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CIU Home > Graduate > Catalog > 2004-2005 > Financialaid

Contact Information	Refunds
Federal Aid	Satisfactory Academic Progress
Institutional Aid	State Aid
Other Sources of Aid	Student Rights
Private Foundations

It is primarily the student's responsibility to fund his or her education and seek out additional resources if necessary. When students are unable to fully fund their education from personal resources, CIU desires to assist them in obtaining additional financing from federal, state, institutional and private foundation resources, as we are able. Only students accepted into a degree-seeking program at CIU can be considered for financial aid.

Federal Financial 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 US citizens or eligible non-citizens and be registered with the Selective Service (if 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 CIU academic policy are not eligible for continued federal aid.

To apply for federal aid, students 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 003249. This free needs-analysis form will automatically be sent to every student who applies to Columbia International University. The FAFSA may also be obtained by request from the CIU Financial Aid Office . The FAFSA must be filed annually after January 1st of the current year for the following school year. The FAFAS is also available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov . Students planning to enter CIU in the fall should complete the FAFSA by early March to ensure the greatest opportunity for financial aid. Contact the CIU Financial Aid Office for the specific priority deadline.

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 Family Education Loans.

International Students
International Students do not complete the FAFSA. International students should complete the CIU Scholarship Application available at from the CIU Financial Aid Office .

Types of Federal Aid
Graduate students are eligible for two types of federal aid: the Federal Family Education Loans (formerly the GSL) and the Federal Work-Study program. Specific, current information on both types of aid is available at the Financial Aid section of the CIU website, www.ciu.edu/financialaid , or directly from the CIU Financial Aid Office .

State Financial Aid

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.

South Carolina residents enrolled in the MAT program are eligible to apply for the South Carolina Teacher Loan Program.This loan is canceled when students teach in South Carolina public schools in an area of critical need (as defined by the South Carolina State Board of Education). The application deadline for this loan is June 1; however, due to limited funding, meeting all criteria and deadlines does not guarantee acceptance. For application forms and additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office. Information is also available at the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation website.

Institutional Financial Aid

Columbia International University has several scholarship and grant opportunities available to qualified students. US citizens and eligible non-citizens must submit both the FAFSA and the CIU Scholarship Application and international students must submit the CIU Scholarship Application form. These forms must be submitted each school year for the student to be considered for CIU grants and scholarships for the next school year. The CIU Scholarship Application form and specific application deadlines are available from the CIU Financial Aid Office . Students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours and be study 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. Awards amounts are approximately $1,000 per semester.

Approximately 40 Endowment Grants/Scholarships have been established by individuals, families, and institutions that are deeply committed to God’s work around the world and to the role that CIU plays in training laborers for that work

Private Foundations

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 counselors, and college financial aid offices. Students are especially encouraged to visit 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.

Other Aid Sources

Veteran’s Benefits may be used at CIU. Students should contact their local VA representative or the CIU  Registrar's Office of the proper forms.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits are available for qualified students. Students should contact their local Vocational Rehabilitation agency for assistance and should inform the CIU Financial Aid Office of expected benefits and necessary processing.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress 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 a satisfactory 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.

Financial Aid Refund Policy

If a graduate student who is receiving financial aid withdraws from school, either partially or completely, during the course of an enrollment period (semester or short term), policies have been established in accordance with federal regulations to ensure a fair and equitable refund of tuition. Refund policies are subject to federal regulations and may change during the course of a school year. Contact the Financial Aid Office for a complete copy of the current refund policy.

Note to CIU Scholarship/Endowment Applicants: In order to make CIU scholarships and endowments available to as many eligible students as possible, all CIU scholarships and endowments are entirely forfeited when a recipient withdraws from CIU before the end of a term or drops below nine hours of enrollment. In such an event, CIU scholarship and endowment recipients are responsible for complete repayment of funds.

Student Rights Statement

Students attending schools that participate in federal student aid programs (Title IV programs) have the right to notify the State Postsecondary Review Entity (SPRE) of complaints related to the institution’s management of the Title IV programs, or regarding 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 grievance process. The SPRE may be contacted by telephone at (803) 737-2264, or by mail at the following address: The SC SPRE Complaint System, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201.

Contact Information

How to Contact the CIU Financail Aid Office
Phone: (800) 777-2227 x. 3036
Email: finaid@ciu.edu
US Mail: 7435 Monticello Road, Columbia, SC  29201