial need. Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA results.

Institutional Awards

All Lake Erie College merit and need based funds are tuition based, meaning the total awards from LEC cannot exceed the value of tuition.

Merit-Based Institutional Scholarships: Various academic scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate academic excellence or leadership qualities. These awards are renewable for undergraduate study provided the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP, as defined in SAP section of this catalog) and full-time enrollment. Merit awards are limited to 10 semesters.

Need Based Institutional Awards: Lake Erie College offers grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate need as calculated from their FAFSA results. These awards are considered annually upon receipt of FAFSA results. The funding sources for the need based grants vary and can change.

Financial aid awards will be adjusted for any student who does not enroll for the number of credit hours upon which the award was based. If a student with financial aid withdraws from a course or courses during the refund period, aid will be adjusted accordingly. Students considering a reduction in their coursework or withdrawing from the term should consult the Office of Financial Aid prior to making changes to determine the impact upon their financial aid eligibility. Grant money from Lake Erie College is based upon a student’s cost of attendance and can change if housing status changes.

Private Sources

Scholarships from a variety of sources may be available. Places to research scholarship funding sources would be your high school guidance office, your local college access agency and internet scholarship search engines. Use your due diligence when searching for outside sources and never pay for applications. Scholarships awarded from outside sources will post to your student account when the funds are received.

Private loans or alternative/non-federal loans are credit-based loans from banks for educational expenses. Lake Erie College offers a Private Loan Comparison tool of several lenders on the Financial Aid website.

For general information about planning and paying for college, repaying federal student loans, please go to: www.studentaid.gov.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

Federal regulations require that colleges monitor the academic progress of each applicant for federal financial aid and that the school certifies that the applicant is making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward earning a degree. Students must make satisfactory academic progress in their degree program to be eligible to receive financial aid from federal, state and institutional sources at Lake Erie College. This rule applies to all students applying for aid, whether aid has been previously received or not. The purpose of measuring and enforcing this regulation is to ensure the financial aid recipient’s 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.

Failure to meet any SAP measurement may result in loss of all financial aid.  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.

The measure of SAP is threefold:

1. GPA: Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.  Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

2. Completion Rate (Pace): Students must earn a minimum of 67% of attempted hours in a semester.  The percentage is determined by dividing cumulative earned hours by cumulative attempted hours.

• Attempted credit hours: Courses with grades and with marks of “W” withdrawn, “WF” withdrawal failure, “WP” withdrawal passing, “I” incomplete or “F” failure are counted as courses attempted, as do course repetitions and remedial coursework.  Transfer hours are included in the attempted credit hours. Hours enrolled are counted after the add/drop period of the semester.

• Earned credit hours: Credit hours recorded as earned on the student’s academic transcript at the end of each semester in 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, CLEP, and prior learning credits.

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

3. Maximum Timeframe: Federal regulations require that a student 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.

• Undergraduate programs require 120 credit hours for graduation. The maximum timeframe for these students is 180 hours (120 x 150%).  If it is determined at any point that the student will not be able to complete the program within 180 credits, financial aid eligibility will cease.

• The maximum time frame is not increased for dual-degree students or students with minors. All institutional hours attempted are included, even if a second major is added, or a student’s major changes. Coursework forgiven for academic amnesty is included in attempted and earned counts for SAP.

• 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 attempted credit hours.

Outcomes: SAP Warning, Financial Aid Suspension, SAP Probation, Loss of Financial Aid

Student’s progress is monitored after grades are finalized each semester to determine if a student is eligible to receive financial aid for subsequent enrollment periods. The Lake Erie College Office of Financial Aid will notify any student not meeting SAP after the end of each semester via their LEC email. Notification will include an explanation of the failed measurement, if an academic plan is required, and the timeframe to appeal.

It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their own SAP progress. A subsequent term may be in progress by the time a SAP notification is received. Students with concerns should contact the financial aid office.

1. SAP Warning: A student who fails a SAP measurement for the first time will be placed on SAP Warning status.  The student will be notified via LEC email of their status; no action is required by the student at this time.  SAP will be measured at the end of the warning period.

2. Financial Aid Suspension/Appeal Process/SAP Probation/Loss of Financial Aid: A student on SAP Warning who fails a SAP measurement for a second time becomes ineligible for financial aid. 

If extenuating circumstances contributed to the student not meeting SAP requirements, an appeal may be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. The purpose of the appeal is to document extenuating circumstances that occurred during the semester that led to the failure of meeting the SAP measurement.  The appeal must include:

• Explanation of extenuating circumstances.

• An explanation as to why those circumstances no longer exist and will not affect academic performance moving forward.

• Specific steps that will be taken during subsequent enrollment to ensure academic success.

• Statement or documentation from a third-party source that can support your circumstance and confirm that your situation has been resolved to ensure successful future performance.

• If Maximum Timeframe has been exceeded, a signed statement from an academic advisor indicating the hours remaining for degree completion.

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.

SAP Probation: 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.  Students with approved appeals are on SAP Probation status and regain eligibility for financial aid for the next term.

Academic Plan: If the financial aid office determines that a student cannot regain SAP standards by the end of the next enrollment period, the student must include an Academic Plan of action with their appeal.  Their academic advisor can assist them in devising a plan to restore their SAP standards by a specific point in time. The student must adhere to the requirements specified in their academic plan to be eligible for financial aid.

Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility: Students who do not appeal, or do not meet the terms of their academic plan, lose financial aid eligibility.  Students in this status may enroll at LEC at their own expense while attempting to regain financial aid eligibility

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

Students may regain full eligibility for financial aid by successfully completing coursework that raises their cumulative GPA to meet or exceed the minimum requirement and/or raise their completion rate percentage to 67%+.

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 Bursars’ 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 Title IV (federal) financial aid is subject to the following policy regarding refund and repayment of federal funds to the Department of Education.

An R2T4 calculation must be processed when a student withdraws from the College, officially or unofficially through non-attendance.  It does not apply to students who cancel their registration prior to the first day of class or who drop some, but not all their classes.  (However, students who make changes to their enrollment status are advised to speak with the financial aid office to see if their aid eligibility is affected.)

When a student withdraws, the financial aid office must calculate how much federal aid has been earned prior to withdrawing.  Any federal aid exceeding the earned amount is considered unearned and must be returned to the respective federal aid program within 45 days.  Federal work study students are no longer eligible to receive federal work study payment.

Other financial aid funds, such as state or institutional grants, are not part of the R2T4 calculation, but may be subject to reduction in case of a withdrawal.

Calculating Earned Funds

The amount of federal Title IV aid earned is based on the percentage of the semester completed.  The number of days the student attended is divided by the number of days in the semester.   The 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 federal Title IV programs.

Students who withdraw from the College once classes begin must file a withdrawal form, which may be obtained from the Director of Retention or 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 the catalog) or notified the school of the intent to withdraw. 

2. Unofficial withdrawals utilize the last day of an academically related activity as the withdrawal date in the calculation.  If no date can be determined, the financial aid office will use the midpoint of the term as the withdrawal date.

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 undergraduate 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: (1) Unsubsidized Direct Loans, (2) Subsidized Direct Loans, (3) Direct PLUS Loans/Direct GRAD PLUS Loans, (4) Federal Pell Grants, (5) Federal SEOG, (6) TEACH Grants, (7) Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.

The return of Title IV aid may create a balance on the student’s account that is owed to the College.  Students who owe a balance must contact the Bursar’s office to make payment arrangements. 

In the event of a credit balance, a refund check will be generated within 14 days and mailed to the student’s home address.  

Post -Withdrawal Disbursements

A student who withdraws from a semester and has received less federal aid than the amount earned, may be entitled to a post-withdrawal disbursement.  The student must have met all 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 disbursement from Title IV loan funds, the financial aid office will notify the student or parent in writing prior to making any post-withdrawal disbursement. 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 a student’s eligibility to receive financial aid in future terms.  Please review the LEC Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and contact the financial aid office with questions.   

Financial Policies

Tuition and Fee Policy

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.

All international students are required to pay each semester in full prior to starting classes.

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, including academic programs abroad, to withhold grades 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 that are not enrolled in a payment plan or paid in full by the dates noted in your billing correspondence from the Bursar.  Charges that remain unpaid at the end of a semester will be sent to a third-party collection service.  Once the balance is turned over to collections, the balance owed plus any applicable fees or interest charged by the collection agency will become the responsibility of the student

Refund Policy

If registration is canceled prior to the start of classes, a full refund will be made with the exception of the admission deposit. The student’s account will be credited only after the proper withdrawal forms have been filed with the Registrar 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 have their aid eligibility recalculated based on the last documented date of attendance or academically-related activity

Methods of Payment

Three options are available for paying education expenses:

1. Pay each semester’s expenses in full. The amount, less financial aid and loans, is due on May 19-summer, August 25-fall, January 12-spring.
2. Apply for private student loans and/or parent PLUS loans. Information on these funding sources is available on the Lake Erie College Financial Aid website. Proof of loan funds approval and disbursement date information is due on the semester due dates as indicated in option one.
3. Enroll in the Time-Payment Plan from the Bursar’s Office, 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

For a student who receives tuition assistance through their workplace, if billing information is provided to the College in advance of the due date, the College will invoice the employer approximately two weeks after the add/drop period with the expectation that payment is received by the end of the semester.  If billing information is not provided to the College in advance of the due date, the student is responsible for adhering to all stated due dates and should seek reimbursement directly from their employer.  Late fees will not be assessed for any unpaid balance related to the amount invoiced by the College.  If a student withdraws from the course after the add/drop period, or does not pass the course, it will be left to the student and their employer to work through any reimbursement owed to the employer.

Withdrawal Procedure

A student wanting to take a leave of absence or totally withdraw from all classes at Lake Erie College must notify the Registrar’s Office, either verbally or in writing. The office is located in Room 114 College Hall.

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.