Student Rights and Responsibilities

As a current or prospective Ohio Christian University student, you have many rights and responsibilities. This list is not exhaustive, but highlights some of the key rights, responsibilities, and disclosures relevant to current policies and procedures. For comprehensive information regarding all university forms, policies, procedures, and programs, please visit ohiochristian.edu.

Student's Rights

You have the right to privacy (FERPA). All records and information submitted with your application for financial aid are confidential and subject to legal requirements concerning disclosure of such information. More information regarding FERPA and the privacy and release of student information can be found by visiting FERPA.
You have the right to know the costs. This includes costs for tuition and fees, room and board, as well as the estimates for books and supplies, travel, and personal and miscellaneous expenses used in determining your financial aid cost of attendance. Visit the following links according to student type: Residential Undergraduate students; Adult and Graduate Studies students. OCU’s Net Price Calculator is another resource to provide the costs and estimated financial aid.
You have the right to know what financial aid programs are available to you, including all federal, state and university financial aid programs, including the procedures and forms necessary to apply, student eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and for determining the amount of a student’s award for these programs.
You have the right to certain student consumer information. Federal regulations require that institutions provide specific consumer information about the school and about financial aid to enrolled and prospective students. Visit the consumer information webpage to view the required disclosures.
You have the right to know how to apply for financial aid. Visit our Residential Undergraduate student financial aid resources or our Adult and Graduate Studies financial aid resources.
Official notification will be sent to you (also to parents for PLUS loans) when loan funds have been credited to your university account. You have the right to cancel all or part of your federal loan disbursement. Submit a request to Financial Aid within 14 days from the date you receive official notification that loan funds have been credited to your student account.
You have a right to know the academic standards you must maintain in order to have continued financial aid eligibility, commonly known as Satisfactory Academic Progress. Visit Satisfactory Academic Progress to learn more.
You have the right to know all Federal Direct Loan information will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), a secure, comprehensive federal student aid database maintained by the Department of Education. This site will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of this system. We encourage you to log into NSLDS, here, regularly to check that the information reported to this database is correct. This information is also provided in a loan disclosure that is sent upon disbursement of your direct loans.

Student's Responsibilities

It is your responsibility to obtain and complete any necessary financial aid application forms and submit them in a timely manner. You must read and understand all forms you are asked to sign and keep a copy of each. If you have questions, please contact the OCU Financial Aid Office by calling: 1 (740) 420-5944 or emailing: finaid@ohiochristian.edu
It is your responsibility to provide complete and correct information. You (and your parent or spouse, where appropriate) must confirm the accuracy of the information you provide. Information found to be incorrect may serve as the basis for increase, decrease or cancellation of aid. Information found to be knowingly falsified may result in disciplinary action or referral to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.
It is your responsibility to report any additional financial aid. You must report to us any additional financial aid (scholarships, grants and loans, and other educational or tuition assistance).
It is your responsibility to pay any past due balances. Students must pay tuition, all fees and prior term balances in accordance with their selected payment plan.
It is your responsibility to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and standards of Ohio Christian University in order to maintain financial aid eligibility.
It is your responsibility to repay all loans according to your repayment schedule. You are not eligible for federal financial aid if you are in default on any federal loans for attendance at any institution. Federal loans include National Direct or National Defense Student Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Health Professions Student Loan, Nursing Student Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Graduate PLUS Loan and Federal Parent PLUS Loan. Loan Repayment Estimator
It is your responsibility to complete and return all required promissory notes and acceptance forms.
It is your responsibility to regularly check your Ohio Christian University email for important action items.
General conditions and terms applicable to employment that is a part of a student’s financial assistance can be found by visiting: Work Study
Students who receive Direct Loans must complete Loan Exit Counseling. Students can complete the exit counseling requirement by using their FSA ID to log into their student loan account.

Aid Type	File FAFSA Each Year	Need Based
Pell Grant	X	X
Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant	X	X
Federal Work Study	X	X
Institutional Work Study
TEACH Grant	X
Ohio College Opportunity Grant	X	X
Subsidized Federal Direct Loan	X	X
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan	X
Private Student Loan
Federal PLUS Loan	X

Summary of major financial aid programs:

Program	Description	Eligibility	Terms	How to apply
Federal Pell Grant	Federally funded Gift aid	Need-based; determined by EFC Undergraduate students working toward their first bach elor's degree Undergraduate students who have not yet received 12 full semesters of Pell Grant eligibility	Award is based on full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours per semester). If taking less than 12 hours, the awarded amount will prorate per program regulations. (12+ hours= full- time award, 9-11 hours = three-quarter-time award, 6-8 hours= half-time award, less than 6 hours=less than half-time award) This grant is exhausted after 12 semesters (or 6 years)	Submit FAFSA
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)	Federally funded Gift aid	Need-based; limited funding Undergraduate students working toward their first bachelor's degree Three-quarter-time enrollment (at least 9 credit hours per semester), except during the semester a student is graduating if proper documentation is submitted	Award amounts vary based on available funding. The amount of FSEOG, in combination with other need-based financial aid, cannot exceed financial need	Submit FAFSA
TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education)	Federally funded Gift aid that reverts to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan if service requirements are not satisfied	Non-need-based Undergraduate or graduate in a degree seeking program Enrollment in course work to teach in high-need field (bilingual education and English language acquisition; foreign language; mathematics; reading specialist; science; special education) and serves students from low-income families 3.25 cumulative GPA Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and complete counseling each year this grant is awarded.	$3,752 each year if enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours per semester). Like Federal Pell Grant, the TEACH Grant will prorate for enrollment less than full time Must agree to teach in a high-need field serving low-income students Must teach for 4 full years within 8 years of receiving the grant TEACH Grant reverts to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (with interest from the date the grant was disbursed) if recipient does not complete service obligation TEACH Grant, in combination with other financial aid, cannot exceed the recipient's Cost of Attendance	Submit FAFSA Sign TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve

State of Ohio Grants

Program	Description	Eligibility	Terms	How to apply
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)	Ohio funded Gift aid	EFC max of 2190 Total income <$96,000 Must meet the Oct. 1 FAFSA deadline Must be in a degree-seeking program Must be Ohio resident	Students are limited to 10 semesters Your award may change if your FAFSA information changes as a result of verification You are no longer eligible for OCOG once you have earned your first bachelor's degree	Submit FAFSA by FAFSA deadline (Oct. 1)

Federal Work-Study

Program	Description	Eligibility	Terms	How to apply
Federal Work-Study	Award is funded partially by federal funds and can be partially funded by the Ohio Christian University employing department Award is earned as wages, through bi-monthly paycheck, for work performed for eligible on- and off-campus employers No repayment	Need-based Must be a full-time student Must be a Traditional Undergraduate student Maximum of 20 hours a week during the term You cannot work more than 40 hours per pay period unless school is on break You cannot work during scheduled class times Submit the FAFSA before the priority date Must indicate interest on FAFSA	Award amounts vary based on available funding Locate and interview for jobs by reviewing job listing on Ohio Christian University career services web site Default Work-Study pay is 100% of pay goes directly to student Work-Study wages can be put on account by completing a form in the Financial Aid office identifying what percentage of work-study student would like to apply to account The amount of FWS, in combination with other need-based financial aid, cannot exceed demonstrated financial aid need Student can obtain more than one FWS position provided they still follow maximum hourly allowance.	Submit FAFSA Submit resume and complete application

Federal Loans

Program	Description	Eligibility	Terms	How to apply
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan	Federally funded Must begin repayment 6 months after graduation, withdrawal, or enrollment status changing to less than half-time Fees Students can start payments while enrolled without penalty	Need-based Enrolled at least half time (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, must be enrolled at least 6 credit hours per semester. Enrolled in a program that leads to a degree or certificate Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens Must be SAP eligible	Repayment is deferred and interest does not accrue while student is enrolled at least half time Fees Undergraduate students scheduled to graduate after fall semester will have their loan eligibility prorated, per program regulations, according to the number of credit hours enrolled Award amounts vary, based on cumulative hours earned (grade level) First-time borrowers must complete online Loan Entrance Counseling and Loan Agreement The amount of Direct Subsidized Loan, in combination with other need-based financial aid, cannot exceed demonstrated financial aid need	Submit FAFSA
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan	Federally funded Must begin repayment 6 months after graduation, withdrawal, or enrollment status changing to less than half-time Interest rates Students can start payments while enrolled without penalty Interest starts accruing after first disbursement	Non-need-based Enrolled at least half time (Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, enrolled 6 credit hours per semester; graduate students must be enrolled 4 credit hours per semester. Cannot exceed the educational cost of attendance minus other financial aid Undergraduate, graduate and professional students can be considered for this loan up to the amount of the students' annual borrowing limit Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens Must be SAP eligible	Interest begins accruing on date of loan disbursement; may be paid periodically or capitalized Fees Repayment of principal deferred while enrolled at least half time Undergraduate students scheduled to graduate after fall semester will have their loan eligibility prorated, per program regulations, according to the number of credit hours enrolled Award amounts vary, based on cumulative hours earned (grade level) First-time borrowers must complete online Loan Entrance Counseling and Loan Agreement The amount of Direct Subsidized Loan, in combination with other need-based financial aid, cannot exceed demonstrated financial aid need	Submit FAFSA
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan and Grad PLUS Loan	Federally funded Must be repaid Interest rates are federally regulated and set annually	Non-need-based Loan amounts vary, based on borrower's request Parent PLUS Loan borrower is the parent of an undergraduate dependent student; Grad PLUS Loan borrower is a graduate Enrolled at least half time (undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, must be enrolled 6 credit hours per semester; graduate students must be enrolled 4 credit hours per semester. Borrower must meet creditworthiness standards as set forth by Federal Direct Lending	This loan will be included on your award notification only if a separate application is submitted Fees In order to apply the student must file a FAFSA and receive an award letter PLUS repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed. Grad PLUS borrowers qualify for "in school" deferment while enrolled at least half-time First-time Grad PLUS or Parent PLUS borrowers must complete the online Loan Agreement First-time Grad PLUS Loan borrowers, and any borrower who previously completed the entrance counseling prior to July 1, 2011, must complete the online Loan Entrance Counseling The amount of loan, in combination with other financial aid, cannot exceed the recipient's Cost of Attendance	Submit FAFSA Submit separate PLUS loan application online

Private Student Loans

Program	Description	Eligibility	Terms	How to apply
Private Student Loans	Privately funded Must begin repayment 6 months after graduation, withdrawal, or enrollment status changing to less than half-time Interest rate contingent on applicant’s and/or co-signer’s credit. Students can start payments while enrolled without penalty	Have good credit or have a qualified co-signer Enrolled at least half-time in a program that leads to a degree or certificate Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens	Borrowers must complete a self-certification form. The amount of loan, in combination with other financial aid, cannot exceed the recipient's Cost of Attendance Borrower may release co-signer after a specified timeframe (usually 24-36 months) if on-time payments of principal and interest are made. Standard repayment of loan is typically 10 years. Many private student loan lenders offer fixed and variable interest rate loan options.	Submit online application

OCU Residential Undergraduate Aid

For Residential Undergraduate students

Click here for details

OCU College of Adult and Graduate Studies Aid

For College of Adult and Graduate Studies Students