Financial Policies, Tuition, and Fees

For answers to any questions on issues discussed in this section, please contact us:

Student Accounts
Landmark College
P.O. Box 820
19 River Road South
Putney, VT 05346
Phone: 802-387-6845
Fax: 802-387-6880

We recognize that our educational program is a major investment for our students and their families. We try to limit our fee increases and to be as generous as possible with our payment schedules. But we also need to ensure that we have the funds on hand to meet our promises to our students, and to provide support for our educational program. (As a school that is relatively young, our endowment is limited.) The policies outlined in this section represent our best effort at balancing those elements and staving off future fee increases.

We try to make our programs as flexible as possible so we can meet individual student needs. This costs money and limits our ability to be flexible in other areas like finance.

Comprehensive Educational Fees

Landmark College offers a comprehensive program of educational and residential life services for students with diagnosed learning disabilities, ADHD, and ASD. Since our program is comprehensive, so is our fee structure. All elements of the Landmark program work together as a total package, which includes classroom instruction, individual instruction, advising and a wide range of other educational services. Individual students may take varying numbers of credit hours from one semester to the next and they may make use of different services. What remains consistent is our students’ reliance on the kind of individual attention we give and the overall cost of having them at the College. Taken together, this makes it difficult to price a Landmark education by the credit hour, like most colleges and universities do. Therefore, all students pay the comprehensive fee, with one variation for students who are approved to live off campus. The Board of Trustees approves the fee structure annually, although some changes may occur from time to time, with or without notice. Check the Landmark College website, www.landmark.edu, for the latest published fee information.

NOTE: Costs below are tentative, pending Board of Trustee approval.

*$4,950 for students enrolled in Social Pragmatics program

Explanation of Educational Fees

Room and Board

Room and board fees are mandatory for all students living on campus. (Remember, the Residential Life program is part of the Landmark integrated approach to learning.)

Room charges shown in chart are based on double occupancy in Frost, Middle, Hall 4, or Davis.

Board charges include a choice of either:

• Unlimited meals per semester ($2,530). Student may only enter dining hall once per meal period.
• 220 meals per semester plus $200 Shark Bite Points ($2,430).
• Variety Plan
• All Student retail plan 2400; where 2400 Shark Bite Points are added to the card

Students who live in a suite with kitchen facilities may chose the Unlimited Plan or the 220 Meal Plan (above) OR

1. 150 meals per semester ($1,925)
2. Retail only ($1,825 for bridges and chumley) where 1,825 Shark Bite Points are added to the card
3. Variety Plan ($2,430) 150 meals, 250 Shark Bite Points, and 250 Landmark Points

Shark Bite Points (dollars):

• Are encoded on student ID card
• Can be used at the Café, Dining Hall, or Bookstore (for food and beverage only)
• Expire at the end of the semester
• May not be transferred to another student
• Are nonrefundable

Some single rooms are available; students may apply to the Dean of Students. If selected for a single, an additional charge of $590 per semester. Single rooms in suites with communal kitchen cost an additional $875 to $1,120. Aiken rooms cost an additional $875, $1,015 or $1,120 depending on the type of room. Chumley doubles and Bridge doubles cost an additional $355 and $590, respectively.

Off-Campus Board Fees

A limited number of students who meet the eligibility requirement are permitted to live off campus. Off-campus students may choose any meal plan or opt for no meal plan.

Damage Deposit

The damage deposit is a small deposit against damage to College property or unpaid fines.

Whenever possible, damages to or loss of Residence Hall property is billed to the specific student(s) responsible.

If the responsible individual(s) cannot be identified, the cost of repair or replacement is charged to all students in that Residence Hall on a prorated basis.

Damage to or loss of College property within a specific Residence Hall room is the responsibility of the resident(s) of the room.

Any remaining balance of a student’s damage deposit will be applied to the following year’s comprehensive fee account.

Damage deposit account balances for students who are not returning to the College will be refunded after all unpaid fines or bills have been applied - usually within 90 days following the end of the academic year or Summer session.

Health Insurance

All students must carry health insurance during both the regular academic year and the Summer session.

We offer the Landmark College Student Health Insurance Plan to meet this requirement.

Note that rates for international students are higher than for domestic students.

Payment Calendar

New students receive a payment calendar and specific payment instructions with their enrollment agreement. Other students are asked to make payments on the schedule printed below. The enrollment deposit must be received before a student will be allowed to register.

Refunds and Fee Reductions

Suspension/Expulsion

No refund of tuition, room or board fees is made when a student is suspended or expelled from Landmark. Any unpaid student account balance at the time of suspension/expulsion must be paid in full.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Students who withdraw voluntarily for medical reasons or because of an emergency may be eligible for a partial refund of tuition, room and board fees on a prorated schedule. Note that the application fee and enrollment deposit are completely nonrefundable. Also note that the College does not offer refunds for Summer Session tuition or fees once classes begin.

Refund Policy

It is the policy of Landmark College that no refund of fees is made if a student is suspended or expelled from the College.

Students who withdraw either voluntarily, for medical reasons, or serious emergencies, shall forfeit the application fee and enrollment deposit, but may receive a partial refund of tuition, room and board fees, paid as follows:

No refund will be provided if a student withdraws from a summer program offered by Landmark College.

Requests for refunds should be submitted in writing to the Vice President of Finance. If granted, refunds will be remitted by check from Landmark College to the person or entity paying the fees.

When the total fee was paid by more than one person or entity, the amount of refund granted will be paid to the party listed as the Responsible Payor.

When a withdrawing student has accumulated outstanding bills or fines, the refund will be reduced by the amount owed.

When any authorized refund represents in whole or in part the proceeds of any private, state or federal financial aid, the amount of refund returned will be based on the applicable federal refund formula.

Applying for and Receiving a Refund

• Applications for refunds must be made in writing to the Office for Administration and Finance.
• Any approved refund amount will be reduced by the amount of outstanding bills, fines and other charges.
• Refunds will be issued by check to the individual or entity listed as the Responsible Payor.
• If all or part of the refundable fees represents the proceeds of any federal financial aid, refunds will be based on the applicable federal refund formula.

For more information, refer to the Refund Policy cited earlier in this publication.

Fee Reductions

The comprehensive educational fee cannot be reduced for any reason, including late enrollment, variation in number of credits taken or services used.

QuikPAY

QuikPAY is the College’s convenient online system for credit card, debit card and e-check payments. It can be used to pay tuition and fees and to add value to student ID card. Students can set up authorized payers - such as parents - who will receive billing notification via email. They will be able to make online payments, review bills and examine payment history 24 hours per day, seven days per week. QuikPAY accepts American Express, MasterCard, Discover and e-check for all payments, and Visa for adding value to student ID cards. A 2.70% service fee applies to credit card payments; there is no service fee for e-checks. Students can set up their payees through their Landmark College portal SharkNet account and click on Internet tools and then QuickPAY authorized payers can pay through the College website (http://quikpay.landmark.edu). Please note that QuikPAY is the only way the College can accept credit or debit card payments, and students must individually authorize payers because of privacy (FERPA) regulations.

Payment Plans

To make financing college expenses easier on our students and their families, Landmark has a tuition payment service that offers a monthly payment plan for academic fees. Information on this service is included in each student’s enrollment agreement package and can be found online at the QuikPAY site: http://quikpay.landmark.edu

Late Payment and Nonpayment

Any student whose payment is late in any given term will be assessed a late fee (see “Late payment fee” below). Additionally, at the discretion of the Vice President for Administration and Finance, any student who does not make satisfactory payment arrangements with the Office of Administration and Finance in any given term may be required to leave the College and forfeit all deposits, payments and course credits for that term.

No records of academic progress, transcripts or other academic records will be released for any student whose accounts are not fully paid.

Collections

After the third statement of nonpayment, the College generally refers accounts to third-party collection agencies.

Other Fees

We have tried to establish a fee structure that covers everything we provide. But a few things are hard to predict and include. If the student incurs costs, the College may charge these additional fees to the account or otherwise bill the student for them:

Application fee: A nonrefundable $75 application fee is charged to all students. No application will be processed until the fee is received.

Computer: If the student opts to buy a required notebook computer and software package through the College’s purchasing program, we will include the cost - and payment instructions - in the enrollment agreement package.

Course materials fees: Some courses - such as science labs and art courses - use special materials that are expensive. Typically, the fees associated with these are $35 per course.

Debit card account: Students can establish an account for use at the College bookstore, café, dining hall and some vending machines. This account is set up by depositing funds either prior to or during registration. Debit balances may not be “cashed out” during an academic year.

Fines: These include campus parking violation fees, loss of or damage to library books, returned check fees, fines for disciplinary actions, etc

Late payment fee: A late fee of 1.5% is charged on any unpaid overdue balance on the first of each month (an annual rate of 18 percent). The minimum late fee is $50, regardless of the amount overdue.

Late registration fee: We pull out all the stops on registration day and gather together College personnel who handle things like health insurance, ID cards, parking and bookstore debit accounts. When students don’t show up, it’s a costly proposition. We have to pass some of that cost along, so there is a late registration fee of $200. An additional $200 fee applies to those who miss late registration day.

Telephone: Students who want long-distance phone service in their rooms are required to pay all monthly long-distance charges. The last month of service before the end of the academic year is typically charged to the student’s main account with the College.

Other Expenses

Students will almost certainly have other expenses as a result of living away from home and attending the College. The following are among the expenses not charged directly by Landmark:

Personal expenses: These include laundry, travel, recreation, and incidentals. The average cost of such expenses can range from $500 to $3,500 per year.

Books and supplies: Books and supplies typically cost about $500 per term.

Theft/personal property insurance: We recommend that families explore extending their homeowner policy or obtain other insurance to cover the student’s personal effects. It’s usually not very expensive and is certainly cheaper than having to replace something like a computer. The College is not responsible for the loss or theft of students’ personal property.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Landmark College prohibits unlawful harassment on the basis of protected characteristics and related retaliation as defined by applicable law and encourages individuals who have questions or complaints regarding this policy or potential discrimination or harassment issues to contact the designated Compliance Coordinators at the College. For students, reports should be submitted to the Dean of Students. For faculty and staff, reports should be submitted to the Director of Human Resources. Reports may be submitted to their attention at Landmark College, 19 River Road South, Putney, VT 05346 or phone 802-386-6712.

Employees may also file complaints of harassment or discrimination with the following agencies:

1. Vermont Attorney General’s Office, Civil Rights Unit, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602; phone 802-828-3171.
2. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; phone 617-565-3200.

Students who wish to make a complaint within the scope of federal laws may also contact:

• The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region One, 707 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109; phone 617-223-9662.
• The Landmark College Student Handbook and Employee Handbook contain more detailed information about the College’s non-discrimination policies and related procedures. The Student Handbook is available at: http://www.landmark.edu/campus-life/dean-of-student-affairs/student-handbook1. The Employee Handbook is available at: https://sharknet.landmark.edu/departments/hr/Pages/Handbooks-Page.aspx

Landmark College does not discriminate on the basis of the following characteristics, or other characteristics as defined and protected by applicable law, in its programs and activities:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• National or ethnic origin
• Ancestry
• Place of birth
• Age
• Disability

Financial Aid

2014-2015

The investment families are about to make in their student’s education is one that will provide the student with the foundation necessary to succeed in future endeavors. We are committed to working closely with Landmark College families.

Costs and the Student Budget

The student budget used to calculate financial aid eligibility includes tuition, room and board, fees, books and supplies, notebook computer and an allowance for personal and travel expenses.

Financial aid eligibility (herein described as “need”) is the difference between the student’s budget and the determined family contribution. A student is eligible for financial aid (has “need”) if the determined family contribution is less than the student Cost of Attendance (COA).

The Family Contribution

How is Financial Need Determined?

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) at Landmark College uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine a family’s unmet need. Simply put, by completing the FAFSA, the expected family contribution (EFC) is determined; if that number is less than the cost of attendance, then the student has demonstrated financial need. The FAO then determines the student’s eligibility for federal, state and institutional funds to help make up the difference between the COA and the EFC.

When calculating the family contribution, the College considers such factors as total parent and student income (including untaxed and taxable income), assets, including trusts, number of dependents in the household, and number of dependent children attending undergraduate college. Siblings attending graduate school or parents attending college are not considered in determining the family contribution.

Applying for Financial Assistance

Starting after January 1, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2014-2015 year on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for Landmark College is 017157.

Starting after March 15, and upon acceptance to the College, and receipt of a completed FAFSA, the student will receive a financial aid award letter. The student will have two weeks to notify us of his or her acceptance of the aid offered. To secure all institutional scholarship aid offered, the enrollment deposit of $750 must be received by May 1.

International Students

Limited Landmark College scholarship aid is awarded to international applicants. Awards are based on need, as determined by College guidelines. For information, email financialaid@landmark.edu.

Renewal Applications

All students must reapply for financial aid every year. The completed FAFSA should be submitted by February 15. Award letters for continuing students will be sent starting in June. Continuing students may apply for financial aid, regardless of their previous year’s financial aid application status.

Requests for Additional Aid

The Financial Aid Office will accept requests for reconsideration of a family contribution under limited circumstances. Examples of these circumstances include financial support of an elderly parent, unreimbursed medical expenses or long-term loss of employment.

We are unable to consider requests for reconsideration of the family contribution due to circumstances such as cash flow problems or business or consumer debt. Requests for reconsideration must be accompanied by documentation. The Special Circumstances form may be found at the Student Financial Services website. While an increase in aid cannot be guaranteed, we make every effort to assess the situation as fairly as possible. All students must maximize all federal loans available to them before additional grants are awarded.

The Financial Aid Award

Students with financial aid eligibility will receive a financial aid award that generally consists of a combination of scholarships/grants, loans, and work-study. These three types of assistance may be funded by institutional, federal, and state sources.

Grants and Scholarships

Awards based on financial need:

Federal Pell Grants are based on financial need established by the FAFSA and range from $100 to $5,780 annually.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The College awards the FSEOG to students with high demonstrated need. Recipients of the Federal Pell grant is given priority for FSEOG awards, which typically range from $1,000 to $2,000.

Landmark College Scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated institutional eligibility as determined by the College, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 annually.

Awards Based on Need and/or Other Criteria

Landmark College Recognition scholarships are merit-based awards that range from $5000 to $10,000 annually. Students must submit a supplemental application. Students are recognized for their individual and unique talents and their overall contribution to the Landmark community. This scholarship will be renewed annually, for as long as a student is enrolled full-time and remains in good academic standing.

The Alumni Scholarship was established in 2008 by Landmark College’s Alumni Advisory Board to assist students with the cost of postsecondary education. The Alumni Endowed Scholarship supports deserving students on their path towards graduation by providing financial assistance to current and future Landmark College students.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Scholarship was created through the generosity of the Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., and other businesses in the fashion and retail industries. The scholarship is awarded to three students with financial need who reside in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or western New York.

The Carson Pirie Scott & Co., Inc. Scholarship was created through the generosity of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. and other businesses in the fashion and retail industries. The scholarship is awarded to students with financial need who reside in Illinois or Wisconsin.

The Charles S. Strauch Scholarship was established in 2006 in honor of Emeritus Board Chair Charles S. Strauch for his many contributions and years of service as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Landmark College.

The Daniel Rydin Scholarship was established by Leonard and Barbara Littman, in memory of Daniel Rydin, a former Landmark College student. The memorial scholarship is awarded to three students with financial need who are enrolled at Landmark College, within two semesters of graduation and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Daya Family Scholarship was established in 2002 by Moaiz and Nurjehan Daya. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need and demonstrated leadership potential who comes from an inner-city area and might not otherwise be able to attend Landmark College.

The Denny Family Scholarship was established by the parents of Dr. Peter Denny, a long-time member of the Landmark College community, who served in diverse roles from academic advisor to Dean of Students. This scholarship is awarded to two students with financial need who have demonstrated a commitment to campus and community life, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Faculty Staff Scholarship was established in 2005 in honor of the faculty and staff of Landmark College. This award is given to a student with financial need who has demonstrated scholarship and leadership potential at the College.

The F.I.S.H. Foundation Scholarship was established in 2009 by the Board of Directors of the F.I.S.H. Foundation, Inc. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need who otherwise may not have the opportunity to benefit from a Landmark College education or to continue his/her studies at Landmark College. In addition to the F.I.S.H. Foundation’s endowed scholarship, the Foundation pledged additional funds to the Access to Innovative Education fund in 2014.

The Fredrick M. and Marion S. Rhodes Memorial Scholarship was established by Robert Rhodes who served the College as its first librarian. The memorial scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need who is within two semesters of graduation and has a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Jean Kirby Broehl Scholarship was established in 2007 by Mrs. Jean Kirby Broehl, the first woman to graduate from Dartmouth College. Mrs. Broehl is also a lifelong reading teacher for children with learning disabilities and advocate for illiterate adults. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need who would benefit from a Landmark College education.

The Jenny Ann Parton Scholarship was established in 2007 by Richard and Carol Parton, in memory of their daughter, Jenny Parton ‘97. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need who otherwise might not have the opportunity to benefit from a Landmark College education.

The Jeroo Eduljee Scholarship was established in 2002 to honor Jeroo’s years of dedicated work at Landmark College. Jeroo served the College in many roles, including: Tutor, Faculty Member, Faculty Supervisor, and Director of the Academic Programs. She valued the endurance and strong commitment of our students, so this award is given to a student with financial need who consistently demonstrates those characteristics.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation established the Access to Innovative Education (AIE) fund in 2013. This fund provides full scholarships to students with significant financial need, defined as students who are Pell grant eligible. Both financial need and academic merit are taken into account to determine AIE scholarship recipients.

The Michelle Emmer-Kincaid Endowed Scholarship was established in 2001 by family and friends of Michelle Emmer-Kincaid. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Michelle, who graduated from Landmark College in 1995. This memorial scholarship is awarded to a new student with demonstrated need who otherwise may not have the opportunity to benefit from a Landmark College education.

The Robert and Bernadine Munley Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 by Robert and Bernadine Munley, parents of three successful Landmark College alumni. Robert Munley was a valued member of the Landmark College Board of Trustees. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need, with preference given to a student from Pennsylvania.

The Solon E. Summerfield Foundation Scholarship was established in 2006 by Mr. William W. Prager, Jr., President of the Solon E. Summerfield Foundation and its Board of Directors. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need who otherwise may not have the opportunity to benefit from a Landmark College education or continue his/her studies at Landmark College.

The William H. Pitt Foundation provides scholarships through the Access to Innovative Education fund to students with significant financial need from Connecticut. Preference is given to students from Fairfield County, or neighboring inner city communities.

Medical Tax Deduction

Learning disabilities and certain specific learning differences are considered medical conditions, so expenses related to your learning difference may qualify as a tax deduction. At Landmark, that’s the entire program. Because we serve only students diagnosed with a learning disability, ADHD, or ASD, the tuition, fees, room and board and other related expenses may be tax deductible as a medical expense for federal income tax purposes. IRS publications “502: Medical and Dental Expenses” and “907: Tax Information for Persons with Handicaps or Disabilities” may be useful information when considering this deduction. Families should always consult with a tax advisor on this matter. Information summarizing payments made to the College is mailed to Landmark families each January. Refer to the webpage “Making Landmark College More Affordable” for more detailed information on this tax and other tax opportunities: www.landmark.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/making-landmark-affordable.

Non-College-Administered Scholarships

Landmark College encourages students to apply for outside scholarships. Outside funding reduces the amount of student loan or the student work commitment. Students receiving a scholarship should inform the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. Information about outside scholarships can be obtained from high school counselors and local libraries, or by using scholarship search engines found at sites such as www.finaid.org or www.fastweb.com.

Scholarship Funding

Endowed scholarships are offered at the discretion of Landmark College. During periods when these endowed scholarships are classified as “underwater” (meaning the net investment value of the scholarship fund is less than the historical value of the fund), the College reserves the right to not offer these scholarships. The College reviews these funds annually to determine what funds will be offered each academic year.

State Grants

Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont allow students to use their state grant awards when attending Landmark College. For the telephone number and address of the student’s state’s scholarship office, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243.

Student Employment

The College participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, a need-based program that funds student earnings for on-campus jobs. The College also funds a limited number of non-need based campus student employment opportunities. Annual student earnings can be up to $1,000.

Student Loans

Borrowing money for college is an expected part of the process. While none of us likes to borrow money, we can be reassured that it is a good solid investment in ourselves. We can offer several options for the student to consider. The student may use one, two, or all of the options presented here. All students who borrow through the Federal Direct Loan Program are required to complete entrance and exit counseling to ensure students know and understand their rights and responsibilities as borrowers. The Financial Aid Office will guide the student through the process. Information on interest rates, payment options and fees associated with the loan programs all can be obtained online at www.studentloans.gov.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) is a non-need-based loan for the parents of a dependent student. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, less any other financial aid. The current interest rate and estimated payment amounts can be obtained at www.studentloans.gov.

Interest begins accruing at the time of the first disbursement. Repayment on the PLUS loan is 60 days after the loan is disbursed.

Federal Direct Student Loans

A subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan is a need-based loan for students. No interest is charged while the student is enrolled in college at least half time, and repayment begins six months after the student graduates. A first-year student may borrow up to $3,500 and a second year may borrow up to $4,500 on an annual basis.

An unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan is available to students who do not qualify for the subsidized Stafford loan or whose parent does not qualify for a PLUS loan. The borrower is responsible for payment of the interest during in-school and deferment periods. Loan amounts can be up to the same as for the subsidized Federal Direct Student loan. Independent students may be eligible for an additional $4,000.

Loan funds are disbursed to the student’s account once a student signs a master promissory note and completes entrance counseling, which needs to be done online at www.studentloans.gov.

The master promissory note need only be signed once to cover additional federal student loans borrowed in future years.

The average student loan debt upon graduation from Landmark College is $12,000.

Private Loan Programs

These loans may be used to supplement or to bridge any funding gaps. Students will need a co-signer, and payment is typically deferred until after graduation. Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed. The Financial Aid Office should be notified if using a private loan and information on which lender and amount borrowing need to be shared for appropriate processing.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Funding through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is encouraged by Landmark College. Students from over 40 states and territories have obtained funding through this source. Students should contact their local VR office to start the application process, which can take up to six months. Students may seek funding to help cover the cost of special disability-related services. Contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance or go to the National Rehabilitation Information Center website for a list: www.naric.com.

Veterans Benefits

Landmark College is approved by the U.S. Veterans Administration. Students who are of the United States armed forces may apply for benefits through the GI Bill’s educational benefits. Additional information can be found at www.landmark.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/veterans-benefits. For details, contact the Veterans’ Administration, White River Junction, VT 05009; phone 802-296-5177; website www.gibill.va.gov.

Financial Aid Policies

Disbursing Funds

Financial Aid funds cannot be disbursed to a student’s tuition account until the Financial Aid Office receives all required financial aid documents. Students should check with the Financial Aid Office for information on missing documents. Funds are disbursed on a per-semester basis and will be disbursed at the beginning of each semester provided a student’s file is complete. For both initial and returning applicants, a student cannot enter classes or move into a residence hall until the appropriate semester fees have been paid in full or provisions for payment plans and/or loans have been approved.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Eligibility for financial aid is contingent on maintaining satisfactory academics, according to the standards described in the “Academic Policies” section of this bulletin. Students placed on academic probation are eligible for federal and institutional aid the first semester. If academic probation is continued, eligibility for federal financial aid will be determined according to federal standards. Students will not be eligible for institutional or federal funding if they remain on academic probation for a third semester. Federal satisfactory progress requires that a student earn at least 66.67 percent of his/her attempted credits/courses in each academic year of study and achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA as a rising sophomore. If students lose federal or institutional funding due to not meeting satisfactory academic progress, they may appeal by writing to the Financial Aid Office and provide supporting documentation. Students will regain institutional and federal need-based eligibility for funding after achieving satisfactory academic progress and removal from academic probation. Additional information on satisfactory academic progress and the appeal process is available at www.landmark.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/forms-information.

The merit-based scholarships will not be renewed if funding is lost due to being placed on academic probation or in cases of required withdrawal or suspension.

Independent Status

When determining eligibility for institutional funds, the College reviews requests on a case by case basis. Federal regulations narrowly restrict the definition of “Independent Student” to meeting at least one of the following criteria:

• Be at least 24 years old by December 31 of the award year
• Be an orphan or ward of the court after age 13
• Be the ward of a court-appointed legal guardian
• Be an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of being homeless
• Be married
• Be a person with legal dependents other than a spouse
• Be a veteran of U.S. military service or currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training

Financial Aid for Summer Study

The College offers need-based institutional scholarships for specific summer sessions offered to our currently enrolled students. To be considered for any institutional or federal need-based aid, a student must be enrolled as a full time student in the previous academic year.

Non-Credit Course Work

The federal government mandates that students maintain a minimum level of enrollment in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. Students who enroll in non-credit courses are eligible for federal financial aid for the equivalent of one academic year.