Maximum Award Policy
A financial aid package cannot exceed the total cost of attendance for the designated academic term(s). The cost of attendance is calculated by Holy Cross College and includes both direct costs (tuition, fees, room, and meals) and indirect costs (books, transportation, and personal expenses).

Outside/private scholarships
If you receive an outside/private scholarship, please notify the Office of Financial Aid so that the award can be added to your financial aid notification. This includes:

• Private scholarships
• Veterans’ benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation benefits
• Fee reduction remission benefits

Receipt of any outside/private scholarships may result in adjustments to a financial aid notification if the resulting package exceeds cost of attendance or awards designated for tuition and fees only exceeds those direct costs.

Holy Cross scholarships
Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA standard in order to maintain eligibility for Holy Cross merit scholarships and Signature Scholarships. If GPA standards are not met, awards may be reduced or revoked.

Institutional Aid Policy
It is the policy of Holy Cross College that students enrolling in less than 12 credit hours will not be eligible for any Holy Cross institutional aid, merit nor need-based, for that academic term. Seniors in their final term may appeal against this policy by requesting a meeting with the Director of Financial Aid. If it is determined that all graduation requirements can be fulfill with less than full time enrollment in the final term, financial aid may still be awarded at a reduced amount, based on credits enrolled.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require colleges to establish and apply reasonable standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for the purpose of the receipt of financial assistance under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Read Holy Cross College’s SAP policy here.

Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Funds
Federal regulations require Title IV financial aid funds to be awarded under the assumption that a student will attend the institution for the entire period in which federal assistance was awarded.

When a student withdraws from all courses for any reason, including medical withdrawals, they may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that they were originally scheduled to receive. View Holy Cross College’s Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Funds Policy here.

Student rights and responsibilities
A student has the right to:

• All information submitted to the financial aid office will be treated as confidential as mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
• An explanation of your financial aid package.
• Accept or decline any financial aid offered.
• Know what portion of your financial aid package is aid that must be repaid and what portion is gift aid.
• Be notified of changes in financial aid status and eligibility.
• Know how Holy Cross determines your financial need. This process includes how costs for tuition and fees, books, and living expenses are considered in your budget.
• Allow parents/relatives to access financial aid information if an information disclosure release form is submitted.
• Access financial aid information at any time by logging in to your student portal account.

A student has the responsibility to:

• Respond to all requests from financial aid in a timely manner.
• Use financial aid funds for education-related expenses only.
• Report any outside scholarships/assistance you’ll be receiving to the financial aid office.
• Make sure all financial aid forms are completed accurately and returned in a timely manner.
• Repay student loans on time.
• Notify Holy Cross and your lender of changes in your name, address, or school status.
• Know and comply with deadlines for applying for financial aid, completing verification, completing the MPN and entrance counseling, and paying your balance.
• Know and comply with Holy Cross’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
• Read and understand all forms and agreements you sign.
• Know that changes in enrollment and housing can affect your financial aid package. Students should meet with the financial aid office before dropping classes or moving on or off campus.
• Act in a professional manner when speaking with any college faculty or staff member. Students who raise their voice, become angry, or threaten a Holy Cross employee may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand something about financial aid. The Holy Cross financial aid office will be happy to assist you!

Change in Circumstances

Your family’s financial situation can change quickly. Certain life events can drastically alter your ability to pay for school. Because Holy Cross College uses household information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine whether or not students are eligible for financial aid, we understand that those numbers might not reflect recent changes in your life.

The following may be considered a change in circumstance if not initially reflected on the FAFSA:

• Significant loss of income due to termination or change in employment
• Loss of child support
• Non-reimbursed medical and dental expenses
• Separation or divorce
• Death of a wage earner
• One-time/non-recurring income
• Tuition expenses for private elementary/secondary school

If any of these circumstances pertain to your family, you may request a review of your financial aid eligibility by completing the Change in Circumstances review process.

The Office of Financial Aid, using professional judgment as allowed by the Department of Education, will evaluate your circumstances and determine if an administrative adjustment to your FAFSA is warranted. Submission of these documents does not guarantee an adjustment or increase to your financial assistance.

Change in Circumstances Review Process – 2024-2025 Academic Year

1. Contact financial aid by emailing [email protected] or calling 574-239-8308 to inform us of your intent to request a professional judgement review. If deemed necessary, the College might request the student to complete verification before proceeding with a Change in Circumstance review.
2. Complete the Change in Circumstances worksheet
3. Submit signed worksheets and supporting documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. It is preferred that all documents are submitted together via one email to [email protected]. After we’ve received your forms, we will reply letting you know if we have all necessary information or if additional documentation is needed.
4. The Office of Financial Aid will review your case and inform you of the results. Review could take several weeks during busier periods.
   
   If you are sending documents to us with Personally Identifiable Information (i.e., Social Security Number, Driver’s License or State ID Number, Alien Registration Number, Date of Birth), we suggest that you take several steps to secure your data. Social Security Numbers should be redacted/blackened out and the message you are sending should be encrypted.