Financial Aid

Address
1641 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112
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Business Hours
Mon: 8:30 AM — 5:30 PM
Tue: 8:30 AM — 5:30 PM
Wed: 8:30 AM — 5:30 PM
Thu: 8:30 AM — 5:30 PM
Fri: 8:30 AM — 5:30 PM
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Phone
Main — 1-877-GURNICK
Concord — (925) 687-9555
Fresno — (559) 222-1903
Modesto — (209) 521-1821
Sacramento — (916) 588-2060
San Jose — (408) 384-7050
Van Nuys — (747) 200-4567

Email
[email protected]

School Code for FAFSA
041698 (For All Campuses)

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts aims to help every student obtain financial aid to attend their chosen program. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs.

The financial aid programs are designed to assist students with limited financial resources in meeting their total educational costs. Each campus has a Financial Aid Advisor who can help students with financial aid questions.

Most financial aid available to students is federal student financial aid administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Loans, Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Federal PLUS Loans for Graduate Students (Grad PLUS), and Federal Work-Study (FWS). Beginning July 1, 2026, the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program will be discontinued for new borrowers. The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship and the Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant are available to qualifying students. Cal Grants are available to eligible students in California for qualifying programs. After federal and state aid, students with unfunded balances can consider payment plans and private educational loans.

The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship and the Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant are available to qualifying students. Cal Grants are available to eligible students in California for qualifying programs. After federal and state aid, students with unfunded balances can consider payment plans and private educational loans.

The primary responsibility for meeting education costs rests with the individual student and their family. All financial aid is awarded based on need, regardless of sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Need is defined as the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA) for one academic year and the Student Aid Index (SAI).

All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal and state aid. The income and asset information reported on the FAFSA are used to calculate the SAI.

1. All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal and state aid. The income and asset information reported on the FAFSA are used to calculate the SAI. The school code for Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is 041698.

The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov.

2. To sign the FAFSA electronically, students need an FSA ID. To apply for an FSA ID, go to fsaid.ed.gov. Students will also use their FSA ID to complete the MPN for student loans, complete online counseling, and view their student loan data at studentaid.gov and NSLDS.

The parent of a dependent student will also need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically throughout the PLUS Loan process.

3. The FAFSA uses information from the calendar year two years before the award year. All FAFSA applicants and contributors who indicate they have filed their federal tax returns before completing their FAFSA will be required to provide consent to the FUTURE Act Data Direct Exchange (FA-DDX). This process enables the FAFSA to retrieve income and tax data directly from the IRS.
4. Students will receive their FAFSA results via email, along with a URL for their Student Aid Report (SAR), or by mail within a few days. The school will also receive the results electronically, in the form of the ISIR.

Students must apply for financial aid every year. The FAFSA must be received by a deadline published annually by the California Student Aid Commission to be eligible for the Cal Grant. This deadline can be viewed on the FAFSA website.

The school uses the ISIR data to prepare the students’ financial plans. Federal and state aid may not cover the total cost, depending on the student’s program of study. Students can pay the unfunded balance with a payment plan (in full required before graduation) or a private education loan. 

Talk to your campus financial aid advisor to determine the best option.

To be considered for federal financial aid, a student must:

• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible permanent resident.
• Possess a high school diploma or the equivalent.
• Enroll in a suitable program as a regular student seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate.
• Not be in default on any student loans or owe a refund of any grant funds.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as described in the school catalog and addendum.

Most financial aid forms require that a student have need, defined as Cost of Attendance minus the SAI, as calculated from the FAFSA data. Direct Unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, and private education loans are not need-based; however, eligibility is determined by the Cost of Attendance minus other forms of aid.

Financial aid from federal programs is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Each student must reapply every year. The award year for most financial aid programs runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year, but aid is awarded based on the academic year defined for the student’s program of study.

Some student applications are selected for verification. Students who receive financial aid must provide documents to support the information reported on the FAFSA.

Selected students will be notified of their verification status and supporting documents required by the Financial Aid Office. Students must verify and resolve flags or comment codes before financial aid is disbursed.

Federal financial aid programs include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and PLUS Loans. The Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant and the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship are additional federal aid programs.

Federal Pell Grant

This grant is designed to assist students with the greatest need. Federal Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduates without a bachelor’s or professional degree or equivalent. The student’s need determines eligibility, the cost of attendance, and the amount appropriated annually by Congress to fund the program. Pell Grants are gift aid and do not require repayment.

FSEOG

This grant is available to students with exceptional financial need, defined as those with the lowest SAI, and is awarded to Federal Pell Grant recipients. The amount of the grant and the number of students who may receive it depend on the availability of funds, which is determined annually by Congress and the U.S. Department of Education.

The funds are awarded proportionally across Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ campuses and program start dates. The grant amounts vary, averaging $600 per award year. FSEOG awards are gift aid and do not require repayment.

When awarding students, regardless of campus, we first award based on SAI and finalization date. First, we award all students with an SAI who have cleared and are ready to finalize their financial aid. Once all these students have been awarded, we award students with the lowest SAIs, whose files have been cleared and are ready to finalize their financial aid. Students are only eligible for FSEOG in their first year of academic study.

For students who re-enroll within six (6) months of the last date of attendance, we will allow them to receive the remaining disbursements if they have already been awarded but have not yet received all disbursements.

If the student re-enrolls more than six (6) months from the last date of attendance, they will not receive any further disbursements. (If the re-enrolled student has not been awarded initially, we will not award funds for this enrollment.)

If a student withdraws from one program and then enrolls in a new program, regardless of whether they enroll within six (6) months or have received an award in the prior program, that student is eligible to receive an award.

Example: a student who withdraws from the MA program and enrolls in the VN program.

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment opportunities to students who require earnings to help offset their educational expenses. Students may work on or off-campus for a qualified public, private, or community service organization.

Eligibility is based on financial need and the availability of funds. The school will attempt to place students in jobs related to their study program, and work schedules will be arranged in accordance with class schedules.

Congress and the U.S. Department of Education provide the funding that determines the school’s allocation amount and the number of students who may receive these funds.

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

There are two types of Direct Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Students must have financial needs to receive a Subsidized Direct Loan. The federal government pays the interest on Subsidized loans that accrue during specific periods, including while the student is in school or on an approved deferment status.

Financial need is not a requirement for an Unsubsidized Direct Loan. Students must pay the interest that accrues on Unsubsidized Direct Loans while in school, or choose to capitalize the interest (add it to the loan principal). The interest rates for Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are set annually and can be found here: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates. Congress establishes annual loan limits that vary by student dependency status, study program, and school year. 

The net loan funds disbursed to the student are less than the gross amount by the origination fee, which is determined annually and available on the website above. The funds for Direct Loans are provided by the government and are repaid to the government through loan services. Federal student loans must be repaid. Students or parents who default on their student loans will lose their eligibility for future federal aid and may have their tax refunds seized and wages garnished.

Direct PLUS Loans

PLUS Loans are loans for parents to help pay for the education of their dependent undergraduate children and students in a graduate (master’s degree) program. 

Financial need is not a requirement for a PLUS Loan. The limit for a PLUS Loan amount is the Cost of Attendance minus other forms of aid. Parents and graduate students are responsible for paying the interest accrued on PLUS Loans while the student is in school. 

The interest rates for PLUS loans are set annually and can be found here: 

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates. The net amount of loan funds disbursed to the parent or graduate student is less than the loan’s gross amount, as it is offset by the origination fee, which is determined annually and available on the website above. The funds for all Direct Loans are provided by the government and repaid through loan servicer companies. 

PLUS Loans are credit-based; therefore, parent and graduate student borrowers will undergo a credit check as part of the application process and must not have adverse credit. If a parent or graduate student is denied based on adverse credit, they can obtain an endorser for the loan. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program will be discontinued for new borrowers. A dependent student’s parents can apply for a PLUS Loan (biological, adoptive, or current if their information would be included on the FAFSA). The PLUS parent borrower does not have to be the custodial parent.

Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant

Students may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) if they:

• Do not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant based on their SAI, BUT
• Meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, AND
• Their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 AND
• The student was under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.

Students eligible for the Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant will have a flag and associated comments on their Student Aid Report. IASG awards are gift aid and do not require repayment.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

A Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible for the Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) award. The CFH is a maximum Pell Award, and all other need-based aid is awarded using an SAI (maximum eligibility). The student must:

• Have a Pell-eligible SAI.
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate program.
• Not have earned a baccalaureate or first professional degree, or equivalent; AND
• Be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of their parents’ or guardians’ death.

The student remains eligible for the Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) award in subsequent years if they are Pell-eligible, have a Pell-eligible SAI, and meet the other qualifying criteria.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

For purposes of the CFH award, a public safety officer is:

• A fire or police officer is defined as an individual who is serving per state or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic responding to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event; OR
• As defined in section 1204 of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S. C 3796 b).

CFH awards are gift aid and do not require repayment.

PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT

The FAFSA Simplification Act (the Act) distinguishes between different categories of Professional Judgment (PJ) by amending section 479A of the HEA.

• Special Circumstances refer to financial situations (such as job loss) that justify an aid administrator adjusting data elements in the COA or the SAI calculation.
• Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an aid administrator adjusting a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation (e.g., human trafficking, refugee or asylum status, parental abuse or abandonment, incarceration), more commonly referred to as a dependency override.

Special Circumstances

An aid administrator may use PJ on a case-by-case basis to adjust the student’s cost of attendance or the data used to calculate their SAI. This adjustment is valid only at the school making the change. If you exercise PJ for a student selected for verification (by you or the Department), you must complete verification before exercising PJ.

You do not have to verify the information you will remove due to PJ. For example, suppose a dependent student’s parents have separated after completion of the FAFSA form, and one parent is no longer in the household. In that case, you may decide to use PJ to remove that parent’s income from the FAFSA form.

You do not have to verify the parents’ income before removing it. Also, using PJ does not require you to verify a student’s application if they have not already been selected for verification by the Department or your school.

You must resolve any inconsistencies or conflicts in information before making any adjustments. The FAA’s decision regarding adjustments is final and cannot be appealed to the Department.

The law gives some examples of special circumstances that MAY be considered (HEA Sec. 479A):

• Change in employment status, income, or assets
• Change in housing status (e.g., homelessness)
• Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school
• Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance
• Child or dependent care expenses
• Severe disability of the student or other member of the student’s household
• Other changes or adjustments that impact the student’s costs or ability to pay for college.

Unusual Circumstances

The FAFSA Simplification Act provides a more explicit directive for FAAs to assist applicants with unusual circumstances in adjusting their FAFSA dependency status better to reflect students’ situations (dependency overrides). Like other professional judgments, institutions must inform students of their ability to request an adjustment for unusual circumstances by publicly posting the option on their website.

An FAA may conduct dependency overrides on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances. If the FAA determines that an override is appropriate, they must maintain the determination with any supporting documentation.

Dependency overrides
Under HEA Sec. 480(d)(9), the FAFSA Simplification Act incorporated additional unusual circumstances to consider when a student cannot contact a parent or where contact with parents poses a risk to such student.

Unusual circumstances do include:

• Human trafficking, as described in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.);
• Legally granted refugee or asylum status;
• Parental abandonment or estrangement; or
• Student or parental incarceration.

Unusual circumstances do not include:

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education.
• Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification.
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
• The student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.

An aid administrator may override only from dependent to independent (though, as suggested earlier, if an independent student receives substantial support from others, a school may use PJ to adjust the COA or FAFSA data items, such as untaxed income).

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a Cal Grant-eligible institution. The California Student Aid Commission offers state-funded grants to students.

Students who would like to be considered for this grant must complete a FAFSA by the deadline published annually in the FAFSA and may also need to submit a GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission.

General Cal Grant Eligibility Requirements

All Cal Grant applicants must:

• Be a California resident.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Attend an eligible California-qualifying post-secondary institution.
• Be enrolled at least half-time.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school of attendance.
• Have family income and assets below the established ceilings.
• Not be in default on any student loan.
• Not owe any federal or state grant refund.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is eligible for the following types of Cal Grants:

Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A provides tuition and fee assistance for low and middle-income students. For Cal Grant A, your coursework must be for at least two academic years.

Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B provides low-income students with a living allowance, tuition, and fee assistance. Awards for most first-year students are limited to book and living expense compensation.

When renewed or awarded beyond the first year, the award also helps pay tuition and fees. For Cal Grant B, your coursework must be for at least one academic year. There are two types of Cal Grant B awards: Entitlement and Competitive.

Cal Grant B Entitlement Award
Students who meet all the Cal Grant eligibility requirements, have at least a 2.0 GPA, and apply by the deadline of the year they graduate from high school or the following year are guaranteed a Cal Grant B.

Students awarded an Entitlement Cal Grant B must confirm their high school graduation at WebGrants 4 Students before disbursing funds.

The Cal Grant B Entitlement award provides funding for books and living expenses for students’ first year of college.

The award also provides tuition support at participating independent colleges, universities, and career colleges for the second and subsequent years.

Cal Grant C

Cal Grant C awards assist with tuition and training costs for occupational, technical, and vocational programs. Funding is available for up to two years, depending on the program’s length. To qualify, you must enroll in an occupational, technical, or vocational program for at least four months at a vocational/career school. Even though a GPA is not required to apply for a Cal Grant C, you are still encouraged to submit yours because it can only help your chances of receiving an award.

Students who receive Cal Grants and withdraw from school must have a similar calculation to determine the unearned portion of Cal Grant funds. The amount of Cal Grant earned is based on a prorated calculation of hours worked compared to the scheduled hours for the period. For further information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.

Students who have never received a Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan must complete Entrance Counseling before disbursement. Online entrance counseling is available at www.studentloans.gov.

Counseling must be completed in a single session, taking 20 to 30 minutes. Additional Financial Awareness counseling is also available on this website; this counseling is optional.

PLUS Credit Counseling is required if the U.S. Department of Education has informed the parent applying for the PLUS Loan that they have an adverse credit history, and the parent borrower has obtained an endorser or documented to the satisfaction of the U.S. Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances related to their adverse credit history.

PLUS Credit Counseling can be completed voluntarily at any time. The PLUS Credit Counseling requirement is fulfilled if it is finished voluntarily. The parent borrower is determined to have an adverse credit history by the U.S. Department of Education within 30 days of the completion date.

Exit Counseling is required for all Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan borrowers. The online exit counseling is available at www.studentloans.gov. Counseling must be completed in a single session, taking 20 to 30 minutes.

Exit counseling should be completed shortly before the student graduates or ceases enrollment on at least a half-time basis. Students who withdraw without notice will be emailed exit counseling information and a link to the online exit counseling.

You can have your federal student loans forgiven, canceled, or discharged in certain situations. That means you won’t have to repay some or all of your loan(s). The terms “forgiveness,” “cancellation,” and “discharge” mean essentially the same thing.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is the most common way people apply to have their student loan debt forgiven. Please see the following links for more information:

IonTuition is a third-party servicer in accordance with U.S. Department of Education requirements. The IonTuition portal enables borrowers to manage their federal and private student loan repayments through a single, user-friendly platform.

IonTuition users receive guidance from self-service planning tools and live counselors to find repayment plans that work for them, including income-driven options. IonTuition monitors your repayment and will notify you of any critical changes, so you can relax and know you’re on the best path to eliminating your student loan debt.

Sallie Mae Loans

Sallie Mae is one of Gurnick Academy of Medical Art’s private student loan lending partners. Students and families can also check with their local banks or credit unions about the availability of private education loans or other funding options.

The Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan offers:

1. Choose between a competitive variable rate and a fixed rate.
2. No origination fees and no pre-payment penalty.
3. Apply with a creditworthy cosigner. A cosigner may help lower your interest rate and increase your chances of approval.
4. Lower your rate. Receive a 0.25% interest rate reduction while enrolled to make scheduled payments by automatic debit.
5. Free Quarterly FICO® Credit Score. Borrowers with an eligible loan may receive their FICO ®Score quarterly. You’ll also receive access to the critical factor(s) affecting your Score and educational content to help you understand why monitoring your FICO ® Score is essential.

Learn more about Sallie Mae Student Loans.

College Ave Career Loans

College Ave is another private student loan lending partner available to students. College Ave is known for its simple application, helpful tools, and customer service.

The College Ave Career Loan offers:

1. Choose between 16 possible repayment combinations, including a fixed or variable interest rate, repayment time, and repayment options ranging from full deferral to immediate repayment.
2. No origination fees and no pre-payment penalty.
3. Apply with a creditworthy cosigner. A cosigner may help lower your interest rate and increase your chances of approval.
4. Lower your rate. Receive a 0.25% interest rate reduction while enrolled to make scheduled payments by automatic debit.
5. Success Rewards. $150 credit towards the principal balance upon graduation from your program of study.
6. Payce Rewards. Cashback rewards program for the payment of your loan.

The College Ave Parent/Sponsor Loan offers:

• Eligible Borrower. The borrower can be a parent or any other creditworthy individual who wishes to borrow on behalf of the student.
• Choose between a competitive variable rate and a fixed rate.
• No origination fees and no pre-payment penalty.
• Lower your rate. Receive a 0.25% interest rate reduction when you enroll to make scheduled payments by automatic debit.
• Payce Rewards. Cashback rewards program for the payment of your loan.

Learn more about College Ave Student Loans.

Student Loan Code of Conduct

It is the policy of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts to administer its student loan program in a manner that provides the maximum benefit to its student borrowers. To avoid even the appearance of impropriety, neither Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts nor any employee of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will solicit or accept any benefit from a student lending institution as consideration for any advantage provided to the lending institution about its educational loan activities. The following principles and prohibitions apply to the student loan program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts:

1. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts shall not engage in any revenue-sharing arrangement with any student lending institution.
2. No employee of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts shall accept anything of value from a student lending institution on his or her behalf.
3. No employee of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts shall serve as a member or participant of a board of a student lending institution, unless the participation is unrelated in any manner to educational loans or the employee has no direct involvement with, or benefits from, the functions of the financial aid office.
4. No employee, representative, or agent of a student lending institution shall be authorized by Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts to be identified to the public as an employee, representative, or agent of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.
5. No employee, representative, or agent of a student lending institution shall provide staffing services to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’s financial aid office.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts shall not provide a lender list that:

1. Is used to deny or impede a borrower’s choice of lender.
2. Contains the names of fewer than one student lending institution
3. Includes student lending institutions that have benefited Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or its student borrowers in exchange for inclusion on the list.

No lender list shall be provided unless it contains the following:

1. A disclosure in plain language of the process by which Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts selects student lending institutions for the lender list, including the method and criteria utilized and the relative importance of each criterion.
2. A clear statement that the borrower has the right and ability to select the educational loan provider of the borrower’s choice, is not required to use any of the lenders on the list, and will suffer no penalty or unnecessary delay for choosing a lender not on the lender list.

Inclusion on the lender list shall be determined solely by considering the borrower’s best interests. Any student lending institution placed on the list shall assure Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts and borrowers that the advertised benefits upon repayment will continue to be available to the borrower’s benefit, regardless of whether the lending institution’s loans are sold.

The list shall not include any student lending institution that, to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’s knowledge after reasonable inquiry, has an agreement to sell its loans to another lending institution unless the existence of the agreement is clearly disclosed. Favorable placement on the list shall not be provided to any student lending institution for a particular type of loan in exchange for benefits provided to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or its students in connection with a different kind of loan. The contents of any lender list shall be reviewed and updated at least annually.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts shall inform students and prospective borrowers of all financing options available under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, including information on the terms and conditions of available loans under that Title IV or under State law that are more favorable to the borrower.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts shall not direct, in any manner, potential borrowers to electronic promissory notes or other loan agreements that do not provide a reasonable and convenient alternative for the borrower to complete such documents with any federally approved student lending institution offering the relevant loan in this State. If you qualify for the Federal Direct Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), please be aware that the federal government charges a loan fee.

The Federal Direct Stafford Loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, income-based repayment (IBR) and income-contingent repayment (ICR) plans, as well as loan forgiveness benefits, which other student loans are not required to offer. Federal Direct Stafford Loans are available to students regardless of income.

Private student loans differ from federal student loans. Private loans are credit-based and may have a variable or fixed interest rate. Depending on market conditions, private student loans may offer variable interest rates that fluctuate over time. Private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees; therefore, students should determine the interest rate and any associated fees before accepting the private loan.

The student should contact the private student loan lender if they have any questions about the private student loan. The private student loan interest rate may depend on the borrower’s credit rating. The student may choose any lender.

Veterans Benefits & Veterans Administration Applicants: Additional Information

Applications for Veterans’ benefits may be obtained by contacting the Veterans Administration. Approval of training benefits to be awarded is the responsibility of the Veterans Administration. Additional requirements are placed upon the institution and the applicant to achieve and maintain VA eligibility and utilize their VA benefits.

Applicants eligible for VA benefits to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts must comply with the items included in this section and all Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ institutional policies. Students may check their GI Bill® eligibility at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

GI Bill® is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) registered trademark. For more information about VA education benefits, please visit the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

VA Review of Prior Training for Transfer Credit

Before acceptance, any VA-eligible applicant must provide Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts with an academic transcript or any other official documentation of all previous training. VA Benefits certification can be delayed if documentation for all previous training has not been submitted and reviewed.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will review each submitted transcript or official documentation to determine whether any prior training may be used as transfer credit toward a program. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will document the review in writing, and a copy of the determination will be given to the applicant.

The transcripts, other official documentation, the written Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts review, and determination will become part of the student’s official Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts academic record and are subject to all educational records policies and regulations.

VA Transfer Credit

If transfer credit is granted to a VA-eligible applicant, the portion of the replaced program is not eligible for VA benefits certification. The applicable part of the program is not billable to the student, VA, or other agencies.

VA-Specific Academic Requirements of Eligibility

VA-eligible students must maintain Satisfactory Progress in their program to remain eligible for benefits. Students not receiving a minimum grade of C in any course will be referred for remediation a maximum of three (3) times. VA benefits are subject to termination if Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) remains unmet after three remediation attempts. Please read our Academic Probation/Remediation policy in the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts catalog for more information.

Additional Responsibilities for VA Eligible Applicants

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts does not determine any eligibility for VA benefits. The eligible applicant must complete all VA applications and requirements with the VA and receive VA approval before Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accepts any expected VA funds as part of a tuition payment plan.

Receipt of VA Additional Notices

The VA requires all VA-eligible applicants to receive a copy of the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Catalog, including the Addendum and Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts documents such as required disclosures.

You may withdraw from the school after the cancellation period (described above) in writing to the Program Director and receive a proportional refund if you have completed 60% or less of the scheduled days in the current payment period in your program through the last day of attendance.

The refund will be less than the registration fee and will not exceed the specified amount. It will also deduct any charges for books accessed and equipment and materials not returned in good condition within 45 days of withdrawal for applicable students. If the student has completed more than 60% of the period of attendance for which they were charged, the tuition is considered earned, and the student will receive no refund.

The date of the student’s withdrawal shall be deemed the last date of recorded attendance to determine a refund under this section. A student is considered withdrawn from a program of instruction (date of determination) when any of the following occurs:

• The student notifies the institution of their withdrawal or the withdrawal date, whichever is later.
• The institution terminates the student’s enrollment for failure to maintain satisfactory progress, failure to abide by the institution’s rules and regulations, absences exceeding the institution’s maximum allowed, or failure to meet financial obligations to the institution.
• The student has failed to attend classes for two (2) weeks.
• Failure to return from a leave of absence.

For programs beyond the current “payment period,” if you withdraw before the next payment period, all charges collected for the next period will be refunded. Any portion of the tuition paid from the proceeds of a loan or third party should be repaid to the lender, third party, or, if appropriate, to the state or federal agency that guaranteed or reinsured the loan.

Any amount of the refund over the unpaid balance of the loan shall be first used to repay any student financial aid programs from which the student received benefits, proportionate to the amount received. Any remaining amount shall be paid to the student.

If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, they are entitled to a refund of any amounts not paid from those funds.

All federal aid is disbursed in two installments over the course of an award year. The first financial aid disbursement usually occurs within the first 30 (thirty) days of the program’s start date.

Each subsequent disbursement is contingent upon students meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. In addition, students must complete both the clock hours or credit hours and the specified number of weeks within the payment period to receive the subsequent disbursement in non-term programs.

For term programs, SAP is monitored at the end of each term. In non-term programs, SAP measurements are completed at the scheduled end of each payment period, when the student’s scheduled clock or credit hours have elapsed, regardless of whether the student attended. Gurnick’s SAP policy is available at www.gurnick.edu/financial-aid/.

Pell, FSEOG, IASG, Direct Loans, and PLUS Loans are disbursed once per pay period. Federal Work-Study funds must be earned by the student through work and are received as wages through the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts’ payroll office.

Cal Grants are disbursed by quarter; each grant is paid in four (4) installments.

Before a financial aid disbursement, the Financial Aid Advisor must check the student’s status to ensure that the student is not in LOA status. For PLUS loans, the Financial Aid Advisor will check the parent’s status with NSLDS to confirm that the parent is not in default or owes a refund of federal grant funds before each disbursement.

Maximum Timeframe

All students who receive financial aid must complete their program within 150% of the expected program length, as measured in either credit hours for term-based programs or calendar time for non-term-based programs. If they exceed the maximum timeframe, they may lose financial aid, which can be appealed in accordance with the procedure outlined below. 

Students who are academically expelled from one program and wish to transfer to another program at Gurnick Academy must submit a written appeal in accordance with the terms outlined below. Admission to the new program requires the approval of the program director and the director of financial aid. If the appeal is granted, the student will be admitted to the new program on an Academic Plan status and must follow the terms of the academic plan.

Appeal and Reinstatement

Students who lose financial aid eligibility due to failure to maintain satisfactory progress will be notified in writing of the cancellation of their financial aid. Students with mitigating circumstances wishing to appeal the revocation of financial assistance may write to the Financial Aid Office.

Mitigating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, illness or injury of the student or an immediate family member, death of a relative, or other extraordinary circumstances. The Director of Financial Aid and Campus Program Director will evaluate the appeal and determine whether the student may continue receiving financial aid on an Academic Plan status. 

The student’s appeal must include the following:

• The reason the student failed to meet the SAP standard(s) AND
• What has changed in the student’s situation so that they will now be able to meet the SAP standards AND
• Supporting documentation, as applicable.

If an appeal is granted and financial aid is reinstated, the student will receive assistance on an Academic Plan status. A student with this status must regain SAP standing by the date specified in the academic plan; the terms will be included in the notice forwarded to the student upon granting the appeal.

The terms will generally require students to meet or exceed the attendance requirements, pass all courses with a grade of “C” or better, and may include additional elements, such as tutoring. The student’s progress will be reviewed each month in accordance with the Academic Plan. At the end of the payment period, if a student fails to meet the requirements of the Academic Plan, they will become ineligible for financial aid. 

The Academic Plan is structured to assist students in regaining SAP status within a projected timeframe that generally does not exceed the maximum timeframe.   

Students are limited to one appeal during their education at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, regardless of the reason or other circumstances. If a student regains SAP status, they can appeal one additional time. 

CREDIT-BASED PROGRAMS

The refund will be issued 30 days from the start date of the credit balance on the student’s account.

TERM-BASED PROGRAMS

All withdrawals, incompletes, and repetitions are considered when determining Satisfactory Academic Progress. Incompletes and withdrawals are not considered completed credits.   Transfer credits are counted as attempted but not earned, and they do not affect the GPA. Nontraditional awarding of credit, including credit by exam and credit for life experience, is counted as both attempted and credits earned but does not affect the GPA.

Satisfactory progress standards apply to all students, regardless of their enrollment status (full-time, three-quarters time, half-time, or less than half-time). All credit hours a student has incurred a financial obligation for are considered.

Students are considered good if they have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and meet the quantitative measure. The required pace or percentage of credit hours completed versus the hours attempted must be at least 67%. Accountability starts with the student’s entry date at the institution.

Students who do not meet the SAP standards will receive a warning notice. While on Warning status, students are eligible to receive financial aid. Students who still fall below standards after a second term will have their aid canceled. Students may appeal the loss of financial assistance in accordance with the above appeal policy.

All withdrawals and incompletes are considered when determining Satisfactory Academic Progress, but do not impact the GPA.   Transfer hours reduce the scheduled program hours at Gurnick but do not affect the SAP measurements, except for the Maximum Timeframe. All hours for which a student has incurred a financial obligation are considered.

NON-TERM PROGRAMS

Students are considered good if they have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at the end of each payment period (qualitative measure). They must also meet the quantitative measure to ensure the student can graduate within the scheduled maximum timeframe, which is 150% of the program’s calendar time.

The required pace or percentage of clock hours completed (quantitative measure) is determined as follows: a student must complete a minimum number of scheduled hours per payment period, as specified by the program’s attendance policy. This information can be found in the chart below. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each payment period in all non-term-based programs, both clock and non-term credit hours. If a student does not meet either or both of the SAP requirements by the scheduled end of a payment period, their financial aid eligibility will be terminated. It is subject to appeal, as outlined in the policy above.

Disbursements for non-term programs are made following the SAP evaluation and a review of the disbursement. Students must meet SAP requirements and complete the required clock or credit hours and weeks during the payment period for the scheduled disbursement.

Students enrolling in an online Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts program must first apply for admission.

To receive financial aid, students should:

• Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov or use the FAFSA mobile application. Use the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts school code 041698. You will need an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically. Visit www.fsaid.ed.gov to create one.

• • If you have already completed the FAFSA for the current school year, you need to add the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts school code of 041698. Then, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will receive your FAFSA results.

• The FAFSA results will be sent to you and Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts within a few days. Within two (2) weeks from the date you complete the FAFSA or add the Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts school code. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will mail you an Estimated Financial Plan. This estimate will show you the anticipated grant and loan aid you may be eligible to receive, any balance you will owe, and payment options.

• • Can’t wait for two weeks? Contact the campus financial aid office by phone or email to schedule an appointment.

• Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will process your FAFSA results and mail or email you with any additional requirements. This may include citizenship or eligible non-citizenship status documentation, tax returns, IRS transcripts, or other relevant documents. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts cannot continue processing your financial aid awards without all the required documentation.
• Once the student has submitted all required documentation, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts will mail or email a Financial Aid Plan to the student.
• To receive federal student loans, complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN), available at https://studentaid.gov/. First-time borrowers must complete student loan entrance counseling before the student starts, also at https://studentaid.gov/.

• • PLUS loans for parents of dependent students require a separate application and MPN, both available at https://studentaid.gov/.

• Students or parents can check with their local banks or credit unions if a private loan is necessary. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts students have also borrowed private loans from Sallie Mae (www.salliemae.com) and College Ave (www.collegeave.com/). Students and parents should be aware that private loans have different terms than federal loans and typically have higher interest rates. Federal loan eligibility should always be explored before borrowing a private loan.

Do you still have questions? If students or parents need to speak with a financial aid advisor, they should contact the campus financial assistance office by phone or email.

Scholly® Scholarships by Sallie^SM

Scholly® Scholarships by Sallie^SM Free Scholarship Search Tool is available for students to search for a free national database of scholarship information:

• It provides access to an award database with over 3 million scholarships worth over $16 billion, continually expanded and updated.
• By registering and completing a profile, users will receive a personalized list of scholarship opportunities that match their unique backgrounds. Users can view a printable calendar listing all scholarships by deadline and filter them by name, deadline, or award amount.
• The easy-to-use database is free, contains no advertisements, and does not sell any user’s personal information.

Please visit Scholly® Scholarships by Sallie^SM for further information.

Nursing Scholarships (via Nursing.org)

Please follow the link for more information regarding nursing.org’s scholarship application and other resources: https://www.nursing.org/scholarships/.

• ‘Nursing.org’ offers scholarship opportunities and resources to help support individuals who want to pursue a nursing career. They also help identify additional scholarships to support future nurses’ academic pursuits.

Students should note that private scholarships have different requirements and deadlines. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is not responsible for or connected with these organizations and does not endorse or recommend any specific resources.

Students who receive Cal Grants and withdraw from the academy must have a calculation similar to the Return of Title IV calculation to determine the unearned portion of Cal Grant funds. The Cal Grant earned is based on a pro rata calculation of hours completed relative to those scheduled for the term.

The U.S. Department of Education requires a “Return of Title IV Funds” (R2T4) calculation for all recipients of federal financial aid who withdraw from school, officially or unofficially. This policy is separate from the institutional tuition refund policy described elsewhere in the catalog. The R2T4 calculation determines the proportion of Title IV funds that the school and the student must return to the federal government, as well as the amounts that can be retained on the student’s account.

A brief description of the calculation is provided below. Please see the Financial Aid Office for further information or a more detailed version of the calculation.

1. The student’s withdrawal date/last date of attendance is determined.
2. The % of Title IV aid earned by the student is calculated as follows: Number of clock hours or scheduled days completed / Number of clock hours or scheduled days in the payment period = Percentage of Title IV Funds Earned*
   • This ratio is multiplied by the Title IV aid disbursed, plus the Title IV aid that could have been disbursed, to equal the Title IV aid earned. Total aid disbursed minus total aid earned equals the federal funds that must be returned to the aid programs. A student who has attended more than 60% of the scheduled hours or days during the payment period has fully earned the Title IV funds disbursed for that period.
3. The amount of Title IV aid earned by the student is calculated: The ratio from above is multiplied by the total Title IV aid disbursed, or that could have been disbursed, to equal the amount of the Title IV aid earned.
4. If the aid disbursed exceeds the aid earned, a return is due. A post-withdrawal disbursement is due if the earned assistance exceeds the aid disbursed.
5. The school is responsible for returning the amount of unearned aid up to the unearned charges (charges for the payment period multiplied by the unearned % from above).
6. Any federal funds that the school must return will be returned within 45 days of the date the school determines that a student has withdrawn from the program.

Funds will be returned in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans;
2. Subsidized Stafford Loans;
3. PLUS Loans;
4. Pell Grants;
5. FSEOG;
6. IASG.

Students are responsible for repaying the remaining unearned aid after the school has returned the amount. The student returns loan funds during loan repayment; the R2T4 calculation will show any grant funds the student must return immediately. Students who do not repay the amount of any grant overpayment due are reported to the NSLDS, and the debt is referred to the U.S. Department of Education for collection.

Students should be aware that the institution’s return of funds to the federal government, as required by the R2T4 calculation, may result in a higher balance due to the school.

• Plus Loan App 
• Title IV Credit Balance Authorization Parent Form 
• Title IV Credit Balance Authorization Student Form
• 2025-2026 Household Clarification Form (Dependent)
• 2025-2026 Household Clarification Form (Independent)
• 2025-2026 Professional Judgment Request – Special Circumstance Appeal Form
• 2025-2026 Professional Judgment Request – Unusual Circumstance Appeal Form
• 2025-2026 UEH Flags Summary
• 2025-2026 V1D
• 2025-2026 V1I
• 2025-2026 V4D
• 2025-2026 V4D (Notary)
• 2025-2026 V4I
• 2025-2026 V4I (Notary)
• 2025-2026 V5D
• 2025-2026 V5D (Notary)
• 2025-2026 V5I
• 2025-2026 V5I (Notary)

College Navigator – National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Comcast Offering Discounted Internet to Pell Grant Recipients
Federal Pell Grant Recipients are eligible for monthly discounts on broadband internet service

Gurnick Academy has partnered with i3 Group and IonTuition to provide you with student loan counseling and management tools free of charge.