Amherst College provides consumer information for current and prospective students and their families, current and prospective employees, and the public, in accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act.
General information is available on the Amherst College website and in the Amherst College Course Catalog.
ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL OF INSTITUTION AND PROGRAMS:
Amherst College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization.
Accreditation of an institution by the New England Association indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited school or college is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the New England Association is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of the quality of every course or program offered or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
In addition, the College operates under provisions of a charter granted to The Trustees of Amherst College by the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Acts of 1824, Chapter 84, and subsequent amendments).
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FILING STUDENT COMPLAINTS:
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE): Complaints
Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General: Consumer Complaints
COLLEGE NAVIGATOR:
College Navigator - Amherst College
College Navigator is a free Department of Education college search website that provides information for students, parents, high school counselors and others about nearly 7,000 postsecondary institutions. The information presented is based primarily on the latest data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which collects data for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
STUDENT LIFE INFORMATION:
Career and Job Placement Services
Services for Students with Disabilities
Amherst College Common Data Set
Student Outcomes: Interactive Common Data Set Dashboard
Textbook Information: The HEOA requires institutions of higher education to display textbook information (textbook title, price, and ISBN identifier) at the time enrollment opens. The Registrar’s Office maintains information about textbook costs related to individual courses.
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, COMPUTER USE, AND FILE SHARING – POLICIES AND SANCTIONS
Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject a student to federal and/or state civil and criminal liabilities.
The owner of a copyright has the right to reproduce or to authorize others to reproduce a work in copies or recordings. This right is subject to certain limitations found in the federal Copyright Act (Title 17, U.S. Code), including the doctrine of “fair use.” Section 107 of the Copyright Act lists various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered fair, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. It also sets out four factors to be considered in determining whether or not a particular use is fair:
For information about the provisions, including penalties, of Massachusetts statutes pertaining to illegal downloads, copyrights, file sharing, and piracy, see https://www.mass.gov/info-details/cyber-crimes
TRANSFER OF CREDIT POLICIES AND ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS:
Although the College does not have articulation agreements with other institutions, note the “Amherst College Community College Transfer Collaboration Agreement” in the “Transferring from a Community College” section of the website.
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS:
The College participates in the Federal Work-Study, Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Direct Stafford Loan, and Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students programs. Students from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont may qualify for state scholarships or grants for use at Amherst.
Many students also receive scholarship assistance from national, state, and local organizations. Parent loans are available through the federal Direct PLUS Loan program and alternative loans programs offered by state authorities and commercial lenders. Students may also obtain alternative loans through private lenders.
FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PENALTIES FOR DRUG LAW VIOLATIONS
Federal rules prescribe that a student who is convicted of violating a law for possession or distribution of controlled substances (drugs) becomes ineligible for federal student financial aid upon conviction. A student who has lost federal student aid eligibility due to a drug conviction can regain eligibility if he or she passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program that complies with criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education.
STUDENT LOAN INFORMATION DEBT MANAGEMENT
Before You Borrow:
Before you borrow a student loan, here are some things you should consider.
Estimate how much your monthly payments will be when you leave college. You may get an estimate of your loan repayment obligation at www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.pht ml. If you need more information on debt management, contact the Office of Financial Aid or the U.S. Department of Education’s website, www.ed.gov.
Changes in Circumstances:
A change in career goals, loss of a job, or some other unexpected change in your academic or work situation could occur, making loan repayment more difficult than you anticipated. If that happens after you have begun loan repayment, loan consolidation (see below) or refinancing may be of help to you. However, if your loan is in default, you will not be able to refinance it, and loans more than 90 days delinquent are not eligible for consolidation. Your lender can provide more information about loan consolidation and refinancing options available to you.
The deferment conditions for various loans can help in certain circumstances or if your plans change, but the resulting extended repayment period will be a long-term financial obligation.
YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A BORROWER
While federal student loan programs differ in some ways, your rights and responsibilities as a borrower are basically the same for all programs.
Borrower Rights:
When you take out a loan, you sign a promissory note. You must be given a copy of the completed note, and the original note must be returned to you when the loan is paid in full.
You have the right to a “grace period” before your repayment period begins, if your loan provides for one. The grace period begins when you leave school or drop below half-time status. The exact length of this period is shown on your promissory note.
You must be given a list of deferment conditions and the conditions under which the Department of Defense will repay your loan.
If you have a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or a Federal Perkins Loan, your loan proceeds are credited directly to your student account.
Before you receive your first loan disbursement, your lender must also give you the following information about your loan:
The full amount of your loan, the interest rate, and when you must start repaying.
A complete list of loan fees, and information on how they are collected.
The yearly and total amounts you can borrow, and the maximum and minimum repayment periods.
A current description of loans you owe, an estimate of what your total debt will be, and what your monthly payments will be.
An explanation of default and its consequences.
An explanation of refinancing and consolidation options, and your option to prepay your loan at any time without penalty.
Before your repayment period begins, your lender must tell you the following:
The amount of your total debt (principal and interest), what your interest rate is, and the total interest charges on your loan.
Where to send your payments, and where to write if you have questions about your loan.
When your first payment is due, and the number, frequency, and amount of all payments.
What fees you should expect during the repayment period.
About prepayment, refinancing, and consolidation options.
You also must be given a loan repayment schedule. If you are willing but unable to meet your repayment schedule because of unusual circumstances, and you have a Federal Perkins Loan, you may request a delay in repayment. If you have a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, you may request forbearance, if you are willing but unable to meet your repayment schedule and are not eligible for a deferment. Forbearance means permitting payments to be stopped temporarily, allowing an extension of time for making payments or making smaller payments than were previously scheduled. Your lender does not have to grant forbearance or a delay in repayment.
If your loan is a subsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan, you have a right to federal interest benefits. This means that the federal government will pay the interest on your loan until graduate or terminate your studies. During the six-month grace period at the end of your studies, before your principal repayment is scheduled to begin and during any period of deferment, your interest will accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan).
If you have a Federal Direct Stafford Loan and the federal government sells the loan or transfers the right to receive payments, you must be notified.
Borrower Responsibilities:
If you want a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, the College will act on behalf of your lender, the U.S. Department of Education. If you have a Federal Perkins Loan, the College is your lender. In either case, you must notify the lender if you:
Graduate, withdraw from college, or drop below half-time status.
Transfer to another institution.
Change your name, address, or social security number.
If your address changes while you are in school, you must notify the College of the change.
You must repay the loan according to the repayment schedule your lender will give you.
You must notify your lender of anything that affects your ability to repay the loan or your eligibility for deferment or cancellation.
Your loan money can only be used for tuition and other related education expenses. Before you leave the College, you must participate in an exit interview, which may be conducted on-line.
Loan Consolidation:
A Federal Direct Consolidation Loan allows you to combine one or more federal education loans into a new loan that offers you several advantages.
You may review your federal student loans. More information is available from the Federal
Direct Consolidation Loans website. You should carefully review the benefits of your current federal education loan(s) before proceeding with a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.
Initial Loan Counseling for Student Borrowers:
Entrance counseling for Federal Direct Loans is available online. Entrance counseling for Amherst Student loans is conducted in the Office of Financial Aid at the time of initial borrowing.
INSTITUTIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR EDUCATION LOANS
The Amherst College Office of Financial Aid embraces the professional standards of conduct promulgated by Amherst adheres to the NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals. (this text needs to be reviewed)
An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government-sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity. In doing so, a financial aid professional should:
Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students and parents he or she serves.
Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.
Disclose to his or her institution, in such manner as the institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
Disclosure:
Dean of Financial Aid Gail W. Holt serves as an uncompensated member of the Board of Trustees of the College Board.
Questions, Concerns, Grievances:
Inquiries or grievances may be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education at: http://www.mass.edu/forstufam/complaints/complaints.asp
Federal Student Aid Information - U.S. Department of Education
Federal Student Aid Eligibility for Students with Criminal Convictions
STATE GRANT ASSISTANCE
Federal Student Aid: Student Loan Information
Federal Student Aid: Creating an account (FSA ID)
U.S. Department of Education Master Promissory Note (MPN)
Federal Student Aid: Entrance Loan Counseling for Student Borrowers
Federal Student Aid: Exit Loan Counseling for Student Borrowers
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): Loan information for Federal (Title IV) loans will be submitted to NSLDS, and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system by the Department of Education. Students are able to access their Federal loan information using their Federal Student Aid account (FSA ID)
INFORMATION SECURITY
In accordance with provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the College has developed and implemented and maintains reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of “customer Information.” Such information includes any record containing nonpublic personal information defined in 16 CFR 313.3(n), whether in paper, electronic, or other form, that is handled by the College or on behalf of the College by third-party organizations that provide services to it. (Information Security)
REFUND POLICY
The College’s policy regarding refunds for students who withdraw before the end of a semester is provided in the Catalog.
Financial Aid Refund Policy. Students who receive financial aid and who withdraw before the end of a semester may have a part of their aid refunded to the programs that assisted them. The amount to be refunded is prescribed in Section 484B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
The amount of federal grant or loan assistance to be returned is calculated on the basis of the amount of aid the student has “earned.” This amount is calculated by: (a) determining the percentage of the semester that was completed as of the date of withdrawal if the percentage is no more than 60 percent, otherwise 100 percent of aid is deemed to be “earned;” and (b) multiplying the percentage determined in (a) by the amount of federal grant and loan assistance that was disbursed or could have been disbursed to the student or on the student’s behalf for the semester, as of the student’s date of withdrawal.
The last date of attendance is determined by the Class Dean in the Office of Student Affairs. Students who do not officially withdraw will have their withdrawal date determined by the Class Dean in consultation with the faculty based on the last day of academic activity (attendance in class or other academic work).
If the student received grant or loan assistance equal to the amount “earned,” no federal funds must be returned.
If the student received less grant or loan assistance than the amount “earned,” the College must follow federal regulations for “late disbursement” of grant and/or loan funds which must be paid within 120 days of the student’s withdrawal, but often less than 30 days.
If the student has received more grant or loan assistance than the amount “earned,” as calculated in (b), the excess must be returned by the College or the student to the federal grant and loan programs in the following sequence:
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans
Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized)
Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Direct PLUS loans
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Other Higher Education Act, Title IV, programs (excluding Federal Work-Study)
Students are notified by email regarding revisions to their financial aid.
The College is responsible for returning the lesser of (1) the amount of federal grant and loan assistance awarded that has not been “earned” by the student, or (2) an amount equal to institutional charges incurred by the student for the semester multiplied by the “unearned” percentage of grant and loan assistance (that is, 100 percent minus the “earned” percentage determined above). The College must return its share of federal aid within thirty days after the withdrawal date.
The student is responsible for returning federal grant and loan assistance not earned by the student minus the amount the College is responsible for returning, as calculated in the preceding paragraph. The student (or the parent, in the instance of Federal PLUS loans) must repay federal loans under the terms of the loan program and must return grant funds subject to repayment arrangements satisfactory to the College or the overpayment collection procedures prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education.
Any excess Amherst College Scholarship will be withdrawn. Typically, a student who withdraws during a semester will lose a semester’s eligibility for College-funded financial aid. In some instances, such as cases involving medical problems or other personal exigencies approved by the Office of Student Affairs, the lost eligibility may be made up in a subsequent semester with Amherst scholarship aid that entails a “moral obligation” to repay the scholarship.
If a student has received cash advances for expenses other than those charged to the student by the College, he or she must repay the amount prescribed above or make satisfactory arrangements for doing so. Until this is done, the student will not be eligible for federal financial aid at Amherst or any other postsecondary educational institution.
ANNUAL SECURITY & FIRE SAFETY REPORT:
Amherst College reports this information in accordance with Uniform Crime Reporting procedures and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program:
Vaccination Information:
EQUITY IN ATHLETICS:
See the U.S. Department of Education Equity in Athletics website for Amherst intercollegiate athletic program participation rates and financial support data. Amherst reports this information to the Department of Education in accordance with the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA).
“RED FLAG” RULES:
In compliance with the Red Flags Rules of the Federal Trade Commission, Amherst College has developed a written program that identifies and detects relevant warning signs – or “red flags” – of identity theft. These may include, for example, unusual account activity, fraud alerts on a consumer report, or attempted use of suspicious account application documents. The program describes appropriate responses that can prevent and mitigate identity theft.