Financial aid

Purpose and philosophy

The Financial Aid Office at Goshen College is designed to assist students and families in financing a college education. Our awarding policies recognize past achievements while also taking into consideration a family’s financial need. While financial aid is meant to supplement, not replace, family resources for college, the Financial Aid Office staff is committed to providing excellent customer service in helping our students and their families to understand the financial aid process.

Financial aid packaging

All financial aid awards are determined by the Financial Aid Office. Students applying for financial aid are considered for all aid for which they are eligible. Financial aid awards are officially provided in a “financial aid notification”– a combination of institutional, state, federal and private loans, employment, and gifts. Goshen College attempts to provide financial aid adequate to meet the needs of each student who applies.

Students planning to attend Goshen College should see the Financial Information section of the catalog or the accounting department website for details about expenses for the current academic year. Indirect expenses, including books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation are added to tuition, housing and food costs to determine the total cost of attendance. The Financial Aid Office considers the total costs of attendance when preparing a financial aid award.

During 2023-2024, Goshen College administered more than $24.3 million in financial aid.

Types of financial aid available for the traditional program

Scholarships and Achievement Awards – Merit aid awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, music, or other leadership areas.
Grants – Grants are gift aid awarded to students, usually based upon demonstrated need. Grants come from Goshen College and from federal and state governments.
Loans – The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan and the Federal Nursing Loan do not accrue interest while the student is enrolled half-time or more. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Federal Parent PLUS Loan, the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan, and the private or alternative loans, do accrue interest during the time of enrollment in college.
Work Study – Part-time jobs are available on campus or in the community where earnings can amount to as much as $1,200 or more each school year. Full-time summer employment can provide additional earnings.

Financial aid package order of assembly for traditional programs

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
State grants
Academic scholarships
Achievement scholarships
Tuition discounts
Church Aid and Goshen College Church Aid Matching Grant
Goshen College Grant
Endowed Scholarships
Federal TEACH Grant
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Federal College Work-Study
Federal Nursing Student Loan to meet remaining need
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) as requested

Financial aid package order of assembly for adult degree completion programs

Federal Pell Grant
State Grants
Outside Scholarship (including employer reimbursement)
Affinity Agreement discount
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Sources of financial aid

Federal and state programs

Goshen College participates in all federal programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Nursing Student Loan (NSL), Federal College Work-Study Program, the Federal Direct Student Loan, the Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, and Veteran Educational Benefits.

Institutional aid programs for students in the traditional program

Goshen College President’s Leadership Award (PLA)

The President’s Leadership Award (PLA) is a competitive scholarship for high achieving academic students who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities. This scholarship requires an application, responding to a series of essay questions, and a video. Recipients will receive a full tuition scholarship renewable for a total of 8 semesters.

To be eligible to apply for the PLA, students must be incoming first-year non-transfer and meet ONE of the following criteria:

Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.85 (on a 4.0 scale)
Score at least 1340 on the SAT OR at least 29 on the ACT (note: submission of test scores is optional for students enrolling for their first year at Goshen College)
Be a National Merit Semifinalist
Apply for admission to Goshen College by December 1, 2023 (including submission of a completed admissions application, high school transcript and SAT/ACT test score [optional])
Participate in Celebrate Scholars Day at Goshen College in late January. If an applicant has an unavoidable conflict, the applicant should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Note: The President’s Leadership Award will replace the student’s previously awarded academic scholarship.

Intercultural Leadership Award

The Intercultural Leadership Award is for incoming first-year, first-generation, non-transfer students of color who have demonstrated a distinguished academic record, leadership potential and commitment to giving back to their community. The scholarship is for $25,000 a year and is renewable for a total of eight consecutive semesters based on academic performance and program participation. This scholarship requires an application and a response to an essay question.

In order to qualify to apply, students must meet the following criteria:

Be of African-, Hispanic/Latino-, Asian- or Native-American heritage
First-generation college applicant
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card
Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
Score at least 970 on the SAT OR at least 18 on the ACT (note: submission of test scores is optional for students enrolling for their first year at Goshen College)
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by your state’s deadline
Apply for admission to Goshen College by December 1, 2023 (including submission of a completed admissions application, high school transcript and SAT/ACT test score [optional])
Participate in Celebrate Scholars Day at Goshen College in late January. If you have an unavoidable conflict, contact your admissions counselor. If an applicant has an unavoidable conflict, the applicant should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Note: The Intercultural Leadership Award will replace the student’s previously awarded Leader of Color Award and academic scholarship.

Leader of Color Award

The Leader of Color Award is designed to recognize qualified students of color who have demonstrated a distinguished academic record during their high school years. The scholarship is for $2,500 a year ($1,250 per semester) and is renewable for a total of eight consecutive semesters.

In order to be eligible to receive this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

Be of African-, Hispanic/Latino-, Asian- or Native-American heritage
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card
Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
Score at least 970 on the SAT OR at least 18 on the ACT (note: submission of test scores is optional for students enrolling for their first year at Goshen College)
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by your state’s deadline

Goshen College Academic Scholarships (for first-year students entering in fall 2024)

These scholarships reward achievement in high school. Eligibility is determined by a combination of grade point average (GPA) and SAT or ACT scores (note: submission of test scores is optional for students enrolling for their first year at Goshen College). Awards based on academics are renewable based on a continued minimum GPA of 2.0.

Dean’s Academic Scholarship $20,000
High Honors Academic Scholarship $18,000
Honors Academic Scholarship $16,000
Academic Excellence Scholarship $14,000

Goshen College Transfer Academic Scholarships

Transfer students who have shown outstanding performance can receive academic/merit scholarships based on their cumulative transfer GPA.

Transfer High Honors Scholarship $12,000
Transfer Honors Scholarship $10,000
Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship $8,000
Transfer Academic Scholarship $6,000

Renewals are based on maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Athletic Scholarships

Scholarships for athletic leadership/achievement are awarded each year through the Athletic Department. Offers to prospective student athletes include all institutional gift aid, which would consist of an athletic scholarship and any combination of other scholarships or grants offered by Goshen College. Check directly with the athletic department for details.

Music Scholarships

The Goshen College Music Department offers music scholarships to first-year and transfer students who are majoring or minoring in music at Goshen College of up to $10,000 annually and ensemble grants of up to $1,000 annually for students not planning to major or minor in music. All instruments and voice parts are encouraged to apply, including students with interests in composition. Go to the Music Department website for more information and an application.

Endowed and Restricted Scholarships

Each year, the Financial Aid office administers over 150 endowed and restricted scholarship funds and awards over $1.25 million to students from these sources. Simply by applying for financial aid, the student will automatically be considered for endowed and restricted scholarships, using criteria specified by each donor. Over 75 percent of these scholarships are need-based. Many are designated for a specific major or professional goal. Some are based on other criteria such as geography or other demographics.

Goshen College Grant

A Goshen College Grant is gift assistance provided on the basis of financial need. The amount of the grant depends on the student’s demonstrated need and other merit or gift aid received.

Church Aid Matching Plan

Goshen College provides grants to match assistance given by the student’s congregation or conference aid plan. The Church Aid Matching Grant will be awarded in addition to other scholarships, grants or discounts for which the student is eligible. This program is available to any student, regardless of religious denomination. The Church Aid Matching Grant will apply dollar-for-dollar to the first $1,000, and beyond that on a 1:4 ratio. The match is prorated for part-time enrollment.

Tuition discounts

Related Mennonite institution discounts

Dependents of a faculty or staff member from schools of the Mennonite Secondary Education Council, Mennonite Elementary Education Council, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, or Eastern Mennonite Seminary are eligible for a tuition discount up to 25 percent. Dependents of faculty and staff from these institutions who are employed less than full-time receive a pro-rata share of the 25 percent discount, based on the percentage of the parent’s employment.

Mennonite Colleges tuition discount reciprocity

Dependents of faculty and staff members from the following schools in the Council of Mennonite Colleges are eligible for a 50 percent tuition discount: Bethel College (Kan.), Bluffton University, Eastern Mennonite University, and Hesston College. Dependents of faculty and staff who are employed less than full-time receive a pro-rata share of the 50 percent discount, based on the percentage of the parent’s employment.

Financial aid policies

Limits on Goshen College aid

Unless otherwise stated in this catalog, students are limited to receiving institutional funds for the number of semesters articulated below:

Maximum of eight semesters for first-year students who begin their studies at Goshen College with less than 30 credits
Maximum of six semesters for second-year students who begin their studies at Goshen College with more than 30 credits but less than 61 credits
Maximum of four semesters for third-year students who begin their studies at Goshen College with more than 60 credits but less than 91 credits
Maximum of two semesters for fourth-year students who begin their studies with more than 90 credits and less than 121 credits

Student athletes who redshirt to preserve eligibility beyond eight semesters may receive institutional funds up to an additional two semesters. Redshirt student athletes will not receive any institutional funds for any additional semesters if such redshirt student athlete does not for any reason play on their team during those additional semesters.

Students may apply or audition for any number of awards, but each student may receive a maximum of two total awards from the lists below.

Academic scholarship (limit of one):

Dean’s Academic Scholarship, High Honors Academic Scholarship, Honors Academic Scholarship, or Academic Excellence Scholarship
Transfer High Honors Scholarship, Transfer Honors Scholarship, Transfer Academic Excellence, or Transfer Academic Scholarship

Additional awards:

President’s Leadership Award
Intercultural Leadership Award
Leader of Color Award
DREAM award
Athletic Scholarships
Gorsline Business, Communication or Theater Scholarships
Anglemyer Education Award
Music Department Scholarships
Tuition Discount Benefit
Church Match Scholarship
National Merit Scholarship

Per college policies, the total gift aid from Goshen College sources cannot exceed the cost of tuition. Aid from all sources cannot exceed the combined cost of attendance.

Grounds for Termination of Financial Aid

Financial: Accounts from previous enrollment must be paid in full to retain financial aid assistance. Federal aid received for the current year cannot be used to pay an outstanding bill from the previous year. Behavioral: Financial aid recipients must follow the community life and academic integrity standards of Goshen College. Deviation from these standards could cause a student to lose all scholarship and financial aid. Withdrawal of enrollment: Any financial aid held by a student who withdraws either voluntarily or by request will be adjusted according to federal and institutional refund policies found at goshen.edu/financial-aid/refund-policy. Any loan or open account will become due and payable. Academic: Financial aid recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, explained below.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial aid recipients must show sufficient academic progress toward completing degree objectives within a reasonable time period to remain eligible for federal, state, and Goshen College programs. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress will become ineligible for federal, state and Goshen College financial aid and may be suspended from the college. The academic appeals committee hears appeals from those failing to meet minimum SAP. To continue receiving financial aid and enrolling at Goshen College, a student must meet the GPA and pace requirements set forth later in this section.

Grading and evaluation

Goshen’s system of evaluation offers a standard (letter) grading system and a limited option system (CR/NC). The student chooses at registration whether courses will be selected for the option system.

Standard system

A	Excellent
	A	4.0 quality points
	A-	3.7 quality points
B	Very Good
	B+	3.3 quality points
	B	3.0 quality points
	B-	2.7 quality points
C	Satisfactory
	C+	2.3 quality points
	C	2.0 quality points
	C-	1.7 quality points
D	Unsatisfactory, but Passing
	D+	1.3 quality points
	D	1.0 quality points
F	Failing
	F	0 quality points
	FW	0 quality points, issued for non-attendance
NR	Grade not reported (temporary grade)
I	Incomplete (temporary grade)
W	Withdrew during 2nd -9th week, no evaluation made

Grading option system

Selected by the student for a maximum of 12 credit hours in the entire college program (prorated for transfer students) or by the instructor/department for certain courses. Students may not select the Credit/No Credit option for courses in the Goshen Core curriculum, including International Education, nor for courses in a student’s major or minor unless courses are designated with this grading option by the academic department. The student chooses at registration whether courses will be selected for the Credit/No Credit option system.

CR	Passing work of C level or better; no grade point value
NC	No credit: equivalent to C- level or lower; no grade point value

Changes in grade plan

Changes in the grading plan are possible only in the first week of each semester(two days in May term). Under a CR/NC plan, letter grades cannot be granted later.

Incomplete grades

A grade of I (incomplete) may be given for illness, accident, or other unusual hardship beyond the student’s control. For undergraduate students, a contract available from the registrar’s office is normally initiated by the student and includes a rationale, completion plan, professor’s and student’s signatures of approval, letter grade to be given if the contract is not completed, and the signature of the academic dean. An Incomplete contract may not be initiated until the course is at least 75% complete and the student must be passing the course. The completed contract must be submitted to the registrar’s office by the last day of class in that term. Deadlines for incomplete work and reporting of the new grade are:

For fall semester “I” grades – End of following spring semester
For spring semester or May term “I” grades – Beginning of the following fall semester

If a new grade is not submitted by these deadlines, the registrar’s office will enter the letter grade on the contract.

Grade Change

Faculty may request a grade change up to graduation, but only if it is due to a professor or software error and does not harm the student. Students may not raise a grade by submitting additional or revised work after a final grade has been posted.

NR (not reported) grades

A grade of NR is entered by the registrar’s office if no grade is submitted by the instructor. This is a temporary grade; credit is not granted to the student until a grade is reported.

Grade point average

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) for standard system courses is posted on the student’s record at the end of each semester. Only courses completed at Goshen College (and Hesston College) are factored into the cumulative grade point average. For graduation, a minimum 2.00 GPA is required. Some majors require a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or 2.70. Courses may be repeated multiple times in an attempt to earn a higher grade. The previous attempt(s) will be specially marked on the transcript and only the final attempt will count in the grade point average (GPA) and in the total credit calculation. If the grade on the final attempt is W, then the previous grade will be used in these calculations. Federal financial aid will cover only one repeat of a course previously passed. See the student financial aid office for details.

Total hours earned at Goshen or recognized for degree consideration from all institutions	1-29	30-44	45 and up
Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for academic good standing	1.75	1.90	2.00
Minimum pace: percentage of total credit hours passed compared to total attempted (including “W” courses)	67%

Note: All periods of enrollment count toward SAP, including periods when a student does not receive Title IV aid.

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum timeframe to complete any degree or certificate is 150 percent of the published length of the educational program. For example, for our bachelor’s degrees that require 120 credit hours, the maximum timeframe to complete this degree is 180 credit hours.

SAP review process

Student records are reviewed at the end of fall and spring semesters and at the end of the summer session. Any student not meeting SAP for GPA or pace is placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Within 3 days of being placed on financial aid warning, the student will receive an email notification from the offices of the Registrar and Financial Aid. While on warning, students must increase GPA to the required level and ensure their cumulative pace is 67 percent or higher. If these conditions are not met by the end of the semester, a suspension is activated. A suspension is activated without a warning semester if fewer than 6 credit hours are passed in a full-time semester.

Appeal process
A short appeal period is provided during which a suspended student can file a written appeal with the academic appeals committee, which takes final action at meetings in January, May, and August. An appeal letter should be sent to the Registrar and Director of Financial Aid and address why the student failed to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and why another chance is justified.

Include documentation describing unusual or mitigating circumstances that contributed to academic failure, such as injury, illness, death of a relative, or other special circumstances.
Describe what has changed that would now allow the student to succeed.
Contain an academic plan prepared with the Academic Success Center, showing how the student will meet SAP standards by a specific time.

Successful appeals
If the appeal is approved, the student’s suspension is changed to financial aid probation with an academic plan. The student will receive a letter detailing expectations for continuing academic studies. It is possible that the student would be asked to complete testing or counseling to diagnose and address academic or mental health difficulties. A student placed on financial aid probation with an academic plan is eligible to receive financial aid from the federal, state, or local governments or from Goshen College for one payment period.

Academic and financial aid suspension
For students who do not appeal or for whom the appeal is not granted, suspension will ensue. Suspension lasts two semesters. The student may apply for readmission after that time and after successfully completing at least 12 credit hours at any college. Additionally, the student must submit a letter detailing their plan for reaching Satisfactory Academic Progress, which will be evaluated by the Academic Appeals Committee. A student suspended for violating the standards of academic integrity is eligible to receive financial aid upon return to Goshen College unless otherwise indicated by the Dean or the Director of Financial Aid.

Transfer credits and SAP
Transfer credits accepted by Goshen toward a student’s degree program will be included when calculating the credit hour completion ratio, but not the GPA.

Change of Major/Double Major
If a student elects to double major, complete more than one degree at a time, and/or start a degree and then change majors, then all classes previously taken will count towards SAP.

Second Degree
All credits accepted by Goshen College towards a second undergraduate degree will count towards SAP.

Repeated courses
Students may repeat a course with W or F grade as many times as needed until passed. However, a previously passed course may be repeated only once if the student wishes to receive financial aid for that course. The new grade will replace the previously earned grade for GPA purposes. However, all attempts will count towards pace and maximum time frame.

Grade Change
If a student’s grade is changed, the student may request another SAP review.

Withdrawal from courses (W grade)
If students withdraw from a course and receive a W grade, those course credits are included in the total credit hours attempted when calculating the pace percentage of credits completed.

Incomplete grades (I grade)
If students receive an Incomplete (I) grade, those course credits are included in the total credit hours attempted when calculating the pace percentage of credits completed. When the (I) is replaced with a final grade, the student may request another SAP review.

Additional earned credits
Credit hours earned by testing, special registration or other non-standard means are counted in the SAP calculations as both credits attempted and credits earned.

May and Summer
May-term and summer classes are combined and count as a single semester for SAP measurements.

Remedial Courses
Goshen College does not offer noncredit remedial courses.

Procedures for applying for financial aid

Planning is important for receiving financial assistance.

Apply for admission; a student must be admitted to the college before an official financial aid offer can be made.
Annually complete the Goshen College Financial Aid Application. (For first-year and transfer students, a financial aid application is not required.)
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1 priority deadline. The FAFSA may also be used to apply for the Pell Grant program and the Indiana Higher Education Award and Freedom of Choice Award. The FAFSA may be obtained online at www.fafsa.gov. Students should specify 001799 as the code number for Goshen College in the appropriate section of the FAFSA.
Investigate other sources of financial aid: high school, church, community service clubs, industry or vocational rehabilitation.
The Financial Aid Office typically begins awarding incoming students in December. Upon receiving a financial aid package, the student should review the award and respond to the guidelines stated in the financial aid letter.
Continuing students must reapply for financial aid each academic year. Aid usually continues at substantially the same level each year unless the family’s resources or the student’s status change. All enrolled students receiving aid automatically receive information about applying for renewal awards. Award letters will be sent beginning in early April.

International students

International students are eligible for academic scholarships and need-based grants that cover part of the cost of tuition. The actual percentage depends on the financial need of the student as well as grades. International students may apply for aid as a part of the admission process. To be considered, a completed application, along with all supporting transcripts and test scores, must be submitted along with the Goshen College Affordability Form. Goshen College also offers athletic and music scholarships for qualified international students. For music scholarships, an application and audition are required. Note: A student cannot receive both an athletic and a music scholarship.

Students in non-traditional programs

Students in all non-traditional programs at Goshen College, through the Adult and Graduate Programs, are eligible for federal, state and veteran’s benefits. Goshen College aid is limited to tuition discounts for employees and spouses.