Financial Aid

The University offers an extensive financial assistance program to ensure that a highly qualified and diverse population is able to matriculate and continue to graduation. The assistance programs take two major forms: merit-based scholarships and need-based financial aid.

Merit-Based Scholarships (Non-Need-Based Awards)

The University awards a number of scholarships to students who have demonstrated outstanding academic or athletic ability, as well as to students who have exemplary records in community service and leadership.  Students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the point of admission; a separate application is not required.

Need-Based Financial Aid

More than 70% of students at Dominican receive some form of scholarship, grant, loan, or work opportunity to help make educational costs manageable.  All eligible students–both candidates for admission and continuing students–are encouraged to apply for need-based financial aid.  Need-based aid requires completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The types of need-based financial aid are listed below:

• Grants and scholarships are forms of assistance that recipients do not repay.
• Low-interest federal loans give students the opportunity to defer a portion of their educational costs by borrowing funds that generally do not come due for repayment until the recipient graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time status.
• Subsidized work programs enable students to earn a portion of their educational costs and gain valuable on-the-job experience during the academic year.

These types of aid derive from a variety of sources that fall into four general categories:

1. Federal funds are awarded to US citizens and permanent residents who demonstrate financial need, meet specific enrollment criteria, and maintain satisfactory progress (discussed below). The University participates in several need-based federal Title IV programs: Pell and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants for undergraduate students; Perkins and Stafford Loans; and Federal Work-Study. Federal programs are authorized annually and depend on appropriations by Congress; thus the amounts and terms of each type of federal aid may be subject to revision. Effective July 1, 2006, the University will also participate in two new federal grant programs, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and SMART Grant.
   
2. State funds include grant assistance from the Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B programs for undergraduate students.  Recipients of these grant funds must be legal residents of California. Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B are awarded to needy and meritorious undergraduate students. Students from other states are strongly encouraged to explore their eligibility for grants that may be brought to California to pay for costs at Dominican.
3. Dominican awards include scholarships and grants, including funds donated to the University by generous alumni and friends.   The amounts and types of Dominican aid awarded to a student depend both on financial need and the extent to which he/she is fulfilling his/her academic promise. The University’s named scholarship funds are listed at the end of the Financial Aid section.
4. Many students qualify for specialized scholarships or grants from outside agencies. Some sources to explore are employers, unions, professional organizations, and community and special interest groups. For instance, many Dominican undergraduates and graduate students who are legal residents of Marin County receive renewable stipends from the Marin Education Fund.  Students from Marin County are strongly encouraged to apply for the Marin Education Fund grant.  More information is available at www.marineducationfund.org.  In addition, a free scholarship search is available at www.finaid.org.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Dominican Financial Aid Application by the priority deadline of March 2 each year.  Students and the parents of dependent students may be required to submit additional supporting documentation (such as copies of prior year federal tax forms) if requested by the Financial Aid Office.  The priority deadline for students entering in the spring semester is October 15 of each year. Applications will still be accepted and considered after the priority deadline dates and students will be considered for available funding at the time their application is completed. The Financial Aid Office strongly encourages students to complete their applications by the priority deadlines, in order to ensure maximum consideration for federal, state, and University sources of funding.

For the fastest and most accurate results, you should apply electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Dominican’s financial aid forms can be found at www.dominican.edu.

Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress

The policy for Satisfactory Academic Progress requires all recipients of assistance, need-based and merit-based, to conform to basic standards. The standards are uniformly applied to all students, according to degree type, who accept any type of financial aid the University administers.

These standards have three principal components:

1. Grade point average.
2. Number of units earned per semester.
3. Maximum time limits.

To maintain eligibility for federal and state sources of funding, an undergraduate student must achieve at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) for each semester. Graduate and credential students must achieve a 3.0 GPA or its equivalent for each semester. 

Students must also progress at a normal pace toward successful completion of their degree program. Progress toward a degree at a normal pace means that a student must earn a specified number of units each semester, depending on enrollment status:  full-time undergraduates must successfully complete at least 12 units per semester; full-time graduate and credential students must successfully complete at least 9 units per semester; and part-time students must successfully complete at least 75% of units attempted each semester. 

In addition, maximum time limits apply; a student may not receive aid for more than 150% of the normal time frame required to complete their degree at Dominican. For undergraduates entering with freshman standing, that is a maximum of 12 full-time semesters. For most graduates, that is a maximum of 6 full-time semesters. Students attending part-time will have their maximum time limit adjusted based on part-time enrollment. Likewise, students entering the University with advanced standing will have their maximum time limit adjusted based on the grade level at which they enter Dominican.

For financial aid purposes, undergraduate students are considered full-time if enrolled in 12 or more units per semester. Undergraduates are considered three-quarter time if enrolled in 9-11 units per semester, and considered half-time if enrolled in 6-8 units per semester. Graduate students are considered full-time if enrolled in 9 or more units per semester. The measure of satisfactory progress for aid purposes is separate from the University’s determination of academic standing.

A student who fails to meet the required federal satisfactory progress standards may be able to receive continuation of aid for one semester on a financial aid probationary basis, provided the student is otherwise in good standing with the University. The determination of financial aid probation is made by the Financial Aid Office, and is a one-time grace period for a student to be able to bring his or her academic standing up to the required levels. A student denied financial aid probation, or one who fails to meet the grade point and earned units requirements for the semester in which the student is on financial aid probation, is not eligible for any form of federal, state, or University assistance until satisfactory progress is met. A student denied aid for failure to meet satisfactory progress has the right to appeal that decision, documenting extenuating circumstances, to the Director of Financial Aid.

To maintain aid eligibility for University sources of funding, students must be full-time and meet the specific renewal requirements of the scholarship program award. GPA requirements for University sources of funding are generally higher than the federal GPA requirements. Students who do not meet the renewal criteria for University assistance may receive reduced aid in some circumstances, or may lose eligibility for the award, until the student meets the renewal criteria.

Students who believe they might be falling behind are urged to seek counseling from the  Financial Aid Office and their academic advisors so that every effort can be made to ensure continued financial aid eligibility and timely graduation.

Veteran’s Benefits

The University’s courses are approved for veterans. According to VA requirements, students must be enrolled for the number of units indicated to qualify for the following categories.

Information concerning the University’s procedures for certifying veteran enrollment may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office. Eligible persons should contact the Registrar’s Office at the time of registration to ensure timely processing. Processing takes place only after official registration.

Financing Alternatives

There are some alternatives for students who do not qualify for the types of assistance discussed above or who cannot make the full contribution that is expected of the family that qualifies for some need-based aid.

The federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) program enables parents to borrow up to the cost of attendance per year for each dependent child enrolled in college. Interest accrues and repayment begins within 60 days after full disbursement. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5%. Beginning in July 2006, this program is also available for students enrolled in a master’s degree program.

Independent students may borrow on their own behalf under the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan program. Repayment of interest and principle on these loans can be deferred until after graduation.

Private educational loans have become a popular option for some students and their families.  Generally, undergraduate students need a credit-worthy co-signer for private educational loan approval.  The Financial Aid Office maintains a list of private lenders whose rates and loan repayment options are favorable for Dominican students.   

Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on PLUS, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, or private educational loans.

Renewal of Financial Aid

Financial aid is awarded for one academic year at a time and does not automatically roll over to the next academic year. Students and parents should be aware that they must reapply for financial aid each academic year.

The preferred renewal process is to complete the Renewal FAFSA on the Web. Students may use their PIN as early as January 1 to access the Renewal FAFSA on the Web. Remember, the priority deadline is March 2 of each year.  If you do not receive a PIN in the mail, you may apply for it on the FAFSA Web site (www.fafsa.ed.gov).