Capitol Technology University understands that paying for college is a major hurdle for parents and students. To help families meet tuition and living expenses, the university offers a variety of financial assistance programs including loans, work-study, scholarships and grants to help cover tuition and living expenses. Regardless of income level, all degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for assistance.
Financial aid is available to both full- and part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students and graduate students enrolled in a minimum of six credits who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Audited courses, some repeated courses, and credit by examination are not counted as meeting enrollment requirements. A student receiving financial aid must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward degree completion.
The Capitol Technology University student handbook contains additional information about financial aid at the university.
Application Procedures
One of the most important aspects of the financial aid process is to apply for assistance as early as possible. The application due dates are priority deadlines. Students who meet the priority deadlines enjoy the security of having their award authorization ready in time for class registration.
- You must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal and state financial aid. Complete the application as early as December 1, 2023, or by priority date of March 1, 2024, or as far in advance of the starting term as possible. Apply online with FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Be sure to list Capitol Technology University on the FAFSA, School Code 001436, so the FAFSA information will be electronically forwarded to the university. A paper FAFSA can be obtained by requesting one from the Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243.
- After reviewing your processed FAFSA data, the Office of Financial Aid will send an award letter listing the awards for which you are eligible.
- Sign and return one copy of the award letter to the Office of Financial Aid. Students may also review, accept or decline their financial aid on the MyFA portal. This portal is located within MyCapitol and is available 24 hours a day from any location.
Renewal of Financial Aid
Financial aid is not automatically renewed, unless otherwise noted. The entire financial aid application process must be completed every year in order for your request for federal, state and institutional aid to be considered.
Enrollment Status for Financial Aid
Undergraduate - Federal
- 6 to 8 credits is considered half-time
- 9 to 11 credits is considered three-quarter’s time
- 12+ credits is considered full-time
Undergraduate - Veterans
- 3 to 5 credits is considered part-time
- 6 to 8 credits is considered half-time
- 9 to 11 credits is considered three-quarter’s time
- 12+ credits is considered full-time
Graduate - Federal
- 6 to 8 credits is considered half-time
- 9+ credits is considered full-time
Graduate - Veterans
- 3 or more credits taken during an 8-week term session is considered full-time
- 3 to 5 credits taken during a 16-week semester is considered greater than one quarter but less than half-time
- 6 or more credits taken during a 16-week semester is considered full-time
Continuing Eligibility
The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to review or modify financial aid commitments at any time based on information affecting eligibility. This includes the availability of funds, changes in financial status, satisfactory academic progress, and changes in enrollment status.
Return of Federal Funds
Students who have received financial aid awards and withdraw from classes (officially or unofficially) may be required to return a portion of the federal funds. See the federal return of funds policy on Federal Return of Funds Policy .
Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards
The Department of Education passed a federal satisfactory academic progress policy, effective July 1, 2011.
This policy applies to both undergraduate and graduate students receiving federal and state financial aid funds. The financial aid SAP policy is separate from the university’s general satisfactory academic progress policy.
Under the Federal SAP policy, there are two components: a qualitative SAP component (Grade Point Average) and a quantitative SAP standard (earned credit hours versus attempted credit hours). Students receiving federal student aid must be in compliance with both standards in order to be considered making financial aid satisfactory academic progress.
Repeated Coursework
A student may repeat any coursework previously taken in the student’s program as long as the repeated course is not a result of more than one repetition of a previously passed course.
Undergraduate Student Requirements
Qualitative Standard (Grade Point Average component)
A student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid is reviewed at the end of each semester. A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 1.7 for undergraduate students who have attempted fewer than 30 semester credit hours; a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.0 for undergraduate students who have attempted 30 semester credit hours or more or have completed their second academic year, whichever comes first. Transfer credits are also counted in the earned credit hours. Incomplete, repeated courses and courses with a grade of “W” are counted in the qualitative standard. Incomplete grades will become “F” if not resolved within 30 days of the next semester start.
Quantitative Standard (number of credit hours attempted versus number of credit hours earned)
Under the quantitative component of the financial aid satisfactory academic progress standard, an undergraduate student must successfully complete coursework within a certain time frame. Charts showing the minimum number of credits students must earn each enrollment period and year of study are listed in the guidelines on the university website. Incomplete, repeated courses and courses with a grade of “W” are counted in the qualitative standard. Incomplete grades will become “F” if not resolved within 30 days of the next semester start. Additionally, for an undergraduate student, the time frame cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program measured in academic years or credit hours attempted, as determined by the university. For instance, if the published length of a student’s academic program is 120 credit hours, the maximum period must not exceed 180 (120 x 1.5) attempted hours.
To be in compliance, students must complete their credit hours as listed in the guidelines above.
Failure to meet these standards will place a student on financial aid warning for one semester. The Financial Aid Office will notify students in writing when placed on warning detailing the policy and next steps.
A student on financial aid warning will receive financial aid for one more semester. Before registering for classes, the student must meet with a university advisor to develop a success plan and to receive approval for courses the student wishes to register for during the warning period.
A student who fails to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress for two consecutive semesters (GPA and credit hour) will have his/her financial aid terminated. Students will be notified in writing and will be offered the option to appeal the termination.
Graduate Student (Master’s and Doctoral) Financial Aid Progress Requirements
A student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Master’s and Doctoral Degree Students Receiving Federal Student Aid
Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average. Failure to meet this standard will place a student on financial aid warning for one semester. A student on financial aid warning will receive financial aid for one more semester. Before registering for classes, the student must consult with their advisor on the best course options.
A student on financial aid warning will have his/her financial aid terminated if the GPA standard is not met during the warning period.
Financial Aid Termination - Undergraduate and Graduate (Master’s and Doctoral) Students
An undergraduate or graduate student whose financial aid is terminated following the warning period will not receive financial aid again unless the student has submitted an appeal requesting financial aid reinstatement. In the letter of appeal, a student must explain the reason for his or her poor academic performance and provide medical documentation or other documents which help to explain any exceptional circumstances. Mitigating circumstances such as death in family, living arrangements, financial situations and health are considered.
The student’s letter of appeal and accompanying documentation will be sent to the university’s Financial Aid Appeals Committee for review. The committee, consisting of academic advisors and financial aid, review the appeal. The student will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision. The student will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.
If an appeal is granted, the student will be placed in a probationary status for one additional semester.
Types of Financial Aid
The financial aid program at Capitol Technology University consists of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study employment. Detailed information about each aid program is available from the Office of Financial Aid.
Scholarships
The scholarship program at Capitol Technology University is designed to reward students for their academic accomplishments, leadership qualities or other special talents. The scholarships come from a variety of sources and donors, and each scholarship has its own set of criteria and annual value, ranging from $2,000 to full tuition. Scholarships are available to full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled for 12 credits or more per semester. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.
Institutional Scholarships
Each full-time undergraduate degree applicant is automatically considered for an institutional scholarship when applying for admission to the university. Initial institutional scholarship notification is sent by the Office of Admissions and is based on prior academic performance and number of honors, AP, or IBA courses taken. For eligibility requirements, contact the Office of Admissions. All of the scholarships are annually renewable to recipients who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and complete 24 credits each year.
Richard J. Heiman Scholarship
Awards range from $12,000 to $14,000. Named in memory of a dedicated member of the Capitol Technology University Board of Trustees, this scholarship is the highest offered by the university to new students.
Presidential Scholarship
Awards range from $9,000 to $11,500.
Board of Trustee Scholarship
Awards range from $6,000 to $9,000. The scholarship is named to recognize the service and support of the university Board of Trustees members.
Capitol Technology University Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to qualifying college students who are transferring to Capitol Technology University, with awards ranging from $6,000 to $12,000.
Corporate and Foundation Scholarships
A number of corporations and foundations have invested funds with the university to be awarded annually to students meeting criteria specified by the donors, such as academic merit or financial need. Students who continue to meet the awarding criteria will be considered for subsequent scholarship awards. Corporate and foundation scholarships are not automatically renewed.
Interested students must submit a completed scholarship application with a typed essay on an assigned topic between March 1 and March 30, before the academic year they want to be considered for a corporate and foundation scholarship. Applications are available between March 1 and March 30 on the university website under Financial Aid Office. For a complete listing of corporate and foundation scholarships and eligibility criteria, please consult the student handbook or visit the financial aid section online.
Maryland State Scholarships
Maryland students seeking Maryland state scholarships must complete the FAFSA by the March 1 filing deadline.
Students who are residents of other states should check with their state scholarship agencies for available scholarships, proper application procedures and deadline dates.
Matching State Grant
In fall of 2021, Capitol began offering a Matching State Grant to non-Maryland and District of Columbia residents. Students must apply to their State Higher Education Agency, submit required documentation, receive an award notification from their state and forward it to the Office of Financial Aid. Confirmed awards will be matched up to $5,000 for the award year.
These awards are not renewable and must be applied for each year.
Grants
Grants are available to undergraduate students. Grants do not have to be repaid.
Richard A. Wainwright Grant
This grant provides support for students who have academic ability and demonstrate financial need. The Richard A. Wainwright Grant is the highest level of institutional grant offered to the most qualified students.
Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
These grants are funded by the federal government and are awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to eligible students based on financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. SEOG funds are limited and awarded to students with the most need on a first come, first serve basis. To be eligible, students must complete a FAFSA.
Maryland Part-Time Grant
These grants are funded by the state of Maryland and awarded to Maryland residents enrolled on a half-time basis. Interested students enrolled on a half-time basis must complete the FAFSA. Funds are limited.
The Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards
These Maryland State grant program funds (Guaranteed Access Grant and Educational Assistance Grant) are awarded to full-time eligible students who filed their FAFSA before the state’s March 1 deadline.
Guaranteed Access Partnership Program
The Guaranteed Access Partnership Program (GAPP) provides a matching grant award to eligible Maryland students who receive a Guaranteed Access (GA) grant and who enroll at Capitol Technology University as a new undergraduate student. Students who complete the FAFSA by March 1 will automatically be considered for the GA grant by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Additional documentation may be required before the award can be made. Award amounts for the GA grant and matching GAPP grant are determined by your financial need and cost of attendance. An eligible student may receive a GAPP grant equal to the GA grant up to the full cost of tuition and fees.
Loans
Loans are a serious financial obligation that must be repaid. Both undergraduate and graduate students can apply for loans. Students must be enrolled at least half time (six credits each semester) and cannot borrow more than their cost of attendance minus other financial aid received. The Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) includes the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, graduate PLUS loans for students, and parent PLUS loans. Students can apply for loans online through the Department of Education website, studentaid.gov, using their FSA ID.
Alternative Loan Programs
These loans are available if additional funds are needed over and above what you receive under the federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
Work-Study Employment
On-campus jobs are available to undergraduate students under the Federal Work-Study and Capitol Technology University Work-Study programs. These work programs offer students the opportunity to earn money to meet educational and personal expenses during the year and to get on-the-job work experience.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is funded by the federal government and awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to eligible students who have filed the FAFSA. It is the policy of Capitol Technology University that while class is in session during fall and spring, students cannot work more than 20 hours per week and must be enrolled full-time.
Capitol Technology University Work-Study
Students not awarded Federal Work-Study can consider employment under the Capitol Technology University Work-Study Program. Funding for this program is provided by campus departments. Admitted students can contact the Office of Human Resources for more information. Like the Federal Work-Study program, students are limited to 20 hours per week and must be enrolled full-time.
Other Aid Programs
Private Organizations
In addition to federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, private organizations offer financial aid funds for a college education.
Many local clubs, religious organizations and other groups provide scholarships for deserving students. Students should visit their public library to research these possible sources or contact organizations such as the American Legion, 4-H clubs, Kiwanis, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Organizations connected with family, friends, and fields of interest, such as the American Society of Professional Engineers or the Society of Women Engineers, are also options.
A scholarship packet has been developed by the Office of Financial Aid to assist students. It is available for download at the university’s website under Financial Aid Office and on MyFA.
Veterans’ Benefits
To qualify for financial aid, veteran’s benefits or both, students must be enrolled in a degree program and submit all necessary transcripts. Non-degree students are not eligible for veteran’s benefits or federal financial aid. Certification and certificate courses are not eligible for veteran’s benefits or federal financial aid, unless they are taken as part of an approved degree program. A veteran will not receive educational benefits for an audited course. Private loan programs can be used for these programs.
A counselor is available to assist veterans, active duty personnel and spouses, and children of deceased veterans who may be eligible for educational assistance through the VA. The counselor is located in the Office of Registration and Records.
Vocational Rehabilitation
As required by 38 USC 3679(e), students (or “covered individuals”) receiving educational assistance under Chapter 31 VR&E, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI bill benefits will not be assessed late payment fees or have a registration hold placed on their account. Covered individuals receiving chapter 31 or chapter 33 benefits will not be required to secure alternative or additional funding to cover the VA benefit amount by the tuition due date and will not be denied access to any school resources due to delayed VA payments.
If the covered individual’s eligibility does not cover the entire assessed amount of tuition and fees, the student is responsible for the difference in total tuition and fees and the covered eligibility amount by the university’s posted tuition and fee payment deadline.
To qualify for this provision, students must provide the university with a Certificate of Eligibility or VR&E equivalent by the first day of class, along with a request for certification of benefits and any other required information essential to the VA course certification process.
Additional Information
Course withdrawals (W) after the drop/add period are considered a non-completion of attempted credit hours. An audit grade is not considered attempted coursework. Incomplete grades are not included in the GPA calculation nor are they counted as attempted coursework. When the course is completed and a permanent grade is assigned the Office of Financial Aid will reevaluate the student’s academic progress. Students will not receive financial aid for audited courses. The Capitol Technology University student handbook contains additional information about financial aid at Capitol Technology University.
Student Complaints
A student who wishes to file a complaint against the university should contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission, 6 N. Liberty St., Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-3301, and/or the university’s accrediting agency: Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606.
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