Undergraduate Tuition and Financial Aid

Costs

Tuition, Fees and Other Charges for the 2010-2011 Academic Year

Refer to Tuition and Fees at www.hood.edu for future pricing information.
All fees listed are per semester.

Payment of tuition, fees and other charges is due generally one week before the start of the fall and spring semesters and by the first day of class for the summer terms. Students registering after the deadline must make payment at the time of registration. Students may pay their tuition using the Monthly Payment Plan. Information on this option can be found at www.hood.edu or by calling the Accounting Office at (301) 696-3609.

Withdrawal from the College and Refund Policy

Fall and Spring Semesters

Students who withdraw from Hood will have their fall and spring semester charges adjusted according to the schedule below:

(See the current College calendar for the actual dates.)  

There are no refunds of the room fee after the first day of classes. There are no refunds of tuition after the end of the drop-add period. Refunds of the board fee are continued on a pro rata weekly basis throughout the semester. There are no refunds of any fees (comprehensive, academic records, course audit, student teaching, parking or student health insurance) once the semester has begun. This refund policy applies to students who withdraw from the College and to those who take a leave-of-absence during the semester.

Withdrawal refunds are determined by the effective date noted on the Change of Status or Leave of Absence Form filed with the Registrar’s Office for undergraduate students and the written withdrawal files with the Graduate Office for graduate students.

The Office of Financial Aid is required to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw. Up through 60 percent of the semester, a pro rata schedule is used to determine how much federal aid a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. The portion of unearned aid must be returned to the federal programs. When unearned aid is returned, a student may owe the College additional funds.

Summer Terms

The Need-based Financial Aid System

For students whose personal and family resources are insufficient to meet their total educational expenses, Hood administers both need-based and non-need-based financial aid and offers personalized assistance in obtaining other educational resources from outside sources.

Hood College determines the type and amount of aid students may receive by evaluating the student’s financial need and availability of funds. Eligible students receive awards on a first-come, first-served basis.

Financial Need

To determine a student’s financial need, the student must complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Need for financial aid is determined by the following calculation:

Cost of Attendance (COA) Less Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Equals Financial Need 

To determine the EFC, the calculation formula used is the Federal Need Analysis set by the U.S. Department of Education. Factors that are taken into consideration include: family size, number of students in college, income and assets of both the student and parents and the age of the oldest parent.

Complete the FAFSA fully and carefully to avoid delays in processing. FAFSA forms should be submitted online no later than February 15 to receive full consideration for all types of need-based aid. For Hood College to receive FAFSA results, list Hood’s school code, 002076, on the application.

Financial Aid Package

After financial need is determined, the Office of Financial Aid can begin to put together a financial aid “package.” Each student’s financial situation is different, so each financial aid package is unique. A financial aid package will include one or more types of financial aid. The most common types of financial aid include: scholarships, grants, loans and work-study.

All need-based financial aid awards are made in accordance with three criteria: enrollment in a degree-granting program at Hood College, demonstrated financial need and the student’s ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress. For many of the need-based financial aid programs, students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester. In addition, for a student to be eligible for any federal financial aid, the student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States; have a high school diploma or equivalent; not be in default on a Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan; and be registered with Selective Service (if required).

Students who qualify for financial aid are notified in the form of a financial aid award letter.

This award letter is sent to admitted students in the spring prior to the academic year for which financial assistance is sought. Continuing students will receive their award letters beginning in April prior to the fall semester upon receipt of their renewal application for financial aid and any other required documents.

All financial aid forms are located on the web at: www.hood.edu 

Financial Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grants —Awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Prorated awards may be made to eligible part-time students. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) —Awarded to undergraduate students with the greatest demonstrated financial need. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.

Hood Grants —Awarded to full-time undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. Funding is limited. Students must be pursuing their first baccalaureate degree upon initial enrollment.

Federal Perkins Loans —Loans for undergraduate students demonstrating financial need are made at 5 percent simple interest. No interest accrues while in school and repayment does not begin until nine months after the recipient leaves Hood College. Loans are dependent upon financial need.

Federal Work Study Program —This federally-funded need-based employment program enables eligible undergraduate students to earn money for miscellaneous expenses while gaining practical experience in on- and off-campus jobs.

Campus Employment —Awarded to students who are not eligible for federal work-study. Funded and administered by Hood College. Limited number of positions are available.

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan —A need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate and graduate students. The interest rate is fixed. No interest accrues and generally no payments are due while a student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Repayment generally begins six months after leaving Hood College.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan —A non-need-based student loan program offered to undergraduate and graduate students. The interest rate is fixed. The six-month deferment applies only to repayment on the principal. Interest accrues when the loan is disbursed. Students are mailed quarterly interest statements at which time they may elect to pay the interest.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan —Parents may borrow up to the cost of education, minus any financial aid received, for each dependent undergraduate student. The interest rate is fixed. Repayment on principle and interest begins when the loan is disbursed, however deferment options are available.

Maryland State Scholarship Program —The Maryland Higher Education Commission offers several need-based scholarships and grants for Maryland residents. The scholarships and grants most frequently awarded to Hood students include, but are not limited to, the Educational Assistance Grant, the Guaranteed Access Grant, Senatorial Scholarship and Delegate Scholar- ship. In order to be considered for a Maryland State Scholarship, a student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1. Some state scholarships may have additional application requirements. Please check with the Maryland Higher Education Commission-Student Financial Assistance at (800) 974-0203 or www.mhec.state.md.us 

Veterans’ Educational Benefits —Hood College serves as a liaison/informational resource to veterans by providing Veterans Administration forms and certifying eligibility status, and is a Yellow Ribbon-participating institution. To initiate or continue benefits, veterans must contact the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of each semester and comply with the policies and procedures established by the registrar and the Veterans Administration. Information and application forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office located in the Joseph Henry Apple Academic Resource Center. All students, including veterans, are required to pay the usual fees to the College at the time of registration.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid (SAP)

Students are expected to maintain a record of academic achievement that will enable them to graduate in a reasonable time period. Undergraduate students receiving financial aid at Hood College of any type (federal, state, institutional and/or outside scholarships/grants) must demonstrate both qualitatively and quantitatively the ability to do satisfactory academic work and to progress measurably toward a degree. This is in addition to any renewal criteria required for specific state, institutional or other outside awards.

Federal regulations require the Financial Aid office to monitor students’ (undergraduate and graduate) academic progress at the end of each academic year. This is to ensure that students receiving funds are successfully progressing through their program of study. At the end of the spring semester of each academic year, the Financial Aid Office evaluates the academic progress of each student receiving financial aid according to the standards set forth below by the College. This evaluation determines a student’s eligibility to receive financial assistance in the next academic year. In addition, at the end of both the fall and spring semesters, the registrar reviews the qualitative academic progress of all degree-seeking students to determine the eligibility for continued enrollment at Hood College.

Student’s academic progress is measured using minimum cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.) and a maximum timeframe standard that measures the percentage of credit hours earned which is at least 67% of credit hours attempted. To determine the percentage, the number of credits earned is divided by the number of credits attempted. For example, a student attempts 18 credit hours for the semester; in order to meet SAP requirements, he/she must earn at least 12 credit hours (12 divided by 18).

Students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward degree completion for financial aid purposes by adhering to the following standards in the following evaluation periods which is at the end of the spring semester of each academic year:

The maximum time frame in which a student is expected to complete his or her degree is 150 percent of the published length of the program measured in academic credits. Students will become ineligible for any type of financial aid after attempting 186 credits. For an undergraduate program, the time frame cannot exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program measured in credit hours attempted. For example, the published length of an undergraduate academic program is 124 credi186 (124 ×1.5) attempted credit hours.

Additional Degree/Dual Degree

The maximum time frame in which a student is expected to complete their degree is 150 percent of the published length of the program measured in academic credits for a student pursuing an additional degree or enrolled in a dual degree program.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits and/or credits for prior learning given at the time of enrollment will be counted in the total number of credits attempted. During the course of enrollment, a student may transfer credits earned at outside institutions, however, the credits will apply only for meeting the maximum timeframe standard.

Treatment of W, INC, AU, F, S and U Grades and Repeated Coursework

• Course withdrawals (W) after the drop/add period are not included in the G.P.A. calculation, but are considered a noncompletion of attempted coursework.
• Incomplete (INC) grades are not included in the G.P.A. calculation but are considered a noncompletion of attempted coursework until the incomplete grade is replaced with a permanent grade and academic progress can be reevaluated.
• An audit (AU) grade is not considered attempted coursework. It is not included in the G.P.A. calculation or completion rate determination.
• A satisfactory (S) grade is treated as attempted credits earned, but it is not included in the G.P.A. calculation.
• An unsatisfactory (U) grade is treated as attempted credits that are not earned, but it is not included in the G.P.A. calculation.
• A failing grade (F) is treated as attempted credits not earned; it will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A. and the minimum completion rate.
• All grades earned for a repeated course will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A. and every repeated attempt will be included in the completion rate determination.

Financial Aid Probation

Students are placed on financial aid probation if they do not meet one or both of the SAP standards. Students placed in this status may continue to receive financial aid but are expected to improve their academic standing (CGPA) and/or maximum timeframe progress so that the standards of SAP are met by the end of the next evaluation period, which is the end of the spring semester of each academic year.

Financial Aid Suspension

If at the end of the probationary period the student still does not meet the standards set forth in this policy, eligibility to receive financial aid of any type will be suspended. Students who fail to meet the maximum timeframe toward completion of their degree within 186 attempted credits will have their financial aid canceled.

Reinstatement of Aid after Financial Suspension

Reinstatement of financial aid after a student is placed on suspension is achieved as follows:

• The student submits a written letter of appeal in accordance with the appeals process and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee grants the appeal. The student is placed on financial aid probation for the semester rather than on suspension; or
• The student attends Hood College during the suspension semester, pays for tuition and fees without the help of student aid and does well enough in the coursework to satisfy all the satisfactory academic progress standards. The student must notify the Office of Financial Aid if they are planning to attend Hood College without the assistance of financial aid; or
• The student may attend summer school to eliminate the deficiency in credits or G.P.A. The student must notify the Office of Financial Aid if they are planning to take classes during the summer to eliminate the deficiency. Students cannot take classes at another institution to resolve a G.P.A deficiency. Classes must be taken at Hood College.

A student whose eligibility has been suspended may regain eligibility at the end of any term after which they meet the above criteria.

Students who have been placed on suspension cannot skip a semester and regain eligibility. No financial aid will be disbursed during subsequent semesters for students on suspension.

Appeals Process

Appeals of financial aid suspension must be made in writing to the director of financial aid by the date specified in the suspension notification letter.

The appeal letter must address the extenuating circumstance(s) why satisfactory academic progress was not made, why the extenuating circumstance(s) has changed, as well as an outlined plan of corrective action for future academic success. Extenuating circumstances can include, but is not limited to, illness or injury; death of a family member; family difficulties; interpersonal problems with friends, roommate, significant others; difficulty balancing work, athletics, family responsibility; or financial difficulties.

The director of financial aid will review the appeal and notify the student in writing within 10 working days whether the appeal has been accepted or denied. If the appeal has been accepted, the letter to the student will detail the academic plan of corrective action as well as require the approval of the student’s academic adviser. All decisions made by the director of financial aid are final and will not be subject to further review.

Merit Scholarships

Hood College has developed an extensive merit scholarship program that recognizes outstanding achievement and/or demonstrated talent and accomplishment in leadership, research, community service or writing. Students admitted to Hood are considered for merit scholarships at the time of admission. Some scholarships, however, are awarded through an interview process involving our Faculty Scholarship Committee.

Each year, Hood College awards more than $5 million in merit-based scholarships. Merit- based scholarships range from $2,000 to full-tuition.

From time to time, an individual student-applicant may qualify for consideration in more than one scholarship category. In such a case, the highest scholarship amount will take precedence in Hood’s awarding process. All are limited up to eight semesters.

Students are notified of yearly renewal criteria, including minimum grade point average, upon receipt of their financial aid award letter.

• Hodson Trust Academic Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time first-year students who have the highest academic profiles and have shown leadership in school and community activities. A separate application and interview are required.
• Hodson-Gilliam Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time first-year students from ethnic backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Applicants must have demonstrated high academic achievement. A separate application and interview are required.
• Presidential Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time first-year students with exceptional academic and extracurricular leadership.
• Washington Metropolitan Scholars Award—awarded to outstanding Project Excellence students who are admitted and enroll at Hood as a full-time student.
• Trustee Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time first-year students with demonstrated academic ability and leadership in school and community activities.
• Dean’s Scholarship—awarded to incoming first-year students with strong records of academic performance and extracurricular involvement. These students show the potential to contribute to classroom activities and the Hood College community.
• Achievement Award—awarded to incoming full-time first-year students with demonstrated financial need who have the potential to succeed academically and have demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service and/or demonstrated talent.
• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members and have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree. Must be a Phi Theta Kappa member at the time of admission.
• Hood Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time transfer students who have demonstrated academic achievement.
• Hood Heritage Scholarship—awarded to full-time, first year, traditional-age, undergraduate students who are children or grandchildren of a Hood alumna or alumnus. The scholar- ship is limited to the student’s first year of enrollment.
• Legacy Scholarship—awarded to full-time, first year and first time transfer students whose parents earned a graduate degree from Hood College. The scholarship is limited to the student’s first year of enrollment.
• Alumnae Scholarship—awarded to incoming full-time first-year students or transfer students who are referred to admission by a Hood College alumnae or alumni.

Scholarships and Awards

Endowed scholarships, annual scholarships, prizes and awards are awarded according to the criteria of each scholarship, prize and award.

Reduced Tuition Opportunities

Hood offers several opportunities for reduced tuition, including programs for older citizens and Hood alumnae and alumni

Encore Program

The Encore Program enables Hood alumnae and alumni who hold a B.A. or B.S. from Hood to take undergraduate courses at one-half tuition.

Family Tuition Plan

The Family Tuition Plan enables two or more members of the same family to pay reduced tuition costs. For these purposes, a family is defined as mother, father and dependent children. Under the Family Tuition Plan, one member of the family enrolls as a full-time undergraduate student and pays full-time undergraduate tuition. Other family members enrolling at the Col- lege will receive a 25 percent reduction in tuition, graduate and undergraduate, whether they are full-time students or part-time students.

All students admitted under the Family Tuition Plan must meet the regular admission stan- dards of the College, as appropriate. The Family Tuition Plan applies to tuition only and does not apply to board or other fees. As long as one member of the family is paying full undergrad- uate tuition, the Family Tuition Plan is in effect. The Plan is also applicable to the Summer Session if one member of the family is enrolled for at least 6 credits of undergraduate study.

Renewal Not Retirement

Hood’s Renewal Not Retirement (RNR) program offers persons 60 years of age or older the opportunity to audit undergraduate courses. Studio and lab courses, practicums and self-direct- ed study courses are not available for audit.