Consortium Agreement Policy

Under a consortium agreement, one institution serves as the student's "home" while another institution serves as the student's "host." The home institution is the institution where the student is enrolled in a degree program. It is also the institution that:

• determines financial aid eligibility,
• awards financial aid,
• and disburses financial aid to the student.

The host institution is the institution where the student is taking part of his or her program requirements (course work) that will, upon completion, be transferred to the home institution. The host institution does not process or provide any financial aid for the student.

For the purpose of a consortium agreement, Kansas State University assumes the role of the home institution and any other institution in the agreement assumes the role of the host institution.

Note: Requesting a consortium agreement because the course is easier and/or the course is less expensive at another institution are not allowable reasons for granting a consortium agreement.

The K-State Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) will attempt to enter into a consortium agreement on the student's behalf with the host institution(s) in the agreement if:

• the student is a degree seeking student at Kansas State University, has reached the classification of "senior," is enrolled in at least one course at Kansas State University for the enrollment period, and/or failure to enter into a consortium agreement will postpone the student's expected graduation from Kansas State University, or
• the student is a degree seeking student at Kansas State University who is requesting the consortium agreement for only the summer enrollment period, or
• the student is a degree seeking student at Kansas State University who is working toward his or her degree through K-State Online, or
• the student has extenuating circumstances that justify a consortium agreement.

If you have questions about your situation concerning your consortium agreement, please contact your financial aid advisor.

• The student has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it is on file with the K-State OSFA. Students may wish to check the KSIS Student Center to review "To Do List items for requested documents.
• Upon receipt of the completed consortium agreement form (available only in the K-State OSFA), the K-State OSFA will attempt to enter into a consortium agreement on the student's behalf. A student may request a copy of the consortium agreement between the home and host institution for his or her own records by contacting the K-State OSFA.
• The student is responsible for any "up front" costs incurred at the host institution for tuition, fees, room & board, etc. Often consortium agreements will result in some delay before a student may receive his or her financial aid.
• A consortium agreement is not in effect until the host institution has responded appropriately to the K-State OSFA request to enter into a consortium agreement.
• Financial aid will be disbursed when all courses have begun at the home and host institutions and all consortium documents have been signed and submitted.
• The student agrees to the release of all academic performance information (grades) pertaining to the consortium period of enrollment. This requirement will allow the K-State OSFA to comply with its Return to Title IV federal financial aid obligations in the event that the student unofficially withdraws from the host institution during the enrollment period.
• Student is responsible for sending an official transcript of the courses taken at the host institution to Kansas State University at the completion of the enrollment period. Failure to provide an official transcript from the host institution may result in ineligibility for any future consortium agreement requests. By entering into a consortium agreement, the student is agreeing to transfer the attempted course work at the host institution to Kansas State University at the completion of the enrollment period.

In regard to this agreement, Kansas State University assumes the role of the home institution and any other institution in the agreement assumes the role of the host institution.

• The home institution premises an eligible student's financial aid on the combined enrollment status and combined tuition/fees incurred at both the host and home institutions. Room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous cost of attendance attributes will reflect costs at the home institution.
• The home institution disburses financial aid according to its policies. Financial aid is disbursed no earlier than 10 days before the student has begun course work at both institutions.
• The home institution is responsible for returning the "school's" portion of any federal financial aid resulting from a Return to Title IV calculation in the event the student withdraws from both the home and host institutions during the consortium enrollment period.
• The home institution is responsible for maintaining all records for the consortium agreement.
• The home institution is responsible for monitoring the student's satisfactory academic progress.
• The host institution does NOT provide any Title IV federal financial aid to the student during the enrollment period covered by this consortium agreement.
• The host institution immediately notifies the K-State OSFA of any change in the student's enrollment status at the host institution during the enrollment period covered by this consortium agreement.
• The host institution notifies the home institution in the event that the student received a failing grade for all course work attempted at the host institution. (This request allows the home institution to meet its federal regulatory obligation and the student provides his or her consent for release of information.)
• The host institution will remit to the home institution any tuition/fees refund resulting from the student's complete withdrawal from the host institution during the consortium enrollment period.