Mission, Philosophy and Statement of Purpose

Miles College is a senior, private, liberal arts Historically Black College with roots in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  The College through dedicated faculty cultivates students to seek knowledge that leads to intellectual and civic empowerment. Students are transformed through rigorous study, scholarly inquiry, and spiritual awareness, thereby enabling graduates to become responsible citizens who help shape the global society.

The Philosophy of the Miles College is that no student should be denied access to postsecondary education because of financial barriers.  The Financial Aid Office is to ensure consistent, equitable, and fair distribution of financial aid funds as described by Federal, State and Institutional policies and regulations. While the primary responsibility of paying for College lies with the student and the student’s family, the Financial Aid department offers a variety of aid, such as grants, loans, scholarships, and work study to assist as many qualified students that are deemed eligible.

Financial Aid offices are located in Browns Hall suite 107.  The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.  The department can be reached by telephone or (205)929-165 or email address finaid@miles.edu.

With continuously changing in Title IV financial regulations, Miles College must keep the administrating of Title IV programs in compliance with the federal regulations and keep the financial aid policy and procedures manual up to date. The financial aid staff is expected to administer all financial aid programs within the regulations that govern them. In the absence of policy or procedure that addresses a given issue, the Financial Aid department is expected to follow federal guidance and use professional judgment based upon the intent of all financial aid programs and Office practices. Miles College has adopted The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Code of Conduct and Ethical Principles. (https//www.nasfaa.org/Statement of Ethical Principles).  As an effort to enforce NASFAA’s code of conduct, any entity or individual may contact the NASFAA office with an ethics inquiry regarding the interpretation or application of the Statement of Ethical Principles and Standards, the Code of Conduct or the Code of Conduct Enforcement Procedures, regardless of whether entity or individual is a member of NASFAA.

Federal, State and institutional information pertaining to financial aid regulations, laws, and Department of Education (ED) policy guidance are continuously used in the development, updating and enhancement for the purpose of developing this manual. The Financial Aid Policies and Procedures Manual will be evaluated and updated every year and when federal and/or state mandatory policies are required.

The Financial Aid Department utilizes several documents and electronic methods to keep up with new regulations, laws, and ED policy guidance that might impact the department’s policies and procedures. The department refers to documents and publications such as:

• Federal Student Aid Handbook  
• Dear Colleague/Partner Letters  
• EFC Formula Guide
• Policy Bulletins 
• U.S. Department of Education Audit Guide
• Federal Registers
• Title IV Regulations and Updates 
• Higher Education as Amended
• Electronic Announcements (IFAP Letters)
• Newsletters from professional associations (such as NASFAA and SASFAA)