Students’ financial plans are developed based on the students’ current financial circumstances. An array of financial choices for meeting the students’ financial needs are considered, and eligible students may choose the best options to support meeting their educational goal.
The most common elements of financial planning are:
- Setting an academic goal.
- Establishing a path to graduation.
- Identifying the financial resources required to meet the academic goal.
- Matching financial need with the available financial options.
Financial resources and payment options include:
- US government federal financial aid:
- Loans are the most widely used tool for financing education and provide a low-cost alternative and a wide array of financing options.
- Grants are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need and are US citizens or eligible noncitizens.
Obligation for Payment
Enrollment constitutes a financial contract between the student and the University. Students are responsible for paying all registration charges associated with their enrollment in a given term after the “Last Day to Drop Course Without Tuition Charge” for that term, as specified in the Academic Calendar. See the Withdrawal Tuition Credit Policy for more information.
Students’ rights to university services and benefits are contingent upon their making all payments as agreed upon. If payments of amounts owed to the University are not made when they become due, GGU has the right to cancel a student’s registration and/or administratively withdraw the student from the current term; withhold grades, diplomas, scholastic certificates and degrees; and impound final exams. Failure to maintain good financial standing with the University may cause students to become ineligible for any deferred payment plans and/or some forms of financial aid. In addition, balances due the University will be reported to the credit agencies, which may impact students’ credit ratings.
Prior Balances
Prior to registering for a new term, students must pay any outstanding balances from any preceding terms. Students who do not pay their outstanding balances or make payment arrangements satisfactory to the university will not be permitted to register. This policy applies to any outstanding balances with Golden Gate University, including those with the Golden Gate University Bookstore, or any other company that operates a concession or service contracted by the university.
Payment Due Date
To complete the enrollment process, students must pay all registration charges (tuition and fees) in-full by means of one of the university’s accepted payment options or qualify for an alternative financing option by the payment due date for the term as published in the Academic Calendar. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the student’s registration.
Withdrawal Tuition Credit Policy (Refund Policy)
Enrollment constitutes a financial contract between a student and the University. Students are responsible for paying all registration charges by the due date for the term per the Academic Calendar or by the due dates for the financing options they have selected, or their enrollment may be canceled. Failure to attend class meetings, participate in an online course, or oral notification of intent to withdraw, is not considered official withdrawal from a course.
The following financial policies apply when students officially withdraw from courses. Withdrawal from a course (commonly known as “dropping” if done by the end of the third week of the term) is official once the university registrar has been notified. Notification must be made in writing by “dropping” the course online via myGGU/Student Self-Service, by sending an email to registration@ggu.edu, or by submission of a Registration Request form, which may be delivered to the Registrar’s Office in person, by standard mail, by fax or by email. If notification is made by email, the message must originate from the student’s email address on record with the university. The date the written notice is received will be the official withdrawal date. Oral (spoken) notification of intent to withdraw is insufficient.
Tuition will be credited as shown below. Fees are not credited except in the case of a course being canceled by the university. Tuition credits remain in the student’s account. Payments of credit balances are issued upon written request from the student as described in the Credit Balance Payment Policy. Federal Student Aid recipients who withdraw completely from the payment period (typically a trimester term) will be subject to the Return of Federal Student Aid policy calculations. Golden Gate University may be required to return funds for which the student is no longer eligible based on these calculations. This may leave the student owing a balance to the university.
Standard Refund Formula
One week of instruction is defined as the seven-day period that commences at midnight on the start date of the course section. The following refund formula applies to all students residing outside of the State of Oregon:
| Week of Instruction |
Amount of Credit |
| Week one through end of week three of instruction* |
100% Credit |
| Week four to end of term |
0% Credit |
*The School of Law Withdrawal Tuition Credit Policy allows students to receive 100% credit of tuition charges through the end of the second week of instruction only.
Oregon Resident Refund Formula
The following refund formula applies to all students residing in the State of Oregon:
| Trimester Term (15 Week) Course Refund Formula |
| Withdrawal by End of Week of Instruction |
Amount of Credit |
| Week 1 |
100% Credit |
| Week 2 |
100% Credit |
| Week 3 |
100% Credit |
| Week 4 |
80% Credit |
| Week 5 |
75% Credit |
| Week 6 |
70% Credit |
| Week 7 |
65% Credit |
| Week 8 |
60% Credit |
| After End of Week 8 |
0% Credit |
| Sub-Trimester Term (7.5-Week) Course Refund Formula |
| Withdrawal by End of Week of Instruction |
Amount of Credit |
| Week 1 |
100% Credit |
| Week 2 |
100% Credit |
| Week 3 |
100% Credit |
| Week 4 |
60% Credit |
| After End of Week 4 |
0% Credit |
Financial Petitions
If you are confronted with an unexpected and serious circumstance that requires you to withdraw from your courses, you may submit a Financial Petition to the Financial Petition Committee to reverse a portion of your tuition charges. Your petition should explain, in detail, the circumstances, the correlation between these circumstances and the need for you to withdraw from the course(s), and what actions you have taken to resolve or prevent such an event from occurring in subsequent terms. In addition, you must provide any relevant third-party documentation. The university will not consider petitions that are undocumented or that are based upon pre-existing conditions. All petitions must be submitted to the Office of Student Accounting Services no later than 60 days after the last day of the term in which the course(s) was dropped.
The university will respond to all petitions in writing. You should allow a minimum of 10 working days to hear from us as we are required to verify all facts from university sources prior to review by the Financial Petition Committee. If your petition is approved and any adjustments to your tuition result in a credit balance on your account, the university will apply this credit balance toward future tuition charges. If you are a financial aid recipient and you have a financial petition approved, credit balances typically are refunded to the appropriate financial aid program or lender.
Student Account Disputes
All disputes concerning student accounts should be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Accounting Services, Golden Gate University, 536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-2968 or sas@ggu.edu. The university will respond within 30 working days of receipt of the student’s letter or e-mail.
Credit Balance Payment Policy
Payment of a credit balance resulting from tuition adjustment in accordance with the above stated Withdrawal Tuition Credit Policy will be made if requested in writing by the student. Requests should be sent to Student Accounting Services at sas@ggu.edu. Payments are processed either as a direct deposit to the student’s checking or savings account or as a physical check mailed to the student’s address on record in the university’s student information system. Students are encouraged to request the payment be made via direct deposit, as it is the most efficient and expeditious way to receive it. To sign up for direct deposit, students must provide their bank account information via GGU’s secure website. To get started, students should log into their myGGU account and select “Banking Information” from the “Student Self-Service” menu.
Federal Student Aid recipients who withdraw completely from the payment period (typically a trimester term) will be subject to the Return of Federal Student Aid calculations. Golden Gate University may be required to return funds for which the student is no longer eligible based on these calculations. Financial Aid funds are typically returned to the appropriate financial aid program or lender.
Payment Options
The university accepts payment in cash, personal check, electronic check, travelers check, money order, credit/debit card and wire transfer. The student’s GGU issued-ID number must appear on (or be submitted with) all forms of payment to ensure they are credited to the appropriate account.
Electronic Check Payments
Electronic check payments may be made via myGGU under the “Student Self-Service” menu. There is no fee for using this service. Payments made in amounts greater than actual or anticipated registration charges for the term cannot be processed and will be returned.
Pay by Mail
If sending via regular USPS or express delivery services, send checks, money orders, or travelers checks (USD only) to:
Golden Gate University
Student Accounting Services
536 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-2968
All GGU mail is delivered to a centralized distribution center and may take up to 48 hours of processing before final delivery to departments. In order for payments to be considered on time, they must be received in Student Accounting Services by the published due dates so students should plan accordingly. Cash should not be mailed.
Checks or money orders should be made payable to Golden Gate University. To ensure credit to the proper account, the following information should be included on the check or money order:
- Print the student’s full legal name.
- Student’s ID number.
- Description of what the payment covers.
Payments in amounts greater than actual or anticipated registration charges for the term cannot be processed and will be returned.
Pay in Person
Students may pay in person with a check, cash, money order, travelers checks (USD only) or credit/debit card at the GGU Hub located in the lobby of 536 Mission Street in San Francisco. Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, and Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Payments in amounts greater than actual or anticipated registration charges for the term cannot be processed.
For students’ safety and security, we suggest that they do not pay in cash but use an alternative method listed on this page or bring a cashier’s check.
International Wire Transfer
The university has partnered with Flywire to streamline the tuition payment process for our international students.
Payments in amounts greater than actual or anticipated registration charges for the term cannot be processed and will be rejected and returned.
Credit/Debit Card Payments & Service Fee
The following credit cards are accepted: MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover via the student’s myGGU account, in person at the GGU Hub, or by phone-in to the GGU HUB at 415-442-7800. Debit cards are treated the same as credit cards. All credit and debit card transactions will incur a non-refundable service fee equal to 2.75% of gross charges.
Payments in amounts greater than actual or anticipated registration charges for the term will be canceled.
Financing Options
Installment Payment Plan
Nelnet Campus Commerce (Nelnet) is the exclusive payment plan provider for Golden Gate University. Plans are available to students with satisfactory financial standing. Eligible students must register with Nelnet either by calling 800-609-8056 or by going to mycollegepaymentplan.com/ggu and paying a $55 nonrefundable processing fee per enrollment term. The balance is due in two to five equal installment payments over the course of the term. The number of installment payments is based upon the date of registration. Installment payments are due to Nelnet on the first of each month. In all cases, final payment is due on December 1 for fall term, April 1 for spring term, and August 1 for summer term. Nelnet will send statements directly to the student.
Nelnet does not accept checks. Students have the option of electing an automatic debit from their checking /savings accounts or credit card payment. International students can send payments via wire transfer. For wire transfer information, please contact Nelnet for details.
Late payments incur an additional $40 late fee per occurrence. International students (F and J visa) are not eligible for the installment payment plan in their first term at the University.
Employer Reimbursement Plan
Golden Gate University offers an employer reimbursement plan through Nelnet Campus Commerce (Nelnet) to students in good financial standing. To be eligible for this plan, the student’s employer must be a third party (other than the student) and agree to pay for tuition and/or fees prior to the student’s registration.
An authorization form can be obtained from the Student Accounting Services Office. This form must be completed each term and submitted along with the business card of the authorizing officer to the Student Accounting Services Office. The form can be can be downloaded from GGU’s Financing Options webpage. In addition, in order to participate in this plan, the student must enroll in the corresponding payment plan with Nelnet either by calling 800-609-8056 or by going to mycollegepaymentplan.com/ggu and paying a $100 nonrefundable processing fee each term. Payment is due on February 5 for the fall term, June 5 for the spring term, and October 5 for the summer term.
Nelnet does not accept checks. Students have the option of electing an automatic debit from their checking /savings accounts or credit card payment.
Nelnet will send statements to students. The University will not bill the student’s employer. If, for any reason, the employer fails to reimburse the student, the student remains responsible for payment of the full tuition and fees. A late payment fee of $40 will be assessed if payment is not received by the final due date indicated on the authorization form and a 1.5 percent finance charge per month after 30 days past due.
Corporate/Agency Direct Bill Plan
If the student’s employer agrees to pay tuition and/or fees upon registration and without grade or course completion limitations, the University will bill the student’s employer directly for all authorized costs. Payment in full is due 30 days after billing. To be eligible for this plan, the employer must be a third party other than the student; Golden Gate University and the student’s employer must execute a contract agreeing to payment terms prior to completing registration. A standard contract agreement is available from the Student Accounting Services Office or can be downloaded from GGU’s Financing Options webpage. The form must be submitted and approved prior to registration. If the company authorizes less than 100 percent payment of registration charges, the student will be required to utilize one of the University’s other payment plans for that portion of the total charges not covered. If, for any reason, the employer fails to pay the University, the student remains responsible for payment of the full tuition and fees. Golden Gate will assess the account a late payment fee of $40 if not paid within 30 days of billing.
After reviewing the financial planning components, students will be able to build their own plan to cover educational costs. Should any student want or need further assistance with their financial plan, GGU’s Financial Aid Office staff is available for consultation.
Federal Financial Aid
GGU strongly encourages all students to apply for financial aid as part of a financial plan to finance educational costs. The Financial Aid Office provides guidance throughout the financial aid application process.
Eligibility Requirements for US Government Federal Aid Programs
All students must meet the following criteria:
- Be a US citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States.
- Be a permanent resident of any state except the following: Alabama, Arkansas, D.C., Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island or Wisconsin; GGU is not authorized to offer online education to students who reside in these states. Therefore, GGU is not able to offer federal financial aid and/or GGU scholarships, grants or discounts to students who reside in these states.
- Have earned a high school diploma, GED or state certificate, or have completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law.
- Be admitted (excluding Provisional Admission and Subject to Documentation statuses) and matriculated in a degree program at GGU; certificate programs and open enrollment status are ineligible.
- Be enrolled in courses with at least half-time enrollment status at GGU per trimester (minimum 15-week period), with the following exception: Eligible undergraduate students may receive the Federal Pell Grant with less than half-time enrollment status; if repeating a course (that the student previously passed) in order to earn a better grade, the student’s first repeat attempt only may be included in the enrollment status calculation.
- Be registered to earn a letter grade or credit in each course; Audit statuses are not eligible for financial aid.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as required by the financial aid policy.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a federal grant overpayment.
- Disclose to the Financial Aid Office if you plan to receive financial aid at another institution at the same time.
- Males must be able to provide proof of registration with the Selective Service upon request. Registration with Selective Service must have occurred between the ages of 18 and 25.
Application Process Steps
- Student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. The application is available online at studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa; the student should include GGU’s Title IV school code 001205 in step six of the FAFSA (students should not use forms from other websites as fees might be charged).
- FAFSA information is processed and results are sent to the institution(s) and to the student (average time 2-4 business days). GGU reviews the FAFSA information and may request other required documents.
- Student must also complete the GGU financial aid application available on our website.
- GGU reviews the financial aid application and prepares a financial package for eligible students. Note: Students may be required to submit additional paperwork and forms after the application review.
- GGU prepares a financial aid offer letter and sends an email to the student to view and accept their award online and sign their offer letter online through Self Service. The type and amount of the awards are dependent upon the student’s grade level, anticipated enrolled units and trimesters, and aid program eligibility requirements.
- Direct Loans offered can be either accepted or rejected. Student can also send an email to lower the amount. GGU originates accepted loans with the US Department of Education.
- Eligibility is verified and financial aid is disbursed to a student’s account. The timing of the disbursement is dependent upon the date the student accepts the awards as well as the date the loans are originated.
- Once financial aid is disbursed to a student’s account, if a credit balance results, the Finance Office transmits the amount to the student’s bank account by direct deposit or mails a paper check to the student; the Finance Office remits the credit balance within 10 business days after it appears in the student’s GGU account.
Calculation of Financial Aid
A general budget is created based upon an average cost of housing, food, books/supplies, transportation, personal expenses, tuition and fees. The tuition expenses are based upon the total unit enrollment the student indicated on the GGU Financial Aid Application. This budget is called cost of attendance (COA).
Standard financial aid policy requires that students and/or students’ families contribute a portion of financial resources to pay for the cost of education. The contribution amount is calculated by the information provided by the student on the FAFSA or after further verification occurs and it is called expected family contribution (EFC).
The student’s financial need may be calculated by taking the COA and subtracting the EFC - the remainder is the financial need. The Financial Aid Office calculates program awards based on the criteria for each program for which the student may be eligible.
In some instances, financial aid awards are not sufficient to finance total tuition expense. Additional financing options, such as the installment payment plan, are described above in this section of the catalog, or students may contact the Financial Aid Office or Student Accounting Services for further assistance.
Types of Federal Financial Aid
Grants based upon student financial need
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree and have high financial need (low EFC), as calculated by the FAFSA formula. The U.S. Department of Education will notify the student about Pell Grant eligibility by sending a Student Aid Report (SAR) to each student who files the FAFSA. For 2021-22, the Federal Pell Grants maximum the is $6,495 per academic year and are awarded based upon the student’s financial need (EFC) and verified enrollment status.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG awards are offered to undergraduate students who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree and who demonstrate high financial need (have the lowest EFCs), are enrolled at GGU for at least six units per trimester and are Federal Pell Grant recipients. Awards for the academic year are dependent on the federal funding allocation for that year. Once the funds are allocated for the year, no further funds can be awarded. Currently, the maximum award for FSEOG is up to $750 per trimester. However, amounts may be lowered once funding has been allocated.
Loans
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Annual Borrowing Limits*
|
Academic Level
|
Dependent Students**
|
Independent Students**
|
|
Freshmen (29 or fewer units)
|
$ 5,500
|
$ 9,500
|
|
Sophomores (30-59 units)
|
$ 6,500
|
$ 10,500
|
|
Juniors/Seniors (60 or more units)
|
$ 7,500
|
$ 12,500
|
|
Graduates (have bachelor’s degree)
|
not eligible
|
$ 20,500
|
* The amounts shown represent the total combined eligibility for subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans as of July 1, 2008.
**Dependent or independent status is determined by the US Department of Education criteria on the FAFSA.
Even though the Department of Education has not established an aggregate limit on the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, Golden Gate University has set an aggregate limit of $400,000. In addition, the Financial Aid Office reserves the right to review a student’s situation, including overall student loan debt, and to limit or refuse certification of future federal student loans as determined appropriate on a case-by-case basis. This could include a consideration of aggregate loan debt, enrollment history, borrowing history and other factors as appropriate. The authority for this review is granted by Section 479A(c) of the Higher Education Act, as amended (HEA), and the Direct Loan Program regulations at 34 CFR 685.301(a)(8).
Students have the right to appeal the Financial Aid Office’s decision to limit or refuse certification of future borrowing. All appeals must be submitted in writing, and should include the following:
- The student’s current academic program.
- The student’s remaining degree requirements and the anticipated cost to complete the student’s academic program.
- The student’s anticipated graduation date.
- A projection of the student’s future employment and debt management plans, and the student’s rationale for increasing their student loan debt.
Direct Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans are awarded only to undergraduate students who meet the financial need criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. Students must be enrolled at least half-time per trimester. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on the loans while students are enrolled in school, at least half-time, and for the first six months after dropping below half-time, withdrawing from school or graduating. Typically, half-time status for undergraduate students requires enrollment in six or more units. Important note: Interest rates are subject to change each July 1. Interest rates on Subsidized Direct Loans for 2020-21 are 2.75%. ONLY undergraduate students are eligible for Subsidized Direct Loans.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are non-need based loan awarded to both Undergraduate and Graduates. Students must be enrolled at least half-time per trimester. A student may pay the interest while in school or allow the interest to accrue and the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan.
The interest rate for 2020-21 is 2.75% for undergraduates and 4.3% for graduates and is subject to change each July 1. Students must begin repaying the loan, principal and interest six months after graduation or when a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Half-time status for undergraduate students requires enrollment in six or more units per semester. Half-time status for graduate students requires enrollment in four or more units per semester. The U.S. Department of Education may charge an origination fee, which the student must repay. This fee is deducted during disbursement and is included when repayment begins.
Loan entrance counseling is required by the U.S. Department of Education before federal loans are disbursed to first-time borrowers. Entrance loan counseling will advise students of their responsibilities, loan information and the requirement that the loan must be repaid. Visit www.studentloans.gov for more information.
Loan exit counseling is required for GGU borrowers who drop below half-time status or graduate. Loan exit counseling is required by the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that students understand their rights and obligations and repayment processes and requirements. Visit www.studentloans.gov for more information.
Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
PLUS loans are available to parents or stepparents of dependent undergraduate students. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other aid their dependent may receive. Parental applicants for this program must be creditworthy as assessed by the U.S. Department of Education. PLUS loans are not subsidized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The interest rate is variable, adjusted each year on July 1, and maximized at 9 percent. The interest rate for 2020-21 is 5.3% and is subject to change each July 1. Interest accrues from the date the loan funds are disbursed and until the loan is repaid in full. The U.S. Department of Education may charge fees, which will be paid at the time loans repayment commences. Students are required to file a FAFSA but financial need is not a factor in the parental application process.
Graduate PLUS (Grad-PLUS)
Graduate students may apply for the GradPLUS loan. Graduate students who attend at least half-time per trimester may be eligible. To calculate a GradPLUS loan, subtract all financial aid from the student’s cost of attendance (COA). An example is shown below.
|
Cost of Attendance
|
$25,000
|
|
Minus Scholarship
|
- $500
|
|
Minus Stafford Loans
|
- $20,500
|
|
Amount of G-PLUS
|
$ 4,000
|
The interest rate for 2020-21 is 5.3% and subject to change each July 1. Graduate applicants to this program must be credit worthy with the U.S. Department of Education. GradPLUS loans are always unsubsidized. Students may pay the interest while in school. Students are required to file a FAFSA but financial need is not a factor. A separate loan application is required and there may be additional fees. For more information, visit www.ggu.edu and search for “Graduate PLUS.”
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need-based fund available from the U.S. Department of Education. Students must complete a FAFSA (answer “yes” to question 31 on the FAFSA) and must be eligible to work in the U.S. and provide documents to substantiate employment eligibility. FWS jobs may be located on or off campus. Pay rates are competitive and vary depending on the position and skills required. FWS jobs are limited to the total amount shown on the offer letter. Awards for the academic year are dependent on the federal funding allocation to GGU for that year.
Scholarships and Grants
GGU scholarships and grants cover a portion of tuition costs. Typically, applicants and students receive partial scholarships/ grants and are eligible to receive one scholarship or grant.
For 2021-22, the following GGU Scholarship and Grants are offered. Information about the scholarship and grants are available online at www.ggu.edu and from the Financial Aid Office.
- Alumni Referral Grant
- Enterprise Learning Agreement Grant
- FPA Scholarship
- International Scholarships:
- President’s Scholars
- Dean’s Scholars
- Welcome Grant
- Masters of Science in IT Management Day Cohort Grant
- Masters of Science in Taxation Grant
- Tax Grant for Public Employees
Endowed and Gift Scholarships
Endowed and gift scholarships are funded through the generosity of GGU alumni, friends, foundations and corporations. Typically our Special Scholarship Applications are available during the late summer and awarded for the following academic year. Information is posted on our website at www.ggu.edu and an invitation to apply will be emailed to our current and new students.
Scholarships and grants amounts vary and may depend upon merit and academic achievement, financial need, enrolled units per trimester and funds availability. Scholarships are applied toward a portion of GGU tuition expense only and are not transferable. International students (F and J Visa) are eligible provided they meet the requirements above. U.S. citizens and permanent residents must have a completed FAFSA. Students may complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.
The following scholarships are offered through our Special Scholarships Program and are offered annually. New scholarships may be added as they become available. Information about the requirements for each scholarship is available online at www.ggu.edu and the Financial Aid Office:
- Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship
- Bita Darybari Scholarship
- William Enderlein Endowed Scholarship
- Gurmehar Foundation Scholarship
- Handlery Endowed Scholarship
- Z.M. Giles Huguenot Scholarship
- Masud Mehran Endowed Scholarship
- Lois Myers Endowed Scholarship
- Nagel Miner Scholarship
- Robert J. Shaw Scholarship
- TEI Scholarship
- Tritasavit Accounting Scholarship
GGU Community Tuition Assistance Grants
These GGU Community Tuition Assistance Grant (CTAG) programs are available to eligible employees, graduates of GGU, and their families. Students must meet the grant eligibility criteria and be admitted to a degree-granting program in the school of business, accounting or taxation. Programs offered by the School of Law or School of Undergraduate Studies are not included. Grants are applied to tuition only and are renewable providing the student continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria. Students who accept the GGU Employee Educational Assistance Remission or any other GGU grant or scholarship are not eligible. Eligible students are required to submit CTAG form available on our website or in our office the first time they are requesting the grant. These grants are not retroactive and may not be combined with any other grant or scholarship offered by Golden Gate University. Information about the requirements for each grant is available online at www.ggu.edu and the Financial Aid Office:
- Regular Full-time Faculty and Staff Family Tuition Grant
- Regular Adjunct Faculty Family Tuition Grant
- Graduates’ Tuition Grant
- Graduates’ Family Tuition Grant
GGU Scholarship and Grant Policy
Eligible students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents or other eligible noncitizens are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for scholarships and grants. In step six of the FAFSA, students must indicate Golden Gate University’s Title IV code 001205 in order for the FAFSA information to be received at GGU. The FAFSA must be completed and be on file at GGU at the beginning of the trimester. International students are exempted from the FAFSA requirement.
To be eligible, undergraduate scholarship and grant recipients must:
- Maintain a minimum half-time enrollment status (typically, six units minimum in a trimester term, or three units in each of the 7.5-week terms).
- Earn a minimum of six units in each enrolled term or three units each in consecutive 7.5-week term that are scheduled within a trimester term.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
To be eligible, graduate scholarship and grant recipients must:
- Maintain minimum half-time enrollment status (typically, four or more units per trimester).
- Earn a minimum of four units each term.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
For all scholarship and grant recipients:
- Students in the last term of enrollment (graduation candidates) will have the scholarship or grant prorated in the event that half time enrollment status is not required for graduation.
- Scholarships and grants are not awarded for repeated classes.
- Students who interrupt enrollment or who fail to earn the required minimum units forfeit the scholarship or grant. However, students may appeal for reinstatement of their grant or scholarship with their financial aid advisor.
- Typically, a student will be awarded one scholarship or grant. Students who demonstrate exceptional need that is not met by the financial aid package and have already received one scholarship or grant may be awarded an additional scholarship or grant.
- Students receiving other grants, scholarships or other financial assistance intended for tuition costs (i.e., other grants, tuition remission) will have their scholarships or other grants prorated. Total scholarship or grant and/or tuition remission amount cannot exceed the total tuition cost.
- Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) must be maintained to remain eligible.
- Scholarships and grants may not exceed the total cost of tuition in a trimester or other term.
- GGU scholarships and grants are applied towards tuition costs. No award shall exceed amount of tuition.
- The total amount of scholarships and GGU grants are dependent on yearly contributions, budgets and other funding issues and are subject to change.
- Scholarships and grants are subject to budget control and/or donor contributions.
Alternative/Private Loans
GGU has a list of lenders who offer loans to students as an alternative to Direct Loans. These loans can supplement the gap between the cost of attendance minus all financial aid awards. Participating lenders have their own criteria for loan eligibility. Typically, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and demonstrate creditworthiness. Repayment may be required to begin immediately; interest rates and deferment options will differ from lender to lender. GGU recommends that students compare the variables and options of each lender before making a decision to pursue an alternative/private loan. Visit www.ggu.edu for further information.
International Students Loans
A limited number of lenders offer loan programs to international (F and J visa) students. These loans are private or alternative loans. International students are required to have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner. Deferment, repayment, loan limits and other options vary from lender to lender. If approved, the loan amount may not exceed the cost of attendance for an academic year. Lenders reserve the right to make changes to these loans without prior notice. Visit www.ggu.edu for further information.
Washington State Student Loan Advocate
For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.
Financial Aid Disbursements
Federal Grant Programs, Federal Direct Loans and Scholarships
Students must meet all of the eligibility requirements of the program or loan before a disbursement is made. Enrollment verification is performed each trimester prior to the disbursement of funds. The student’s financial aid award is based on the information provided on the GGU Financial Aid Application at the time the award is calculated. If there are changes in the enrollment information at the time of disbursement, the student’s award will have to be recalculated. Recalculation may result in changes to the original award amounts and delay disbursements and credit balance payments.
All loans, grants and GGU scholarships are applied to tuition costs first and are not automatically released directly to the student. If the disbursement of funds to the student’s account produces a credit balance, a deposit will be made to the students’ bank account or a check will be mailed to the student. Credit balances can be provided through direct deposit to a student’s checking or savings account if the student enrolled in the direct deposit option prior to the disbursement of funds to the student’s account. Students should go to http://www.ggu.edu and login to Self Service to enroll in Direct Deposit. Payments by mailed check or direct deposit occur within 10 business days after the credit balance appears on the student’s GGU account record.
Direct Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are sent electronically to the university by the U.S. Department of Education. Disbursement dates of the loans are dependent on the start date of the trimester, when the student’s enrollment status has been verified, and when the loan process has been completed. Federal direct loans are disbursed in two equal amounts for two terms. If the U.S. Department of Education charges fees, the disbursed amount will be minus the fees. First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete entrance loan counseling before funds can be disbursed.
Federal PLUS funds are disbursed based upon the trimester start date, when the student’s enrollment status has been verified, and when the loan process has been completed. The U.S. Department of Education may charge fees that will have to be repaid. The fees will be included in the amount to repay. If you do not request a deferment, you will be expected to begin making payments after the loan is fully disbursed (paid out). If a federal PLUS is applied to the student’s account and a credit balance occurs, the credit balance will be sent to the student’s parent(s).
Graduate PLUS loans can be awarded to students who request additional funds beyond their direct subsidized/unsubsidized loan eligibility. Credit worthiness is checked by the U.S. Department of Education. The Graduate PLUS award is COA minus the amount of all financial aid awarded. Graduate PLUS requires a separate loan application. If a credit balance is produced, Graduate PLUS loan funds are applied to the student’s account and the credit balance is released to the student.
Current financial aid funds cannot be applied retroactively to past due balances greater than $200 per federal regulations.
Return of Federal Student Aid Policy
Federal Student Aid recipients who withdraw completely from all of their courses for a payment period (typically a trimester term) must notify the Financial Aid Office by email at finaid@ggu.edu after submitting the proper withdrawal notification to the registrar. Students are deemed to have withdrawn completely from a payment period by any of the following: dropping or withdrawing from all enrolled courses, receiving “UW” grades in all enrolled courses, receiving “F” grades in all enrolled courses with last dates of attendance prior to the term’s end date, or any combination of the three. When students withdraw completely from a payment period, Federal regulations specify the method that GGU must use to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid (Title IV) assistance the student has earned. The following Federal Student Aid programs are subject to this policy: Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).
The amount of assistance earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. For example, if a student completes 30 percent of the payment period, the student will have earned 30 percent of the assistance the student was originally scheduled to receive. Once the student has completed more than 60 percent of the payment period, the student has earned all the assistance that the student was scheduled to receive for that period.
Federal financial aid awarded to the student and not earned at the time of the effective date of withdrawal or leave of absence will be returned to the Federal Student Financial Aid program from which it was received. Both the student and the university may be required to return all or a portion of the federal financial aid disbursed for the specified payment period. For withdrawal procedures, students should refer to the university’s Withdrawal Tuition Credit Policy.
If financial aid funds must be returned to the Federal Student Aid (Title IV) programs, loan funds will be returned before grant funds. Funds are returned in the following order:
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Direct Subsidized Loans
- Direct PLUS Loan/Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Other assistance programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Assistance Act
If a tuition adjustment occurs after the return of Federal Student Aid funds has occurred that produces a credit balance on the student’s account, the credit balance payment will be issued to the student. The student may request Direct Loan funds to be returned to the U.S. Department of Education to reduce the student’s outstanding loan balance. For additional credit balance payment information, students should refer to the Credit Balance Payment Policy.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
To be eligible for federal and State of California financial aid (loans and grants), students must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations. Students are evaluated for SAP at the end of each enrolled trimester for which they received state or federal aid. Students must continue to meet the university’s SAP standards as they pursue their academic programs in order to remain eligible for financial aid. A student’s SAP is measured in three ways:
- Qualitatively - Cumulative Grade Point Average
- Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
- Graduate and doctoral students must maintain a minimum cumulative program GPA of 3.00.
- Quantitatively - Completion Rate
Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum 67 percent completion rate for all units attempted toward their academic programs. In addition, they must achieve a minimum 67 percent completion rate for all GGU institutional units (not including transfer units) attempted toward their academic programs. This rate is equivalent to successfully completing two out of three courses attempted. Graduate students must achieve a minimum 75 percent completion rate for all units attempted toward their academic programs. This rate is equivalent to successfully completing three out of four courses attempted.
- Maximum Attempted Units Allowed
Students must complete the requirements for their academic programs within 150 percent of the minimum units required to complete their academic programs. (For example, a student enrolled in a degree program that requires a minimum of 123 units may attempt up to 185 units to complete the program). Units attempted also include all units transferred into GGU from prior institutions that can be used to satisfy students’ academic program requirements. Students who have reached their maximum attempted units allowed are ineligible for additional financial aid. Students may appeal for financial aid probation status if they feel their circumstances warrant an exception to this standard.
Effects of Repeating Courses
When students repeat courses for which they failed to earn passing grades, or when students repeat courses to earn better grades, all course attempts are calculated in the students’ quantitative measure of progress (standard #2 above), and total units attempted toward their maximum units allowed (standard #3 above).
Effects of Non-Letter Grades
“I” (incomplete), “UW” (unofficial withdrawal), “UX” (unofficial withdrawal) and “W” (withdrawal) grades award no academic credit and have no grade point value and are not used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
“CR” (credit) and “NC” (no credit) grades have no grade point value and are not used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average. However, “CR” (credit) grades do award academic credit, while “NC” (no credit) grades do not.
All courses with non-letter grades are included in the calculation of the quantitative measure of progress (standard #2 above) and in the maximum attempted units (standard #3 above).
Refer to Grading Policies and Procedures for further information.
Financial Aid Warning Status
Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) will be placed on financial aid warning status for one trimester following the trimester after which they did not meet the university’s SAP standards. Students must meet the SAP standards at the end of the warning trimester or they will become ineligible for additional financial aid. Students on financial aid warning status are eligible for financial aid for only one trimester. If a student has already been awarded aid for two trimesters at the time of the SAP evaluation, the financial aid for the 2nd trimester will be placed on hold until the SAP is evaluated at the end of the warning term.
Financial Aid Probation Status Without an Academic Plan
Students who become ineligible for financial aid due to failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress at the end of a warning trimester or due to reaching the maximum units allowed for their academic program (standard #3 above) may appeal in writing for financial aid probation status. To be eligible for financial aid probation status, it must be mathematically possible for students to achieve satisfactory academic progress by the end of the subsequent trimester. The calculation assumes enrollment in a maximum of nine units. Students should appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee and explain the reason for their failure to make SAP and what has changed that will allow them to make SAP at the end of the next enrolled trimester. Some possible reasons for appeal include: a death in the family, injury, illness or other unusual or unexpected circumstances. In support of the appeal, students should submit at least one professional reference letter on letterhead or other record (such as a death certificate) to document their changed circumstances. Students may obtain professional references from doctors, counselors, clergy, lawyers, school officials, therapists, social workers, etc. Students who experienced illness or injury should submit copies of medical records in support of their appeals. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review each appeal on its own merits and will send a response to each appeal via e-mail within 10-14 business days.
Students approved for financial aid probation status will be eligible for financial aid for one trimester only. At the end of the financial aid probation trimester, students will be evaluated against all three SAP standards. Students who fail to meet the SAP standards at the end of a probation trimester become ineligible for additional aid. Students in this circumstance may see the section “How to Reestablish Financial Aid Eligibility” in this catalog for further information.
Financial Aid Probation Status with Academic Plan
Students for whom it is mathematically impossible to achieve satisfactory academic progress at the end of the subsequent trimester by attempting 6 to 9 units and who would require two or three trimesters (maximum of 27 units) in order to achieve satisfactory academic progress may be eligible for probation status with an academic plan. Students may appeal for probation status with an academic plan as described above. If approved, students may receive financial aid for up to three trimesters (maximum of 27 units) in order to achieve the university’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards or graduate. All other financial aid program eligibility requirements, such as aggregate loan limits, continue to apply.
Students approved for probation with an academic plan must meet with their student services advisers and have their schedules approved prior to registration. Students will be allowed to register once their student services adviser notifies the Financial Aid Office of their approved academic plans. In addition to completing the approved courses, students must satisfy the following requirements each trimester while on an academic plan:
- Qualitatively - Grade Point Average
- Undergraduate students must earn a minimum trimester GPA of 2.00; if the student is not required to repeat any courses, the academic plan may require the student to earn a higher trimester GPA in order to raise the student’s cumulative GPA.
- Graduate and doctoral students must earn a minimum trimester GPA of 3.00; if the student is not required to repeat any courses, the academic plan may require the student to earn a higher trimester GPA in order to raise the student’s cumulative GPA.
- Quantitatively - Completion Rate
Students must achieve a 100 percent completion rate each trimester for all courses attempted in accordance with the student’s academic plan.
Students are evaluated at the end of each probationary trimester to determine whether they have met the requirements of the academic plan. Students who meet the requirements of the academic plan may continue on financial aid probation status for the next trimester. Students who fail to meet the requirements of the academic plan after any probationary trimester become ineligible for additional aid. Students in this circumstance may see the section “How to Reestablish Financial Aid Eligibility” in this catalog for further information.
How to Reestablish Financial Aid Eligibility
Students may reestablish financial aid eligibility by enrolling at Golden Gate University and completing one or more trimesters of at least half-time status (usually six units per trimester for undergraduate students, and four units per trimester for graduate students) without federal or state financial aid and achieve the applicable cumulative GPA and completion rate standards.
Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Example
A student who fails to meet the qualitative (GPA) and/or quantitative (completion rate) standards at the end of the fall semester will be placed on financial aid warning status for the spring semester. If the student fails to meet either of these two standards at the end of the spring semester, the student becomes ineligible for financial aid. If the student submits an appeal for probation and the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed one trimester on probation status. At the end of the probation trimester, if the student fails to meet either of these standards, the student is again ineligible for financial aid. In order for the student to reestablish eligibility after a probation semester, the student must complete at least one trimester at Golden Gate University without the use of financial aid. Once the student has achieved each of these standards, the student is again eligible to receive financial aid, provided the student has not exceeded the maximum attempted units allowed for program standard.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits
The following Veterans Affairs Educational Assistance Programs are available to eligible veterans and dependents:
- Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill®*: Selected Reserve
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®*: Active Duty
- Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment
- Chapter 32 Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
- Chapter 33 Veterans Post 9/11 and Yellow Ribbon Benefits
- Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
* GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about the education benefits offered by VA is available at the official US government website, at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Financial Responsibility
You are ultimately responsible for any expense incurred while attending Golden Gate University, both to the school and the VA. This includes any tuition, fees, or expenses not covered by VA, as well as overpayments by VA. Please use VA funds for the purposes for which they are intended. Please note that the VA pays in arrears for your schooling (i.e., you’ll receive September’s payment in October, and October’s payment in November). There is no pay over breaks, so it is very important to be financially prepared for the Fall, Spring and Summer breaks, when school is not in session.
The VA pays for only the time you are attending school, and you will be paid a pro-rated amount for the month. For instance, if fall term begins on September 22, you will only be paid from the 22nd to the 30th for your first month. You are strongly encouraged to carefully consider these policies and practices as you budget your funds while attending school.
If you are a Chapter 33 student, the VA may only be responsible for a percentage of your tuition. Your Certificate of Eligibility Letter will include the percentage the VA will pay. For example, if the VA pays 70%, you are responsible for paying the other 30%.
With other Chapters, such as 30, 35, 1606, and 1607, the VA pays you, the student, directly every month. It is your responsibility to pay your tuition, books, and other expenses.
VA students are highly encouraged to apply for financial aid while attending Golden Gate University to see if they qualify for other types of funding. Federal Title IV financial does not affect VA benefits. Some examples of expenses that the VA does not cover include, but are not limited to, application fees, graduation fees, late registration fee, and parking. Please make sure you have the funds to take a program.
VA Pending Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), Golden Gate University adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment.
- Assess a late penalty fee to.
- Require student secure alternative or additional funding.
- Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Submit the Certificate of Eligibility on or before the first day of class.
- Submit the GGU Certification Request form via email at va@ggu.edu before the payment deadline.
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment and ascertain eligibility for Post 9/11 or Chapter 31.
Transfer Students
For Chapters 30, 33, 1606, and 1607: If you have used your benefits at another school, you will have to complete VA Form 22-1995, Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, online (VONAPP).
For Chapter 35: If you have used your benefits at another school, you will have to complete VA Form 22-5495, Dependents’ Request for Change of Program or Place of Training, online (VONAPP).
Path to Completion
Your advisor will provide you with a list of classes required to complete your program. VA benefits are applicable to academic program requirements only. Specifically, each course for which you enroll must be required by the academic program in which you are enrolled to qualify for benefits. Electives are permitted, up to maximum indicated in the published curriculum.
Change of Program
You cannot change programs once an academic semester has started and you have been certified to the VA for the term. Any change in program will apply to the upcoming term. Changing your program may affect your benefits including your remaining benefit eligibility compared to the length of the program. Specifically, you could exhaust your benefits before completing your program. If you have any questions regarding your remaining benefits, please contact the VA Regional Office. You must also complete a Request for Change of Program or Place of Training form (VA Form 22- 1995) online (VONAPP).
Adding/Dropping Classes
You are encouraged to enroll in courses which are required for your degree and to avoid adding and dropping classes without prior approval from your academic advisor. Enrolling in courses which are not required by your program initially or resulting from adding or dropping classes can result in a VA benefits overpayment for which you will be responsible to repay to the VA. You must notify the GGU’s VA certifying official immediately if you add or drop courses which can result in changes to your certification along with notification to the VA.
Golden Gate University will not be responsible to repay any overpayment or underpayment that may result from adding or dropping classes. Faculty may drop students who have stopped attending their class(es). For VA purposes, this process is equivalent to the student dropping that class.
Academic Progress
All VA students are required to meet the academic progress standards established by Golden Gate University. VA regulations require that students placed on academic probation or academic suspension be reported to the VA. These regulations require that educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward their training objectives.
The grades reported by the faculty will be the same grades that are reported to the VA. Any grade disputes must be resolved between the instructor and the student, and at no time will the Certifying Official become involved in a grading dispute. If a grade is changed at a later date, the new grade will be reported to VA.
Termination of Benefits
If you are academically disqualified, GGU will notify VA and terminate your last term’s certification.
GI Bill® payments will stop immediately and you may owe money to the school and may have to repay any GI Bill® benefits you received for that enrollment. You can reenroll for a future term at the same school in the same education field and receive GI Bill® benefits if the school allows you to. If you enroll in a different school OR a different education program the VA must find that the cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, progress or conduct has been removed and that the program of education or training to be pursued is suitable to your aptitudes, interests and abilities.
Withdrawal from Classes
Students receiving a “W” grade will likely accrue an overpayment from VA. If you receive an administrative withdrawal “UW” for non-attendance, GGU will report the course as withdrawn retroactively to the first day of that term.
Failing Grades
Failing grades “(F)” are reported to the VA including the last date that you were physically present or participating in the class. You will incur an overpayment of GI Bill® benefits you received if this date is prior to the last date of the term. You may retake the class and receive GI Bill® benefits in cases for which a higher grade is required to successfully complete the program.
Auditing a Class
Non-punitive grades including, NC, “no credit” or “no pass”, may result in an overpayment because no credit is awarded and will require repayment of any GI Bill® benefits for that class.
Incomplete Grades
Incomplete grades are given when you do not complete the class requirements prior to the end of a term and as a result, credit is not awarded. The VA will not take any action for up to 12 months from the end of the term. If, after 12 months or the school’s time limit (whichever is shorter) the incomplete class is changed to a standard evaluated grade along with credit, you may have to repay any GI Bill® benefits you received for that class. Since you did not receive credit for the class, you are not eligible for GI Bill® benefits. It is your responsibility to notify the School Certifying Official when the “I” is changed to a standard evaluated grade with credit.
Class Attendance and Performance
Every student is expected to attend class and maintain satisfactory progress in that class. Class attendance is expected to occur consistently throughout the term. If a student receiving VA benefits ceases attendance and receives a failing “F” grade, the student’s last date of attendance will be reported to the VA. If a student is absent from a class that requires physical presence, then the last date that the student was physically present will be reported to the VA as the last date of attendance.
Students who fail classes due to non-attendance or poor attendance or lack of participation will likely incur overpayments and may be required to repay to VA including tuition and any other payments made associated with your enrollment in that class. The official date of last attendance will be the date reported to the VA.
Guest or Concurrent Enrollment
If approved to take courses at another institution, a formal request must be submitted to a GGU SCO to use your benefits at both schools. Submit a request for a Parent School Letter, which allows certification at both schools. Include institution, school official name and email address or fax number.
Break Pay
The VA does not pay for any breaks in instruction. For example, if winter break in December is eight days, the VA will only pay for 22 days (VA always counts a month as 30 days, regardless of the actual number of days in the month).
Benefit Expiration
Let us know when your GI Bill® benefits are exhausted. Failing to notify us could result in an overpayment. You can access your remaining entitlements by going to the VA eBenefits page and working through these steps:
- Login to your existing account or register for an account (be sure to write down your username and password)
- When a security warning pops up while navigating through the site, follow these steps:
- Choose “I understand the risk”
- Choose “Add Exception”
- Confirm security exemption
- At the “Create your DS logon today” section, answer the questions, then begin “Basic Registration Lev. 1”
- Once your registration has been completed, upgrade your account and go through Remote Proofing
- When proofing has been completed, go to eBenefits and click Manage Benefits, then Education
- At that point, Chapter 33 Post 9/11 recipients should be able to view and print your Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Enrollment Info, which will serve as your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Round Out
A VA student can round out a schedule with non-required courses to bring their course load up to a full-time schedule in their last term prior to program completion only. This allows students to continue to receive benefits at the full-time rate in their last term of enrollment, even though fewer credits are required to complete the program. This procedure can be done only once per program. In rounding out a full-time schedule, VA students may use any credit hour unit subject, including a subject that has previously been successfully completed (received a passing grade).
EXAMPLE: A claimant needs to complete 60 credit hours to obtain a BA degree. After passing 57 credit hours, the claimant enrolls in four 3-credit-hour courses. VA may pay the veteran educational assistance for full-time training during this last term.
Enrollment Classification
Undergraduate
| Semester |
Less Than Half-Time |
Half-Time |
Three-Quarter Time |
Full-Time |
| Fall, Spring, and Summer |
Less than 6 units |
6-8 units |
9-11 units |
12 or more units |
| 7.5 Weeks |
2 units |
3 units |
4-5 units |
6 units |
Graduate
| Semester |
Less Than Half-Time |
Half-Time |
Three-Quarter Time |
Full-Time |
| Fall, Spring, and Summer |
Less Than 4 units |
4 units |
5-7 units |
8 units |
| 7.5 Weeks |
1 unit |
2 units |
3 units |
4 units |
Equivalency Table (Chapter 30, 32, 35, 1606, and 1607)
The training time credit hour equivalency table for nonstandard length semester where 12 credits is full-time is shown below:
Term Definition
The VA considers all the classes that start in the same calendar week to be in the same “term,” while classes that start in a different calendar week are in a different “term,” regardless of what the school calls them. So, if you were in two classes that ran August - December and one class that ran October - December, then your school submitted it correctly with two classes in one term and one class in another term.
When the VA calculates payment, they will consider each term independently, and also the overlapping period when two or more terms overlap the same dates. In the case of an overlap, the VA will add the enrollment of both terms for the overlap period only. So, if you were in 6 units for the full term and another 6 units for the 2nd half-term, then the VA will count that as 1/2 time for the first half and full time for the second half (because of the overlap). If you were enrolled originally in 12 units for the full term, and then switched it to 6+6, then you may owe a debt to the VA for BAH received during the first half.
Overpayments
Generally, overpayments of VA benefits are the responsibility of the student. However, there are instances under the Post 911 GI Bill® when an over-payment is created on a school and funds need to be refunded to VA.
A debt is established on a school when:
- The student never attended classes for which they were certified regardless of the reason for non-attendance.
- The student completely withdraws on or before the first day of the term.
- The school received payment for the wrong student.
- The school received a duplicate payment.
- The school submitted an amended enrollment certification and reported reduced tuition and fee charges
- The student died during the term, or before start of the term.
- VA issued payment above the amount certified on the enrollment certification that was used to process the payment (VA data entry error).
- The student withdrew after the first day of the term (FDOT).
- If the student completely withdrew on the FDOT, treat as if student never attended.
- The student reduced hours whether the reduction occurred before or during the term.
- The school submitted a change in enrollment (1999b) and reported a reduction in tuition/ fees due to student action reducing or terminating training.
- If a student drops a course and adds a course so that there is no net change in training time, any change to tuition/fees, and/or Yellow Ribbon.
To Qualify for FULL Housing:
- Enroll in what VA considers full time enrollment.
- At least one course must be considered resident learning.
- Be 100% eligible for the GI Bill®.
To Qualify for ANY Housing:
- Rate of pursuit must be over half time (credits>51%).
- If all of your courses in a term are distance learning, you will get 50% of the national average.
Rate of Pursuit
VA calculates rate of pursuit by dividing the credit hours (or credit hour equivalents) being pursued by the number of credit hours considered to be full-time by the school. The resulting percentage is the student’s rate of pursuit.
For undergraduate, 12 credits are generally required for full-time training. For graduate students, 8 credits are full-time. The school submits the term dates and credit hours of the enrollment to VA and we calculate the rate of pursuit.
Undergraduate example: If 12 credits is considered full-time, a course load of 6 credits yields a rate of pursuit of 50% (6 ÷ 12 =.50), whereas a course load of 7 credits yields a rate of pursuit of 58% (7 ÷ 12 =.58). In this scenario, a Veteran would need to enroll for at least 7 credits (such as two 3-credit classes and a 1-credit lab) in order to receive the housing allowance benefits. Graduate example: a course load of 6 units is equivalent to a rate of pursuit of 80% (6 ÷ 8 =.75).
For non-standard terms (less than 15 weeks), a student’s rate of pursuit or training time is determined by the Equivalent Credit Hour. VA uses the following formula to calculate the ECH: (number of credits x 8) ÷ number of weeks in the term = ECH.
Monthly Housing Allowance
Once the training time is determined, the monthly housing allowance is paid at the nearest 10% level. For instance if your training time is determined to be 58% as calculated above you will be paid 60% of the applicable housing allowance. If your training time is calculated to be 84% you will be paid 80% of the applicable housing allowance.
BAH is based on the zip code of the primary school or in cases where all courses at the primary school are distance courses the BAH would be based on the zip code of the school where in residence courses are being taken. Students whose enrollment is exclusively distance learning will be eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to 50% of the national average of all Basic Allowances for Housing. Exclusively Online Training (No Classroom Instruction) = $871.
Payments are made at the first of each month for the prior month’s attendance. For example, you would receive a payment in March for attendance during the month of February. Please note that under the following circumstances, you may receive only a partial payment:
- If you drop a course or courses and it affects your overall training time, you will be paid at your new training time rate.
- If you attend courses for less than a full month, such as at the beginning or end of a semester, your payment for that month will be prorated based on the number of days you actually attended.
Yellow Ribbon Program
GGU is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a provision of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school will award a grant up to 50% of unmet tuition costs, up to $14,000 per semester, to eligible Yellow Ribbon Program veterans. The Veterans Administration will provide the other 50%.
Merit scholarships awarded by GGU will be applied to tuition costs only. The combination of merit scholarships, VA tuition benefits, and GGU’s Yellow Ribbon grant may not exceed the total cost of tuition. After admission, to receive a more accurate review of how VA benefits may assist with tuition, eligible students should contact the FAO to schedule an appointment at (415) 442-7283 or via email at va@ggu.edu.
**VA benefit information is accurate as of the time of the printing of this document. Students applying for VA benefits are strongly encouraged to review any possible changes to VA benefits at www.gibill.va.gov as benefits may change at any time without prior notice.
Code Of Conduct
Golden Gate University Office of Financial Aid Employees:
- Do not receive anything of value from any lending institution, servicer or guarantee agency in exchange for an advantage sought by the lending institution, servicer or guarantee agency.
- Do not accept anything, of more than nominal value, from any lending institution, servicer or guarantee agency.
- Do not receive anything of value for serving on advisory boards of any lending institution, servicer or guarantee agency.
- The Golden Gate University Office of Financial Aid hires its own employees and not employees of lenders, servicers or guarantee agencies in staffing the office.
Contact Us
The GGU Departments of Student Financial Services have an open-door policy. We have financial aid counselors, student accounts and VA certifying officials continuously available during our business hours. Our staff is here to assist any student who has questions, needs forms, is seeking additional information, is looking for guidance on the financial aid process, or would like to talk about a financial plan to cover expenses throughout their educational career. We may be reached as follows:
Financial Aid
Phone: 415-442-7270
Email: finaid@ggu.edu
Appts: https://calendly.com/ggufinaid
Drop-In Zoom Hour:
Mon - Thurs 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
https://ggu.zoom.us/j/4154427270
Student Accounting
Phone: 415-442-7839
Email: sas@ggu.edu
Appts: https://calendly.com/ggusas
Drop-In Zoom Hour:
Mon - Thurs 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
https://ggu.zoom.us/j/4154427839
VA Educational Benefits
Phone: 415-442-7283
Email: va@ggu.edu
Appts: https://calendly.com/gguva
Drop-In Zoom Hour:
Mon - Thurs 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
https://ggu.zoom.us/j/4154427283
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