Costs and Financial Aid

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Admissions
    Admission Fees
    Tuition and Fees
    Refund Schedule

Financial Aid
    Financial Aid Application Procedures
    Financial Aid Requirements
    Financial Aid Disbursement
    Types of Financial Aid
        Federal
        Other Sources
    Payment of Awards
    Rights and Responsibilities of Financial Aid Recipients
    Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients
    Financial Aid Probation
    Financial Aid Suspension

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Admissions

The total cost of attending LPTC varies for each student each semester.  Variables include:

In addition, there are one time costs such as admission and graduation fees. Tuition and fee rates are subject to change by the Little Priest Tribal College Board of Trustees at any time. All payments are due in full at the beginning of each term. If payment of tuition and fees is not made as required, the college reserves the right to administratively withdraw the student from all classes for the term in question.  Payments plans can be arranged with the Business Office. (See Deferment Section)

Admission Fee

A $10.00 nonrefundable admission fee is required at the time the student first submits the application for admission.  The admission fee is usable for one year. If a student does not enroll during that year, another $10.00 admission fee is required when the student applies for admission again in a subsequent year.  The $10.00 admission fee is refundable only if the student is denied admission.
Download an application here.

Tuition and Fee Rates

Tuition (per credit hour)                                                           $80.00
Admission Fee (one-time, payable at time of application)          $10.00
Registration Fee (per semester)                                                $10.00
Student Activity Fee (per credit hour)                                       $7.50
Technology Fee (per credit hour)                                              $8.00
Library Fee (per credit hour)                                                    $3.00
Lab Fees (per credit hour, lab courses only)                             $10.00
Graduation Fee (semester of graduation only)                           $35.00

Refund Schedule

Refunds are made according to the following schedule for complete withdrawal from college during the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Tuition and Fees Refund
During 1st and 2nd weeks of term                            100 %
During the 3rd and 4th weeks                                    50 %
During the 5th through 6th weeks                               25 %
After the 6th week                                            No Refund
Refunds for complete withdrawal from summer or other special sessions are prorated based on the length of the term.
(For additional information regarding these terms, contact the Business Office.)

Financial Aid

The primary responsibility for paying for college lies with the student. Little Priest Tribal College’s financial aid policy provides that all students shall receive assistance in seeking funding for post-secondary education. The financial aid office is designed to assist eligible students in obtaining necessary financial aid. Financial aid programs including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study Program (FWS), State Scholarships, Tribal Higher Education Scholarships, Veteran’s Benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, and LPTC Scholarships are available. Financial aid is awarded for one academic year. Students must complete a new financial aid application for each academic year in which aid is requested.
The Financial Aid Director works directly with students and parents to develop a comprehensive financial aid package based on the student’s financial need. The financial aid package usually consists of grants, scholarships, and if available, work-study.
Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Director for information and application materials concerning the various aid programs.

Financial Aid Application Procedures

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Students are encouraged to file this application prior to the upcoming academic year—generally during the spring months (January - May). Within two weeks after filing the FAFSA students receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which should then be submitted to the LPTC Financial Aid Office. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid electronically. The Internet address to access the electronic application is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Once the form has been completed and submitted, the signature page must be mailed directly to the processor. Students should contact the Financial Aid Director for information regarding the federal application deadlines.
Apply for Tribal Higher Education scholarships
Students enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe should file a Tribal Higher Education application prior to the deadlines established by their Tribal Higher Education Departments. Application forms can be requested from the individual Tribal Higher Education Departments or the Financial Aid Office.
Apply for other sources of public funding
Students are encouraged to apply for other sources of public funding for which they may be eligible, such as: Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC), State and Tribal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) benefits, General Assistance (GA), Tribal and State JOBS programs and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Submit Student Aid Report (SAR) to Financial Aid Office
Students who receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) should submit the document to the Financial Aid Director. Students who receive a SAR with an asterisk (*) by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number must complete a verification work sheet and submit verification documents, including tax forms, to the Financial Aid Director.
Federal regulations require that all students applying for and receiving financial aid provide correct and accurate individual information. The Financial Aid Office may verify student information. Financial aid can be denied or revoked if the information provided does not reflect a correct and accurate individual financial background.

Financial Aid Requirements

Students must apply for financial aid in a timely manner to ensure that they will have sufficient funds to pay for educational costs. Students must complete the U.S. Department of Education “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA), and must meet the following requirements to participate in the federal financial aid programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal Work-Study (FWS):

Financial Aid Disbursement 

Federal Financial Aid will be disbursed no earlier than the sixth week of the semester. All students who receive financial aid refunds will be paid by check and all checks will be disbursed from the Business Office. 
Students who are employed under the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program will receive payroll checks from the Business Office, in accordance with the college’s payment policy.

Types of Financial Aid

FEDERAL
Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant provides a foundation of financial assistance to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources may be added for eligible students. Funds received through this program will be used to pay for tuition, books, and fee costs.  Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined by standard formulas and the award amount is based on the cost of education, enrollment status (part or full-time), and length of enrollment during the academic year. Completed applications should be submitted as soon as possible after the first of the calendar year to the Federal Student Aid Program processors, and must be received by the end of the award year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is a campus-based financial aid award based on the following: student need, the availability of FSEOG funds dispensed to LPTC, and the amount of other aid being received by the student. A student must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant in order to receive FSEOG. 
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS): The Federal Work-Study Program provides employment opportunities for students who demonstrate a financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Hourly rates start at minimum wage for the work performed on the Work-Study Program. The maximum number of hours allowed cannot exceed 20 hours per week. Applications are available in the LPTC Financial Aid Office. 
Nebraska State Grant Program (NSG): The purpose of the NSG is to enhance the educational opportunities of Nebraska resident students by providing financial assistance to eligible students attending eligible post-secondary institutions. 
OTHER FINANCIAL AID SOURCES
American Indian College Fund (AICF): All students are eligible to apply for the AICF scholarship.  Amounts and awards vary with the amount received from the American Indian College Fund. Students must apply for these scholarships each semester.  Application forms are available in the Financial Aid Office. 
Institutional Scholarships: Little Priest Tribal College offers scholarships for students. The amount available varies with the amount of donations received. 
First Step Scholarship: This scholarship is for high school graduates to attend LPTC on a full-time basis the fall semester immediately following their graduation. This scholarship will continue each consecutive semester as long as the student completes all the credit hours in which he/she is enrolled and maintains a grade point average of 2.5 or above. 
Miscellaneous Scholarships: Some scholarships are available from religious and service organizations, and private individuals. Students interested in applying for these scholarships can contact the Financial Aid Office for applications and requirements.
Tribal Higher Education Scholarship Grant: The Tribal Higher Education Grant is available to enrolled tribal members. In order to be eligible, a person must be a high school graduate or G.E.D. recipient and enrolled in an academic program such as an undergraduate in a post-secondary institution. Grants are renewable providing students meet the Tribal Higher Education Grant academic requirements. Grant amounts vary according to need and program dollars available. A complete application generally consists of the following:
A student renewing the Tribal Higher Education Grant must submit the following:
Veteran’s Benefits: Available to veterans of active military service. Contact should be made through the local Veteran’s Administration Service office at (402) 420-4081.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Students with special needs or disabilities may be eligible for benefits. Contact the Financial Aid Director or a State Vocational Rehabilitation specialist at 1-800-442-3382.

Payment of Awards

All required forms must be signed and on file before any financial aid can be disbursed. The following signed statements may be required in the student’s file: Institutional Financial Aid Information Sheet and Student Award Letter (including revised award letters). Additionally, the following forms must be in the student’s file: income verification (if the student is verified), or a non-tax filer statement (if the student did not file his/her tax form).
Federal Financial Aid will be denied if the student is in default on any loan. Financial Aid payment will be withheld if a repayment is owed on a Federal Pell Grant.
The Business Office will credit grants and scholarships to the student’s account. The student will receive the residual financial aid balance if the amount of the award exceeds tuition, fees, books and supplies.
If the student withdraws from Little Priest Tribal College after the second week of the semester only a portion of the financial aid will be credited to the student’s account. The remaining amount will be returned to the Department of Education Title IV program.
Students who receive cash payments of Title IV funds (FSEOG and Federal Pell Grant) and later withdraw before completing the semester must repay a portion of the funds disbursed. Students who withdraw without notifying the institution must also repay cash disbursements. When the institution is aware that a student is no longer attending classes, a determination will be made as to the date the student stopped attending. Required repayment will be based on that date. If no drop date can be established, the recalculation will be based on the last date of attendance.

Rights and Responsibilities of Financial Aid Recipients

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic progress when accepting financial aid awards. Federal Regulations state that students must comply with standards established by the institution they are attending. The college has established the following attendance requirements for students receiving financial aid. 

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients

Federal law requires that all students must be making satisfactory progress in an academic program leading to a degree, diploma, certificate, or transfer program. Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) will be used to determine whether or not a financial aid recipient is making satisfactory progress. Credits attempted are the credits an aid recipient is registered for at the conclusion of the add/drop deadline.
Students at Little Priest Tribal College must meet the following minimum standards for satisfactory progress in order to continue to qualify for financial aid.
Students must successfully complete a required number of the credits attempted in a semester with a GPA listed below. The following grade letters ‘I’ (incomplete) and ‘W’ (withdrawal) count as hours attempted.
Cumulative grade point average is equal to or above the following minimum standards:
Freshman (30 credits or less) must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.7.
Sophomore (31 credits or more) must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. 
The number of credits a student is registered for at the conclusion of the add/drop deadline determines enrollment status. Within this add/drop period, the student must attend each class at least one time. Students must have satisfactorily completed, with a GPA identified above, the required number of credits for their intended enrollment status.
Enrollment             Must                          Must
Status                    Attempt                     Complete
Fulltime                 12 or more             9 credits per semester
3/4 time                 9-11                      6 credits per semester
1/2 time                 6-8                        3 credits per semester
Part-time               1-5                        All credits per semester
Students at Little Priest Tribal College are eligible to receive Federal Aid up to 150% of their program length.  

Financial Aid Probation

If a financial aid recipient fails to satisfy the “Standards of Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients” during a given term of enrollment, the recipient will be placed on financial aid probation during the succeeding semester or term of enrollment. The recipient will still be eligible to receive financial aid during the probationary academic term. He/she must satisfactorily complete each course attempted during the probationary term with a grade of C- or better. The student may add or drop classes within the period that classes may be added or dropped.  A student on financial aid probation may not receive an ‘I’, ‘F’, ‘N’, or ‘W’ in any classes registered for during the probationary academic term.

Financial Aid Suspension

A financial aid recipient on financial aid probation who fails to satisfactorily complete each course attempted with an acceptable GPA, will be considered to be making unsatisfactory progress and will be placed on financial aid suspension. Financial aid suspension means that a student is ineligible to receive federal financial aid. While on financial aid suspension, students are personally responsible for paying their educational costs (tuition, books, and fees). 

Appeal Process

Any student denied financial aid, who can prove special circumstances pertaining to his/her case, may appeal the decision denying aid. The student must submit a Suspension Appeal Form to the Director of Financial Aid, which is available in the Financial Aid Office. A complete copy of the appeal policy is available in the Financial Aid Office.

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