Following are the general policies of the university and the Office of Financial Aid.
Renewal (Replacement) of Awards
The University reserves the right to renew/replace its scholarship commitments from any University funding source. Students must be full-time and in good academic standing to maintain scholarships during each year of study. Renewal of any federal need-based aid is contingent upon a student's financial need as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), as well as the availability of certain funds at the University.
Awarding Policy
Augustana's commitment as a residential university is affirmed by its policy of awarding financial aid that is intended to assist with direct educational costs for tuition, fees, university-owned housing, and meals. As noted on offers of financial aid, if a student is approved to live off campus or does not enroll in a qualified meal plan, Augustana gift assistance will be prorated at 90%; if approved to live off campus and not enrolled in a qualified meal plan, Augustana gift assistance will be prorated at 80%. See Study Abroad policy for award details during semesters abroad.
Study Abroad
Augustana students who choose to study abroad during the fall or spring academic terms will have their Augustana gift aid pro-rated according to a specified formula. The determination of whether a student is allowed to apply any Augustana gift aid toward study abroad expenses is contingent upon three factors: the cost of the program selected, Augustana’s current costs, the amount of Augustana gift aid the student normally receives. Federal, state and other aid is generally applicable for eligible Study Abroad programs.
Students interested in study abroad programs are encouraged to first visit with the International Programs Office to learn about program availability and costs, then to contact the Financial Aid Office for determination of individual financial aid eligibility. More information regarding study abroad can be found at augie.edu/studyabroad.
Financial Aid Appeals
Applying for federal student aid can be challenging when your family's current ability to pay for university cannot be accurately reflected on the FAFSA. Families may request an appeal of the financial aid award in the event of unusual circumstances, which may include, but are not limited to: income reduction, unemployment of a wage-earner, unusually high medical costs, divorce, natural disaster, or others. The Special Circumstances Form is available online — choose either the Dependent or Independent form, depending on your status.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to retain eligibility for institutional as well as federal assistance. Students whose academic progress falls below certain standards will be placed on probation or dismissed from the university. The complete academic policy is outlined in the online Catalog. The Satisfactory Academic Progress for federal aid policy can be found here.
Refund Policy
Students who withdraw from the institution will have 100 percent of their tuition and fees refunded during the first calendar week of the term. Beginning with the eighth calendar day of the term, tuition will be recalculated on a prorated basis. Room and board charges will be refunded on a prorated basis beginning with the first day of the term. Any financial aid credited to the student's account will also be adjusted. No refund is made after 60 percent of the term has passed. Review the complete policy online.
Complaint Process: State Regulatory Information
Once a student has gone through the institutional complaint process and the complaint has not been resolved, he/she can submit a formal complaint to the Division of Consumer Protection through the South Dakota Office of the Attorney General. Augustana University is authorized to provide higher education by the South Dakota Secretary of State, but complaints should be directed to the SD Office of the Attorney General.
SD Office of the Attorney General
Division of Consumer Protection
1302 E Hwy 14 Suite 3
Pierre, SD 57201-8053
Phone | 605.773.4400
Fax | 605.773.7163
Examples of such complaints may include:
- Violation of South Dakota consumer protection laws
- Engaging in fraud or false advertising
- Violation of South Dakota laws relating to the licensure of post
- Failure to provide an educational program meeting contemporary standards for content and rigor
- Failure to assign qualified instructors
- Violation of one or more accreditation requirements
Information for students (past or current) enrolled in an online degree program who want to file a complaint may be found at:
Military & Veteran Assistance
Designated as both a Yellow Ribbon School and a Veteran Friendly School, Augustana University is committed to assisting veterans in their pursuit of postsecondary education. The University also participates in the Air Force ROTC program for students who are interested in military careers. Veterans and their families can utilize the traditional GI Bill® as well as the Post 911 GI Bill benefits for tuition and fees at Augustana. Review the complete policy online including procedures for Active Duty Deployment.
Code of Conduct
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires the development and enforcement of a Code of Conduct to govern all educational loan activity. See Code of Conduct for more information.