Financial Aid

Federal Student Financial Aid Program

Federal financial aid programs provide financial support to students who, without such support, would be unable to meet educational costs at the University. Financial Aid for the MAcHM and DAcHM programs includes educational costs: tuition, fees, books and supplies, and a reasonable allowance for living during the academic year.

Financial aid awards are made for one academic year per academic year and must be reapplied for each academic year.

Federal direct unsubsidized Stafford loan:

Non-need-based, fixed, low interest rate loan available only to independent undergraduate and graduate students. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months from the time the student drops below half-time enrollment or withdraws from school. The government does not pay the interest while the student is attending school or during the grace period; therefore, the student is responsible. Please refer to the Student Loan Repayment at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment for more information. Interest begins accruing when the loan funds are disbursed. The student may elect to pay the interest while attending school or have the interest capitalized (added to the principal loan amount when the loan goes into repayment).

Loan amounts: The maximum annual loan amount is US $20,500 (unsubsidized only) depending on remaining aggregate eligibility.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Available only to graduate and professional students, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan program is designed to help graduate students with financial needs who are unable to meet their expected student contribution or have additional financial needs that are not met with other financial aid resources. Loans that are identified as “replacing Expected Family Share” are offered to you as an option to replace the contribution expected from you or your family. Loans that are identified as “replacing needs” are offered to you to help meet your financial need.

How much you can borrow is based on the cost of your education for the academic year, minus any estimated financial aid you receive each academic year.

A credit check will be performed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have an adverse credit history, you may obtain an endorser or file an appeal with the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances relating to your adverse credit history.

Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

• Students wishing to obtain financial aid must meet the following requirements:

• The student must be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the United States of America.

• The student must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 units) for each quarter for which they would like to receive financial aid.

• A male student between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service. Older students must have been registered during this age period.

• Females and students born before 1960 are exempt from this requirement.

• The student must maintain SAP (satisfactory academic progress) as defined by school policy while in attendance.

• The student must complete verification if required, prior to funds being disbursed.

• Not owe any refunds on a Pell Grant or other awards received and not be in default on repayment on any type of student loan.

Federal Financial Aid Application Process

To apply for financial aid, admitted students who have already entered into an enrollment agreement with the university must complete their financial aid packet, then schedule an appointment to meet with the financial aid officer.

The financial aid packet includes, but is not limited to, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which the student must complete every year. The student must also submit a copy of their federal tax return (and their spouse’s if they are married; their parents if they are considered dependent), along with their driver’s license; social security card; and naturalization certificate, alien registration card, or United States passport.

For more information on financial aid or to schedule an appointment (again, once you have been admitted and have entered into a DULA enrollment agreement), please contact the financial aid officer at (213) 487-0110.

Please note: As mentioned above, and notwithstanding the immediately foregoing, all students—including financial aid students—must comply with the university’s leave of absence policy and satisfactory academic progress policy, as set forth more fully under the appropriate informational heading located elsewhere in this catalog.

In addition, financial aid personnel are professionally and ethically bound by the federal government. Therefore, they may use their professional judgment to either deny certain federal financial aid or refuse to certify a student’s loan application.

Federal Financial Aid Policies

Students who receive federal financial aid while attending DULA will be subject to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy as well as the University Academic Progress Policy. If you receive federal financial aid and withdraw from DULA after classes have begun, you will be subject to the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Regulations and must notify the school according to school policy. The Return of Title IV Funds Regulations will be applied first, after which the school’s refund policy will be applied.

During registration, state law requires all students to sign a contract to protect their student rights and specify their enrollment and financial agreement with DULA.

Loan Repayment

If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student is responsible for repaying the full amount of the loan, plus interest, less the amount of any refund in the case of a student’s withdrawal. If a student obtains Federal Financial Aid and chooses to pay tuition and fees using financial aid monies, the student is entitled to a refund of any applicable charges that were previously paid out of pocket.

Applying for Federal Financial Aid Students wishing to obtain a Federal Direct Student Loan must complete the following steps:

1. Apply for an FSA ID. To create an FSA ID, go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch?continueTo=fafsa. Click on the “Get Started” link. After filling in the required information, please make sure to confirm your email address.

2. Complete and submit the latest FAFSA application at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing?continueTo=fafsa. DULA’s school code is 031095

3. Complete Online Entrance Counseling. This is required of first time borrowers. Go to https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/, sign in, and complete the counseling.

4. Complete and sign your Electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN). To do this, go to https://studentaid.gov/mpn/, login, and complete New MPN for Student Loans. You must complete this MPN all at once. If you exit prior to completing it, your changes will not be saved. Make sure you have your FSA ID available, as well as two references (names, addresses, and phone numbers). These should be people who have known you for at least one year (preferably relatives) and who live at different addresses.

5. Complete your DULA Financial Aid Application packet.

6. Bring the following required documents to the Financial Aid Office:

• Driver’s License
• Social Security Card (if applicable)
• INS Documentation (if applicable). For citizens: Passport, Naturalization Certificate, or birth certificate. For eligible non-citizens: Green Card

For more information on financial aid or to schedule an appointment (again, once you have been admitted and have entered into a DULA Enrollment Agreement), please contact the Financial Aid Officer at (213) 487-0110.

Please note: As mentioned above, and notwithstanding the immediately foregoing, all students, including financial aid students, must comply with the University’s Leave of Absence Policy and Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, as set forth more fully under the appropriate informational heading located elsewhere in this catalog. In addition, Financial Aid personnel are professionally and ethically bound by the Federal government. Therefore, they may use their Professional Judgment to either deny certain Federal Financial Aid or refuse to certify a student’s loan application.

Disbursements

Disbursement is the process used to make funds available to students who applied for federal financial aid. Federal Financial aid check is disbursed in each equal payment per academic year. Student will be notified by email or phone for either pickup or mail to the mailing address provided on file. Disbursements would be started after the third week of each quarter after the add and drop period. The distribution could be held until all Financial aid verifications are completed.

The funding amount you receive based upon the number of units you are enrolling at the time of disbursement. Your award/disbursement will be adjusted accordingly if you add or drop units after the freeze date.

Dropping units or stop attending or withdraw from your classes can affect your aid eligibility. Student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed before disbursement. For more information about SAP see this catalog.

Students have the following responsibilities:

• Complete FAFSA with accurate information

• Respond promptly and submit all requested additional documentation for verification, corrections, and any revised information

• Meet and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards

• Must complete Direct Loan Entrance / Exit Counseling when applying for Federal Stafford Direct Loans

• Repay any Federal aid funds if it is determined that the student is ineligible to receive the funds

• Repay any overpayment made to you through financial aid funds

• Repay student loan(s) promptly, and notify the lender of changing name, address or contact information

Verification: In accordance to the procedures governed by the Higher Education Act of 1965 (34 CFR Part 668.53), verification is required for the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Stafford Loan.

When a student completes their FAFSA, the CPS (Central Processing System) may select them for verification. An ISIR (Institutional Student Information Report) selected for verification must be dealt with immediately. No aid can be disbursed until verification has been completed. In order for the selected student to receive their funding, verification must be completed within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the ISIR. This date will be enforced at the discretion of the University.

1. The ISIR is received showing either an asterisk (*) after the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) figure, which means the student is flagged for verification, or a “C” after the EFC, meaning there is a C-code exception

2. If it is an asterisk, the FAO must complete verification by having the student complete the Verification Worksheet

3. If the student or FAO did not use the DRT (Data Retrieval Tool) when completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), a tax transcript must be requested to accompany the Verification Worksheet.

4. If there is a “C” following the EFC as stated above, in many cases it is in regard to the C-code exceptions for Selective Service. The following must be done to clear this item:

a. The student must complete the “Request for Status Information Letter” and return it to the FAO, or the student may contact the Selective Service directly at the number printed on the ISIR.

b. If the FAO is able to establish no violation has taken place in regards to the student not registering for Selective Service from the information supplied by the student on the Request for Status Information letter, the letter may be placed in the student’s file and the financial aid hold on the student’s funding in the system may be released.

c. If the FAO is unable to establish whether or not a violation has taken place, the student may contact the Selective Service directly at the number printed on the ISIR and also mail the Request for Status Information Letter to Selective Service.

d. A response will either be mailed to the student of the school.

e. A review of the letter from Selective Service must be conducted

f. In most cases the letter will state it is up to the school to make the decision as to whether the student will be eligible to receive Title IV funds or not.

g. All information from the student must be reviewed to make sure the student was actually unable, not unwilling to register for Selective Service.

h. If it is determined that the student was actually unable (which is usually the case with students who are or eligible non-citizens at the time they should have registered, but are not U.S. citizens and because of their age, can no longer register, or because of hospitalization, incarceration, or institutionalization) to register at the required time, aid should be granted.

i. If it is determined the student was seemingly unwilling to register, aid should not be granted.

j. The refusal to grant aid based on the student’s seemingly unwillingness to register must be documented with evidence and the reason given by the FAO and or the institution.

Financial Aid Entrance/Exit Counseling

Students are required to complete entrance counseling if you are a first time borrower and prior to receiving your first disbursement. To complete your Direct Loan Entrance Counseling, go to https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/ and sign in using your FSA ID. Select “Complete Entrance Counseling.” Note that you can add an email address to which correspondence about your loans can be sent.

If a student withdraws or terminates and the institution is unable to have the student complete exit counseling prior to the students’ departure, the institution will send a letter to the student, requesting exit counseling to be completed at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/

Direct Loan Quality Assurance

Reporting loan records, disbursements and adjustments to disbursements correctly to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System:

Third Party Servicer, R. Gonzalez Management, Inc., is responsible for reporting of disbursements and adjustments to disbarments to COD. RGM completes monthly reconciliation using DOE’s SAS reports to compare to G5 and in-house actual disbursement reports to ensure accurate reporting.

Disbursing and returning loan funds in accordance with regulatory requirements:

RGM notifies the Institution of pending deposits with estimated deposit dates. The Institution watches for deposits and ensures that the funds are transferred from Federal Funding account to the Operating Account within 3 business days as required by regulation. Any required refunds due to ineligibility are deposited into the Federal Funds Account within 3 business days and any refunds due to withdrawal / R2T4 are deposited into the Federal Funds Account within 45 days from the Date of Determination. RGM is notified of funds transferred in Federal Funds Account and they return funds to DOE.

Disbursing the correct loan amount to the correct student:

The Institution reviews disbursement amounts on the check processing log prior to disbursing checks and posting payments to student ledger.

Completing monthly reconciliation and Program Year Closeout:

RGM completes monthly reconciliation using SAS Reports, G5 Summary and in-house Actual Disbursement Reports. RGM completes Program Year Closeouts after confirming the schools Net Disbursement total corresponds to the net total reflected on COD and FAS’ in-house records. RGM will reconcile the Actual Disbursement Report contained within the closeout packet to student ledgers to ensure that disbursement amounts and dates are correctly recorded.

Yearly Review of Process:

These processes will be reviewed yearly on July 1 to ensure that Quality Assurance processes are still being followed. Any changes will be noted, and this document will be revised.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) For Federal Financial Aid Students

Federal regulations require that, in order to be eligible for financial assistance from Title IV student aid, all students (full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate) must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their degrees. Please make sure to understand that SAP policies may be different from university’s academic warning or probation policy, or Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Students Using Veteran Education Benefits.

Financial Aid Warning Students are placed on SAP Warning for one Quarter if one or more SAP requirements are not met during the most recently completed Quarter. Students on SAP Warning are eligible for financial aid for one Quarter on SAP Warning and must meet SAP requirements at the end of the Warning Quarter to continue to be eligible for financial aid. Additional information about SAP requirements is available on the “Financial Aid Suspension” section below. Students will be notified about the SAP Warning reason via a targeted message in Populi or email. Students may appeal for the removal of the warning. Approval of the appeal is not guaranteed. Scholarships may have more or less strict renewal requirements than what is set in the SAP policy. Students on SAP Warning are encouraged to check with their individual scholarship providers to confirm academic requirements for scholarship reinstatement.

Financial Aid Suspension Students can be put on SAP Suspension for the reasons listed below and are not eligible for financial aid while on SAP Suspension. Students on SAP Suspension may appeal for the reinstatement of their financial aid. Approval of the appeal is not guaranteed. Students will be notified about the SAP Suspension reason and appeal deadline via a targeted message in Populi or email. Scholarships may have more or less strict renewal requirements than what is set in the SAP policy. Students not meeting SAP Suspension are encouraged to check with their individual scholarship providers to confirm academic requirements for scholarship reinstatement.

Reasons for SAP Suspension

1. Do not meet the SAP requirements after one Quarter on Financial Aid Warning.

2. Do not meet the requirements of their Academic Plan.

3. Meet or exceed the Maximum Time Frame requirement to obtain a degree.

4. Withdrawal from ALL Quarter credit hours while on financial aid warning.

5. Withdrawal from ALL Quarter credit hours in back-to-back Quarters.

6. Receive a non-passing grade or incomplete in ALL Quarter credit hours.

Components of the SAP policy

All students who receive institutional, federal, and state financial aids must meet the following components of the SAP policies to be eligible for financial aids:

1. Minimum GPA Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 2.25 or higher to remain eligible for financial aid as well as earn a minimum GPA of a 2.25 each quarter. Academic records are reviewed at the completion of every term of enrollment (Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer) to determine SAP. Students in this situation may also be required to provide additional documentation to our office, proving their attendance for the quarter.

2. Minimum Pace-of-Progression Students must complete coursework at a cumulative rate of 67%. Completed coursework is defined as any course for which the student receives a passing grade. Academic records are reviewed at the completion of every term of enrollment (Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer) to determine SAP. Use the formula below to determine the pace of progression. The minimum pace requirement is 67%.

• Completed Quarter Hours (all passing grades) – All credit hours with a passing grade on a student’s academic record according to the Office of the Registrar (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, P), and all transfer, remedial.

** Attempted Quarter Hours – All completed credit hours listed above, and all credit hours.

3. Maximum Time Frame

Students are allowed to attempt up to 150% of the hours required for their degree level. Attempted credits from all enrollment periods at DULA plus all accepted transfer credits are counted. All terms of enrollment at DULA are included whether or not the student received financial aid and regardless of the age of the coursework.

The following are counted when determining minimum Pace of Progress and Maximum Time Frame Requirements:

• Transfer: These courses are counted as both attempted and completed towards the pace of progression and maximum time frame.

• Repeating a course: The credit hours from a repeated course are counted as attempted if the student receives a grade of I or F on their academic record. Once the course is passed, the credit hours are counted as both attempted and completed credit hours.

• Incompletes: All incomplete grades count towards attempted hours for the pace of progression and maximum time frame.

• Withdrawal from all quarter courses: All courses a student withdraws from at DULA are counted towards attempted credit hours for the pace of progression and maximum time frame. Appeals

Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress after the probation period will be denied additional benefits. If, because of mitigating circumstances, a student falls below the required standards, he/she may appeal by explaining the circumstance to the Appeals Committee within 30 days of notification concerning their below standard performance. All appeals should be in writing and forwarded to:

Financial Aid Office Dongguk University Los Angeles 440 Shatto Place, Suite 206 Los Angeles, CA 90020

Federal Financial Aid Resources

• FSAID: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

• NSLDS: https://nsldsfap.ed.gov/login [You will need your FSAID]

• Entrance Counseling: https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/

• Exit Counseling: https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/

• Federal student aid guide: https://studentaid.gov/resources

• Selective Services: https://www.sss.gov/

• IRS: https://www.irs.gov/

Veteran Education Benefits

Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

The MAcHM and DAcHM program are approved by both the applicable federal and state regulatory agencies.

Standards of Progress [CFR21.4253 (d) (1) (ii)]

Students certified to receive VA benefits are subject to the same enrollment, attendance, tardiness, student conduct, minimum term and cumulative GPA requirements (2.25 GPA) and the after-mentioned satisfactory academic progress requirements for Veteran Education Benefits.

Policy for the Previous Education and Training [CFR21.4253 (d) (3)]

This institution maintains a written record of previous education and training of the veteran or eligible person, which clearly indicates the appropriate credit has been given by the institution for previous education and training, with the training period (or length of the program) shortened proportionately, and the veteran notified accordingly.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Students Using Veteran Education Benefits

To be eligible for the Veteran Education benefits, all students (full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate) must maintain satisfactory academic progress for the veteran Education Benefit toward the completion of their degrees. Please make sure to understand that SAP policies may be different from the university’s academic warning or probation policy or SAP for Federal Student Aid. VA Benefits Warning Students are placed on SAP Warning for one Quarter if one or more SAP requirements are not met during the most recently completed Quarter. Students on SAP Warning are eligible for VA Benefits for one Quarter on SAP Warning and must meet SAP requirements at the end of the Warning Quarter to continue to be eligible for financial aid. Additional information about SAP requirements is available on the “VA Benefits Suspension” section below. Students will be notified about the SAP Warning reason via a targeted message in Populi or email. Students may appeal for the removal of the warning. Approval of the appeal is not guaranteed. Scholarships may have more or less strict renewal requirements than what is set in the SAP policy. Students on SAP Warning are encouraged to check with their individual scholarship providers to confirm academic requirements for scholarship reinstatement.

VA Benefits Suspension Students can be put on SAP Suspension for the reasons listed below and are not eligible for VA Benefits while on SAP Suspension. Students on SAP Suspension may appeal for the reinstatement of their VA Benefits . Approval of the appeal is not guaranteed. Students will be notified about the SAP Suspension reason and appeal deadline via a targeted message in Populi or email. Scholarships may have more or less strict renewal requirements than what is set in the SAP policy. Students not meeting SAP Suspension are encouraged to check with their individual scholarship providers to confirm academic requirements for scholarship reinstatement.

Reasons for SAP Suspension

1. Do not meet the SAP requirements after one Quarter on VA Benefits Warning.

2. Do not meet the requirements of their Academic Plan.

3. Meet or exceed the Maximum Time Frame requirement to obtain a degree.

4. Withdrawal from ALL Quarter credit hours while on VA Benefits warning.

5. Withdrawal from ALL Quarter credit hours in back-to-back Quarters.

6. Receive a non-passing grade or incomplete in ALL Quarter credit hours.

Components of the SAP policy

All students who receive VA Benefits must meet the following components of the SAP policies to be eligible for VA Benefits:

1. Minimum GPA Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 2.25 or higher to remain eligible for VA Benefits as well as earn a minimum GPA of a 2.25 each quarter. Academic records are reviewed at the completion of every term of enrollment (Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer) to determine SAP. Students in this situation may also be required to provide additional documentation to the financial aids office, proving their attendance for the quarter.

** Attempted Quarter Hours – All completed credit hours listed above, and all credit hours.

3. Maximum Time Frame

Students are allowed to attempt up to 150% of the hours required for their degree level. Attempted credits from all enrollment periods at DULA plus all accepted transfer credits are counted. All terms of enrollment at DULA are included whether or not the student received VA Benefits and regardless of the age of the coursework.

The following are counted when determining minimum Pace of Progress and Maximum Time Frame Requirements:

• Transfer: These courses are counted as both attempted and completed towards the pace of progression and maximum time frame.

• Incompletes: All incomplete grades count towards attempted hours for the pace of progression and maximum time frame.

• Receive a non-passing grade in ALL quarter credit hours: Grades defined as non-passing are I or F, and credits for non-passing grades are counted as attempted towards pace of progression and maximum time frame. • Withdrawal from all quarter courses: All courses a student withdraws from at DULA are counted towards attempted credit hours for the pace of progression and maximum time frame.

Appeals

Students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress after the SAP Warning period will be denied additional benefits. If, because of mitigating circumstances, a student falls below the required standards, he/she may appeal by explaining the circumstance to the Appeals Committee within 30 days of notification concerning their below standard performance. All appeals should be in writing and forwarded to:

Financial Aid Office
Dongguk University Los Angeles
440 Shatto Place, Suite 206
Los Angeles, CA 90020

GI Bill benefits at another school, college or university

You must fill out a “Request for Change of Place of Training” (VA Form 22-1995) which can be found through the GI Bill website and selecting the “eBenefits” link to access the VONAPP interface.

The Amount to be paid from the VA

Thomas Edison does not calculate the monthly benefits for our VA students. We recommend contacting the VA directly or visiting this link on the GI Bill website for more information.

Non-graduation required enrollment

In order to use Chapter 33 Post 9/11 you must take at least 1 course at a minimum of 1 credit at TESU to have a certification processed. If any course work is not needed for graduation, students cannot use Chapter 33 Post 9/11 benefits to pay for enrollment.

Taking Courses at another college/university

If the courses fit into your degree plan and are approved by an Academic Advisor at DULA. We can then provide a Parent Letter to the school where you would like to take the courses. Please find the Parent

Letter form in the Required Forms section of Operation Vet Success and complete all sections of the form and email to [email protected].

Drop or Withdraw from a course

If you drop or withdraw from courses, you must notify the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Office of Financial Aids at DULA and/or the veterans’ coordinator at the college/university where courses were taken. The law prohibits payment of veterans’ benefits for a course from which a student withdraws.

PLEASE NOTE: For students using Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, withdrawing from a course could cause a recoupment of your housing allowance (BAH)

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Institutional Scholarships and Financial Assistance at DULA

DULA recognizes the paramount significance of education and financial support. In pursuit of our mission to cultivate proficient medical practitioners, we are steadfast in ensuring your success on this journey. The inception of these scholarships is aimed at bolstering our existing students, nurturing dedication to the medical field, and fostering a diverse community of incoming students from various disciplines.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

Full-Time Status: Applicants must be enrolled full-time, defined as completing 12 quarterly units or 120 hours of clinic internship.

Academic Excellence: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 is expected from all applicants.

Registrar’s Office Standing: Applicants should not have any outstanding status in the registrar’s office, including but not limited to issues such as unsatisfactory academic progress, outstanding balances from previous quarters, and similar matters.

Admissions

Financial Aid