Campus Safety And Security
In order to provide a safe, lawful, and orderly campus environment, Allen University employs a staff of security officers.  These officers help to protect the faculty, staff, students, and property of Allen University.  They also assist with supervision in the residence halls.

• The Security Office will use the Student Handbook as a guide for the residence hall hours.
• All residence halls will be closed at 12:00 midnight.  Entrance after closing of the halls will be permitted upon presentation of an Allen University ID and proper signing in at the Security Booth and the residence hall.
• There will be no loitering permitted in or about any residence hall after it has closed.
• The students will not be allowed to park on the main campus.
• The security patrol includes the residence halls and all Allen University property on and off campus.

The best way to help maintain your own safety on campus is by using common sense safety practices: walk in groups, report suspicious activities, do not leave coat, books or backpacks unattended, and keep room door locked at all times.

Office of Business And Finance
The Office of Business and Finance is responsible for all of the financial transactions conducted at Allen University.  All student accounts are maintained in this office.

Transcripts
The Student Accounts unit of the Office of Business and Finance must provide evidence that a transcript is paid for before the Registrar’s Office may honor such a request.  All accounts must be researched, and balances must be cleared before the transcript may be released.  In addition, grades and diplomas will also be withheld until all balances are paid in full.

Student Finances
Allen University provides a well staffed Financial Aid Office that offers counseling to all incoming students, parents, and/or guardians on the best way to fund their academic programs.

Financial Aid Programs   
The purpose of financial aid programs is to provide assistance to students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college.  The primary responsibility for the cost of an education lies with the student and his/her family.  Therefore, any financial aid awarded is based on the financial need of the individual student’s family and the direct cost for attending the institution.

Students who wish to apply for federal/state on financial aid must submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Department of Education.  Students must list Allen University (code #003417) as a recipient of their financial data.  Applications must be renewed each year and can be filed as soon after January 1, as accurate income after the completion of the federal tax forms.  Apply online at  (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or by obtaining an application from the Financial Aid Office.  The student and parent must have a PIN number to sign the application online.  Apply for a PIN  at (www.pin.ed.gov).

Financial aid includes scholarships, loans, grants, and employment which may be offered separately or in conjunction with other programs.  Allen University participates in the following federal and state student financial aid programs:

• PELL Grant
• SEOG – Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• SCTG – South Carolina Tuition Grant
• LIFE Scholarship
• Federal Family Education Loan Programs (Including Stafford and PLUS loans)
• Federal College Work/Study
• College Work Aid
• Scholarships (Institutional and Non-Institutional)
• Veterans’ Administration Benefits

All students who wish to be considered for financial aid to help meet their college expenses are urged to submit their applications and all necessary documentation well before April 15th.  Applications received after that date cannot be assured the most favorable consideration.  Students interested. 

Financial Aid Office Hours: 
Monday – Friday   9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
   
Phone Numbers:
Ms. Donna Foster, Financial Aid Director (803) 376-5736
Ms. Antoinette Crawford, Default Prevention, Manager/Financial Aid Counselor (803) 376-5740
Ms. Tammie Bolton, Work Study, Coordinator/Financial Aid Counselor (803) 376-5930
Toll Free Phone Number   1-866-828-1514 

Send written requests to: 
    Office of Student Financial Aid
    Allen University
    1530 Harden Street
    Columbia, South Carolina 29204

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require that all student financial aid recipients make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward achieving a degree.  If a student fails to maintain (SAP) he/she will be placed on financial aid probation; if the student still is not maintaining (SAP) after being placed on probation, the student is then placed on financial aid suspension.  Students will be eligible to receive financial aid while on probation but will not be eligible for financial aid if placed on suspension.

Written notice is given to all students whose financial aid eligibility is rescinded for lack of academic progress.  Students may appeal such decisions. Appeal forms may be picked up in the Office of Student Financial Aid.  Appeals should include an explanation of why satisfactory progress was not maintained; any additional reasons why financial aid should not be withheld; and supporting documentation from the Dean of Student Life and/or the College Registrar.

After financial aid has been withdrawn for failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, students may re-establish eligibility by improving their grade point averages and grade point totals at their own expense. 

Satisfactory academic progress is reviewed annually. However, some cases may require a review each semester.  Because the definition of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes parallels the definition of “good standing” as defined by the University catalog, a continuing student in good standing also will meet the standards of academic progress for financial aid.  All first-year students are presumed to be in good standing throughout their first year, provided they carry at least a half-time course load and maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA).   Satisfactory progress for these students is assessed at the end of their first year.

Need-based grant support is available for a maximum of eight semesters (pro-rated for transfer students).  A student may not receive Federal Title IV assistance for more than twelve semesters.

Refunds of Credit Balances 
Refunds of payments from financial aid sources are made in accordance with Student Assistance – General Provisions, Regulation 168.21 of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.  Institutional scholarships and grants cannot be used for a credit refund.

Refunds will be issued within ninety (90) days after the first class begins provided all funds are posted to the student’s account.  Students may pick the refund up at the specified date and time.  If the refund is not picked up within two (2) days from the specified date, it will be mailed to your permanent address of record.  If refund check is not received at home of record and a stop payment has to be issued, the student will be responsible for the $30.00 stop payment fee.  The fee must be paid in cash.  Any amount refunded in excess of the student’s account credit balance because of subsequent adjustments is the responsibility of the student and will be due to Allen University.

Refunds will be available on the 15th and last day of the month.  If the 15th or last day of the month falls on a weekend, checks will be available on the following Monday.

Withdrawals
Students who desire to withdraw from the University must do so by completing an official Student Withdrawal Form.  This form may be obtained from the Vice President of Academic Affairs or the Office of the Registrar.  Students who do not officially withdraw from the University will be required to pay all charges assessed to their accounts for the semester.  Additionally, in order for a student to be officially withdrawn from the University, the Vice President of Student Life must sign an approval of the request for withdrawal, and all other required signatures must be obtained.

Tuition Adjustments for Withdrawals
Students who are admitted and register for courses at Allen University are financially responsible for fees and charges associated with those courses.  Students are encouraged to complete all courses for which they register.  If it becomes necessary for a student to drop one or more courses or completely withdraw from the University, an academic charge adjustment may be applied using the following guideline

• Before the end of the 1st week of classes         100%
• Before the end of the 2nd weed of classes        75%
• Before the end of the 3rd week of classes         50%
• Before the end of the 4th week of classes         25%      

Room and Board
If students officially change their enrollment status, withdraw from school or officially change their status from on campus to off campus within 5 days from the start of classes, students will be charged 25% of the room and board charge.

If students officially change their enrollment status, withdraw from school or officially change their status from on campus to off campus, students will be charged 100% after the 5-day period.   

Room deposits are refundable, if the University is unable to assign housing.
  
Cafeteria
All persons living in the residence halls are required to have meals in the cafeteria.  Exceptions may be made for students requiring special meals prescribed by the University Health Services and which the cafeteria cannot provide.  Students in this category must obtain the University Health Services’ recommendation and a Medical Dietary Exemption from the Division of Student Life.

If an I.D./meal sticker is lost, it must be replaced before a student can continue to have meals in the cafeteria.  New and replaced ID’s can be obtained in the Office of Business and Finance.

Food Service Hours:     
Monday through Friday
   Breakfast  7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
   Lunch       11:30 AM - 1:30 PM  (C.A.R.S. 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
   Dinner       4:30 PM - 6:00 PM  
  
Saturday and Sunday
   Brunch      10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 
   Dinner       4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Sick Tray
In the event of an illness of a boarding student, the residence hall advisor or director may request a sick tray for the student.  This request should be made at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the meal hour.

Meal Plan
Off campus students are eligible to purchase the University’s meal plan.

 5 Meal Plan   = 5 meals per week     $500.00/semester
 10 Meal Plan = 10 meals per week   $1000.00/semester

Campus Post Office
Mail is delivered to the Campus Post Office Monday through Friday mornings and is distributed to the mailboxes of each department and each residence hall.  The mail carrier for the Post Office will deliver mail to student mail boxes in the dormitories daily.  Students receiving registered letters or packages will receive a special postal notice to come to the Campus Post Office.  Special mailings require the student's signature and his/her University identification card.