Student Financial Services

Students are responsible for arranging the payment of tuition and fees prior to the beginning of each semester. Today more than ever before, investing in a college education requires planning. Trinity College recognizes this and is prepared to assist students and their families in making college affordable through financial planning, counseling, and installment payment plans. Trinity College offers a comprehensive program of student financial assistance. A counselor in the Office of Student Financial Services is always available during office hours at Tel. 202/884-9530 or email: financialaid@trinitydc.edu.

Financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated and verifiable financial need as determined by subtracting the estimated family contribution of both the student and her or his parents (if applicable) from the total cost of education for the respective academic year. Students applying for financial aid will be considered for all programs for which they are eligible, and assistance is generally a combination of grant, loan, and employment. Trinity participates in all federal Title IV student financial assistance programs.

Awards are given for one year and are reviewed annually to reflect changes in the financial need of the student and changes in the cost of attending college. Once given, aid is normally continued if the student continues to demonstrate need, makes satisfactory academic progress, and follows the procedures for annual application for financial aid.

Students who have previously obtained a baccalaureate degree and are pursuing a second baccalaureate degree are only eligible to apply for loan and work assistance. Neither Trinity College nor federal grant funds are available to students seeking a second baccalaureate degree or a post-graduate certificate.

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Procedures to Apply for Financial Aid

This checklist has been developed to help students understand the financial aid process and 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.

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 will be sent a refund check after the schedule adjustment period for that semester.

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Policies about Financial Aid

Eligibility Information
Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid
Leave of Absence
Federal Refund/Repayment Requirements
Policy on Student Financial Responsibilities

Eligibility Information

In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be fully admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours per semester. (Some awards, such as Trinity grants and scholarships, require full-time enrollment.)

Students may not receive financial aid for experiential learning (TELL) and audited courses. These courses do not count towards enrollment status for financial aid eligibility.

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degrees in order to remain eligible for both federal and Trinity College funds. To make satisfactory academic progress, undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0; graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. All students must complete at least two-thirds of attempted credits. In addition, satisfactory academic progress is also measured by completion of attempted credits according to a schedule not to exceed 150% of the credits necessary for a degree.

The Office of Student Financial Services reviews the academic progress of financial aid recipients once each academic year at the end of the spring semester. In the event that a student fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress criteria in a particular year, the student will not be eligible for financial aid for the following fall semester. The summer term is considered a make-up term. Students may enroll for summer to regain satisfactory academic progress for the fall semester.

Students may appeal a determination of unsatisfactory academic progress. The Office of Student Financial Services will provide information about the appeal process to the affected students. If an appeal is unsuccessful and the student is still considered to be making unsatisfactory progress, the student may not receive financial aid until she or he is considered to be in good academic standing.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence for financial aid purposes is not to be confused with a leave of absence for academic purposes as described in the Academic Policies section of this catalog. A leave of absence as it relates to financial aid affects borrowers under federal student loan programs who cease attendance. A request for a leave of absence must be made in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services and may not exceed 60 days. This kind of leave enables a borrower who intends to re-enroll on at least a half-time (six credits) basis to have up to 60 additional days before the beginning of the grace period, after which a loan enters repayment.

With the exception of the time a student has been granted a leave of absence, the college is obligated to report to the lender any student who ceases enrollment or fails to enroll on at least a half-time (six credits) basis.

Federal Refund/Repayment Requirements

As part of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Congress passed new regulations governing what must happen to federal financial aid if a student completely withdraws during the enrollment period. Trinity College must calculate how much federal financial aid the student has earned if the student withdraws before completing 60% of the enrollment period. Federal financial aid covered under this regulation includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Family Educational Stafford Subsidized Loan Program, Federal Family Educational Stafford Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).

Trinity College and the student are both responsible for returning unearned funds to the appropriate programs in a specific order. Trinity College must return the lesser of:

the total amount of unearned aid

     OR

institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage.

Amounts that must be returned will first be applied to federal loans and then to grants. Loan borrowers will be permitted to repay loans based on the terms of the promissory note.

The student will also be billed for any amount due to Trinity College resulting from Trinity's return of federal aid funds. For example, if Trinity College is required to return federal aid which was used to pay a portion of charges for the enrollment period, the student is required to pay Trinity College for the unpaid portion of the charges.

Policy on Student Financial Responsibilities

Overview
Payments for Tuition, Room and Board, and Related Fees
Checks
Sanctions for Financial Dishonesty
Financial Services

All students attending Trinity College are expected to live by the principle of Honor in all aspects of their relationships with each other, with other persons, with entities both inside and outside of Trinity, and in their relationship with Trinity College itself. Accordingly, financial obligations to Trinity College are also governed by the principle of Honor. Fulfilling financial obligations is a matter of justice for the entire community; the failure to meet those obligations has severe consequences for the entire community, not just for the individual. With this philosophy in mind, the following policy statement, effective immediately, gives general norms and procedures regarding student financial responsibilities:

1. Payments for Tuition, Room and Board, and Related Fees

All students and families are expected to pay Trinity College in a timely way for the tuition and fees incurred each semester. Students are expected to know the schedule of fees published in the catalog and published separately each semester; to know the deadlines for drop/add and other actions that impact upon fees; and to follow the directions given for payment arrangements. Even if a parent, family member or third party pays the bills, the student is responsible to know the details of the financial obligations incurred and to ensure full compliance with the expectations those obligations entail.

Students and families who need financial assistance are expected to work directly with the Office of Student Financial Services; to treat all requests for family financial information with the utmost honesty and full disclosure; and to accept loan obligations as a profound duty to repay in a timely way. Students and families who participate in approved payment plans are generally covered in meeting their financial obligations for tuition and fee payments so long as their payments do not lapse. Students who rely on federal or institutional financial aid (including loans or grants) to pay all or part of their charges are expected to complete the financial aid application each year by published deadlines and to know the conditions for renewal of their aid. A guide entitled "Understanding Your Financial Aid Award" is published each year and is available in the Office of Student Financial Services.

All students who have not made financial arrangements to pay their bills must sign a promissory note. Promissory notes are legal documents that indicate a student's willingness to fulfill payment obligations. Signing promissory notes has serious legal and moral obligation, and default on such a note is a violation of Trinity's Honor Code.

Students who do not have an approved payment plan, and whose financial obligations to the College have accumulated beyond the acceptable level noted below, are subject to the following (threshold amounts below are for the 2004-2005 academic year; numbers for subsequent years will be published separately):

1. full-time undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Science whose account balances at Trinity exceed $2,500 at the time of course registration ($250 for part-time students, both undergraduate and graduate, and students in the Schools of Education and Professional Studies), and who have not formalized an approved payment plan with the Office of Student Financial Services, will not be able to register for the next semester until such time as their financial obligations are satisfied;
2. all existing full-time CAS balances must be below $2,500 ($250 for all other students) before any spring semester charges may be incurred;
3. students whose prior balances exceed the limit at the start of the semester will be unable to register, go to class, enter residence hall rooms, or enroll in any College activity until such time as their prior balance is satisfied, and a formal payment plan is approved for any new balance;
4. prior to the point of graduation, grades and transcripts are not released for any students, full-time or part-time, whose balances exceed $50 without an approved payment plan;
5. all students with balances in excess of $50 will not be permitted to participate in any graduation exercises, or receive a final transcript or a diploma; graduating students must pay all outstanding charges, including May term charges, by April 30 in order to have their names appear in the graduation program and to participate in graduation exercises;
6. professional workshop and other non-degree students with overdue balances of any size will have their course selections put on hold until such time as they satisfy their financial obligations.

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.

2. Checks

Writing a check without sufficient funds to cover the obligation is a serious violation of moral and legal obligations. Similarly, stopping payment on a check after receiving the goods and services the check paid for (e.g., books in the bookstore) is actionable. Whether the check is payable to Trinity College, one of the vendors on campus, or another organization doing business with Trinity, a bad check passed on campus will not be tolerated.

Trinity College participates in the Telecheck authorizing service and will take the following actions regarding bad checks:

1. if a check is approved through Telecheck and then is subsequently returned for insufficient funds, Telecheck will pay Trinity College for the amount of the check and charge the check writer fees accordingly. The bounced check will be noted in Telecheck's system, which is used throughout the country. Trinity College also reserves the right to charge the check writer fees;
2. if a check is not approved through Telecheck, Trinity College will deposit the check and follow the procedures as noted below in item c) if the check is subsequently returned for insufficient funds;
3. if a check is returned from the bank because the check writer stopped payment, Trinity College will contact the person who wrote the check by mail and phone call. The check writer will be expected to make immediate satisfaction of the obligation by cash, money order, or credit card. Trinity College and its vendors may refuse to accept personal checks in the future from the check writer. The associated fees will be charged to the student's account and a hold will be placed on the account until the obligation is satisfied;
4. any student who stops payment on a check to Trinity, the Bookstore or other vendors after purchasing books and other goods or in anticipation or in lieu of dropping classes will have the associated fees and holds reflected on the student's account. The student will also be subject to immediate suspension and possible legal action.

3. Sanctions for Financial Dishonesty

Dishonesty in financial transactions with Trinity or financial institutions working in support of Trinity's financial aid system may result in immediate cancellation of approval for a tuition payment plan and a demand for immediate payment of all remaining financial obligations to the College. Such dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, passing bad checks or stopping payments on checks anywhere on campus (see above); accepting federal loan funds and then withdrawing from all courses, using such funds for personal purposes instead; failure to provide accurate information on financial aid applications; defaulting on federal loan payments; and other forms of financial misconduct that are intended to deceive or to avoid payment of obligations. Trinity reserves the right to send cases of financial dishonesty to the Judicial Association for processing as a violation of the Honor System; to notify appropriate external authorities as necessary, including law enforcement agencies; to refer accounts to collection; and to dismiss students for financial misconduct.

4. Financial Services

Trinity recognizes the large financial burden that many students and families assume to attend college, and Trinity wishes to extend support as well as financial aid to the extent that the College's resources permit. For further information about this policy statement and available financial services, please call 202/884-9530 or visit the Office of Student Financial Services, Main Hall Room 119.

Updated July 2004

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Sources of Financial Aid

Trinity provides financial aid through its endowed scholarships, loan funds, and its allocation of non-endowed operating revenues. It also administers funds available through federal programs. Individuals should also seek aid from state and local programs for which they are eligible. Currently, about 90% of the student body receives some type of financial assistance.

Trinity College of Arts and Sciences Student Aid Programs
Trinity School of Professional Studies Student Aid Programs
Federal Student Aid Programs
Other Scholarships and Awards

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Trinity College of Arts and Sciences Student Aid Programs

Scholarships and Grants to Entering College of Arts and Sciences Students
Special Scholarships for College of Arts and Sciences Students
Endowed and Term Scholarships

Scholarships and Grants to Entering College of Arts and Sciences Students

Full-time College of Arts and Sciences students interested in being considered for Trinity merit scholarships should contact the Office of Admissions for further information. Students receiving these special scholarships must be fulltime students and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to remain eligible for an award.

Global Leadership Scholarship
The highest Trinity College award, the Global Leadership Scholarship is awarded to entering full-time first-year College of Arts and Sciences students who exhibit both academic excellence and outstanding community and school leadership. Once awarded, the Global Leadership Scholarship is renewed annually based on continued academic distinction.

Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to academically outstanding entering first-year students enrolling as full-time College of Arts and Sciences undergraduates. The number of awards and the amount of the stipends are determined annually. Once awarded, the Presidential Scholarship is renewed annually based on continued academic distinction.

Dean's and Founder's Awards
These awards are made to entering first-year College of Arts and Sciences students who have demonstrated leadership characteristics as part of their high school experience. It is expected that recipients of this award will continue to demonstrate their leadership talents by service to the College community.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
A designated scholarship program has been established for members of Phi Theta Kappa, the community college and two-year college honor society. Contact the Office of Admissions for further information regarding this award.

Special Scholarships for College of Arts and Sciences Students

College of Arts and Sciences students receiving the following special scholarships must be full-time students and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each semester in order to remain eligible for the award. Both entering and returning students are eligible for these scholarships. A separate application for these scholarships is not required.

D.F. Antonelli, Jr., and Judith D. Antonelli Scholarship
This endowed scholarship fund was established in 1986 by Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Antonelli. Recipients must be full-time College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need and backgrounds considered culturally and/or economically disadvantaged. Preference will be given to members of minority groups.

Helen and Marie F. Rotterman, Class of 1904, Scholarship Trust
This trust was established by the estate of Marie F. Rotterman, Class of 1904, to provide scholarships to qualified Catholic girls from the Dayton, Ohio, metropolitan area. Awards are made yearly in amounts depending on need and available funds. A personal interview and approval of the Trustees of the trust are also required.

Endowed and Term Scholarships

The following special scholarships are named either for their donor or in recognition of others and are made possible by the generosity and support of alumnae and friends of Trinity College. These scholarship awards are given to Trinity College of Arts and Sciences students who demonstrate financial need and who also meet the additional selection criteria specified by the donor of the gift. Endowed scholarships are funded by the ongoing income earned from the core gift; term scholarships are one-time gifts. The Office of Student Financial Services chooses recipients from among all qualified applicants for financial aid.

These special gifts underwrite in whole or in part scholarship and grant awards from Trinity sources. The receipt of one of these awards is recognition not only of financial need but also academic distinction. So as to recognize as many qualified students as possible, these awards are usually not renewed from year to year.

A separate application for these scholarships is not required; all full-time College of Arts and Sciences applicants for financial assistance are automatically considered for these awards.

• Paul and Camille Lindsay Aiken Memorial Scholarship
• Clifford and Adele Alexander Scholarship
• American Association of University Women/McLean Branch Scholarship
• D.F. Antonelli, Jr., and Judith D. Antonelli Scholarship
• Boston Chapter Partial Scholarship
• Mrs. James H. Bride Partial Scholarship
• Brooklyn Partial Scholarship
• The Right Rev. Msgr. John A. Butler Memorial Scholarship
• Claire F. Cahill Memorial Scholarship
• Paul W. Chapin Scholarship
• Chicago Partial Scholarship
• Class of 1962 and 1965 Scholarship
• Class of 1964 Scholarship
• Mary J. Dempsey Memorial Partial Scholarship
• Dorothy Gleeson Dolan Scholarship
• James P. Farrell Memorial Scholarship
• Lillian A. Fay, Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, Partial Scholarship
• The Sr.Margaret Finnegan, S.N.D., '54 and Sr. Regina Finnegan, S.N.D., '53 Scholarship
• Carol Lynn Bucca Fusco '69 Scholarship
• Ellen A. Ganey '27 Scholarship
• Sr. Lidwin Genau/Class of 1967 Scholarship
• The Right Rev. Msgr. Charles P. Grannan Partial Scholarship
• Paul B. and Katherine E. Hanrahan Scholarship
• Bishop Harkins Partial Scholarship
• Maria Sullivan Harrigan Partial Scholarship
• William Randolph Hearst Scholarship
• Catherine Baker Holahan Partial Scholarship
• William and Sarah Hunter Partial Scholarship
• Sr. Superior Julia Partial Scholarship
• The Right Rev. William J. Kerby Partial Scholarship
• Eileen Ryan Lahart '54 Scholarship
• Margaret Larson '10 Partial Scholarship
• Joseph J. Leary Scholarship
• Martha T. Logan Scholarship
• Catherine Lynch Partial Scholarship
• Sr. Mary Partial Scholarship
• Lucie Jane Desloge McAnany '33 Scholarship
• Anne Marie Condon McGovern '50/Class of 1950 Scholarship
• Evelyn Ruth McIntee '32 Scholarship
• Julia A. McMahon '30 Scholarship
• Louise Moore Partial Scholarship
• Mount Notre Dame Partial Scholarship
• New England Financial Aid Fund Scholarship
• Notre Dame Alumnae Partial Scholarship, Roxbury, MA
• Notre Dame Alumnae Partial Scholarship, Tyngsboro, MA
• Agnes Perrot O'Connor '24 Scholarship
• Florence O'Brien Patterson '26 Scholarship
• Parsons Family Foundation Scholarship
• Sr. Superior Raphael Partial Scholarship
• Rhode Island Women's Partial Scholarship
• Helen and Marie F. Rotterman, Class of 1904, Scholarship Trust
• St. Louis Partial Scholarship
• Frances Mary Saul '24 Scholarship
• Rev. Thomas Scully Parochial School Partial Scholarship
• Margaret and George Skirm Memorial Partial Scholarship
• Ivan H. Stepich Memorial Scholarship
• Margaret Walsh '21 Memorial Partial Scholarship
• Mary Dunn Walsh '15 Scholarship

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Trinity College School of Professional Studies Student Aid Programs

The American Association of University Women Scholarship

The American Association of University Women (AAUW), McLean Branch makes an annual award to a Northern Virginia student enrolled in the School of Professional Studies. A separate application for this scholarship is not required; all School of Professional Studies applicants for financial assistance are automatically considered for this award.

School of Professional Studies Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to qualified School of Professional Studies students on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Only students who have already completed credits at Trinity will be considered. Applications are available from the Office of Student Financial Services. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must also be completed prior to applying for a School of Professional Studies scholarship. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

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Federal and State Student Aid Programs

Applying for Federal and State Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
Federal PLUS Loan Program
Perkins Loans Program
Employment Programs
Federal Refund/Repayment Requirements
State Scholarship Programs and Local Awards
District of Columbia Leveraging Educational Assistance Program
District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant Program

Applying for Federal and State Programs

To qualify for federal student aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (see "Procedures for Applying for Financial Aid" above). The priority application deadline for the Fall semester is April 1. 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 Pell Grant

This is a federally funded program of grants awarded to undergraduate students with high financial need. The grants range from $400 to $4,000 annually, based on enrollment status and need. To qualify, a student must be an eligible undergraduate seeking a first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Undergraduates pursuing a first baccalaureate degree who demonstrate exceptional financial need are eligible for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds. Awards range from $150 to $2,000.

Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans

Eligibility for the Stafford Loan program will be determined by the FAFSA application to Trinity. Funds for the Stafford Loan are available through private lenders (banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions). Depending on need, a student may borrow up to $2,625 during the first year of undergraduate study, $3,500 during the second year, and $5,500 a year for the remaining years. Graduate students may borrow up to $8,500 per year. The maximum total Federal Stafford Loan debt that a student can aggregate as an undergraduate is $23,000. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services for an application.

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans

The 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. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 202/884-9530 for information about the terms and conditions of this loan program.

Federal PLUS Loan Program

This non-need based federal loan program enables credit-worthy and eligible parents to borrow up to the full cost of attendance at Trinity College less any student financial aid or scholarship support. The variable interest rate, established every year on July 1, is based on the 52 week Treasury bill plus 3.1% and is capped at 9%. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services or a local lender for an application (a FAFSA application is not required at Trinity College for this program).

Perkins Loans Program

Funds for the low interest federal Perkins Loan program are allotted to the college by the U.S. Department of Education for students with exceptional need. An undergraduate student may borrow up to $4,000 per year. The repayment and interest period begins nine months after the student completes her or his studies. The interest rate is 5% per year, and the repayment period may be extended over ten years. The FAFSA serves as the application for this loan.

Employment Programs

A student's financial aid package may include a Federal Work Study award. Federal Work Study (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.

For assistance with locating suitable non-FWS part-time positions off-campus, students should consult the Career Services Center.

State Scholarship Programs and Local Awards

Students from the following states may participate in state scholarship programs while they attend Trinity College: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. Students can learn more about these programs from high school guidance counselors or state departments of education. In addition, the Office of Student Financial Services can provide information about the state grant administrators of all states and territories.

Many scholarships are available through parents' employers, civic and fraternal groups, professional organizations, and other programs. To pursue all potential sources of financial aid, students should contact their high school guidance counselors for assistance in learning about these programs.

District of Columbia Leveraging Educational Assistance Program

The District of Columbia Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (DC LEAP) provides funds directly to eligible District residents seeking postsecondary education. Detailed information is available from the District of Columbia State Education Office at 202/727-2824 or www.seo.dc.gov

District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant Program

The College Access Act of 1999 provides undergraduate tuition assistance to residents of the District of Columbia. Eligible Trinity students may receive up to $2,500 per year, with a lifetime cap of $12,500. To be eligible, a student must:

• Have lived in the District of Columbia for at least 12 months before beginning the first year at a college or university.
• Have graduated from high school or received the recognized equivalent of a secondary school diploma on or after January 1, 1998.
• Have begun an undergraduate course of study within three years of graduating from high school or obtaining the recognized equivalent of a secondary school diploma (not including military, Peace Corps, or service under the National and Community Service Act of 1990).
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program and be making satisfactory academic progress.
• Have not completed an undergraduate baccalaureate course of study.

Students who graduated from high school or received the recognized equivalent of a secondary school diploma before January 1, 1998, and who meet the other eligibility requirements, may be eligible for a DC TAGP grant if they have been domiciled in the District for five years.

For more information and an application, call the DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program Office at 202/727-2824. Information is also available online at www.seo.dc.gov

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Other Scholarships and Awards

Information about other scholarship and aid resources is available on the world wide web in numerous locations. One such location is http://www.finaid.org/.

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Billing and Payment Information

For information regarding billing and payment, veterans benefits, the installment payment plan, employer tuition assistance benefits, payment arrangement and registration status, the tuition refund policy, please refer to the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.

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