FAMI Handbook cont.
Graduation and Commencement Graduation Process Prospective graduates are responsible to complete the Graduation Process and meet the Graduation Requirements listed below. Graduation Process: Verify that the below Graduation Requirements have been met or are in progress. Submit an application for graduation before the deadline announced by the Office of Academic Records. Pay the graduation fee.
Graduation Requirements (Undergraduate) The graduation requirements for undergraduate students are as follows: Successfully complete all academic program requirements.
Submit transcripts or test scores, if applicable, prior to the start of a student’s final semester (see Academic Credit Policies). Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Demonstrate a commendable spiritual life and Christian character and display approved conduct in accordance with FAM’s guidelines. Complete the following Graduate Assessment requirements: o One-page graduation essay o Signed FAM’s doctrinal statement and questionnaire. o New pastoral reference verifying good standing in a local, evangelical Protestant church. • Be approved to graduate by the Office of Academic Records and the Undergraduate Faculty.
After the above requirements have been completed and posted to official records, students are graduated, and diplomas are mailed. Students who have a hold on their account may be prevented from receiving their diploma.
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Students who have applied for graduation and do not complete all requirements: Will not graduate or be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony Must notify the Office of Academic Records of their new graduation date and plan to complete their remaining requirements • Must reapply for graduation and repay the graduation fee in the semester they complete all graduation requirements Failure to follow this process will result in program discontinuation.
Commencement Eligibility (Undergraduate) In order to be eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony, students must complete the Graduation Process and be actively enrolled in all required coursework by the given deadline. If at any point a student is no longer on track to meet the Graduation Requirements, commencement eligibility will be revoked. For additional information and instructions regarding Graduation and Commencement, contact the Office of Academic Records.
Graduation Requirements (Graduate) The graduation requirements for graduate students are as follows: Successfully complete all academic program requirements. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. Demonstrate a commendable spiritual life and Christian character and display approved conduct in accordance with FAM’s guidelines.
Sign a statement of agreement with FAM’s doctrinal position. Be approved to graduate by the Office of Academic Records and the Graduate Faculty.
After the above requirements have been completed and posted to official records, students are graduated, and diplomas are mailed. Students who have a hold on their account or a past-due balance may be prevented from receiving their diploma.
Students who have applied for graduation and do not complete all requirements: Will not graduate or be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony Must notify the Office of Academic Records of their new graduation date and plan to complete their remaining requirements Must reapply for graduation and repay the graduation fee in the semester they complete all graduation requirements Failure to follow this process will result in program discontinuation.
Commencement Eligibility (Graduate) In order to be eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony, students must complete the Graduation Process and be actively enrolled in all required coursework by the given deadline. Students are permitted to participate if they are enrolled in their remaining courses (up to 6 credits) in the summer semester. These courses must end by the last day of the summer semester. If at any point a student is no longer on track to meet the Graduation Requirements, commencement eligibility will be revoked. For additional information and instructions regarding Graduation and Commencement, contact the Office of Academic Records.
Non-Enrollment Students are permitted to retain active status in a program for two consecutive fall and spring semesters of nonenrolment. Non-enrollment at the beginning of the third fall or spring semester will result in discontinuation. Once discontinued, students will be required to apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions.
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Program Completion Undergraduate Students Program completion allows students who have been discontinued to complete their previous degree requirements, provided the program is still offered at FAM. In order to be eligible for program completion, students must apply for readmission within 2 years of discontinuation and have 12 or fewer credits remaining. Program completion students must complete all remaining requirements within
one year of readmission. Failure to do so will result in discontinuation and ineligibility for program completion.
Students who have more than 12 credits remaining are not eligible for program completion and must apply for readmission to complete the academic requirements as documented in the current catalog.
Graduate Students Program completion allows students who have been discontinued to complete their previous degree requirements, provided the program is still offered at FAM. In order to be eligible for program completion, students must apply for readmission within 2 years of discontinuation and have 9 or fewer credits remaining. Program completion students must complete all remaining requirements within one year of readmission. Failure to do so will result in discontinuation and ineligibility for program completion.
Students who have more than 9 credits remaining are not eligible for program completion and must apply for readmission to complete the academic requirements as documented in the current catalog.
Term Withdrawal Students who withdraw from all courses during a session for any reason are considered term withdrawals. These students should complete the term withdrawal process through the Office of Academic Records.
Unofficial Term Withdrawal Failure to officially withdraw may result in the student receiving unofficial withdrawal grades (FN). Students are issued an unofficial withdrawal grade (FN), indicating unofficial withdrawal from a course, when they cease to attend or participate in academically related activity. The unofficial withdrawal grade (FN) negatively affects GPA. When a student receives unofficial withdrawal grades (FN) in all courses for a session, it results in unofficial term withdrawal and the return of Federal Title IV aid (see Financial Aid).
United States Active Duty/Military Deployment Policy Students who are deployed or called into active military duty in the United States while enrolled in courses at FAM should notify the Office of Academic Records.
Students who cannot complete their coursework for a particular semester or session will receive a full financial refund for tuition and fees. Students will be withdrawn from all courses from that applicable semester or session and will receive a grade of W or WF based on the timing of the withdrawal. WF grades can be appealed based on academic performance by contacting the Registrar.
Students who wish to and are able to complete required coursework for the semester or session deployed will be given reasonable accommodations from the course instructor(s) to complete that coursework. Students who are deployed or called into active duty will retain their current curriculum status for up to five years.
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Notification of intention to re-enroll in the following semester or session following deactivation should be submitted to the Office of Academic Records within 90 days of deactivation or discharge. Students will not be required to reapply through the Admissions Office.
Financial Information Tuition and Fees The following fees apply for students enrolled in a FAM Bible Institute - Distance Learning program.
For a full list of tuition and fees please see the catalog online at https://www.FAM.edu/academics/catalogs/.
Note: All prices quoted are subject to change without notice.
Student Bills In order to receive access to courses, students must pay the balance in full according to the following policies. Students with past due balances will not be allowed to enroll in future terms, receive official transcripts, grades, certificates of scholastic standing, or their degrees. Students must check their FAM.edu email address and student portal regularly to receive pertinent account information.
Payment Policies Balances are due in full one week before online, extension, or self-paced courses begin, unless other payment arrangements have been made (i.e. payment plan, employment vouchers, etc.). Payments for Independent Study courses are due at the time of registration.
Payment Plan Enrollment The cost for enrolling in the FAM Payment Plan is $60 per semester. This fee is nonrefundable and due at the time of enrollment. A down payment is required (based on a percentage of the current semester balance and the number of payments selected). A payment schedule with payment plan agreement* details will be emailed to students after enrollment.
*Monthly installment amounts are subject to change based on financial aid adjustments, changes to enrollment, and any fees added during the semester.
Students may choose to participate in the plan for one or all semesters. Students should have a $0 balance before enrolling in the payment plan for the subsequent semester. It is the student’s responsibility to enroll in the payment plan each semester. The payment plan does not carry over to future semesters.
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For additional information about the Payment Plan, please log in to your my.FAM.edu student portal (current students), click on the Student tab > Student Center > Finances> Payment Plans/Refunds or email paymentplan@FAM.edu or call 708-271-5866.
Methods of Payment Application Fee 1. Application fee payments by check are to be mailed to: FAM Bible Institute Admissions Office 1585 North State, Rt. 50, Box #1014, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.
2. Payment by debit/credit card (Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted) can be made through school website www. faminstitute.com.
Student Bill Payments by Credit or Debit Card* or Automatic withdrawal from your bank account can be made online. You will be notified of these option when first payment is made.
Credit or debit card* payments by phone may be made by calling 708-271-5866.
*Payments made by credit or debit card will incur a 2.7% Service Fee
NOTE: If students are expecting institutional scholarships, outside scholarships, stipends, or loans to help cover their balance and they are not awarded by FAM’s due date, students are still responsible to make payments on time for the amount due. Contact studentbookkeeping@FAM.edu with any questions regarding amount due.
Outside Aid and Your Payments Students must communicate FAM’s payment deadlines to any scholarship or sponsoring organization to ensure that the amount is received before the respective due date(s). If the scholarship funds are not received by the due date, students must make payment in full at that time. Adjustments to the student’s bill will be made when the actual payment is
Admissions Fees Undergraduate application fee $50.00 Graduate application fee $50.00 Non-Degree application fee $35.00
received. Exceptions to this can only be made if the scholarship organization requires certification after courses begin and they provide an award letter on their letterhead stating the amount of the scholarship award. Outside scholarships do not replace regularly scheduled payment plan installments. They can lower the student’s overall monthly payment plan amount.
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Refund Policy When a student receives a financial credit (fee waiver, dropping courses, etc.), the adjustments are credited to the student’s account according to the refund schedule. This credit will be applied toward remaining charges on the student’s account. Credit balances from Title IV funds will be refunded. All credit balances will be refunded.
Note: Cost to send/receive will be the student’s responsibility.
Dropping courses may have financial penalties (see below) and academic penalties (see Academic Policies). Students who drop courses before the start date will receive full credit on their accounts for all payments made (if applicable) toward tuition and fees. Students who drop a course after the refund deadline due to extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal for possible tuition refund (see Student Appeals).
Refunds will be issued based on the date a course is dropped, according to the schedule below from the first date of the session, which may be earlier than the first meeting day of the course (dates are subject to change). The session for extension site courses begins the Monday of the week when a course first meets. Courses may vary in length and follow a different refund schedule. Please contact studentbookkeeping@FAM.edu for specific dates and information regarding Refund Policies.
*An additional credit of 50% will be added if Independent Study materials are returned in sellable condition.
Financial Aid Federal Financial Aid (UG) Students applying for federal financial aid funds must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov each academic year. Students may
also be required to submit additional documentation for verification of their financial or dependency status. Students and parents of dependent students are encouraged to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA.
Veterans’ Benefits For more information regarding VA Benefits, please visit our website at www.FAM.edu. Students eligible for Veteran’s benefits may be certified by the VA certifying official. To receive or continue receiving benefits, the Veteran must be registered for classes prior to the start of the semester. The VA certifying official will report to the VA the number of credit hours for which the student is enrolled. However, if the student adds or drops a course after the start of the semester, they must notify the VA certifying official to ensure the correct information is submitted to the VA. If you are using your benefits at FAM for the first time, please notify the VA certifying official at financialaid@FAM.edu.
If a loan becomes necessary, we believe students should have as much information as possible to make individual loan choices that are in their best interest. Many different types of student loans exist. Some of these loans are federal loans, meaning the rules and regulations are set by the federal government. The current rate through June 30 is 5.05%, however each year by July 1 a new rate is determined. This rate may be the same, higher, or lower than the prior year rate. The rate does cap at 6.8%. Remember to borrow only what you need. A loan must be paid back.
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Length of Session
100% Refund 75% Refund 50% Refund No Refund 26 Weeks Day 1-7 --- Day 8-28 Day 29+ 16 Weeks Day 1-7 Day 8-14 Day 15-21 Day 22+ 10 Weeks Day 1-5 Day 6-9 Day 10-14 Day 15+ 8 Weeks Day 1-4 Day 5-7 Day 8-11 Day 12+ 1 Weekday 1 --- Day 2 Day 3+
For any questions on financial aid, please contact us at 708-271-5866 Our fax number is 773-902-2843 and email is faminstitutebc@gmail.com. If sending documents or outside scholarship checks, please send paperwork to FAM’s address: FAM Bible Institute Attn: Financial Aid Department, 1585 North State, Rt. 50, Box #1014, Bourbonnais, IL 60914. Contact Information FAM Bible Institute Student Financial Aid Services: Documentation should be directed to: Dean for the Student
Informal Resolution FAM generally encourages early resolution of complaints. This typically means resolution between the two individuals involved, such as a student and a faculty member. A conversation may resolve a disagreement quickly— occasionally a problem arises because of a misunderstanding or miscommunication; clarification can lead to a quick and effective solution. Students or faculty are not required, however, to try to resolve the grievance informally; they can proceed directly to filing a formal grievance.
Formal Resolution
A student or faculty member initiates the Formal Resolution of his or her grievance by contacting the Disability Coordinator and submitting a written grievance. If the Disability Coordinator is the subject of the grievance, the student or faculty member initiates the Formal Resolution of his or her grievance by submitting the grievance to the Vice President and Dean of Student Life. The written grievance should include a clear description of the reasons for the grievance and any supporting information. The Disability Coordinator (or, if applicable, the Vice President and Dean of Student Life) will review the grievance and may request additional documentation from the student, or consult with appropriate personnel such as faculty, diagnosticians, consultants, and professional experts as needed. The Student will receive a written response from the Disability Coordinator or Vice President and Dean of Student Life within two weeks of the date the grievance is submitted. This will either give an answer to the grievance or inform about the measures being taken to address the grievance. Any decision made by the Vice President and Dean of Student Life will be a final ruling with no further appeals.
Protection from Retaliation Federal and state law and FAM policy prohibit any form of retaliation against a person who participates in the grievance process. Accommodations will be provided during the grievance process.)
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Peer Tutoring As part of the Student Resource Center, FAM offers academic tutoring to all students free of charge. Students are allowed (2) hours of tutoring per week, per subject throughout the semester. Peer tutors are FAM students who have outstanding GPA’s and have a B+ or higher grade in the specific courses in which the student may need assistance.
Student ID Card All FAM students officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program may request a student picture ID card which can be used for student discounts and limited campus access. You can complete the ID Request Form through a link on the MDL Students tab on my FAM. Fill out the FAM Student ID Request Form and attach a .jpg photo to the form. Mail in or pay over the phone the $5 fee.
RIGHTS RESERVED STATEMENT
The provisions of this publication are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract. The FAM Bible Institute reserves the right to modify, revoke, or add to any and all regulations at any time, and to cancel the registration of any student for reason of deficiency in scholarship, unsatisfactory conduct, or for other just cause. This includes the right to change credit for courses, fees charged, graduation requirements, and any regulations affecting students whether they are academic or pertaining to student.