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Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Application Deadline

The next deadline is April 9, 2010 for the Summer 2010 term. Again, those who turn in their information later than this date will only be processed only if payment is made at the time of registration. An application processed early provides fast and efficient services as most problems that arise can be resolved before the April 9th deadline.

Student Financial Aid Application Procedures

The philosophy of Enrollment Services is that no student should be denied access to postsecondary education because of financial barriers. While the primary responsibility of paying for college lies with the student and the student’s family, Jefferson State Community College offers a variety of aid, such as grants, loans, scholarships, and work study to assist as many qualified students as possible.
In order to be considered for federal student aid, students must be unconditionally admitted into an eligible degree-seeking program.

Most aid programs are based on the individual need of the applicant and/or parent. Demonstrated financial need is determined by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for Jefferson State Community College is 001022. We advise that you complete your Federal tax returns (student, parent, or spouse if applicable) before filling out the FAFSA. Students and parents are cautioned to complete all forms as honestly and accurately as possible. Incomplete or estimated tax information on the FAFSA will result in corrections that will delay your application. The Federal Processor takes approximately 3 - 6 weeks to process the FAFSA on the web. Jefferson State has established May 1 as their priority deadline. Please be advised that there are other deadlines and stipulations each semester that students must meet to have aid available for each semester.

How Awards are Determined

Once the student submits the FAFSA, it is processed by the U. S. Department of Education. In approximately three to six weeks, Jefferson State and the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Please note that Jefferson State will contact the student via U.S. Mail concerning institutional documentation but it is the student's responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office after receiving their SAR. Students are also reminded that they may be asked to substantiate information they submit on the FAFSA. Awards are determined using the "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC) found on the SAR; this is the amount that the student and his family should be able to contribute to educational expenses. The college has established cost of attendance estimates for various categories of students. A financial aid officer will compare the students EFC to Jefferson State's cost of attendance to determine the student's eligibility for federal financial aid.

Federal Pell Grant payments are prorated according to the number of hours a student takes each semester.

  • Students receive 25% of award when taking less than 6 semester hours.
  • Students receive 50% of award when taking 6-8 semester hours.
  • Students receive 75% of award when taking 9-11 semester hours.
  • Students receive 100% of award when taking 12 or more semester hours.

Students will not receive financial aid for classes outside their program of study. Financial aid does not pay for classes when a student has made a "C" or better previously in the class.

Transient Students

A transient student is a student who attends another college and will be in attendance at Jefferson State one semester and then return to their home institution. Transient students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Jefferson State.

Deadlines

The financial aid award year begins with the fall semester. May 1 is Jefferson State's priority deadline for all students planning to enroll for fall. Although applications are processed on a rolling basis, students should be advised that each semester has a priority deadline. Students who have complete files on or before May 1 will receive priority consideration for financial aid funds. Certain funds are limited.
If a student requires financial funds to pay tuition and fees, their file must be complete in the Admission Office as well as the Financial Aid Office at least 6 weeks prior to registration. A completed financial aid file includes the students SAR, copy of tax returns (students, parents, and spouse if applicable), in-house papers, official transcripts (from all previously attended colleges) and any other required forms, if applicable, by the deadline each semester.

Return of Title IV Funds

A student earns his Title IV aid based on the period of time he remains enrolled. Unearned Title IV funds, other than Federal College Work Study, must be returned. Unearned aid is the amount of Title IV aid disbursed that exceeds the amount of Title IV aid earned.

If a student completely withdraws during the first 60 % of a semester, the student will have to return some of the financial aid money back to the college or the U. S. Department of Education. Each student who owes a repayment will be notified in writing by the Jefferson State Financial Aid Office of the requirement to repay Title IV funds. Failure to repay funds will result in the termination of eligibility for federal financial aid at any institution. If a student completely withdraws after 60 % of the semester is complete, the student most likely will not owe a repayment. We highly recommend all students contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid

Federal regulations require that students receiving financial assistance must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a degree or certificate. A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the standards of progress policy located in the section entitled "Academic Regulations" of this catalog.
Satisfactory progress is not to be confused with "good standing". A student can meet the Jefferson State Community College requirements of "good standing" and be allowed to enroll but not meet the minimum standards to receive financial aid while enrolled. All students will be monitored for compliance with Federal Requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each semester. After 33 credit hours are attempted the student must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Once a student has attempted 33 semester hours they must have passed at least 67% of these attempted hours. All F, W, and IP grades count against the passing percentage required. If a student is transferring hours from another college, these hours will also be included in the attempted hours for Jefferson State. Any student placed on academic suspension, whether it is the first or second suspension, will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid. In order to be eligible to receive financial aid again, the student must enroll at his own expense, and attempt at least 12 hours in one term, complete at least 2/3 of those hours, and earn a GPA of a 2.0 or greater for the term.

In addition to the above procedures, the maximum length of a student's program may not exceed 150% of the minimum length required to complete the program.

All hours attempted whether paid by the student or federal aid must be included.
Examples:

  • If your degree is a 60 hour degree: 60 x 150% = 90 hours maximum time frame. You are eligible for only the first 90 hours of attendance.
  • If a student transfers into JSCC and has attempted 40 hours at another institution, these hours will go against the hours needed for the student's degree. The student who has attempted the 40 hours at the first institution and is attempting to complete a 60 hour degree program at Jefferson State must consider the hours they have left to complete their degree : 60 x 150% = 90 - 40 = 50 hours maximum time allowed for degree funding.


A change in program of study will be allowed; however, aid will be granted only for additional required hours as determined by comparison of the two programs of study.
A financial aid recipient may not be paid for more than 30 credit hours of developmental work.

Appeals

A student who loses financial aid because he/she fails to make satisfactory academic progress may appeal one time. Appeals must be made in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The appeal must clearly state the reasons the student did not achieve the requirements AND the reasons why the aid should not be terminated. If the student does not agree with the director's decision, the student may appeal to the College Policies Appeals Committee. Appeals will be accepted each semester beginning on the first day of early registration through the first day of regular registration.