Information about Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Financial aid is money in the form of loans, grants and employment that is available to a student to help pay the cost of attending. Financial aid comes from the federal government, which is the largest provider of aid, as well as state government, the school and a variety of other public and private sources.

If you think your educational expenses are more than you and your family can afford, you should apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to apply for financial aid every year by completing a FAFSA. The FAFSA includes all the information necessary to determine your eligibility and must be completed if you want to be considered for any of the federal programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The FAFSA is available in two formats: paper and electronic. If you complete a paper FAFSA, you will mail it directly to the application processor listed on the FAFSA. Or you can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and list school code will receive your processed information.

You should apply for financial aid (for the upcoming academic year beginning in August) as soon after January 1 as possible. Many financial aid programs have limited funding, therefore early application is recommended. Application should be completed at least one month prior to the semester you are planning to attend. If you apply for funding late, you will receive your funding late.

Financial Aid Eligibility

To be considered for financial aid you must:

• be enrolled as a degree- or certificate-seeking student.

• be a U.S. citizen or a permanent citizen of the United States.

• have a valid social security number.

• register with Selective Service (if required).

• make satisfactory academic progress (successfully complete courses with grade of A, B, C, D or P at least 66% of the hours attempted each term with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.)

• demonstrate an ability to benefit (see below).

The following are the different types of Financial Aid available:

GRANTS - funds that do not have to be paid back. Grants offered at:

• Pell Grants - Federal Pell Grants are available only to undergraduates with no prior b...

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...fore, must demonstrate one of the following ATB requirements:

1. High school transcript showing graduation, or

2. General Education Development (GED) certificate, or

3. COMPASS test with a minimum score of 25 on Pre-Algebra/Numerical, 62 on Reading, and 32 on Writing, all completed in one test session, or

4. College transcript with 60 or more transfer hours.

Return of Title IV Aid (formerly called Refund/Repayment)

The Federal Government has set guidelines concerning students who receive Title IV Aid and completely withdraw from school or stop attending courses. Any student making a complete withdrawal or that stops attending their classes who received a Federal Pell Grant, SEOG, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan or a Parent (PLUS) Loan, will be required to pay back money to the school immediately if they drop out or stop attending courses before 60% of the semester has been finished. After the calculations are figured, the Financial Aid Office will notify any student that might owe money back to the Federal Government. Your Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress status will also be evaluated at the end of the semester and you will be notified accordingly