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Policies and Procedures

Aid you receive from federal or state sources and from Holy Cross might have specific eligibility and renewal requirements and policies we must follow.

Maximum Award Policy

A financial aid package cannot exceed the total cost of attendance for the designated academic term(s).

External or Private Scholarships

If you receive an external or private scholarship, please notify the Office of Financial Aid so the award can be added to your financial aid package. This includes:

  • Private Scholarships
  • Veterans’ Benefits
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
  • Fee Reduction Remission Benefits

Receipt of any external or private scholarships may result in adjustments to a financial aid package if the updated 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 merit-based awards 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 not 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 fulfilled 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.

Change in Circumstance

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 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 – 2025-2026 Academic Year

  1. Contact the Office of 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 the 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 takes a minimum of two weeks to process.

Rights and Responsibilities of Students Receiving Federal Aid

Students have certain rights and responsibilities that we take very seriously. Learn about them and become an educated consumer.

You have the right to:

  • privacy; all information submitted to the Office of Financial Aid will be treated as confidential as mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
  • an explanation of the student’s financial aid eligibility.
  • accept or decline any financial aid offered.
  • appeal any financial aid decision to the Director of Financial Aid.
  • be notified of changes in financial aid status and eligibility.
  • understand how Holy Cross determines your financial need.
  • examine records maintained by our office which relate to the student’s financial aid file.
  • allow parents/guardians access to 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.

You have a responsibility to:

  • respond to requests from the Office of Financial Aid in a timely manner.
  • use financial aid funds for education-related expenses only.
  • report any external scholarships or assistance you’ll be receiving to the Office of Financial Aid.
  • ensure all financial aid forms are completed accurately and returned in a timely manner.
  • repay student loans.
  • 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.
  • read and understand all forms and agreements your sign.
  • report changes in academic or residential status of the Office of Financial Aid. This can affect your financial aid package.
  • reapply for financial aid each year.
  • ask questions if you don’t understand something about financial aid.

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.