Admission and Finances

It is the policy of St. Joseph’s College not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national and ethnic origin, age, handicap, or marital status in its educational programs, admission policies, and employment polices, financial aid, or other school administered programs. This policy is implemented in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Admission Requirements

An applicant wishing to pursue a graduate degree or certificate program at St. Joseph’s College must hold a bachelor’s degree and be deemed capable of completing the requirements for the degree or certificate. The Office of Admissions, in consultation with the academic program, has the right to waive a requirement or request additional material.  Additional requirements for majors and certificate programs are indicated in the Curricular Offerings  section of the catalog.

Application Procedure

See Curricular Offerings  Section 

International Students

Registration at St. Joseph’s College is contingent upon admission to the college and acquisition of a valid student visa (F1) from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. For further information contact the Office of International Student Services at (718) 940-5830, or visit our website at www.sjcny.edu.

Health Insurance

All full-time students will be required to carry Health and Accident Insurance. This fee will be charged in the Fall and Spring semesters. If a student is currently covered by another policy of greater or equal value, the St. Joseph’s College insurance may be waived. Waiver forms are available in the Dean of Students Office, on both campuses, or can be downloaded from the St. Joseph’s College website at www.sjcny.edu. Please read and follow all the instructions on the Waiver Form. This form must be completed and returned to the Office of Student Life each Fall by October 1. Health and Accident Insurance must be waived each year if not desired.

Students who were part-time in the Fall semester and full-time in the Spring semester: these student will automatically receive insurance coverage for the Spring and will automatically be charged in the Spring semester only. Any student already covered by another policy may complete and submit a waiver form to the Dean of Students Office by February 1, each spring.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: International students who require insurance coverage in excess of the limited provided by the student accident and sickness plan can request enrollment in a plan tailored to the international student. International students who wish to participate in the International Plan must obtain an Enrollment Form from the Dean of Students Office.

Statement of Costs for Academic Year 2016-2017

A remittance of $25 is payable when the application for admission is filed. The application fee is a service fee and is in no case refundable.

If a bank refuses a check for insufficient funds, a $25 fee will be added to the total bill. (For extension agreement, contact the Business Office located on the first floor of Tuohy Hall 245 Building, Room 111, at SJC Brooklyn, or O’Connor Hall, 2nd Floor, at SJC Long Island Campus.

Application Fee: A remittance of $25 is payable when the application for admission is filed. The application fee is a service and is in no case refundable.

Note: In addition to the $25.00 non-refundable application fee, students must make a non-refundable tuition deposit at the time of registration. For full-time students a fee of $250 is due, and for part-time students a fee of $80 is due.

*Payable after the first class session

Tuition Policy

Students accepted for admission must make a tuition deposit of $250 at the time of registration. (This amount includes a $5.00 I.D. Card Fee).  The deposit is not refundable, but it will be credited toward the first term’s tuition. In certain instances, the non-refundable tuition deposit paid by a first semester student may be applied to the next semester. A student’s bill for tuition and fees is based on the number of credits for which a student intends to register, less applicable Financial Aid, Grants, or Scholarships for that semester. Scholarships or Student Aid may only be subtracted if all related applications and other information have been submitted on a timely basis. Payment of the remaining balance constitutes “Clearance” by the Business Office. The Business Office must clear bills for the semester before students may attend class. Students who do not receive financial clearance from the Business Office will not be officially registered at the College for that semester. Students may not enroll for a successive semester until their accounts have been completely satisfied. St. Joseph’s College makes available several tuition financing options through tuition deferment programs. The two monthly budgeting programs the College offers are The Tuition Management System and Academic Management Services. Basically, these programs are designed to afford students the opportunity to pay their educational expenses in monthly installments. Students may elect to contract with either of these services for a nominal initial participation fee prior to or at the beginning of each new academic year. Students interested in either of the two plans may obtain brochures and applications in the Business Office. Additional information may be received by calling AMS at 1(800) 635-0120 and The Tuition Plan at 1 (800) 722-4867.

Students who are unable to pay what is owed by the first day of class (other than those who are enrolled with either the Tuition Management System or Academic Management Services) will have their account automatically default to St. Joseph’s College Tuition Extension Agreement. Unlike the other two deferment programs, under the St. Joseph’s College Tuition Agreement, a finance charge will be assessed. Questions regarding the College’s tuition policy should be addressed to the Bursar (SJC Brooklyn at (718) 940-5613 or SJC Long Island at (631) 687-4555.)

Withdrawal from a Course or From the College: Tuition Refunds

Withdrawal from the College may entitle a student to a refund of tuition, but not of fees. The date of withdrawal is considered when calculating refunds. Tuition liability is based on the date the change of program form is received by the Registrar. See Curricular Offerings  Section for additional information on withdrawing from a course or the College.

The percentage of refund will be determined according to the following schedule:

The rate of refund for any unique class scheduling configuration is pro-rated according to the above refund schedule.

This schedule does not apply to the tuition deposit required of first time students. This deposit is non-refundable. In the absence of written notification, the Dean determines the date of withdrawal. Refunds of financial aid awards, student loans, etc., are not refundable until the College has received the actual funds and the student’s eligibility for the funds has been determined.

Federal Title IV recipients should see the Return of Title IV Funds Section of this catalog.

A refund will not be granted to a student who is dismissed or who withdraws while under disciplinary action.

A student who feels that his/her individual circumstances warrant an exception to the College’s refund policy may submit a written appeal for special consideration to the Bursar. The Bursar’s decision is subject to appeal to the Chief Financial Officer.

In order to initiate a request for a refund, a student must complete a Refund Application Form at the Business Office, or apply by mailing a written request bearing the student’s signature to the Business Office after the fifth (5) calendar week into the semester.

It is necessary to allow for a minimum of 10 business days for processing the refund application and for preparing the refund check, which may be picked up at the Business Office or, upon request, may be mailed to the student.

Awarding of Degrees and Graduation

Graduation exercises are held annually in May/June. Degrees, however, are granted three times a year (August, January, June). August and January graduates may elect to receive their diplomas in February or wait until commencement.

Students who require proof of graduation prior to commencement may request a letter of completion and/or transcript from the Registrar.

Students who miss the deadline for graduation application will not receive diplomas until two months after the date of graduation.

Any change in program stated on the graduation application must be brought to the attention of the Registrar.

Financial Aid

Application Procedures

To be considered for federal, state and institutional sources of financial aid, students should follow these procedures each academic year.

1.    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating St. Joseph’s College as a recipient. The student will be asked to enter the appropriate St. Joseph’s federal school code.

.  SJC Brooklyn: 002825
.  SJC Long Island: E00505

       The FAFSA may be completed online at www.fafsa.gov, or a paper  FAFSA may be completed and mailed in to the Federal Student Aid Processor.

2.    If the student’s FAFSA is selected by the processor for verification, the student will be asked to provide additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. The documentation will be compared to the FAFSA, and corrections will be made as necessary. The Office of Financial Aid must be in receipt of the documentation, and all necessary corrections must be made before awards can be disbursed.

3.    Priority for certain financial aid programs will be given to students who adhere to the following recommended filing dates:

 Summer entering students:         February 25
 Fall entering students:                  March 15
 Spring entering students:             November 1
 Continuing students:                     April 30

Requirements and Responsibilities of Student Aid Recipients

All students who receive financial aid are responsible for understanding the academic standards they must meet in order to maintain eligibility for specific programs. Federal financial aid recipients should consult the Federal Financial Aid Programs section of this catalog.  Recipients of St. Joseph’s college scholarships and grants should consult the St. Joseph’s College Financial Aid Programs section of this catalog.  New York State financial aid recipients should consult the New York State Financial Aid Programs section of this catalog.

Students must notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing of the amounts and sources of any outside aid that they may be receiving.  For example, students should inform the Office of Financial Aid about a scholarship that they may be receiving from a community organization.

Student Expenses

In order to aid in financial planning, the Office of Financial Aid has provided the following table of estimated costs at St. Joseph’s College. All costs are subject to change.

St. Joseph’s College Graduate Program 2016-17 Student Expenses

Graduate Programs

Annual Direct Costs (payable to SJC):

Per-credit tuition                                                                            $899/credit

College fee (1-7 credits per semester)                                             $13/credit

College fee (8-11 credits per semester                                             $192

Mandated accident insurance fee                                                    $14

Parking fee (L.I. Campus only)                                                        $10

Technology fee (1-7 credits per semester)                                        $80

Technology fee (8 or more credits per semester)                               $150                          

Annual Indirect Costs (estimated):

Loan fees                                                                                      $144

Books and supplies                                                                       $500

Personal Expenses                                                                       $2,000

Transportation                                                                               $2,000

Independent student-living expense                                                 $6,500

Graduate Online Programs

Annual Direct Costs (payable to SJC):

Per-credit tuition                                                                           $495/credit

College fee (per semester)                                                             $77

Technology fee (per semester)                                                       $58

Administrative fee                                                                         $49

Annual Indirect Costs (estimated):

Loan fees                                                                                    $144

Books and supplies                                                                     $500

Personal Expenses                                                                     $2,000

Independent student-living expense                                               $6,500                                                      

M.F.A in Creative Writing

Annual Direct Costs (payable to SJC):

Costs based on 9 credits per semester

Tuition                                                                                       $25,500

College fee                                                                                $192

Mandated accident insurance fee                                                $14

Technology fee                                                                          $150

Thesis fee (per semester when applicable)                                   $100

Maintaining matriculation fee (per semester when applicable)        $300

Annual Indirect Costs (estimated):

Loan fees                                                                                 $144

Books and supplies                                                                  $500

Personal expenses                                                                   $2,000

Transportation                                                                          $2,000

Independent student-living expense                                            $6,500

Federal Financial Aid Programs

To receive federal student aid, a student must: 1)  have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or complete a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law; 2)  be enrolled or accepted as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program; 3) be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or eligible non-citizen; 4) have a valid Social Security Number (unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau); 5) be registered with Selective Service if you are male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25); 6) maintain satisfactory academic progress in college; 7) sign certifying statements on the FAFSA stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe a refund on a federal grant; and 8) certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Federal Financial Aid Recipients

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as proceeding toward successful completion of degree requirements. The SJC Office of Financial Aid is required by federal regulation to determine whether a student is meeting the requirements. The official record of the SJC Registrar is reviewed to determine student compliance with this Policy. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed and determined at the conclusion of each semester. Students enrolled in certificate programs will be evaluated at the mid-point of their program.

This Policy pertains only to applicants for federal financial aid. Federal financial aid includes Federal Pell grants, Federal SEOG, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans and Federal Work Study. A recipient of an SJC institutional scholarship, tuition remission, or an institutional grant must meet the eligibility requirements of the respective program. The New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), as well as any other state sponsored programs, has their own, specific progress policies. We encourage you to review the Office of Financial Aid website. If you have questions about the monitoring of satisfactory progress not addressed in this policy, please contact our office.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

1. GPA

• Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

2. Pace

• All students must successfully complete at least 75% of the cumulative hours attempted.  This includes all courses attempted at SJC as well as courses transferred into SJC that are applicable to a student’s program.  For example, a student who has attempted a cumulative total of 55 hours must have successfully completed at least 41 credit hours to meet the requirement (55 x .75 = 41.25; round decimals down to whole numbers).

3. Maximum Time Frame

• Students must not exceed a maximum number of hours to complete the degree program.  Students are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid once they have attempted 150% of the credits required to complete the degree.
  • 120 credit undergraduate degree programs must not exceed 180 credits.
  • 128 credit undergraduate degree programs must not exceed 192 credits.
  • 30 credit graduate degree programs must not exceed 45 credits.
  • 36 credit graduate degree programs must not exceed 54 credits.
  • 37 credit graduate degree programs must not exceed 55 credits.
  • 42 credit graduate degree programs must not exceed 63 credits.
  • 45 credit graduate degree programs must not exceed 67 credits.
  • Certificate programs must not exceed 150% of published length of program.  For example, a 24 credit program must not exceed 36 credits (24 x 1.5 = 36).

Courses/Grades Used in Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress:

All coursework attempted, including any dropped, repeated, reprieved or remedial courses or withdrawals recorded on the St. Joseph’s College Transcript at the time of the progress check are considered when determining if the student has exceeded the maximum number of hours for degree completion and has completed 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted.

The following grades indicate successful completion of a course: “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “P”.

The following grades indicate a course was not successfully completed: “F”,”I”, “AB”, “WD”, “WF”, “WU”, “FN”, “NC”, or a course for which a grade was not entered.

Audit courses are not counted in the total hours attempted for any semester or as successful completion of a course. Independent study, correspondence and extension courses may count toward successful completion of hours attempted if they are completed by the last day of the semester. For information about eligibility and payment of aid for these types of courses, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Transfer coursework must be reflected on the St. Joseph’s College Transcript to be considered for purposes of financial aid eligibility.

Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress:

A student who exceeds the maximum number of hours allowed for degree completion will be suspended from future financial aid until the reason for the excessive hours can be adequately documented.

A student who either fails to achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA, or to complete at least 75% of the total hours attempted, will be placed on financial aid warning for the following academic semester of enrollment at St. Joseph’s College. A student may receive financial aid while on warning. At the end of the warning, if a student is meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, he/she will regain unconditional eligibility for federal financial aid programs. If a student has not met the requirements, he/she will have eligibility for federal financial aid suspended. Please see below.

Financial Aid Suspension:

A student denied assistance based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. An appeal form is included in the suspension notification letter. The appeal and supporting documentation must be received in the St. Joseph’s College Financial Aid Office by the deadline reflected in the suspension notification letter. The appeal should speak in detail to mitigating or extenuating circumstances that affected the student’s academic performance, i.e., severe physical injury or mental trauma.

A student suspended for exceeding the maximum hours allowed for degree completion should also have the academic advisor complete the “Remaining Hours Required for Degree Completion” form if extenuating circumstances require the student to exceed the maximum hours limit. The form is included in the suspension notification letter.

Action taken on a financial aid appeal is final and is transmitted to the student in writing by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Depending upon the timeliness of the appeal, it is possible for a student to have an appeal denied and also not be entitled to a refund of charges if the student chooses to withdraw from classes. A student who enrolls and attends class whose appeal is subsequently denied will be eligible for a refund of charges based solely on the refund policy in the in the St. Joseph’s College Catalog.

A student suspended for reasons other than exceeding the maximum number of hours for degree completion who does not appeal, or whose appeal is denied, may be reinstated on a probationary basis by meeting both of the following criteria:

1. Achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA or the required Semester GPA (Undergraduate = 2.00; Graduate = 3.00); and,
2. Successfully complete 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted or 75% of the hours attempted for that semester.

A student may regain eligibility by attending St. Joseph’s College for the academic year without the benefit of federal financial aid and meeting the SAP eligibility criteria. A student may also regain eligibility by transferring work into SJC from an accredited institution. Transfer work must be reflected on the St. Joseph’s College transcript to be considered for purposes of federal financial aid eligibility.

Withdrawal from the College (Return of Title IV Funds)

All students should consult with a financial aid counselor in the Office of Financial Aid before changing enrollment status or withdrawing from the college. Any changes may affect financial aid eligibility.

Federal financial aid is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire term for which the aid is awarded. When a student withdraws from the college, he or she may no longer be eligible for the full amount of federal aid originally awarded. If a federal financial aid recipient withdraws after beginning classes and before the 60 percent point in the term, the amount of federal grant and/or loan assistance earned by the student must be determined. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, unearned funds must be returned. If the amount disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, the student may be entitled to a post-withdrawal disbursement. It is important to note that the amount of federal aid earned by the student is determined by the percentage of term completion, and is not related to the college tuition refund policy. In the event that funds need to be returned, the student may find an outstanding balance on his/her account. The student is responsible for any outstanding balances owed to the college when funds are returned.

Title IV funds that are subject to recalculation in the event of a withdrawal from the college are Pell Grant, SEOG, Perkins Loan, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Direct Parent PLUS and Graduate PLUS Loans.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at least half time (6 credits per semester).  Financial need is not a requirement.  Interest begins accruing when the loan is disbursed.  Repayment begins 6 months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.  Direct Unsubsidized Loans have annual limits, and aggregate lifetime limits.  First time borrowers will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling session.  For more information, please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans

Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans are available to graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (six credits per semester), and who have applied for and exhausted the annual maximum loan eligibility under the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program. The annual loan limit is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other aid received.  A credit pre-approval is required of borrowers.  For more information, please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is offered through the federal campus-based aid program and provides employment opportunities to eligible students.  Actual award amounts are based on the student’s financial need, pay-rate, amount of contracted hours and funding availability.  FWS funds at SJC are received in the form of a monthly paycheck for hours worked.  FWS funds are limited and positions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  An offer of FWS on an award letter does not guarantee position availability.  Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for job availability and more information.

New York State Financial Aid Programs

For additional information on any New York State Programs, including questions of eligibility, please contact New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (NYSHESC) at (888) NYS-HESC or visit their website at http://www.hesc.ny.gov

Individuals with Disabilities

Students who are medically diagnosed with a physical, developmental or emotional disability, may be eligible for a grant that would assist with educational expenses.  Please contact the Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) for more information, or visit their website at www.access.nysed.gov/vr/.

St. Joseph’s College Financial Aid Programs

St. Joseph’s College Alumni Graduate Academic Excellence Award

St. Joseph’s College graduates who completed their bachelor’s degree with a final cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher, and who are admitted to a Graduate Program at St. Joseph’s College may be eligible for the one-credit SJC Alumni Graduate Academic Excellence Award. Eligible students are entitled to a one-credit tuition grant in the first semester of matriculation as a graduate student. Consult the Office of Admissions for applicable conditions and procedures. Not applicable to Creative Writing M.F.A. or online graduate programs.

St. Joseph’s College Graduate Alumni Tuition Grant

Students who earned their bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College and who are enrolled in a Graduate Program at St. Joseph’s College may be eligible to receive a three or six credit tuition grant. Students eligible for a six-credit grant are entitled to a three-credit tuition grant in two semesters toward the end of the program of their last year. If students are eligible for a three-credit grant, the grant will be awarded in the last semester or toward the end of the program.  Consult the Office of Admissions for applicable conditions and procedures. Not applicable to Creative Writing M.F.A. or online graduate programs.

Corporate and Organization Partnership Discounts

St. Joseph’s College offers various discounts to personnel and staff members of certain entities. Examples of current partnership discounts are: NY City Police Department, Fire Department of NY City, NY City Department of Correction, NY City Court Officers, Department of Defense, Catholic Charities, Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees (Human Services Leadership M.S. only), Brooklyn Diocesan Teachers (Literacy and Cognition and Special Education only), Long Island Railroad, National Grid, Suffolk County Water Authority and Brookhaven Hospital. Discount programs vary and are subject to change. Discount programs may not be combined with any other institutional grants or scholarships. To be considered students must complete an annual verification form which can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. Please consult with an Admissions or Financial Aid Counselor for more information.