General Guidelines

15.3.1 Institutional financial aid may be awarded for any term during which a student-athlete is in regular attendance as an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under 14.2, or within six years after initial enrollment in a collegiate institution (provided the student does not receive such aid for more than five years during that period), or as a graduate eligible under 14.1.7.

Student-athletes receiving athletics and need-based financial aid shall observe University, NCAA, State and Federal regulations governing financial awards.

University financial aid awards are granted in keeping with general guidelines developed by the Financial Aid Advisory Committee.

Student-athletes shall make athletic satisfactory academic progress (described in the Athletics Eligibility section) to remain eligible for athletics financial assistance and participation in intercollegiate athletics. In addition to athletic satisfactory progress, student-athletes receiving financial aid from any of the following programs is subject to the Financial Aid SATP policy: Federal Pell Grant, Perkins Loan, SEOG, Work-Study and Direct Loans; Illinois MAP, Merit Recognition Scholarship, Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship; and SIUE Foundation Grant and Loan, Regular Student Employment, Scholarships, Student-to-Student Grant and Tuition Waiver.

The policy is summarized as follows:

· Maximum time-frame for completion of the first baccalaureate degree: 160 attempted hours, including SIUE attempted hours and transfer hours accepted by SIUE.

· In order to complete their degrees within this time-frame, students must earn credit for their SIUE courses according to the standards below. A student who is not progressing at the rate appropriate to the number of hours he or she has attempted will be given one term of financial aid on probation to demonstrate improved progress.

0-36 cumulative attempted hours 60% completion
36.1 - 60 cumulative attempted hours 65% completion
60.1 - 84 cumulative attempted hours 70% completion
81.4 or more hours or second 75% completion
baccalaureate attempted hours

("Earn credit" refers to receiving a grade of A, B, C, D, or P for a course. A student who attempted 36 and earned credit for 24 hours has a 67% completion rate.)

Who Administers Your Athletics Scholarships

In order to receive an athletics scholarship, you must be recommended by your head coach. He/she determines the amount and conditions for your initial award and subsequent renewals. His/her recommendation must then be recommended by the Director of Athletics and approved by the Director of Student Financial Aid. The scholarships are awarded, monitored and controlled through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Terms

Student-athletes shall sign a written statement describing the amount, duration, conditions and terms of the initial award and the amounts of all subsequent renewals.

Period of Award

Where a student-athlete's ability is taken into consideration in any degree in awarding financial aid, such aid shall not be awarded in excess of one academic year. An institution may award athletic financial aid to a student-athlete for an academic year or part thereof.

Renewal

The decision to renew rests with the head coach and may be renewed for up to five years depending upon the student-athlete's eligibility status. His/her coach, through the Office of Student Financial Aid, must notify the student-athlete by July 1 if an award is to be canceled, or changed.

The Amount

Each head coach has a designated financial assistance budget for his/her program. The athletics scholarships are based upon athletic ability and may range from partial payments for one semester to payment for tuition, fees, housing and board for the entire year (two semesters).

The NCAA, which governs our men's and women's programs, has established individual and team financial limitations. The individual's maximum limitation is of particular importance. If a student-athlete receives a scholarship from the athletics department and the financial aid office (state or federal assistance), it is possible that the student-athlete will surpass the individual's maximum NCAA limitation. Student work for Athletics on campus will also be computed in this category. Your coach, the compliance coordinator, and the financial aid officer will monitor and compute your maximum limitation. If your financial package exceeds the NCAA individual limit, the University must reduce the institutional award.

The Summer Term

Student-athletes may receive athletics awards for the summer term; however, this award is separate from the award given for the academic year, and is totally dependent upon the availability of funds and the head coach's recommendation. (See page 15)

The Athletic Fee

All student-athletes, including those on athletics scholarships, must pay an athletics fee each term during the registration process ($43.55 for the '00-'01 semester and a student-to-student grant fee of $3.00).

Just Cause for Cancellation, Non-renewal, Reduction

Student-athletes failing to meet any of the criteria listed below are placing their athletics scholarship in jeopardy.

1. Available and on time for scheduled practices and events.
2. Fulfills the NCAA and University normal progress requirements.
3. Remains in good standing with the University.
4. Fulfills the academic obligations discussed in this Handbook.
5. Enrolled as a full-time student.
6. Fulfills all the eligibility requirements of the NCAA and University.
7. Abides by student conduct code and student grievances.
8. Abides by Behavioral Guidelines for Student-Athletes.
9. Fulfills Financial Aid "STAP" policy.
Financial Assistance Appeals

A student who wishes to appeal any decisions related to his or her financial aid shall submit a written request that includes the following information:

* The student's name, student number, year in school, sport.

* Type and amount of previous financial aid.

* Reasons for believing that the decision was unfair, including names of institution staff members (e.g., coach, financial aid officer) with whom the student has discussed the aid, and

* Copies of any relevant documents (e.g., letter regarding initial award of athletics grant).

The student-athlete should submit these materials to the financial aid office for athletics awards within 15 days after the student-athlete receives notification that the grant is being canceled. The student-athlete may request a hearing before the financial aid appeals committee. The appeal is reviewed by the financial aid appeals committee, and its decision is final. There is no appeal beyond the financial aid appeals.

Board (Meals) Payments

Meal checks (Board), that have been awarded to student-athletes, will be available at the Bursar's Office after the 15th working day of each term unless other arrangements have been requested and approved by your head coach.

Housing

Student-athletes receiving athletics housing, but living off campus, must provide the athletics office with his/her landlord's name, address, phone and social security number during or before the first week of classes.

Payment for off-campus housing may not exceed the official housing allowance for Cougar Village Housing.

Student-athletes must pay their own advance security deposits for housing. The NCAA prohibits the athletics department from paying these fees.

Housing contract renewals occur in April or May. It is the student-athlete's responsibility to renew his/her housing contract. Returning student-athletes who have failed to renew their Cougar Village contract will receive last priority when athletics spaces for new and transfer student-athletes are made.


HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE


Students applying for all forms of financial aid should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2002 for the 2002-03 academic year. To receive priority processing, the results of the FAFSA filing must be received by the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 1. To meet this deadline, students should apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or mail a paper FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education by February 1. Submission of FAFSA ensures consideration for Pell Grant, MAP, Federal Work Study and Direct Loans.

Student-athletes whose family income is near the accepted federal assistance level are required to apply for state and federal assistance. Student-athletes who have questions about their financial assistance program should visit or call the Office of Student Financial Aid, RB 2308, 650-3880, or visit the web page. You can also ask questions through e-mail at finaid@siue.edu.

INSTATE RESIDENCY

All student-athletes who are outstate students and are presently living in Illinois, are required to apply for instate residency in order to minimize tuition costs. Ordinarily, rent receipts covering at least 6 months and an Illinois driver's license are required to establish instate residency. Your coach and the Admissions Office will assist with this procedure.

If you have question about SIUE Athletics, please e-mail us.