FINANCIAL AID

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act

SCI-Arc is compliant with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38.

SCI-Arc will permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to SCI-Arc a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates: · The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution. · 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

SCI-Arc will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

SCI-Arc requires the following of their Ch. 31 or 33 students wishing to utilize their educational benefits: · Submit a COE or Statement of Benefits by the first day of the term · Submit a written request to be certified · Provide any additional information needed for certification

SCI-Arc will hold a student responsible for any portion of tuition and other fees not covered by the VA.

FINANCIAL AID

Students beginning the process of selecting a college find that the cost of an education is likely to be a major commitment. SCI-Arc offers assistance to students with these educational expenses through a variety of financial aid programs. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time work-study employment. SCI-Arc offers a combination of these types of aid from various sources in an award package. Financial aid is awarded based on financial need and/or academic merit. Continued financial aid eligibility is based on financial need and academic progress. Eligibility for financial aid is established through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). SCI-Arc’s Title IV Code is: 014073. An application for financial aid does not affect the student’s chances of admission.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Students who wish to be considered for assistance are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and SCI-Arc Financial Aid

forms by the established deadline. You can apply for the FAFSA form at www.

fafsa.ed.gov.

New students must be accepted for admission to SCI-Arc before an offer of financial assistance can be made. California residents will meet the Cal Grant program deadline by filing their FAFSA on or before March 2. The Cal Grant program also requires that students who have not previously been recipients of a Cal Grant file a GPA Verification Form with the California Student Aid Commission no later than March 2. The GPA Verification Form is available through high school guidance offices, local college financial aid offices, or on-line at http:// mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov.

Financial aid is awarded on a yearly basis for the traditional academic year of fall and spring semesters. Students interested in summer funding should inquire during the preceding semester about availability of aid. Financial aid is not auto-

matically renewed each year. Students must reapply each year by completing a new FAFSA and providing the required verification documents.

Forms and Publications

Students may download most forms from my.sciarc.edu on the Financial Aid pages (no login is required). Faxed and/or emailed documents are accepted.

The FAFSA form will be available for completion on October 1,2021. FAFSA will now use tax information from two years prior (2019) as opposed to the previous year. Students are required to complete the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Retrieval Tool on their FAFSA application. Students must provide the Financial Aid Office with a 2019 Tax Transcript from the IRS if the IRS Data Retrieval Tool is unsuccessful. Once all final documents are received, the reverification process may affect financial aid eligibility.

Who is Eligible?

In order to receive federal financial assistance through SCI-Arc, a student must meet the following criteria: · Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen

· Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)

· If a male between the ages of 18 and 25, they must be registered with

Selective Service

· Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program

· Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds

· Sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal

Student Aid (FAFSA®) stating that:

— They are not in default on a federal student loan and does not owe money on a federal student grant

— They will use federal student aid only for educational purposes

· Show they are qualified to obtain a college or career school education by:

— Having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate

— Completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential, completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law), OR

— Enrolling in an eligible career pathway program and meeting one of the “ability-to-benefit” alternatives described below

Registering for Selective Service

Most male students must be registered with Selective Service to receive federal student aid. The student is required to register if not currently on active duty in the US Armed Forces. If the student is a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, they are exempt from registering. Students can call Selective Service toll-free at 1-888655-1825 for general information about registering, or register online at www.sss. gov or via the FAFSA.

Ability-to-Benefit Alternatives

If a student was enrolled in college prior to July 1, 2012, or if they are currently enrolled in an eligible career pathway program*, they may show they are qualified to obtain a higher education by: 1. Passing an approved ability-to-benefit test* (if the student does not have a diploma or GED, the school can administer a test to determine whether they can benefit from the education offered at the school) 2. Completing six credit hours or equivalent coursework toward a degree or certificate (students may not receive aid while earning the six credit hours)

*For more information about these criteria, contact the Financial Aid Office.

What Kind of Financial Aid is Available?

Financial aid available at SCI-Arc comes from the federal and state governments and the Institution. The following provides a list of available resources to our students: