Financial Aid Criteria and Notification

Consideration Criteria

For maximum consideration for aid, applications should be completed and submitted by February 20.

• Once all financial aid applications and supporting documentation are complete, financial aid eligibility will be determined.
• Financial aid is based on each student's personal criteria each year and is not automatically renewed. Both the SHMSFAA and FAFSA must be submitted for each academic year.

Notification and Acceptance of Financial Aid

All students are notified of their financial award through a Financial Aid Award letter, mailed in August. Upon receipt of this letter, each student must confirm acceptance of their financial aid package by contacting SHMS within two weeks in writing. Students must comply with all the requirements of the financial aid programs listed on the award letter to receive funds.

Awards may be revised if the student changes enrollment or housing status, receives aid from sources not listed on the award letter, or if amounts authorized by the awarding agency change.

Award Criteria

• All awards are applied to the student's tuition and room and board account.
• Awards must be used in the year received.
• Federal and state awards are based on expected funds that are considered tentative until actually received.
• SHMS cannot guarantee substitute awards if anticipated outside sources of aid are not paid.
• Awards are subject to change if a student is offered additional aid from outside sources, and if the award total exceeds the financial need figure on the student's award Notification.
• A student's award may be re-evaluated if an extreme change occurs in his or her financial circumstances. Students whose family obligations change significantly during the year should notify the Financial Aid Office in writing.
• Students receiving financial assistance must maintain a 2.0 grade point average, finish the program within a specified time frame, as well as complete a specified number of credits each year.