The Office of Financial Aid

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When a student decreases the number of hours attempted during a term, a refund may be calculated based upon the official drop date as presented to the Registrar’s Office. Credits are based on the tuition charge, not the amount paid. If the student is receiving financial assistance, credits will be returned to the financial aid accounts, including lenders of student loans, before any money is returned to the student.

Withdrawals from school for any reason during any term must be made by official notification to the Registrar’s Office. Failure to attend classes does not cancel enrollment.

The federal refund calculation policy will be used for students who have attended classes at Cumberland University and are receiving Title IV financial assistance. Withdrawals after the first day of classes will be calculated based on the number of days the student completes in the enrollment period. Withdrawal will be effective from the date which formal application for withdrawal is filed with the Registrar. 

Refund or credit on account for residence hall fees after registration will be granted on a pro-rata basis when the student withdraws from the residence hall for a personal medical reason confirmed by a licensed physician, or at the request of Cumberland University management personnel for other than disciplinary reasons. No refund will be made other than under the above circumstances.

The staff of Cumberland University Student Financial Aid Office is committed to the highest standards of professional conduct. As financial aid professionals, we follow the code of conduct established by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). 

NASFAA Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals

An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government-sponsored, subsidized or regulated activity. In doing so, a financial aid professional should:

View the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS), Tennessee Promise Scholarship (TNP) and Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship (TNR) Appeal Process.

View Verification Policy

View Award Notification Policy

Office hours for the Financial Aid Office are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If you need help navigating the process, contact the Financial Aid Office during regular business hours at – 615.547.1399 locally or 800.467.0562, ext. 1399 or financialaid@cumberland.edu.

Student services assist with all tuition payments and other student fees and billing for services for the school. Student services is where you pay your tuition, fees, and other payments, and is also who can help you set up your account to receive any refunds owed to you and answer any questions you may have about your student account.

Email: studentbilling@cumberland.edu

Phone: (615) 547-1218, (615) 547-1265 or (615) 547-1250

Fax Number: 615-443-8428

Cumberland University offers Cashnet to pay or arrange to your tuition online. Through your CAMS ePortal you will be able to arrange for monthly payments, making payments automatically from your checking or savings account or by credit card using Cashnet.

Cumberland University has received funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Funding will be used to provide direct emergency grants to students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak.

A committee has been established and has determined the qualifications for eligibility.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for funding, undergraduate students must:

• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program or have withdrawn from the Spring 2020 semester after 03/13/2020 for COVID-19 related issues.
• Must have an estimated family contribution (EFC), as calculated through the FASFA form that does not exceed 100% of the average cost of attendance (COA) for their enrollment status
• Must submit a certification form indicating they have experienced additional living (housing, utilities, food, child care or medical costs) or technology related expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Eligible as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Hold a valid social security number
  • Be registered with Selective Service (if the student is male)

Qualifying Situations

Cumberland University’s CARES Act funds for undergraduate students will be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. This includes, but is not limited to, eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.

Grant funds may be used to help with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes:

• Food expenses
  • May include unexpected grocery expenses for a  student who was depending on using a meal plan to eat for the semester, or increased grocery expenses for a student supporting dependent children due to school or childcare closure
• Course Materials
  • May include but not limited to general use supplies such as writing utensils and notebooks; course specific supplies such as calculators and other materials unexpectedly required to be purchased due to campus disruption of regular operations
• Technology Expenses
  • May include computer equipment, internet access expenses, increased cell phone data cost, printer supplies, etc. required for student success when transitioning to an online format from the traditional in person class structure
• Healthcare Expenses
  • May include the cost of unanticipated or unusual medical expenses due to coronavirus or its effects
• Child Care/Dependent Care Expenses
  • May include the cost of unanticipated or unusual care expenses for a student’s child or dependents in the independent (based on FAFSA) student’s household
• Transportation Expenses
  • May include the cost of unanticipated or unusual travel expenses related to the disruption of campus operations. This may include additional trips to campus to retrieve belongings
• Housing Expenses
  • May include unanticipated expenses in securing housing and/or rent for students after the transition to remote delivery of courses.

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), also known as Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) – Posted 4/01/2021

Congress recently approved the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), also known as HEERF II funds, which was signed by President Trump on 12/27/2020.  The emergency student grant funding is intended to meet expenses related to any component of the financial aid cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, health care, and childcare.  Cumberland University acknowledges and gives the assurance that the university will use at least 50% of the funds received under section 314(a)(1) HEERF II of the CRRSAA Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. Cumberland University has been allocated $960,321 from the CRRSAA Act / HEERF II to provide grants to students.

As of March 25, 2021, based on the following criteria, 822 students have been identified as eligible to apply for an award:

The Financial Office will notify eligible students through campus email requesting them to complete a form to certify their eligibility.  Grant amounts will vary, with a minimum of $162.00 and a maximum of $1500.00. Grant amounts are based on the level of unmet need determined using a combination of the student’s EFC, financial aid awards and the COA for their enrollment status for the spring 2021 semester.

Beginning April 1, 2021 the first round of funding for student who have completed the certification process will be posted to student accounts and refunded to the student either by Direct Deposit or Check.  Since direct deposit is the quickest way for students to receive a refund, the Financial Aid Office will notify students who have not signed up for direct deposit on how to do so.  Direct Deposit refunds will begin the week of April 5th, 2021.For students who choose not to sign up for direct deposit, refund checks will be mailed beginning April 12, 2021.  It is very important for these students to ensure their home mailing address is correct in their CAMS student portal.

CRRSAA/HEERF II Disclosures

As of April 1, 2021, Cumberland University has awarded 389 students, who have completed the certification of need, $472,623.00 in emergency funds. (posted 4/1/2021)

For additional information or questions, please email the Office of Financial Aid.

The CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Fund provides emergency financial aid assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus as stipulated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), signed into law March 27, 2020. Awards will be distributed to eligible Cumberland University undergraduate students based on need as determined by the 2019-20 FAFSA with an emphasis on providing additional support to the neediest populations. Students who meet the initial criteria will be notified to certify whether or not they had expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal regulations require schools to confirm that a student receiving any CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Grant meets the following requirements:

Additional information can be found at Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements.

Student eligibility criteria was developed by a University Committee appointed by the President. A review of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in comparison to the average Cost of Attendance based on enrollment status was utilized to create a tiered approach to eligibility. All undergraduate students enrolled in an on-ground program who submitted a valid FASFA prior to March 1, 2020 and whose EFCs were equal to or less than 100% of the average COA for their enrollment status are in the distribution of funding. In addition, the Committee has also identified students who may have experienced additional food cost due to Governor Lee’s Safe at Home executive order impacting their ability to live and/or eat on campus.

The University has devised a simplified online application in order to balance expedited funding to our students while ensuring compliance with regulations that govern the funding. The CU Office of Financial Aid has contacted students who may be eligible via their student email account.  Not all Cumberland University students are eligible for the CARES Act funds under federal law. If you have questions about whether you qualify please contact the Office of Financial Aid at financalaid@cumberland.edu.

Yes, all students who are eligible to apply have been sent a link to the Certification form to their student email account.

Once the CU Office of Financial Aid receives your completed Certification form and determines that you are eligible for the CARES Act emergency funding. Eligible students will be notified via their student email account.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students or students enrolled in distance-only degree programs.

CARES Act funds cannot be used to offset lost income, but can be used to help towards expenses incurred due to that lost income if those expenses were due to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. It is recommended that you contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss the details of your situation

No, the University cannot apply any CARES Act funds towards an outstanding balance on a student’s account. These cash grants must be disbursed directly to the student.

You can make a payment on your outstanding balance at any time. However, please note that it was Congress’s intent that CARES Act emergency cash grants be used by students to cover their emergency personal expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. Please ensure you have what you need to cover these expenses before using any emergency grant funds to make payment on an outstanding Cumberland University student account balance. Cumberland University will not withhold any CARES Act funds to cover balances.

No, these funds are considered to be grant awards and do not need to be repaid to the University or the Department of Education.

Cumberland University (CU) acknowledges that as of April 20th, 2020, the University has signed and returned to the US Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for CARES funding. Cumberland University intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students (HEERF grants).

• Cumberland University has received $960,321, on April 24th, 2020 from the US Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
• The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to Cumberland University undergraduate students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of 5/20/20 is $ 580,373.75. Update: as of 6/1/20 the total amount distributed is $727,001.25. Update: as of 7/15/2020 the total amount distributed is $871,582.50. Update: as of 9/15/2020 the total amount distributed is $960,321.00.
• The estimated total number of undergraduate students at Cumberland University eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 1572.
• The total number of Cumberland University undergraduate students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of 5/20/20 is 787. Update: as of 6/1/20, the total number of students is now 991. Update: as of 7/15/20, the total number of students is now 1216. Update: as of 9/15/20, the total number of students is now 1216.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, students must have been enrolled in an undergraduate program during the disruption to instruction of spring 2020, not have been enrolled in a fully online program spring 2020, must meet Title IV federal aid General Eligibility requirements (a valid 2019-2020 FAFSA is required), have a valid 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student aid with and EFC that is less than or equal to the average Cost of Attendance (COA) for their enrollment status and degree, and must have incurred expenses related to the COVID19 disruption. The maximum grant amount is $1050. Cumberland University has implemented an online certification form and the conditions above will be confirmed electronically upon submission.

Notification

The University has made every effort to contact all eligible students who met the above criteria regarding available funding. Information and certification instructions are provided to CU students via their student email account. The student is notified at the time the CU Certification form is received and again when a decision is reached, students are notified with an email to their cumberland.edu account and their CAMS student account is updated to reflect their award before issuing the grant funds to the student via check or EFT. The amount refunded is the full amount of the grant and no outstanding balances to CU have been deducted from the grant payment

Students who receive the emergency financial aid grant are provided the following guidance when notified electronically that they have received the grant.

“We have reviewed your application and are pleased to inform you that you have qualified for the CARES Act federal grant for expenses directly related to the disruption of campus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a fully funded federal grant and does not need to be paid back. The grant will be applied to your SP-20 student account and can be viewed in your CAMS student portal in the next 24-48 hours. We will be issuing our next round of refunds by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) in the next few business days.

You should receive an email to your Cumberland Student Email 24-72 hours after the EFT is processed. If you do not see an email by (XXX, XX, 2020), please contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@cumberland.edu. Typically, it will take 1-3 business days for the deposit to show in your bank after you get the email from the Business Office. If you have not yet signed up for EFT, we have attached the instructions if you wish to do so.  If you have not signed up for EFT when your grant refund is ready, a check will be mailed to your home address on file in the next 7-10 business days. We hope that this grant will help in some small way.”

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