Aid Eligibility

Aid Eligibility

Undergraduate Students- Fayette Campus

All students receiving institutional financial aid are required to live on campus unless, before the first day of the semester's classes, they are [1] married, [2] the custodial parent of a minor child living with them, [3] over 21 years of age, [4] in their fifth year of college or ninth full time semester, or, [5] living with a parent or legal guardian in the parent's primary residence within 35 miles of Fayette. Transfer students who have attempted and successfully completed three full time semesters of academic credit entering CMU in a spring semester or four full time semesters of academic credit entering CMU in a fall semester are exempt from the on-campus housing requirement for institutional aid. All international freshmen or transfer students, including those transferring from another U.S. institution, must live in an on-campus residence hall for a minimum of one year, and thereafter must meet one of the other exemptions to live off-campus.

To receive institutional aid or the state need-based grant, a student must be enrolled full-time. To receive federal and state student aid, students must be fully admitted in a degree or certificate seeking program. To receive institutional aid or the state need-based grant, a student must be enrolled full-time. The number of hours enrolled determines the amount, if any, of the Federal Pell Grant. Institutional aid can never exceed the cost of tuition.

Students will not receive any financial assistance if they owe refunds on grants or are in default on a loan previously issued by Central Methodist University or another institution, or are not maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study they are pursuing according to the standards and practices of the University. Please refer to the page on Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students engaged in a study abroad program are eligible to receive Title IV aid if the program is approved for credit by CMU. The study abroad program does not have to be a required part of the student's degree program.

All funding is awarded in accordance with state and federal policies, and those policies set forth by CMU's Enrollment Management Committee and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability in its awarding of financial assistance. Concerns regarding financial aid should be filed first with the Director of Financial Assistance. Appeals may be made to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration.

Undergraduate Students - CGES and Graduate Students

To receive federal and state financial aid, a student must be fully admitted in a degree or certificate program. To receive state need-based grants, a student must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree program. To receive the Federal Direct Loan, a student must be enrolled at least half time. Subsidized Federal Direct loans are not available to graduate students. The number of hours enrolled as an undergraduate student in pursuit of their first Bachelor’s degree and financial need determine the amount, if any, of the Federal Pell Grant. Students enrolled in the College of Graduate and Extended Studies are not eligible for any institutional aid, academic or participatory.

Students will not receive any federal financial assistance if they owe refunds on grants or are in default on a loan previously issued by Central Methodist University or another college, or are not maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study they are pursuing according to the standards and practices of the University. Please refer to the page on Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students engaged in a study abroad program are eligible to receive Title IV aid if the program is approved for credit by CMU. The study abroad program does not have to be a required part of the student's degree program.

All funding is awarded in accordance with state and federal policies, and those policies set forth by the Enrollment Management Committee. Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability in its awarding of financial assistance. Concerns regarding financial aid should be filed first with the Director of Financial Assistance. Appeals may be made to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration.

Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

  1. Student understands that state and federal aid are based on budget appropriations and offered as directed by the state and federal governments, respectively. Financial aid is subject to change until final state and federal budgets have been approved. Aid includes the Bright Flight and Access Missouri grants. Federal aid includes the SEOG, Pell grant, Perkins loan, direct loans, PLUS loans, and work study.
  2. Student understands that his/her aid eligibility is based on the financial information provided by them and/or their family and is subject to adjustment or cancellation if errors are discovered.
  3. Student understands that their financial aid is based on the assumption he/she will remain enrolled for 12 or more hours each semester. Adjustments will be made for part-time enrollment.
  4. Student agrees to notify the Office of Financial Assistance of the sources and amounts of any financial assistance which he/she may receive from other sources. Student further understands that if additional assistance reduces financial need, an adjustment in his/her financial aid may be necessary.
  5. Student understands that in order to receive financial aid he/she must be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. (A copy of this policy is available in the university catalog or from the Office of Financial Assistance.)
  6. CLAS Student understands that if he/she receives institutional aid (Fayette campus students only) he/she must meet the following criteria: be enrolled full time and reside in campus housing unless, before the first day of the semester's classes, or they are [1] married, [2] the custodial parent of a minor child living with them, [3] over 21 years of age, [4] in the fifth year of college or the ninth full time semester, or, [5] living with parent in the parent's primary residence within 35 miles of Fayette. Transfer students who have attempted and successfully completed three full time semesters of academic credit entering CMU in a spring semester or four full time semesters of academic credit entering CMU in a fall semester are exempt from the on-campus housing requirement for institutional aid. All international freshmen or transfer students, including those transferring from another U.S. institution, must live in an on-campus residence hall for a minimum of one year, and thereafter must meet one of the other exemptions to live off campus. Social sanctions determined by the Office of Student Development could result in the loss of my institutional aid. 
  7. CLAS Student's acceptance of a particular type of institutional aid, such as a scholarship, authorizes the Office of Financial Assistance to release information that may be requested by the donor.
  8. Student understands that his/her financial aid may be impacted if he/she withdraws from Central Methodist University after receiving financial aid, but before the end of a term. Student may need to repay a portion of their financial aid to comply with federal regulations (See Return to Title IV regulations below).
  9. Student understands that if financial aid includes an estimated type of aid, he/she must take additional action before the aid will be final. Further, the student understands that no funds will be disbursed from these aid types until all of the required paperwork has been completed.
  10. Student understands that if a loan is accepted he/she will be required to complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note. Student is fully responsible for repaying all loans and meeting all other terms and conditions of the loan. (More detailed information on the terms of Direct loans may be obtained from the Office of Financial Assistance.)
  11. CLAS Students receiving third party assistance (ie. Military, ROTC, etc.) may have institutional scholarship reduced to CMU actual expenses.
  12. Financial aid disbursements of all aid types for CLAS students are made after attendance in classes has been confirmed following the close of the add/drop period at the beginning of each semester (assuming all financial aid documentation is completed). The disbursement for CLAS students typically occurs the second Tuesday after classes begin. Loan disbursements for first-time borrowers are not made until 30 days after the start of classes. Students completing their financial aid documentation after the main disbursement date for CLAS are disbursed aid as soon as possible after the financial aid has been accepted/declined by the student.
  13. Financial aid disbursements of Pell, SEOG, and half of the Direct loan for CGES students are made after attendance in classes has been confirmed following the close of the add/drop period at the beginning of each semester (assuming all financial aid documentation is completed). The disbursement for CGES students typically occurs the second Wednesday after classes begin. Loan disbursements for first-time borrowers are not made until 30 days after the start of classes. Students completing their financial aid documentation after the main disbursement date for CGES are disbursed aid as soon as possible after the financial aid has been accepted/declined by the student. Second disbursements of Direct loans and the Access Missouri Grant are made the after the confirmation of attendance during the second module of the semester.
  14. Students eligible for Title IV aid may qualify to receive a book voucher before the seventh day of the payment period (semester), which can be used to purchase books and supplies. Students are not required to obtain a book voucher.
  15. Students who receive federal work student or CMU work study should review all of the terms and conditions of employment found on the Work Study agreement.
  16. Students who have received Direct Loans and graduate, withdrawal, or cease greater than half-time enrollment must complete Exit Counseling. Exit counseling information will be provided by the Office of Financial Assistance.