Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Aid

Financial aid at Doane University includes scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment opportunities designed to help students meet the cost of attendance. Eligibility for financial aid is determined based on academic qualifications, financial need, and applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Students seeking need-based financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA is available at studentaid.gov, and Doane University’s federal school code is 002544. The financial aid award year begins with the fall semester and continues through the following summer term.

Students who wish to apply for financial aid should:

• Complete the Doane University application for admission
• Be officially admitted to the university
• Submit the FAFSA each award year
• Meet with a member of the Financial Aid Office to review the student’s financial aid award, eligibility requirements, and cost of attendance
• Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if borrowing Federal Direct Loans

Additional information about financial aid programs is available on the Doane University Financial Aid website and in the university’s Financial Aid Consumer Information resources.
Federal financial aid programs are governed by federal and state regulations that are subject to change. Doane University reserves the right to modify financial aid policies, procedures, and awards as necessary to remain compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
If changes in federal, state, or institutional policy occur after a financial aid award has been issued, the university may revise or cancel financial aid awards to ensure regulatory compliance.
Receipt of financial aid does not imply continued eligibility for future terms.

Enrollment and Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal Direct Loans are generally awarded on the expectation that a student will be actively enrolled in the number of credit hours that constitute a full academic year for their program. For undergraduate programs, full-time enrollment is defined as 12 credit hours per term or 24 credit hours per year.
If a student will not be enrolled in or actively attending the number of credits that represent a full academic year for their program, federal regulations may require the Financial Aid Office to prorate (reduce) the student’s eligibility based on the number of credits the student will attend.
Parent PLUS Loans are not subject to federal loan proration requirements, but remain limited by the student’s Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid received.
The Financial Aid Office will determine when loan proration is required and will notify students if loan eligibility must be adjusted.

Federal Pell Grant Enrollment Intensity

Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined based on a student’s enrollment intensity each term. Students enrolled at less than full-time will receive a Pell Grant amount prorated based on their enrollment intensity for that term.
Because Pell Grant eligibility is determined on a term basis, changes to enrollment may increase or decrease the Pell Grant amount awarded.
The Financial Aid Office will adjust Pell Grant awards based on confirmed enrollment as of the Pell Recalculation Date (PRD), which is the final day to drop courses/Census Day.
Courses added after the Pell Recalculation Date are not eligible for additional Pell Grant funding, even if the student’s enrollment level increases.

Federal Direct Loan Annual Enrollment Requirement and Proration

Federal Direct Loans are generally awarded based on the standard annual loan limits established by federal regulations. In certain situations, federal regulations require Doane University to prorate (reduce) a student’s annual Federal Direct Loan eligibility.
Loan proration most commonly occurs when a student is enrolled for a remaining period of study that is shorter than a full academic year (such as the final term before graduation).
Parent PLUS Loans are not subject to federal loan proration requirements, but remain limited by the student’s Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid received.
The Financial Aid Office will determine when loan proration is required and will notify students if loan eligibility is adjusted.

Financial Aid Award Adjustments

Financial aid awards are based on the information available at the time the award is prepared and are subject to change if a student’s circumstances change.
Adjustments may occur due to:

• Changes in enrollment status
• Receipt of additional financial aid or outside scholarships
• Corrections to FAFSA information
• Federal or state regulatory requirements

Doane University reserves the right to revise financial aid awards to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require Doane University to establish and monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to ensure students receiving federal financial aid are making measurable progress toward completing their degree.
SAP standards apply to all undergraduate students receiving Title IV federal financial aid, including:

1. Federal Pell Grants
2. Federal SEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
3. Federal Work Study
4. Federal Direct Loan
5. Federal PLUS Loan (Parent)
6. Federal TEACH Grant

Students must meet both qualitative and quantitative standards.

Qualitative Measurement = Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
Students must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate from Doane University.

Transfer credits do not affect GPA calculations but do count toward total attempted and completed credit hours.

Quantitative Standard - Pace of Progression

Students are expected to make consistent and measurable progress toward completing their academic program. To meet this standard, students must successfully complete at least 75% of all attempted credit hours.

Pace is calculated as:

Courses counted as completed credits include grades of: A, B, C, D, P (Pass), or PS (Pass Satisfactory)

The following grades count as attempted but not completed credits:

• F (Fail)
• W (Withdrawal)
• NP (No Pass)
• I (Incomplete)
• IP (In Progress)

Grades of Incomplete or In Progress are included in the pace calculation as attempted credits until a final grade is assigned. Once a satisfactory grade is posted, students are encouraged to notify the Financial Aid Office so their SAP status may be reevaluated.
Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each semester to ensure students are advancing at a pace that supports timely degree completion.

Maximum Time Frame

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.34, students must complete their academic program within a maximum timeframe not to exceed 150% of the program’s published length. To support this requirement, Doane University monitors both the pace of progression and the total attempted credits. Students are expected to maintain the minimum pace of 75%, which ensures they remain on track to complete their program within the allowable timeframe. As a proactive measure, the university also monitors attempted credits at approximately 133% of the program’s required credits. This internal benchmark serves as an early indicator, helping identify when a student’s pace may no longer support completion within the federal 150% limit.

For example:

Once a student exceeds 150% of the published program length, the student is no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Financial Aid Warning

Students who fail to meet SAP standards will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the next semester.
During the warning period:

• Students may continue receiving financial aid.
• Only one warning semester is permitted during undergraduate enrollment.

Students will be notified of this status through their Doane email account.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who fail to meet SAP requirements (CGPA/PACE) following a Financial Aid Warning semester will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid. A notification will be sent to the student’s Doane email account.
Students may continue enrolling in courses, but must pay educational expenses without federal aid.

Appeals

Students who experience extenuating circumstances that prevent them from meeting SAP standards may submit a Financial Aid Appeal.

Examples of extenuating circumstances include:

• Death of a family member
• Personal illness or injury
• Family medical emergency
• Other significant circumstances beyond the student’s control

Appeals must include:

• A written explanation of the circumstances
• A description of what has changed that will allow the student to succeed
• Supporting documentation
• Academic Plan from the student’s Academic Advisor

Incomplete appeals will not be reviewed.

Financial Aid Probation and Academic Monitoring Plans

Students submitting a SAP appeal must meet with their Academic Advisor to develop an Academic Plan that outlines the steps necessary to regain satisfactory academic progress. If the appeal is approved, the student may be placed on:

Financial Aid Probation
Students who can mathematically return to SAP compliance within one semester may receive financial aid for that probationary semester.

Academic Monitoring Plan
Students who cannot regain SAP compliance within one semester will be placed on an Academic Monitoring Plan based on the approved Academic Plan developed with their Academic Advisor or the Academic Success Center.
Failure to meet the conditions of an approved plan will result in Financial Aid Suspension.

Reinstatement

Students whose financial aid eligibility has been suspended may regain eligibility by:

• Meeting the required minimum cumulative GPA, and
• Successfully completing at least 75% of attempted credits.

Once eligibility is regained, students must notify the Financial Aid Office to have their eligibility reinstated.

Repeat Coursework

Federal financial aid may be used to repeat a previously passed course one additional time. A student may receive federal financial aid for the same previously passed course no more than two times. 
Courses such as ensemble participation or certain physical education courses, where course content differs each semester, are not considered repeat coursework for financial aid purposes.

Academic Affairs Policy

Students must comply with all academic policies established by the Office of Academic Affairs. Academic standing decisions such as academic probation or suspension are determined separately from federal financial aid eligibility and may impact a student’s ability to enroll.

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)

Federal regulations require Doane University to perform a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation when a student who has received federal financial aid withdraws before completing the semester.
Financial aid is earned based on the percentage of the semester completed.
Students who complete more than 60% of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of their federal financial aid.

Students are considered withdrawn if they:

1. Officially withdraw from the university
2. Stop attending academically related activities
3. Receive all non-passing grades indicating non-completion of coursework

If the withdrawal date cannot be determined, the university will use the midpoint of the semester (50% of the semester).

Post-Withdrawal Disbursements (PWD)

If the student earned more aid than was disbursed, they may be eligible for a Post-Withdrawal Disbursement:

• Loan funds: The Financial Aid Office must obtain the student’s authorization before disbursing loan funds. Students may accept or decline these funds.
• Grant funds: may be automatically applied to institutional charges, such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and supplies.

Order of Return of Unearned Title IV Funds

Funds are returned in the following order:

1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
2. Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
3. Federal Direct PLUS Loan (Parent)
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
6. Federal TEACH Grant

Doane University must return unearned funds within 45 days of determining the withdrawal.
Students will receive written notification if funds are returned or if they qualify for a Post-Withdrawal Disbursement.
Doane University’s institutional refund policy is separate from the federal Return of Title IV process.

Financial Aid Office
FAOffice@doane.edu
402-826-8260
Crete Campus | Padour Walker Building, Suite 119
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday