Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2014-2015 
    
Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Financial



Costs

A Gordon education is a valuable investment worthy of hard work and sacrifice. Students are expected to draw upon every resource available to them-personal and family assets and income, and various scholarships and loan funds-in financing their share of the cost.

Gordon’s Financial Contribution

In an effort to reduce the financial burden on individual students, Gordon depends on gifts from many charitable sources to help pay for each student’s education. The College raises more than $1,500 from these sources annually for each student enrolled. Consequently, during a four-year course the College will contribute over $6,000 for every student to help defray the cost of education. This money is needed above and beyond the money raised through the collection of tuition and fees.

Basic Term Expenses for 2014-2015

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 16 weeks each. The following rates are per semester.

  Tuition (12 to 18 semester credit hours)  $ 16,465  
Board (meal plan)    1,685  
Room (double occupancy)*    3,280  
Comprehensive Services and Technology Fee    663  
Health Center Fee    67  
  Total $ 22,160  
Semester Credit Hour Blocks Per Semester Tuition
  1-2   2,330  
3-4   4,510  
5-6   6,760  
7-11   9,050  
12-18   16,465  
19   17,490  
20   18,550  
21   19,600  
22   20,620  
23   21,670  
24   22,730  
25   23,770  
26   24,830  

Auditing. Full-time students may audit one course a semester free of charge. Alumni may audit one course a semester for a $10 fee. All other students pay one-half tuition charge. (See Admissions Academic Policies section .)

Internships. Internship costs which exceed the block tuition will be charged to the student.

Summer Term. Gordon also offers varied courses during Summer Term at a reduced tuition rate. See www.gordon.edu/maysummerterm.

* Room (double occupancy) without board contract in Bromley Hall: $4,058 per semester; Tavilla Hall: doubles $4,190; singles $4,320. Room charge includes laundry facility fee.

Fees*

The College reserves the right to change or add fees at any time or assess a surcharge per semester for increases in energy costs not known at the time the fee structure was established.

Miscellaneous Fees*

Charges, in addition to those specified above, are made for the following items.

Health and Accident insurance fee for August 20, 2014–August 20, 2015 will be assessed each student unless a waiver with proof of equivalent coverage has been provided prior to the start of classes. Additional charges may be made for remedial or tutorial programs, property damages or extended professional counseling.

Laboratory/Computer Fee: $140 per laboratory course; $72 per quad course or NSM 202 Scientific Enterprise .

Late Fee: $25 per course when petitioned late changes are approved.

Orientation Fee: $100 for incoming students only.

Outdoor Education Fee - First Year: Discovery and Concepts of Wellness $605; La Vida $830 ($200 nonrefundable deposit for incoming students only); special drop, withdrawal and refund policies apply. Must be taken first year of enrollment.

Parking Fee: $220 per year for resident students; $124 per year for commuters.

Physical Education Activity Fee: Basic fee $120 per quad plus additional costs where applicable.

Validation Examination Fee: $50 per examination

Music Fees*

Nonrefundable after fifth day of semester. All enrollments or changes require departmental approval. Contact Department of Music. Private lessons (12 per semester) include use of music facilities. Ensemble participants may also be billed for performance attire.

Music Majors or Minors only

Piano Proficiency Class Level A or B (group lesson): $140 per semester

Piano Proficiency Class Level C or D (private lesson): $360 per semester

Group Instrument Classes (music education majors): $140 per semester

Music Coaching (noncredit; optional, but highly recommended):

$520 for 12 full-hour sessions

$270 for 12 half-hour sessions

Applied Music Lessons (any student)-contract required to register

All students taking lessons for credit are required to perform in a juried exam.

One-hour lesson:

$720 per semester (3** or 4 credits)

$1,020 for noncredit lessons

Half-hour lesson:

$360 per semester (1** or 2 credits)

$520 for noncredit lessons

* All fees are subject to change by action of the College administration.
** Option of 1 or 3 credits is only for music majors also registered for piano proficiency class.

Board

All students residing on campus, except those in Bromley Hall, Tavilla Hall, Ferrin apartments or Dexter House, are required to participate in the board program. Participation in the board program is set at $1,685 per semester. Students needing specialized dietary plans will be assisted by the College Dining Services director.

Residents of Bromley Hall, Tavilla Hall, Ferrin apartments or Dexter House are automatically enrolled in the apartment dwellers board program. The cost of the board program is set at $843 per semester. Students not wishing to participate in the apartment dwellers board program can contact CSD to opt out.

Students will be issued dining credit equivalent in value to the dollar cost of the meal plan. All food consumed in the dining hall, deli, pizzeria and Gillies Café will be purchased à la carte with credit from the student’s account. Unused credit from the meal plan may be carried over from fall to spring semester if registered for spring term (see Student Handbook for details). All credit for the year must, however, be used by the end of spring semester. Additional credit may be purchased in $25 increments during the semester.

Comprehensive Services and Technology Fee*

This fee is charged each semester to all full-time students living on or off campus, or in an external education program through the College. Students living off campus and enrolled in between 5 and 11 credit hours are charged half of the fee while students enrolled in 4 credits or less are not charged the fee. This fee covers student activities, Lane Student Center fees and Internet access.

Health Center Fee*

This fee is charged each semester to all full-time students living on or off campus, or in an external education program through the College. Students living off campus and enrolled in between 5 and 11 credit hours are charged half of the fee while students enrolled in 4 credits or less are not charged the fee.

Application Fee*

All applicants for admission pay a $50 fee to cover part of the processing cost. It is not refundable and is not credited to the cost of registration. Persons desiring evaluation of credits (transcripts) for transfer from other institutions must send $50 with their request. This is not refundable but may be credited to the application fee.

Deposits*

New Students. All students accepted for admission must remit a nonrefundable deposit of $250 before May 1 for fall semester (December 15 for spring semester) or as indicated on their letter of acceptance. Of this amount, $200 will be credited toward first-semester charges. The remaining $50 will be held on deposit to cover possible fines and miscellaneous charges at the time of withdrawal or graduation. The $50 damage deposit is refundable approximately one month after proper withdrawal provided no charges have been made against the account.

Continuing Students. Continuing students must remit a $100 nonrefundable tuition deposit before March 21; it will be credited toward their fall semester bill. All students residing on campus must pay an additional $100 housing deposit prior to April 1. The deposit is refundable as follows: before June 1-full refund upon cancellation of housing reservation in writing; before July 1-$50 refund upon cancellation; July 1 or after-no refund.

* All fees are subject to change by action of the College administration.

Refunds for Withdrawal

Students who officially withdraw from the College through the associate dean of students may be granted refunds on tuition charges based on the following schedule:

Deadlines 2014-2015

 
Refund   Fall Spring
100% August 26 January 13
80% September 5 January 23
70% September 12 January 30
60% September 19 February 6
50% September 26 February 13
none after  September 26 February 13


Failure to officially withdraw may result in an inability to obtain a financial refund. See Summer Term web page for withdrawal and refund policies.

There is no refund for room charges. Board refunds will be granted until September 19 for fall and February 6 for spring. The refund will be based on the amount of unused scrip remaining through the fourth week. A student who provides notification of withdrawal prior to matriculation will receive a refund of 100% of all charges.

Under the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, students who receive assistance under Title IV may be entitled to a different refund schedule. Students who receive Title IV funds will have their refunds calculated according to Department of Education regulations. For information on refund calculations under the methods required by the Department of Education, contact the Financial Aid Office.

A student who withdraws after registration without advice and consent of the dean of students, or who is suspended for disciplinary reasons or nonpayment of a financial obligation to the College, receives no refund. An appeals process exists for students or parents who believe that an unusual circumstance exists which warrants exception to the published College policy. The appeal must be initiated through the Center for Student Development.

Refunds for Dropped Courses

Students officially dropping or withdrawing from courses with approval of their advisor (but not withdrawing from the College) may be granted a tuition refund to the level of the new course load as follows: Full refund is allowed for any difference in tuition charges due to reduced load when such a drop takes place during the first five days of classes; 90% refund is allowed for differences in tuition charges through Friday of the second week; no refund is allowed thereafter (except for course fees if quad 2 or 4 courses are dropped). Special refund policies apply to Summer Term, applied music, La Vida and Discovery classes. See departmental offices.

Withdrawing from courses beyond the full refund deadline does not remove hours from the tuition block. Adding a quad 2 or 4 course may increase the student’s tuition. Although a student may be within a block tuition level at a particular point during the semester, billing is based on total credits registered for during the semester, less refunds for courses dropped before the refund deadline.

Payment Schedule

For the 2014-2015 school year, payment for the first semester will be due July 15, 2014, and payment for the second semester will be due December 15, 2014. An optional monthly payment plan is available. The payment plan does include an administrative fee of $50 per semester. We will work with students and families on an individual basis to develop alternative payment plans, but all alternative plans must be approved by Student Financial Services. Payment in full or approval of a payment plan is required to gain financial clearance to register or finalize registration. Any outstanding balances due as of October 4, 2014, or March 14, 2015, may be subject to a late payment fee.

Financial Aid

Attending a Christian college represents a significant investment of a family’s resources. Gordon’s Student Financial Services Office is committed to helping families meet the costs of a quality liberal arts education. The Student Financial Services Office identifies financial resources for eligible students. A financial aid package may consist of grants, scholarships, loans and student employment opportunities funded through federal, state and College sources. This financial aid is intended to bridge the gap between the cost of education and the family’s calculated ability to pay.

Two Types of Financial Aid

In broad terms financial aid can be divided into two types or categories: merit-based and need-based. Merit-based aid is awarded based on achievement (academic performance, demonstrated leadership, etc.), regardless of a family’s financial circumstances. Students who apply for admission will automatically be reviewed for most of Gordon’s merit-based aid programs. Need-based aid is awarded based on a family’s financial need.

Applying for Need-Based Aid

New families applying for need-based aid must submit financial data by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If a FAFSA is selected by the Department of Education for verification, families will also need to submit to Student Financial Services the Gordon Verification Worksheet and all required documentation.

Returning students must reapply for financial aid each year using the FAFSA and the Gordon Scholarship and Aid Renewal Application.*

The priority deadline for receipt of all application materials for new students is March 1, and for returning students, April 15. Families of new students are encouraged to use estimated tax information, if necessary, when completing the FAFSA to meet the March 1 deadline. It is not necessary for a student to be accepted for admission before submitting financial aid applications. While applications received after these deadlines will be reviewed, some funds may be depleted and thus unavailable. Gordon College adheres to a need blind admissions policy.

Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (FSAP)

Federal financial aid regulations require that colleges monitor the academic progress of each student receiving federal financial assistance and verify that the applicant is making satisfactory academic progress towards earning a degree. Federal SAP is monitored at the completion of every semester to ensure financial aid recipients are maintaining satisfactory progress in two areas: cumulative grade point average and maximum time frame and credit completion rate.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Students must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA outlined in the chart below to meet the requirement. Credits attempted include transfer credit, withdrawals and failed courses.

  Credits Attempted Minimum Grade Point Average
0-26 1.60
27-55 1.80
56-above 2.00
Maximum Time Frame and Credit Completion Rate

Federal regulations state that students will not be eligible to receive financial aid once they have attempted more than 150% of the normal credits required for their degree program. At Gordon, students will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid once they have attempted 186 credit hours. To ensure that students will finish their program within this time frame, Gordon requires that 67% of cumulative credits attempted be completed. Progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester and students who fail to meet requirements will be placed on financial aid warning. Financial aid eligibility may be lost if standards are not met the next semester. Contact Student Financial Services for more information.

Scholarships, Grants and Loans

Federal Pell Grants. This program is the basic undergraduate federal grant program. When fully funded, the grants range between $400 and $5,550 for students who qualify. Award amounts are determined by the Federal Department of Education. Apply by using the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). Pell Grant recipients with extraordinary financial need qualify for these federal funds awarded by the College.

Gordon Grants. Students with financial need as determined by the Student Financial Services Office may receive grants of $300 to $9,600. Apply by using the FAFSA and Gordon Scholarship and Aid Renewal Application.

Gordon Scholarship of Merit. National Merit Finalists may receive an award equal to 75% of tuition at Gordon. Contact the Admissions Office for application material.

A. J. Gordon Scholarships. Scholarships of $12,000 to $15,000 per year are awarded on the bases of academic excellence and promise of achievement and leadership. Recipients are recommended by the Admissions Committee. A minimum GPA of 3.25 and campus involvement are required for renewal.

Dean’s, Challenge and Discipleship Scholarships. Awards of $6,000 to $12,000 are made to students upon admission on the basis of their previous academic record. A cumulative grade point average of 3.25 for Dean’s, 3.15 for Challenge and 3.00 for Discipleship Scholarships must be maintained for renewal.

President’s, Provost’s and Dean’s Scholarships. (Incoming students, fall 2012 and beyond.) A cumulative grade point average of 3.25 for President’s, 3.15 for Provost’s and 3.00 for Dean’s Scholarships must be maintained for renewal.

Heritage Grant. Grant of $500 is awarded to students whose parent(s) graduated from Gordon College or Barrington College.

Music Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate leadership in music groups on recommendation of music faculty. For details see Department of Music section.

Federal Stafford Student Loans. Annual borrowing limits are: $3,500 for freshmen, $4,500 for sophomores and $5,500 for juniors and seniors. All Stafford borrowers are eligible for an additional $2,000 unsubsidized Stafford loan. Payments are deferred and interest may be subsidized during school enrollment depending on need-based on the FAFSA and determined by the Student Financial Services Office.

Federal Perkins Loans. Another form of federally subsidized student loan, the Perkins Loan is awarded by the Student Financial Services Office directly to students with financial need. Loans are a supplement to, not a replacement for, Stafford Loans.

Parent Loans (PLUS). Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other aid at below-market rates. Repayment begins within 45 days after receipt of the loan and may be extended 10-15 years. A deferment option is available from the lender. Contact the Student Financial Services Office.

Endowed Scholarships

The following funds were given to the College to underwrite its financial aid programs. Funds from these scholarships and other annual scholarships may be used to replace Gordon grants and underwrite merit scholarships. Eligibility is determined based upon financial need and the criteria established by the donors. Additional unendowed scholarships are also available. For more information contact the Student Financial Services Office. See application requirements in the Financial Aid section of the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.

African Student Scholarship
George I. Alden Scholarship Endowment
Bernard Anderson Memorial Endowment
Anonymous (Foreign Aid) Scholarship
Arakelyan Fund
Florence Hewey Archibald Scholarship
Manuel and Madelyn Avila Scholarship
Sarah Ball Memorial Award
Francis J. Bank Endowment Fund
Barrington Alumni Fund
Barrington Scholars Endowment
Ken and Jane Bath Scholarship
Alfred and Irene Bray Memorial Scholarship
Bray-Moores Memorial Scholarship Grant
Breton Scholarship Grant
Gary Brown Achievement Award
Buettner-Edmondson Scholarship (available fall 2015)
Malcolm T. Calder Memorial Scholarship Fund
Gordon Lloyd and Gwendolyn C. Carr Scholarship
Marion Jackson Carter Memorial Award
D. Lee Chestnut Scholarship
Sastra Chim-Chan Memorial Scholarship
Christian Scholars Aid Fund
Clarendon Street Baptist Church Scholarship Grant
Dr. and Mrs. Frank R. Clark and Robert R. Clark Memorial Scholarship
Class of 1933 Scholarship Awards
Class of 1991 Endowed Scholarship
Class of 1992 Scholarship
Bill and Betty Clay Scholarship
Ethel B. Coit Scholarship Fund
Robert C. Cooley Memorial Scholarship
Rev. and Mrs. William J. Crawford Scholarship
Julia and Myrtie Crooker Scholarship Fund
Crossroads Scholarship Award
Jessie Stuart Cunningham and Alfred B. Cunningham Memorial Scholarship
Rev. Dr. Lloyd F. Dean Scholarship
Charles E. Diehm Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ethel M. Dixon and Harold S. Dixon Scholarship
Rebecca Donaldson Scholarship Grant
Harry M. Durning Scholarship
Earle Memorial Scholarship
East-West Scholarship
Mr. and Mrs. George Ferguson Memorial Fund
Ferrin Friends Scholarship
Howard W. Ferrin Scholarship
Fannie Field Scholarship
Madeline Fife Endowed Scholarship
President James Forrester Award
David Lincoln Franz Fellowship Award
Dr. Ralph Galbraith Scholarship
Calvin B. and Sigrid Geary Scholarship
Edwin K. Gedney Memorial Scholarship
Constantine and Katherine George Memorial Scholarship
Glendale Congregational Church Memorial Scholarship
Gordon Alumni Scholarship
Gordon Faculty Scholarship
Hardy Houghran Gordon and Harold William Gordon Memorial Scholarship
John Manning Gordon Scholarship
Richard Y. Grant and Wilma M. Grant Music Scholarship
Walter Byron Greene Memorial Scholarship
Dick and Jody Gross Servant-Leader Scholarship
Sonja M. Gullbrand Scholarship
Miriam Frances Gushee Memorial Scholarship
Gordon and Gayle Hall Scholarship
May E. Hancock Scholarship
Helen Gordon Harrell Scholarship Fund
Edward Haskell Scholarship
Jennie E. Hilton Scholarship
Edna C. Hintz Scholarship Fund
His Scholarship
Hollinghurst Family Scholarship
Home Mission Grant
Samuel C. and Susan B. Howes Scholarship
Norma L. Huse Scholarship
Margaret T. Jensen Scholarship
R. Wallace and Norma Griest Journey Scholarship
Violet Baldauf Kaczynski Center Scholarship
Violet Baldauf Kaczynski Scholarship
Miriam F. Kenyon Scholarship
Gordon Edward Kirkpatrick Scholarship
Daniel and Ronnie Jean Klim Scholarship
Margaret and Isabelle Laird and Alfred and Vesta Briggs Endowed Scholarship
Lancaster Endowed Scholarship
Helen Rhodes Lane Scholarship
Stanley M. Lane Memorial Scholarship
Martha B. and T. Leonard Lewis Memorial Scholarship
Eric Liddell Sportsmanship Award
Edward A. and Katherine A. Lindsay Scholarship
Walter E. Lockhart, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Eulelah W. Lyon Scholarship
Donald Edward MacDonald Memorial Scholarship
Stewart G. MacDonald Memorial Scholarship
Lois Clark Marshall Scholarship
Mary W. Maxim Scholarship
Jane Douglas McGunigle Scholarship
Jerrold L. McNatt Physics Scholarship
Melissa Bell Meisenhelder Scholarship
Mephibosheth Scholarship
Edwin J. Montalvo Memorial Scholarship
Rt. Rev. Dr. James I. Mundia Memorial Scholarship
Agnes Neilson Memorial Scholarship Fund
Pop Noble Scholarship
Elizabeth Gage Pea Scholarship
Peterson Scholarship
Phi Alpha Chi Scholarship
Stephen Phillips Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Thomas L. Phillips and Raytheon Scholarship
Pierce Married Student Scholarship
Martha E. Pierce Scholarship Fund
Sandra L. Pillsbury Scholarship Award
Bernard Roy Pollock Memorial Scholarship Grant
Potter Scholarship
Alice Morse Powell and Herbert J. Powell Scholarship
Priscilla and Aquila Scholarship
Anna C. Rowse Scholarship
Thelma R. Royal Scholarship
Martha Sagendorph and Eleanor Daniels Scholarship
Rita E. Salls Scholarship Fund
Burnett and Dorothy Sams Scholarship
Sandberg Memorial Scholarship
William E. and Bertha E. Schrafft Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Carl Fred Schuessler Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth R. Seal Scholarship
Seasons (Gordon College Women’s Auxiliary Endowed Scholarship)
Eben Seccomb and Hannah B. Seccomb Memorial Scholarship
ServiceMaster Scholarship
Olive Sillers Memorial Scholarship
Leonard E. and Florence A. Smith Memorial Scholarship
Grace E. Somers Scholarship
Order of the Sons of Temperance of North America Memorial Bursary Endowed Scholarship
June Spaulding Endowed Scholarship
Stebbings Clemence Scholarship
Alexander D. Stewart Scholarship
George R. Stotlemyer Memorial Scholarship
Surdna Scholarship
Olive Keene Sweetnam Fund
Stephen and Claire Tavilla Endowed Scholarship Fund
Lloyd and June Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Susan Mabel Tefft Scholarship Fund
S. B. Thing Foundation Scholarship
Elizabeth Gordon Thompson Scholarship
Marcia L. Thompson Scholarship
Dr. Frank A. and Edna S. Tobey Memorial Scholarship
Mabel C. Tousey Scholarship
Emily K. Town Memorial Scholarship
Tyndale Scholarship
Rev. Dirk van der Voet Memorial Scholarship
George P. Vaughan Scholarship Fund
Dr. Stanley A. Washburn Scholarship
Nina L. Wight and Lena C. Murdoch Scholarship
Malcolm C. and Marion K. Wilson Scholarship
Robert K. and Helen R. Wilson Scholarship

 

Graduate Grant and Scholarship Assistance

Gordon College encourages its best and brightest students to apply for grants and scholarships for postgraduate study. Pamela Thuswaldner, the Gordon College Fulbright Program advisor, guides students through the application process as they submit draft research and/or teaching proposals, collect required forms, prepare for their campus committee interview, and complete their applications. In 2008 Emily Fisher, a 2005 Gordon College graduate with a psychology major, was awarded a Fulbright student grant to study health promotion philosophy and research methodology at the University of Bergen. Ms. Fisher was the fourth Fulbright recipient from Gordon College in the last three years. The Fulbright Student Program is designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential and have the opportunity to observe each other’s cultures, exchange ideas and teach or undertake research and graduate study. Fulbright Information Workshops are held each spring. Contact Ms. Thuswaldner for additional information.

Student Employment Opportunities

On- and off-campus part-time jobs are available through the Student Employment Office, where job opportunities and employer contacts are posted online. In on-campus hiring, priority is given to students receiving a Federal Work-Study allotment as part of their financial aid package. Off-campus opportunities range from one-time projects to year-round part-time jobs that may or may not be career-related. Typically students work 10-15 hours per week during the term. Before starting any on-campus employment, students must complete new hire paperwork requiring an original passport, birth certificate or social security card. Students have access to all on- and off-campus job postings through the student employment website, www.gordon.edu/studentemployment.