When students are unable to fully fund their education from personal resources, CIU desires to assist them in obtaining any additional financing available from Federal, State, Institutional (CIU), or Private Foundation sources. You must be accepted into a degree-seeking program at CIU in order to be considered for financial aid.
To apply for Financial Aid, you must submit both the 2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the 2007-2008 CIU Online Application.
The priority deadline, which was January 31, 2007, has passed. We award funds on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, applying immediately will increase you likelihood of being awarded CIU aid.
The federal government is committed to assisting students whose personal resources are not sufficient to pay for graduate studies. This assistance may come in the form of student loans, or through federal work study programs. Applicants for federal aid must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, and be registered with the Selective Service (if you are a male who is at least 18 years old and born after December 31, 1959). Students who are currently in default on a student loan, or who owe a refund on a previous federal grant, are not eligible for federal aid. Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the CIU academic policy are not eligible for continued federal aid.
To apply for federal aid you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CIU's federal school code, needed in Step Six of the FAFSA, is 003429. The FAFSA must be filed annually after January 1st of the current year for the following school year. The FAFSA is available on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
SPECIAL NOTE TO SUMMER STUDENTS:
Students attending CIU during summer sessions must complete the FAFSA for the current academic year by mid-March. While CIU does not offer regular scholarships during summer terms, students can be considered for Federal Stafford Loans.
SPECIAL NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
International students do not complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International students interested in financial aid from CIU may complete the CIU Student Financial Services Application.
Students attending institutions that participate in federal student financial aid (Title IV) programs have the right to notify the State Postsecondary Review Entity (SPRE) of complaints related to the institution’s management or conduct of the Title IV programs, or to misleading or inappropriate advertising and promotion of the institution’s educational programs, or other complaints about the institution. Students must first complete the institution’s internal complaint process. The SPRE may be contacted by telephone at (803) 737-2264 or by mail to the SC SPRE Complaint System, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201.
Federal Education Loans are long-term, low-interest loans. Students must be enrolled at CIU at least 6 hours each semester in order to obtain federal funds. Students who have demonstrated financial need according to the FAFSA may be eligible for subsidized federal funds. If you are not eligible for subsidized federal funds, you may be eligible for unsubsidized federal funds. Graduate students may be eligible to borrow up to $18,500 in federal student loans per academic year. A maximum of $138,500 may be borrowed during graduate studies, including loans borrowed for undergraduate studies. Students begin making repayment of loan principal, plus interest, six months after graduation, withdrawal from school, failure to enroll or maintain six hours of enrollment.
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a program that subsidizes on and off-campus job opportunities to those who have demonstrated financial need according to the FAFSA. A student may seek employment after arriving on campus, and will be paid at least minimum wage. Even if a student does not qualify for FWS, it is still possible to obtain employment on or off-campus. Students must be registered for at least 9 hours.
The financial aid available from the state level varies from state to state. Specific information should be obtained from the Office of Higher Education in the student’s state of residence.
Columbia International University has several scholarship and grant opportunities available to qualified students. In order to be considered for CIU scholarships and other financial aid, students must complete the CIU Student Financial Services Application, available online at www.ciu.edu/financialaid/forms/scholarshipapp.php. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens must also complete the FAFSA each school year. Students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours and be studying at the Columbia campus to be eligible for CIU Scholarships and Endowment Grants/Scholarships. Moreover, students need to maintain satisfactory academic progress and display excellent Christian character. These grants and scholarships are only awarded during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
CIU Scholarships are need-based scholarships made to entering and continuing CIU students. Award amounts are approximately $1000 per semester. To qualify, students must submit the FAFSA and CIU Student Financial Services application, as well as maintain satisfactory academic progress and display excellent Christian character. The priority deadline for submitting both the FAFSA and the CIU Student Financial Services application is January 31, 2007.
Endowment Grants/Scholarships. Approximately 40 scholarships have been established by individuals, families, and institutions who are deeply committed to God’s work around the world and the role CIU plays in training laborers for that work. A student applies for endowment scholarships simply by completing both the FAFSA and the CIU Student Financial Services application. International students simply complete the CIU Student Financial Services Application.
Literally thousands of scholarships are offered each year through private foundations and civic organizations. The best resources available for discovering these opportunities are the public library, high school guidance offices, and college financial aid offices. Students are encouraged to access the Internet at www.fastweb.com for the most comprehensive search of scholarship opportunities through private foundations. Through your own diligence in seeking out the possibilities, God may choose to provide for you through private foundations and organizations.
Veterans Benefits may be used at CIU. Please contact your local VA representative or the CIU Registrar’s Office for the proper forms.
Vocational Rehabilitation benefits are available for qualified students. Students should contact their local Vocational Rehabilitation agency for assistance. Please inform the Financial Aid Office of expected benefits and necessary processing.
Policy:
In order to remain eligible for federal, state and institutional financial aid, all students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in their course of study. Satisfactory Academic Progress includes both qualitative measures (obtaining and maintaining Grade Point Average), and quantitative measures (obtaining a minimum number of credits toward a degree within specified time limits). Contact the Financial Aid office for details.
Phone: (800) 777-2227 ext. 5036
E-Mail: finaid@ciu.edu
U.S. Mail: 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC 29203