A benefit of Northland’s recent pre-accreditation with TRACS is your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Family Educational Loan Programs.

Northland Baptist Bible College is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) [PO Box 328, Forest, VA 24551; Telephone: 434.525.9539; e-mail: info@tracs.org This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ] having been awarded Candidate status as a Category IV by the TRACS Accreditation Commission in April 2004; this status is effective for a period of five years.

For additional information on any of the programs described below, please visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. This grant is awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. The maximum grant for 2007-2008 is $4,310 per year for a full-time student. The amount of the award is based on your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is determined by a formula the government uses that takes into account your parents’ income, your income, Northland’s tuition, family size, etc. This grant is generated as a result of your completing the FAFSA. Pell Grant funds are credited directly to your student account.

You can read more about the Pell Grant by clicking here.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

• The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created two new grant programs for full-time students who are at degree-granting institutions, are U.S. citizens, and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Congress has funded the grants for award to eligible students beginning July 1, 2006.
• The ACG is one of the two new grant programs and is available for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. This grant is in addition to the student's Federal Pell Grant.
• To receive the ACG each academic year, a student must:
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Be enrolled full-time in a degree program
  • Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution
  • Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student)
  • If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program
  • If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale (as set forth in regulations to be promulgated soon) for the first academic year

What is a “Rigorous High School Program”?

The Department of Education recognizes a variety of rigorous high school programs. Most of our students qualify by having completed a set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative, as listed below. Click here for a list of requirements by state. Select the state in which you graduated from high school.

A set of courses similar to the State Scholars Initiative. This program of study requires passing grades in the following:

• Four years of English;
• Three years of Math (including Algebra I and a higher level course such as Algebra II, Geometry, or Data Analysis and Statistics);
• Three years of science (including at least two courses from biology, chemistry or physics);
• Three years of social studies; and
• One year of a foreign language.

How Much Can a Student Receive?

The ACG will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second-year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

The amount of the student's ACG, in combination with the student's Federal Pell Grant, other resources, and estimated financial assistance, may not exceed the student's financial need (cost of attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution [EFC] equals financial need). A student may not receive more than one ACG award in each academic year for which the student is eligible.

All annual award amounts for an academic year may be ratably reduced if sufficient funds are not available to all eligible students nationally in an award year.

How do I apply for the ACG?

To apply for the ACG, you must complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA on the Web application allows you to self-identify your eligibility. If you file a paper FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office to have them check your eligiblity. Receipt of the grant is subject to verification of your eligibility by the Financial Aid Office.

You can read more about the ACG by clicking here

Stafford Loans

Stafford Loans represent the bulk of federal student aid. Dependent students can borrow Stafford Loan money over a four-year period, beginning with $2,625 in the first year, $3,500 the second year, and then $5,500 a year during the remainder of the time spent as an undergraduate student. Independent students can borrow an additional $4,000 the first two years and $5,000 a year thereafter. Dependency is based on age and other factors and not if you are claimed by parents for tax purposes.

Your family must demonstrate financial need (as determined by FAFSA guidelines) to receive a subsidized Stafford Loan. Any student can receive an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. With subsidized loans, the government pays the interest while you are enrolled in school at least half time. Unsubsidized loans require you to pay all interest associated with the loan.

You can read more about Stafford Loans by clicking here.

PLUS Loan

Many parents feel responsible to help children with educational costs. The Parent Plus Loan is a great way to do so. If aid has been determined by the awarding school's financial aid office and the cost of the education still hasn't been met, as the parent of a dependent undergraduate student, you may apply for a PLUS Loan. PLUS Loans can be up to the cost of education minus the financial aid awarded and no more. Rates on a PLUS Loan are low. You must begin repayment 60 days after disbursement.

You can read more about the Parent Plus Loan by clicking here.

Important Loan Facts

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's central database for student aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, the Pell Grant program, and other Department of ED programs. NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and Pell grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or Pell grant data.

The Department of Education publication Repaying Your Student Loans is a valuable guide of must-know information concerning your federal loans. To download, view, or print a PDF of this document, click here. If you cannot download it, please contact the Financial Aid Office for a hard copy.

Sallie Mae processes the majority of loans for Northland students. To contact them, visit their website at www.salliemae.com or call their Customer Service at 888.272.5543.

A number of other tax benefits are available to you, such as the Hope Credit. For more information about these, please click here ( 406.07 KB )for details.

Northland is an approved school for recipients of the Montgomery G.I. Bill—Active Duty Educational Assistance Program. If a student believes he is entitled to veteran's benefits, he should apply with his local Veteran's Affairs official. After his matriculation, the college fills out an enrollment certificate and provides any necessary administrative assistance to help an eligible student receive benefits. Once approved, the veteran is responsible for all payments toward his school bill. The veteran should be financially prepared to pay his school bill. Because the veteran receives VA benefits directly, Northland considers VA benefits a reimbursement to the veteran. For more details, please contact Admissions.

CONSUMER INFORMATION

Pursuant to multiple federal regulations, Northland provides the following information to prospective and current students and employees.

Annual Campus Security Report

This report contains:

1. Crime Statistics
2. A statement of current campus policies regarding procedure for reporting criminal activity.
3. A statement of current policies concerning security of and access to campus facilities
4. A statement of current policies concerning campus law enforcement
5. A description of the type and frequency of programs to encourage students and employees to be responsible for their security and the security of others.
6. A description of programs designed to inform students and employees about the prevention of campus crimes.
7. A statement of policy regarding monitoring and recording criminal activity through local police agencies.
8. Policies regarding possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages
9. Policies regarding possession, use and sale of illegal drugs
10. Description of drug or alcohol-abuse education programs
11. Policies regarding Northland's programs to prevent and prosecute sexual assault.

Access the complete report at http://ope.ed.gov/security/Search.asp by typing in "Northland Baptist" for the "Institution Name." Leave all other fields empty.

To request a paper copy of this report, please contact Mr. Don Seely, Security Director at (715) 324-6900.

Athletic Program Participation and Financial Support

In compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, Northland makes available a copy of our annual athletic statistics, as they relate to Federal Financial Aid. For a copy of our current report, please contact the Athletic Office at (715) 324-6900, ext. 6900 or the Financial Aid Office at ext. 3150.