In accordance with the federal regulations set forth the by The Higher Education Act of 1965 (amended in 1998), educational institutions are required to disclose specific consumer information about the school and the availability of student financial aid to prospective and continuing students. The following is a detailed list of consumer information and references to additional details and/or reports.
 

Institutional Information
Teacher Preparation Program Report
Financial Aid Information
  • Applying for Aid- Applying for financial aid is easy at Alvernia. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel you may not be eligible for assistance. Pennsylvania residents should file the FAFSA before the May 1 state grant deadline. Be sure to list Alvernia University as one of the schools that will receive your information. Our school code is 003233.
     
  • Available Aid Programs- Alvernia University offers a program of financial assistance that includes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities.
     
  • Determination of Eligibility- Financial aid eligibility differs depending upon the degree program in which you are enrolling.  Minimum requirements are broken down by degree program.
     
  • Preferred Lender List- Alvernia's recommended lenders for alternative loans.
     
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Receiving Financial Aid- Know your rights and requirements when you obtain financial assistance.
Student Loan Information
Health and Safety
Student Outcomes
Student Right-to-Know Act Information
State Department of Education Assistance


Alvernia University strives to resolve issues at the university level. If the university is unable to resolve your issue, complaints can be addressed to the state department of higher education for assistance.


In Pennsylvania, these agencies are:

State Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333
Phone: (717) 783-6788

 
State Higher Education Agency
Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education - Pennsylvania State Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA  17126-0333
Phone: (717) 783-6788
 

FSA Student Loan Ombudsman
U. S. Department of Education
FSA Ombudsman Group
830 First Street, N.E., Mail Stop 5144
Washington, D.C.  20202-5144
Phone: (877) 557-2575

Code of Conduct Policy


The Higher Education Opportunity Act sets conditions for educational institutions to participate in Title IV programs and requires the development of and compliance with a code of conduct prohibiting conflicts of interest for its financial aide personnel [HEOA 487 (a)(25)].  Alvernia University’s officers, employees and agents are required to comply with this code of conduct.  The following specific provisions bring Alvernia University into compliance with the federal law [HEOA 487(e)]:

  1. Neither the University, not its employees shall not enter into any revenue-sharing arrangement with any lender.
     
  2. No officer or employee of Alvernia University, who is employed in Student Financial Services or who otherwise, has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or agent, who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or any of their family members, shall solicit or accept any gift from a lender, guarantor, or servicer of education loans.  For purposes of this prohibition, the term “gift” means any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, or other item having a monetary value of more than a de minimus amount.
     
  3. An officer or employee who is employed in Student Financial Services or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or an agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall not accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment, or other financial benefit (including the opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.
     
  4. The University shall not for any first-time borrower, assign, through award packaging or other methods, the borrower’s loan to a particular lender; or refuse to certify, or delay certification of, any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guaranty agency.
     
  5. The University shall not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds to be used for private education loans (as defined in section 140 of the Truth in Lending Act), including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for the University providing concessions or promises regarding providing the lender with:
  • a specified number of loans made, insured, or guaranteed under this title;
  • a specified loan volume of such loans; or
  • a preferred lender arrangement for such loans
     
  1. The University shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or Student Financial Services staffing. Assistance will be permitted for the following instances:
  • Professional development training for financial aid administrators;
  • Providing educational counseling materials, financial literacy materials, or debt management materials to borrowers, provided that such materials disclose to borrowers the identification of any lender that assisted in preparing or providing such materials; or
  • Staffing services on a short-term, nonrecurring basis to assist the University with financial aide-related functions during emergencies, including State-declared or federally declared natural disasters, and other localized disasters and emergencies identified by the Secretary of Education.
     
  1. Any employee who is employed in Student Financial Services, or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other student financial aid of the University, and who serves on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, guarantor or group of lenders or guarantors, shall be prohibited from receiving anything of value from the lenders, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, except that the employee may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in serving on such advisory board, commission, or group. 


In addition to the items above, as a member of the National Association of Student Financial Aide Administrators (NASFAA), the University also follows the standards established in NASFAA’s Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aide Professionals. 

Rights and Responsibilities


As a student receiving financial aid at Alvernia University:

Rights

  • You have the right to know that the information you give to Student Financial Services will be treated confidentially as mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  • You have the right to seek financial aid counseling.
  • You have the right to know what financial assistance is available, including all federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
  • You have the right to know the procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for each financial aid program (including federal, state, and institutional aid programs).
  • You have the right to know how your financial aid awards were calculated, the criteria to receive each award, and how the funds will be distributed or disbursed.
  • You have the right to accept or decline any of your financial aid award(s)
  • You have the right to know the terms of any employment program you participate in.
  • If you are offered an educational loan, you have the right to know the lender, interest rate, the total amount to be repaid, deferment options, repayment procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan, and when repayment begins.
  • You have the right to submit a Special Circumstances Application, requesting reconsideration of your financial aid eligibility if you or your family’s circumstances change.
  • You have the right to submit a request for a dependency over-ride, requesting to be considered independent and not required to provide parent information on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • You have the right to submit an Academic Progress Appeal if you do not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have the right to know Alvernia University’s refund policy and the federal Return to Title IV policy.
     

Responsibilities

  • You are responsible for providing accurate information to the Office of Student Financial Services.
  • You are responsible for reapplying for financial aid each and every year.
  • You are responsible for completing applications correctly and on time.
  • You are responsible for reading and understanding all materials sent to you from the Office of Student Financial Services and all forms you are asked to submit or sign.
  • You are responsible for requesting personal assistance if you have questions or don’t understand the information provided to you.
  • You are responsible for submitting documentation and information requested by the Office of Student Financial Services in a timely manner and keeping copies for your own records.
  • You are responsible for notifying the University of any name or address changes.
  • You are responsible for knowing and complying with the rules governing your financial aid awards.
  • You are responsible for attending classes and completing the requirements for each course in which you enroll.
  • You are responsible for compliance with Alvernia University’s refund policy and Federal Return to Title IV Aid policy, should you withdraw from the University (either officially or unofficially).
  • You are responsible for notifying Student Financial Services of any financial awards you receive from outside resources (including scholarships, grants, Veteran’s Benefits, tuition waivers, or other educational/tuition assistance) not already listed on your Financial Aid Award Letter or your student account.
  • If you borrow a student loan, you are responsible for completing loan master promissory note, entrance and exit counseling.
  • You are responsible for the repayment of all loans in accordance with the terms of your promissory note. You are responsible for notifying your lender if any of the following occurs before your loan is repaid: change of address, graduation, withdrawal from Alvernia University or less than half-time attendance, name change, or transfer to another institution.
  • You are responsible for maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You are responsible for using financial aid for educational expenses incurred while attending Alvernia University.
  • You are responsible for the repayment of any over award of financial aid.
In This Section

Office of Student Financial Services