Financial Aid Policies

Check out our institutional policies related to financial aid.

Withdrawal Policies

Withdrawing from a course or from the college may be in your best interest; however, you need to be aware of how withdrawing will affect your financial aid and tuition charges.

If you drop SOME courses prior to the start of the semester or during schedule adjustment period:

If you drop ALL courses prior to the start of the semester or during schedule adjustment period:

If your enrollment level falls below six credits:

If you withdraw from one or more courses but not all during the term:

If you completely withdraw from Northern Pennsylvania Regional College during a term:

Students who wish to completely withdraw from their courses must officially withdraw at the Registration office by completing a withdrawal form—and notifying the Financial Aid office.
Students who completely withdraw at or before 60 percent of the term will be processed through a federally mandated Return of Title IV Funds Calculation.
- This calculation determines the percentage of financial aid the student has earned based on the number of days the student attended divided by the number of days in the enrollment period.
The student will be responsible for paying any unpaid institutional charges incurred by the institution having to return Title IV funds.
The student will also be responsible for returning a percentage of unearned financial aid. This amount will be the difference between the amount of Title IV aid due from the school and the amount of Title IV aid to be returned.
The school must return funds to the following sources, in order, up to the total net amount from each source: Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan, Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan, PLUS, Pell Grant, Federal ACG, Federal SEOG, and any other Title IV programs.
- The student will return loan amounts in accordance with the terms of the promissory note.
- If the student owes tuition and fees, the student will receive an invoice from the school.
- The Financial Aid office will notify the student of the amount of any federal grants that must be repaid by the student.
If there is a reduction in tuition, students receiving the Pennsylvania state grant may be required to return a portion of what was received. You will be notified by Financial Aid if any amount of the state grant must be repaid.

Unofficial Withdrawals:

Financial aid is available to eligible students who enroll at the institution for a specific period and for a specific number of courses. Students who stop attending classes as reported by the faculty will have financial aid adjusted to reflect the student's unofficial withdrawal from classes.
Students who are reported by the faculty as stopped attending classes will have their financial aid adjusted if the student has stopped attending classes during the institution's refund period. The institution will retain the full tuition and fees of students who stop attending classes and may report these students as enrolled for state appropriations. This procedure parallels the manner in which the institution adjusts students who officially withdraw from classes.
Students who are reported by the faculty as stopped attending classes after the institution's refund period (unless the student has stopped attending all classes) will not have financial aid adjusted but will be expected to make satisfactory academic progress according to the federal guidelines established for financial aid recipients. The institution will retain the full tuition and fees of students who stop attending classes and may report these students as enrolled for state appropriations. This procedure parallels the manner in which the institution adjusts students who officially withdraw from classes.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Department of Education requires Financial Aid Offices to establish a policy that monitors degree progression and consistently apply it to all students. NPRC reviews SAP at the end of each Spring, Summer, and Fall term.

SAP is a cumulative figure, meaning this metric is based on every course you've attempted or transferred into NPRC.

Maximum Time Frame

Students must complete their degree within 150 percent of the number of credits required for graduation.  Students will immediately receive a Max Time Frame Status when it becomes mathematically impossible to graduate within the Max Time Frame allotment.

Example: Associate degrees require 60 credits to graduate; therefore, federal aid would be limited to 90 credits. The calculation is 60 x 150% = 90.

Also, terminated or suspended students will immediately receive a Max Time Frame Status when it is mathematically impossible for them to regain Pace Rate within the Max Time Frame allotment.

Pace Rate

How SAP is Applied for Different Classes, Grades and Situations:

A, B, C, D Grades (college level and prep/developmental classes):
All credits count toward Max Time Frame.  For Pace Rate, they count as attempted and completed.  All credits are included in the cumulative GPA calculation.

F or I Grades (college level and prep/developmental classes):
All credits count toward Max Time Frame.  For Pace Rate, they count as attempted but do not count as completed.  For cumulative GPA, F or I grades count as zero points earned.

Repeat Classes:
Financial Aid may be used to pay for a repeated class one time.  All credits count toward Max Time Frame. For Pace,  all credits count toward attempted, but only the repeat credits count as completed, presuming the grade is a D or higher.  For GPA, the new grade will replace the old grade in the GPA calculation.

Pass/Fail Grades:
All credits count toward Max Time Frame. For Pace Rate, they count as attempted and completed. They are not included in the cumulative GPA calculation.

Withdrawals (Including Medical Withdrawals):
All credits count toward Max Time Frame.  For Pace Rate, they count as attempted but do not count as completed. For cumulative GPA, these grades are not included in the calculation.

Transfer Credits:
All credits count toward Max Time Frame. For Pace Rate, they count as attempted and completed. For cumulative GPA, these grades are not included in the calculation.

Change of Program of Study:
NPRC students are only in one active program at a time.  A change of program does not restart the Max Time Frame.  All credits from all programs count toward Max Time Frame. For Pace Rate, they count as attempted and completed.  All grades from all programs are included in the cumulative GPA calculation.
 Paid Out of Pocket: All periods of enrollment are considered when calculating SAP, regardless of whether or not prior federal financial aid was received for those credits.

 Academic Forgiveness:
Being granted Academic Forgiveness through the Registrar’s Office does not change the SAP calculation.  All attempted and earned credits are used when calculating Max Time Frame, Pace, and GPA.

SAP Status Definitions

Status definitions are determined at the end of each term.

Satisfactory - Meeting the SAP Standards.

Warning - Failing to meet Pace Rate, GPA or both SAP Standards.  Students on Warning are still eligible to receive federal aid. The student will return to Satisfactory if the SAP Standards are met after the next grading period.

Suspended - Failing to meet Pace Rate, GPA or both SAP Standards immediately following a warning semester.  This status is specific for students that have already used their one-time appeal.  They are ineligible for federal aid, which includes Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, Direct Loans, and Work-Study.

Probation - Suspended students that are granted their one-time appeal will be placed on Probation and granted a specific number of credits to complete within a defined number of terms.  Federal aid will be reinstated, and SAP will still be monitored at the end of each grading period. During the Probation term(s) students are to work with their advisors to determine course load, repeats and tutoring opportunities to progress towards SAP.  Each term is reviewed and emailed to them with their updated SAP status and federal aid eligibility.  Students who do not meet the probation plan will be notified of a Suspended status and will have to regain Satisfactory Academic Progress without federal aid eligibility.

Max Time Frame - Met or exceeded 150 percent of the number of credits required for graduation in their program.  This status is ineligible for federal aid, which includes Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, Direct Loans, and Work-Study.

Re-Establishing Eligibility

Students may re-establish eligibility for one of three reasons.

1. A student may re-establish eligibility for Title IV aid by paying for and passing credits and/or improving cumulative GPA that was below the minimum. Once the student has resolved, they can notify the Financial Aid Office by completing the Academic Progress Exception Form link form that they would like to be re-evaluated for Title IV aid.

2. Alternatively, a student may also have grades posted for incomplete coursework or study abroad or have a grade changed. In these cases, a student must complete an “Academic Progress Exception Form” link form and send a copy of their final transcript to the Financial Aid Office. If coursework was completed outside NPRC, the student must include a copy of that grade transcript as well. The deadline for submitting this exception form is October 15th following the initial year of unsatisfactory progress.

3. Lastly, students can also be re-established through a written appeal. Appeals will be granted only in extreme circumstances due to events beyond the student’s control, such as – death of a student’s relative or the injury or illness of student.  If such a circumstance has occurred, the student should submit an SAP Academic Appeals Form link form, along with all required documentation.

Examples of circumstances include the following.

Family Circumstances

Marriage Certificate
Birth Certificate
Divorce Papers
Court Documents
Police Reports
A copy of plane tickets

Medical Concerns

A copy of medical bills
Letter from Doctor
- Verifying illness
- Verifying treatment
- Supporting your ability to handle an academic course-load

Work Circumstances

Letter from Employer
Verifying unemployment
Verifying reduced hours

Death

Death Certificate
Obituary
Memorial Service Bulletin

Emotional Concerns

Letter from a counselor/therapist
Verifying treatment
Supporting your ability to handle an academic course-load

Accident

Original police report
Medical documentation
Car repair bills

Any incomplete forms through a written appeal and requests without proper documentation will be returned to the student for completion. The appeal must include:

An explanation of why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress.
What has changed that will allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation.
The completed appeal and the required documentation must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. The appeal form and the required documentation will then be forwarded to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee for review.  The decision of the Appeal Committee is final and may not be appealed.  Students will receive email notification of the committee’s decision.
If an appeal is approved, the student is placed on a “financial aid probation” status when it is assumed they can meet SAP within one term and “financial aid academic plan” if the student is not able to improved their grades to a 2.0 GPA and 67 percent in one term, Title IV aid eligibility is reinstated for the next payment period or term, with possible requirements specified by the school. If the student does not make satisfactory progress or meets requirements of the academic plan by the end of the next payment period or term, the student will unfortunately lose eligibility for Title IV aid again.

2nd or Subsequent Appeal

What happens if I am granted a first appeal and then fail to meet the requirements of the academic plan or probation?

If a student appeals and is placed on academic probation or plan and does not meet the terms of the agreement, the student must complete six credits that apply toward graduation on their own and obtain at least a 2.0 term GPA before the student can appeal for federal financial aid again.
If GPA was also a limitation and the student was placed on academic probation or an improvement plan and did not meet the terms of the agreement, students must obtain at least a 2.3 term GPA and complete six credits that apply toward graduation. The bill for the make-up term must be paid in full before the subsequent appeal will be renewed.

Pennsylvania State Grant Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a requirement for the Pennsylvania State Grant (PASG) program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). SAP refers to the successful completion of coursework toward a degree or certificate. Students must make satisfactory academic progress for each academic year to remain eligible for the PASG. 
PHEAA SAP requires students to complete at least 12 credits for every academic semester that they receive a full time PA State Grant and at least six credits for every academic semester that they receive a part time PA State Grant.

Important Dates

To help students understand when they'll recieve their financial aid and a pell grant recalculation date, we are providing information on these specific time sensitive topics.

When will I receive my aid?

Federal, state and third-party financial aid begins disbursing to student accounts approximately three weeks after the official roster verification has been completed. After that, funds are disbursed weekly as students meet eligibility requirements. This allows NPRC to adjust aid if any changes in enrollment have occurred by the student during our “class adjustment period” at the beginning of every term.

What is my pell grant recalculation date?

The Pell grant recalculation date is the deadline to add or drop classes (schedule adjustment period) that count toward your potential pell grant award, which occurs at the beginning of every term. At NPRC the pell grant recalculation date is the same date as the last day to get a full, 100 percent tuition refund. After that date, pell grant amounts are unable to be adjusted, even if your amount of credits changes. The only exception to this policy is if a student does a complete institutional withdrawal, which requires a student withdrawal of all courses prior to the end of the term. If this occurs, a recalculation of aid occurs.

Drug Conviction and Aid Eligibility

If you have been convicted of a drug offense while receiving federal student aid, your eligibility may be affected. Please view the NPRC policy on this here.

Consumer Information

To comply with the Higher Education Act of 1965, we are required to disclose specific consumer information about the university and the availability of student financial aid to prospective and current students.

The Student Consumer Information page provides students, parents, and the communities we serve with the needed information about the College. Head there for more information regarding NPRC's policies.

See What Our Students Have to Say

“It was a wonderful experience here at NPRC. I learned so much and my instructor was amazing. He was knowledgeable and made sure that everything we need is uploaded online and communicates well with us. He also held us accountable to make sure we were learning and ready. I enjoyed working alongside my amazing classmates and all the different experiences they brought to the course. Everyone in our class was eager to learn and was proactive about staying up to date on what is being asked of us.”

- Marie, NPRC EMT Graduate

“Attending NPRC was truly life-changing for me and provided a foundation to pursue my passion for early childhood education. I gained the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this field. But it was bigger than just academics; my professors taught me valuable life lessons and instilled important values that have shaped who I am today. Overall, my college journey has not only prepared me for a successful career but has also equipped me with the mindset and tools to make a positive impact on the lives of young children.”

- Brittany, Early Childhood Education Graduate

“I had a fear that this degree would be unobtainable due to being a full-time employee and mother. With the support of family, friends, coworkers, and NPRC, I’ve gained confidence and support to continue my education.”

- Brittney, NPRC Student

“From the first time I found out about NPRC, I knew attending college was something I wanted to pursue because of how genuine the first interaction was. I’m proof that finding the right path can be done. It’s worth it to find ways out of situations you do not want to be in for better ones. I can’t say enough about how NPRC’s employees have empowered and advocated for me.”

- Amanda, NPRC Student

"NPRC’s faculty, staff, and professors do everything they can to see the students succeed and provide us with exactly what we need to do our best both inside the classroom and out. The early childhood education program is phenomenal. It was a school that aided me in balancing class, schoolwork, and my career. From the start and throughout my time, NPRC made me feel like I was at the right place.”

- Savannah, Early Childhood Education Graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I considered an independent or dependent student on the FAFSA?

When will I receive my financial aid refund?

If I am a dependent student and my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial information should be used on my FAFSA? 

If your parents are divorced, separated, or never married, and don’t live together, the parent who provided more financial support during the last 12 months is the contributor. 

If your parents are divorced, separated, or never married; don’t live together; and provided an exact equal amount of financial support or if they don’t support you financially, the parent with the greater income and assets is the contributor.

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?

Yes. The FAFSA is available for the next academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) beginning in October. To meet the Pennsylvania State Grant deadline, you must file your FAFSA every year by August 1 for the next academic year.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required of all families applying for financial assistance. It is a standard form from the Department of Education that determines eligibility for all state and federal grants.

Family financial situations change significantly as siblings graduate from or enroll in college, education costs increase, or unexpected situations occur, so it is required that every family submit a FAFSA yearly. It is very important that the form be turned in on time—check out the FAFSA online or consult your guidance counselor and finaid.org for more information.

How do I apply for a Pennsylvania State Grant?

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan? 

How do I apply for student loans?

What is verification?

What step do I need to take to complete verification?

Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and what does it have to do with my aid?

What if I have an unusual circumstance?

You may have an unusual circumstance that prevents you from contacting your parents or obtaining their information. If this is the case, you will be eligible to skip any questions about your parents, submit your FAFSA form as an independent student, and receive a provisional SAI. Your provisional SAI is subject to a final review by NPRC and may change your eligibility for federal student aid. After submitting your FAFSA form, you must contact the financial aid office to receive information about next steps—including policies and timelines—to complete your application.

Can my financial aid award change?

Yes. Your financial aid awards will change if you adjust your schedule prior to OR during the “schedule adjustment” period of a semester. Additionally, loans will be adjusted if you receive later awards from other sources. (think scholarships that arrive to NPRC a bit later). And let’s not forget if a student decides to withdraw from the school all together, this has other ramifications, and you should reach out to the Financial Aid office for more information on that topic.

Do parents receive a copy of their student's grades?

What is the difference between a high school and college environment?

The college environment requires students to function independently, be self-directed, and be mature enough to handle adult subject matter and a diverse population. College students are expected to contribute to the learning environment and behave in a manner that will not disrupt instruction, the classroom, events, or other campus settings. The college workload averages two hours of homework for every hour of class time.

Financial Aid Policies

Withdrawal Policies

If you drop SOME courses prior to the start of the semester or during schedule adjustment period:

If you drop ALL courses prior to the start of the semester or during schedule adjustment period:

If your enrollment level falls below six credits:

If you withdraw from one or more courses but not all during the term:

If you completely withdraw from Northern Pennsylvania Regional College during a term:

Unofficial Withdrawals:

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Maximum Time Frame

Pace Rate

How SAP is Applied for Different Classes, Grades and Situations:

SAP Status Definitions

Re-Establishing Eligibility

Pennsylvania State Grant Satisfactory Academic Progress

Important Dates

When will I receive my aid?

What is my pell grant recalculation date?

Drug Conviction and Aid Eligibility

Consumer Information

See What Our Students Have to Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I considered an independent or dependent student on the FAFSA?

When will I receive my financial aid refund?

If I am a dependent student and my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial information should be used on my FAFSA?

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every year?

How do I apply for a Pennsylvania State Grant?

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan?

How do I apply for student loans?

What is verification?

What step do I need to take to complete verification?

Do I have to be a full-time student to receive financial aid?

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and what does it have to do with my aid?

What if I have an unusual circumstance?

Can my financial aid award change?

Do parents receive a copy of their student's grades?

What is the difference between a high school and college environment?

Who do I talk to if I have financial aid questions?

Latest Articles

NPRC Recipient of National Workforce Development & Innovation Award

NPRC Awarded Virtual Reality Learning Tools Grant by West Penn Energy Fund

NPRC Approved for Title IV Federal Student Aid Participation

NPRC Announces Dean’s List for Summer 2025

Admin Office

Resources

If I am a dependent student and my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial information should be used on my FAFSA? 

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan? 