Financial Aid & Scholarships

Student Financial Aid Office
101 South 42 Street  Omaha, NE 68131-2739
PH 402.552.2749   FAX 402.552.6165
financialaid@clarksoncollege.edu

Clarkson College Federal School Code: 009862 

The mission of the Student Financial Aid department is to provide education, counseling and support services designed to assist students and their families in financing their education at Clarkson College.

Financial aid is money provided by federal, state, institutional and private sources to help students meet expenses while attending college. Financial aid is funding that is available from federal, state, and private sources to assist students with expenses incurred during their career as a student in higher education. The student and/or their family be required to cover out of pocket charges that exced the amount of federal financial aid for which the student is eligible.

Clarkson College is committed to providing access to financial assistance for qualified students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college. Financial assistance includes scholarships, grants, loans and part-time em­ployment which may be offered to students in various combinations, depending upon the student’s degree of financial need. Financial need is determined by comparing results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the total estimated cost of attendance for the academic year. Financial aid received from Clarkson College is intended to supplement student and family resources.

If you would like to explore more after reading this section of the catalog, please visit the Financial Aid section of our website.

Financial Aid Application Process & Available Programs

Please visit the Tuition & Financial Aid section of the College website for detailed information regarding the financial aid application process, deadlines and available financial aid programs at Clarkson College.

Financial Aid Eligibility Determination

In order to uniformly determine the need of students applying for financial assis­tance, all applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate Clarkson College (federal school code 009862) as a recipient of the results. The award year at Clarkson College begins with the fall semester and concludes with the summer semester. If eligible, the student will be offered via official award notification, a financial aid package consisting of one or more types of assistance. The student may accept the aid in total or in part.

To be considered for financial aid, a student must also:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a valid Social Security Number
  • Have earned a high school diploma or GED certificate
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund to any federal financial aid program at any institution
  • Be admitted into an eligible degree-seeking program at Clarkson College
  • Be enrolled in at least half-time (undergraduate students: six credit hours; graduate students: three credit hours) for each semester the student wishes to be eligible for federal student loans
  • Be enrolled in courses that fulfill the student’s degree requirements
  • Submit additional documents or information as requested by the Student Financial Aid department
  • Maintain all satisfactory academic progress requirements each academic term
  • Certify that federal student aid awards will be used only for educational purposes

Award Notifications

Students who qualify for financial aid and have successfully completed the financial aid application process may view their award notifications online through MyCC (accessed through the Clarkson College website). MyCC access instructions, log-on ID information and instructions on how obtain your password will be sent to the student the first time financial aid is awarded from Clarkson College. The Financial Aid office will  send the student notifications to the student's Clarkson College email of subsequent and revised awards.

MyCC allows the student to view, accept or decline awards and to receive specific information about award offers. The student must accept financial aid award offers through MyCC before the aid can be disbursed. The student also has the option to decline awards or reduce student loan award offers.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Financial aid will be applied directly to Clarkson College tuition, fees, on-campus housing (if applicable) and other charges before funds will be released to the student for other educational expenses. If financial aid received exceeds the semester charges, a refund will be issued to the student. 

If a balance remains after financial aid is received, the student is responsible to pay the outstanding balance by the tuition payment due date.

Enrollment Status Requirements for Financial Aid Purposes

To receive most financial awards, including a student loan, the student must be enrolled at least half-time. Some financial aid awards are prorated based on a student’s enrollment status.

Undergraduate Students

Enrollment Status Semesters Credit Hours
Full-time Fall, spring and summer 12 or more per semester
Three-quarter time Fall, spring and summer 9-11 per semester
Half-time Fall, spring and summer 6-8 per semester

Graduate Students

Enrollment Status Semesters Credit Hours
Full-time Fall, spring and summer 6 or more per semester
Half-time Fall, spring and summer 3-5 per semester

Repayment of Financial Aid

When a student withdraws from all Clarkson College courses and the student received financial aid, he or she may be required to return/repay a certain percentage of federal financial aid that was or could have been disbursed. The amount of repayment required is based on formulas mandated by the Federal government. Federal funds that may have to be returned, in order of their required return, are unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans, subsidized Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).

Students must realize this policy may result in the student owing a balance to Clarkson College and/or to the federal government.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Clarkson College has established a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy in accordance with federal financial aid regulations. These regulations require that students maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in their degree program in order to receive federal financial assistance. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that limited federal financial assistance is disbursed only to those students who are meeting the academic standards. 

The following standards apply to students in both undergraduate and graduate programs and to continuing and former students. All students must meet the academic standards before federal assistance is certified and disbursed to the student. Federal financial aid regulations state that all periods of enrollment count when assessing progress, regardless of whether or not aid was received. 

Timing and Frequency of SAP Calculation 

SAP for financial aid recipients will be calculated after each term of attendance once grades have been verified by the Registrar’s office.   

Standards 

As required by federal financial aid regulations, the Clarkson College SAP policy has three standards by which a student’s cumulative academic record must be compared. To be considered in compliance, a student must meet all three standards outlined in this policy showing progression toward graduation. 

Standard 1: Pace of Completion (Percentage of attempted credit hours completed successfully)

A student must achieve a minimum pace. Pace is the percentage of total attempted credit hours that are completed successfully. Pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of successfully completed credits by the cumulative number of attempted credits. Grades of A, B, C, D, and P are considered successfully completed for purposes of financial aid. Grades of F, W, WP, WF, NP, and I are considered attempted and not successfully completed for purposes of financial aid. 

Undergraduate and Graduate Standards: minimum pace of 67% 

Standard 2: Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

A student must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA. Refer to the Grading System section of the academic catalog for more information on how cumulative GPA is calculated. 

Undergraduate Standard: minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Graduate Standard: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 

Standard 3: Maximum Timeframe

A student may not receive financial assistance once he or she has attempted 150 percent of the credit hours required to complete the degree. The total number of credit hours includes courses taken at other institutions which are applied to Clarkson College degree requirements. For example, if the degree requires 100 credit hours for completion, the student may receive financial aid for up to 150 credit hours. 

Undergraduate and Graduate Standards: a student may attempt up to 150% of the credit hours required to complete his or her degree 

SAP Statuses 

Good Standing: Students who meet all three SAP standards are considered to be in Good Standing. To remain in Good Standing a student must meet all three SAP standards each term. Good Standing is a status which is eligible for financial aid. 

Warning: A student who fails to meet one or more of the SAP standards will be placed on financial aid warning for one semester. The student’s academic progress will be verified at the end of the warning period. Warning is a status which is eligible for financial aid. 

Suspension: A student who fails to meet SAP standards at the end of the warning period will be placed on Suspension. Suspension is a status which is not eligible for federal and non-federal financial aid. 

Probation: A student who has been placed on Suspension is eligible to appeal. If the appeal is approved the student will be placed on Probation. Probation is a status which is eligible for financial aid. A student on probation must enter into an Academic Plan that, when followed, will ensure the student will meet SAP standards by a specific time. A student who fails to meet the conditions of his or her academic plan will be placed on permanent Suspension. 

Appeal Process 

Students who are Suspended have the right to appeal. Appeals will be considered if the student has experienced circumstances that significantly contributed to his or her failure to meet the minimum standards. Supporting documentation from a physician, counselor, academic advisor, or faculty member may be included but is not required. Students must submit the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form that is sent with the notice of Suspension. 

The SAP Committee will review the student’s appeal for reinstatement of financial assistance. The student will be notified by email of the committee’s decision. 

An appeal denied by the Financial Aid Committee may, at the student’s request, be forwarded to the director of Student Financial Aid for further review. The director’s decision will be final.   

Treatment of the Following Types of Courses for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) 

Audit Courses 

Audit courses are ineligible for financial aid and do not count toward the number of attempted credits or the number of earned credits. 

Repeated Courses 

Repeating a course counts as attempted credit hours (for each time the course is taken) and if credit is earned (repeats as well) then it will also count as completed/earned credit hours in Pace and Maximum Timeframe calculations. 

Incomplete Grades 

An Incomplete course counts as credit hours attempted but does not count as credit hours completed or earned until a passing grade has been assigned. An incomplete grade like a withdrawn course can negatively affect a student’s Pace and financial aid eligibility. Once an Incomplete course has been assigned a final grade, a student’s SAP status will be recalculated. The student will be notified of any changes his or her SAP status. 

Withdrawn Courses 

A course from which a student withdraws (grades of W, WP, or WF) counts as credit hours attempted but does not count as credit hours successfully completed. 

Transfer Courses 

Credits transferred to Clarkson College from another institution count as attempted and earned credits as well as toward the maximum timeframe but do not affect cumulative GPA. 

Advanced Standing Courses 

Advanced Standing Credit is a method by which students can earn credit without completing a course. Credit is granted after the student earns a satisfactory score on an examination or a satisfactory evaluation of the portfolio on the first attempt. Such credits count as attempted and earned credits as well as toward the maximum timeframe but do not affect cumulative GPA. 

Changing Majors or Earning an Additional Degree 

Change of Major 

Clarkson College does not limit the number of times a student may change his or her major. Credit hours earned for all degrees will be used in calculating SAP standards. 

Notification 

Once SAP is calculated after the end of each semester, students placed on Warning or Suspension will be notified of their status by a notice sent to his or her Clarkson College email. 

Reinstatement of Good Standing 

A student who has failed to maintain SAP standards may regain his or her financial aid eligibility (Good Standing) by successfully completing sufficient semester hours and/or attaining the required cumulative grade point average. A student remains ineligible for financial assistance until the semester following his or her attainment of the SAP standards. 

Federal Work-Study & Loan Programs

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is funded by both the federal government and Clarkson College. The program provides on-campus employ­ment opportunities for undergraduate students with financial need. An eligible student will be awarded a dollar amount that may be earned each semester. The FWS awards and amounts are determined by FAFSA infomration reported by Federal Student Aid. A FWS award is not a guarantee of employment. Employment is also contingent upon availability of job openings within the College. To view current Federal Work-Study job openings at Clarkson College, visit the Clarkson College website.

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Direct Loans are federally funded, low interest rate loans that are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. A student’s eligibility for a Federal Direct Loan and the amount of the award is determined by FAFSA information reported by Federal Student Aid. Several factors are used in the calculation of a student’s loan award, including the student’s grade level, cost of attendance, enrollment status, student aid index (SAI) and other financial aid awarded to the student. A student must file the FAFSA, complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), complete loan entrance counseling and be enrolled at least half-time to receive a Federal Direct Loan award.

Federal Direct Loans are usually awarded for a two-semester loan period. The first disbursement will occur after census day of the first semester and the second will occur after census day of the second semester.

The fixed interest rate on Federal Direct Loans is established through federal regulation and may change for new loans disbursed after July 1 of each year. The U.S. Department of Education charges an up-front loan origination fee on Direct Loans. See the Clarkson College website for current fee rates.

Repayment of Direct Loans (except for PLUS loans) begins six months after the student either graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The maximum aggregate (life-time) loan amount a student may borrow under the Federal Direct Loan program is: $31,000 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized) for a dependent, undergraduate student; $57,500 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized) for an independent, undergraduate student; and $138,500 for a graduate student.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

The interest on a subsidized Federal Direct Loan will begin to accrue when the loan funds are disbursed to the student. However, that interest is paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled at least half-time.

Maximum annual subsidized Direct Loan limits are: $3,500 for first year undergraduate students; $4,500 for second year undergraduate students; and $5,500 for third and fourth year undergraduate students. A student’s grade level is determined by the student’s current academic status at Clarkson College.

Graduate students are not eligible for subsidized Federal Direct Loans.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans are similar to the subsidized Federal Direct Loans except that the student is immediately responsible for payment of the interest on these loans. Students can make interest payments while in school, or the interest can be capitalized and added to the principal loan balance when the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

A student’s grade level is determined by the student’s current academic status at Clarkson College.

  • Freshman: up to 30 semester hours
  • Sophomore: 31-59 semester hours
  • Junior/Senior: 60+ semester hours

Source:Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal Student Aid

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a federally funded, low interest rate loan for parents of dependent, undergraduate students. A parent may borrow a Direct Parent PLUS Loan, regardless of financial need, for each dependent, undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours per semester). A credit check is conducted on all Direct PLUS Loan applicants. To qualify for a Direct PLUS Loan, the parent cannot have an adverse credit history. A parent may borrow up to the student’s estimated cost of attendance, less any financial assistance received by the student. The fixed interest rate on a Parent PLUS Loan is established through federal regulations and may change for new loans disbursed after July 1 of each year. Repayment of principal and interest usually begins 30-60 days after the loan has been fully disbursed, however, the parent can choose to defer repayment on the application. Parents can apply for a PLUS Loan at  www.studentaid.gov.  If approved, the parent will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available to graduate students to help pay for educational expenses. A graduate student must be enrolled at least half-time (three credit hours) to borrow from this program. The student may borrow up to his or her estimated cost of attendance, less Federal Direct Stafford Loan amounts and/or other financial assistance received.

The fixed interest rate on a Graduate PLUS is established through Federal regulation and may change for new loans disbursed after July 1 of each year. Repayment usually begins 30-60 days after loan funds are fully disbursed. The borrower may receive a deferment while he or she is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution. Deferment requests must be made directly to the loan servicer.

Federal Nursing Student Loans

The Federal Nursing Student Loan is a loan program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and administered by Clarkson College. Loans are awarded to undergraduate nursing students and are based on the student’s financial need. The interest rate is fixed at 5% which begins to accrue nine months after the student either graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Award amounts are determined by the annual loan limits set by HRSA at the beginning of each new academic year. The maximum lifetime amount a student can borrow from the Federal Nursing Student Loan Program is $26,928.

Federal Grant Programs

The federal government provides a variety of grant programs for undergraduate students. The grants are awarded based on a student’s financial need as determined from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are designed to provide educational financial assistance to those undergraduate students with the greatest financial need. Federal Pell Grants provide the foundation for many financial aid packages to which other federal and non-federal funds can be added. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant. A student is limited to receive 12 semesters (or its equivalent) of Federal Pell Grants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant, and who have remaining financial need, will be given priority when awarding FSEOG funds. FSEOG awards and amounts are determined by Clarkson College.

State Grant Programs

Nebraska Opportunity Grants

Nebraska Opportunity Grants (NOG) are funded by the State of Nebraska. The grants are awarded to undergraduate Nebraska resident students who demonstrate financial need as determined from the students’ FAFSA results. NOG awards and amounts are determined by Clarkson College. Estimated NOG awards that appear on a student’s award letter are contingent upon approval by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded each year to students who demonstrate qualities such as—but not limited to—outstanding academic achievement, leadership involvement and financial need. The funds come from multiple sources and do not have to be repaid.

For most scholarships, eligibility for a merit-based and/or need-based scholarship is determined at the time the student is first admitted to an undergraduate program at Clarkson College and are based on prior academic strengths and financial need as determined by the student’s FAFSA. Typically, the student will retain scholarship eligibility for subsequent academic years, as long as the following criteria are met:

The first step to be considered for scholarships is to be admitted to Clarkson College in an undergraduate program. We encourage you to apply for admission early with the intent to meet the first application deadline for your program of interest.

 

Scholarships are awarded each year to students who demonstrate qualities such as—but not limited to—outstanding academic achievement, leadership involvement, and financial need. Scholarship applications are accepted February 1 – March 1 and must be emailed to the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office at [email protected] prior to the deadline.

Scholarships include:

The first step to be considered for a scholarship is to be admitted to Clarkson College. We encourage you to apply for admission early to meet the scholarship application deadline.

Other Scholarships

Various individuals, agencies and corporations also provide scholarships for Clarkson College students. The awards vary in eligibility criteria, which are based on specifications established by the donor. Award amounts are based on fund availability. Clarkson College is appreciative of the donors’ generosity and our students are privileged to receive this additional source of financial assistance. Annually, Clarkson College receives scholarship funding from the EducationQuest Foundation.

Clarkson College Financial Assistance

In addition to scholarships, Clarkson College offers students financial assistance through Resident Advisor and Ambassador programs.

Resident Advisor

A Resident Advisor (RA) is a Clarkson College student leader who is knowledge­able about the resources, services and activities available to students residing in on-campus housing. RAs live in the Clarkson College Residence Hall and have the primary responsibility of facilitating the development of a community atmosphere. RAs are awarded a housing scholarship from the residential management corporation.

Student Ambassador

Clarkson College Student Ambassadors are students selected to assist the Enrollment and Advising office with recruitment and special College events. Ambassadors receive a $1,000 scholarship each semester. Ambassador applications are available from the Enrollment and Advising office. Interviews are conducted and Ambassador appointments are made on a space-available basis. Please contact the Enrollment and Advising office for additional information on how you can become a Clarkson College Ambassador.

Outside & Private Scholarships

The Clarkson College Student Financial Aid department occasionally receives information regarding scholarship opportunities from sources outside the College. When such information is received, all current Clarkson College students are sent an email describing the scholarship and application process.

Students are encouraged to search for scholarships from other sources outside of Clarkson College. 

Clarkson College students are required to report all outside scholarships received to the Student Financial Aid department. In addition, any outside scholarship checks received by students are required to be processed through the Student Financial Aid department.

Student to Nurse (S2RN) Sponsorship Program in Pediatrics

At Children’s Nebraska, the Student to Nurse Pediatric Sponsorship program provides exclusive sponsorship funds and employment to support nursing students who are interested in a pediatric nursing career. Nursing students will be hired into the program before the start of their junior year of nursing school. Benefits of the program include the following:

  • $15,000 in sponsorship for education expenses
  • $5,000 bonus upon start of the Nurse Residency Program
  • Sponsorship funds for tuition and fees and or other educational costs provided at key check points
  • Paid relevant work experience
  • Career readiness training
  • Preference for senior preceptorship placement
  • Enrollment in the Nurse Residency Program at the start of the S2RN program

More information can be found on the S2RN Sponsor Program website.

Air Force ROTC

Air Force ROTC students are eligible to compete for college scholarships. Students should enroll in Air Force ROTC classes offered at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Eligibility and application requirements can be found on UNO’s Air Force ROTC website.

For further information about the Air Force ROTC Scholarship programs, please contact UNO ROTC at 402.554.2318 or visit their website.

Financial Information