Students who receive financial aid have certain rights and responsibilities.

As a student, you have the right to know:

• What financial aid programs are available and how to apply for them;
• The criteria used to determine financial aid eligibility and calculate need;
• The type and amount of assistance you will receive, and how you will be paid;
• The terms and conditions of any financial aid you accept;
• The interest rate and terms of repayment of any loan you accept;
• The procedure for increasing, decreasing or cancelling your student loan;
• The Cost of Attendance, Tuition Refund and Return of Title IV funds policy;
• How Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid is determined;
• The process, requirements and consequences of any withdrawal, dismissal or leave of absence from the University;
• That all application information will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality;
• Your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA);
• To request a review of your financial aid package if family and/or financial circumstances have changed;
• That the Office of Student Financial Services will communicate financial aid information and awards to you by electronic means unless you provide a written request asking us to provide paper copies;
• That RVU will submit your enrollment and loan information to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) as required by the federal government.
• Campus security and crime statistics.

As a student, it’s your responsibility to:

• Establish plans to meet your educational and living expenses;
• Submit all documentation and forms requested by the Office of Financial Aid or your lender in a timely and accurate manner;
• Read, understand, and retain copies of all information and/or forms that are sent to you and all other documents you sign;
• Comply with the provisions of any aid received, as well as any promissory note(s) and all other agreements you sign;
• Notify RVU of all resources (especially outside resources) you receive that are not listed on your award letter;
• Keep RVU informed of any change of address, name or marital status while you are a student, and until all loans have been repaid in full;
• Use aid only for educational expenses related to attending the University;
• Comply with deadlines for the payment of tuition;
• Register and attend classes for the number of hours required for your aid disbursement;
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress;
• Provide written permission before personal information can be released to outside parties.
• Reapply for student financial aid every year.
• Schedule an appointment to meet with a financial aid counselor during your first semester if you are receiving a student loan.

Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine is approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for the certification of students eligible to receive VA educational benefits. The Office of Student Financial Services is responsible for submitting certifications verifying veterans’ enrollment at RVUCOM. The DVA determines a veteran’s eligibility for specific GI Bill® programs. For more information about programs and procedures for applying please go to http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ or call 1-888- GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). Once the DVA has determined that you are eligible to receive GI Bill® benefits, you must submit the following documents to the Office of Student Financial Services:

• A copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (provided by the DVA)
• A completed Request for a Change of Program or Place of Training (DVA Form 22-1995) if you have received benefits previously at another school.
• A Request for GI Bill® Certification form. (This form must be completed each semester if would like us to certify your enrollment with the DVA.)

Veterans will pay the same tuition and fees as all other students. Rates can be found under the Tuition and Fees tab above. Veterans should contact the certifying official at the Office of Student Financial Services for any questions or concerns about their attendance at RVUCOM. We are here to help you!

All students are required to obtain health insurance prior to matriculation and to maintain their individual health insurance throughout their time of enrollment at the University. Students must participate in the University sponsored health insurance program or submit an approved waiver with documentation of alternative equivalent coverage. If a student’s insurance is scheduled to expire during the academic year, they must obtain a new waiver form with proof of new insurance at least 30 days prior to the expiration of their old insurance. Any student who has a lapse of health insurance coverage will be summarily removed from classes and or externships and may be subject to dismissal.

The RVU Student Health Insurance program is in effect from August 1 to July 31 each year and the total annual premium is billed at the start of the fall semester. The current cost of the Student Health Insurance program may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Services.

Sometimes students may need extra funds for expenses necessary for them to complete their education. It is important to note that additional funds may be granted only for non-discretionary expenses allowed by federal regulations. Students must submit a written request and document their need for additional funds. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information about policy, procedures and forms. Note that adjustments may be restricted to specific maximum amounts.

In general, funds may be granted for expenses related to:

• Dependent care costs
• Computer purchase
• Clinical rotation expenses
• Audition/Interview rotation expenses
• Global rotation expenses

Additional funds cannot be granted for:

• Car payments
• Consumer indebtedness (credit card payments, prior student loan debt, etc.)
• Living expenses for dependents
• Mortgage payments in excess of Cost of Attendance housing allowance
• Expenses that are covered (or could be covered) by insurance
• Pet expenses

Federal regulations require that RVUCOM establish, publish and apply standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) which students enrolled in the University must meet in order to maintain financial aid eligibility. This policy applies to all students applying for or currently receiving Federal, State, or institutional financial assistance.

RVUCOM – Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients (PDF)

MSBS – Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients (PDF)

PA – Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients (PDF)

This policy shall apply to all students enrolled at Rocky Vista University (RVU) who are eligible to receive financial aid from Title IV funds and who totally withdraw, are dismissed, take an approved leave of absence, drop out or stop attending all classes in the semester. These students may be required to repay a portion of their federal financial aid. Refer to the link below or contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy (PDF)

Entrance Counseling

Students receiving loans for the first time must complete loan entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note before any funds will be disbursed. In addition, all first-year borrowers are required to complete internal loan counseling during their first year. Furthermore, there is a second-year loan counseling requirement for all students prior to entering into their third year and residency. Enrolled students are encouraged to meet annually with a financial aid counselor to discuss their cumulative debt and repayment options. All students who have received any type of educational loan must participate in loan exit counseling during their last semester as a requirement for graduation.

Entrance counseling must be completed online at studentloans.gov.

Once you have completed the Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling, the Office of Student Financial services will receive an electronic notification.

Exit Counseling

Students who borrow under the Federal Direct Loan Program are required to complete exit counseling before they graduate or drop below half-time.

Exit counseling must be completed online at www.studentloans.gov.

Once you have completed exit counseling, the Office of Student Financial services will receive an electronic notification.

Loss of Eligibility Due to A Drug Violation:

A student who is convicted of a state or federal drug offense while enrolled in school and receiving federal student aid is ineligible for federal student aid. The chart below explains the period of ineligibility for federal student aid funds:

                                Possession of illegal drugs                          Sale of illegal drugs

1st Offense        1 year from date of conviction                   2 years from date of conviction

2nd Offense       2 years from date of conviction                 Indefinite period

3+ Offenses       Indefinite period

Regaining Eligibility after a Drug Conviction:

A student regains eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility ends or when they successfully complete a qualified drug rehabilitation program that includes passing two unannounced drug tests given by such a program.

A drug rehabilitation program is considered qualified if it includes at least two unannounced drug tests and meets one of the following requirements:

• Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state, or local government.
• Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company.
• Be administered or recognized by a federal, state, or local government agency or court.
• Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.

Students denied eligibility for an indefinite period can regain it by successfully completing a rehabilitation program or if a conviction is reversed, set aside, or removed from the student’s record so that fewer than two convictions for sale or three convictions for possession remain on the record.

FAFSA Website

Return of Title IV Funds Policy (PDF)

Code of Conduct (PDF)

Consumer Information Disclosure (PDF)

Department of Education Default Rates (use OPEID number 042189)