Utah Admin. Code R661-24-401 - Funding

(1) UNTF is not a primary funding source, UNTF funds are supplemental to other scholarship and financial aid resources. The applicant must submit applications and award or denial letters from other financial aid resources to the UNTF office to prove that the applicant has applied for other sources of funding. UNTF will fund a student based on credit hours. The maximum amount of funding available per academic term is determined by the UNTF Board.

(2) The amount of funding afforded to each eligible San Juan County, Utah, Navajo College student per academic term is determined by the number of credit hours and a financial needs analysis. The award amount per credit-hour-group will be determined by UNTF as part of each year's annual budget.

(a) Should a student drop a class, the student's funding for the next academic term shall be assessed a decreased funding adjustment, unless a refund is properly made by the student.

(i) In order to facilitate the UNTF award on a timely basis toward the student's next academic term, the student must submit a list of the courses from pre-registration to the UNTF Education Specialist. The information will help determine the actual award amount based on the number of hours or credit units to be carried in the next academic term.

(b) Financial Needs Analysis

(i) Applicants must file a FAFSA Grant application with the U.S. Department of Education in order to determine their financial aid needs from UNTF.

(ii) It is the responsibility of the institution's Student Financial Aid Office to complete the needs analysis, and to request an award from UNTF based upon the determined need. When the financial needs determination is completed, the student must complete a UNTF financial assistance application which can be obtained from the UNTF Higher Education Scholarship.

(iii) Upon completion of the needs analysis by the Office of Student Financial Aid, the UNTF Education Specialist will evaluate the level of financial assistance requested, matching resources, and make the appropriate award amount.

(iv) Students with a "No Need" determination (as determined by the educational institution) may be awarded UNTF funding if the financial aid officer at the institution determines the parents cannot or are unwilling to provide the family contribution to meet the student's need as determined by the federal financial aid application analysis.

(A) The UNTF "No Need" contribution amount is limited to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC amount) however, the maximum limits will be no more than 75% of the normal scholarship award amounts.

(B) If financial assistance calculates out at less than $40.00 for "No Need" it will not be awarded

(C) The EFC amount is determined by the Federal Student Aid program, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, when a student applies to the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Student Aid) program.

(v) If the student does not qualify for FAFSA and the EFC cannot be determined; and if the student is otherwise eligible for UNTF assistance an $800.00 grant amount may be awarded for the last academic term prior to graduation for a bachelor's degree or higher degree.

(3) All student applicants must also apply to the Navajo Nation Office of Scholarship and Financial Assistance (ONNSFA). UNTF coordinates with ONNSFA to exchange information regarding match funding with UNTF and other acquired resource funds. All Student applicants to the UNTF funds must sign the UNTF Consent Form (UNTF Form R6101-2 Consent Form) that authorizes UNTF to contact ONNSFA to verify funding verification.

(4) The UNTF Education Specialist will process the required and appropriate funding documentation to the UNTF Financial Manager for funding disbursement. The UNTF Financial Manager shall maintain accounts, historical and concurrent, of all UNTF-funded students for proper record keeping and reporting. UNTF check(s) will be mailed to the institution's Student Financial Aid Office. No payment(s) will be made directly to a student.

(5) All Post-Graduate students must abide by appropriate application procedures in accordance with post-graduate study program requirements. Supplemental funding from other sources is a major requirement in participating in the graduate-studies program, including program funds from the Office of Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Aid (ONNSFA). Other considerations regarding special studies as applied to the undergraduate program also apply.

(6) UNTF Higher Education Scholarship funds may not be used to pay loans, including education loans; purchase(s) of personal belongings not directly associated with higher education studies; encumbrances from previous year's college/university attendance; and other expenses for which the funds are not intended.

(a) Students withdrawing from classes are required to refund the UNTF awards for that academic term. UNTF reserves the right to adjust awards for any refund amounts that were not paid.

(b) The penalty for misspent or misused UNTF scholarship funds will include placing the student on ineligible status for a one (1) year period. The student may re-establish his/her eligibility for UNTF funding by successfully completing a full academic year without the financial assistance of UNTF.

(c) Misuse or false acquisition of scholarship or emergency assistance funds by the student shall be subject to repayment to UNTF Higher Education Scholarship Program via standard collection procedures, which may include legal action.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R661-24-401

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2021-16, effective 8/9/2021