You are a GRADUATE STUDENT if you are pursuing a graduate degree, certificate, or license in one of Viterbo’s eligible graduate programs:

• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Arts in Servant Leadership
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics 
• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Science in Nursing (Direct Entry MSN)
• Master of Science in School Counseling
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
• Reading or Cross-Categorical Special Education Licenses or Principal/Educational Leadership

In this guide you will find valuable information to help you understand the financial aid process, the Financial Aid Offer, and your responsibilities as a financial aid recipient.
 

THIS IS REQUIRED READING FOR FINANCIAL AID RECIPIENTS

I. Your Viterbo University Financial Aid Offer

The Financial Aid Offer lists aid Viterbo is able to offer, including loans. Because the Offer is determined using total “Cost of Attendance” (tuition, fees, books, room, board, and transportation), it may show more aid than your billable charges of tuition and fees, and, room and board if you are living in Viterbo housing. You can use the Cost Estimate Worksheet – Bachelor Completion and Graduate to project your out-of-pocket costs for the 2020-2021 school year.

Census Dates and Enrollment Status

Friday of the first week of each semester is the Financial Aid Census Date and provides a “snapshot” of your enrollment as of 11:59 p.m. on that day. Credits added after this date/time will not be counted for financial aid, even if the course(s) start later in the semester.  If there is a discrepancy between projected enrollment status reflected on the Financial Aid Offer and actual enrollment as of the Census Date, appropriate adjustments will be made to your aid.

You must enroll at least half-time as of the Census Date in any semester for which financial aid funds are awarded. Graduate half-time status is three credits. If you are not enrolled at least half-time at the Census Date, all financial aid will be canceled for that semester.

Federal regulations dictate that students enrolled in Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure must be classified as “undergraduate” for Title IV aid purposes, regardless of how they are classified by the college. Therefore, half- time is a minimum of six credits per semester for students enrolled in the Post- Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure program.

NOTES: The following Census Dates are specific to the Financial Aid Office and are not to be confused with any census date utilized by other Viterbo offices.

Fall 2020 Census Date: September 4, 2020 (semester begins August 31, 2020)
Spring 2021 Census Date: January 22, 2021 (semester begins January 18, 2021)

Refer to the list of Financial Aid and Business Office dates for additional critical dates.

II. Types of Aid

1. Scholarships—an extremely limited number of scholarships are available for graduate-level programs; selections are made by the specific department’s faculty.  Scholarships do not need to be repaid.
    

2. Federal Loans—must be repaid after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time.

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan​​​
  • Graduate-level programs are NOT eligible for the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
  • Interest accrues on the loan while you are in school. You can defer payments while enrolled at least half-time.
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you cease to be enrolled half-time.
• Graduate PLUS Loan
  • Must not have adverse credit
  • Interest accrues on the loan while you are in school. You can defer payments while enrolled at least half-time.
  • Repayment begins 6 months after you cease to be enrolled half-time.

Refer to the Loan Chart for current interest rates, origination fees, annual and career limits, and more.

3. Outside Scholarships/ Employer Assistance

• This type of financial aid is self-reported or agency/organization reported to the Financial Aid Office. 

4. Other Options to Cover Costs

• Scholarships
  • You can use our webpage to investigate non-Viterbo/outside scholarship opportunities.
• University Employment (Not Need-Based)
  • Some departments on campus hire students who are not Federal Work Study eligible. If interested, contact the Financial Aid Office at the beginning of the semester for more information.
• Alternative/Private Educational Loans
  • If your aid is not enough to cover all expenses you may wish to investigate alternative/private education loans. These loans are funded by private lenders, such as banks or credit unions, and have differing eligibility and repayment requirements.
  • A number of alternative/private loans that have been utilized by Viterbo students are linked through our webpage.  (NOTE: Viterbo will process a private education loan of your choosing, whether or not it is on this list.)

III. Student Rights and Responsibilities

By accepting your Financial Aid Offer, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and will comply with all rights and responsibilities listed in this section.

Rights

• You have the right to know what financial aid is available to you, including all federal, state and institutional programs. In addition, you have the right to know deadlines, selection criteria, terms, policies, procedures and regulations that apply to each program.
• You have the right to know how your financial need was determined and how much of it, as determined by Viterbo, was met. This process includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, transportation, books and supplies, and miscellaneous personal expenses are included into your student budget.
• If you have a student loan, you have the right to know the terms of the loan, such as interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, the length of time you have to repay, when you must start repayment, cancellation provisions, deferment and forbearance possibilities, and any special consolidation or refinancing options.
• You have the right to know how Viterbo determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you are not.
• You have the right to know how and when your financial aid will be disbursed.
• You have the right to know Viterbo University's refund policies, the portion, if any, of tuition and fees that are refunded to you if you withdraw before the end of the term, and the portion, if any, of the financial aid you received that you must pay back immediately if you withdraw before the end of the term.
• You have the right to expect that all information reported by you and/or your family will remain confidential and will not be released according to FERPA and HEA regulations.
• By law, you have the right to examine (with a financial aid counselor) records maintained in our office that relate to your financial aid file.
• You have the right to expect equitable treatment under Viterbo's policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Responsibilities

• You are responsible for reading, retaining and understanding all information supplied by the Financial Aid Office.
• You are responsible for promptly responding to inquiries or requests for information from the Financial Aid Office.
• You are responsible for using financial aid funds only for educational expenses (tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and other living costs).
• You are responsible for understanding and complying with the terms and conditions of the aid you receive. This includes deadlines, continued eligibility, application procedures, etc.
• You are responsible for obtaining all forms required to apply (or re-apply) for the type of assistance you wish to receive.
• If you receive financial assistance from any outside agency, organization, or a parent not included on the FAFSA, it is your responsibility to inform the Financial Aid Office of that assistance. By law, when determining your financial aid eligibility, the Financial Aid Office is required to consider all sources of funding.
• It is your responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of changes to your enrollment or housing.
• You are responsible for supplying accurate and thorough information on all forms submitted to our office. Funds obtained on the basis of false information must be repaid and may subject you to penalties under the U.S. criminal code.
• You are responsible for reporting name and address changes to the Registrar's Office (registrar@viterbo.edu).
• You are responsible for maintaining good academic standing consistent with Viterbo's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
• If you borrow a loan, it is your responsibility to complete entrance and exit counseling.
• If you borrow a loan, you are responsible for repaying that loan. Failure to meet this obligation will adversely affect your credit rating and make you ineligible for future educational loans.
• If you borrow a loan, it is your responsibility to notify your lender or government assigned servicer of changes to name or address, both while you are attending and after you leave Viterbo.

IV. Review and Accept or Reject the Financial Aid Offer

1. Go to www.viterbo.edu/myvu
2. Click on VitNet
3. Click on Log In and enter your username and password (same as your email username and password)
4. Click on Students
5. Click on Financial Aid Offer and choose Financial Aid Year Fall 2020, Spring 2021. Review housing status, hours (credits), and aid offered by term. Notify the Financial Aid Office of discrepancies.
6. Return to Students Menu and click on Accept or Reject my Financial Aid Offer
7. Select Fall 2020, Spring 2021
8. Indicate “accept” or “reject” for each award that is “offered” (“O” status).
   • If you do not make a choice, the Financial Aid Office will assume you wish to reject the aid, and cancel the award(s) which are left as “offered”.
   • If you wish to accept an amount for less than what is offered, send an email to FinancialAid@viterbo.edu clearly explaining the amount you do wish to keep and for which semester(s).
   • Aid not accepted within 15 days of being offered could be canceled without further notification. Direct Loans and Pell Grants may be reinstated upon request; other aid will be subject to funding available at the time of the request for reinstatement.
9. Click Submit

V. Additional Requirements

• Loan

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan—First time borrower must complete the MPN for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans at studentaid.gov.  The MPN is completed only once while at Viterbo.

  • Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan- First time borrower must complete the MPN for Grad PLUS Loans at studentaid.gov. The MPN is completed only once while at Viterbo.

  • First time student loan borrowers, including students who are borrowing at Viterbo for the first time, must complete Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.  Counseling is completed only once while at Viterbo.

  •  

VI. Veteran Benefits

New students who are admitted to Viterbo University and eligible for Veteran benefits should request certification of benefits by contacting:

Dawn Mazzola, VA School Certifying Official, at 608-796-3900 or dmmazzola@viterbo.edu.

Benefits that may be used at Viterbo include:

• Chapter 30 and Chapter 33 (Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty Personnel and Post 9/11 GI Bill) 
• Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill for Reserve and Guard Members) 
• National Guard Tuition Grant 
• Chapter 35 (Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program-Spouses and Children) 
• Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation Program) 
• Federal Tuition Assistance
• Vet Ed Grant

VII. Important Financial Aid and Business Office Dates                                                                                                                                   

VIII. Study Abroad / Budget Increases

1. Exchange vs. Non-Exchange Programs

• Exchange: Student pays Viterbo tuition and fees. The student may use federal, state, and institutional financial aid toward their program. Other institutional aid tied to housing may be reduced or canceled according to University policy.
   
• Non-Exchange: A student going abroad through a non-Viterbo program can apply his/her federal and state aid to program costs. Viterbo sponsored aid may NOT be used for 3^rd Party Programs (API, CIS, etc.).

2.  Viterbo Courses with a Short-Term Travel Component

• Travel-related expenses will be added to the student’s tuition at the beginning of the semester in which the travel component will take place.

There is no federal, state, or institutional grant or scholarship aid to assist with the added travel costs. Students may apply for alternative/private education loans.  More study abroad information can be found here.

IX. Award Adjustments / Withdrawal

1. Outside Resources

• You must inform the Financial Aid Office of assistance received from a source not listed on the Financial Aid Offer, including scholarships, grants, employer reimbursement, etc.  If you receive additional funding after getting your Financial Aid Offer, adjustments to the Offer may be necessary.  Federal regulations prevent Viterbo from awarding a student more than his/her calculated financial need.

2. Credit Drop (but not withdrawal from the University)

• If your enrolled credits change, your aid may be adjusted to correctly reflect the new enrollment status (i.e.: full-time, three-quarter time, half-time).  Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy standards will be applied using your original enrolled credits as of the financial aid census date.

3. Withdrawal

• If you withdraws from the University (officially or unofficially) before 60% of a semester is completed, federal regulations may require Viterbo, and sometimes you, to repay some or all of the financial aid that was disbursed.  You may owe a repayment of financial aid even if there is no reduction to your tuition.

• If you leave school during the semester without officially withdrawing, your last day of class attendance will be determined by verification of participation.  Viterbo will determine how much aid must be repaid based on documentation solicited from you and your instructor(s).

• You must repay the required amount during the term in which you withdraw, or make other arrangements that are satisfactory to the Business Office. If you fail to do either of the above, a hold will be placed on your record.  No transcripts will be issued and you will not be allowed to attend the University until repayment has been made.  

• If you withdraw during the fall term, the spring term portion of your award may be canceled unless you notify the financial aid office in writing that you intend to return for the spring term. 

• If you earn no credits for a semester you may have to repay all aid received for the semester if it is documented that you did not begin attendance in all registered courses.

X. Satisfactory Academic Progress

In order to receive and maintain eligibility for financial assistance, students are required to make progress toward completion of their course of study.  Financial assistance includes, but may not be limited to, all tax-payer funded scholarships, grants, stipends, waivers, exchanges, loans (student and parent), and employment.  Each student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is monitored annually at the end of the spring semester.  Summer semester SAP is reviewed separately.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is measured in three ways:

1. Qualitative [Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)]
2. Quantitative [Pace – credits attempted vs. credits earned each semester]
3. Maximum Timeframe [Time allowed to complete a certificate, degree, or licensure program]

For detailed information, click here.

XI. Summer Financial Aid

Financial aid can be used for summer school classes. The application process requires a FAFSA to be filed for both the current and upcoming academic years, and, the Viterbo Summer Aid Application.

For Summer 2021, applicants must complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA, the 2021-2022 FAFSA, and the Viterbo Summer 2021 Aid Application (available February 1, 2021 online).

XII. Charges / Disbursement

All charges are assessed by the Business Office.  Financial aid will disburse directly to your student’s account for tuition, fees, housing, meal plan and other charges, as applicable.  Disbursement of financial aid will begin 10 days before the start of each semester. Awards must be accepted and all requirements completed before aid is disbursed. It is your responsibility to monitor your account to ensure funds are correct. Contact the Financial Aid Office if your aid does not disburse when anticipated. 

Note: Outside scholarships and loans that are sent directly to Viterbo may require a student signature.  Please check with the Business Office if this applies to you.

XIII: Communications

The Financial Aid Office employs multiple means to communicate with a student throughout the year:

• Emails are sent exclusively to a your Viterbo email account once you are accepted and the Viterbo email address has been issued
  • If you do not know your login information visit www.viterbo.edu/username, or call the IIT Help Desk at 608-796-3870.
• During the enrollment period from August to May, postal mail is sent to your local or campus address on record with the Registrar’s Office.  If you are not yet enrolled at Viterbo, mail is sent to an address you provided to the Admission Office.
  • Postal mail sent from the Financial Aid Office is often requesting information required to complete the financial aid process. Documents are needed in a timely manner so it is important to regularly check for mail sent from the Financial Aid Office.
• You should check your mailbox and Viterbo email routinely.  If you live in Viterbo housing, mail is sent to the residential-complex mailbox when classes are in session.  During vacation periods, including all semester breaks and the summer months, mail is sent to the home/preferred address that was provided to the Registrar’s Office.  You are are advised to keep your mailing information current at all times.

XIV: Release of Information

You may designate a parent(s)/spouse/other desired person(s) access to the Parent Proxy, where the designee can review your academic and/or financial information.

NOTE: By granting permission, you are authorizing the named individual(s) access to your confidential information, depending on the specific permissions indicated. Granting access also allows Viterbo administration to discuss your situation with the granted individual(s).  (This process for granting access meets FERPA and HEA guidelines.)

To give access for academic and/or financial information:

• • Log in to VITNET Self Service
    • If you do not know your login information visit www.viterbo.edu/username, or call the IIT Help Desk at 608-796-3870.
  • Left click on your name at the top right and pick View/Add Proxy Access
  • Use drop down to select Parent or Guardian (parents should be listed)
  • Select access permissions, click "I authorize" and the "submit" button

For the granted person:

After you have granted access, the granted person will receive two emails containing a direct link to VitNet along with login information (username and password).

• Log in to VitNet
• Click Students button to access Student Menu
• Click Access to Students Info
• Choose information you would like to view