The Student's Right to Know

This page is maintained by Student Life.

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

The Office of Student Financial Assistance establishes standard student budgets each year as a basis for awarding financial aid funds. These budgets reflect typical "modest but adequate" expense patterns of Pittsburg State University students.While actual expenses will vary based on your lifestyle and level of enrollment, the estimated costs listed below should assist you in planning your own budget."Direct" educational expenses include Tuition/Fees, Books and Room/Board. "Indirect" educational expenses include Transportation and Miscellaneous expenses. Please note that actual indirect educational expenses vary by student.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

The University has a Tuition Refund Policy that stipulates the amount of tuition and fees that are refunded to a student who withdraws from all classes during a term. This policy is published by the Office of the Registrar.

Students who are withdrawing from all classes at the University must notify the Registrar's Office by following specific withdrawal procedures. For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

*NOTE: Students who totally withdraw from PSU after receiving financial assistance need to be strongly cautioned that, in the majority of cases, they will have to repay at least a portion of the funds they have received. For additional and case specific information, visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance and the Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid policy.

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 include new regulations governing the return of federal financial assistance for financial aid recipients who completely withdraw from school in any semester. This policy governs all Federal loan and grand programs, including Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Student Loans, PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and other Title IV programs except Federal Work-Study.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy for the complete detailed outline.

Information on the University's academic programs and degree offerings is available from the various Schools/Colleges and admitting offices. See the University Catalog for more information.

Information on the University's instructional facilities and laboratories is available in the University Catalog.

Information on the University's faculty and instructional personnel is available in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Information regarding the associations, agencies/and or governmental bodies that accredit, approve, or license the school and its programs.

Accreditation at PSU

Federal guidelines require that financial aid recipients maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), Parent PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and TEACH Grant).

The Satisfactory Academic Progress information.

Information regarding the special facilities and services available to disabled students can be found in the Office of Institutional Equity.

Detailed information regarding the completion or graduation rate of full-time undergraduates who graduated or completed their program within 150% of the normal time for graduation/completion, as well as the transfer-out rate, can be found in the Office of the Registrar.

The most recent job placement rates can be found in the Office of Career Services.

This must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletically related student aid offer is made. The NCAA provides this information directly to high schools. For information contact the Athletic Department, (620) 235-4389.

As part of The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men's and women's sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available by request to students and the general public. For more information or to receive a copy of the report, contact the Athletic Department, (620) 235-4389.

The Pittsburg State University Police has state certified police officers, public safety officers, and parking enforcement officers who patrol the campus area. These officers are supported by communications officers, administrators, and investigators. University Police is a service-oriented department whose mission is to contribute to and promote a safe and secure community while respecting the rights and dignity of all persons utilizing facilities and programs of the University.

The University Police distributes the University's Campus Safety handbook and Annual Security Report. These reports include statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Pittsburg State University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus. The reports also include institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can view the Campus Safety Handbook and the Annual Security Report online.

In carrying out their assigned responsibilities, many offices at Pittsburg State University collect and maintain information about students. Although these records belong to the University, both University policy and federal law accord students a number of rights concerning these records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act(FERPA) establishes the rules and regulations regarding access to and disclosure of student records.

To fulfill FERPA requirements, the University has established a Student Rights and Student Records policy. This policy outlines a student's rights regarding his/her records, where records about the student may be kept and maintained, what kinds of information are in those records, the conditions under which the student or anyone else may have access to information in those records, and what action a student can take if it is believed that the information in his/her record is inaccurate or that the student's rights have been compromised. Contact the Registrar's Office, (620) 235-4200, for more information.

Because the University does not maintain all student records in one location, each office that maintains student records is required by the Pittsburg State University Regents to develop a written statement of its policies and procedures for handling those records; that statement is available for students to examine in the respective offices.

• Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
  107 Horace Mann, 1701 S. Broadway
  (620) 235-4251 (800) 854-7488
• Office of Graduate Admissions:
  112 Russ Hall, 1701 S. Broadway
  (620) 235-4223

Pittsburg State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, or disabilities.The following person has been designated to address inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:

Director of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator
218 Russ Hall
1701 S. Broadway
Pittsburg, KS 66762-7528
620-235-4189
equity@pittstate.edu

Steps to apply and receive financial aid. The office of Student Financial Assistance is available via online chat, email, fax and phone to walk you through the financial aid process.

Monitor your GusMail account for correspondence from all PSU administrative offices (Financial Assistance, Registrar's, Cashier's, and Admission's). If you need help setting this account up, please contact Gorilla Geeks. 

Basic Requirements

Although each aid program has certain specific requirements, there are basic eligibility conditions all students must meet to be eligible to receive financial aid. These include:

• Be a US citizen or eligible non-US citizen (federal regulations and University policy severely limit the types of financial assistance available to non-citizens, see International Programs and Services for more information)
• Have a valid Social Security Number (SSN)
• Have financial need (except for some loan programs and several scholarship programs)-need is established by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be sure to apply by the deadline dates listed on this site to be considered for all eligible aid programs
• Be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a program leading to a degree or certificate
• Register with Selective Service, if required
• Be making satisfactory academic progress, as established by the University. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy page
• Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on any federal educational loan
• Use federal student aid only for educational purposes

For more information about eligibility to receive federal aid, also see The U.S. Department of Education's Student Guide. For more information on eligibility for specific financial aid programs, see our Financing Options.

Eligibility requirements regarding undergraduate student's who have received a Bachelor's Degree, students enrolled at more than one institution, and special Note to Out-of-State students.

Financial aid programs were created with the idea that the primary responsibility for paying college costs rests with the student and his or her family. Need-based financial aid is available to families who demonstrate a need for additional resources to help pay college costs. The formula is used to determine whether you are eligible for need-based aid is:

- Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Scholarships/Other Resources (Vocational Rehabilitation, ROTC Funding, etc.)
=Need for Aid

Cost of Attendance represents a reasonable estimate of the cost of attending the University for a full academic year (two semesters-Fall and Spring terms), including estimated amounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, plus a modest allowance for personal/miscellaneous expenses.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is an eligibility index number that a college’s or career school’s financial aid office uses to determine how much federal student aid the student would receive if the student attended the school. This number results from the information that the student provides in their FAFSA^® form.

The Federal Student Aid Estimator estimates the SAI.

Federal Methodology includes two parts:

1. The Parent Contribution-an estimated amount, based on their income and assets (including cash, checking, savings, and money market accounts, etc.; investments and real estate holdings other than your family's primary residence; and business equity) that your parents are expected to pay toward your college costs for the year. Allowances for living expenses, taxes paid, number of family members in college, and asset protection for retirement are built into the formula.
2. The Student Contribution-an estimated amount, that you are expected to pay toward your college costs for the year. It is based on your income and a percentage of your savings and other assets.

Need for aid equals the total cost of attendance minus the family contribution:If your family contribution is less than the cost, you may be eligible to receive financial aid.

Students are encouraged to seek scholarships from private sources and Pittsburg State University, and to utilize other resources such as ROTC, and veteran's benefits to help offset financial need.

If the Cost of Attendance (Budget) - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Need for Aid calculation indicates that you are eligible for financial aid, you may be awarded a financial aid package/offer that consists of a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and Work-Study. Your estimated eligibility letter for financial assistance is the figure upon which your financial aid award(s) are based. Award amounts are determined by a combination of demonstrated financial need, federal award maximums, and the funds available. The OSFA attempts to distribute grant, loan, and Work-Study funds equitably among the population of all eligible applicants.

Every student who applies for aid is awarded the maximum amount of grant funds for which he or she is eligible. A student whose parents do not have sufficient resources to contribute very much to his or her education may receive more grant funds than a student whose family can make a more substantial contribution. Whatever your family situation, you can be sure that you will be treated fairly and equitably with respect to students in similar financial circumstances.

If there is remaining unmet need, eligibility for loan and Work-Study awards will be determined. Perkins Loans, Nursing Loans, and Work-Study employment, by federal regulation, must be awarded to students with the most need. Because there are not enough of these funds to meet all students' needs, those who have the fewest family resources are awarded funds from these programs. Students with remaining financial need are awarded Federal Stafford Loans, up to award maximums.

Scholarships and Other Resources:

Students are encouraged to seek scholarships from private sources and Pittsburg State University, as well as to utilize other resources such as ROTC Scholarships, or veteran's benefits. Although federal regulations and University policies require that these forms of assistance be counted as financial resources when determining eligibility for need-based aid, they will improve your overall aid package. These scholarships and other resources will first be used to meet any gap between the cost of attendance, the SAI, and the financial aid offered. Next, they will reduce the amount of loan or Work-Study offered. Only if all loan and Work-Study funds have been replaced by scholarships or other resources will the amount of grant aid be reduced.

Students enrolled in a Pittsburg State University sponsored study abroad program may apply for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Assistance. More Study Abroad Information.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19 on March 27, 2020. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

CARES Act Reporting page

Financial aid eligibility can be maintained if you follow the appropriate steps and meet the Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid Awards.

Federal guidelines require that financial aid recipients maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, College Work Study, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), Parent PLUS Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and TEACH Grant).

The SAP Policy for students receiving financial aid must be held to the same standard as those who are not receiving federal aid, and must be applied consistently.

The Policy must include both a qualitative measure (cumulative grade point average) and a quantitative (pace and maximum timeframe).

Students who qualify for Academic Fresh Start can petition for, and if approved will have ALL PSU hours and credit points removed from their transcript. Financial Assistance is required to include ALL hours completed and ALL hours attempted for each individual aid recipient, so these hours will be added back in when we calculate the total completion rate.

Students that are aware of learning or other disabilities should contact the Center for Student Accommodations so appropriate accommodations can be made. A student with a documented disability and/or functional limitations is still held to the same academic expectations as other students.

The completed Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. 

A review of eligibility status may determine that the student is still on Financial Aid Suspension or that the student has regained eligibility for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance at PSU.

Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid Offers page

Student Loan Repayment page