Financial Aid

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

In carrying out their assigned responsibilities, many offices at Lake Superior State University collect and maintain information about students.  Although these records belong to the university, both university policy and federal law accord students a number of rights concerning these records.  The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) established the rules and regulations regarding access to and disclosure of student records.

To fulfill FERPA requirements, the university has established Policies on Student Records.  These policies outline a student’s rights regarding his/her records, where records about the student may be kept and maintained, what kinds of information are in those records, the conditions under which the student or anyone else may have access to information in those records, and what action a student can take if it is believed that the information in his/her record is inaccurate or that the student’s rights have been compromised.  The policies on student records are on the Registrar’s website. For more information or to receive a copy, contact the Register’s Office, 650 W. Easterday Ave, Tel: (906) 635-2682.

Facilities & Services for the Disabled Students

Lake Superior State University is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for people of all abilities. Our Accessibility Services (AS) office is committed to helping students with disabilities participate as fully as possible in the university’s programs, services and activities.  It is our policy that persons with disabilities will have access to any program, service, or activity offered by the university that is comparable to the access received by persons without disabilities, unless such access would place an undue burden upon the university.

For information on facilities and services for disabled student, contact Accessibility Services (AS), LIBR-223, (906) 635-2355.

Student Body Diversity

Information about the diversity of the university student body, contact the Office of Institutional Research, ADM 205, (906) 635-2022 or Derric Knight, Assistant Director of Housing and Diversity Officer, (906) 635-6244.

Price of Attendance

For actual tuition and fee charges contact:

Cashiers/Student Accounts

Fletcher Center, Room 110

(906) 635-2600

Business Operations Website

For estimated tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and personal/miscellaneous expenses contact:

Financial Aid Office

Fletcher Center, Room 100

(906) 635-2678

Cost Calculator on the Financial Aid Website

Cost of Attendance on the Financial Aid Website

Net Price Calculator

This calculator is intended to provide estimated net price information (defined as the estimated cost of attendance – including tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and board (meals), and other related expenses – minus estimated grant and scholarship aid) to current and prospective students and their families based on what similar students paid in a previous year.

Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawal

Students who are withdrawing from all classes at the university must notify the Registrar’s Office by following the withdrawal procedure outline on the Add/Drop Courses and Withdrawal Information page.

Return of Federal Financial Aid

The federal government mandates that students who withdraw from all classes may only keep the financial aid (federal Title IV and loan assistance) they have “earned” up to the time of withdrawal. Students receiving federal and state financial aid, including loans and scholarships, and institutional and private aid who withdraw from 100% of their courses at the university are subject to the repayment policy available on the Financial Aid Information Regarding University Withdrawal and Refunds page.

Financial Aid Return to Title IV Policy: Applies to students receiving federal and state financial aid including loans and scholarships and institutional and private aid.

• First, your account will be credited according to Lake Superior State University’s Refund Policy (on or prior to the 38-day withdrawal period). The summer semester refund policy is shortened.
• Then, your financial aid will be reduced in direct proportion to the length of time you remained enrolled, up to 60 percent of the semester.
• PLEASE NOTE: If you have received a payment for excess financial aid and you withdraw, you could owe the University and/or the federal government money. 
• If there is still a credit on your account, the amount of the credit will then be applied to the remaining financial aid funds until the credit has been reduced to zero.

Textbook Information

For information regarding student textbooks and detailed lists of required course material is available on the Barnes & Noble LSSU website.

Educational Programs

Information on the university’s academic programs and degree offerings is available from the various schools/colleges. Information can be located on the Degree Programs page.

Instructional Facilities

For an interactive map of the main campus, see the Campus Map page. A printable main campus map is also available on the Campus Printable Map page. Information for campus parking can be located on the Public Safety page.

Facilities Master Plans are available to view online.

Faculty

Information on the university’s faculty and instructional personnel is available online in the Campus Directory.

Course Schedule

The course schedule may be found on the Registrar’s Course Scheduling page.

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements

Information about the university transfer credit policies can be found on Transfer Student Requirements page. The Transfer Equivalency Tool allows students to check how courses from list schools will transfer to LSSU.

The “reverse transfer agreement” creates a process whereby students who transfer from a community college to a university can be awarded a community college associate’s degree with the help of credits earned at the university.

The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a partnership between Michigan’s colleges and universities that allows students to complete core college courses at one institution and transfer those credits to other partner institutions to be applied to the core requirements.

The LSSU-Wisconsin Bridge Agreement allows students transferring from the University of Wisconsin Colleges with an Associate of Arts & Science degree are recognized as having completed the general education requirements at Lake Superior State University.

The Sault College Transfer Agreement allows Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology students admitted to LSSU with the GECERT stamp (liberal studies degree) on their transcript are recognized as having completed the general education requirements at LSSU.

Study Abroad

Lake Superior State University provides many study abroad programs to the student community. Information about the programs offered and how to apply can be found on the Study Abroad page. Information about Financial Aid and funding for the programs is also available.

Accreditation, Approval, and Licensure of Institution and Programs

Lake Superior State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 203 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413, (800) 621-7440, since 1968. Statement of Affiliation Status with the HLC is available to view. Information on institutional and programmatic accreditation can be found on the Accreditation page.

Copyright Infringement – Policies and Sanctions

This policy applies to anyone using any University Information Technology Resource. This includes, but is not limited to, Lake Superior State University faculty and staff, students, student employees, alumni, guests, and contractors. Unauthorized use and distribution of copyrighted material is illegal. Legal action against the individual as well as the university may occur, this includes all audio and video files.

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense. For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov.

Computer Use and File Sharing

Coming Soon

Student Activities

Information on university’s student related activities are located at the Campus Life page.

Career and Job Placement Services

Lake Superior State University offers students help with career guidance and job prospections and resources through the Career Services center.

School of Education Reports

Contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions regarding financial aid or related topics.  If you need assistance or would like a paper copy of any financial aid information, please contact:

LSSU Financial Aid Office

Fletcher Center

Tel: (906) 635-2146

Fax: (906) 635-6669

Financial Aid Employee Contact Information

Most information on student aid assistance is available on the LSSU Financial Aid and the Financial Aid Basics page.

Related Links Types of Aid

Eligibility

Applying for Aid

How Need-Based Aid is Determined

Verification

SAP Policy (Satisfactory Academic Progress)

Student’s Rights and Responsibilities

Loan CounselingEntrance Counseling for Federal Direct Loans

Providing Borrower Information at Separation – The personal and contact information collected at the time of exit counseling is provided to the student’s loan servicer within 60 days because the information is updated by the student at the Studentaid.ed.gov website.

Exit Counseling for Federal Direct Loans

Scholarship Fraud

Students, particularly high school seniors, will be targeted by many organizations selling their products and services, including organizations that sell scholarship searches.

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships urges families to be very cautious in paying for scholarship searches. While there are legitimate organizations that do charge a fee, there are organizations that take advantage of student and parent fears about meeting the costs of higher education. Estimates show that families lose significant amounts of money to scholarship fraud every year.

The College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act enhances protection against fraud in student financial assistance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions students to look for these telltale lines:

• “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
• “We’ll do all of the work.”
• “The scholarship will cost some money.”
• “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship” or “You’re a finalist in a contest that you never entered.”

Students or families who think that they may have received information that could be a scam, contact the FTC at 877-382-4357 or visit their website at http://www.ftc.gov/.

Campus Safety and Security

The Lake Superior State University Campus Public Safety Department is located on the first floor of the Administration Building on the campus of LSSU. Public Safety Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Full-time officers and student officers staff the department. Information on DPS services including reporting, crime statistics, parking, residence hall safety, and emergency preparedness may be found at:

LSSU Public Safety Department

Administration Building

Tel: (906) 635-2100

Department of Public Safety

Emergency Notifications

Emergency Response Summary

Campus Parking Policy and Information

Crime Statistics & Annual Security and Fire Report

Alcohol Policy

Weapons Policy

Controlled Substances

Residence Hall Safety

Vaccination Policy

LSSU policies and recommendations regarding new student immunizations and information on scheduled appointments can be located through the LSSU Health CARE Center.

Missing Student Notification Policy

If a member of the University community has reason to believe that a student who resides in on-campus housing is missing, he or she should immediately notify Public Safety at (906) 635-2100. Public Safety will generate a missing person report and initiate an investigation.

If the Public Safety Department determines an individual has been missing for more than 24 hours, the University will notify Sault Sainte Marie Police Department and the student’s listed contact. This notification will occur no later than 24 hours after the determination that the student is missing. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not an emancipated individual, the University will notify the student’s parent or legal guardian and missing person contact immediately.

Residential students have the option to identify, confidentially, an individual to be contacted in the event the student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. This confidential contact information will be accessible only to authorized campus officials and law enforcement and may not be disclosed outside of a missing person investigation.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Students at LSSU are required to follow student code of conduct and measures are taken when violations occur. Information on these violations is available through Campus Life. Information and counseling services for students regarding alcohol and substance abuse is available through the LSSU Health CARE Center.

Graduation and Retention Rates

Lake Superior State University’s graduation rate after six years for the Fall 2011 cohort class is 45%. This is the rate of degree seeking full-time undergraduate students who have graduated from their programs within the 150% of the normal time for graduation.

Lake Superior State University’s full-time retention rate from fall 2017 to fall 2018 was 72% for first time undergrads.

The Institutional Research office offers extensive data on degrees confirmed, enrollment reports, retention, and more.

Completion and Graduation Rates for Student Athletes

Reports must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when an athletically related student aid offer is made.

A report on the Graduation Success Rate (IPEDS-GRS) is also available online. Choose Lake Superior State University from the school drop down menu to review the graduation success rates of LSSU athletes sored by sport and year.

Participation Rates & Financial Support

For information on the university’s EADA (Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act) annual report can be found on the Athletics’ Compliance page and on the U.S. Department of Education EADA reports.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement

Lake Superior State University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.  Lake Superior State University committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.  Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Director Human Resources and Title IX Coordinator, Human Resource Office, Administrative Building, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783, 906-635-2213.

University Complaints

The University encourages students and prospective students to address complaints relating to the institution’s policies and consumer protection issues first with personnel in the office, department, school, or college that led to the complaint alleged.  If needed, senior University administrators may also become involved to help resolve complaints.

Gainful Employment

On June 28, 2019, the U.S. Department of Education announced the complete rescission of gainful employment disclosure regulations. Lake Superior State University opted for early rescission effective July 1, 2019. The intent of the gainful employment regulations was to provide student with cost and employment information for out programs that deal directly to employment certification programs.

LSSU will no longer be providing Gainful Employment information. Inquires may be addressed to the LSSU Financial Aid Office.

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