Financial Aid

All students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen of the United States.
• Have earned a high school diploma, GED or state certificate, or have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law.
• Be admitted (excluding Subject to Documentation status) and matriculated in a degree program at GGU; certificate programs and open enrollment status are ineligible.
• Be enrolled in courses with at least half-time enrollment status at GGU per trimester (minimum 15-week period), with the following exception: Eligible undergraduate students may receive the Federal Pell Grant with less than half-time enrollment status; if repeating a course (that the student previously passed) in order to earn a better grade, the student’s first repeat attempt only may be included in the enrollment status calculation.
• Be registered to earn a letter grade or credit in each course; Audit statuses are not eligible for financial aid.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as required by the financial aid policy.
• Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a federal grant overpayment.
• Disclose to the Financial Aid Office if you plan to receive financial aid at another institution at the same time.
• Please note: GGU is not authorized to offer online education to students who reside in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, D.C., Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island or Wisconsin.

All students must complete the following applications:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Golden Gate University Financial Aid Application for Academic Year 2023 – 2024

Entrance Counseling

In order for GGU or any university to disburse Federal Title IV funds to your account, you must sign the loan master promissory note and complete an online entrance counseling session at www.studentloans.gov. Upon ceasing to be enrolled half-time or upon graduating, you must also complete exit counseling.

Exit Counseling

If you drop below half-time enrollment status during the fall or spring trimester or upon graduation, you must complete loan exit counseling:

• For Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, FFEL Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans and FFEL PLUS Loans, you may complete exit counseling online, here.
• For Perkins Loans you may complete exit counseling online here.

Federal regulations specify the method that Golden Gate University must use to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid assistance you have earned if you withdraw completely from the payment period (typically a trimester term). You are deemed to have “withdrawn completely” from the payment period if you withdraw from all courses by the “Last Day to Withdraw” as specified in the Academic Calendar, or if you receive “F” grades for all courses in which you were enrolled, and your last date of attendance is earlier than the term’s end date.

The amount of assistance earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. For example, if you complete 30% of the payment period, you have earned 30% of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive. Once you have completed 60% or more of the payment period, you have earned all the assistance that you were scheduled to receive for that period. If you withdraw completely before 60% of the payment period has elapsed, then some or all of your Federal Student Aid funds will be returned to the Department of Education. This may leave you owing a balance to Golden Gate University. For additional information regarding the return of Federal Student Aid, see the “Return of Federal Student Aid Policy” in the catalog.

Financial aid recipients should consult with the Financial Aid Office at 415-442-7270 or email finaid@ggu.edu before making schedule changes after financial aid has been disbursed to their accounts. You must consult with a Financial Aid advisor BEFORE dropping/withdrawing if:

• You intend to withdraw completely from the academic period by dropping (or withdrawing from) all courses; OR
• Less than 60% of the payment period (trimester) has elapsed.

60% of a trimester is approximately ten weeks; 60% of an 7.5-week term is approximately five weeks. Please refer to the Academic Calendar to determine the “Last Day to Withdraw” from a course for a given term.

“F” Grades and Last Dates of Attendance (Effective Spring 2019)

If you stop attending a course in which you are enrolled and do not officially withdraw from the course by withdrawing from it before the applicable withdrawal deadline published in the academic calendar, then your instructor will assign you an “F” (failing) grade. The instructor will also record your last date of attendance. If you receive “F” grades for all courses in which you enrolled for the payment period, and your “last dates of attendance” for each course is prior to the payment period’s end date, then you will be considered to have “withdrawn completely” for Federal Student Aid purposes. See Return of Federal Financial Aid above for more information.

Direct Subsidized Loans are awarded only to undergraduate students who meet the financial need criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. Students must be enrolled at least half-time per trimester. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on the loans while students are enrolled in school, at least half-time, and for the first six months after dropping below half-time, withdrawing from school or graduating. Typically, half-time status for undergraduate students requires enrollment in six or more units. Important note: Interest rates are subject to change each July 1. Interest rate information is located at studentaid.gov website. The U.S. Department of Education may charge an origination fee, which the student must repay. This fee is deducted during disbursement and is included when repayment begins.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are non-need based loans awarded to both undergraduate and graduate students. Students must be enrolled at least half-time per trimester. Half-time status for undergraduate students requires enrollment in six or more units per trimester. Half-time status for graduate students requires enrollment in three or more units per trimester. Interest begins to accrue when your direct unsubsidized loans are disbursed. A student may pay the interest while in school or allow the interest to accrue and the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan. Important note: Interest rates are subject to change each July 1. Interest rate information is located at studentaid.gov website. The U.S. Department of Education may charge an origination fee, which the student must repay. This fee is deducted during disbursement and is included when repayment begins.

For both loans, the federal government deducts an origination fee. For example, if you borrow $5,500, you may receive only $5442 because of the 1.057% origination fee. However, the full $5,500 must be repaid. Loan origination fee information is located at studentaid.gov website. Six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled half time, you enter repayment with monthly payments of interest and principal. Interest rates on loans vary depending on when a student received the loans and whether they are subsidized or unsubsidized. Interest rates are subject to change on July 1st of each year. See the studentaid.gov website for more information. The minimum monthly payment is $50 with a maximum repayment term of 10 years. The number of years of repayment may be extended depending on the amount of loan debt. You may visit the studentaid.gov website. to calculate what your monthly payment will be if you are able to extend the number of repayment years. Please keep in mind the longer the payment plan, the more interest you will pay on your loan debt.

Effective as of July, 1 2008
*The amounts shown represent the total combined eligibility for subsidized and unsubsidized Direct loans.

Student loans are typically financed by the federal government, but many are also available from private lenders. These loans require completing a separate loan application, available from lender online 

Private/Alternative loans are based on credit. A co-signer may be required. All lenders reserve the right to make changes to interest rates and other criteria without notification to Golden Gate University. Students should review all federal student loan options before investigating private student loans. If you are a GGU student, the Financial Aid Office will be able to check on your federal student loan eligibility for you. If you are a graduate student, we recommend that you compare interest rates, deferment options, repayment time frame as well as cosigner criteria with the Private /Alternative Loan and the DIRECT Graduate PLUS Loan program with the U.S. Department of Education. 

*Students who elect to apply for a private/alternative educational loan will also have to fill out the Self-Certification Form. (This is an example only and is submitted to the lender not Golden Gate University.) 

Federal PLUS loans enable parents or step-parents to borrow up to the total cost of their dependent child’s education, minus any other aid he or she may receive. PLUS loans are for undergraduate student only and are not based on the family’s income or assets. These loans are always unsubsidized. Interest rates are subject to change on July 1st each year. See the studentaid.gov website for more information. A separate loan application is required and credit worthiness check will be completed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Graduate PLUS loans are for graduate students who have educational expenses in excess of the Federal Direct loans and/or other financial aid. Interest rates are subject to change on July 1st each year. See the studentaid.gov website for more information. The Cost of Attendance (COA) minus awarded financial aid equals the amount of a potential Federal Graduate PLUS loan. COA includes actual tuition plus general budgets for Books, Supplies, Room/Board, Transportation and Personal expenses. A separate loan application is required and credit worthiness check will be completed by the U.S. Department of Education.For further information contact Student Financial Planning at finaid@ggu.edu or call 415-442-7270.

*The amounts used above are for illustration only

Matriculated and enrolled students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents or other eligible non-citizens are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for any scholarship. In Step Six of the FAFSA, students must indicate Golden Gate University’s Title IV code 001205 for the FAFSA information to be received at GGU. FAFSAs should be on file at GGU at the beginning of the trimester. International students are excluded from the FAFSA requirement.

Undergraduates:

• Maintain at least half-time attendance at all times to remain eligible
• Earn at least six units at the end of their last enrolled term to remain eligible
• Starting with full-time attendance but dropping to three-quarter-time or half-time attendance, students will have their eligibility prorated
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain eligible

Graduates:

• Maintain at least half-time attendance at all times to remain eligible
• Earn at least four units at the end of their last enrolled term to remain eligible
• Starting with full-time attendance but dropping to half-time attendance at the end of their last enrolled term, students will have their eligibility prorated during their next enrolled term
• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain eligible

All Students:

1. Students in the last term of enrollment may have the scholarship prorated in the event that half-time enrollment status is not necessary to meet graduation requirements.
2. Some scholarships require continuous enrollment. Students who interrupt enrollment or who fail to earn the required minimum units will forfeit the scholarship for the next terms.
3. Generally, a student will be awarded one scholarship. Students who demonstrate exceptional need which is not met by the financial aid package and have already received one scholarship may be awarded an additional scholarship. The additional scholarship may be awarded at the discretion of the financial aid office.
4. Students receiving other grants, scholarships or other financial assistance intended for tuition costs (i.e., Pell Grants, other grants, tuition remission) will have their scholarships prorated so that their total scholarship and/or tuition remission amount does not exceed the total tuition cost. GGU employees and family members eligible for GGU tuition remission will not be considered for tuition scholarships.
5. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be maintained at all times to remain eligible.
6. Scholarships may not exceed the total cost of tuition in a reporting term.
7. All GGU scholarships are applied towards tuition costs. No award shall exceed the amount of tuition.
8. Awards for scholarships may be for the duration of the program, yearly and/or one time only.
9. Amount of awards are dependent on yearly contributions, budgets, and other funding issues.

The GGU Scholars Award is available for up to the total cost of undergraduate tuition for eligible students with demonstrated need. The award is guaranteed for two years for full-time, continuously enrolled students making satisfactory academic progress.

Eligibility is determined using the information provided with your scholarship application and the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This scholarship may not be combined with any other GGU tuition grants, scholarships, or specially priced programs. Funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come basis. 

These GGU Community Tuition Assistance Grant (CTAG) programs are available to eligible employees, graduates and their families. Students must meet the grant eligibility criteria and be admitted to a degree-granting program in the School of Business, Accounting, or Taxation. Programs offered by the School of Law or School of Undergraduate Studies are not included. Grants are applied to tuition only and are renewable providing the student continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria. Students who accept the GGU Employee Educational Assistance Remission or any other GGU grant or scholarship are not eligible. Eligible students are required to complete a CTAG application available here the first time they are requesting the grant. These grants are not retroactive and may not be combined with any other grant or scholarship offered by Golden Gate University.

Graduate of GGU Degree Program (30% Tuition Grant) Graduates’ of GGU pursing a new degree program are eligible for this grant. A graduate is defined as an individual graduating from a degree program at GGU (excludes: Associates’ degrees and Certificates).

Family Member of GGU Graduate (20% Tuition Grant) This grant is offered when a family member graduated from a degree program at GGU. (excludes: Associates’ degrees and Certificates). Members of a graduate’s family are defined as: a spouse, domestic partner, child, and step-child. The family member must be pursuing a graduate degree (excludes undergraduate degrees). This discount cannot be combined with tuition remission benefits.

Family Member of Full-Time Faculty or Staff (40% Tuition Grant) This grant is offered to full-time Faculty or Staff’s family members. We define family members to be: a spouse, domestic partner, child, and step-child. (Family members who do not qualify for or choose to decline the GGU Employee Educational Assistance Program, are eligible for this grant.) This discount cannot be combined with tuition remission benefits.

Family Member of Adjunct Faculty (30% Tuition Grant) This grant is offered to Adjunct Faculty’s family members. We define family members to be: a spouse, domestic partner, child, and step-child. Regular Adjunct Faculty is defined as active Adjuncts who have taught a minimum of three class-sections in the previous three academic years. Active for the purposes of this grant means eligible to continue to teach. (Adjunct Faculty themselves, who do not qualify for or choose to decline the GGU Employee Educational Assistance Program, are eligible for this grant). This discount cannot be combined with tuition remission benefits.

Students receiving the CTAG grant agree to the following:

• Complete an initial CTAG application before the start of the term they are applying for.
• Each subsequent term for which the grant is to be applied, email the Financial Aid Office (FAO) at finaid@ggu.edu with the number of units the student will be taking.
• Students may only receive one grant, scholarship, or tuition discount per trimester from Golden Gate University (GGU); all GGU Grants are applied towards tuition. If a student is receiving outside sources to cover tuition costs, such as Employer Reimbursement, VA benefits, Scholarships, and/or Grants, all sources received may not exceed tuition costs for the semester/term.
• The application deadline for this scholarship is the last day of the term, for which the grant is to be applied to.
• The grant is not retroactive and cannot be applied to semesters / terms that have been completed prior to the submission of the form.
• The GGU CTAG grant is not applicable to programs or studies in the School of Law or School of Undergraduate Studies.
• The GGU CTAG grant is not applicable to specially priced graduate certificate programs.
• If enrollment plans change, the student will notify the FAO immediately. This may result in a re-evaluation of eligibility for the GGU CTAG grant.

GGU Community Tuition Assistance Grant Application

In recognition of the accomplishments of students who have completed programs in California’s Community Colleges (CCC), Golden Gate University reserves a limited number of tuition grants exclusively for CCC transfer students. These grants provide transfer students access to a world-class private education at GGU for comparable tuition to the California State University system.

To be considered for the California Community College Transfer Grant, prospective students must first submit a GGU admissions application.

Based on 2022-2023 tuition rates, students will be eligible for grant in the following amounts:

• $3,000 per trimester for full-time enrollment
• $1,500 per trimester for part-time enrollment

Students receiving the CCC Transfer Grant agree to the following:

• Submit an application to GGU to be considered for the grant.
• Grant candidates must be transferring from a California Community College, meet GGU’s undergraduate admission requirements, transfer a minimum of 36 units (from a CCC), and must have been enrolled within the last 12 months. Once approved, grant candidates must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain continuously enrolled with a minimum of 6 units per term. Funding is limited every trimester, apply early.
• Students may only receive one grant, scholarship, or tuition discount per trimester from Golden Gate University (GGU); all GGU Grants are applied towards tuition. If a student is receiving outside sources to cover tuition costs, such as Employer Reimbursement, Scholarships, and/or Grants, all sources received may not exceed tuition costs for the semester/term.
• The application deadline for this grant is the same day as the tuition deadline of the term for which the grant is to be applied to.
• The grant is not retroactive and cannot be applied to semesters / terms that have been completed prior to the submission of the form.
• If enrollment plans change, the student will notify the FAO immediately. This may result in a re-evaluation of eligibility for the CCC Transfer grant.

Apply here for the California Community College Transfer Grant – (Must have already submitted an application to GGU)

Eligibility

• Grant candidates must be transferring from a California Community College.
  The full list of applicable schools can be found at Alphabetic Listing of Community Colleges | California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (cccco.edu)
• Grant candidates must meet GGU’s undergraduate admission requirements
• Grant candidates must be transferring a minimum of 36 units (from a CCC)
• Grant candidates must have been enrolled within the last 12 months
• Once approved, grant candidates must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain continuously enrolled with a minimum of 6 units per term. Summer term enrollment is not required
• Grant candidates must be admitted to GGU no later than 30 days before the start of their first trimester at GGU
• Grant candidates must submit a grant application before the first day of their first trimester at GGU
• Grant candidates must submit a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and GGU Financial Aid Application before the first day of their first trimester at GGU
• Funding is limited every trimester, apply early

GGU recognizes all that you have accomplished as a student veteran, and we support you as you progress toward your degree from Golden Gate University. We’re pleased to announce a new grant to help veterans accomplish their mission of becoming a GGU graduate.

This grant is available to veterans who have exhausted their Post- 9/11 GI Bill® while pursuing a degree at GGU. This grant is available once veterans have exhausted their educational benefits and can be used to continue enrollment in the term after Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits have expired.

To qualify, veterans must have completed most of their degree at GGU, meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards completion, have exhausted all VA education benefits, and request the grant. The total amount of the grant will be up to 50% of tuition, contingent on the length of time/period the veteran used their benefits at GGU.

To apply for this grant, veterans should submit a grant application, a course plan (path to completion/degree audit), a current certificate of eligibility (COE), and have a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. This grant is not available for any program in the School of Law.

Apply here for the Veterans Pathway Grant

Golden Gate University offers a forty percent (40%) Tax Grant to Public Employees. The grant is available to full-time employees of US federal, state, county or city governmental agencies on tuition costs for any tax course offered at GGU. Only courses with the prefix TA are eligible for the discount. Employment will be verified. Please note this grant may not be applied with any other GGU tuition grants or scholarships.

Application — GGU Tax Grant for Public Employees

Golden Gate University offers a thirty percent (30%) Grant to California City, County, and State employees enrolled in our degree granting and certificate programs in our Executive Masters in Public Administration (EMPA) and Masters of Science in Information Technology Management programs. The grant is available to full-time city, County, and state employees for tuition costs for courses required for these programs. Employment will be verified. Please note this grant may not be applied with any other GGU tuition grants or scholarships.

Application — California City and State Employee Grant in EMPA and ITM Programs

Golden Gate University’s (GGU) Enterprise Learning Agreement (ELA) is a no-cost partnership that makes higher education more affordable and accessible for students. Through our Corporate Partnership Program, GGU will work with the student’s employer to establish an ELA which will allow all employees from the same company to receive a tuition grant ten percent (10%) towards tuition costs. Eligible students are required to complete an ELA application available here the first time they are requesting the grant. These grants are not retroactive and may not be combined with any other grant or scholarship offered by Golden Gate University.

For more information on becoming a Corporate Partner, please click here.

• Complete an initial ELA application before the start of the term they are applying for.
• Each subsequent term for which the grant is to be applied, email the Financial Aid Office (FAO) at finaid@ggu.edu with the number of units the student will be taking.
• Students may only receive one grant, scholarship, or tuition discount per trimester from Golden Gate University (GGU); all GGU Grants are applied towards tuition. If a student is receiving outside sources to cover tuition costs, such as Employer Reimbursement, VA benefits, Scholarships, and/or Grants, all sources received may not exceed tuition costs for the semester/term.
• The application deadline for this scholarship is the last day of the term, for which the grant is to be applied to.
• The grant is not retroactive and cannot be applied to semesters / terms that have been completed prior to the submission of the form.
• This grant is not applicable to programs or studies in the School of Law.
• This grant is not applicable to specially priced graduate certificate programs.
• If enrollment plans change, the student will notify the FAO immediately. This may result in a re-evaluation of eligibility for the ELA Grant.

Application — Enterprise Learning Agreement

Golden Gate University welcomes students from all over the world and offers scholarships for all qualified international students. Admitted students that have not previously attended Golden Gate University and satisfy the admissions criteria will be automatically considered for an International Student Scholarship or Grant through the admission process.

• View International Undergraduate Scholarships
• View International Graduate Scholarships

When Golden Gate University alum refers a student to one of our degree granting programs, we will give that student a tuition grant on behalf of the alum. A grant in the alum’s name acknowledges the important role that person is playing in the academic and career success of that student. The student would receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 for an undergraduate or a graduate degree. The grant would be applied to the students’ first term at GGU and may not be combined with any other scholarships or grants.

Learn more about the Alumni Referral Grant

Golden Gate University administers several donor-based and endowed scholarship funds that are awarded to graduate students based on specific award criteria. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and an application is required. Special scholarship applications are open from June 15 through August 15 every year. Scholarship recipients are notified of their awards before the start of the Fall trimester. Scholarships will be applied towards a student’s tuition charges for the subsequent Fall, Spring and Summer trimesters, depending on their academic program and progress. Awards may not roll over to a subsequent academic year.

How to Apply

Golden Gate University is pleased to announce the availability of our Special Scholarships funded by our generous donors. Our Special Scholarships are open to both Domestic and International graduate students, as indicated by each scholarship criteria. These scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis and an application is required. A few of our donors have asked that their gifts be restricted to students who meet certain criteria.

Typically, students may not receive more than one Golden Gate University scholarship, grant or discount per trimester; however, special scholarship awards may be combined with most other GGU scholarships. A scholarship committee will review all applications and select award recipients. Students may apply for more than one scholarship. All scholarships are applied toward tuition costs only. Special scholarship recipients will be required to submit a “thank you” card to the donor; more information about this will be provided to the recipients.

To apply for a special scholarship, you must:

• Complete a 2023 – 2024 FAFSA (U.S. Citizens or Permanent Resident students) — Title IV School Code = 001205. International students are not required to complete a FAFSA.
• Submit a completed online application.
• Submit a resume which includes a summary of your work, school, and extracurricular activities.
• Submit a Scholarship Essay addressing each of the donor’s question(s) for each of the scholarships you are applying for. Your essay should address your financial need, academic achievements, and any special circumstances you would like the scholarship committee to consider. (not to exceed 1,000 words).

Complete your Special Scholarships Application Here

Note: You will need to login using your GGU credentials to access the application form.

• The Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship is available to students in our Taxation, Accounting and Business Schools. To be considered, a recipient must be in good academic standing and should describe a personal experience associated with GGU. Please indicate how your active involvement has benefited the GGU Community and the importance in giving back to GGU. Students must be in their “final year” at GGU.
• The Bita Darybari Scholarship is available to International women with first preference in a MBA program and second preference to women in a MBA Business program and born in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine (Gaza Strip and West Bank), Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan or Yemen must reside in or outside of the U.S. Students will describe how they had overcome significant obstacles as a woman and how they would advocate for women’s rights facing discrimination due to cultural differences and unfair practices.
• The William Enderlein Endowed Scholarship was established to recognize students in the School of Business and Finance Accounting seeking a professional position in management. Students will describe how they have financed their education to date, how they would use their degree in a professional position of management.
• The Gurmehar Foundation Scholarship is available to students with financial need, of Indian descent (India), who are U.S. Citizens or are Permanent Residents of the U.S., and are enrolled in the Ageno School of Business. Students will describe how being a diverse student has affected their life and how do they plan to use their degree, after graduation.
• The Handlery Endowed Scholarship was established by the Handlery Hotels to retain talented hospitality industry leaders or those seeking a professional position in management or any other industries and has financial needs. Students will describe how they would use their degree in a professional management position, after graduation.
• The Hugenot Foundation Scholarship is available to students with financial need with a GPA of 3.00 or above. Students should describe a situation when their values, actions, or opinions were challenged and how they defended their position or advocated on behalf of another person facing discrimination due to cultural differences, language or other factors. Students should address how their GGU education will help or has already helped them practice tolerance and appreciate diversity.
• The Issacson Endowed Scholarship is available to students pursuing a graduate degree in Financial Planning. Students should describe how they have financed their education to date and what they plan to do with their degree.
• The Masud Mehran Endowed Fellowship is named after a member of the University Board of Trustees. Student must be in good academic standing, and have financial need. Preference is given to individual displaying entrepreneurial spirit and who takes initiative. Students should describe a current or previous involvement in a start-up company or organization; and describe the spirit, initiative and attribute to build a successful company or organization.
• The Lois Myers Endowed Scholarship is available to women who are 35 years or older with a GPA of 3.00 or above with financial needs. Student should describe how they had to overcome significant obstacles and how they would use their degree to advocate for women’s rights.
• The Nagel Miner Scholarship is available to students with financial needs. Students should describe their background, why they chose to attend GGU and explain the steps taken to participate with the GGU Community; and address how their GGU education, program of study will help them to succeed and what they plan to do with their degree, after graduation from GGU.
• The Tritasavit Accounting Scholarship is available to International students in the School of Accounting, with outstanding academic achievement with financial need. Students will describe how they would use their degree to help those in need.
• The Janice and Alvin Wilkins Scholarship is awarded to African American students with financial need. Describe how this scholarship will assist you in completing your degree at GGU.

A student’s SAP is measured in three ways:

1. Qualitatively – Cumulative Grade Point Average

• Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
• Graduate and doctoral students must maintain a minimum cumulative program GPA of 3.00.

2. Quantitatively – Completion Rate (Pace)

• Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum 67 percent completion rate for all units attempted toward their academic programs. Transfer units that count toward the degree program are included as both attempted and earned units in the pace calculation. In addition, they must achieve a minimum 67 percent completion rate for all GGU institutional units (not including transfer units) attempted toward their academic programs. This rate is equivalent to successfully completing two out of three courses attempted.
• Graduate students must achieve a minimum 75 percent completion rate for all units attempted toward their academic programs. This rate is equivalent to successfully completing three out of four courses attempted. Transfer units that count toward the degree program are included as both attempted and earned units in the pace calculation.

3. Maximum Attempted Units Allowed

Students must complete the requirements for their academic programs within 150 percent of the minimum units required to complete their academic programs. (For example, a student enrolled in a degree program that requires a minimum of 123 units may attempt up to 185 units to complete the program). Units attempted also include all units transferred into GGU from prior institutions that can be used to satisfy students’ academic program requirements. Students who have reached their maximum attempted units allowed are ineligible for additional financial aid. Students may appeal for financial aid probation status if they feel their circumstances warrant an exception to this standard.

When students repeat courses for which they failed to earn passing grades, or when students repeat courses to earn better grades, all course attempts are calculated in the students quantitative measure of progress (standard #2 above) and total units attempted toward their maximum units allowed (standard #3 above).

“I” (incomplete), “UW” (unofficial withdrawal), and “W” (withdrawal) grades award no academic credit and have no grade point value and are not used in the calculation of a students grade point average (GPA). “WF” (withdrawal failing) grades count the same as “F” grades in a student’s grade point average (GPA).

“CR” (credit) and “NC” (no credit) grades have no grade point value and are not used in the calculation of the students grade point average. However, “CR” (credit) grades do award academic credit, while “NC” (no credit) grades do not.

All courses with non-letter grades are included in the calculation of the quantitative measure of progress (standard #2 above) and in the maximum attempted units (standard #3 above).

If a student receives a grade of “I” (incomplete), the units are included in the SAP Status calculation as attempted units but not as earned units. Please refer to Grading Policies and Procedures for how grade changes are handled for incomplete grades. The grade of “I” (incomplete) has no effect on the student’s GPA.

If a student withdraws from a course after the “Last Day to Drop Course Without “W” Grade deadline per the Academic Calendar, the student will receive a “W” (withdrawal) grade for the course. The units for the course are included in the SAP Status calculation as attempted units but not as earned units. The grade of “W” (withdrawal) has no effect on the student’s GPA.

Refer to Grading Policies and Procedures for further information.

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress will be placed on financial aid warning status for one trimester following the trimester after which they did not meet the university’s SAP standards. Students must meet the SAP standards at the end of the warning trimester or they will become ineligible for additional financial aid. Students on financial aid warning status are eligible for financial aid for only one trimester. If a student has already been awarded aid for two trimesters at the time of the SAP evaluation, the student’s awards will be canceled and reprocessed for one trimester only.

Students who become ineligible for financial aid due to failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress at the end of a warning trimester or due to reaching the maximum units allowed for their academic program may file an appeal by completing the Financial Aid Appeal Form. To be eligible for financial aid probation status, it must be mathematically possible for students to achieve satisfactory academic progress by the end of the subsequent trimester. The calculation assumes enrollment in a maximum of 9 units.

Students should appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee and explain the reason for their failure to make SAP and what has changed that will allow them to make SAP at the end of the next enrolled trimester. Some possible reasons for appeal include: a death in the family, injury or illness, or other unusual or unexpected circumstances.

In support of the appeal, students should submit at least one professional reference letter on letterhead or other record (such as a death certificate) to document their changed circumstances. Students may obtain professional references from doctors, counselors, clergy, lawyers, school officials, therapists, social workers, etc. Students who experienced illness or injury should submit copies of medical records in support of their appeals. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review each appeal on its own merits and will send a response to each appeal via e-mail within 10-14 business days.

Students approved for financial aid probation status will be eligible for financial aid for one trimester only. At the end of the financial aid probation trimester students will be evaluated against all four SAP standards. Students who fail to meet the SAP standards at the end of a probation trimester become ineligible for additional aid. Students in this circumstance may see the section “How to Reestablish Financial Aid Eligibility” in this catalog for further information.

Students for whom it is mathematically impossible to achieve satisfactory academic progress at the end of the subsequent trimester by attempting 6 to 9 units and who would require two or three trimesters (maximum of 27 units) in order to achieve satisfactory academic progress may be eligible for probation status with an academic plan. Students may appeal for probation status with an academic plan as described above. If approved, students may receive financial aid for up to three trimesters (maximum of 27 units) in order to achieve the universitys SAP standards or graduate. All other financial aid program eligibility requirements, such as aggregate loan limits, continue to apply.

Students approved for probation with an academic plan must meet with their student services advisors and have their schedules approved prior to registration. Students will be allowed to register once their student services advisor notifies the Financial Aid Office of their approved academic plans. In addition to completing the approved courses, students must satisfy the following requirements each trimester while on an academic plan:

1. Qualitatively – Grade Point Average

• Undergraduate students must earn a minimum trimester GPA of 2.00; if the student is not required to repeat any courses, the academic plan may require the student to earn a higher trimester GPA in order to raise the students cumulative GPA.
• Graduate and doctoral students must earn a minimum trimester GPA of 3.00; if the student is not required to repeat any courses, the academic plan may require the student to earn a higher trimester GPA in order to raise the students cumulative GPA.

2. Quantitatively – Completion Rate

Students must achieve a one-hundred percent (100%) completion rate each trimester for all courses attempted in accordance with the students academic plan.

Students are evaluated at the end of each probationary trimester to determine whether they have met the requirements of the academic plan. Students who meet the requirements of the academic plan may continue on financial aid probation status for the next trimester. Students who fail to meet the requirements of the academic plan after any probationary trimester become ineligible for additional aid. Students in this circumstance may see the section How to Reestablish Financial Aid Eligibility in this catalog for further information.

Students may reestablish financial aid eligibility by enrolling at GGU and completing one or more trimesters of at least half-time status (usually six units per trimester for undergraduate students, and four units per trimester for graduate students) without federal or state financial aid and achieve the applicable cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rate standards.

A student who fails to meet the qualitative (GPA) and/or quantitative (completion rate) standards at the end of the fall semester will be placed on financial aid warning status for the spring semester. If the student fails to meet either of these two standards at the end of the spring semester, the student becomes ineligible for financial aid. If the student submits an appeal for probation and the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed one trimester on probation status. At the end of the probation trimester, if the student fails to meet either of these standards the student is again ineligible for financial aid. In order for the student to reestablish eligibility after a probation semester, the student must complete at least one trimester at GGU without the use of financial aid. Once the student has achieved each of these standards, the student is again eligible to receive financial aid, provided the student has not exceeded the maximum attempted units allowed standard.