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2006-2008 College Catalog

   

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office at QVCC is committed to reducing economic barriers to higher education. Financial assistance is provided primarily through federal grants, state grants, scholarships, and work-study. Most aid is awarded based upon the student’s financial need as assessed by the federal formula.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for financial aid: be citizens or eligible non-citizens, be matriculated in an eligible program of study, have received their high school diploma or GED, be registered with selective service if required, not be convicted of a drug-related crime within the last year, not be in default from a previous student loan, and maintain attendance, as well as, satisfactory academic progress. Eligible programs include all associate degrees and certificates of 24 credits or more.

Financial Aid Programs

Programs of Financial Aid described herein are subject to change due to Federal, State and local regulations or funding fluctuations.

Federal Pell Grant Program

These grants, based upon financial need, are intended to be the “foundation” of a financial aid package, and may be combined with other forms of aid to meet the direct cost of education. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This program provides grants to eligible students demonstrating financial need. Preference is given to students with exceptional need.

Connecticut Aid for Public College Students (CAPS)

State of Connecticut grants are awarded to Connecticut resident students who have serious financial need. Grants range up to the direct cost of education (tuition, fees, books) per academic year and are based on satisfactory academic progress, financial need and the availability of funds.

Community College Grant Program

This State program allows for the remission of tax-supported tuition, fees and cost of books for resident students who demonstrate substantial financial need.

Federal College Work-Study Program (FCWS)

This program provides college jobs for students with financial need. Students must be enrolled with a minimum of 6 credits each semester. Hours can be arranged to suit a student’s academic schedule.* Any student seeking work-study campus employment should contact the Financial Aid Office. *State Work-Study funds are also available.

Federal Family Education Loan Program (Stafford Loan)

Lending institutions and the federal government jointly sponsor this loan program. Interest rates are variable for new borrowers. Repayment begins six months after the recipient stops attending, registers for fewer than 6 credits, or graduates from college. Students must apply for grants before pursuing this option. Loan entrance interviews and pre-certification exams are mandatory requirements for borrowing a loan. Students on Financial Aid probation or students taking remedial courses are not eligible for loans. Other requirements may apply.

Competitive Scholarships and Awards

Scholarships and awards are presented in May each year to continuing and graduating students whose academic achievement and/or service to the College merit special recognition. Several scholarships are also available for new students who have recently graduated or will be graduating from high school in the spring and plan on enrolling at QVCC in the fall. Currently available scholarships and awards are listed below. Consult the Financial Aid Office for specific information since availability and eligibility criteria may change from year to year.

There are approximately 30 competitive scholarships to which eligible students may apply for award consideration. Applications are available after March 1 each spring semester. Community members and organizations, student organizations, and the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation provide funding for these scholarships. A college Scholarship Committee or the individual scholarship sponsor review submitted applications in April and select the scholarship recipients. Current scholarships include:

Emergency Scholarships

Quinebaug Valley has two sources of emergency scholarships to aid current students who are experiencing a crisis situation. These scholarships require a written letter outlining the situation from a College faculty or staff member who is aware of the circumstances. Letters should be directed to the Financial Aid Office. All letters and circumstances will remain confidential. Funding is limited for these awards. Current emergency scholarships are available through the QVCC Foundation.

Financial Aid Application Procedure

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov  or the paper FAFSA is available in the Learning and Student Development Office. This is the only application necessary to apply for financial aid at QVCC. The financial aid application process must be completed each academic year. The application will remain in effect for both the fall and spring semesters. Students who did not apply for the fall semester may still apply for the spring.

  1. New students must complete an application for enrollment to QVCC and be matriculated in an eligible program of study.
  2. All financial aid applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application can be completed online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov
  3. Within 3-4 weeks of mailing, students should receive the results from this application in the form of Student Aid Report (SAR). Students who complete the FAFSA online can expect to receive their SAR within one week of filing. The Financial Aid Office will receive the same results electronically, provided the school code is listed. School Code: 010530.
  4. Copies of parent and student federal tax returns and other documentation may be necessary at that time to determine eligibility.
  5. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as tax information is available to ensure their eligibility before registration. Payment of fees will be required at registration if the financial aid process is incomplete.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

In March 2005 the Connecticut Community Colleges approved a uniform academic progress standard for all students receiving student financial aid at all of the 12 community colleges. This standard is reflected in the policy statement below and is effective for periods of enrollment beginning with the fall 2005 semester. Questions concerning this new policy should be addressed to the director of financial aid services at the attending college.

A student receiving Federal Title IV financial aid or other financial aid directly administered or certified by the college must maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a certificate or degree program of study. Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients is measured by both quantitative and qualitative standards and is an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic record at the college.

A student must complete successfully two-thirds (66.66%) of the credits (earned credits/attempted credits) s/he attempts. All attempted credits resulting in either an academic grade or administrative transcript notation will be included in the quantitative calculation. Incomplete courses, course withdrawals, course repetitions, and non-credit remedial courses (with appropriate credit equivalency evaluation) will be included in this assessment. Transfer credits will be counted as attempted and earned credits in the calculation for determining satisfactory academic progress.

A student must also maintain a cumulative minimum grade point average as noted below to be making satisfactory academic progress and be eligible to receive financial aid.      

Earned Credits Minimum GPA
< 15.99 1.50
> 16.00 2.00

A student’s cumulative academic history will be evaluated prior to each term’s financial aid disbursement. This policy will be used to evaluate full-time and part-time students.

Probation Period

Any student who fails to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standard will be placed on Financial Aid Probation once. The probationary period will be the student’s next semester of enrollment at the college. The college will communicate the Probation status to the student and inform the student that s/he must meet the academic progress standard by the end of the Probation Period in order to maintain eligibility to participate in the financial aid program at the college.

Termination

Any student who fails to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standard at the end of the Probationary Period will be dismissed from the financial aid program at the college. The college will communicate the Termination status to the student and inform the student of the Reinstatement and Appeal Process available to the student.

Maximum Credit Hours

A student may receive student financial aid for any attempted credits in his/her program of study that do not exceed 150% of the published length of the student’s educational program at the college. For example, a student enrolled in a 60-credit degree program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 90 attempted credit hours. Similarly, a student enrolled in a 30-credit certificate program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 45 attempted credit hours. Any attempted credits at the college must be included in the calculation. This 150% maximum credit hours rule is applicable to students who change majors or who pursue a double major.

Reinstatement Policy

A student’s financial aid eligibility will be automatically reinstated at such time as the student meets the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements. Reinstatement to the financial aid program may also occur upon a successful appeal by the student.

Appeal Process

Students may appeal any decision under the SAP Policy. A student must complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form which one can obtain from the financial aid office. Appeals will be considered for emergency circumstances including illness, death of a family member or other unusual situation. All students will be expected to provide clear evidence in their appeal form of the following issues: 1) state the reason for appeal 2) what has changed from that time in with unsatisfactory academic progress occurred and 3) how (s)he will be capable of overcome past academic difficulties. In addition students must provide third party documentation to support their claims (i.e. medical evidence of illness, death certificate, etc).

Return of Title IV Funds

Students who receive federal financial aid and withdraw or stop attending all classes are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds calculation. Those students who have completely withdrawn prior to the 60% point in the semester and have received federal funds from loans, Pell grant or FSEOG are subject to a recalculation of their federal awards. QVCC will calculate the earned portion of such awards based upon the number of calendar days completed vs. the number of calendar days in the semester. Any unearned portion will be returned to the Department of Education.

In addition, the student must repay the difference, if any, between the amount of unearned assistance and the amount that the school must return. In most cases, when a student receives Title IV assistance greater than the amount of institutional charges, (s)he will most likely be subject to return some of those funds. However, students who must return grant funds are given an additional consideration: the student’s grant repayment is reduced by half.

Students are urged to work closely with an advisor in selecting courses and should consider the demands of work and family when deciding how many credits to take. Regular attendance is required of all financial aid recipients. Students who never attend their classes will not receive financial aid, even if their application is complete and eligibility was determined.

Veteran Tuition Waivers

Veterans who served for at least 90-days active duty during wartime, honorably discharged or discharged under honorable conditions, and who are domiciled in Connecticut at the time of acceptance for admission at public colleges in Connecticut may be eligible for free tuition of General Fund courses. CT National Guard members can also receive tuition waivers. Active duty military stationed in Connecticut, including spouse and dependents, are now eligible for in-state tuition at CT Community Colleges.

To use the tuition waiver, a veteran must submit a copy of their DD-214 to the QVCC Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office for evaluation. National Guard members must apply to their unit for a DD-2384. Those eligible for a Guard waiver must reapply with their units each semester and have the waivers mailed to the QVCC Business Office prior to registration. These waivers do not cover Extension Fund courses, student fees, or books.

Veterans Monthly Benefits

Veterans, some spouses, and children of deceased or disabled veterans and current members of the Selected Reserves may be eligible for educational benefits.

To receive and maintain monthly benefits:

  1. Complete the process for enrollment to QVCC. Matriculate into a VA approved program of study. Provide an official transcript of all previous college credits that apply to your QVCC program of study.
  2. Submit a Certificate of Eligibility to the QVCC Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office.
  3. Meet with an academic advisor each semester to be sure that all courses being registered for are required for your agreed plan of study. Only courses pertaining to the major are certifiable.
  4. Bring a signed copy of the program curriculum sheet to the QVCC FA/VA Office.
  5. Register with the QVCC FA/VA Office each semester to continue benefits.
  6. Verify attendance twice per semester by returning Monthly Certification Forms (MCF).
  7. Notify the QVCC FA/VA Office of any change of program or change in credits during the semester.
  8. Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Check with our Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office for further information.

Updated information regarding educational assistance and benefits can be found on the internet at www.gibill.va.gov.