Treatment of Overpayments
Overpayments for which Merryfield Academy is responsible
Merryfield is liable for any amount of a Pell Grant, (including amounts under $25. If Merryfield is responsible, we will make the following adjustments on pell grant by making a downward adjustment to the student’s award in our third party software to be reported to COD, and have our third party servicer return the funds for us through G5, or disburse them to another eligible student. Merryfield may attempt to collect from a student funds it has returned. However, this is not an FSA debt, because an overpayment for which Merryfield is responsible can never become an FSA debt for a student. Therefore, an overpayment for which a Merryfield is responsible can never result in a student’s losing FSA eligibility and will never be reported to NSLDS or referred to ED for collection.
Admissions Policies and Procedures, & Course Cancellation and Denial of Entry Policy
All students must be 18 years of age; otherwise a parent or legal guardian must consent and register the student with the approval. Enrolling students must show proof of high school diplomas (can be from a foreign school if it is equivalent to a high school diploma) or GED. Homeschooled students are not considered to have a high school diploma, but are still eligible to receive FSA funds. All homeschooled students must show proof of his or her homeschooling self-certification that he or she has received this state credential.
Prior grooming industry experience is not necessary. Merryfield Academy does not discriminate against race, gender, age or religion. If you have a criminal background, it may be an issue with some employers. They may do a background check, but it is not a standard procedure in the industry. There is physical work involved with this trade, which includes lifting and long standing and it may cause a restriction to those that have physical handicaps or limitations.
The procedure for enrollment requires an “In School’’ interview, tour of the facilities and observing a class in operation. An “Admissions Questionnaire” must be completed. Upon acceptance into the program, the student may enroll.
Transfer Credits
Merryfield Academy does not accept transfer credits from other grooming institutions.
It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.
Course Cancellation Policy and Denial of Entry Policy
In the event of a course cancellation, credit will be given as soon as the school re-opens.
Merryfield school of Pet Grooming will retain records for one year for any student that is denied entry.
Attendance Policy
In order for students to be making satisfactory academic progress towards our certificate program, absenteeism must be kept to a minimum to maintain specific grade averages and proceed through the program at a pace leading to completion in a specific time frame (one and one-half times the length of the program). Satisfactory progress is measured in clock hours.
Each week you are expected to sign in the attendance forecast sheet and clock in our attendance tracking time clock system. Students must circle the days and nights they will be attending class. We expect all students to adhere and honor their forecasted commitment. If students find that they must miss a class, they are expected to notify the school prior to the start of class or on the day of the absence. Graduation requires the completion of 600 clock hours and any missed time will extend the length of (months) of your program. Students must make up all hours missed to satisfy the 600 clock hour requirements. If a student fails a class, the student will not meet hours and/or weeks for the next pay period.
Students that are absent for 14 consecutive calendar days without an official written notice will be withdrawn/terminated from the program.
A clock hour is based on an actual hour of attendance, a 60 minute period with one hour of non-instructional time for lunch. The students will attend from 8:30 -2:30pm for the full time schedule and Monday through Thursday from 5:30pm -8:30pm for our part time schedule.
Make Up Policy
Students can make up missed hours, however this must be coordinated with the Student Services Coordinator/Registrar.
SAP Clock Hour Policy
Due to the short duration of our program, Merryfield has an evaluation check point for all students once they have completed 150 hours, if the student is not meeting SAP whether its qualitative or quantitative the student will be counselled and all the SAP requirements will be reviewed to ensure the student understands the importance of Title IV aid and eligibility requirements. A student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in the program is reviewed to determine if a student is eligible to continue to the next evaluation point. SAP applies to all students regardless of whether they are receiving Title IV funds. SAP is measured at 300 clock hours. The school will determine that the student has successfully completed both the clock hours and weeks of instructional time required for the period evaluated. At 300 completed clock hours, if a student is not meeting the SAP requirements their financial aid will be terminated and they would longer receive Title IV funds. Any student that wishes to remain in school must appeal the unsatisfactory progress status. The appeal must be given to the school Director for evaluation. If the school Director approves the appeal, the student will re-gain Title IV eligibility.
Appeal Process/Re-gaining Eligibility – Students has the option to submit an appeal to the School Director within 30 days based on mitigating circumstances such as illness, death in the family, etc. The appeal from the student must state why they did not meet satisfactory academic progress and what has changed that would now allow them to meet satisfactory academic progress. If the school Director approves the appeal, the student will re-gain Title IV eligibility.
There are two SAP requirements. One is qualitative and one is quantitative.
Qualitative -a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in order to remain in school and be considered in good academic standing at each evaluation point of 300 and 600 scheduled hours. The School Director may permit a student to retake a failed examination. A passing grade on the retaken examination would replace the original failed grade. The school maintains all student progress records. If a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 at the evaluation point of 300 scheduled clock hours, the student’s financial aid will be terminated. The student must raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or better. Any student that wishes to remain in school must appeal the unsatisfactory progress status, the appeal from the student must state why they did not meet satisfactory academic progress and what has changed that would now allow them to meet satisfactory academic progress. If the school Director approves the appeal, the student will re-gain Title IV eligibility.
Quantitative – Attendance is checked at each evaluation point. A student must have at least 67% attendance at the 300 clock hour evaluation period, or the student financial aid will be terminated for not meeting sap. If the student wishes to appeal the decision of the termination, the appeal from the student must state why they did not meet satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed that would now allow them to meet satisfactory academic progress. If the school Director approves the appeal, the student will re-gain Title IV eligibility.
(Revised 3/16/2016)
The students must also complete the program within maximum timeframe. Maximum timeframe is 150 % of the normal timeframe required to complete the program. Normal timeframe for full time students is 40 weeks and maximum timeframe is 60 weeks. Part time students normally complete the program within 50 weeks with a maximum time frame of 75 weeks.
Official Leaves of Absence, withdrawals, and other official interruptions of training are not computed in the maximum timeframe.
Examples Mitigating Circumstances:
- Serious illness or injury to student or immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, child) that required extended recovery time
- Death of an immediate family member
- Significant trauma in student’s life that impaired the student’s emotional and/or physical health
- Withdrawal due to military service
- Other unexpected circumstances beyond the control of the student
