Table of Contents

Admissions

  • Verification
  • Awarding of Title IV, HEA programs
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress and Attendance
  • Leave of Absence
  • Withdrawals, official and unofficial.
  • Return of Title IV funds

Receiving the FAFSA/ Available Funds

Students wishing to receive Federal Financial Aid will be required to fill out the FAFSA.Students will be required to select the Rexburg College of Massage Therapy on the FAFSA if the wish to have our school disburse Title IV funds. The Rexburg College of Massage Therapy will receive the students FAFSA, now called an ISIR, and disburse funds based off of the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Students will receive an email with their Financial aid Package (Federal Pell Grant, Direct Subsidized Loan, and Direct Unsubsidized Loan). Students will also be brought a paper copy of their Financial Aid Package. Students will need to sign a loan form if they wish to use a loan to pay for school expenses. Students will also need to complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling on studentloans.gov to complete their loan process.

Verification

RCMT will provide, in a timely manner, students selected for verification a clear explanation of their role, including what documents they must submit, the deadlines they must meet, and the consequences of failing to meet them. RCMT will complete verification for a selected student before exercising any professional judgment (PJ) to adjust any values that are used to calculate the EFC. Verification documents are submitted to the RCMT Financial Aid Department who will review them, and send the documents to our third party provider (Gemcor) through Sharefile. Gemcor will officially verify the students, and will submit any corrections to CPS.

RCMT reserves the right to verify a student that was not selected for verification by the Department of Education if the Financial Aid administrator feels it is necessary. If the Financial Aid Administrator or student feels as though fraud is being committed they will report the student to the Office of Inspector General by calling 1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733).

Exemptions

Students may be exempt from some or all of the verification requirements due to the following circumstances. 1. Death of the student 2. Student was not an aid recipient 3. Applicant is only eligible to receive unsubsidized student financial assistance. 4. Student was selected for verification after ceasing to be enrolled at RCMT.

Eligibility Changes

If, through the process of verification, a students EFC is altered students will be sent their award letter through the email they listed on the FAFSA. This will be the same process for a student who does not have changes made to their EFC during verification.

Documentation

Taxes

The documentation students will need for verification varies according to the item(s) verified. The Department of Education and RCMT encourages students and parents to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import data from their tax return and not change it. It is the fastest, easiest, and most secure method of meeting verification requirements. Verification documents must be signed, have all required sections completed, and have any relevant tax or alternative documents attached. Copies are acceptable, a signature on a copy is as valid as an original signature (i.e., a handwritten or “wet” signature). In the limited circumstances when a tax return copy is acceptable, if it is unsigned the filer (or at least one of the filers of a joint return) must sign it or the tax preparer must provide his name and SSN, EIN, or PTIN.

In the case that the student or the student’s spouse has been previously married, or filed jointly with another person who is not their current partner/ spouse they will be able to submit their taxes and then submit both parties W-2’s or submit their Wage and Income statement from the IRS.

High school Completion

Students must obtain proof of High school completion to be admitted into the Rexburg College of Massage Therapy.

Identity and statement of Educational Purpose.

Students should appear in person at the school and present a valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification (ID) such as a passport or a driver’s license or other state-issued ID. The Financial Aid administrator will maintain an annotated copy of that ID that includes the date it was received and the name of the employee authorized to receive it. Students must also sign a statement of educational purpose that certifies who they are and that the federal student aid they may receive will only be used for educational purposes and for the cost of attending the RCMT program. A student who is unable to appear at the school must go to a notary public and sign the statement of educational purpose. He must then submit the statement, a certification from the notary that he appeared before her and presented a government-issued photo ID confirming his identity, and a copy of the same ID.

Awarding

Federal Pell Grants are the foundation of a federal student aid package. Other aid from federal and nonfederal sources may be added to the Federal Pell Grant to meet a student’s need. The amounts of Federal Pell Grants can change annually.

Federal Pell Grant restrictions:

1.Recipients must be undergraduates who do not already have a bachelor’s or professional degree. A student with a baccalaureate or professional degree is ineligible even if the degree is from an unaccredited school or is not recognized by RCMT.

  1. A student may not receive a Pell Grant at two or more schools concurrently.
  2. Students are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant if they are subject to involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or non-forcible sexual offense.
  3. Student has used their lifetime limit or 600% of their Pell Grant. Students can see the percentage of Pell they have used by going to NSLDS.ed.gov then sign in their FSA ID.

Federal Pell grants are based off the EFC, any previous usage, and the Cost of Attendance.

Direct loans

RCMT offers Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized loans. Loans will be offered to any qualifying students who wish to receive Title IV aid. This does not mean that the loans are disbursed or awarded. Students will be required to hand-sign their award letter indicating that they would like their loans disbursed to them. Students will also need to complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling through studentloans.gov before these loans will be disbursed. Students will have the option to accept their loans later on in the program even if they have previously declined them.

RCMT highly encourages students to meet with the Financial Aid administrator with any questions or concerns before choosing to accept a loan.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

Qualitative Standard Grades:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be measured at the end of each month. A cumulative academic massage course grade average must be 80% or above and each science class must have an individual course grade average of 75% or above. Students must complete the program within the maximum time frame.

Quantitative Standard (Pace of completion):

Students will have a maximum of one and one half (1.5) of the normally allotted time to complete the program. Our program runs 8-9 months, depending upon whether the program schedule includes the holiday season during which RCMT is closed. A student in the 8 month program has a maximum program completion time of 12 months. If at any point during the program it is determined that a student cannot meet the SAP standards, the student will be put on academic probation.

A monthly review of attendance will be conducted and students will be advised of their current status the last week of each month. For absences exceeding the excused absence policy for the program, make-up time may be granted, if available, to meet attendance requirements. Make-up time is arranged with the Director of Education. Make-up time is not intended to allow a student to earn leave time and may not exceed 10% of total monthly required hours.

Financial Aid (SAP) WARNING:

Financial Aid (SAP) Warning applies to all financial aid and non-financial aid students

A student will be permitted one period of Financial Aid (SAP) Warning Status. A student will be placed on Financial Aid (SAP) Warning Status in the payment period following the payment period in which the student did not make SAP. The following conditions apply:

  1. The school will reinstate eligibility for aid for one (1) payment period providing the student was making SAP in the prior payment period (Payment Period prior to the Warning payment period).
  2. After 1 payment period of Financial Aid (SAP) Warning, the student must make SAP (satisfactory academic progress as described in the chart above).
  3. No appeal or student action is necessary to place a student on Warning.
  4. The student will remain eligible for financial aid for 1 payment period of Financial Aid (SAP) Warning status; financial aid may be disbursed during Warning period.
  5. If the student fails to make SAP, after 1 payment period of Financial Aid (SAP) Warning status, the student will lose financial aid eligibility and will be terminated from the program unless the student successfully appeals. Refer to the Appeal Procedure below.
  6. If the student is meeting SAP at the end of the Warning status payment period, the Financial Aid Warning status will be lifted.

Consequences of Not Complying with Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Probation

If a student is not meeting the SAP requirements at the end of each month, the student will first be given a warning that he or she must correct the problem and improve in the future. If a student fails to meet the requirements for satisfactory academic/attendance progress at the end of the warning period, a conference with the Director of Education will be scheduled to inform the student of their status and determine whether the student qualifies for academic probation or will be dismissed from the program. An academic plan will be created to show the student exactly what is required to come into compliance with the satisfactory academic progress standards. If the student does not successfully follow the academic plan, the student may be dismissed from the program. A student who successfully appeals and is placed on probation is allowed only one (1) payment period of probation, and must, at the end of the probationary payment period be meeting SAP, or the student will be terminated from the program.

Appeal Process

A student must appeal probation by completing the appeal form. The appeal will describe in detail, with documentation, any undue hardship or circumstance, which may have caused the failure to meet the satisfactory academic progress, and/or attendance standard, or the educational plan provided to the student. The student must also indicate what has changed that will allow the student to meet the standards of progress at the end of the next evaluation period. Appeals are reviewed by the Director of Education and the school Executive on an individual basis and all decisions are final. Students will be notified in writing of the appeal decision within 2 weeks.

Reinstatement/Termination

Students who are granted an appeal will be reinstated on a probationary status of 6 weeks, up to the remainder of the program time. At the end of the probationary period, the student must be meeting the academic/attendance progress standards and the academic plan developed for the student. If the student is not in compliance with the academic/attendance standards or the academic plan, the student may be subject to termination from school.

Interruptions/Withdrawals

A student may return to school in the same progress status when enrollment is temporarily interrupted by an approved Leave of Absence. Hours elapsed during a leave of absence will not be included in the student’s maximum attendance percentage calculation. Students who withdraw prior to completion of the course and wish to re-enroll may return in the same satisfactory academic progress status as at the time of withdrawal. The hours attempted will be considered toward the maximum time frame. No grade is given for a class from which a student withdraws. The student will have to retake the entire class upon returning to the program. In addition, a student may repeat a failed or incomplete class.

Probation Policy

Students may be placed on probation due to either unsatisfactory academic progress or insufficient attendance. A warning will be given prior to being placed on probation, as the above SAP policy indicates. An academic and/or attendance plan will be created to show the student exactly what is required to come into compliance and be released from probationary status. If the student does not successfully follow the plan, the student may be dismissed from the program.

Leave of Absence Policy

RCMT discourages leaves of Absence (LOA), but acknowledges the need for them in certain emergency situations such as death of a family member, family emergency or personal illness. Guidelines are as follows: No more than one LOA is allowed per program. The student must submit a request in writing to the school for approval. A LOA is considered absence from class for more than 30 days.

APPROVED LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND RETURN OF TITLE IV

A student granted an LOA is not considered to have withdrawn, and no Return of Title IV calculation is required. If a student does not meet the conditions of the LOA, the student is considered to have ceased attendance and will be considered withdrawn. RCMT is then required, by Federal regulations, to perform a Return of Title IV calculation.

HOW TITLE IV AID IS HANDLED DURING AN APPROVED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

RCMT will not assess any additional institutional charges to a student and will not award any additional Title IV aid while student is on an LOA. A student who is granted an approved LOA remains in an in school status for Title IV loan repayment purposes.

Withdrawals, Official and Unofficial

Return to Title IV Funds Policy:

Title IV funds are awarded under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When the student officially withdraws the massage therapy program, he/she may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive. Title IV funds include Federal Pell Grants Program, and Federal Direct Student Loan Program.

The following applies to all students who withdraw or are terminated:

  • Withdrawal is effective the day the school receives a written notice of withdrawal from the student. If no written notice is given, the date of determination of withdrawal is defined as a date not later than fourteen (14) days following the student’s last actual day of attendance, which is defined as a day in which the student had academically related activity, i.e. actual class attendance, class projects, clinical experience or examination. The student’s last day of attendance is defined as the student’s ‘Withdrawal Date’. A student has a right to withdraw from school at any time during the program.
  • A Return of Title IV Fund calculation form (R2T4) is completed to determine the amount of funds to be returned to the Department of Education and also to determine the liability account of the student to the College of Massage Therapy.
  • Recalculation of Federal Aid Eligibility for students who drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to the point that 60% of the scheduled hours of the Program has concluded:
  • The Financial Aid Office is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who drop out, or are dismissed prior to the point that 60% of the scheduled hours of the payment period of the student’s educational program has concluded. The Federal Title IV financial aid programs must be recalculated in these situations. Title IV funds include Federal Pell Grant Program and Federal Direct Student Loan Program. After the point at which 60% of the scheduled hours of the payment period of the program concluded, the student has earned 100% of the FSA funds.
  • If a student leaves the school prior to the point that 60% of the payment period of the scheduled hours of the program have concluded, the Financial Aid Office recalculates eligibility for Title IV Funds. Recalculation is based on the percent of earned aid using the following Federal Return to Title IV Funds formula:
  • Percent of aid earned = the number of hours of instruction scheduled up to the student’s last day of attendance, divided by the total number of hours of instruction in the payment period of the program when the student leaves school prior to the point that 60% of the scheduled hours in the payment period of attendance has concluded.
  • The School may be required to return a portion of the funds, and the student may be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when the Title IV Funds are returned, the student may owe a balance to the School. If that is the case, the student should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to make arrangements to pay the outstanding balance. All refunds are made within 45 days of the student’s effective date of withdrawal.
  • It is very important that you realize the differences between the two formulas at certain junctures. If you are contemplating dropping, you must visit the financial aid office for a discussion of the financial implications. A hypothetical refund calculation may be prepared upon your request.

At the time students withdrew, ED had to have processed a SAR or ISIR with an official EFC. To receive a Direct loan, the loan had to have been originated and the DL Promissory Note must have been signed prior to the completion of the R2T4 calculation.

Refund Distribution for Financial Aid Recipients

  • Refunds on behalf of Financial Aid Recipients must be distributed in the following order:
    1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan
    2. Subsidized Direct Loan
    3. Federal Pell Grants
    4. Student

The Difference between RCMT Refund Policy and the Return to Title IV Policy:

  • The School’s Refund Policy determines the amount of the tuition and fees that the school has earned. The Return to Title IV determines the amount of financial aid that, the student, has “earned.” Any unearned financial aid must be returned within 45 days of the student’s withdrawal date. Under policies established by the federal government, the responsibility to return the money is shared by the student and the school. This may result in increasing debt to the school. The Return of Title IV funds is applicable until over 60% of the total program hours in the payment period have been completed by the student. Based on the calculation, it may be the case that the school will have earned tuition funds that were initially paid by the government but must be returned to the Federal Aid Programs. Therefore, the student may leave owing additional funds to the school even though the account would have been paid in full if the student had completed the program.

When the student receives financial aid in excess of the aid that was earned by the student:

  1. The School must return any unearned federal financial aid that was used to cover institutional costs. The student will then be billed by the School for the returned funds. The student must repay this amount in full or contact the Business Office to establish a satisfactory payment arrangement. Unpaid debts will be turned over to the Attorney General or Collections.
  2. The student must return any remaining unearned federal financial aid not covered by the School. The School will notify the Federal Department of Education of the student’s receipt of the unearned aid. Failure to return those funds within 45 days will result in the lost of eligibility of federal financial aid.

 

If a student has earned aid that has not been disbursed the student could qualify for a Post-withdrawal disbursement (PWD). RCMT will make PWD to student within 45 days from date of determination for grants and 180 days for loans.

 

How Students are informed of Refund Requirements:

  • Students are informed of the Refund Requirements in the Student Consumer Information Materials provided through the School’s Financial Aid Office, Catalog, Enrollment Agreement and Financial Aid Administrator. Students are provided additional information through Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling.
  • If the school cancels or discontinues a course or educational program, the school will make a full refund of all charges. Refunds will be made within 30 days of cancellation or discontinuance.

Students are always able to email the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@rexburgcmt.net with any questions or concerns.

 

Code of Conduct

The Rexburg College of Massage Therapy (RCMT) does not take part in revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender. RCMT Financial Aid office employees do not receive gifts or any type of handouts from lenders, a guarantor, or a loan servicer. RCMT does not consult or have other contracting arrangements with any lender or affiliates.