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SIX Graduate Admissions,Tuition, and Financial AidAdmissionsTrinity College seeks students who have academic potential for its graduate programs, a record of scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level, and promise for success in the professional area in which they are applying. Students are admitted without regard to race, sex, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged. Entrance RequirementsCandidates for admission must have completed a bachelor's degree from any regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Though no specific program of study at the undergraduate level is required for admission, students seeking teacher certification who have not had required content area courses may be required to take additional course work at the undergraduate level. Students who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be provisionally admitted and may take up to six credits during their first semester. A student must receive a minimum grade of "B" in each of these courses in order to be fully admitted to a graduate program. Students planning to teach in secondary schools must have a 3.0 GPA in the content area in which they plan to teach. Candidates applying to the School of Education must provide evidence of having taken the Praxis I examination, administered by the Educational Testing Service; information is available via mail from ETS, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 or online at http://www.ets.org/. Note: admission into the graduate teacher preparation program does not automatically guarantee admission into student teaching. Application ProcedureCandidates for admission must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
There is no application deadline, but candidates for admission should apply and arrange that all credentials be forwarded well in advance of the semester in which they wish to matriculate. In some instances, students may be permitted to register for up to six credits prior to the receipt of all admission materials. Such students will be assigned nondegree status for no more than one semester. In such cases permission to register should not be construed as conferring admission to the degree program. Admission for International StudentsInternational students must submit an official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a Declaration/Certification of Finances for the year of study. Financial aid is not available for international students. The I-20 form for the F-1/Student Visa is issued to applicants who are admitted to the graduate program, have a minimum score of 500 on the TOEFL, and are proficient in the English language. Students must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover their expenses for at least one academic year. Admission for Nondegree StudentsStudents who hold a bachelor's degree and meet the 2.8 minimum GPA requirements are welcome to register as nondegree or nonmatriculating students for a maximum of six credits which meet their needs and interests. Every effort will be made to accommodate such students subject to prerequisites and enrollment limitations. In no instance should permission to register as a nondegree student be construed as conferring admission to the degree program or to student teaching. Nondegree students must complete an application for nondegree student status with the Office of Admissions and provide documentation for all requirements as stated on the application. Nondegree students must provide an official copy of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Nondegree students may apply for status as a degree student according to the admissions policy set forth in the Graduate Academic Policies section of this catalog. Credit earned as a nondegree student may be applied toward the graduate degree subject to the requirements at the time of enrollment as a degree candidate. A maximum of six graduate credits earned as a nondegree student at Trinity College may be applied toward a graduate degree (students should refer to Graduate Academic Policies for exceptions). Professional Development WorkshopsTrinity's professional development workshops offer students intensive experience with contemporary educational issues and aspects of curriculum content and methodologies. Workshops may be taken for personal interest, recertification requirements, or salary purposes. Further information is available from the Professional Development Workshop Office at (202) 884-9300. Transfer Credits for Graduate DegreesStudents enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six credits from regionally accredited institutions toward a degree at Trinity. For specific rules governing transfer credits, see the Graduate Academic Policies section. Graduate Tuition and Fees (2000-2001)1Tuition is based on the student's academic program (undergraduate or graduate). Graduate students enrolling in undergraduate courses will be charged at the graduate rate. Tuition
Fees
1 The charges listed will be in effect for the 2000-2001 academic year beginning fall semester. Trinity College reserves the right to change its tuition rates and other financial charges listed in this catalog at any time. In the past it has been necessary to increase these fees annually to enable the College to improve its programs and to meet rising costs. Students should expect some increase in tuition and fees from year to year.
Special Tuition RatesTuition for Catholic School Teachers and AdministratorsTrinity College grants a special tuition remission for on-campus courses to graduate students who are full-time teachers or administrators of Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Students applying for this special rate are required to submit, at the time of payment arrangements, a letter from the principal of the school verifying current full-time employment for each semester they are enrolled. Manner of PaymentChecks should be made payable to Trinity College and sent to the Business Office. The college also accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. No student may enter classes until all fees and any previous balance have been paid in full or satisfactory arrangements for payment have been made. Trinity College will take necessary steps to collect amounts not paid and may refuse to permit a student to take exams, to receive a diploma or college transcript, or to register for subsequent courses until all college bills are paid. Any costs of collection, including interest, collection fees, and legal fees, become the responsibility of the student. Veterans BenefitsStudents entitled to educational benefits as veterans of the United States armed forces should contact the Office of the Registrar at (202) 884-9200 for information about certification of eligibility. Installment Payment PlanThe college allows students to arrange for payment of tuition in monthly installments over the course of the semester. Students may obtain an application from the Office of Financial Services (202) 884-9530. In order to take full advantage of this plan a student should obtain materials and apply one month prior to the start of the semester. There is a $50 charge for participation; there are no interest charges. The plan is not available for the summer, May term, winter term, or accelerated sessions. Employer Tuition Assistance BenefitsMany companies provide assistance to their employees to help with tuition expenses. Some companies will pay for classes at the beginning of the term; others reimburse the student once classes are completed. Students should check with their employer to see if they are eligible for such benefits. Students whose employers will be providing financial assistance need to submit a voucher to generate employer billing at the time they seek financial clearance. Students who will be reimbursed by their employers upon satisfactory completion of course work may defer up to 75% of their tuition by providing evidence of their employer's approval and intent to pay. Prior to final registration, students are required to pay all fees (even if reimbursed by employer) as well as costs not covered by the employer. Payment Arrangement and Registration StatusUpon registration for each semester or term, students receive a registration confirmation/invoice which reflects course selection and charges for these courses. Students also receive a monthly statement indicating all charges accrued, including room and board. Payment arrangements must be made prior to the first day of classes. A student is obligated to pay for all registered courses unless or until courses are dropped in the full refund period. Payment arrangements must be made for course changes which result in an additional financial obligation before the course change will be processed by the Registrar. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services at (202) 884-9530 for further information and assistance. Tuition Refund Policy Tuition and fees will be refunded for dropped courses according to the following schedule:
The effective date of withdrawal from a course is the date on which the Office of the Registrar receives written notice. No refund will be made prior to the end of the add/drop period each semester. Any refund shall first be applied to the balance owed for tuition and fees for those courses in which the student remains enrolled. In the summer sessions, the refund schedule will be administered according to each class session rather than each week. Students on financial aid should contact the Office of Student Financial Services to determine how a withdrawal affects their financial aid eligibility. Private grants and scholarships are not refundable to the student. Financial aid recipients (including those receiving federal student loans) who drop all classes are subject to refund requirements set forth in federal regulations which may differ from the schedules set forth above. If applicable, refunds will be made payable to the party responsible for the student's account. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be made in writing by the responsible party. Under federal requirements, refunds to federal aid recipients will be made not to the student or the party responsible for the student's account but to the federal aid program. Policy on Student Financial ResponsibilitiesStudents who do not have an approved payment plan and students whose financial obligations to the College have accumulated beyond an acceptable level are subject to the following policies:
Trinity College reserves the right to refuse to approve a payment plan if the prior financial conduct of the student or family with regard to Trinity obligations indicates an inability or unwillingness to meet financial obligations at Trinity in a timely way. Financial AidStudent Financial ServicesThe Office of Student Financial Services provides information about sources of aid such as Federal Stafford Loans (formerly Guaranteed Student Loans), the Federal College Work Study Program, and the District of Columbia Matching Funds Program. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following requirements:
Students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in accordance with the following schedule of deadlines:
Many scholarships are available through employers, civic and fraternal groups, professional organizations, and other programs. Students are encouraged to pursue actively all potential sources of financial aid. Questions about financial aid should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services at (202) 884-9530. Procedures for Applying for Financial AidThis checklist has been developed to help students understand the financial aid process and as a tool to manage their personal records. Applicants for financial aid should keep track of the date of submission for each item and keep a copy of each document for themselves. Eligible students who meet the following priority deadlines and submit all other requested materials can be assured that their aid package will be processed by the beginning of the semester. ________ Step 1. Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA for the appropriate academic year to the federal processing center. Trinity's school code is 001460. An application may be completed on the web at this address: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Priority Deadline: April 1. Date FAFSA was mailed: ________ Step 2. A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to an applicant a few weeks after the FAFSA is received. The SAR should be reviewed for accuracy, and applicants should confirm that Trinity is listed in the school section. If necessary, corrections should be made and mailed back to the federal processing center. ________ Step 3. An applicant's SAR will also indicate if there is anything else needed to process a request for financial aid. The most common request is for a copy of the applicant's most recent federal tax return and a Verification Worksheet. These documents should be submitted directly to the Office of Student Financial Services at Trinity College. Applications for aid will be on hold until all completed materials are received. Date verification material was mailed: ________ Step 4. Applicants who wish to borrow a Stafford Loan should complete a Federal Loan Data Form and return it to the Office of Student Financial Services. Priority Deadline: May 1. Date Federal Loan Data Form was submitted: ________ Step 5. First-time borrowers will receive a Master Promissory Note in the mail. Complete the note carefully and return it to the lender. Students who signed a Master Promissory Note for the previous academic year will not have to complete another one this year. Date promissory note was mailed: Lenders will generally disburse loan funds to Trinity via electronic funds transfer (EFT) in equal disbursements each semester. Students who are due a refund after their bills are paid may complete a Refund Request form after the add/drop period for that semester. Federal Student Aid ProgramsTo qualify for federal student aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (See "Procedures for Applying for Financial Aid"). Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have not defaulted on prior federal aid and certify they will use aid proceeds solely for educational purposes are eligible for the federal student aid programs listed. Federal Stafford Loans (formerly Guaranteed Student Loan Program)Eligibility for this loan program will be determined by the FAFSA application to Trinity. Funds for the Stafford Loan are available through state agencies and private lenders (banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions). Subsidized Stafford Loans are awarded based upon financial need. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services or your local lender for an application. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford LoansThe Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan is available to borrowers who do not qualify on the basis of need for the subsidized Federal Stafford Loan program. Under this program students are required to pay interest while they are in school. The terms and conditions are the same as the subsidized program, except that the combination of the two programs may not exceed the annual or aggregate loan limits. Employment ProgramsA student's financial aid package may include a Federal WorkStudy award. Federal WorkStudy (FWS) is a federally funded program that helps to provide employment opportunities on or off campus. FWS awards are not deducted from the student's tuition, fees, and room and board. Instead, students receive a bimonthly paycheck for the number of FWS hours worked and may use it to meet their personal expenses or pay on their account at the College. Students should contact the Office of Human Resources concerning placement opportunities for on-campus and qualified off-campus FWS positions (202-884-9120). For assistance with locating suitable non-FWS parttime positions off campus, students should consult the Academic Support and Career Services Center. For further information contact:
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