College of Adult & Professional Studies

Frequently Asked Questions:

How Is My Financial Aid Affected by...

Private scholarships?

Bethel encourages students to seek scholarships from other sources. Loan eligibility will only be reduced if needed to keep the student's total aid package within federal limits.

Dropping credits or withdrawing from Bethel?

Students in the College of Adult & Professional Studies usually must be enrolled for at least six credits per semester (half-time status) to qualify for financial aid. Some may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant with fewer credits, but no one qualifies for federal student loans with fewer than six credits.

Students considering dropping credits or withdrawing totally from classes during a semester are encouraged to contact the Office of University Financial Aid prior to acting to determine the impact those changes may have.

Special Circumstances

Eligibility for need-based financial aid is based on information collected in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA does not recognize unusual (i.e., not typical for a family in a normal year) and non-discretionary (i.e., out of one's control) situations. Families with special circumstances may submit an appeal form to have their need-based financial aid eligibility reviewed.
Conditions that do not warrant an appeal include payment of routine living expenses (house or car payments, credit card, etc.), debt repayment, wedding expenses, and other expenses that reflect lifestyle choices.

Here are some unusual financial conditions commonly used in appeals:

• Reduced income in current year
• Medical expenses above the FAFSA threshold (paid with after-tax dollars, not reimbursed)

How do I find information regarding student loan consolidation?

The federal consolidation loan program allows a student to put all his/her federal educational loans into one new "consolidated" loan. Please go to our Student Loan Consolidation webpage for more information.