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2015-2016 Catalog 
    
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2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Handbook - Financial Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All federal and most state financial aid programs require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarship programs may also require the FAFSA and typically require a separate application. To complete the FAFSA, visit the FAFSA website. Students (and their parents) will need a Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) to e-sign the FAFSA. Those who have a FSA PIN (Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number) with a successful match from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be able to link the PIN to the new FSA ID.

Undergraduate financial aid recipients of grants are typically required to enroll for 12 credits per semester in their declared degree program, which is the federal definition of full-time enrollment (Pell Grants are pro-rated for full-time, three-quarters-time, half-time, and less than half-time). Loan and Work Study recipients must maintain six credits each semester in their declared degree program. Federal financial aid recipients may not owe a repayment on grants previously received, or be in default on any federal student loan. After gathering the needed documentation, students should complete the following steps to apply for Federal Student Aid:

  1. Complete the FAFSA online. View MCC’s FAFSA webpage for details and instructions for completing the FAFSA online.
  2. Apply and e-sign the FAFSA, students (and parents, if necessary) will need a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). Those who have a FSA PIN (Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Number) with a successful match from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be able to link the PIN to the new FSA ID.
  3. View the scholarships available at MCC scholarships.
  4. Follow up with the local MCC Student Services Office or through NetPartner to ensure all financial aid requirements have been met as additional documentation is often required.

Once the FAFSA and all required documentation are evaluated, MCC will provide students with an Award Letter notification of financial aid eligibility. This letter is an explanation of the Federal financial aid eligibility. It does not guarantee funding. Be sure to read and accept or decline all awards listed.

Correspondence regarding financial aid will be provided to students via their MCC email account or the personal email address indicated on the FAFSA. Be sure to check and read your email often for important financial aid and other campus information.

Financial Aid Options

MCC Scholarship Program: MCC offers a variety of scholarships for new, continuing, and incoming transfer students. These scholarships include recognition for academic success, leadership, and excellence in a particular subject or skill or may be based on financial need. See the Scholarship webpage for program-specific and application information.

Apply for Scholarships at MCC

  1. Students who are new to MCC must check the “scholarships” box on the Admissions Application to be considered for scholarships.
  2. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year.
  3. Complete the Online Scholarship Application on the “Apply Now” tab in NetPartner. Students will have access to this application once a FAFSA is on file for them at MCC.

 For additional information, see the scholarship application.

Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant is a federal Title IV grant program to help undergraduate students pay for educational costs. The amount of Federal Pell Grant is based on the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a payment schedule issued by the U.S. Department of Education. The MCC Financial Aid Office will determine if a student meets eligibility criteria and is in an eligible program of study.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): FSEOG is a federal Title IV grant program which provides additional funds from the federal government that are matched by MCC, to exceptionally needy students as determined by the FAFSA. FSEOG funds are limited; students are encouraged to file a FAFSA by the priority deadline published each year to be considered for these funds. Award amounts vary and are determined annually.

Federal Work Study (FWS) and Institutional Work Study (INS): FWS is a federal Title IV program that provides opportunities for students to work part-time and earn income to help meet educational expenses. INS funds are made available through the Institutional Board of Governors and provide opportunities for students to work part-time and earn income to help meet educational expenses. FWS and INS funds are limited; students are encouraged to file a FAFSA by the priority deadline published each year to be considered for these funds. Award amounts for FWS and INS vary and are determined annually.

Federal Direct Loans: Federal Direct Loans are Title IV funds in the form of low-interest loans made to the borrowers directly by the federal government. Borrowers must file a FAFSA and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to receiving loan proceeds. Federal Direct Loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized and may be based on financial need and cost of attendance. Borrowers must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible. Annual and aggregate limits apply. The federal government pays the interest while the borrower is in school or in deferment status on Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. Interest accrues at all times on Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and is capitalized upon entering repayment if the borrower is not paying interest while in school and during the grace period. Additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans may be available to independent borrowers.

Note: In addition to the FAFSA, Federal Direct Loan applicants are required to sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) prior to receiving their first loan at MCC. Borrowers must also complete a Loan Request Form and Entrance Counseling requirements prior to receiving a loan disbursement at MCC each academic year. Complete information regarding the Federal Direct Loan application and Entrance Counseling processes may be found in NetPartner.   

Federal Direct Loan borrowers who graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment status are required to complete Exit Counseling within 30 days of their last date of attendance or last date of half-time or greater enrollment. First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers will experience a 30-day delay on their first loan disbursement. Be sure to plan ahead for expenses incurred at the beginning of your first semester. Remember: Federal Direct Loans are a debt that must be repaid. 

Beginning July 1, 2013, all first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers will be subject to a 150% time limit on subsidized loan borrowing.  This means all students who are first time borrowers need to complete a program of study within 150% of the published length of the program from the start of borrowing.  A program of study includes a degree or certificate. Borrowers subject to the 150% time limit may view their subsidized loan usage by logging into the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), via Student Aid Report (SAR) or Federal Direct Loan Disclosure Statement.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP): LEAP is a state and institutional partnership which provides financial assistance in the form of need-based grants enabling students to attend a postsecondary institution in the State of Arizona.  LEAP provides aid to low-income, undergraduate students who are Arizona residents with demonstrated financial need. To qualify, students must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, must be a resident of Arizona, enrolled half-time in an undergraduate program of study and meet satisfactory academic progress standards as determined by MCC. Funds are determined annually and contingent upon funding from the state.

Qualified Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Dependent’s Education Benefits​: MCC provides services to qualified active duty military, veterans, and dependents who may be eligible for educational assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Services offered include assistance with the application for educational benefits, tutorial assistance, and services for disabled veterans. Students may visit a student services specialist at the nearest MCC campus to obtain the necessary paperwork to start or continue a claim for VA Education Benefits. Additional information on VA education benefits may be obtained at Veteran Services or Department of Veterans Affairs. MCC complies with Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act by charging In-State Tuition rates to “covered individuals.” Please speak with the Veterans Services Coordinator for more information.

Enrollment and Financial Aid: For information on how the number of credit hours enrolled per semester impacts your financial aid, please click here.

 Managing Financial Aid

To help students meet the financial obligations of college attendance, Mohave Community College administers a varied and comprehensive financial aid program. Financial aid is designed to bridge the gap between the cost of attending college and what students and their families are expected to contribute. For a comprehensive review of financial aid programs, specific requirements, and related resources, please refer to the Financial Aid webpage and NetPartner. Student Services is also open to students at each local MCC campus or via MCC Connect . A student services specialist can help students and their families better understand the financial aid application process, the options available, and disbursement.

NetPartner lists all financial aid applications, disbursement, and documentation requirements for individual students. Students will receive an email including username and password information for NetPartner once an initial FAFSA is received for a student.

 

Students may utilize NetPartner, MCC’s online financial aid portal to monitor and update their financial aid account. NetPartner allows students to:

  • Check the status of their financial aid application.
  • View a list of documents received (from student) by the financial aid office and a list of the documents still outstanding.
  • View and accept financial aid awards. 
  • View student loan history.
  • Check the status of their financial aid for the current year.

 For more information regarding financial aid, visit the MCC Financial Aid webpage.

Financial aid funds are disbursed on a schedule set by MCC prior to the start of the academic year and summer term. Students must have a complete financial aid file and be enrolled in a degree program in applicable courses prior to financial aid funds posting to the student account to cover tuition and fee expenses. Any remaining financial aid funds will be applied to the student’s Bighorn OneCard  which is mailed to the student at the time of enrollment.

Financial aid funds will not cover prior financial holds or balances on the student account. Students must make arrangements with the Bursar’s Office to pay prior balances before receiving financial aid disbursements.

Note: Students who receive Federal grant or loan assistance and withdraw from MCC before completing 60% of the enrollment period for the semester must have their federal grant and loan eligibility recalculated based on the Federal Return of Title IV funds formula. This may result in students owing funds back to MCC or to Federal grant or loan programs. For information on how eligibility is recalculated, please visit the Financial Aid webpage.

Keeping Financial Aid

Once a student becomes eligible for any federal financial aid program, it is the student’s responsibility to renew their applications each year. Each financial aid program is different, so it is important to review the requirements for renewal and eligibility each semester. Below are some guidelines for the financial aid options available at MCC.

Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Direct Loans

Continued eligibility for federal financial aid programs requires students to do the following:

  1. File the FAFSA annually.
  2. Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards that are checked at the end of each semester. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards are defined as follows: maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA at MCC and complete and pass a minimum of 67% of coursework taken at MCC and transfer credits accepted by the college 

Note: Students may not exceed 150% of the program limits. Transfer credits accepted by the college are included in the maximum time frame calculated by the college. 

Students who do not meet the GPA and/or credit hour completion requirements after a review of their first semester grades will be allowed to continue receiving financial aid under the following guidelines:

  • Students will receive a one-semester Warning period to resolve deficiencies (SAP Warning status).
  • Students who continue not to meet the requirements after the Warning period will be suspended from Federal Financial Aid and may file an SAP appeal if they have experienced documented mitigating circumstances.
  • Students suspended whose appeal is reviewed and denied by the SAP Appeals Committee will receive no further federal financial aid until the minimum SAP is achieved.
  • Students suspended who choose not to appeal will receive no further federal financial aid until the minimum SAP is achieved.

Note: Approvals on SAP appeals for continued eligibility are severely limited. All decisions are final.

For detailed information, see the MCC’s full Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and Procedures.

Veterans Administration Education Benefits

Continued eligibility for Veterans Administration Education Benefits requires students to do the following:

  1. Meet satisfactory academic progress as determined by the VA Education Benefits program.
  2. File a claim for continued VA Education Benefits.

Students using VA Education Benefits who are found to have met the requirements for Academic Dismissal  as listed in the MCC catalog will have their benefits discontinued and reported as terminated to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Students meeting the requirements for re-entrance will be allowed to re-initiate the use of their VA Education Benefits, although the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs will make the final decision as to whether they will continue to pay out for those Education Benefits.

Note: The VA will only pay for classes that are required for the degree or certificate the student is pursuing. Courses taken outside of the declared program of pursuit will not be certified for benefits. Please call or visit a student services specialist at the nearest MCC campus to obtain the necessary paperwork to start or continue a claim for Education Benefits. Additional information on VA Educational Benefits may be obtained Veteran Services or Department of Veterans Affairs.