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Financial Aid Office

Undergraduate Catalog

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FINANCIAL AID OFFICE

The Financial Aid Office provides a wide range of financial services designed to help students meet the cost of attending the University of Guam. Financial aid is awarded in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, employment, and tuition waivers that help pay the costs of tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and other personal expenses. The University coordinates and administers a variety of federal, state, private, and institutional programs (each with different regulations, requirements, procedures, and forms). Information on the various types of financial assistance available, applications and eligibility requirements are available at the Financial Aid Office located at the Calvo Field House.

FEDERAL AID

The Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs are governed by federal regulations and are subject to modification by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Congress; therefore, financial aid information in this catalog is subject to change without notice.

All federally funded programs require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on an annual basis; therefore, students who wish to receive federal financial aid must complete a FAFSA for the academic year in which benefits are expected.

FAFSAs are available beginning Oct. 1 the year prior to the award year (for eample, the FAFSA applicable for the 2023-2024 academic year opened Oct 1, 2022). The priority FAFSA application deadline for UOG financial aid is April 30th of each year. The financial aid process may be lengthy, as it is governed by federal, state, and institutional regulations. The process from application to disbursement may take up to 8 weeks. The financial process can be further delayed if students do not return documentation in a timely manner.

Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Completing the application online reduces processing time and errors. To complete the FAFSA online, students will need an FSA ID from the U.S. Department of Education, which they can request at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. The FSA ID will be sent to the student via email and/or regular mail. It usually takes less than 48 hours to receive an FSA ID by email. For dependent students completing the online FAFSA, at least one parent must also have an FSA ID.

Upon receipt of the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education, each student must complete the Financial Aid Information Sheet and submit it to the Financial Aid Office. (See the Financial Aid Office website for more information at www.uog.edu/financial-aid.)

Students must meet the following minimum criteria established by the federal government to be considered for the federal programs offered at UOG:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
  • Demonstrate need;
  • Be making satisfactory academic progress;
  • Be enrolled in a degree-granting program;
  • Not be in default on any Title IV loans;
  • Not owe repayment of any Title IV funds;
  • Be registered with Selective Service (if applicable).

NOTE: Part-time students may receive federal or state-funded financial aid. Some aid programs, such as the Pell Grant, are restricted to undergraduate students.

Federal aid is disbursed throughout each semester based on the date filed.

GOVERNMENT OF GUAM AID

The Government of Guam Student Financial Assistance Programs (SFAP) are governed by local legislation and are appropriated each fiscal year. The appropriation may not necessarily be sufficient to fund all new eligible applicants. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the published due date. (See www.uog.edu/financial-aid/ for more information.)

SFAP provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Guam or at a U.S.-accredited off-island institution (but only for majors not offered or equivalent to those offered at UOG).

SFAP consists of the following programs:

  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Access to Higher Education Financial Assistance Program
  • Health Professions Training Scholarship (Nursing Training or Social Work)
  • Jesus U. Torres Professional/Technical Award (PROTECH)
  • Pedro “Doc” Sanchez Professional Scholarship
  • Dr. Antonio C. Yamashita Teacher Corps Program

The applications are available yearly. See the Financial Aid website for posted deadlines.

OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Other scholarship and assistance opportunities exist. Each program will have its own application process and qualifications. Private scholarships are funded by organizations within the Guam community and may be viewed on the Financial Aid webpage, while the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and other island governments in the region provide some aid for the residents of their perspective islands. 

FEDERAL SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY

Federal regulations require the Financial Aid Office to monitor the progress of all students toward the completion of degree. This monitoring process is called the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The Department of Education requires that a school monitor SAP both quantitatively and qualitatively. Maintaining satisfactory academic process is essential to remain eligible to receive funds from any Federal Title IV, state, or university aid programs.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is assessed by the Financial Aid Office (FAO) for any student who applies for financial aid. A student must be eligible by this policy whether or not a recipient of aid during the evaluated period of attendance.

These rules must apply to all students whether or not they were recipients of any financial aid at the University of Guam or any other college. This policy is effective immediately and supersedes the previous policies.

Federal regulations state that the rules must include the following elements:

  • A maximum time frame for students to complete his or her program (i.e. based on credits attempted);
  • A minimum number of units to be completed;
  • A minimum grade point

To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) the following minimum requirements must be met:

UNDERGRADUATE

  • Complete at least a minimum of 67% of credit hours attempted with a passing grade (see chart below);
  • Have attempted no more than 186 credit hours for Bachelor’s degree program (based on a 150% of 124 credit hour requirement degree program. Maximum credit hours for programs requiring more than 124 credits will be adjusted accordingly);
  • Must maintain a 2.00 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

GRADUATE

  • Complete at least a minimum of 67% of credit hours attempted with a passing grade (see chart below);
  • Have attempted no more than 54 credit hours for Master’s degree program (based on a 150% of 36 credit hour requirement degree Maximum credit hours for programs requiring more than 54 credits will be adjusted accordingly);
  • Must maintain a 3.00 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).

BREAKDOWN OF REQUIRED NUMBER OF CREDITS

UNDERGRADUATE

Credit Hours
Attempted*		 Enrollment
Status		 Minimum Credits
to Complete Each Semester
20–21 Full-time 14 credits
19 Full-time

13 credits
17–18 Full-time 12 credits
16 Full-time 11 credits
14–15 Full-time 10 credits
13 Full-time 9 credits
12 Full-time 8 credits
11 ¾ - time 8 credits
10 ¾ - time 7 credits
9 ¾ - time 6 credits
6–8 ½ - time 6 credits
Below 6 credits Less than ½ time Must pass ALL credits

GRADUATE

Credit Hours 
Attempted*		 Enrollment 
Status		 Minimum Credits
to Complete Each Semester
12 Full-time 8 credits
9 Full-time 6 credits
6–8 ½ - time 6 credits
Below 6 credits Less than ½ time Must pass ALL credits

* Credit Hours Attempted – number of credit hours enrolled after the ADD/DROP period of each semester. Fall and Spring semesters ADD/DROP period ends the Tuesday AFTER the first day of classes; Summer ADD/DROP period end on the first day of each session.

» To determine the amount of credits required (67% completed with a passing grade), multiply the number of credits you are enrolled in after the ADD/DROP period by .67.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS WARNING

Undergraduate students who fail to complete a minimum of 67% of credit hours attempted from the previous semester and/or maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA will be placed on SAP warning for the following semester enrolled. Students will continue to receive their financial aid funds while on warning status.

Graduate students who fail to complete a minimum of 67% of credit hours attempted from the previous semester will be placed on SAP warning for the following semester enrolled. They will continue to receive their financial aid funds while on credit hour warning. If a graduate student does not meet the cumulative GPA of a 3.00 at the end of the previous semester or placed on academic probation by the Graduate School, they will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid funds, until they are off academic probation from the Graduate School.

SUSPENSION OF AID

A student’s financial aid will be suspended for any of the following reasons:

  1. The student fails to make progress toward the minimum required cumulative GPA for two (2) consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring/Summer).
  2. Failure to complete a minimum of 67% of the credit hours attempted for two (2) consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring/Summer).
  3. Complete withdrawal from the University of Guam during the semester for which aid was received.
  4. Dismissal from the University of Guam for any reason.
  5. The student has attempted more than 186 credit hours (undergraduates) / 54 credit hours (graduates) towards their degree program and has not received a bachelor’s / master’s degree.
  6. Failure to receive a passing grade: Undergraduates: (A+ [4.00], A [4.00], A- [3.67], B+ [3.33], B [3.00], B- [2.67], C+ [2.33], C [2.00], D [1.00], F [0.00] or P) for all of the credit hours attempted during the semester. Graduates: (A+ [4.00], A [4.00], A- [3.70], B+ [3.30], B [3.00], B- [2.70], C+ [2.00], C [2.00], F [0.00], UW [0.00]) for all the credit hours attempted during the semester
  7. Placed on Continued Probation by the Admissions and Records Office at the end of a semester.
  8. First semester after a Dismissal or Suspension from the Admissions and Records Office.
  9. Current academic status with the Admissions and Records Office shows any of the following: Continued Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal.
  10. Student does not follow signed Planning Agreement from the Financial Aid Office (Appeal Process).

HOW TO RE-ESTABLISH AID ELIGIBILITY

If you are on suspension you may submit an appeal. If your appeal is approved you will receive one probationary semester with contractual performance requirements. Approval is not guaranteed and you will be held responsible for any debts incurred if you enroll while on financial aid suspension. Aid eligibility may be reinstated for the semester during which your petition is approved, but not for prior semester(s) that you may have attended while on financial aid suspension.

Appeal Process:

  1. You must submit a written petition to appeal any financial aid suspension if you believe your failure to make satisfactory progress (SAP) was due to special circumstances. The petition should be one legible page and address the following:
    1. Explain why you failed to meet the SAP requirements: You must list the special circumstances that impacted your ability to be academically successful. If it is due to an illness, accident, or death for a family member then provide documentation such as death certificate of an immediate family member, proof of a personal illness or injury, or documents that prove some special circumstance that was beyond your control.
    2. Explain what has changed: You must include a self-evaluation explaining what steps you are taking to ensure your own academic success in future semesters. If necessary you should provide documentation from a service provider supporting your ability to be academically successful.

A student should submit an petition at least 30 calendar days before the start of the term and no later than 30 calendar days before the end of the semester that the financial aid is desired. Failure to adhere to this time line will result in the student losing their right to appeal their suspension.

Appeals with mitigating circumstances must be approved by the Director of Financial Aid Office. Financial Aid advisors must prepare a briefing for the Director with recommendations for the student’s appeal.

All appeals should be reviewed and forwarded for approval to the Director of Financial Aid within 30 working days of the student’s submission of their appeal. A response on the status of the appeal to the student will be given within 45 working days after submission of the appeal.

For more detailed information, contact:
University of Guam Financial Aid Office
UOG Station
Mangilao, Guam 96913
Location: Calvo Field House
Tel: (671) 735-2287/8
Fax: (671) 734-2907
Email: finaid@triton.uog.edu 
Website: www.uog.edu/financial-aid
School Code: 003935