What Advisors and Students Need to Know

Financial Aid & DAC

Prepared by:Academic Advisement

100 Netzer(607) 436-3390

OVERVIEW

General Information Who, What, and Why

General FA Rules

Examples/Templates

Who is responsible for what?

Using DegreeWorks as a tool for DAC

3

WHO?

~80% of students receive some sort of aid at some point in

their career.

4

WHAT?

Federal and State financial aid rules require aid be awarded for Degree Applicable Credit ONLY.

5

WHY?

Failure to comply with the state and federal rules can result in serious financial penalties to an institution.

6

BASIC RULE – WHAT IS DAC?Degree Applicable Credit (DAC):• The credit needed to complete the

primary major along with overall college requirements –122 total credits (sh)–60 or 90 Liberal Arts sh–48 upper division sh–45 sh in residence–30 of last 60 sh in residence–½ the major in residence

7

Degree Requirements = DACDAC - 122 Credits

Electives

Related Major Courses

Major Core

General Education

PLANNING FOR

GRADUATION(and DAC)

STARTS WITH THE

FIRST SCHEDULESelecting a major helps students

• Stay on track• Be assigned an advisor from their area of

interest• Be eligible for awards/scholarships within

major• Participate in “major” pre-enrollment

• Be eligible for aid

9

Degree Applicable Credit (DAC) Planning:• 12sh = full time• There are some forms of aid that allow ½ and ¾ time (aid is prorated)

10

Key for Plans• Students need 10 Gen Ed courses. They

are identified as GE1, GE2, GE3, GE4,…GE10.

• If 12 major courses are required, they are identified as MJ1, MJ2, MJ3, MJ4, ….MJ12.

• If two Related Work Courses are required, they are identified as RW1 and RW2.

• Second Major courses are identified as MJ2-1, MJ2-2, MJ2-3, MJ2-4,…MJ2-12.

• Minor Courses are listed as MN1, MN2, …MN6.

NOTE: Some majors and minors require more courses, so these are just some of the possible plans.

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 3GE 4Elective

15 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 6GE 7ElectiveElective

15 sh

BASIC PLAN: Assume new GE (30sh), 36 sh major with 6sh of related work;Related work overlaps with Gen Ed as does one course in the major:

SEM 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 8MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 3MJ 2GE 8GE 9ElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 4MJ 3GE 10ElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5ElectiveElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 6MJ 7ElectiveElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

12

Dual Majors & Minors – DAC?

Dual majors and/or minors can be DAC if the coursework needed is taken in place of elective credit. Exception: Adolescence Education majors that require a dual major. These are jointly registered and therefore both majors are DAC.

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 3GE 4Elective

15 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 6GE 7ElectiveElectiveMJ 2 - 115 sh

DUAL MAJOR EXAMPLE: Assume same plan as the Basic Plan w/ 36 sh in 2nd major & 6sh of related work; related work overlaps with Gen Ed and one course in the major. Key is to use specific courses for electives.

SEM 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElectiveMJ2 – 9MJ2- 10

15 sh

SEM 8MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElectiveMJ2 – 11MJ2- 12

15 sh

SEM 3MJ 2GE 8GE 9ElectiveElectiveMJ2 – 2

15 sh

SEM 4MJ 3GE 10ElectiveElectiveElectiveMJ2 – 3MJ2 - 415 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5ElectiveElect (1sh)ElectiveElectiveMJ2 – 5MJ2- 6

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 6MJ 7ElectiveElect (1sh)ElectiveElectiveMJ2 – 7MJ2- 8

16 sh

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 3GE 4Elective

15 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 6GE 7ElectiveElectiveMN 115 sh

MAJOR & MINOR EXAMPLE: Assume same plan as the Basic Plan w/ 18 sh in minor; two related work courses overlap with Gen Ed and one course in the major. Key is to use specific courses for electives.

SEM 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElectiveMN 6

15 sh

SEM 8MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 3MJ 2GE 8GE 9ElectiveElectiveMN 2

15 sh

SEM 4MJ 3GE 10ElectiveElectiveElectiveMN 315 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5ElectiveElect (1sh)ElectiveElectiveMN 4

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 6MJ 7ElectiveElect (1sh)ElectiveElectiveMN 5

16 sh

15

Transfer Credit – DAC?

Credit earned at Oneonta or elsewhere moves a student closer to degree completion. This is especially important to understand for freshmen with credit from high school.

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 8GE 9Elective

15 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 10ElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

Assume new GE (30sh), 36 sh major with 6sh of related work;Related work overlaps with Gen Ed as does one course in the major:AND, student transfers in 12 sh (all are GE)

SEM 7MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElectiveElective

18 sh

SEM 8

SEM 3MJ 2ElectiveElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 4MJ 3ElectiveElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5MJ 6ElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

IN HSGE 3GE 4GE 6GE 7

12 sh

Graduate in 7 semesters (= 4 years’ of credit)

7 SEMESTER PLAN

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 8GE 9Elective

15 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 10ElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

Assume new GE (30sh), 36 sh major with 6sh of related work;Related work overlaps with Gen Ed as does one course in the major:AND, student transfers in 12 sh (all are GE)

SEM 7MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElectiveElective

18 12 sh

SEM 8ElectiveElectiveElectiveElective

12 sh

SEM 3MJ 2ElectiveElectiveElectiveElective

15 12 sh

SEM 4MJ 3ElectiveElectiveElectiveElective

15 12 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5MJ 6ElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

IN HSGE 3GE 4GE 6GE 7

12 sh

Graduate in 8 semesters (= 4 years’ of credit)

8 SEMESTER PLAN

18

DEVIATIONS FROM THE PLAN?

If students don’t follow their DAC plan, they may find themselves with less or no aid eligibility.

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 3GE 4Elective

15 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 6GE 7ElectiveElective

15 sh

ORIGINAL BASIC PLAN:

SEM 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 8MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 3MJ 2GE 8GE 9ElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 4MJ 3GE 10ElectiveElectiveElective

15 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5ElectiveElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 6MJ 7ElectiveElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

SEM 1MJ1 / GE1RW1 / GE 2GE 3GE 4ElectiveElective

15 18 sh

SEM 2RW2 / GE 5GE 6GE 7ElectiveElectiveElective

15 18 sh

STUDENT DEVIATES FROM THE PLANIf a student adds an elective each of the first four semesters, the student only has 9sh of DAC the last two semesters.

SEM 7MJ 8MJ 9ElectiveElectiveElective

15 9 sh

SEM 8MJ 10MJ 11MJ 12ElectiveElective

15 9 sh

SEM 3MJ 2GE 8GE 9ElectiveElectiveElective

15 18 sh

SEM 4MJ 3GE 10ElectiveElectiveElectiveElective

15 18 sh

SEM 5MJ 4MJ 5ElectiveElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

SEM 6MJ 6MJ 7ElectiveElectiveElectiveElect (1sh)

16 sh

21

There are many rules for and types of Financial Aid.

Only financial aid can help students understand the options.

22

EXAMPLE – Repeats and DAC:

FEDERAL AID STATE AID

- Can repeat a course that has been passed with less than an A or failed.

- Only one repeat per course permitted.

-Course must be one that can only be taken once OR can be taken once the maximum number of allowable times has been reached.

- Can repeat a failed course….OR…. one in which the minimum grade was not achieved and the course is the only option in the program.

- Can repeat each course multiple times (if permitted by the institution) until the min. grade is achieved.

23

EXAMPLE – Last semester and DAC:

FEDERAL AID STATE AID

- Students’ aid is based upon the number of Degree Applicable Credits in the schedule. If less than 12sh are DAC, aid is prorated.

- If the courses for the semester include everything a student needs to graduate

And…- if the student has less than 12sh

of DAC but at least 3sh of DACAND…- If the student is enrolled in a

total of at least 12sh of new (non-repeated) courses,

THEN…- the student can be awarded full

NYS aid.

24

Study Abroad?

Study Abroad coursework is reviewed in the same manner as any other registration. The coursework must be DAC. Exception: A major that specifically requires a study abroad experience, regardless of the coursework taken, may be DAC.

25

Internships, TA, research, etc?

Coursework is reviewed in the same manner as any other registration. The coursework must be DAC.

26

Prior Approval?

• Prior Approval for post-matric transfer of credit will be granted if the coursework is needed for completion of any of a student’s programs or prerequisites.

• Financial Aid applicability will be based upon DAC.

• Taking “extra” coursework during a summer or winter could affect DAC in a future semester.

27

Who is responsible for what?:Students must:• take degree applicable credit each semester.• regularly review academic plans with the

faculty advisor(s).• regularly review academic plans with the

assigned financial aid counselor.• understand that faculty advisors are not

financial aid experts and financial aid counselors are not academic advisement experts. It is the combination of information from each support area that helps students make good and informed choices.

28

How do students & advisors know about DAC?• Financial Aid website• Academic Advisement Web site• Semester emails with basic rules• Meetings with financial aid counselors• Programs/Trainings hosted by Academic

Advisement• Signing agreements accepting aid• New students review DAC in the

mandatory online advisement course (The ONE) and in the mandatory orientation advisement workshop

29

How do advisors know about DAC?

• Financial Aid website• Academic Advisement Web site• Semester emails with basic rules• Meetings with financial aid counselors• Programs/Trainings hosted by Academic

Advisement• Signing agreements accepting aid• New students review DAC in the

mandatory online advisement course (The ONE) and in the mandatory orientation advisement workshop

30

Who is responsible for what?:Advisors can:• be aware of degree applicable credit and what it

means in terms of schedule planning• help students schedule for DAC and timely degree

completion while also planning for rich and varied experiences.

• help students review their review academic plans• encourage students to regularly review their academic

plans with the assigned financial aid counselor.

Faculty advisors are not expected to be financial aid experts and financial aid counselors are not academic advisement experts. It is the combination of information from each support area that helps students make good and informed choices.

31

Who is responsible for what?:Academic Advisement:• Reviews Prior Approvals and Study

Abroad for transferability and DAC.• Assists faculty by providing tools

and resources to work with students.• Assists Financial Aid and Student

Accounts in reviewing DAC. • Processes veterans’ benefits

according to the same DAC rules.

32

Who is responsible for what?:Financial Aid:• Acts as the gatekeeper for the

disbursement all federal and state dollars.

• Applies federal and state guidelines to students’ schedules to determine DAC.

• Approves the disbursement of aid based upon these rules.

• Alters aid based upon changes to students’ schedules or programs of study.

33

Who is responsible for what?:Student Accounts:• Acts as the gatekeeper for the review

of TAP eligibility.• Applies state guidelines to students’

schedules to determine NYS DAC.• Approves the disbursement of state

aid based upon these rules.• Alters state aid based upon changes to

students’ schedules or programs of study.

34

CHANGING MAJORS:

Rules:• Must be able to complete within 150% time

• If less than 150% time – potential for aid

• If more than 150% - no aid at any time

• Coordination: Academic Advisement / Department / Financial Aid review

35

UNDECLARED

•Only General Education courses are DAC.

SEM 1GE 1GE 2GE 3GE 4GE 5

15 sh

SEM 2GE 6GE 7GE 8GE 9GE 10

15 sh

UNDECLARED and DAC:

SEM 7 SEM 8

SEM 3 SEM 4

SEM 5 SEM 6

UNDECLARED and DAC w/ HS credit:

SEM 7 SEM 8

SEM 1GE 6GE 7GE 8GE 9GE 10

15 sh

SEM 2 SEM 3 SEM 4IN HSGE 1GE 2GE 3GE 4GE 5

15 sh

SEM 5 SEM 6

38

• DW shows you what a student needs for overall requirements and the primary major.

• Students and advisors have constant access to the DW tool.

39

Legend

NEEDED

COMPLETED

ALMOST DONE (in progress)

40

QUESTIONS?Financial Aid–

123 Netzer 607-436-2532Processes and disburses aid based upon DAC

Student Accounts– 240 Netzer 607-436-3389

Reviews DAC for state aid

Academic Advisement– 100 Netzer 607-435-3390Help students and advisors plan schedules for DAC

41

SUMMARY – general planning rules for full time aid

Federal Aid – must be in 12sh of federal DAC

NY State Aid – must be in 12sh of NYS DAC

Veteran’s Benefits – federal DAC rules apply

SUNY Oneonta scholarships – must be in 12sh

External scholarships – depends on the organization’s rules