Xavier Financial Aid Information

Xavier has traditionally offered the opportunity of a college education to academically qualified students regardless of the financial resources of the student or the student’s family. Although Xavier feels that the student and family have a responsibility to contribute to the cost of a college education, the University is prepared to help to provide financial assistance. In fact, over 80 percent of Xavier students receive some type of financial assistance.

If you are a serious student, eager to complete your college education, help is available at Xavier. The optimum financial aid package will be worked out among you, your parents and a financial aid counselor.

A Xavier education is well worth the financial investment.

Sources of Financial Aid

Funds for Xavier financial assistance come primarily from four sources:

• THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
•  
• STATE GOVERNMENT
•  
• UNIVERSITY RESOURCES
•  
• PRIVATE PROGRAMS

 
The federal government supplies the majority of financial aid. Federal Grant programs include: Pell Grants,  Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) and Academic Competiveness Grants (ACG). Loan programs include Perkins Loans, Direct Loans, Unsubsidized Loans and Parents Loans (PLUS). The Federal College Work/Study Program provides a job for students to earn aid.

The State of Louisiana offers the Tuition Opportunity Program (TOPS) for qualified graduates of Louisiana high schools.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

All students must apply for financial aid through  the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  to determine their eligibility for aid (including all loans). The financial aid application forms may be obtained from your high school counselor’s office or the Office of Financial Aid at Xavier. Forms must be completed by the students and their parents and mailed to the need analysis service.  List Xavier’s code (002032) on the form in order for us to receive the result of your analysis.

If you need assistance, the Financial Aid Office at Xavier is available as you go through the financial aid application process.

When to Apply for Aid

You should file for financial aid as soon as possible after January 1st. Give yourself the best opportunity to receive federal aid by applying early. Students and parents may apply for financial aid via the World Wide Web at the address: www.studentaid.ed.gov

Scholarships

Each applicant is automatically considered for a merit-based Xavier University Scholarship at the time of application for admission. The competitive scholarship offers are based primarily on the high school academic record and ACT or SAT scores.

There are also music, art and other departmental scholarships available to qualified students. The Athletics Department offers scholarships to men and women in basketball, tennis, cross country and women’s volleyball.

Applicants are encouraged to seek out scholarships that are available through private sources such as clubs, churches, sororities, fraternities, and other organizations and agencies in their communities.

Xavier Yearly Expenses

Yearly expenses at Xavier for the 2009-2010  academic year are listed below and are subject to annual increases :

                                    Tuition                        $15,300

                                    Room and Board         $7,000

                                    Miscellaneous Fees        $800  (estimated)

                                    Books and Supplies       $800 (estimated)

For more information about financial aid, contact:

• Your high school counselor
• Xavier’s Financial Aid Office

                                                          1-504-520-7517

• Federal Student Financial Aid Center

                                                          1-800-433-3243

• Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

                                                          1-800-259-5626 ext. 1012

     Or visit these sites on the World Wide Web:

• Financial Aid Information Sources

                                                          www.FinAid.org

• U.S. Department of Education

                                                   www.studentaid.ed.gov

• The College Board Online

                                                          www.collegeboard.org

• Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

                                                   www.osfa.state.la.us

Xavier Tuition Payment Plan

Students should be prepared to pay semester costs at the time of assessment by the Office of Fiscal Services. Assessment takes place after students are registered for classes. New freshmen are registered in early June. The costs include tuition, room & board and other fees associated with enrollment for the semester. A deferred payment plan is available for students who wish to pay the semester balance in installments. After subtracting financial aid and deposits for the semester, the remaining balance can be paid in three installments as follows:

 

The University accepts VISA, MasterCard and Discover Card for payment on accounts.

Housing

Xavier offers a variety of dormitory facilities for over 1700 students. In order to be considered for campus housing, admitted students must submit the required deposit with the Acceptance Deposit Form that is included in the admission packet. After making housing assignments to Xavier University scholarship recipients, the procedure is on a first-come, first-served basis using the date on which the acceptance deposit is received in the Office of Admissions. Initial housing offers to new Fall term students will be made by early April.

Students admitted to the University have the option of making their own off-campus living arrangements.

 

Course Placement at Xavier

One of the most important responsibilities faced by the student and the university at the beginning of a student’s college studies is that of placement. Without careful selection and placement into courses to best fit academic preparations, the student’s success in college is placed in jeopardy or the college experience is less fulfilling. The Office of Admissions has the initial responsibility for placement of students entering the University. SAT, ACT, and Placement Tests in English, Mathematics and Reading are the main tools in this placement. Results of these tests are used to place students into regular, honors, or developmental freshman level courses. A student whose placement is based on ACT or SAT scores may appeal for institutional tests. This appeal should be made to the Dean of Admissions.

Who Must Take The Tests?
All entering freshmen whose ACT or SAT scores indicate that further testing is warranted should take placement tests in the recommended areas. Also, transfer students with less than sixty (60) semester hours or whose academic program at Xavier still requires courses in Mathematics or English could be required to take a placement test. Failure of a placement test in any area invalidates transfer credit in that area. Students who do not take the tests in the recommended areas will be required to take developmental courses in those areas. Remember, placement is based on institutional studies and experiences and is intended to benefit the student.

Xavier Mathematics Placement Test (XMPT): 75 min.
The XMPT contains items from the areas of:

• operations on integers, fractions, decimals and percentages
• evaluating algebraic expressions
• operations on factoring of polynomials
• rational exponents and radicals, rationalizing denominators
• operations on and simplification of rational expressions
• solving linear equations and inequalities
• linear equations in two variables, slope, intercepts, parallel and perpendicular lines
• graphing linear and quadratic equations
• solving quadratic equations by factoring and the quadratic formula,
• complex solutions
• application problems

Calculators cannot be used on the XMPT.

A passing score on the XMPT will allow students to take the college level math required by their major. Those not passing the XMPT must enroll in MATH 0960, MATH 0990 or MATH 0981 as determined by their score on the XMPT. Those required to take MATH 0960 must also complete MATH 0981 after satisfactorily completing MATH 0960. These courses meet in small classes and do not count toward any XU degree.

Xavier Reading Placement Test (XRPT): 45 min.
The standardized reading test will consist of vocabulary and comprehension items. Students not scoring at college level are required to enroll in READING 0992B. This is a one-semester reading and study skills course which focuses on improvement in literal, inferential and critical comprehension and vocabulary skills. This course will not count toward any XU degree.

Course Placement Using ACT & SAT Scores

If a student takes the ACT and the SAT, the better of the two scores will be used for placement. Therefore, it is imperative that students submit their highest and most recent test scores.
Mathematics
ACT Math Score             SAT Math Score            Course Placement
19 or less*                       440 or less                         MATH 0960 or XMPT
20 or more                       450 or more                       Degree Credit Math
24 or more                       560 or more *                    *Consideration for By-Pass
Credit (see note**)

* Students with scores in this range could take the Xavier Mathematics Placement Test (XMPT) and the results will be used for course placement.

Reading
ACT Score(C or R)           SAT (CR+M) Score      Course Placement
17 or less*                        830 or less*                       RDNG 0992B/or XRPT
18 or more                        840 or more                       No reading course required

* All students with scores in this range could take the Xavier Reading Placement Test (XRPT) and the results will be used for course placement.

English
ACT English Score         SAT CR Score              Course Placement
11 or less                        280 or less                       ENGL 0990
12– 18*                           300 – 470                         ENGL 1000 or XEPT
19 or more                      480 or more                      ENGL 1010
27 or more                      560 or more                      **Consideration for Honors English

* Students with scores in this range should take the Xavier English Placement Test (XEPT) and the results will be used for course placement.
** Placement in honors courses or advanced placement is based on a combination of ACT/SAT Scores, Grades in Related High School Course, and GPA. If you are eligible, you will be notified prior to registration.