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186 COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
2016-2017 FINANCIAL AID
Spouse Tuition Benefits
CIU believes training both the wife and husband makes a stronger family and ministry team. Because of this commitment,
CIU has created the following:
Courtesy Audit: The spouse of a CIU student may audit a course for which his/her spouse is currently registered at no
charge on the basis of available space. The application to audit is available from the Office of the University Registrar.
Partners in Ministry Grant
: This grant is available to the enrolled spouse of a full-time, degree-seeking student in any of the
colleges of the university. It pays tuition for one class per semester and is awarded based on available funding. Students
receiving this grant are not eligible for other CIU financial aid. Fees or other charges are the responsibility of the student.
Contact the Financial Aid Office for details regarding the application process and deadlines.
Other Information
Outside Scholarships
Thousands of scholarships are offered each year through private foundations and civic organizations. Students are
encouraged to visit
http://www.ciu.edu/outside-scholarshipsfor links to scholarship search websites.
Veteran’s Benefits
CIU will process Veteran’s Administration Education Benefits for eligible students. Visit
www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
for
eligibility information and forms. Also visit Columbia International University’s veteran’s website at
www.ciu.edu/become-student/financial-aid/veterans-benefits
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.
International Students
International students do not complete the FAFSA. Instead, they should contact the Financial Aid Office to obtain the
necessary instructions related to the application process. International students seeking financial aid should be aware that
they are required by the U.S. federal government to demonstrate they have the funds necessary to attend the university
prior to arriving in the United States. The U.S. government has determined that, barring unforeseen circumstances,
adequate funding should be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years of study (U.S.
Federal code 22 CFR 41.61 (b) (ii)). Highest consideration in awarding CIU financial aid to international students will be
given to those students who meet the following criteria:
•
Have a proven record of ministry effectiveness, especially in leadership positions
•
Explicitly affirm their intention to return home to engage in a specific ministry role for which theological education
may provide a strategic advantage
•
Receive endorsement and financial backing from their native church and/or coordinating mission agency
•
Have strong references from CIU alumni, particularly those with whom they minister
•
Demonstrate mission quality to the institution
•
Demonstrate strong Christian character and spiritual maturity
Financial Aid Refund Policy
Policies have been established in accordance with federal regulations to ensure a fair and equitable refund of tuition for CIU
students who are receiving financial aid and withdraw from the university either partially or completely during the course of
an enrollment period (semester or eight-week session). In order to make CIU scholarships and grants available to as many
eligible students as possible, all CIU scholarships and grants are reduced or forfeited when a recipient withdraws from CIU
before the end of a term or drops below 12 hours of enrollment for undergraduate and below nine hours for graduate or
seminary students. In such an event, CIU scholarship and grant recipients are responsible for complete repayment of funds.
In addition, if a student took out loans and drops a class after the add/drop date, but within the refund period, any additional
excess funds will be returned to the lender. 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.
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 regarding the institution’s management of the Title IV programs,
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 at
803.737.2264 or at: The SC SPRE Complaint System, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201.