Some information in this department has changed since the publication
of the St. Olaf College 1996-1997 Academic Catalog. Current information
can be found in print or online in The
Catalog Supplement for 1997-98.
One of the best ways to assess a college is to visit it. Walk through the campus. Attend a class. Meet with a professor. Enjoy a meal and a conversation in the Caf. Spend the night in a residence hall. Determine for yourself the quality of the facilities, the caliber of the academics, the accessibility of the faculty, the friendliness of the students.
Prospective students and their families are always welcome at St. Olaf, but visiting when classes are in session will provide the most accurate picture of daily life at the college. The academic calendar at the end of this catalog will be valuable in selecting an optimum date to visit as will the booklet, Visiting St. Olaf, available from the Office of Admissions.
To arrange a visit, please call the Admissions Office at (507) 646-3025 or (800) 800-3025 or e-mail to admiss@stolaf.edu, at least one week in advance. The Admissions Office is located on the ground floor of the west end of the Administration Building. It is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is staffed on Saturdays until noon except during the summer months. Visitor parking spaces are available near the entrance.
Interviewing and touring
Informational interviews and tours are offered Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings during the academic year, and Monday through Friday during the summer. The one-on-one informational session with an admissions staff member lasts approximately an hour. This optional meeting is not considered part of an application for admission--but an opportunity to get important information about the college.
Visiting a class and meeting with a professor
Though classes are offered Monday through Friday (there are few evening and no weekend classes at St. Olaf), the majority of classes are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (please note that math and science classes are only offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings). Professors' office hours vary; ask the Office of Admissions about meeting with faculty or staff when you call to set up your visit.
Staying overnight
Space constraints force us to limit on-campus overnight stays to prospective students only, and we are unable to provide accommodations during exams or vacation periods. Out of consideration for your hosts, we also ask that you limit your stay to one night. Preference for overnight stays during April is given to high school seniors who are in the final stage of their college selection process.
Music major auditions. St. Olaf holds individual auditions for students who apply to the Bachelor of Music program; see Music in the departmental listings for the dates auditions will be held. To arrange for an audition, contact the music department at (507) 646-3297.
A secondary school program combining breadth and depth is an excellent preparation for study at St. Olaf. Advanced Placement or enriched courses, when available, are particularly helpful. We recommend a program of study that includes the following:
We advise students to pursue an academically rigorous high school program that emphasizes creativity, writing, and critical analysis. Analytic and quantitative skills developed in such courses as trigonometry and pre-calculus are important for all students. In addition, we encourage students to take academic electives such as computer science, economics, the fine arts, geography, journalism, sociology, speech, and world history. Keyboarding, word processing, health, and physical education, while valued, are not substitutes for academic subjects.
Students who have not pursued the program of studies suggested above but who are looking for a challenging academic program are encouraged to arrange to meet with an admissions representative. Careful attention is given to each application, and explanations of special circumstances are appreciated. St. Olaf offers entry-level courses designed to meet the diverse needs and qualifications of entering students.
In making admission decisions, each application is reviewed on its merits, without regard to financial need. When choices must be made among candidates of comparable qualification, preference may be given to Lutherans and to children of St. Olaf graduates.
Applicants to St. Olaf must submit:
An official transcript of the high school academic record should be sent by the high school to the Office of Admissions. The transcript must show the record of completed high school work (including grades from the first term of the senior year), rank in class, and aptitude test scores.
Anxiety about test scores is a significant concern for many college applicants. Often this anxiety is inappropriate for St. Olaf applicants. Of the academic factors considered, the single most important is the achievement record as shown by the candidate's high school transcript. Test results are an important, but clearly secondary, factor. Applicants are advised to take the test early in their senior year, preferably not later than January. High school guidance offices have information on the tests, test dates, testing centers, and registration procedures.
Three types of application -- Early Decision, Regular, and Common Application -- are available to students:
A. Early Decision Application -- Candidates for whom St. Olaf is the first choice may choose to apply under Early Decision. Under Early Decision, qualified candidates who apply before Nov. 15 of the senior year in high school will receive an admission decision by December 10. Early Decision candidates agree that St. Olaf is their first choice and that an offer of admission will be accepted within ten days of notification or within ten days of a financial aid decision. Early Decision candidates must take the SAT or ACT before, or very early in, the senior year so that the test results will reach the college no later than November 15. St. Olaf expects that all candidates who apply under Early Decision will honor their commitments. Students who do not feel that they can honestly abide by the requests made under Early Decision should apply under our Regular Application procedure.
B. Regular Application -- Candidates not applying under St. Olaf's Early Decision plan will be considered for admission using our regular application procedure. Regular Application candidates may apply at any point during their senior year, but are encouraged to apply no later than February 1 to receive full consideration by the Admissions Committee.
C. Common Application -- St. Olaf is among the colleges that accept the Common Application (CA) form. Students using the CA are assured of the same consideration given to applicants who use the St. Olaf form. Refer to Applicant Instructions on the Common Application, which is available from high school guidance offices. St. Olaf applicants using the Common Application must also submit the St. Olaf Common Application Supplement which is available from the Admissions Office. The Common Application cannot be used for Early Decision.
Early Decision candidates who apply by November 15 are notified by December 10 of the Admissions Committee's decision. Applicants applying under the Regular Application procedure will be reviewed beginning February 1 provided that their application is complete. Fall trimester or fall semester grades must have been received by the Admissions Office before an application will be reviewed. Decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the spring. An initial payment of $200 is to be made on or before May 1 and will be credited towards the student's comprehensive fee. An additional payment of $200 is expected by June 15 to confirm the student's intention to enroll. These payments are neither refundable nor transferrable.
Advanced Placement
and Credit
The fields in which advanced placement and credit may normally be obtained are: art (history and studio), biology, chemistry, English, French, German, government, history (European or American), Latin, mathematics, music, Norwegian, physics, politics, psychology, Russian, and Spanish.
Many departments award credit and/or placement for scores of 4 or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Scores of 3 rarely receive course credit, but sometimes result in advanced placement. Lab credit is not awarded for chemistry, physics, or biology examinations. Course credit will be at the discretion of the pertinent department in all cases. See The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook or contact the Office of the Registrar at (507) 646-3015 for more information.
For Advanced Placement in Nursing, contact the St. Olaf Department of Nursing.
College courses completed in accredited liberal arts colleges and universities may be transferred toward a St. Olaf degree. Students who transfer to St. Olaf from other colleges are required to follow the regular application procedure and submit an official college transcript for each college attended and a completed Dean's Form (available from the St. Olaf Admissions Office) from the Dean of Students of their most recent college or university. After the official transcript is submitted to the Office of Admissions, the Assistant Registrar will provide the transfer applicant with a written evaluation of credits accepted by St. Olaf.
A maximum of 18 courses may be transferred. St. Olaf requires a residency of 17 courses over the equivalent of two years. The grades earned at other institutions are entered on the St. Olaf record but are not calculated in the St. Olaf Grade Point Average.
"Transfer Courses and Credits," below and in The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook, contains important information about limitations on future transfer courses taken at other colleges after a student transfers to St. Olaf. Transfer students should also refer to the credit scale printed below. Questions should be directed to the Office of the Registrar at (507) 646-3015.
First-Year College Students Enrolling at St. Olaf -- First-year St. Olaf students are allowed to transfer course credits already completed at other institutions if those credits are judged by the Registrar to be St. Olaf course equivalents. However, after a new college student matriculates at St. Olaf, only four (4) courses from other colleges or universities may subsequently be transferred to St. Olaf for degree credit, and only two (2) of the four courses may count toward General Education, comprehensive, or distribution graduation requirements if approved by a St. Olaf Department Chair. Should the four courses, or a number less than four, be earned through non-St. Olaf off-campus or international programs after matriculation, none of the courses will count toward specific graduation requirements, but may count toward the student's major or as elective credits if pre-approved by a St. Olaf Department Chair. Course credits earned on St. Olaf off-campus programs or through interregistration with Carleton College are excluded from these restrictions.
A student cannot apply any course worth fewer than three semester or four quarter credits to a St. Olaf graduation requirement or toward the major. Transfer courses must have 35 hours of class instruction time. Courses transferred from non-St. Olaf, off-campus, domestic or abroad programs may receive major or elective credits. Students planning to participate in such programs must consult with the Registrar in advance. Transfer students or St. Olaf students transferring courses to the college's program will receive elective credit only for courses taken S/U or P/N at other institutions.
College Students Transferring to St. Olaf -- Students transferring to St. Olaf from other colleges or universities and matriculating as degree candidates will receive credit under existing college policy for courses already completed if those courses are judged to be St. Olaf credit equivalents. However, after a transfer student enrolls in St. Olaf the number of courses that may subsequently be taken at other colleges or universities and transferred to a St. Olaf degree are limited to two (2) if the student has already transferred eight or more courses to St. Olaf from another school(s); three (3) if six to seven courses have already been transferred to St. Olaf; and four (4) if five or fewer courses have already been transferred to St. Olaf from other institutions. Should these course quotas subsequently be filled through non-St. Olaf off-campus programs none of the credits will count toward specific graduation requirements, but may count toward the student's major or as elective courses if pre-approved by a St. Olaf Department Chair. These restrictions do not apply to future course credits earned through St. Olaf off-campus programs or through interregistration at Carleton College.
Students who are adversely affected by this transfer policy may apply to the college for additional external credits through procedures outlined under "Transfer Course Appeals" in The Book: The St. Olaf Student Planner and Official Handbook. Questions should be directed to the Registrar.
St. Olaf students transferring credits from other institutions must file a Transfer of Credit form available in the Registrar's Office before initiating studies elsewhere. Only course credits from accredited colleges or universities qualify for transfer.
Course credits with grades below C- will not transfer to St. Olaf. Credit will not be allowed for work taken at a junior or community (two-year) college or at the "General College" of the University of Minnesota after a student has earned 18 St. Olaf courses. Correspondence and Independent Study/Research courses normally will not receive St. Olaf course credits, nor will work taken at vocational, technical, business, or correspondence schools.
A student cannot apply any course worth fewer than three semester or four quarter credits to a St. Olaf graduation requirement or toward the major. Transfer courses must have 35 hours of class instruction time. Courses transferred from non-St. Olaf, off-campus, domestic or abroad programs may receive major or elective credits. Students planning to participate in such programs must consult with the Registrar in advance. Transfer students or St. Olaf students transferring courses to the college's program will receive elective credit only for courses taken S/U or P/N at other institutions.
Courses Transferred into the Major -- No more than four of the courses required for a major can be acquired by transfer work from another college(s). In circumstances where only four St. Olaf courses apply to the major, three must be graded receiving grades of C or higher.
Transfer Credit Scale: Semester and Quarter Credits into St. Olaf Courses
0-3 qtr. crs. or 0-2 sem. crs. = 0 St. Olaf course
4-7 qtr. crs. or 3-5 sem. crs. = 1 St. Olaf course
8-12 qtr. crs. or 6-8 sem. crs. = 2 St. Olaf courses
13-18 qtr. crs. or 9-12 sem. crs. = 3 St. Olaf courses
19-23 qtr. crs. or 13-16 sem. crs. = 4 St. Olaf courses
24-29 qtr. crs. or 17-19 sem. crs. = 5 St. Olaf courses
30-34 qtr. crs. or 20-23 sem. crs. = 6 St. Olaf courses
35-40 qtr. crs. or 24-27 sem. crs. = 7 St. Olaf courses
41-45 qtr. crs. or 28-30 sem. crs. = 8 St. Olaf courses
46-50 qtr. crs. or 31-34 sem. crs. = 9 St. Olaf courses
"Part-time" students are those who intend to graduate from St. Olaf and who register for fewer than three courses. Such students must also apply to the Admissions Office.
The Office of Admissions welcomes applications from American and international students from around the world. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 is required for non-U.S. citizens seeking admission. The application deadline is February 1 for admission the following September.
Services to international students include airport pickups, special orientation sessions, peer counselors, intercultural programs, an international residence hall, friendship family program, and academic, financial and U.S. Immigration counseling.
St. Olaf College was approved for non-immigrant students by the
Immigration and Naturalization Service on December 15, 1983, file number
SPM 214F0253.000 and is authorized under federal law to enroll F-1 and J-1
non-immigrant students.
Financing Your Education
St. Olaf College charges its students a comprehensive fee, which is set annually. This fee includes tuition up to a maximum course load of 4.50 courses per semester, academic fees, full board and room for on-campus students (special arrangements are made for off-campus students); class dues, subscriptions to the college yearbook and newspaper; and admission to athletic events, Artist Series, and convocations. No extra fees are required for the Paracollege.
Comprehensive Fee for 1996-97
Tuition $15,700 Room + $1,750 Board + $2,100 Total for 1996-97 $19,550
Full-time students who take more than 4.50 courses in any semester will be charged an additional tuition fee at the rate of $100 per quarter course in excess of 4.50 courses. Full-time students taking private music lessons will be charged the extra tuition fee only for that portion of their course load which is over 4.50 courses exclusive of music lessons.
Additional costs should be anticipated for books, outpatient health service charges, private lessons in music, and special courses, including study skills and off-campus programs. (See Additional Costs and Fees below for detailed information.)
St. Olaf College aims to maintain all published charges throughout the school year, but reserves the right to make adjustments and change procedures should unforeseen conditions make it necessary.
Three innovative payment options allow St. Olaf families to minimize comprehensive fee increases in future years.
The St. Olaf $500 Plan: With a payment of $500 in addition to the comprehensive fee, this plan allows families to minimize comprehensive fee increases in future years to $500 per year. The $500 is due by September 15 and is non-refundable.
The St. Olaf $3,000 Solution: A single payment of $3,000 due September 15 will ensure no comprehensive fee increases for the matriculating student for the succeeding three years. The $3,000 is refundable only if a refund request is received by the college by March 10, 1997.
Four-Year Pre-Payment Plan: After prepayment of $400 is received, one payment of $77,000 by August 12, 1996, will pre-pay the comprehensive fee for the next four years. This represents an annual fee of $19,350 and locks in a fixed fee for tuition, room, and board for all four years.
The $500 Plan and the $3,000 Solution may be used in conjunction with the Monthly, Quarterly, or Single Payment Plans, one of the convenient payment options offered by the college:
Monthly Payment Plan: Ten equal payments on the balance due (after financial aid and $400 prepayment) beginning June 15. Students enrolling in this plan after June 15 may double or triple the first payment to catch up on missed payments. Participation fee of $50.
Quarterly Payment Plan: Four equal payments on the balance due (after financial aid and $400 prepayment) beginning June 15 and continuing on September 15, December 15, and March 15. Participation fee of $50.
Single Payment Plan: After the prepayment of $400 is received, a single payment of $18,950 by August 12, 1996, will yield a $200 discount on the $19,550 comprehensive fee. The discount is not available to students receiving need-based financial aid. Merit-only scholarship recipients are eligible for a prorated discount.
The monthly and quarterly payment plans permit families to finance an amount up to the comprehensive fee minus any financial aid awarded by the college. No finance charge will be assessed on monthly or quarterly plans as long as payments are current. These programs offer no life insurance feature for participants. For more information contact: The Office of Student Financial Services, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057-1098, Tel: (507) 646-3296 or (507) 646-3019.
The Comprehensive Fee is regarded as an annual charge rather than the sum of charges for each term. Payments for the 1996-97 academic year are due as follows:
$400: Payment due on or before June 15, 1996 (see Advanced Payment section
which follows). A penalty of $100 will be assessed for a late payment.
$9,575: Due on or before August 12, 1996.
$9,575: Due on or before January 10, 1997.
For students enrolled for part of the year, the charge will be:
Fall Semester only: $8,800
Fall Semester and Interim only: $11,150
Interim and Spring Semester only: $11,150
Spring Semester only: $8,800
New Students, $400: Accepted applicants for admission to St. Olaf College will receive notice of an initial payment of $200 to be paid on or before May 1, 1997. An additional payment of $200 will be due on or before June 15, 1997. The total of $400 will be credited to the September, 1997, comprehensive fee and is not transferable or refundable.
Returning Students, $400: All returning students are required to make a reservation payment of $400 on or before March 15, 1997, to indicate their intention to re-enroll at St. Olaf in September, 1997. Only those who have made this payment by the March 15 deadline are eligible for room draw and registration appointments in May. This payment will be accepted by the Business Office only on settled accounts.
The $400 reservation payment will be credited to the September, 1997, comprehensive fee and is not transferable. It is subject to the following refund schedule, if intent to withdraw from St. Olaf for September, 1997, is communicated to the Office of the Dean of Students:
On or before May 1, 1997 : $300 On or before June 1, 1997 : $200 After June 1, 1997 : $0As an exception, the $400 reservation payment is fully refundable for those students who do all of the following:
Application Fee (New Students) -- $25. Application for admis-sion to St. Olaf College must be accompanied by a fee of $25. This fee is intended to signify the good intention of the applicant and will be used to cover part of the cost of processing the application. It is not refundable and cannot be credited to the comprehensive fee.
Books and Supplies -- $550 average per year depending on course of study. Payable by cash, check, or credit card (Discover, Visa-Master Card).
Fees for Private Music Lessons -- $215 (in addition to Tuition Charge). One 30-minute lesson per week, per semester, in voice, piano, organ, orchestral, or band instruments.
If a student drops a private music lesson after the beginning of classes for that term (first day of the semester), there is no refund of the $215 lesson fee.
Other Tuition Charges -- Students who are permitted to register for less than three courses are known as part-time students and will be charged at the following rates:
Per full course: $1,960 Per half course: $980 Per quarter course: $490Overload Charge -- $100 per quarter credit for course loads in excess of 4.50.
Foreign Language Proficiency Test -- $10
Late Registration Fee -- $25. This fine is applicable for failure to register on schedule at any point during the registration procedure, including added or dropped courses -- with the Registrar's Office or the Business Office -- whether for a semester, an interim, or a summer session. It is waived only in cases of illness or family emergencies, upon approval of the Registrar. Fines may exceed $25 in cases of extreme lateness.
Mis-Registration Fee -- $25. To be assessed with certain student requests to make course changes after college deadlines have passed. Fines may exceed $25 in cases of extreme lateness.
Campus Activity Program Fee (CAP) -- $80. A voluntary fee imposed by the Student Body to cover the cost of most student-sponsored activities on campus during the year. It is added to the comprehensive fee statement unless otherwise requested at or before September registration.
Transcript Fee -- Official transcripts are $2 each, paid in advance.
Late Payment Fee -- $100. This fee is assessed on accounts not settled by semester payment deadlines.
Off-campus Nursing Program Costs -- Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts-Nursing program must pay costs of professional liability insurance, uniforms, public transportation, and possibly some other minor expenses for the nursing major.
Other Off-campus Programs -- Many programs off campus involve additional costs beyond the comprehensive fee. Consult the appropriate office or program adviser for details.
Graduates who wish to pursue nursing, student teaching, a second major, or other additional course-work may qualify for a reduced tuition. Consult the Continuing Education Office for more information.
All accounts are expected to be paid according to the schedule noted above. Any variation from this schedule shall be arranged with the Business Office by August 12. A late payment fee of $100 will be assessed if accounts are not settled by payment deadlines.
On accounts carried beyond September 30 for first half amounts due, and beyond February 28 for second half amounts due, a finance charge of one percent per month (equivalent to a 12 percent annual rate) will be added.
No student is permitted to register if the account for a preceding semester has not been paid in full.
Money due a student from loans or scholarships is applied on the student's account and is not given in cash unless the account is paid in full. Work earnings are credited to the student's personal deposit account monthly on the basis of actual hours worked.
The college reserves the right to withhold statements of honorable dismissal, transcripts of courses and grades, or diplomas until all college bills have been paid, or until satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Treasurer.
Tuition and fees refunds for anyone leaving within five weeks after the beginning date of any semester will be determined according to the following graduated scale:
One week or less 90% refund Two weeks or less 80% refund Three weeks or less 60% refund Four weeks or less 40% refund Five weeks or less 20% refund Over five weeks No refundAfter five weeks, no refund is made on tuition and fees. Board refunds will be based on that portion of the unused board charge representing food costs. For the academic year 1996-97, 50 percent of the actual prorated unused board charge will be refunded. No refund is made for room or fees for private music lessons after the semester begins. Student financial aid recipients who withdraw from St. Olaf will be subject to a reduction of their original financial aid award. The amount of the reduction of scholarship and grant funds will be pro-rated, reflecting the percentage of the comprehensive fee refunded, i.e., if 45 percent of the comprehensive fee is refunded, 45 percent of the scholarships and grants will be refunded. Federal loans are refunded on a case by case basis, and according to federal regulations.
Refund of interim charges in case of withdrawal will be pro-rated on a similar basis with two days of an interim equivalent to one week of a semester.
Students who enroll for the year but who elect to omit an interim are not entitled to a refund of interim tuition and room. They may apply for an interim board refund. Refunds will not be given for absences of less than seven consecutive days. The refund request form (available in the Business Office) must be filed by the student after the interim is completed and prior to the end of the second semester (May 1997). No refunds will be made after May 31, 1997.
In those cases where a change is made in courses involving a charge the above scale will also apply. No refund in fees will be made for absences from private lessons, except on account of illness of more than two weeks duration.
Students dismissed because of unsatisfactory work or infringement of college rules will receive funds as determined by the administration.
Student Financial Aid
The financial aid program at St. Olaf College has one primary objective: to
make it possible for qualified young men and women to obtain an education at
St. Olaf. The college operates on the premise that all students admitted to St.
Olaf and in good academic standing are worthy of financial assistance to attend
St. Olaf if financial need is demonstrated.
As noted in Financing Your St. Olaf Education, a handy guide to financial aid at St. Olaf available from the Office of Admissions, the responsibility for financing a St. Olaf education rests first with the student and his or her family. The St. Olaf Financial Aid Program is designed to help those students who demonstrate that their family alone cannot meet the total expenses of a St. Olaf education.
All students who wish to be considered for financial aid at St. Olaf must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, students must complete the St. Olaf Financial Aid Application. Using a standardized formula, these documents generate, on the basis of the family's financial situation, the amount of the student's annual educational expenses the family is expected to meet. That amount is the "expected family contribution."
"Demonstrated need" is the difference between the annual educational expenses at St. Olaf College and the expected family contribution. Demonstrated need is the basis on which St. Olaf financial aid is awarded. The college will provide each student with a financial aid package of scholarship, grants, loans, and/or student work to meet 100 percent of the demonstrated need.
Only full-time students who are degree candidates at St. Olaf College in their first eight semesters are eligible for financial assistance from the college. Students enrolled for a ninth or tenth semester are not eligible for most grant programs and will have larger loan components in a fifth year of enrollment.
Financial aid is credited directly to the student's comprehensive fee account. Financial aid is credited on an equal basis for the Fall Semester and the Spring Semester.
Students on academic probation may not be eligible to receive scholarship assistance from St. Olaf during the probationary period.
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. For more information on SAP policies at St. Olaf, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.
For more information about financial aid at St. Olaf, including helpful worksheets, request the booklet Financing Your St. Olaf Education from the Office of Admissions.
The endowment at St. Olaf (which had a market value of over $80 million in 1996) consists of funds contributed to St. Olaf by alumni, parents, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations, and other friends of the college. The income from those contributions is applied to -- among other programs -- grants, scholarships, and faculty research and travel.
Thanks to the endowment and other annual financial support, every student attending St. Olaf -- whether receiving financial aid or not -- benefits from an indirect form of financial assistance. Endowment earnings and annual gifts help support the operating budget of the college and allow St. Olaf to keep tuition charges at roughly 75 percent of the actual cost.
St. Olaf Scholarships are available to incoming first-year students, transfers, and returning students. Eligibility for a St. Olaf Scholarship is based on demonstrated need, other financial aid, scholastic standing, activity record, test scores, recommendations, and full-time enrollment.
National Merit Scholarships: Applicants who have designated St. Olaf College as their first-choice college with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation are eligible for the St. Olaf National Merit Scholarship Award. St. Olaf sponsors up to 40 Merit Scholarships each year for incoming students. The minimum annual award is $4,000.
Other Merit-Based Scholarships: St. Olaf also awards scholarships through programs such as the Buntrock Academic Scholarship, Lutheran Leadership, and Community Service programs. For information on how to apply for the programs detailed on the next page, please contact the Office of Admission at (507) 646-3025 or (800) 800-3025, or e-mail to admiss@stolaf.edu.
Buntrock Academic Scholarships range from $1,500 to $5,000 per year. The awards are renewable for each of the recipient's four years at St. Olaf. Some recipients may also be eligible for a work stipend in the junior and senior years.
Many schools that offer merit and talent scholarships prescribe strict criteria with respect to a high school G.P.A., test scores, class rank, etc. We have found that such prescriptions often discourage very successful students from competing. As such, we are inclined to respect the differences among high schools and not list a set of minimum criteria for scholarship candidates.
Eligibility for Buntrock Awards is based primarily on academic performance in high school, and the selection is highly competitive. Past recipients have generally presented a high school G.P.A. of 3.6 or higher, and are often in the top five percent of their high school graduating class. Evidence of participation in extracurricular activities in addition to academic performance is valued.
Recipients of Buntrock Awards may be designated a Regent Scholar, a Presidential Scholar or a Deans' Scholar. Up to 70 students will be selected as finalists for the Regent Award -- our top academic scholarship -- and are invited to campus for a series of programs and faculty interviews in March.
Candidates who are not selected to interview on campus will automatically be considered for a Presidential or Deans' Award, and will be notied of the committee's decision in mid-March.
In addition to ling a St. Olaf Application for Admission, candidates must complete and return the Buntrock Academic Scholarship Application no later than Feb. 1, 1997. Only those candidates who also wish to be considered for need-based financial aid programs must file the St. Olaf Application for Financial Aid.
The St. Olaf Community Service Awards recognize the talents and abilities of those students who have given signicant time and effort for the benet of others. Students who have been involved in community service activities, either on a personal level or as part of a larger group, are encouraged to apply for the St. Olaf Community Service Award. Applicants for this award should have a complete St. Olaf Application for Admission and a St. Olaf Community Service Award Application on le by Feb. 1, 1997. We ask that you provide us with a recommendation from an individual who has supervised your activities in this area.
In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit a résumé detailing their community service involvement, including types of activities and length of service.
All recipients of this award are expected to participate for a minimum of five hours per week in community service activities and/or organizations either on the St. Olaf campus, in Northeld, or in a nearby community. The annual stipend is $1,500 and is renewable.
Applicants who have been active and involved, on an individual or group level, in the life of the Lutheran church are invited to apply for the St. Olaf Lutheran Leadership Award. Applicants should have a complete St. Olaf Application for Admission and a St. Olaf Lutheran Leadership Award Application on le by Feb. 1, 1997. We ask that your pastor and one other member of your congregation comment on your goals and ideals in a letter of recommendation supporting your candidacy for this award. In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit a résumé detailing their activities and involvement with their church, including types of activities and length of service.
It is expected that recipients of this award will choose to continue their leadership role by becoming involved in campus ministry or by working within a program afliated with a Lutheran congregation in Northeld. This award is $1,500 per year and is renewable.
The STEP Program: The St. Olaf Education Partnership (STEP) provides up to $750 per year per student as a match to scholarships given by Lutheran congregations to their members attending St. Olaf.
The Federal Pell Grant is a federally based program with awards ranging from $100 to $2,470. The amount of the award is determined by the federal government.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG is a federally-funded program for students with financial need. The amount of the award -- up to $4,000 per year -- is determined by the Office of Student Financial Services.
Minnesota State Grant is a program limited to students who are graduates of a Minnesota high school or whose parents currently reside in Minnesota. Awards -- ranging to $6,000 a year -- are determined by the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office.
For state grant purposes, full-time is defined as at least 3 1/4 courses per semester plus an interim course, 3/4-time is defined at 2.50 courses per semester, and half-time is defined as 2 courses per semester.
Federal Perkins Loan Program: Long-term loans for students who demonstrate financial need are available through the Federal Perkins Loan Program. The amounts vary, but cannot exceed $3,000 per year, unless a student studies abroad.
No interest is charged nor is repayment required while the borrower is enrolled as at least a half-time student. Simple interest of 5 percent and repayment begin nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled or is enrolled less than half-time. Repayment must be completed within 10 years.
Federal Stafford Loan: Many families qualify for a Federal Stafford Loan, which can provide up to $2,625 per year for first-year students, $3,500 for second-year students, and up to $5,500 for third- and fourth-year students. Eligibility is based on demonstrated need. Factors such as the number of persons in the family and the number of children in college affect eligibility.
Federal Stafford Loans can be secured from banks and savings and loan associations. Applications can be obtained from private lenders or from the St. Olaf financial aid office. A student may borrow up to $22,625 as an undergraduate.
Interest on the loan is paid by the federal government during the enrollment period.
However, the loan is subject to a 3 percent origination fee and a 1 percent guarantee fee. The interest rate on the loan during repayment is T-bill plus 3.1 percent, with a maximum of 8.25 percent. The minimum annual repayment is $600. Repayment is normally completed within 10 years of graduation.
Student Educational Loan Fund (SELF):
Student Educational Loans are available to St. Olaf students irrespective of need. The maximum SELF loan is $4,500 per year for first- and second-year students and $6,000 for third- and fourth-year students, but that maximum is reduced by a student's amount borrowed in the Stafford and/or Perkins Programs. These loans, made available by the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (MHESO), carry a variable interest rate (generally 6-8 percent). Interest is charged and paid quarterly during "in-school" periods. Monthly "interest-only" payments are expected in the first year following the completion of a student's schooling. Monthly payments toward interest and principal begin on the first anniversary of the completion of school.
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a program open to the parents of all St. Olaf students. PLUS funds can be secured from banks and from savings and loan associations. Applications are available from participating lenders. The PLUS program is guaranteed by the federal government, and is insured against the death of the borrower.
Parents may borrow up to the cost of education, minus financial aid received. The interest rate on PLUS is the lower of 9 percent or refinanced variable interest rate of T-bill plus 3.1 percent. (The rate is 8.98 percent in 1995-96.) PLUS loans are subject to a 4 percent origination fee and guarantee fee. Repayment on PLUS loans begins 60 days after receipt of loan proceeds and can be extended over 10 years.
Knight Extended Repayment Plan: This loan program permits families to pay for four years of college over the course of up to 120 months. Interest is charged only on the amount paid to the college, and not yet repaid, at a rate of 4.5 percent above the 13-week T-Bill Rate, adjusted quarterly. A one-time $50 application fee and monthly insurance premiums are factored into the monthly payment amount. Any amount up to the comprehensive fee times four may be financed. For more information: Knight Tuition Payment Plan, 53 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108, Tel: (800) 225-6783.
More than one-half of the students at St. Olaf work on campus part-time.
Need-based, part-time work on campus traditionally has offered students the opportunity to help defray their college expenses and gain useful work experience. Recognizing that many people value the chance to contribute to their educations, beginning in 1995-96, the college is making student work opportunities available to every St. Olaf student who wishes to work. Priority will continue to be given, however, to those students who demonstrate financial need and receive student work as a component of their financial aid award.
Students are paid a wage of $5 per hour or more, depending on the job. The maximum yearly contract of about $2,000 for no more than 10 hours of work per week is not a guarantee a student will earn a specified amount through campus employment. Rather, it is a maximum amount a student has the potential to earn. Student work on campus usually includes assignments in the cafeteria, the library, residence halls, and academic, athletic or administrative departments.
Specific work assignments are made by the Student Work Coordinator in the Office of Student Financial Services. New students are notified of their assignments when they arrive on campus.
Financial aid is awarded on an annual basis and may be renewed to eligible students upon application. The St. Olaf application must be submitted by March 1 each year. The FAFSA must be completed and forwarded to the processing center by April 1 each year. The amount of the renewal award will be based on demonstrated financial need. Renewal applications are considered in the same manner as new applications.
Students may obtain information and applications from the Student Financial Services Office.
Students falling below minimum academic standards set by St. Olaf College, or a student placed on academic probation status for more than two semesters, will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid unless documented reasons for poor performance can be provided.
For more information and a detailed statement of policy, contact the St. Olaf Office of Student Financial Services.
Families of students who do not qualify for financial aid on the basis of FAFSA applications might qualify for three alternate sources of assistance, detailed previously under Loans:
Student Education Loan Fund (SELF)
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Knight Extended Repayment Plan
Parents or grandparents who are in middle- to high-tax brackets and who have highly appreciated assets such as securities or real estate might want to consider a charitable remainder trust.
The St. Olaf Trust is a charitable remainder trust combining tax saving features with the charitable intent of the donor toward St. Olaf College.
A charitable remainder trust allows a donor to transfer assets to an irrevocable trust and retain the use of the income for up to 20 years. The income can be payable to the donor's children or grandchildren, and any capital gains accumulated in the asset may be non-taxable. The donor can also claim a charitable contribution deduction to apply to income taxes.
More detailed information on all arrangements for financial aid can be obtained in Financing Your St. Olaf College Education, the financial aid booklet distributed by the Office of Admissions, or by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 55057-1098, Tel: (507) 646-3019.