What’s New for 2026–2027
2026–2027 Award Year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Federal student aid for graduate students changed substantially on July 1, 2026, under Public Law 119-21 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and the U.S. Department of Education’s implementing regulations. The full policy is published in the ACCHS Financial Aid, Institutional Policies and Procedures, 2026–2027, available from the Financial Aid Office. Where this page and federal law or regulation differ, federal law and regulation govern.
Eligible and Ineligible Programs
| Program | Federal aid status, 2026–2027 |
|---|---|
| Master of Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (MAcCHM) | Eligible: Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Work-Study, and legacy Grad PLUS for qualifying continuing borrowers |
| Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) | Eligible: Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Work-Study, and legacy Grad PLUS for qualifying continuing borrowers |
| Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine (DAcCHM), including the DAcCHM/MAcCHM dual-degree pathway | Not eligible |
| DAcCHM Bridge | Not eligible |
| Certificate in Asian Medical Bodywork (CAMB) | Not eligible |
Students in the DAcCHM, the DAcCHM Bridge, or the CAMB pay tuition and fees from personal resources, private financing, or the Academy’s installment payment plan. Federal aid cannot be awarded for coursework or clinical training required only for the DAcCHM, including the additional doctoral coursework in the dual-degree pathway. MAcCHM students considering the DAcCHM should meet with the Financial Aid Office before changing programs, because the change ends federal aid eligibility and may also end eligibility for the legacy provision.
Summary of Changes
- Grad PLUS loans eliminated for new borrowers on July 1, 2026, except continuing students who qualify for the limited legacy exception.
- New graduate loan limits: Direct Unsubsidized Loans are capped at $20,500 per year and $100,000 in total for graduate study, with a lifetime federal loan limit of $257,500.
- Graduate, not professional: ACCHS programs are classified as graduate programs and are subject to the graduate limits.
- Proration: annual loan limits are reduced in proportion to enrollment for students enrolled less than full-time.
- Legacy provision: students who received a Direct Loan for their current ACCHS program before July 1, 2026 may continue under prior limits for up to three academic years or their remaining time to credential, whichever is less.
- New repayment plans: loans made on or after July 1, 2026 are repaid under the new Standard plan or the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
- Program earnings accountability: programs whose graduates do not meet a federal earnings test in two of three years may lose Direct Loan eligibility, as early as the 2028–29 award year (see below).
- Satisfactory Academic Progress now follows the federal 67% pace and 150% maximum-timeframe standards, with Financial Aid Warning, appeal, and Financial Aid Probation.
- Return of Title IV Funds is now stated separately from the Academy’s California refund policy.
Program Earnings Accountability
Federal law now ties each program’s eligibility for Direct Loans to the earnings of its graduates. Under the Department’s Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability rule, a graduate program passes if the median earnings of its completers, measured several years after completion, exceed the median earnings of working adults who hold only a bachelor’s degree. A program that fails in two of three consecutive years is designated a low-earning outcome program and loses Direct Loan eligibility for at least two years. The Department will calculate the first results in early 2027; the earliest a program could lose eligibility is the 2028–29 award year.
The Department has stated that it will apply the test to acupuncture programs as written. If more than half of an institution’s federal aid recipients, or more than half of its federal aid dollars, are in low-earning outcome programs, the institution may lose eligibility for all Title IV programs. Because both of the Academy’s Title IV-eligible programs are acupuncture and herbal medicine programs, the Academy treats this rule as an institution-wide matter. The Academy will review each program’s results when released, request correction of any calculation error, and notify current and prospective students of any warning or determination and how it affects them. Students may view program earnings information published by the Department on its website.
Am I Eligible?
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need; Federal Work-Study is need-based. To receive federal student aid at ACCHS, a student must:
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree program (MAcCHM or DAOM);
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 units per trimester) for Direct Loans;
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and have a valid Social Security Number;
- Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (ACCHS admission requirements for graduate study satisfy this requirement);
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress;
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on a federal grant, and not have exceeded federal annual, aggregate, or lifetime loan limits;
- Certify on the FAFSA that federal aid will be used only for educational purposes; and
- Provide consent for the Department to obtain federal tax information, as required on the FAFSA.
Male students are no longer required to register with the Selective Service System to receive federal student aid, and a drug conviction no longer affects eligibility. International students in F-1 status are not eligible for federal student aid. Admission to the Academy does not by itself establish eligibility for federal aid.
Enrollment Status
| Status | Units per trimester | Federal aid effect |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 10 or more | Eligible for the full annual loan limit, subject to cost of attendance |
| Half-time / part-time | 6 to 9 | Eligible for Direct Loans; annual limit prorated |
| Less than half-time | Fewer than 6 | Not eligible for Direct Loans; loans enter grace or repayment |
Units taken at another institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education may be counted toward enrollment status only under a written consortium or contractual agreement approved by the Academy, and only if the student provides a paid registration receipt listing the courses. All graduate students are considered independent for federal aid purposes; parental information is not required.
Learn more on StudentAid.gov.
How Do I Apply?
Federal law requires that students be able to apply for federal aid without paying a fee. To apply:
- Create a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) at studentaid.gov. A spouse who is required to provide information on the FAFSA (a “contributor”) must also have an account.
- Complete the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov, listing ACCHS federal school code G32883. The student and any contributor must provide consent for the Department to obtain federal tax information directly from the IRS.
- Review the FAFSA Submission Summary sent by the Department and make any corrections at studentaid.gov.
- Respond promptly to any request from the ACCHS Financial Aid Office for documents.
The 2026–27 FAFSA must be submitted no later than June 30, 2027, and the Academy must receive a valid record by the last day of the student’s enrollment in the award year. ACCHS strongly recommends submitting the FAFSA at least 60 days before the trimester in which aid is first needed. The FAFSA must be filed again for each award year. Questions about the FAFSA may be directed to the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 or studentaid.gov/help.
After the FAFSA is processed, the Financial Aid Office receives an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) electronically, imports it into the Empower student information system, and begins review. New students must also have been formally admitted.
Verification
Verification confirms the accuracy of information reported on the FAFSA. The Department selects applications for verification, and the Academy may also select an application when it has reason to believe information is inaccurate. When an application is selected, the Financial Aid Office notifies the student by email within five business days and lists the required documents, which may include a verification worksheet and identity or statement-of-educational-purpose documentation. Most federal tax information is now obtained directly from the IRS with the student’s consent.
Students must submit all required documents within 60 days of notification or by the deadline the Office specifies, and in all cases before the last day of enrollment for the award year. Direct Loan funds are not disbursed until verification is complete. If verification changes eligibility, the Office submits corrections, revises the award, and notifies the student within five business days. The Academy must also resolve any conflicting information before disbursing aid, and refers suspected fraud to the Department’s Office of Inspector General.
How Much Can I Get?
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance (COA) is the Academy’s estimate of a student’s educational expenses for the period of enrollment. It is the maximum amount of aid, from all sources, a student may receive. The COA includes:
- Tuition and fees, based on actual enrollment (2026–27 rates: $324 per didactic unit and $21.60 per clinic hour for the MAcCHM; DAOM rates as published in the DAOM catalog), plus required fees;
- Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment;
- Food and housing;
- Transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses;
- An allowance for federal loan fees; and
- Where documented and applicable, dependent care, disability-related expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional license or credential, such as the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination fee.
The total COA for the MAcCHM program is $46,665 per year. The total COA for the DAOM program is $52,050 per year. The Financial Aid Office publishes standard allowances for each budget component annually and applies them consistently. COA is adjusted for students enrolled less than full-time.
For Title IV purposes, the ACCHS academic year consists of the Fall, Spring, and Summer trimesters, beginning in September and ending in August.
Student Aid Index and Financial Need
The FAFSA produces a Student Aid Index (SAI), an eligibility index calculated under the federal need analysis formula. Financial need is the COA minus the SAI and any other estimated financial assistance, including scholarships. Need determines eligibility for Federal Work-Study. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not need-based; a student may borrow up to the lesser of the annual loan limit or the COA minus other aid.
2026–2027 Loan Limits
| Limit | New graduate borrowers (loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026) | Legacy borrowers |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Direct Unsubsidized | $20,500 per academic year (prorated if less than full-time) | $20,500 per academic year |
| Grad PLUS | Not available | Up to COA minus other aid, during the legacy period |
| Aggregate (graduate study) | $100,000 in Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate study | $138,500 combined undergraduate and graduate Subsidized and Unsubsidized |
| Lifetime (all federal student loans) | $257,500 | As provided by federal law |
No student may borrow more than the COA minus other estimated financial assistance. A student who has reached an aggregate or lifetime limit may not receive additional federal loans until the outstanding balance is reduced below the limit through repayment.
Proration for Less-Than-Full-Time Enrollment
Beginning with loans made on or after July 1, 2026, a student enrolled less than full-time receives an annual loan limit reduced in proportion to enrollment. Full-time is 10 units per trimester. For example, a student enrolled in 6 units in each trimester of the academic year is enrolled at 60% of full-time and may borrow up to 60% of the $20,500 annual limit, or $12,300, subject to COA. The Financial Aid Office recalculates eligibility when enrollment changes before a disbursement.
Professional Judgment and Special Circumstances
A financial aid administrator may, on a case-by-case basis and with documentation, adjust the COA or the data used to calculate the SAI to reflect special circumstances the FAFSA does not adequately capture, such as a significant, sustained loss of income or benefits; job loss, reduction in hours, or leaving employment to enroll; separation, divorce, or death of a spouse; natural disaster; or unusual medical, dental, or dependent-care expenses.
To request an adjustment, submit a signed, dated Special Circumstances Petition with a written explanation and supporting documentation (for example, termination or layoff notices, recent pay statements, benefit statements, medical documentation, insurance or disaster documentation, court documents, or federal tax returns). Petitions are reviewed only after the Academy has a valid ISIR and has completed any required verification. The decision is documented in the student’s file and is final; it cannot be appealed to the Department. Professional judgment cannot be used to change federal eligibility rules or loan limits, and an adjustment may increase or decrease the aid offered. All information is kept confidential.
Types of Aid
The Academy participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and Federal Work-Study. The Academy does not participate in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TEACH Grant, or any California state aid program. Because all ACCHS degree programs are at the graduate level, Direct Subsidized Loans are not available to ACCHS students.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans are made by the U.S. Department of Education to eligible graduate students regardless of financial need. Interest accrues from the date of each disbursement, including while the student is in school and during the six-month grace period after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. Unpaid interest is added to the principal when repayment begins. The Direct Loan origination fee, set by federal law and adjusted each October 1, is deducted from each disbursement. Current interest rates and fees are published at studentaid.gov.
Graduate classification. Federal law sets higher loan limits for students in “professional” degree programs. Under the Department’s final rule of April 30, 2026, professional programs are limited to a specified list of fields, and acupuncture and herbal medicine programs are not included. All ACCHS programs are therefore graduate programs for loan-limit purposes. This classification is the subject of litigation and advocacy by the profession; the Academy will apply any change as soon as the Department implements it.
Legacy provision. A student may continue to borrow under the limits in effect before July 1, 2026 if the student (1) was enrolled in an ACCHS program of study as of June 30, 2026; (2) received a Direct Loan for that same program that was disbursed before July 1, 2026; and (3) remains enrolled in the same program at ACCHS. The legacy period lasts for the lesser of three academic years or the published program length minus the portion completed before July 1, 2026. When the legacy period ends, or if the student changes programs, the new limits apply. The Financial Aid Office determines legacy status for each continuing student and informs the student of the remaining legacy period.
Elimination of Federal Grad PLUS Loans
Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025, ended the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program for graduate and professional students (Grad PLUS). Beginning July 1, 2026, no new Grad PLUS loans may be made to new borrowers, and graduate borrowing is limited to Direct Unsubsidized Loans within the annual, aggregate, and lifetime limits.
For ACCHS students, federal loans are no longer available to cover the full cost of attendance. Full-time MAcCHM tuition and fees remain below the $20,500 annual Direct Unsubsidized limit, but students who previously relied on Grad PLUS for food, housing, and other living expenses will have less federal borrowing available. Before enrollment, the Financial Aid Office will show each student the difference between the cost of attendance and the federal loan amount available, and will discuss the installment payment plan, Federal Work-Study, and private financing options.
Limited legacy exception. A continuing MAcCHM or DAOM student who meets the legacy conditions above may continue to receive Grad PLUS loans for the same program during the legacy period. No Grad PLUS loan may be made to a student in an ineligible program, to a student who changes programs, or after the legacy period ends. A legacy Grad PLUS borrower must:
- Complete the FAFSA, and have the Academy determine eligibility for the maximum Direct Unsubsidized Loan before a Grad PLUS loan is offered (the student is not required to accept the Unsubsidized Loan);
- Not have an adverse credit history as defined in 34 CFR 685.200, or obtain an endorser without an adverse credit history, or document extenuating circumstances to the Department’s satisfaction;
- Complete PLUS Credit Counseling if approved with an endorser or extenuating circumstances; and
- Sign a PLUS Master Promissory Note and meet all other Title IV eligibility requirements.
A legacy Grad PLUS loan may not exceed the COA minus other estimated financial assistance. Grad PLUS loans carry a higher interest rate and origination fee than Direct Unsubsidized Loans, are eligible for in-school deferment while the borrower is enrolled at least half-time, and do not have a grace period. Grad PLUS loans made on or after July 1, 2026 are repaid under the new Standard or Repayment Assistance Plan.
Repayment
Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment. Loans made on or after July 1, 2026 may be repaid only under the new Standard Repayment Plan, with fixed payments over 10 to 25 years based on the amount borrowed, or the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), an income-based plan. A borrower who does not choose a plan is placed in the Standard plan. A borrower with loans made before July 1, 2026 who receives a new loan on or after that date must repay all loans under one of the two new plans.
Private Education Loans
ACCHS has no preferred lender arrangements. A student who seeks a private education loan must complete the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification, which the Financial Aid Office will provide, and should first exhaust federal loan eligibility.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs to students with financial need, on campus and in qualifying community-service positions. FWS is awarded to eligible students with need as funds permit, and awards may not exceed the student’s remaining need.
The Academy uses at least 7% of its annual FWS allocation for community-service employment, as federal law requires, unless the Department grants a waiver. Students interested in community-service positions, including those connected with the Academy’s community clinic partnerships, should contact the Financial Aid Office.
FWS students are paid an hourly wage that is not less than the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage, taking into account the skills required, local rates for similar work, and the rates the Academy pays non-FWS employees. Students are paid on the Academy’s regular payroll schedule by check or direct deposit. A student may elect in writing to have earnings credited toward tuition, fees, or other institutional charges; if so, the Academy provides a statement of the amount credited before the end of the award year. Each FWS student’s hours must be recorded on a time sheet certified by the supervisor.
Declining Federal Work-Study will not jeopardize other financial aid offered to you.
How Are Funds Disbursed/Received?
You are under no obligation to accept a loan, which you will have to repay. Declining a Direct Loan or Work-Study will not jeopardize other financial aid offered to you, and declining a loan now will not prevent you from borrowing in a future trimester or academic year.
Accepting a Loan
- Complete the FAFSA and any verification requirements.
- Review your Financial Aid Offer in the ACCHS student portal (Empower) and accept, reduce, or decline each loan by the “Return By” date. You will also receive an email notification.
- Complete Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov before your first disbursement. Entrance counseling explains your rights and responsibilities, the loan limits, repayment plans, and the consequences of default.
- Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov. A Direct Unsubsidized MPN may be used for multiple years; the Academy uses an active confirmation process for subsequent loans.
- Resolve all financial aid holds and enroll in at least 6 units.
Disbursement Schedule
Each trimester is a payment period. A Direct Loan for an academic year is disbursed in installments, one at the beginning of each trimester in the loan period. Funds may be credited to your account no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes of the trimester, and only after the Academy confirms that you are enrolled at least half-time, are making Satisfactory Academic Progress, have completed Entrance Counseling and an MPN, and have no unresolved eligibility issues. Disbursement amounts are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.
Notice of Disbursement and Right to Cancel
When Direct Loan funds are credited to your account, the Academy notifies you through Empower, no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after crediting, of the date and amount of the disbursement, the type of loan, and your right to cancel all or part of the loan. To cancel, notify the Financial Aid Office in writing within 14 days after the notice is sent, or by the first day of the trimester if later; the Academy will then return the funds and cancel the loan or disbursement.
Tuition and Fee Payment
Direct Loan funds are applied to tuition and fees without separate written authorization. Written authorization is required to apply funds to other institutional charges or to hold a credit balance. If your financial aid is not sufficient to cover your charges, you must pay the balance at the Business Office by the fee payment deadline (see the Class Schedule). Payments received after the deadline will be assessed a late payment fee.
Account Statement and Credit Balances
Your ACCHS account, including charges, credits, refunds, and financial aid disbursements, can be viewed in the Student Portal. When federal aid exceeds allowable institutional charges, the Academy pays the credit balance to you, by check or direct deposit, as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the balance occurs (or after the first day of classes, if the balance occurs before classes begin). You may authorize the Academy in writing to hold a credit balance, and you may cancel that authorization at any time. Students who depend on credit balances for living expenses should plan for the timing of disbursements. Please keep your mailing address current.
Returning Students
A student who withdrew from all classes in a prior trimester and returns must re-establish eligibility, including Satisfactory Academic Progress. Disbursement will not occur until the Academy confirms the student’s attendance in the returning trimester.
Refund and Return of Title IV Funds
IMPORTANT: Withdrawing from or dropping all of your classes in a trimester may require that part of your federal loan be returned, and your loans will enter the grace period. Consult the Financial Aid Office before changing your enrollment.
Two separate calculations apply when a student who receives federal aid withdraws. The Academy’s institutional refund policy, required by California law, determines how much of the student’s tuition the Academy refunds. The federal Return of Title IV Funds calculation determines how much of the student’s federal aid was earned. Both are calculated, and the student and the Department receive the results.
Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing
Students may add and drop courses without charge during the first week of the trimester, with administrative approval; a $50 fee is charged for each Add/Drop/Withdraw Form after the first week. The last day to add classes is the end of the third week, and the last day to drop with a grade of W is the published drop deadline, normally the ninth week. All requests must be submitted in writing to the administration office; see the Academic Calendar for exact dates.
Official withdrawal. The official withdrawal date for a student who submits an Add/Drop/Withdraw Form or a Notice of Cancellation is the date the Academy receives the form or written notice. For tuition purposes, the student is charged from the first day of the trimester through the last date of attendance, including classes not attended in between.
Unofficial withdrawal. A federal aid recipient who does not earn a passing grade in at least one course in the trimester, or who stops attending all classes without notifying the Academy, is reviewed as an unofficial withdrawal. Faculty attendance records are used to determine whether the student completed the trimester. If the student did not, the Academy performs a Return of Title IV calculation using the withdrawal date described below.
Institutional Refund Policy
A student has the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later, by written notice by email (admissions@acchs.edu), mail, fax, or hand delivery.
After that period, the Academy retains the nonrefundable registration fee and provides a pro rata refund of tuition to a student who withdraws after completing 60% or less of the period of attendance. The student is charged from the first day of the trimester through the last date of attendance, including classes not attended in between, plus the $50 drop fee per form and the documented cost of any unreturned books or equipment. Students dismissed by the Academy receive refunds under the same schedule. Refunds are made within 30 days of cancellation or withdrawal.
DAOM: after the first class session of a DAOM course or weekend, a student may obtain a refund for clock hours not attended at any time before completing more than 60% of the instruction for that DAOM course.
| Example | Calculation |
|---|---|
| MAcCHM student enrolled in 12 didactic units | 12 units × 15 clock hours = 180 clock hours; tuition 12 × $324 = $3,888 |
| Last date of attendance: end of week 3 | Hours scheduled through last date of attendance: 36; hours paid for but not yet occurred: 144 |
| Refund | $3,888 × 144 ÷ 180 = $3,110.40, less $50 drop fee = $3,060.40 |
Return of Title IV Funds
When a federal aid recipient withdraws from all courses in a trimester before completing more than 60% of it, the Academy must determine the amount of federal aid the student earned. The percentage earned equals the number of calendar days completed in the trimester divided by the total calendar days in the trimester, excluding scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days. After the 60% point, the student has earned 100% of the aid for that trimester.
Withdrawal date. For a student who notifies the Academy, the withdrawal date is the date the student began the withdrawal process or gave notice, whichever is earlier. For a student who stops attending without notice, it is the midpoint of the trimester or the last date of documented academic activity, whichever the Academy can document. The Academy determines unofficial withdrawals from attendance records within 30 days after the end of the trimester.
Return of funds. If the student received more aid than was earned, the Academy returns the lesser of the unearned aid or the institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage, and the student is responsible for returning any remaining unearned loan funds under the terms of the promissory note. The Academy returns its share within 45 days of the date it determines the student withdrew. Unearned funds are returned in this order:
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Grad PLUS loans (legacy borrowers)
Post-withdrawal disbursement. If the student earned more aid than was disbursed, the Academy offers a post-withdrawal disbursement. The Academy notifies the student in writing within 30 days of the withdrawal determination; the student has 14 days to accept loan funds. Accepted funds are disbursed within 180 days.
Partial Withdrawals (Dropping Courses)
A student who drops a course but remains enrolled is not subject to a Return of Title IV calculation. The institutional refund for the dropped course is handled as follows:
| Situation | Institutional refund for dropped course |
|---|---|
| Full-time aid recipient (10 or more units) who remains full-time | Retained by the student, subject to recalculation of the loan if enrollment intensity changes |
| Part-time aid recipient (6–9 units) who remains part-time | Retained by the student, subject to recalculation of the prorated loan limit for the new unit load |
| Aid recipient who drops from full-time to part-time | Returned to the Direct Loan program to reduce the student’s loan debt; loan recalculated |
| Aid recipient who drops below 6 units | Returned to the Direct Loan program to reduce the student’s loan debt; student enters the grace period |
Funds that must be returned to the Department are returned as soon as possible and no later than 45 days after the Academy determines the student withdrew or changed enrollment. A W is recorded for courses dropped by the published drop deadline; a course dropped after that date receives an F.
Consequences of Unearned Aid
The Academy has no authority to waive the return of unearned federal aid, regardless of the reason for withdrawal, including death in the family or illness. Because the Academy does not offer federal grants, any unearned aid the student must return is loan principal, repaid under the terms of the promissory note. If the Academy returns Title IV funds on the student’s behalf, the student may owe the Academy for the resulting unpaid institutional charges. Students may view their disbursements and charges in the Student Portal and their federal loan record at studentaid.gov.
Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities
Responsibilities
When you sign a Master Promissory Note, you agree to repay the loan according to its terms. The note is a binding legal document: except in cases of discharge, you must repay the loan even if you do not complete your education, are not able to get a job after you complete the program, or are dissatisfied with the education you paid for. Think about what this obligation means before you borrow. A borrower must repay the full amount plus interest, less any refund.
You must make payments on your loan even if you do not receive a bill or repayment notice. If you apply for a deferment or forbearance, you must continue to make payments until you are notified that the request has been granted. Keep a copy of any request form you submit, and document all contacts with your loan servicer. You must notify your loan servicer when you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment; change your name, address, or Social Security Number; or transfer to another school.
You must complete Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov before your first disbursement, and Exit Counseling at studentaid.gov when you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment.
Consequences of Default
A borrower who defaults may have federal income-tax refunds and wages garnished, may be reported to credit bureaus, may be charged collection costs, and loses eligibility for further federal student aid until the default is resolved. Default may affect your credit rating for a long time.
Rights
Before your first disbursement, you will receive information about your loan, including the full amount of the loan, the interest rate, when repayment begins, the loan fees and how they are collected, the annual and total amounts you can borrow, the available repayment plans, an explanation of default and its consequences, and a statement that you can prepay your loan at any time without penalty.
ACCHS will notify you in writing whenever it credits your account with Direct Unsubsidized or Grad PLUS loan funds. This notice is sent no earlier than 30 days before, and no later than 30 days after, the Academy credits your account. You may cancel all or a portion of the loan by informing ACCHS in writing within 14 days after the date the notice is sent, or by the first day of the trimester, whichever is later.
Before you leave ACCHS, Exit Counseling will provide the amount of your total debt and your interest rate, the name and contact information of your loan servicer, fees you might be charged during repayment, a description of the Standard Repayment Plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), applicable deferment, forbearance, and discharge provisions, debt-management advice, and a statement that you can prepay without penalty. You will be asked to provide your expected permanent address and employer, and any corrections to your records.
You have the right to a six-month grace period on Direct Unsubsidized Loans before repayment begins. Your grace period begins when you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment. Grad PLUS loans do not have a grace period. Your loan servicer will provide a repayment schedule stating when your first payment is due, the number and frequency of payments, and the amount of each payment.
National Student Loan Data System
Federal student loans received by ACCHS students are reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, servicers, and schools authorized to use the system. You can view your federal loan history at studentaid.gov.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require every student receiving federal aid to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the degree. The Academy’s SAP standards are at least as strict as its academic standards for all students, apply to all students in a program whether full-time or part-time and whether or not they receive aid, are applied to all periods of enrollment, and are evaluated at the end of each trimester, after grades are posted.
Qualitative Standard
MAcCHM students must maintain a trimester and cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3, and a course or term of clinic completed with a grade below C (2.0) must be repeated at the next available time. DAOM students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7, and a course or term of clinic completed with a grade below 2.5 must be repeated.
| Grade | Interpretation | Grade points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 4.0 | 94–100 |
| A− | Excellent | 3.7 | 90–93 |
| B+ | Good | 3.3 | 87–89 |
| B | Good | 3.0 | 83–86 |
| B− | Moderate | 2.7 | 80–82 |
| C+ | Satisfactory | 2.3 | 77–79 |
| C | Minimum passing | 2.0 | 73–76 |
| C− to D− | Not passing | 1.7–0.7 | 60–72 |
| F | Fail | 0.0 | 0–59 |
| P / NP | Pass / No pass | Not in GPA / 0.0 | — |
| I | Incomplete | Not in GPA until resolved | — |
GPA is the sum of grade points multiplied by units for each course, divided by total units attempted for a grade. Incompletes must be resolved by the end of the second week of the following trimester or they become an F. Courses repeated to clear a failure or improve a grade appear on the transcript with both grades; only the most recent grade is counted in the GPA. A student may receive federal aid for repeating a previously passed course only once. There are no non-credit remedial courses at ACCHS.
Pace of Completion
A student must successfully complete at least 67% of all units attempted, measured cumulatively. Pace is calculated by dividing cumulative units successfully completed by cumulative units attempted. Units successfully completed are those with a grade of C or higher, or P. Units with grades of F, NP, W, I, or a grade below C count as attempted but not completed. Transfer units accepted toward the degree count as both attempted and completed.
Maximum Timeframe
A student may receive federal aid only until the student has attempted 150% of the units required for the degree. Transfer units count toward the maximum. If it becomes mathematically impossible to complete the degree within the maximum timeframe, the student becomes ineligible immediately.
| Program | Units required | Maximum units attempted (150%) | Academic time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAcCHM | 181 | 271.5 | 8 years |
| DAOM | As published in the DAOM catalog | 150% of published units | 4 years |
The academic time limit is a separate graduation requirement. A student who remains within the academic time limit but exceeds the 150% maximum timeframe is no longer eligible for federal aid.
Comprehensive Examinations
MAcCHM students must pass three comprehensive examinations, given in the 4th, 7th, and 10th trimesters, with a minimum score of 73%, in order to progress and graduate. Students who do not pass may retake the examination in the second week of the following trimester. A student who is not permitted to progress because of an unpassed examination is evaluated under the pace and maximum-timeframe standards.
Financial Aid Warning
A student who does not meet the qualitative or pace standard at the end of a trimester is placed on Financial Aid Warning for the next trimester and remains eligible for aid during that trimester. The Financial Aid Office notifies the student in writing of the warning, the reason, and the requirements to regain good standing. Financial Aid Warning lasts one trimester. Academic probation under the Academy’s academic policy may last up to two trimesters; academic probation and Financial Aid Warning are separate statuses.
Loss of Eligibility, Appeal, and Financial Aid Probation
A student who does not meet SAP at the end of the warning trimester, or who exceeds the maximum timeframe, loses federal aid eligibility. The student may appeal if the failure was caused by circumstances such as the student’s injury or illness, the death of a relative, or other special circumstances. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office and must explain why the student failed to make SAP and what has changed that will allow the student to make SAP, with supporting documentation and an academic plan developed with the Dean of Academic Programs. The Academic Standards Committee reviews complete appeals and issues a written decision.
If the appeal is approved, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation for one trimester, or is placed on an academic plan that, if followed, will ensure the student meets SAP by a specific point. The student’s progress is reviewed at the end of each trimester under the plan. A student whose appeal is denied, or who does not meet the terms of probation or the plan, may regain eligibility by meeting the SAP standards while enrolled without federal aid.
Other Academic Policies Affecting Aid
A student whose trimester GPA falls below 2.3 is placed on academic probation for two trimesters and is dismissed if the GPA is not restored; a readmitted student must maintain a trimester GPA of at least 2.7. A student placed on academic probation receives a letter from the Dean of the program, and mandatory tutoring is required during the first trimester of probation. The course load of a student on probation or readmitted after dismissal is set in consultation with the academic advisor. A student who fails a course twice is placed on academic notice and is dismissed after a third unsuccessful attempt. A student dismissed by the Academy is not eligible for aid unless readmitted, and a readmitted student must re-establish federal aid eligibility, including SAP.
Leaves of absence, withdrawals, and involuntary withdrawals are governed by the Catalog and the Student Handbook. Students considering any change in enrollment, including dropping or repeating a course, taking a leave of absence, or withdrawing, should first consult the Financial Aid Office, because it may affect SAP, loan limits, and repayment.
Graduation Requirements
| Requirement | MAcCHM | DAOM |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum grade in each course and term of clinic | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Minimum GPA in all graded work | 2.3 | 2.7 |
| Culminating requirement | All comprehensive examinations and research project | Capstone project |
| Notice of Candidacy for Graduation | Filed during registration for the final term | Filed during the final term |
| Financial obligations | All cleared, including the graduation fee | All cleared |
| Time limit | 8 years | 4 years |
When a candidate has completed all requirements, the candidate’s file is reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee (for the DAOM, the DAOM Academic Standards Committee), which recommends conferral of the degree of Master of Science in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine or Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Students are held to the graduation requirements in effect when they were admitted, barring a change in state law or in the state or national authorization of the program.
Scholarships and Veterans Benefits
Scholarships and other outside awards are counted as estimated financial assistance and may reduce federal loan eligibility. Please report any scholarship to the Financial Aid Office.
Diversity Scholarships
ACCHS is proud to offer a Diversity Scholarship:
The mission of ACCHS since our founding has centered around connection to our local community. In keeping with this, ACCHS is proud to offer a Diversity scholarship to students who can document current volunteer work with qualified nonprofits serving underserved populations.
The total amount of the scholarship is $500.
To apply, please submit a verification letter from a supervisor documenting your volunteer work that precisely focuses on an underserved or underrepresented local community in the Bay Area (your letter must include how underserved/under-represented communities are affected by your volunteer work), the supervisor’s contact information, and a description of the organization to admissions@acchs.edu.
Trudy McAlister Fund Scholarship
The Triskeles Foundation offers this donor-funded scholarship for students of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in ACAHM-accredited or candidate schools who have completed at least one full academic year of their professional training and who, in the opinion of their faculty, advisors and the advisors of the Fund, show unusual promise in the practice of this medicine. http://www.trudymcalisterfoundation.org/application/
Indian Health Service: Health Professions Scholarship Program
Open to full- and part-time American Indian and Alaska Native students seeking an undergraduate or graduate education in the health care field; priority is given to graduate students and junior- and senior-level undergrad students. Must be a member of a federally recognized tribe and agree to serve one year in an IHS facility or other program serving Indian people for each year of financial support. Pre-nursing scholarships are also available.
Contact: Eric Pinto
- Phone: (301) 443-6197
- Email: epinto@na.ihs.gov
- Website: www.ihs.gov
- Deadline: February 28
Veterans Benefits
The Academy’s program is approved for Veterans Educational Benefits by the State Approving Agency. Eligible veterans may receive applicable educational benefits; please contact your VA counselor or representative to determine which VA benefit program you qualify for, and contact an Academy administrator for information. It is important to determine this information early, as we will need it to begin the certification process once you are accepted.
The Academy evaluates previous education and training under 38 CFR 21.4253(d)(3), grants appropriate credit, shortens the program proportionally, and notifies the VA and the student. The evaluation must be completed within the first two terms in which the student receives benefits; if it is not, the student will not be certified again until the evaluation is complete. Eligible veteran students are exempt from related late fees.
For any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits, while VA payment is pending, the Academy will not:
- prevent the student’s enrollment;
- assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- require the student to secure alternative or additional funding; or
- deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the Academy.
However, to qualify for this provision, the student may be required to:
- produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- provide a written request to be certified; and
- provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.
Consumer Information and Complaints
Consumer Information
- Privacy of education records: ACCHS protects the privacy of student education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Campus safety and security: ACCHS publishes an Annual Security Report by October 1 each year containing campus crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and its policies on crime reporting, emergency response, timely warnings, and the prevention of and response to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The report is available on the Academy’s website and on request.
- Sex offender registry: information about registered sex offenders in California is available from the California Department of Justice at meganslaw.ca.gov.
- Drug and alcohol abuse prevention: ACCHS maintains a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program and distributes its drug policy, including standards of conduct, sanctions, health risks, and available assistance, to students and employees annually.
- Code of conduct for education loans: ACCHS has no preferred lender arrangements. No officer, employee, or agent of the Academy with responsibilities for education loans may accept gifts, compensation, or anything of value from a lender, guarantor, or servicer, or serve on a lender’s advisory board for compensation.
- Copyright and peer-to-peer file sharing: unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including through peer-to-peer file sharing, may subject students to civil and criminal penalties and to discipline under the Academy’s conduct policies.
- IPEDS: data on enrollment, completion, cost, and financial aid are available through the National Center for Education Statistics.
- Constitution Day: ACCHS observes Constitution Day on or around September 17 each year.
Cost of attendance, refund policies, program information, accreditation, completion and placement rates, and other consumer information are published in the Catalog and on the Academy’s website, and are available on request from the Financial Aid Office.
Student Rights, Grievances, and Complaints
Students with concerns about academic or administrative decisions, including financial aid decisions, should first raise the concern with the administrator involved. If it is not resolved, the student may submit a written complaint to the Grievance Committee, including a factual account, the policy or law alleged to have been violated, supporting documentation, and the resolution sought. The Committee responds within ten working days. A student who is not satisfied may request review by the President on behalf of the Board of Directors.
After using the Academy’s procedure, a student may also contact:
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM): 500 Lake Street, Suite 204, Excelsior, MN 55331; (952) 212-2434; acahm.org
- Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE): 1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834; P.O. Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818; (916) 574-8900; toll-free (888) 370-7589; fax (916) 263-1897; www.bppe.ca.gov
- U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: studentaid.gov/feedback-center; Federal Student Aid Information Center 1-800-433-3243
Any questions a student may have that have not been satisfactorily answered by the Academy may be directed to the BPPE. A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about the Academy with the BPPE by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing the complaint form available on the BPPE website.