Consumer Information

The Directory of Consumer Information is an accumulation of important information from various offices across campus. Should you have any questions concerning this web page or its content, please contact one of the persons identified below:

• Director of Financial Aid, 616.395.7765, finaid@hope.edu
• Equal Opportunity & Compliance Coordinator, 616.395.6816, sinclair@hope.edu 

We encourage students and prospective students with complaints/concerns involving institutional policies and/or consumer protection issues to utilize the College Complaint Policy by completing the Complaint Form.

Pursuant to the state authorization provision of the Program Integrity Regulations (34 C.F.R. 668.43) established by the Department of Education on October 29, 2010, the following contact information is provided for filing complaints that remain unresolved after engaging in the above-referenced process. Complaints concerning broad institutional academic practices, such as those that raise issues regarding the College’s ability to meet accreditation standards, may be submitted through The Higher Learning Commission online Complaint Process  or by contacting them at 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413 (or by phone 800.621.7440).  Complaints concerning consumer protection violations may be submitted to the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Michigan, Consumer Protection Division, through their online Consumer Complaint Form or by mailing in the paper version of the form to P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909-7713.

Each topic provides a brief description of the information that must be disclosed and provides access to the information.

Information About Hope College

Cost of attending the institution

• Enrollment costs billed to students.
• For financial aid purposes, cost of attendance includes room and board, books and supplies, transportation, miscellaneous and personal allowances as well as tuition and fees.

Cost Calculator

• Financial aid and merit scholarships can assist in the cost of attending Hope College. Cost is a concern for many families and each year we are pleased to hear that students wanting to attend Hope are able to do so because of the aid they received. Estimate your cost to attend Hope using our Net Price Calculator.

Textbook pricing information

• The Hope-Geneva Bookstore serves students by providing the textbooks, reference books, materials and supplies that are required or recommended for course use. Textbook prices vary widely depending on your major and year of study. Find the current booklist, including the option to check comparison prices. (Within the comparison tool you are able to access the ISBN numbers for each book.)

Refund policies

• Hope College has established a refund policy for students who find it necessary to totally withdraw from the college. Withdrawing from college has, among other factors, important financial considerations such as the charges a student will be responsible to pay and the amount of financial aid a student receives. See the Loading... section of the current catalog for specific details.

Official withdrawal procedures

• Students who withdraw from all classes at Hope College must notify the Registrar's Office and follow the withdrawal procedures posted by that office.

Return of Title IV funds requirements

• The federal government mandates that students who withdraw from all classes (officially or unofficially) may only keep the federal financial aid that they have earned up to the time of official withdrawal or assessed date of unofficial withdrawal. Funds that were disbursed and are no longer considered earned must be returned to the federal government by the College or the student.
  
  See the Withdrawal and Refunds Section of the Finanical Aid page.

Academic programs, facilities and instructional personnel

• Information on the college's academic programs, degree offerings and instructional personnel is available in the college catalog.
• Information about the academic facilities on campus can be found on our campus map.
• Plans for institutional goals for improving academic programs can be found in our strategic plan.

Accreditation and licensing of the institution

• The accreditation and licensing of the institution for Hope College is located in the President's Office. The accreditation of specific academic programs is located in the Provost's Office. Students may review copies of documents regarding entities that accredit, license or approve the institution and its programs.
  
  Please contact the Office of the President or the Office of the Provost in scheduling the review of these documents.

Services and facilities for students with disabilities

• The Office of Disability and Accessibility Resources provides students with an individualized approach to ensure reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.

Drug and alcohol abuse prevention program information

• The Drug Free Schools and Campuses implementing regulations (34 CFR Part 86) of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) of 1989 (Public Law 101-226, 20 U.S.C. 1011i) require an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) such as Hope College (Hope), to certify that it has implemented programs to prevent the abuse of alcohol and use and/or distribution of illicit drugs both by Hope students and employees either on its premises and as a part of any of its activities.
  
  Hope sends an annual notification to students and employees reminding them of our Alcohol and Drug Policy and our Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Plan. 

Copyright and peer-to-peer file sharing issues

• Legal statutes and Hope College policies prohibit the unauthorized acquisition, distribution or sharing of copyrighted materials. All students, faculty and staff on campus are expected to comply with these policies. Legally protected material can include music, movies, television shows and published materials. Don't put yourself at risk. Information is available to help educate you about legal file sharing and to protect you from unwittingly engaging in unlawful activities.

Vaccination policies

• In compliance with recommendation from the American College Health Association, Hope College requires that all incoming students provide documented proof of vaccinations before moving into student housing. Click the link below for additional information The list of required immunizations and additional information can be found through the Hope Health Center.

Constitution Day

• The college celebrates Constitution Day annually in September.

Notice to enrolled students of the availability of consumer information

• After the drop/add deadline during the fall and spring semesters, Hope College sends an email to all enrolled students to notify them of the consumer information available including a link to this web site.

Voter Registration

 

• Federal law mandates that all colleges and universities in the country make voter registration information available to all students who are eligibile to vote and attending their institutions.

Academic Data/Registrar's

Privacy of Student Records – FERPA rights

• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, also known as the Buckley Amendment) was passed by Congress in 1974 to protect the confidentiality of student records and information. Hope College’s policy on student records incorporates the rights guaranteed by FERPA. Students are notified of their FERPA rights annually through publication in the Hope College Catalog and the student handbook. Additional information can be found through the Registrar's Office.

Transfer credit policies

• Hope has an on-going list of courses that will be accepted for transfer from other institutions, as can be found in the Transfer Equivalency System. Additional information about transfer credit and credit requests can be found through the Registrar's Office.

Placement rate information if rate used to attract students

• Not applicable at Hope College.

Completion or graduation rate, retention rate and transfer-out rate of full-time undergraduates

• The Hope College graduation rate, retention rate and transfer-out rate of full-time undergraduates can be found in the Registrar's Factbook. In addition, Statistics on graduation and retention rates can also be viewed at the National Center for Education Statistics.

Graduation rate by grant and loan

• Hope College graduation rates by grant and loan can be found within our IPEDS Graduation Rate report.

Report on completion or graduation rate and transfer-out rate of student athletes

• As a NCAA Division III school, Hope is not required to report this information.

Report on athletic program participation rates and financial data

• Hope College prepares an annualEquity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) report. This reports contains participation rates, financial support, and other information on men's and women's intercollegiate athletic programs.
  
  Hope College's EADA Report is available online.

Diversity of the student body

• The diversity of the student body is reported to IPEDS in the Fall Enrollment Report Part A through the Frost Research Center. Additionally, it can also be found on the second page of the Enrollment Reports posted by the Registrar's Office. 

Retention rate reported to IPEDS

• The overall retention rate is reported to IPEDS in the Fall Enrollment Report Part E through the Frost Research Center.

 

Graduate or professional education of graduates from institution's 4-year degree programs

• For information related to the postgraduate or professional education of graduates from Hope College 4-year degree programs, please contact the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career at careers@hope.edu or by calling 616.395.7950.

Placement and employment information of degree or certificate program graduates

• For information related to the placement and employment information of degree or certificate programs graduates, please contact the Boerigter Center for Calling and Career at careers@hope.edu or by calling (616) 395-7950.

Financial Aid

Available financial aid

• The Office of Financial Aid webpage includes information about the following:
  • Need-based and non-need-based federal, state, private, and institutional financial assistance programs available to students
  • Eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for aid
  • Criteria for selecting recipients and determining amount of award
  • Methods and frequency of disbursements of aid
  • Financial aid terms and conditions, including terms applicable to employment provided as part of a financial aid package
  • Rights and responsibilities of students receiving Title IV, HEA loans
  • The availability of financial aid for study abroad programs
  • How financial aid is handled when students withdraw
  • Who to contact for questions regarding financial aid

Rights and responsibilities of financial aid recipients

• Student receiving federal financial aid have certain rights and responsibilities inherent in the receipt of these funds. View the terms and conditions.

Federal Student Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

• While we must still provide the information in the second bullet of this section, please note the loss of federal student aid for drug convictions no longer applies. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Education rescinded the student eligibility requirement so that students no longer face penalties or suspension of Title IV aid due to a drug conviction that occurred while the student was enrolled and receiving Title IV aid. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the Financial Aid Office. 
• Federal law provides that a student who has been convicted of an offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving financial aid shall not be eligible to receive any federal grant, loan or work assistance. 

Direct Loan model disclosure form

• The Department of Education has provided a disclosure form for prospective borrowers of Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans.

Preferred lender list and disclosures

• Hope College has no preferred lender arrangements for private student loans.

Title IV Eligibility for Study Abroad

• A student’s enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by Hope may be considered enrollment at Hope for the purpose of applying for assistance under the Federal Student Aid programs.

Verification requirements

• The Federal Processor selects some FAFSA filers for a process called verification where applicants must submit income and other documentation to support the information on the FAFSA. The verification worksheet can be found in the "What Happens Next" section of the webpage about Financial Aid basics.

State grant assistance

• Students may be eligible for assistance from their state of residency. NASFAA has a database of those programs.

Private education loan disclosures if school provides information about a private education loan from a lender to a prospective borrower

• Private educational loan lenders must provide applicants with certain disclosures about their loans. Find more information. 

Entrance Counseling – Title IV Loan Programs

• Students eligible for the Federal Perkins and Direct Loans must complete a review of rights and responsibilities through Entrance Counseling. This requirement is included on recipients' award letters.
  
  Find more information regarding Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Direct Loans. 

Code of conduct if school participates in Title IV loan program

• Schools whose student receive federal student loan funds are required to have a Title IV loan program code of conduct. Find Hope's code of conduct.

Private lender assistance in preparing educational counseling, financial literacy or debt management materials

• Hope College has no private lender assistance.

Exit counseling – Title IV loan programs

• Schools are required to provide borrowers of Federal Perkins and Direct Loans information about repayment rights and responsibilities Loan Exit Counseling. The Office of Financial Aid contacts borrowers before graduation or shortly after a student ceases at least half-time enrollment regarding exit counseling.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant exit counseling

• Schools are required to provide Federal TEACH Grant recipients information about rights and responsibilities through TEACH Grant Exit Counseling. The Office of Financial Aid contacts borrowers before graduation or shortly after a student ceases at least half-time enrollment regarding exit counseling.

TEACH Grant initial counseling

• Students eligible for the Federal TEACH Grant must complete a review of rights and responsibilities through Entrance Counseling. This information is included on recipients' award letters.

TEACH Grant subsequent counseling

• Each subsequent year a Federal TEACH Grant-eligible student must complete TEACH Grant counseling. This information is included on the recipients' award letters.

Reimbursements for service on advisory boards

• Federal regulation requires that an institution report annually reasonable expenses paid or provided under 140(d) of the Truth in Lending Act (see Amendments to Other Laws, Private Student Loan Improvement, the Truth in Lending Act, Preventing Unfair and Deceptive Private Educational Landing Practices and Eliminating Conflicts of Interest) to any employee who is employed in the financial aid office, or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other financial aid of the institution.
  
  There are no Hope College employees serving on advisory boards in the financial aid office or who otherwise have responsibilities with respect to education loans or other financial aid of the institution.

Campus Safety

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

• The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or "Clery Act" is a federal statute that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses. In compliance with the Clery Act, Hope College provides the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Emergency response and evacuation procedures

• The Office of Health and Fire Safety provide an emergency guide with all the necessary information in the event of an emergency.
• Evacuation procedures are posted in each residence hall.

Crime and Fire Log

• Hope College maintains a daily crime and fire log as set forth in the Jeanne Clery Act. The log for the most recent 60-day period is available for inspection at any time in Campus Safety (or online for Hope community members). We will make any portion of the log older than 60 days available within two business days of a request for public inspection. Contact Campus Safety at 616.395.7770 to make a request.

 

Emergency notification

• The College will, without delay, initiate the emergency response system to notify the campus community upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation (e.g., gas leak, train derailment, contagious virus, etc.) involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on campus. The only exceptions of this are when notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist victims or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency. Read our Timely Warning and Emergency Notification policy in full.
  
  In case of emergency, find up-to-date information online at hope.edu/alert.

Timely Warning

• Timely warnings are provided to notify students, faculty, and staff of certain crimes that may represent a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community and to heighten safety awareness. A timely warning also seeks information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the offender when violent crimes against persons or substantial crimes against property have been reported.
  
  A Timely Warning will be sent out after Campus Safety has been made aware of pertinent information about a crime. Warnings will be sent out to the campus community by campus-wide email and will also be posted on InHope. Anyone with information warranting a Timely Warning should report the circumstances to Campus Safety immediately.

Missing student notification policies and procedures

• The Missing Student Policy is listed in the Student Handbook.

Penalties for Drug Violations

• Hope College policies clearly prohibit the illegal use of alcohol and drugs. The college will impose sanctions on students or employees ranging from warning up to and including expulsion or referral for prosecution for violations of college standards of conduct.
  
  For more information please refer to the Student Handbook or contact the Office of Student Development.

Registered sex offenders information

• In Michigan, information on registered sex offenders is compiled and maintained by the Michigan State Police. Obtain information on registered sex offenders.