Financial Aid Handbook

INTRODUCTION

Neosho County Community College, a comprehensive community college located in the city of Chanute (population approximately 9,500), serves the higher educational needs of the residents of southeast Kansas.

Neosho County Community College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL  60602-2504, 1-(800) 621-7440; (312) 263-0456 and the Kansas State Department of Education.

NCCC is a member of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, the North Central Association, the American Association of Community Colleges and the Southeast Kansas Higher Education System.

NCCC is an equal opportunity institution.

Neosho County Community College Office of Student Financial Aid

Jennifer Daisy, Director of Financial Aid, Ottawa Campus, 785.248.2808
Lori Clements, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Chanute Campus, 620.432.0330

Sherry Harris, Financial Aid Specialist, Ottawa campus, 785.248.2839 

Financial Aid Program

The financial aid program at Neosho County Community College (NCCC) provides financial assistance for eligible students enrolled in a degree program wishing to attend NCCC. Many students find it difficult to attend college without financial assistance. A comprehensive assistance program which includes scholarships (institutional, academic, and athletic), grants (State and Federal based aid), loans (federally-funded subsidized, unsubsidized, and parent loans) and part-time employment (College Work Study and Community Service) is available.

Begin the application process by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Copies of online or paper applications are available in the forms section. To learn more about the FAFSA or to submit an online application consult FAFSA INFO. If you plan to attend NCCC in Fall 2020, Spring 2021, or Summer 2021, please complete a 2020-2021 FAFSA. Our priority processing date for the 2020-2021 FAFSA is April 1, 2020. If you have questions about the FAFSA application, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Neosho County Community College's Federal School Code:   001936

Federal Grants

 Grants are defined as funds based on financial need that does not have to be repaid.

PELL GRANT
Pell Grants are the largest Federal grant program. This program is for undergraduates. Annual Pell awards for full-time students (12 or more credit hours) range from $639 to $6,345 for the 2020-2021 award years.  Eligibility for the Pell Grant determined by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

SUPPLEMENTAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are federal funds available to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional need. Because of limited funds at our institution, SEOG annual awards range in amounts from $100 to $300.   

FEDERAL WORK STUDY (FWS):

Federal Work Study Employment is made available by the college and the Federal government. Students must submit a FAFSA, show financial need, and funds must be available.  Jobs will include community service and on campus opportunities. These jobs are supervised by Neosho County Community College. Federal Work Study positions are most often 4 to 10 hours per week and will not exceed 20 hours per week during the school year. Students are paid federal minimum wage or greater for the work they perform. Actual earnings are determined by the number of hours worked A student’s earnings may not exceed their financial need.

Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
 Loans are defined as funds that must be repaid.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN

Students may apply for a Stafford Loan by completing the loan process available on the financial aid web page.  Remember, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed and the student must have a complete financial aid file.  This loan is a low-interest, fixed-rate loan to help you pay for the cost of your education beyond high school. For Stafford Loans that are first disbursed between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 the lender may charge fees of up to 2 percent of the loan. A portion of the fees is paid to the federal government and a portion is paid to the guarantor (the guarantor administrates the Stafford Loan program) to assist with the costs associated with providing the loan. These fees are deducted from the loan by the lender before the loan is sent to NCCC.

 There is a six-month grace period once you leave school or drop below half-time (half-time is 6 to 8 credit hours). During the 6 months grace period the student should receive repayment information and be notified by the loan company when payment is due. However, you are responsible for beginning repayment on time even if the information does not reach you. Payments are usually due monthly. The minimum payment will be at least $50 and may be greater depending upon the total amount borrowed. The student can choose between different repayment options. Stafford Loans can be repaid early without penalty. There are two different types of Stafford loans, subsidized and unsubsidized. 

SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN
Applicants must meet the Federal "need" qualification to receive the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. This is a need-based loan.  The federal government pays the interest to the lender on your behalf if you are at least a half-time student (enrolled in 6 or more credit hours), during the six month grace period, and during other authorized periods called "deferments" when payments may be postponed.  Another benefit offered by the Subsidized Stafford Loan is a lower interest rate. For Subsidized Stafford Loans: loans disbursed July 1, 2020 through July 1, 2021 have a fixed interest rate of  2.75 percent, loans disbursed July 1, 2019 through July 1, 2020 have a fixed interest rate of 4.53 percent.

Unsubsidized STAFFORD LOAN
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan eligibility is not based on financial need and interest begins to accumulate once the first disbursement is sent to the school by the lender. For loans disbursed July 1, 2020 through July 1, 2021 the interest rate is fixed at 2.75 percent. During a period when the Unsubsidized Stafford loan is in deferment, the interest on the loan can either be paid as the student goes through school or be capitalized (added to your principal loan balance, therefore increasing the amount to be repaid). The unsubsidized loan amount the student may borrow is determined by subtracting the total financial aid received from the student’s financial aid budget (Cost of Attendance), while taking into consideration annual loan limits.

Annual loan limits for Subsidized Stafford Loans are $3,500 for the first year of undergraduate study (students classified as freshmen, 0-25 credit hours earned) and $4,500 for the second year of undergraduate study (students classified as sophomores, 26 or more credit hours earned).  At no time will the combined total of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, for students classified as Dependant, exceed $5,500 for the first year or $6,500 for the second year.  For applicants classified as Independent, those students are eligible for an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized only. 

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS):
The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students are made available to applicants classified as dependent students. Students are required to apply for Federal "need based" aid before they will be considered for the PLUS. Beginning July 1, 2020, FFELP PLUS loans disbursed have a fixed interest rate of 5.30 percent. Interest is charged on a PLUS loan from the date of the first disbursement until the loan is paid in full. the borrower (parent) has the option of waiting to begin repayment until 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or waiting until 6 months after the student, on whose behalf the parent borrowed, leaves school or drops below half-time (half-time is 6 to 8 credit hours) enrollment. Fees of up to 4.276 percent of the loan may be charged by the lender. These fees are origination fees of up to 3 percent and guarantee fees of up to 1.069 percent. These fees are deducted from the loan by the lender before the loan is sent to NCCC. Parents are limited to an annual loan amount. The amount borrowed cannot exceed "Cost of Attendance" minus "all other eligible aid per dependent student." 

Board of Regents Scholarships

Applicants for funding from the Kansas Board of Regents should complete the state application. To obtain an application or for further information, access the Kansas Board of Regents site.

Kansas State Scholarship:
The program is administered by the State Board of Regents Student Assistance Section. State Scholars are Kansas residents who receive State Scholar designation. Scholars are designated on the basis of the American College Testing Assessment (ACT) results and GPA. Scholars are considered for an award up to $1,000 upon verification of financial need. For further information, access the Kansas Board of Regents site.

Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship Program:
The Kansas Minority Scholarship is a state-funded program designed to enable and encourage academically talented minority students to further their post-secondary undergraduate study. A $1,850 renewable scholarship is available to minority students with demonstrated scholastic ability and financial need. For further information, access the Kansas Board of Regents site.

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship Program:
The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship Program (KNSP) is designed to provide financial incentive to students admitted to and enrolled in nursing programs. Nursing scholarships will be funded by the State of Kansas and by a medical care provider (sponsor). Applicants are required to secure sponsorship prior to submitting the nursing scholarship application. For further information, access the Kansas Board of Regents site or contact the NCCC Mary Grimes School of Nursing.
 

Requirements for Financial Aid

To be eligible, students must:

• be a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen,
• have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate,  be registered with the Selective Service (if required),
• attend a participating college,
• be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program,
• be making satisfactory academic progress,
• not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan, 
• have financial need (except for some loan programs).
• certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes

In addition:

• Some Less-than-half-time students may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants and some other Federal student aid programs. The majority of students will need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to receive aid.
• Students who have received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for Federal Pell, SEOG, or ACG grants, but may be eligible for loan assistance.
• Students attending two schools in the same enrollment period must inform the Office of Student Financial Aid at both institutions of their dual enrollment. Students cannot receive financial aid at both schools.
• Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible. It is possible for some students to regain eligibility by successfully completing an acceptable rehabilitation program. 

Financial Aid Applications

Application:
All students applying for Federal Financial Aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more or to submit an online application consult FAFSA INFO. Paper application forms are available in high school counseling offices and at most public libraries. A paper application can also be obtained by writing to : Office of Student Financial Aid, Neosho County Community College 800 West 14th Street, Chanute, Kansas, 66720 and requesting a FAFSA. All students applying for federal aid are required to complete a Student Data Form and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Aid. These forms are provided by the Office of Student Financial Aid. To apply for loans students must also complete a loan worksheet and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Aid, complete online loan entrance counseling, and sign a master promissory note. Loan worksheets are available in the Office of Student Financial Aid and in forms.

Academic and High School Transcripts:
An official high school transcript or GED certificate must be recorded through the NCCC’s Registrar's Office. All post secondary official academic transcript(s) must be recieved, recorded, and evaluated by the NCCC's Registrar’s Office.

Verification Documentation:
Students may be required to submit documentation to verify the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If necessary, the Office of Student Financial Aid will contact students about this documentation.

Loan Application Procedures:
Each award year the student applies for loan, an Entrance Counseling must be completed by the student prior to loan funds being awarded. This counseling consists of discussing the types of loan options and eligibility available to the student, as well as loan deferments and repayment responsibilities. The Office of Student Financial Aid receives verification of Entrance Counseling completion electronically. The Master Promissory Note (MPN) can also be completed electronically. The Student may either sign electronically or mail a signed and dated paper copy of their MPN to their lender. The student will also complete a  student loan worksheet to inform the Office of Student Financial Aid of the dollar amount the student is requesting and the type(s) of loan the student is willing to receive. The worksheet must be completed by the student and returned to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The entrance counseling, master promissory note, and student loan worksheet must all be completed before the loan application will be processed.

At the conclusion of each loan period, exit counseling must be conducted.  Exit loan counseling will be offered to our students thru an online service with a link on our website. The student will be contacted by mail and/or email at the end of their loan period and directed to complete EXIT COUNSELING if they have not already done so during that loan period. Students with summer semester loans will be contacted to complete exit counseling in May.  At this time, a hold will be placed in the Registration module of the student's records. The hold will be removed upon confirmation that the student has successfully completed exit counseling. The Office of Student Financial Aid receives verification of completion electronically. Until this requirement has been completed, all official transcripts and some other services may be withheld. 

Deadline Dates

Scholarship applications will be accepted at any time after January 1, but those received before May 1 will be given first consideration. Those received after May 1 will be considered if funds are available. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid regarding scholarship applications. Scholarship recipients will usually receive the award notifications in June.

Federal Financial Aid application priority date is April 1. You should apply as early as possible but not before January 1 of each year. The preceding year’s tax return information is required on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid. You may want to consider filing your taxes as early as possible.

NOTE- Financial aid deferments will be given to eligible students with a completed financial aid file by the payment deadline date. This date is established by the Business Office every semester and published in the semester class schedule. The deferment allows students to delay paying any tuition, fees, college housing, or books until their federal aid is received by the college. The amount of federal aid disbursed is according to the amount of hours enrolled in at the time the award is calculated for payment. Financial aid recipients are classified as full-time (taking 12 or more hours per semester), three-quarter-time (9-11 hours per semester), half-time (6-8 hours per semester) or less than half-time (3-5 hours per semester). However, the student is responsible for all costs not paid by the federal aid or if they lose their federal aid eligibility. This form must be completed each semester, however a student only applies for federal aid each academic year. It is important for students interested in Federal Financial Aid to understand that financial aid funds are limited. It is essential to correctly complete and submit the forms as soon as possible.

Consortium Agreements: If you will be taking additional hours towards your degree at another institution during this academic year and wish to have it included in your financial aid, you must complete a Consortium Agreement from NCCC. You are then required to send your Agreement to the other participating institution for completion of enrollment description and credit hours. Consortium Agreements must be completed for each semester and be received by NCCC prior to the 20th day of each semester. Consortium Agreements will be used in calculating your actual award. Please contact our office for more information. An official academic transcript from the participating institution is required at the conclusion of the semester. 

How Financial Need is Determined

To be considered for the Federal student aid programs, a student must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more or to submit an online application consult FAFSA INFO. Paper application forms are available in high school counseling offices and at most public libraries. A paper application can also be obtained by writing to : Office of Student Financial Aid, Neosho County Community College 800 West 14th Street, Chanute, Kansas, 66720 and requesting a FAFSA. The priority completion date for federal aid applications is April 1 of each year. This application collects financial and other information used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that ultimately determines the student’s eligibility for aid. If eligible, the student will then be offered an aid package

Demonstrating Need

At its simplest level, a student’s financial need is the difference between the amount the family can be expected to contribute to the student’s education (EFC) and the student’s cost of attendance (COA) at NCCC.

Cost of Attendance (COA):
The law specifies that the cost of attendance includes both institutional and non- institutional expenses. These costs are reviewed annually.

Neosho County Community College establishes a cost of attendance based on average student cost. The intent is to provide an allowance which considers approximately how much money a student may expect to need to complete an academic year, including living and college expenses.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC):
When the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is processed by the Department of Education, the information from the application is analyzed and an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is calculated based a formula established by law. Your family's income (taxable and untaxed), assets and benefits (for example, unemployment or Social Security) are all considered in determining your EFC. Your family size and the number of family members who will be attending a college or career school are also considered  to determine how much parents and students can be expected to pay toward a student’s education. In essence, the EFC measures the family’s financial strength based on the income and assets of the student, the student’s spouse and (if the student is dependent) the student’s parents. The EFC formula also takes into account the family’s expenses, based on the number of persons in the household and the number of those persons attending college.

Awarding of Financial Aid

The process of determining what programs of aid and the dollar amount to be included from each program in meeting the need of each applicant is referred to as "packaging".

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the student’s Cost of Attendance and the difference is the student’s "financial need." The following steps are subtracted from the student’s financial need in order to determine a package:

• All scholarships being received by the student. (All scholarships must be reported to the Office of Student Financial Aid as soon as the student is notified of the award.)
• The amount of Pell Grant a student is entitled to receive.
• Students with the highest financial need will be considered for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant . Recipients must also meet all other necessary requirements as described by this Federal Grant Program.
• Any other aid the student may be receiving will be deducted from need. (Students are required to report these funds, such as JTPA, WIA, Heartland Works, or SRS, to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
• Upon request, students will be considered for Federal Work Study and various loans.

The proportion of need met in each student’s case is dependent upon the available funds. Neosho County Community College will attempt, but is under no obligation, to meet full need. Aid will be awarded first to students with demonstrated need, with a priority given to those applications completed by April 1.

If excess funding becomes available, funds will be awarded based on the remaining need of students.

Award Notification

Each student will receive an award letter showing his/her actual financial aid package. The student should read the letter carefully, as well as any attached forms. Students who have questions are invited to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Disbursement of Funds

Prior Pell Grant and student loan history will be verified before the start of the semester and/or disbursement of aid. The signed, Student Data Form authorizes the school to apply the Federal Pell, SEOG, and/or ACG Grants, Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Plus Loans to credit the student’s account each semester. Charges for tuition, fees, books, and college housing (if applicable) and other allowable charges assessed to the student will be subtracted from the federal financial aid credit and a change check will be disbursed for any credit remaining on the student’s account. The initial transfer of funds and payment of aid will be approximately mid-October and late February. Students are to contact the Business Office for disbursement of their aid.

Federal College Work Study money will be paid as a payroll check disbursed on the last business day of each month at the cashier’s office located in Sanders Hall.

Rights and Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

• Students must complete all application forms accurately and submit them prior to deadline dates.
• Students must provide correct information. In most instances, intentionally misreporting information on financial aid application forms is against the law and may be considered a criminal offense which could result in an indictment under the U. S. Criminal Code.
• Students must submit all additional documentation, verifications, corrections, and/or new information requested by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
• Students are responsible for reading and understanding all forms that they are asked to sign and for keeping copies of the forms.
• Students accept responsibility for all agreements they sign.
• Students must perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work-Study award.
• Students should be aware of NCCC’s refund procedures.
• Students are responsible for reporting to the Office of Student Financial Aid all scholarships and other aid they may be receiving and any changes in the information they have submitted.

Student Rights

• Students have the right to know which financial aid programs are available at NCCC.
• Students have the right to know the deadlines for each of the financial aid programs available.
• Students have the right to know how financial aid will be distributed, how decisions on that distribution are made, and the basis for these decisions.
• Students have the right to know how financial need was determined. This includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc. are considered in the cost of attendance.
• Students have the right to know what resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, student assets, etc.) were considered in calculation of their need.
• Students have the right to know how much of their financial need as determined by the institution has been met.
• Students have the right to request an explanation of the various programs in their student aid package.
• Students have the right to know NCCC’s Return of Title IV Funds Policy.
• Students have the right to know what portion of the financial aid they received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, students have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the pay back procedures, the length of time the student has to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
• Students have the right to know how NCCC determines whether students are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if they are not. 

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

Return of Title IV or R2T4 refers to the calculation done when a financial aid student withdraws from the semester. The calculation determines if it is necessary to return a portion of the federal financial aid to the Department of Education, or if the student is entitled to receive a post withdrawal disbursement because aid had not yet been disbursed. The calculation of R2T4 is required by the Department of Education.

Determining Student Withdrawal Date

The Registration Office has been designated as the official office for withdrawal notification. Once registered, failure to attend classes is not considered an official withdrawal. Students who decide to leave the college should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss their options. Students must contact the Registration Office to officially withdrawal from all courses.

A student’s withdrawal date is:
1. The date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw; or
2. The midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the institution; or
3. The student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity.

SAP Policy (R2T4)

If a student fails to earn a passing grade in any class and was paid federal financial aid for a given semester, the R2T4 calculation will be done and the student will be placed on financial aid denial, and will not be eligible for federal financial aid. See the Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP) for the appeal process.

Calculating Percentage Aid Earned

A student may be required to repay all or part of the financial aid disbursed for the semester in which they withdraw if they do not complete more than 60% of the semester.

The amount of Title IV aid earned by the student is determined by multiplying the percentage of the payment period completed by the total amount of Title IV aid disbursed, or that could have been disbursed. If the percentage of the payment period completed is more than 60 percent, the student has earned 100 percent of the aid. An institution would add up the total Title IV loan and grant assistance awarded to the student for the payment period (excluding FWS funds and the nonfederal share of funds for the FSEOG) and multiplies this dollar amount by the percentage of the period completed. If the student is subject to the 30-day delayed disbursement restriction for Stafford loans and withdrew during the first 30 days; no Stafford loan amounts could be disbursed and will not be counted.

Post Withdrawal Disbursements

When determining the earned aid for each student, the institution compares actual funds disbursed and the total amount of Title IV financial assistance earned by the student at the time of withdrawal to determine whether the student is entitled to additional funds or if funds need to be returned to the Title IV programs.

If it is determined that the student earned more than they were disbursed, then the student is entitled to a “post-withdrawal disbursement” of funds up to the total amount earned. If there are outstanding current institutional charges, the institution may credit a post-withdrawal disbursement to the student’s account under the terms of the cash management regulations. If this calculation results in a credit balance on the student account, funds will be disbursed as soon as possible but no later than 14 days from the date of disbursement of funds. If the student is eligible to receive loan funds, the institution must offer those funds to the student within 30 days of the determination of withdrawal. The student has 14 days from the date of the letter to accept loan funds.

Return of Title IV Funds by Institution

If Title IV funds need to be returned, the institution has to return funds first within 45 days of the determination of withdrawal. The institution must return the lesser of the unearned aid or the sum of the institutional charges multiplied by the percent of aid unearned. Then, if the amount that the institution is responsible for returning is less than the total amount of aid that needs to be returned, the student is responsible for the remainder.

The aid the institution must return will be billed to the student account. If those funds are not paid, a hold will be placed on the student account and may be turned over for collection through an outside agency.

Funds Included in the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Policy

Aid will be repaid to the appropriate fund in the following distribution order, which is statutorily prescribed.

• Unsubsidized Direct Loans
• Subsidized Direct Loans
• Federal Parent PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal SEOG Grants
• Other Title IV aid programs (Does not include Federal Work Study)

Student Notification as a Result of Withdrawal

The federal government has established a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Policy which impacts financial aid recipients. This policy is not the same as the college refund policy. Financial aid is awarded to students contingent upon completion of the semester. Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw prior to completing 60% of the semester will owe a repayment to the U.S. Government. If it is determined that a portion of the financial aid received by the student is unearned, the college must return those funds to the Department of Education within 45 days.

Students will receive a written notification after the R2T4 is calculated within 30 days of the determination of withdrawal. In the written notification students will receive specific information including the dollar amount NCCC is returning to the Department of Education as well as any amount that may be due to the Department of Education or NCCC by the student.

Examples of the Return of Title IV funds calculation will be available to students upon request by contacting the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Federal regulations require that a student must be making satisfactory academic progress in a certificate or degree program in order to be eligible to receive federal aid.

As per federal regulations, all academic transcripts will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress whether or not financial aid was received. For the purposes of determining satisfactory academic progress, grades of "A," "B," "C," "D," "P," "F," "XF," “W,” "WA," "NP," and "I" will be calculated as attempted financial aid hours. This includes developmental and repeated courses. If a student completes a course that he/she received an incomplete grade in, the student must notify the financial aid office in writing, in order for satisfactory academic progress to be again reviewed.

Upon a completed financial aid file, a student’s current status at NCCC will be reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative measures are required to determine satisfactory academic progress. That criterion is listed below.

• Students must successfully complete 67% of the cumulative number of credit hours attempted.

• Students must have a 2.0 or greater cumulative career GPA.

• The maximum time frame for students to complete their academic program may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program. For example, if the published length of the program is 64 credit hours, the maximum number of attempted credit hours may not exceed 96. After 150% of the published length of the program has been attempted students will be placed on financial aid denial.

• Successfully completed grades include: "A," "B," "C," "D," "P" (Pass).

•Unsuccessfully completed grades include: "F" (Failure), "XF" (Failure Due to Violation of Academic Honesty policy), "I" (Incomplete), "W" (Withdraw), "WA" (Withdrawn by Administration, "NP" (No Pass).

Example: Peter Panther has attempted 12 hours at XYZ College and has attempted 15 hours at NCCC. He has attempted a total of 27 credit hours. (27 hours x 67% =18.09) He must have successfully completed at least 18.09 credit hours and have at least a 2.0 cumulative career GPA to be making satisfactory academic progress.

FINANCIAL AID WARNING

New NCCC financial aid applicants will be reviewed to see if they have successfully completed 67% of the cumulative number of prior credit hours attempted and if they have maintained a cumulative career GPA is 2.0 or higher. Students who do not meet both of these conditions are placed on financial aid warning for their first term of attendance.

At the end of each term (semester), NCCC financial aid recipients on good academic standing will be reviewed to see if they have successfully completed 67% of the cumulative number of credit hours attempted and maintained a 2.0 or greater cumulative career GPA. Students who do not meet both of these conditions are placed on financial aid warning for their next term of attendance.

A student on financial aid warning is still eligible to receive financial aid the next semester of attendance. However, notice of financial aid warning may be retroactively incurred based on an evaluation of the student’s previous academic record at NCCC.

At the end of each semester, the students who received aid and were on warning will also have their academic performance evaluated. At that time, one of the following actions will occur:

• If the student has successfully completed 67% of the cumulative number of credit hours attempted, has a cumulative career GPA of a 2.0 or greater, and has not attempted more than 150% of the published length of the program the student will automatically be reinstated to good academic standing.

• If the above conditions have not been met, the student will be placed on financial aid denial.

FINANCIAL AID DENIAL

Under the following conditions, students are placed on financial aid denial:

• Receiving unsuccessful grades in all of their classes in one term at NCCC.

• Attempting more than 150% of the published length of the program.

• Have had one semester of financial aid warning, but are still not meeting 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or successfully completing 67% or greater of cumulative classes attempted.

• Currently on financial aid probation and did not meet the probation requirements.

A student on financial aid denial is not eligible to receive federal aid.

Notice of financial aid denial may be retroactively issued based on an evaluation of the student’s previous academic record at NCCC.

EXCLUDED GRADES

Audit and non-credit classes are not considered for financial aid and will not be included as attempted financial aid hours. Grades of "F" (Failure), "XF" (Failure Due to Violation of Academic Honesty policy), "I" (Incomplete), "W" (Withdraw), "WA" (Withdrawn by Administration, "NP" (No Pass) do not count as credit hours earned.

REPEATED COURSEWORK

• Once a student has passed a course with a “D” or better, he/she can receive Federal Financial Aid Funds to repeat the course one time.

• If a student fails a course “F”, “XF”, “NP” or withdraws “W”, “WA” from a course, which has never been passed, they can receive Federal Financial Aid until they pass the course with a “D” or better.

TRANSFER CREDITS

All previous college attempted and completed coursework on file with NCCC’s registration department will be counted when determining the student’s GPA,  cumulative completion rate, and maximum timeframe, regardless whether the student received Federal Financial Aid for those hours or not.

CONDITIONS FOR REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID

When the student successfully completes 67% of the cumulative number of credit hours attempted and has a cumulative career GPA of a 2.0 or greater, the student can apply to be reinstated to good academic standing.

To apply for reinstatement for the first offense, the student may appeal to the of financial aid by filling out the Denial Appeal Form listing reasons (examples: illness, death in the family or other unusual circumstances) why he/she did not achieve satisfactory academic progress or why he/she has attempted more than 150% of the published length of the program and is seeking aid for additional courses. The student must also supply an academic plan and appropriate supporting documentation, such as a letter from his/her doctor, employer, advisor, etc. All appeals should be submitted to the office of student financial aid at your campus.

If the appeal is approved by the director of financial aid, the student will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester, and will be eligible to receive federal aid. Certain conditions and time frames may be included with the probation reinstatement. If the appeal is denied, the student will remain on financial aid denial, and therefore ineligible for federal aid. The student will be notified in by mail or student email of the director of financial aid’s decision.

The student may appeal the director of financial aid’s decision to the Financial Aid Committee within ten business days.  The student must fill out the Denial Appeal Form and attach all supporting documents and submit them to the office of student financial aid. Upon receipt of the request for an appeal hearing, the director of financial aid will schedule a hearing and notify the student requesting the appeal of the date and time of the scheduled hearing. A time shall be set for a hearing, not less than two nor more than ten calendar days after the student has been notified. Maximum time limited for scheduling of hearings may be extended at the discretion of the director of financial aid.

To apply for reinstatement for the second and subsequent offenses, the student may appeal to the Financial Aid Committee or its designee by filling out a Denial Appeal Form and attaching the applicable supporting documentation. All forms and letters must be submitted to the office of student financial aid. If the student wishes to present his/her case orally to the committee, he/she must indicate this intention in writing.  This appeal, as well as the original appeal to the director of financial aid, student academic file, academic transcript and financial aid file will be submitted for review.  The student will be notified of the initial meeting of the committee if the student has indicated in writing his/her request to orally present the appeal.  Additionally, the committee may mandate that the student appear at the appeal meeting.  The student will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision and may appeal to the president or his/her designee. NOTE: The president's current designee is the vice-president for student learning.

FINANCIAL AID PROBATION
Students whose financial aid denial appeals are approved will be placed on financial aid probation. At the end of each semester, the students who received aid and were on probation per appeal will also have their academic performance evaluated.  At that time, one of the following actions will occur:
• If the student has successfully completed 67% of the cumulative number of cumulative credit hours attempted and has a cumulative career GPA of a 2.0 or greater and has not attempted more than 150% of the published length of the program, the student will be reinstated to good academic standing.
• If the student has successfully followed the terms of his/her academic plan and appeal conditions, but cannot yet be returned to good academic standing, the student will remain on financial aid probation.
• If the neither of the above conditions has been met, the student will be placed back on financial aid denial.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED

Institutional charges consist of tuition, fees, books, contracted room and board, and other charges assessed the student. Supplies are considered to be a non-institutional charge. NCCC may assess an administrative fee not to exceed the lesser of 5% of tuition and fees, contracted room and board, and other charges assessed the student, or $100.

Last date of attendance is the last day the student attended classes as determined by either official or unofficial withdraw date.

Official withdrawal is an official application for withdrawal within 30 days after the withdrawal date.

Unofficial withdrawal is (1) the date of determination, (2) the end of the term, or (3) the end of the period of enrollment, whichever is earlier.

GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS

Acronyms are inescapable in the financial aid process. The following definitions of the most common terms are intentionally brief and are used for quick identification purposes only.

Federal Financial Aid Programs:

PELL: Pell Grant—this is a program which provides gift aid to students on the basis of financial need.

SEOG: Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant—this is a federal gift aid program for needy students.

ACG: Academic Competitiveness Grant-this is a gift aid program for full-time students who meet the many requirements including taking a rigorous high school program of study.

FCWS: Federal College Work Study —this aid program provides part-time jobs for students at minimum wage or higher.

Subsidized Stafford Loan—this program is funded by banks, credit unions, and other private lending agencies. This is a federally-funded loan available to students demonstrating financial need. The interest is paid by the federal government while the student continues enrollment at least half-time (6 credit hours per semester). Repayment begins six months after graduation or withdrawal from school.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loan—this program is funded by banks, credit unions, and other private lending agencies. This loan is available to students who do not demonstrate financial need. The only difference from the subsidized loan is the federal government will not pay the interest for the student. The interest will accrue on the principal borrowed and the student has the option of making regular interest payments or allowing the interest to be capitalized (added to the principal balance of the loan). It is possible for a student to receive both a subsidized and unsubsidized loan during the school year.