Finances (2011-2012)

Mid-Atlantic Christian University strives to provide an affordable Christian education to those seeking to serve the Lord. Thanks to the generous gifts of individuals and churches the University is able to minimize the student’s out-of-pocket costs for tuition.

Tuition

2011-2012 Basic Charges

A one time non-refundable application fee of $50 must be paid when applying for admission.

Textbooks and Other Expenses

Textbooks should be purchased prior to the beginning of class. Textbook requirements are listed on the university's online bookstore located on the Mid-Atlantic Christian University website. The cost of books and supplies varies with the number of hours and particular courses for which a student is registered.

Certain courses require extensive supplemental notes. Charges for supplemental notes will be placed on your student bill and distributed by the instructor during the first session of class.

Other expenses will include transportation, entertainment, laundry, clothing, cosmetics, medical and dental expenses, and personal needs. 

Medical Insurance

The University requires that any student enrolled for 9 or more credit hours must have medical insurance coverage. This coverage may be through their parent’s plan, a private carrier, or the plan offered through the University for the convenience of the student. The policy covers a 12-month period, beginning with the opening day of school. Copies of the complete contract are available on-line. A student will be exempt from purchasing the University's plan if appropriate documentation of personal insurance is provided. 

Insurance premiums are determined by the carrier.

Schedule of Tuition and Fees

• The current schedule is also available online at: www.macuniversity.edu

Course Charges
Tuition Fee, per hour........................................................................................ 350.00
Audit Fee, per hour............................................................................................100.00

Health Insurance per year (New rate to be determined July 1)
Basic Health & Accident Insurance...................................................................... 375.00
                                                                                                                  estimated

Room and Board, per semester^a
          Room          Board                              Total
double 1,900.00  16 meal plan 1,700.00     3,600.00
single  2,800.00  16 meal plan 1,700.00     4,500.00

Private Music Instruction Fees
Piano/Voice/Guitar Lesson (in addition to credit hour charge)............................... 160.00

Housing Confirmation
Room Confirmation Fee .................................................................................. 100.00
(Refundable for fall semester if requested by May 1)
(Refundable for spring semester if requested by January 1)

New Student Fees
University Application (credit students only)....................................................... 50.00
Orientation Charge
  Students entering fall semester..................................................................... 175.00
  (Refundable for fall semester if requested by August 1)
  Students entering spring semester.................................................................. 50.00
  (Refundable for spring semester if requested by January 1)

Miscellaneous Fees
Drop/Add Fee (change of schedule – per slip)...................................................... 20.00
Change of Program Fee (first one free)............................................................... 50.00
Financial Aid Application Fee............................................................................. 50.00
     (Waived for new students and those completing paperwork by deadlines)
Graduation Fee...............................................................................................100.00
Late/Deferred Payment..................................................................................... 35.00
Late Registration Fee
     (continuing students, 8 or more hours)......................................................... 100.00

Transcript, per request....................................................................................... 5.00
     per recipient................................................................................................ 2.00
     Same Day (Rush)........................................................................................ 20.00

a- The room charge covers only the official days the dorms are open. Any student granted permission to stay in the dorm during official university breaks will be charged a daily rate. 

The board charge, 16 meals per week, includes breakfast, lunch and supper, Monday through Friday, and brunch on Saturday. Meals are not served on Saturday evening or Sundays, and the cafeteria is closed for vacation periods (see official days in previous paragraphy). Refunds are not made for meals missed. All students living in the dorms are required to pay the board charge.

Payment Options

Every student who completes the enrollment process enters into a contract and is indebted for the total semester costs. No student will be considered registered until a payment option has been selected and the required minimum payment has been made.

The University offers three payment options:
1. Full payment option. Payment for each semester is due in full on registration day of that semester. The College accepts payment by cash, check, and credit card. If the student has pre-registered, payment may be made in advance.
2. Deferred payment option. For students unable to make full payment on registration day, the College offers a Deferred Payment Plan. This payment plan carries a $35.00 processing fee. The Deferred Payment Plan requires:
a. Signing of a Promissory Note
b. Down payment of 50% of your outstanding balance on registration day. (Outstanding balance equals total charges less verified grants, loans, church support, and scholarships.)
c. Payment of remaining balance per the following schedule:
One third in 30 days; One third in 60 days; Balance in 90 days
Students not meeting financial obligations under the above plan will be denied this payment option the following semester.
3. Monthly payment option (through Tuition Management). Tuition Management Systems offers families several Monthly Payment Options to help manage education expenses. The No Interest Monthly Payment Option enables families to spread all or part of annual expenses over 10 equal monthly payments at a cost of $55.00 annually. There is no interest or other charges. Additionally, low interest unsecured and home equity monthly payment options, federally backed loans and life insurance coverage are available. For information, visit Tuition Management Systems at their web site, www.afford.com, or call 1-800-722-4867. Or, contact the Mid-Atlantic Christian University Financial Aid Office at 1-866-996-MACU (6228).

Delinquent Accounts

Student accounts must be paid in full before final exam week of each semester.

The University reserves the right to withhold semester examinations, grade reports, and transcripts from any continuing student whose financial obligations have not been met. Grades for the semester in question will be reported as “I” (Incomplete) until their account is cleared. Students who fail within two weeks of the end of Final Exams to pay the outstanding charges and take the exams will forfeit any examinations being withheld. Such students will be subject to collection and legal fees incurred by Mid-Atlantic Christian University, if such action is deemed necessary.

Likewise, the University will not confer a degree or certificate upon any student who has not paid all debts (including fines) in full.

If a student has pre-registered for the next semester and not met their financial obligations for the prior semester, he or she will be dropped from registration and all financial aid will be removed. The student will be able to re-register once their account is cleared; however, there is no guarantee that the same courses will be available.

Transcripts

All enrolled students are entitled to one transcript per academic year without charge. Beyond that, there is a charge of $5.00 per request and $2.00 per recipient. An additional fee of $20 will be charged for same day rush requests. (See the Academic Policies section for more information).

Schedule Change

Schedule changes initiated by the student through the Office of the Registrar, during the two-week drop/add period, will be charged a change of schedule per form and will be charged or credited for the net change in enrolled hours. If the change results in an additional charge to the student’s account, then payment arrangements must be made under the Payment Options listed above before the change in enrollment is effective. (See the Academic Policies section of this catalog for additional information.) 

Withdrawal

If students find it necessary to change their schedule after the first two weeks of a semester, or if they withdraw or are suspended from the University before the completion of a semester, several procedures must be followed to be eligible for a refund on tuition, room, and board.

Official University withdrawal. Procedures for official withdrawal from the University are detailed in the Academic Policies section of this catalog. The date of official withdrawal will be used to determine the amount of the refund. Refunds for students who are asked to withdraw will be completed using the same refund formula as students who withdraw voluntarily. Please refer to the following section on Refunds.

Unofficial University withdrawal. Failure to follow official withdrawal procedures will result in refund calculations based on the date the school becomes aware that the student has ceased to attend. This could be the last day of the semester unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Course withdrawal. There is no tuition or fee refund for withdrawal from courses after the first two weeks (drop/add period) of classes. No course may be withdrawn from after the tenth week of the semester.

See additional information in the section titled “Schedule Changes” in the Academic Information section of this catalog.

Failure to complete any of the required procedure may result in forfeiture of applicable funds. 

Refund Policies

Withdrawal refund and repayment policy. “Refund” refers to money paid toward school charges that must be returned to the financial aid sources and/or the student. Mid-Atlantic Christian University will calculate all tuition refunds (regardless if the student was a recipient of Title IV funds) based on "The Return of Title IV" regulations (R2T4) by the Department of Education.

Once the appropriate refund amount has been determined, the refund will be allocated in the federally required order. Mid-Atlantic Christian University will distribute or return the funds within the 30-day requirement. Any outstanding balance on the student's account will be the responsibility of the student.

If other charges and/or fines are applied to the student’s account after a refund is determined, the student will be responsible for those charges and/or fines.

The student may be required to repay a portion of Title IV funds to the Department of Education. If this is the case, the Finance Office will notify the student of the amount.

Institutional refund policy. For all students, MACU Foundation Scholarships and Wallace-Eakes Scholarships will be refunded on the percentage basis used in Federal Aid withdrawal calculations.

Refund recipients. If a refund is due to a lender, the Office of Student Accounts will prepare a check to be returned to the lender for the full amount of the refund, indicating which loans should be credited.

If a refund is due to the student, the Office of Student Accounts will inform the student and prepare a check to be returned to the student for the full amount of the refund.

Refunds for veterans. For eligible individuals under Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) subsidy, the school will conform to DVA regulations.

Refunds for tuition. Tuition will be refunded on the percentage basis used in Federal Aid withdrawal calculations.

Refunds for room and board. Room and board will be refunded on the percentage basis used in Federal Aid Withdrawal calculations. Room deposits, less any expenses for damages, cleaning, etc., will be refunded upon completion of the Room Vacating Form with the Vice President for Enrollment Services and inspection of the room.

Student account overpayment refund policy. When a student’s account has a credit balance the student may fill out a refund request at the Finance Office. No refund will be processed until after the drop/add period in each semester is over.

If a credit balance is the result of a payment from a church, a refund request cannot be processed without an authorizing letter or phone call to the Finance Office from the church. 

Financial Aid

The University is pleased to work with students and their parents in providing financial aid to supplement the financial resources of the family. All requests for assistance should be directed to the Financial Aid Office at the University.

Several different kinds of financial assistance are available through MACU:

• Grants – Awarded on the basis of need; not to be repaid
• Loans – Most are need-based; must be repaid, usually over a long period of time at a low rate of interest
• Employment – Available on and off campus
• Scholarships – Available to those students who meet the requirements

Additionally, students may use other types of financial assistance, such as the GI Bill or Vocational Rehabilitation.

Steps in the Financial Aid Process

Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) uses only one application and one essay for all financial aid offered at the University. Completing these two items and submitting them to the Financial Aid Office at MACU on or before the February 1 priority filing date will give the student consideration for all financial aid available at MACU.

1. All persons desiring financial aid must submit the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1 for the school year beginning in the fall of that year. Applicants and students should submit the FAFSA no later than February 1 for priority financial aid consideration. Mid-Atlantic Christian University’s school code for use on the FAFSA is 014101. Paper forms are available from the Financial Aid Office upon request. Submit the paper FAFSA directly to the University's Financial Aid Office for immediate processing.

2. All students applying for admission to MACU will be asked to submit a short essay (one paragraph to one page in length) as a part of the admission application explaining their career and personal goals and how an education at MACU would help them meet those goals. This essay will be used by the scholarship committee as the MACU scholarship application. This essay must be submitted by February 1 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester for priority financial aid consideration.

3. In some cases, the Financial Aid Office is required by the federal government to verify information the student supplied on his FAFSA. If this is necessary, the Financial Aid Office will contact the student to obtain the documents needed to complete the financial aid file.

4. Once all items have been received, the University's Financial Aid Office will design a financial aid package that best suits the student’s needs. The personal financial aid package will be mailed to the student in the form of an award letter. To indicate acceptance of the award, the student must sign it and return it to the Mid-Atlantic Financial Aid Office.

5. All students applying for financial aid must have an official copy of their final high school transcript or its equivalent on file with the University (and college transcripts if applicable). The Financial Aid Office will review these transcripts before allowing financial aid to be applied to a student's account.

Grants

(Gifts which do not have to be repaid)

CPEI State Grant (Grants to students attending Certain Private Education Institution). A student must be a North Carolina state resident and complete a full academic year with at least 6 credit hours or more each semester to receive this state grant. Full-time students will be eligible for the full award, part-time students (at least 6 hours) will be awarded on a prorated basis. A CPEI State Grant application must be submitted to apply for this grant. The student's state residency will be verified by the MACU Financial Aid Office. The amount of the grant is determined yearly by the NC State government and awarded directly to the student via postal mail during the summer following the completed academic year. Dual-enrollment with any other North Carolina college makes a student ineligible for this grant.

Federal Pell Grant. The College participates in the Pell Grant Program. Applicants and students pursuing a degree or certificate are eligible to apply for this grant. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted to apply for this grant. The amount of the grant is determined by the student’s need for such financial assistance as established by the U.S. Department of Education from the answers submitted on the FAFSA. The amount of award for students holding less than a full-time status will be prorated accordingly. Once Pell Grant monies have been received, the University credits the student’s account.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Another grant program Mid-Atlantic Christian University participates in is the FSEOG Program. Each year the Department of Education allots each approved school a set amount of money for this program. Awards are made based on the need of the individual. Individuals must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for this grant. Students with the greatest need are given first priority in receiving these funds. Once FSEOG monies have been received, the University credits the student’s account.

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS). A student must be a NC state resident, be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours), complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and meet all eligibility requirements. The award amount for ELS is determined by the payment schedule for the ELS program established by the NC government yearly. For more information contact the Financial Aid Office.

MACU Need-Based Grants. Each year the Board of Trustees of the University designates money from the general fund to be used as grants to students in need. Individuals must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for this grant. The amount of money awarded varies from year to year. The University credits the student’s account each semester with one-half of the verified annual award. These funds are awarded on a first come, first serve basis until the funds are depleted.  

Loans

(Funds which must be repaid)

The University participates in the Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP). The program offers the Stafford Loan to eligible students and the PLUS Loan to eligible parents.

Stafford Loan.  Eligible students may apply for subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford Loans. These low-interest loans are insured by the federal government. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine loan eligibility. While receiving the loan, students must be enrolled at half-time status or more (6 or more hours) and must remain in good standing. Once approved, the lending agency will deduct an origination fee from the loan amount and deliver one-half of the remaining amount to the University each semester. Upon receipt of these funds, the student’s account will be credited. The loan application (Master Promissory Note – MPN) and a loan entrance counseling session must be completed online at www.studentloans.gov before the loan(s) can be processed by the MACU Financial Aid Office

PLUS Loan. The PLUS Loan is offered to the parents of students who may need additional funds to finance their child’s education. While receiving the loan, students must be enrolled at half-time status or more (6 or more hours) and must remain in good standing. Once approved, the lending agency will deduct an origination fee from the loan amount and deliver one-half of the remaining amount to the University each semester. Upon receipt of these funds, the student’s account will be credited. A loan application (PLUS Master Promissory Note – PLUS MPN) must be completed online www.studentloans.gov before the loan can be processed by the MACU Financial Aid Office.

Student Employment

The Financial Aid Office together with the Finance Office can advise students on several types of employment opportunities within the MACU community.

Church employment.  Many churches within commuting distance use the services of college students in various kinds of ministry. Interested students should address their inquiries to the Vice President for Enrollment Services.

On-campus employment. Opportunity for on-campus employment exists, and every attempt is made to provide such jobs to students who desire to work. The students are paid an hourly wage.

Students must complete a FAFSA and an MACU Application for Student Employment to work on campus. Applications can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office and should be completed as early as possible.

MACU participates in the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program. In this program, MACU agrees to make employment reasonably available, to the extent of available funds, to all eligible students. In most cases, such employment will be on-campus; however, some off-campus employment positions may be included in the program.

Off-campus employment. While there is no substitute for personal job solicitation by the student, the Vice President for Enrollment Services will assist Mid-Atlantic Christian University students in obtaining employment in the area. However, first-semester freshmen are discouraged from working off-campus. 

Scholarships
(Awards for recognition of achievement or need)

All applicants and students wishing to be considered for scholarships for the following school year must submit the Mid-Atlantic Christian University Admission Essay, the Scholarship Application, and a FAFSA no later than February 1. While funds may be available after this date, students are encouraged to observe the February 1 priority filing date. Funds are limited and will be distributed on a first come first served basis after February 1.

Some scholarships may not be used in conjunction with other scholarships and awards. Each scholarship has its own stipulations and restrictions. Failure to meet these conditions may result in forfeiture of the scholarship.

Disbursements are normally divided equally between the two semesters. For complete details, contact the Financial Aid Office at MACU.

Alumni Dependent Scholarships. Awarded to children of alumni (defined as anyone who has passed one or more courses for college credit) from MACU or Eastern Christian College.
Bible Bowl Scholarships. Awards for Bible Bowl participants and tournament winners.
Christian Character and Leadership Scholarships. Awarded to one student per each high school per year. Students self-identify scholarship interest and high school counselors make final recommendations. Student must exhibit outstanding character and leadership.
Graduate/Admission Counselor Scholarships. Awarded on the recommendation of an alumni or MACU admission counselor. Student must be full accept, take 15 credit hours per semester and maintain a minimum 2.5 term or cumulative GPA. 
International Scholarships. Awards for students from other countries who meet specific criteria.
International Missionary Scholarships. Awards for immediate family members (dependents) of a United States family serving in an international setting who meet specific criteria.
Merit-Based Scholarships. A limited number of awards for students who demonstrate academic excellence.
Need-Based Scholarships. Awards made on the basis of financial need, in varying scholarship amounts.
Mid Atlantic Christian University Foundation Scholarships. Annual awards from Mid Atlantic’s scholarship endowment, with varying eligibility criteria.
State/National Christian Convention Scholarships. Awards for winners of state and national Christian convention contests in preaching, music, and public speaking.
Senior Adult Scholarships. All students 55 and older will receive a scholarship equivalent to 40% of total tuition costs when payment in full is made on registration day.
Spouse Scholarships. For students married prior to their first enrollment at MACU; one spouse is awarded free tuition up to the number of hours his/her full-time spouse is paying.
Wallace-Eakes Scholarships. Awarded to select students interested in pursuing training in the fields of ministry, missions, or counseling.

Other Financial Assistance

GI Bill. Active duty military personnel, members of the reserve, members of the National Guard, veterans and children of deceased or disabled veterans may be eligible to receive monthly payments. Descriptions of these benefits may be found at the Department of Veteran Affairs website: www.gibill.va.gov. Application should be made at a local Veterans Administration office as soon as the student receives his letter of acceptance from the University. The MACU Registrar will send an Enrollment Certification to the VA office after the first day of classes.

If the student is eligible for VA benefits, it will be a minimum of six weeks before the arrival of the first check. The student is still responsible for the entire amount of his school bill.

Vocational Rehabilitation. Students with a physical disability may obtain grants-in-aid through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Information must be obtained from the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation in the student’s home area.

Federal Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require the University to establish and apply reasonable Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for students receiving Title IV funds (Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, Federal Work-Study, and all Federal loans). Mid-Atlantic Christian University students receiving Federal Financial Aid must make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate as set forth in this policy. Satisfactory academic progress includes both quantitative and qualitative standards.

Quantitative standard. The minimum number of hours a student must successfully complete (pass) each semester is 75% of the credit hours attempted each semester.

The following grades are used in computing the percentage of course work completed: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F and W. A grade of I (Incomplete) will impact the quantitative standard of satisfactory academic progress and should be completed as soon as possible. Course repeats can affect the quantitative standard. Basic Studies work will not affect the quantitative standard. All withdrawals will impact the student's pace (course completion ratio per semester - meaning the required minimum 75% completion rate to maintain federal aid eligibility).

Qualitative standard. Each full and part-time student must achieve the following minimum cumulative GPA:
At the end of the first semester 1.75
second semester 2.00

The following grades are used in computing a cumulative GPA: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F. Course repeats could impact the GPA. Withdrawals during the Drop/Add period, grade of W, and Basic Studies work will not impact the cumulative GPA, but will impact the student's pace (course completion ratio per semester).

For transfer students, both hours transferred into the student’s program of study at Mid-Atlantic Christian University and the hours taken at MACU will be used to determine satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes. Any transfer student admitted on academic probation will automatically be placed on Financial Aid Warning.

Financial Aid Warning and Suspension. Students who do not meet the quantitative and/or qualitative standard have one semester financial aid warning in which they may receive financial aid. Transfer students admitted on academic probation will automatically be placed on Financial Aid Warning. During the semester of warning, they must regain the above standards to continue receiving financial aid. If they regain these standards, then they will be in "good standing" and their federal aid eligibility will continue. If, after a semester on financial aid warning a student does not regain these standards, financial aid will be suspended. (See Reinstatement Policy below.)

Appeal process. Satisfactory progress requirements outlined above may be waived based on extenuating circumstances that might affect the student’s performance, such as illness, injury to student, or death in the family. Any student who feels there are extenuating circumstances prevailing in his case may file an appeal for an exception by making a written request to the MACU Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Administrator will bring the appeal before the Appeals Committee to make a decision on the student’s case. At the committee’s discretion, a waiver may be granted to the student to maintain his or her financial aid eligibility. If the waiver is granted, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one semester. If at the end of this probation semester the student meets both quantitative and qualitative requirements, the student will regain federal financial aid eligibility and be back in “good standing.” If the student fails to meet both requirements, the student will be suspended and forfeit all future federal financial aid.

Reinstatement policy. If a student in financial aid suspension completes a semester and is once again in compliance with the above qualitative and quantitative standards, the student is eligible to apply for financial aid reinstatement. The student should submit a written request for reinstatement and a FAFSA to the MACU Financial Aid Office.

Completion limits. Students must complete their certificate or degree programs within the following number of semesters:

                                             Full-time           Part-time
Bachelor of Theology                6 semesters      12 semesters
Bachelor of Arts or Science        12 semesters     24 semesters
Associate Degree                     6 semesters      12 semesters
Certificate in Family Life Education 5 semesters  10 semesters

When a student has received aid for the maximum number of semesters for his program, he will not receive federal financial aid for any subsequent semesters.