Financial Aid
At Siena Heights University, a quality education is affordable. Once you’ve been accepted to SHU, the next step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Information from the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for institutional, federal and state financial aid programs including grants, scholarships, and student loans.
Getting Started
The Office of Financial Aid is here to help you make the most of your investment. We’ll work with you to identify the best grant, loan, or other funding mechanism to assist you.
Following are just a few of the services we provide:
- Assistance in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and completing financial aid paperwork,
- Exploring alternative sources of funding and payment plans,
- Getting access to financial aid information, account balances and payment options on MySiena (the Student Information System).
If you have questions or need help, please email the Financial Aid Office, or call (517) 264-7154.
for more Siena Heights Financial Aid news and notices.
Tuition & Fees for the 2023-24 Academic Year
Undergraduate—SHU GLOBAL (Online and Off-site Locations)
Tuition Per Credit Hour: (Effective May 2023):
- SHU Global Undergraduate: $550
- Theological Studies (all sites): $300
- Nursing RN to BSN: $365
Fees:
- Compliance Fee: (all sites) $36 per session
- Technology Fee: (all sites) $300 per session
- Student Service Fee: (all sites) $90 per session
- International Student Support Fee: $100 per session
- Deferred Payment Fee: $300 per session or $150 per sub-session
GRADUATE COLLEGE
Tuition Per Credit Hour: (Effective May 2023)—New Enrollee Academic Year 2023
- Leadership, Teacher Ed., Clinical Mental Health: $680
- MBA Program: $765
- MSN Program: $680
Fees:
- Compliance Fee: (all sites) $36 per session
- Technology Fee: (all sites) $300 per session
- Student Service Fee: (all sites) $90 per session
- MSN/MBA Program Fee (Dual majors MSN & MBA): $250 per session
- International Student Support Fee: $100 per session
- Deferred Payment Fee: $300 per session or $150 per sub-session
Tuition & Fees for the 2024-25 Academic Year
Undergraduate—SHU GLOBAL (Online and Off-site Locations)
Tuition Per Credit Hour: (Effective May 2024):
- SHU Global Undergraduate: $550
- Theological Studies (all sites): $300
- Nursing RN to BSN: $365
Fees:
- Compliance Fee: (all sites) $36 per session
- Technology Fee: (all sites) $300 per session
- Student Service Fee: (all sites) $90 per session
- International Student Support Fee: $100 per session
- Deferred Payment Fee: $300 per session or $150 per sub-session
GRADUATE COLLEGE
Tuition Per Credit Hour: (Effective May 2023)—New Enrollee Academic Year 2023
- Leadership, Teacher Ed., Clinical Mental Health: $680
- MBA Program: $765
- MSN Program: $680
Fees:
- Compliance Fee: (all sites) $36 per session
- Technology Fee: (all sites) $300 per session
- Student Service Fee: (all sites) $90 per session
- MSN/MBA Program Fee (Dual majors MSN & MBA): $250 per session
- International Student Support Fee: $100 per session
- Deferred Payment Fee: $300 per session or $150 per sub-session
FEE SCHEDULES FOR ALL COLLEGES AND LOCATIONS
BANKMOBILE Disbursements
Our school delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information.
Our contract can be viewed here.
Financial aid and tuition refunds (*where applicable*) will be disbursed to Siena Heights University students via their selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements.
We are very excited about this opportunity to provide students a choice on how they wish to receive their refunds. Even if you do not receive Financial Aid, you may be eligible to receive a refund from Siena Heights University. For example, if you drop a class during the drop/add period, you are eligible for a refund.
For more information or additional instructions, click here.
INSTRUCTIONS
- If you are not certain if we have your correct information, check your address in MySiena.
- If the information is incorrect OR if you are unable to view your account online, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (517) 264-7120 to verify and update your information as needed. NOTE: If we do not have your current address, you will NOT receive information from BMTX,Inc. Information will be mailed to the student’s legal address on file with the university. Therefore, if your address is incorrect you will not receive your refund when you expect it. We encourage ALL students to verify that we have accurate mailing addresses.
- For more information click here or contact SHU Student Accounts at (517) 264-7110 or StudentAccounts@sienaheights.edu.
STUDENT LOAN INFORMATION
Federal Direct STAFFORD
Federal Direct Stafford loans are low-interest loans backed by the federal government. These loans are available to eligible students to help pay for their undergraduate and/or graduate education.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Once you are awarded a Federal Direct Student Loan, you must fulfill certain conditions before loan funds can be credited to your account. All first time Stafford Loan borrowers with Siena Heights University must complete three loan steps prior to their loan being certified and disbursed.
- Entrance Counseling,
- MPN,
- Accept your student loan eligibility via MySiena.
The first two steps should be completed at studentaid.gov. Student borrowers will log in using their FSA ID and password. If you do not already have a FSA ID and password or if you are unable to remember your FSA ID or password, you can request a new one or more information at studentaid.gov.
WHAT IS VERIFICATION?
Approximately 1/3 of students are selected for a random process called verification. This means the University is required to obtain copies of the prior year’s federal tax returns for the student and parents (unless the student is defined as independent by FASFA Guidelines). Additionally you must complete a verification worksheet which is available online through the Financial Aid Office, or through the “Missing/Received Documents” link on MySiena.
If you are chosen for verification you will be notified. Please return requested items immediately as your award will not be completed until verification is completed.
LOAN REPAYMENT
The Direct Loan Program offers loan repayment plans designed to meet the needs of almost every borrower. Direct Loans are funded by the U.S. Department of Education through Siena Heights University and are managed by the Direct Loan Servicing Center, under the supervision of the Department. The Direct Loan Program allows you to choose your repayment plan and to switch your plan if your needs change.
Stafford loan repayment begins 6 months after you graduate, fall below half time (6 credit hours for both Undergraduate and Graduate Student), or leave school. If you return to school or if your enrollment increases to at least half time, there are deferment options that you could qualify for which will delay your repayment. It is important that you contact your loan servicer if your enrollment changes or if you are having problems making your payments.
If you would like to obtain information on any past or current loans and grants, you can do so by accessing information from the National Student Loan Data System.
FEDERAL DIRECT PLUS
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program is available to parents of undergraduate students, if they are credit-worthy applicants. A parent of an undergraduate student may borrow up to the total Estimated Cost of Attendance less financial aid resources received by the student. The U.S. Department of Education is the lender for the Direct PLUS Loan Program.
LIMITS
The maximum Parent PLUS Loan a parent may borrow per academic year is equal to your cost of attendance minus other financial aid (including Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for which you are eligible). There is no aggregate maximum loan limit for the Parent PLUS Loan.
FEES
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program requires a 4.248 percent origination fee. This makes the net disbursement 95.752 percent of the gross loan amount.
REPAYMENT
The first payment is due within 60 days after each loan is fully disbursed.
Parents have the option of deferring repayment based on your enrollment status. Specifically, parent PLUS borrowers may defer repayment:
- While the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis, and,
- During the 6-month period after the student cease to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
- Interest will be capitalized until repayment begins. If a deferment is chosen, the parent borrower will be sent a quarterly interest statement and will have the option of paying the interest as it accrues during the deferment period. The parent borrower may be allowed up to 30 years for repayment.
Parent borrowers must call the Direct Loan Servicing Center (DLSC) at (800) 848-0979 to request a deferment. Please note that if the parent borrower does not choose to defer payment, repayment begins 60 days after full disbursement of the loan. Therefore, the first payment of a fall/winter loan will usually be due in February. Interest begins to accumulate when the first disbursement is made.
WHEN TO APPLY
You should begin the application process prior to the beginning of the academic year in order to ensure timely processing. Depending on the time of year, it can take up to 4 weeks from the time Siena Heights University receives the PLUS Application until the servicer sends notice of acceptance or rejection.
HOW TO APPLY FOR PLUS
- At studentaid.gov, apply for a Direct PLUS Loan, and (once approved),
- Complete a PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Parents.
- Complete PLUS Credit Counseling.
The parent borrower will need to log in using their FSA ID and password. A FSA ID is required for an online PLUS MPN. This would be the same information that you used to sign the FAFSA. If you do not have an FSA ID or if you are unable to remember your current FSA ID and password, you can create or request that information at studentaid.gov.
After we receive the Application, Siena Heights University confirms student’s eligibility for a PLUS Loan and transmits the application to the PLUS loan servicer. Funds are sent directly to Siena Heights University and applied against student’s bill.
OPTIONS IF PLUS IS NOT APPROVED
These are some options the family may want to consider:
- Parent may be reconsidered and approved for the PLUS loan with an endorser (co-signer). An endorser promises to repay the loan if the parent borrower fails to do so, or
- The Student has the option of taking out an additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. The amount of the loan will vary based on grade level and financial aid that the student has already received. For freshmen and sophomores the amount is up to $4000 and for juniors and seniors the amount is up to $5000 for the year.
Once Siena Heights University receives notification from the Federal Government that a PLUS request has been denied, we will revise the student’s financial aid package showing the additional unsubsidized loan eligibility. The student will be notified and given the option to accept all or a portion of the new unsubsidized loan award or decline it all together. Additional loan eligibility cannot be awarded without a parent PLUS denial.
ALTERNATIVE
If you need additional resources to assist with paying your college expenses, Siena Heights University will certify any alternative education loan that you are eligible for. Siena Heights University recommends that you apply for federal and state financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as private scholarships prior to applying for an alternative education loan.
You may apply with any alternative loan lender of your choice or choose to select one of the lenders listed below. Once you have satisfied the lender’s requirements for loan disclosure notification and acceptance governed by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, the lender will submit the application to Siena for school certification. The amount of the loan cannot exceed your cost of attendance minus any financial aid already received, and a co-signer may be required.
You may be required to provide additional information to your lender by completing a Private Education Loan Applicant Self Certification Form. If this is the case, please print the form (if not provided by the lender) and contact Siena’s student loan processor at (517) 264-7154 for assistance with this information. (Incorrect information provided by the borrower could delay the processing of the loan requested).
After carefully reviewing the features offered by a wide range of lenders, we have chosen the lenders on this list because they offer a superior combination of savings, customer service, and loan processing reliability.
EXIT COUNSELING
Exit Counseling is a requirement from the federal government which provides students with valuable information about their rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower.
Before graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below ½ time enrollment, federal student loan borrowers are required to complete exit counseling. Exit Counseling will provide you with valuable information about your rights and responsibilities as a student borrower. The sessions should take 20-30 minutes.
Please contact the National Student Loan Data Systems (NSLDS), or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) for more information on your student loan.
- Click here to access the Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide.
- Click here to access the exit counseling session.
VIEW LOAN HISTORY
Access your student loan information online through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). NSLDS is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student aid.
Statements of accounts are mailed to the student’s permanent address prior to the start of the semester or cycle. Payments must be received by the due date listed on the statement to avoid deferred payment charges. Failure to receive an official statement of account does not relieve any student of the responsibility for payment by the due dates. Students may also view their statements online.
Students can pay their tuition bills by check payable to Siena Heights University and send to the address listed below or by utilizing the ePayment system.
Remittance address for payments:
Siena Heights University
Office of Student Accounts
1247 E. Siena Heights Dr.
Adrian, MI 49221
Siena Heights University does not drop students for nonpayment. Students are responsible for dropping courses prior to the first day of class to avoid being charged.
ONLINE PAYMENTS
Siena Heights University has partnered with Transact, a leading payment processing company in higher education, to enable students to make on-line payments. Students, parents and other authorized users can pay charges and fees online, confidentially and secure, via credit cards or ACH.
With online payments, you and for family members have a faster way to pay your tuition charges and fees! It’s not only fast, it’s easy! You simply choose the payment method that best fits your needs.
- ACH—electronic funds transfer from a checking or savings account with no convenience fee,
- Credit Card with 2.85% convenience fee,
- Reoccurring or one-time Only.
For more information about Transact, visit the FAQ section below.
MONTHLY PAYMENT PLANS
We’ve all been there; sometimes you just can’t pay the entire bill all at once. Payment plans are easy, convenient and can fit any financial situation. Benefits include:
- Early enrollment allows you to make up to 5 payments per semester.
- Autopay feature.
- Save money by not having to pay a deferred payment fee or purchase stamps.
- Easy online account access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Faster posting to your account.
- Added confidentiality and security of your information.
THIRD-PARTY BILLING (SPONSORS—Employers)
Third-party Billing is when a private or governmental agency is paying for any portion of your tuition, fees, or books AND they are requesting a bill from the University.
FORMS
Third party authorizations that include the following information need to be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts before the payment due date.:
- Student’s name,
- Student’s ID Number,
- Specific charges the company is willing to pay,
- Specific semester covered by the contract,
- Name and signature of officer authorizing the contract.
Students are responsible to pay any remaining balance that the authorization may not cover. Otherwise, a deferred payment fee may be assessed. Students are ultimately responsible for any default in payment by the sponsoring agency.
The authorization may be faxed to (517) 264-7728, emailed to Student Accounts, or mailed to:
Siena Heights University
Office of Student Accounts
1247 E. Siena Heights Dr.
Adrian, MI 49221
BILLING
Sponsors are billed each semester after the add/drop period and within the terms of the authorization.
PAYMENT
Student accounts are credited once payment is received from the sponsor. Student refunds may be impacted by the amount and timing of funds received. Please note that third party payments are considered to be a form of financial assistance and your financial aid award may be adjusted.
REFUNDS
Refunds are not issued until a credit balance is reflected on a student account. Please note, that third party payments are considered to be a form of financial assistance and your financial aid award may be reviewed and adjusted according to federal guidelines.
DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS
An individual will be in default if the amount due, as listed on the statement, is not paid in full by the specified due date. In addition to the assessment of a deferred payment fee, a student in default will not be allowed to register for future semesters, receive an academic transcript, have academic credits certified, or receive a diploma at graduation. A student in default may also be subject to withdrawal from school and their account being referred to a collection agency.
STUDENT FINANCIAL HOLDS
Financial holds do not restrict currently enrolled students from accessing the Siena network or student activities. Financial holds could however restrict access to academic records, future registration and/or issuance of your diploma. If you notice a hold on your student records you may click on the plus sign icon for a detailed description.
REFUND OF CREDIT BALANCES
Overpayments, billing adjustments, loan disbursements, and financial aid payments may result in a credit balance on an account.
The refunds for credit balances are typically directed to the student, but when requested, the refund can be directed to a scholarship/grant agency, parent or third party payer whose payment created the credit balance.
- Refunds of credit balances are processed within 14 days after the credit balance appears on your tuition bill.
- Credit balances resulting from student payment plans will be refunded at the end of the payment period.
Refunds will be disbursed to students via their selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. For more information about BankMobile Disbursements, visit this page.
RETURNED CHECKS
If a check is returned by the bank because of insufficient funds or a closed account, the returned check, along with a $25 returned check fee, will be charged to the account of the student in which the payment was originally applied. Balance is due within 15 days.
Transact FAQS
WHAT IS Transact?
Transact allows students to make secure online payments to their accounts by electronic check, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. A Convenience fee of 2.85% will be added to payments made by a credit/debit card.
Students can avoid the convenience fee by using an electronic check to have the payment deducted from their checking account.
WHY IS A CONVENIENCE FEE CHARGED FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS?
While credit card payments offer a convenient manner for students and parents to pay tuition and fees, the cost to the University for providing this convenience grew to an unaffordable level. The University decided to require those who want the convenience of paying with a credit card to cover a portion of the University’s cost of providing the service.
CAN I STILL USE A CREDIT CARD AT THE OFFICE OF STUDENT ACCOUNTS OR OVER THE PHONE?
No. Credit cards will no longer be accepted at our office or over the phone. Credit card payments can only be made in Transact. You can still use your credit card at the Bookstore.
WHAT IS AN ELECTRONIC CHECK (ALSO KNOWN AS ACH)?
An electronic check is similar to writing a check. In Transact ePayments in MySiena, choose the e-Check Payment option, choose the payments you want to make, and then follow the Checkout instructions. You will need your bank account number and routing transit number (located at the bottom of your check), and this information can be saved for future use if you choose. If you do not save your account and routing number, you must re-enter it each time you make an e-Check payment. This option is entirely free to students and authorized users.
WHO CAN I AUTHORIZE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON MY ACCOUNT?
Anyone you choose. In Transact, just set up a User ID and password for them and provide that information to them. This is set up in the e-Check option, but can be used to make e-Check or credit card payment. Once that person has logged into Transact, he/she can change the password. This authorization gives access only to payment information; it does not allow access to any other students’ information. The authorization will remain in force until de-activated by the student.
WHERE DO AUTHORIZED USERS LOGIN TO Transact?
Authorized users can login to Transact here.
Can I still pay at the Office of Student Financial Services?
Yes. The cashier will still accept payments by cash or check only.
WHAT IF I HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY Transact TRANSACTION?
Please contact the Office of Student Accounts at (517) 264-7110 or StudentAccounts@sienaheights.edu.
HOW DO I KNOW MY INFORMATION IN Transact IS SECURE?
Transact complies with all applicable federal, state, and banking regulations and is secured through VeriSign. It is compliant with both FERPA and Gramm-Leach-Bliley requirements. However, students should still use caution and follow these guidelines when using MySiena and Transact:
- Set up a separate user ID and password for parents or other authorized users;
- Authorized users should login only with their own user ID and password and should not use the student’s ID and password;
- Do not share your user ID or password with anyone else;
- Do not leave your user ID or password where others can see it;
- Do not leave your computer logged into Transact or MySiena when you are not using it;
- Do not allow anyone to watch you log into or use MySiena or Transact.
Recognizing the national trend of rising tuition costs in higher education, Siena Heights University is taking a bold step to remain affordable for its students.
The Siena Tuition Advantage price certainty plan locks in tuition rates for full-time students enrolled at both its Residential Campus as well as at its SHU Global locations and Online. This is for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Our promise: to hold tuition rates steady for two academic years.
The Siena Tuition Advantage simplifies the financial management and promotes improved financial planning for our students by introducing price certainty. Siena Heights hopes to improve student success, class and degree planning and degree completion rates with this new model.
Ask about the Siena Tuition Advantage today!
