Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use financial aid to pay for prerequisites to the midwifery program?

No. Federal financial aid is currently available for those matriculated into Birthingway's Midwifery Program.

2. What is my Budget or Cost of Attendance and how is it determined?

Each year, Birthingway calculates the average cost to attend based on the following:
●Tuition and Fees
●Texts and Equipment
●Room and Board
●Personal/Miscellaneous
●Transportation
●Loan fees

Cost of Attendance may vary depending on full-time, half-time or part-time attendance. This number is used to help you gauge your annual expenses while attending Birthingway, and to ensure that Birthingway does not over award financial aid. Your estimated financial assistance (grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance minus your Expected Family Contribution. On your Birthingway Financial Aid Award Letter, Cost of Attendance is listed as Budget.

The Cost of Attendance is an estimate and is NOT based on your actual expenses. Please speak with the Finance Coordinator for questions you have related to your statement or charges incurred on your student account.

3. I plan to enroll at another school while attending Birthingway. Can I receive aid at both schools?

No, you may not receive federal financial aid from two schools at the same time. You may, however, wish to enter into a Consortium Agreement between Birthingway and another institution. Most students enter into a Consortium Agreement when completing their general education requirements at another school, while still taking coursework or clinical training credits at Birthingway.

The Consortium Agreement allows you to combine applicable credits from both schools. For example, if you attend half time (6 quarter credits) at Birthingway and are completing 6 quarter credits at a local community college to transfer toward your midwifery program graduation requirements, you would be considered full time (12 credits) under a Consortium Agreement and awarded aid accordingly.

To enter into a Consortium Agreement, please speak to Birthingway's Financial Aid Officer. You will need to complete some paperwork (download Consortium Agreement Form), which is due no later than the 1st Friday of the term to be covered by the agreement. Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

4. How do I find out about the status of my financial aid?

If you are an applicant, you will initially receive a letter from the Financial Aid Officer after the October 15 Midwifery Program application deadline. This letter will inform you whether Birthingway currently has your FAFSA information on file and/or how to apply for aid. During the admissions process, the Financial Aid Officer will be able to speak with you about your aid eligibility, program cost and more. Award letters will then be sent with enrollment materials after the applicant selection process in January.

If you are a matriculated midwifery program student, you will initially receive notices regarding Birthingway's May 31st FAFSA deadline around the beginning of our academic year (April). Birthingway will mail award letters to those with complete financial aid applications mid-summer. In addition, Birthingway will update your award letter each term should your award amounts change.

Current midwifery program students and applicants are always welcome to speak with the Financial Aid Officer about the status of their financial aid.

5. What is full time?

Full-time = 12 quarter credits
3/4 time = 9-11 quarter credits
Half time = 6-8 quarter credits
Part time = 5 or fewer quarter credits

Certain grants have different award amounts depending on your enrollment status. To receive loan disbursements and/or to prevent your loans from going into repayment, you must maintain at least half-time status.

Your enrollment status is verified on the Monday following the first full week of the term (Enrollment Confirmation Day). No changes are made to your aid after this date, unless you drop or withdraw from a course without beginning attendance, in which case your Pell Grant award may be recalculated.

6. What is an Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?

Your Expected Family Contribution is the amount that you are expected to contribute annually to finance your post-secondary education. This number is calculated based on information that you provide on the FAFSA and will be printed on your Student Aid Report. The EFC is also used to calculate some grant awards.

7. When will I receive my aid check?

Financial aid disbursements typically occur the third week of each term. You may choose for Birthingway to hold any funds that result in a credit on your student account, or for Birthingway to release all funds to you by check. If you choose to have the credit balance refunded to you, you will receive notice of the availability of the check within two weeks of the funds being applied to your account.

8. I am getting an outside scholarship and/or a private loan. Will this affect my other aid?

You must inform the Financial Aid Officer of any outside funds that you receive. Depending on the amount of the additional funds, Birthingway may be required to reduce other aid in your financial aid package.

9. I already have a bachelors degree. Do I qualify for aid?

If you already have a Bachelors Degree, you may qualify for Federal Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Student Loans. Unfortunately, those with a previous Bachelors Degree will not qualify for any of the federal or state grant programs in which Birthingway currently participates. Please contact the Financial Aid Officer to discuss your loan eligibility. Don't forget to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!

10. Do I need to fill out another application to get a federal student loan?

If you have a completed FAFSA on file with Birthingway, and are eligible for a loan, you do not need to fill out other application material. However, you will need to do the following: ●Sign your award letter to accept the loan amounts.
●Complete Entrance Counseling (first time borrower only)
●Complete a Multi-Year Master Promissory Note (first time borrower only)

The Financial Aid Officer will contact you about these requirements.

11. How does my academic performance affect my financial aid?

Aid recipients must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to continue to receive aid. SAP is reviewed annually after winter term. To make SAP you must have received a grade of Complete in at least 75% of the credits attempted in the academic year.

Students who do not make SAP will not be able to receive financial aid. For more information on this policy, please consult the current Student Handbook and Catalog and/or speak with the Student Affairs Coordinator.