Graduate Academic Catalog 2012-2013

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2012-2013 Graduate Programs Academic Catalog
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Outside Scholarships
Literally thousands of scholarships are offered
each year through private foundations and civic
organizations. Students are encouraged to visit
for
links to scholarship search websites. Through
your own diligence in seeking out possibilities,
God may choose to provide for you through pri-
vate foundations and organizations.
OTHER AID SOURCES
AND INFORMATION
Veteran’s Benefits
If you are an eligible veteran, you are encouraged
to pursue the possibility of Veteran’s Educational
Benefits. Visit www.va.gov for information and
forms. Also visit the CIU veteran’s website at
Review this page to learn how to apply your
benefits as a CIU student.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Students who are overcoming physical and/or
developmental obstacles may be eligible for
Vocational Rehabilitation benefits through their
state of residence. Students should contact their
local Vocational Rehabilitation agency for more
information.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy –
Federal Financial Aid
Satisfactory academic progress is defined as the
process of adequately proceeding toward the
completion of a degree. The Office of Student
Financial Services is required by federal regula-
tions to monitor and determine if students are
meeting the satisfactory academic progress
requirements. If you should have any questions
about our policy, we encourage you to contact
the office at (803) 807-5036. For a Columbia
International University student to retain eligibility
for federal financial assistance, the student must
meet both qualitative and quantitative require-
ments set out in the full policy available at
Institutional Financial Aid Policy
Institutional aid is defined as CIU scholarships
and grants awarded by the Office of Student
Financial Services. Each scholarship and grant
has a minimum GPA requirement. Institutional aid
is also dependent upon the student meeting all
CIU community standards. In order for a CIU stu-
dent to retain eligibility for institutional aid, the
student must meet the criteria listed below:
• Scholarships/Grants Graduate
• Presidential Scholarship 3.0
• Dean Scholarship 3.0
• Servant Leader Scholarship 3.0
• Donor Scholarships 3.0
• All Other CIU Grants 2.7
Students not meeting the criteria noted above will
have their CIU scholarships and grants removed
as applicable. When returning students are being
reviewed for their financial aid packages for the
upcoming academic year, those that fail to meet
the GPA and character requirements will not be
awarded CIU institutional aid. GPA requirements
are not reviewed in the middle of the academic
year. However, students placed on character pro-
bation can have their aid removed at any point in
the academic year.
The entire policy regarding institutional aid
can be obtained in the Office of Student
Financial Services or online at
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 reg-
ulations to ensure a fair and equitable refund of
tuition. Refund policies are subject to federal reg-
ulations and may change during the course of a
school year. Contact the Office of Student
Financial Services for a complete copy of the
current refund policy.
In order to make CIU scholarships and grants
available to as many eligible students as possible,