2010-11 Financial Assistance Handbook

2010-11

Financial Assistance Handbook For more information about financial assistance, visit www.stchas.edu/fiaid or call us at 636-922-8270.

St. Charles Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400

Chicago, IL 60602-2504

800-621-7440; Fax: 312-263-7462 www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org The Student Handbook is published by the Division of Academic and Student Affairs of:

St. Charles Community College 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive Cottleville, MO 63376 www.stchas.edu

Questions regarding its content should be directed to the dean of enrollment services.

Table of Contents Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 2 Free Application for Federal Student Aid...........................................................................3-4 Electronic PIN........................................................................................................................ 5 Pell Grant, ACG Grant, and Student Loans........................................................................6-8 Federal Work-Study Program................................................................................................ 9 Satisfactory Academic Progress......................................................................................10-12

Suspension of Aid..................................................................................................... 11

Student Records....................................................................................................... 12 Financial Assistance Appeals Process.................................................................................. 13 Veterans Benefits and Standards....................................................................................14-15

Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehab for Veterans.......................................................... 15

Missouri Returning Heroes Act................................................................................ 15 State-Funded Programs..................................................................................................16-20

Access Missouri........................................................................................................ 16

Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship.................................................... 17

Bright Flight Scholarship........................................................................................ 17

Public Survivor Grant Program.............................................................................. 18

Vietnam Veterans Survivors Grant Program.......................................................... 19

Workforce Investment Act........................................................................................ 20

Vocational Rehabilitation....................................................................................... 20 A+ Schools Program......................................................................................................21-22 Scholarships Through SCC............................................................................................23-24

Board of Trustees Scholarships............................................................................... 23

SCC Foundation Scholarships................................................................................. 24 Refund/Repayment Policies................................................................................................ 25

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT St. Charles Community College is a publicly supported, comprehensive community college serving St. Charles County and the surrounding area. The college is committed to equal opportunity in employment and admissions. Inquiries and concerns about discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, ancestry, or veteran status may be directed to: Director of Human Resources, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Cottleville, MO 63376-2865. Students/faculty should contact the office of accessibility services (636-922-8247, TDD # 636-922-8222 or Missouri Relay 1-800-735-2966), coordinating counselor – accessibility services, regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act regarding Title IX. Contact them by mail at:

St. Charles Community College 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive • Cottleville, MO 63376-2865 636-922-8273 • www.stchas.edu

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Introduction Today, more than ever, there is a wide variety of financial assistance programs to accommodate every student who wishes to attend a college or university. These programs are available through federal, state, and local sources. To help you make the most of these resources, we’ve provided this handbook.

Here, you will find basic information about each program. For more details or to apply for programs, contact enrollment services at 636-922-8270. We also recommend that you review the college catalog for information on academic programs and college policies and procedures.

Important Notes on Financial Aid • Failure to attend class does not constitute automatic withdrawal. If you decide not to attend class(es) at SCC, you MUST complete a withdrawal form in the Enrollment Services Office. Failure to do so may result in money owed by the student to the college or to the Department of Education, as well as probation or suspension from financial assistance eligibility.

• It is your responsibility to submit any changes in name, phone numbers, and address to the Enrollment Services Office. Your file must be current in the event we need to contact you throughout the semester.

• Bookstore credit approvals will be available before the start of classes and may be used in the bookstore through the first week of classes. Bookstore credits, for most financial assistance programs, will be available from the bookstore. If your bookstore credit is not available at the time you purchase your books, contact Enrollment Services.

• Photo IDs and parking hang-tags will be issued by the Department of Public Safety and will be available in the Cafe-Bookstore during peak registration periods.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, information is subject to change without notice.

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FAFSA The basis for all federal and most state financial assistance programs is the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA). Students are strongly encouraged to complete this application several months in advance for the upcoming school year, preferably right after they have completed their federal and state income taxes from the previous year.

Deadline dates for Financial Aid are posted in the Financial Assistance Office before the beginning of each academic year. However, if you should apply after the deadline, you may be eligible to receive funding within the school year as reimbursement.

A new FAFSA application is required for each school year in which a student plans to attend. The application is completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Eligibility is based on a pre-determined formula set by the U.S. Congress.

A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required to complete the FAFSA; see page 7 for instructions on obtaining a PIN. The PIN will serve as your signature to the online application.

The FAFSA will ask you to enter up to six codes for the schools where you want your FAFSA results sent. The SCC school code is 017027. For other school codes, contact those colleges individually.

An e-mail notification from the Department of Education will be sent to you approximately 1 week after submission. This e-mail is to notify you that the Department of Education has received your application. Students who have an EFC that is over 5273 are not eligible to receive a PELL Grant.

Please be advised that the Department of Education randomly selects students for verification.

The SCC Financial Assistance Office will notify you in writing should you be selected. You will then be required to submit additional documentation before your file will be processed for eligibility.

Funding will not be awarded to students with an incomplete file.

Students who apply by the Missouri deadline of April 1 may also be eligible for state grant programs as well. Refer to the section on “Access Missouri” on page 16 of this handbook.

Pell Grant, Student Loans, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant, and Federal Work Study are the various financial assistance programs associated with federal financial assistance and will be outlined in the sections that follow.

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Important Facts on FAFSA • Federal financial assistance can be received at only one institution per semester.

• The application processor must receive all federal financial assistance applications by June 30 for the previous school year. NOTE: Your correct, complete application must be at SCC by your last day of enrollment for an academic year. You will receive aid only for the semester(s) in which you are attending.

• The Department of Education randomly selects FAFSA applications for verification. Your Student aid report will indicate if your application has been selected. Students who are selected for verification will be required to submit an income verification statement, and signed copies of their federal tax return from the previous year. Dependent students are required to submit a signed copy of their parents’ federal tax return as well.

• Students who enroll in late start classes that begin later in the term will be paid for those classes at varying points in the semester based on the start date of the class.

• Students withdrawing from all courses during a semester may owe money to the Department of Education and/or to SCC for expenses incurred. The amount of assistance a student earns is determined on a prorated basis. For example, if a student attends classes for 30 percent of the semester, he/she would be eligible to receive only 30 percent of the assistance he/she was originally scheduled to earn.

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Electronic PIN How To Request a PIN Electronically 1 Log on to www.pin.ed.gov.

2 Select “Apply for a PIN.” 3 Select “Next.”

4 Enter the requested information.

5 On the next screen select the option: “I agree not to share my PIN.” 6 Choose how you would like to receive your PIN from the drop-down box.

7 Click on “Submit my PIN application.”

8 Print the PIN confirmation page for your records.

This site also let you manage you PIN with the following options: • Check you PIN status • Change you PIN • Activate you PIN

• Request a duplicate PIN • Access your PIN e-mail • Disable you PIN • Re-establish you PIN • Update you personal Information

Select the appropriate option and follow the step-by-step instructions.

SCC Connection Is Here!

Log on for instructions! www.stchas.edu

Check out the “SCC Connection,” an interactive Web system that will allow you to access information regarding you academic records and course availability. Register and pay for classes online. You can even view your transcript, class schedule, and check your GPA!

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Pell Grant, ACG Grant & Student Loans Pell Grant Pell Grants do not have to be repaid and are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. This award is based on financial need as determined by your SAR (Student Aid Report).

The amount you may be awarded will depend on the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) number that is listed on your SAR and by the number of hours you will be enrolled each semester. Award amounts vary from year to year. An award letter will be sent to you indicating the amount of Pell you are eligible to receive for the current school year and the amount you will receive each semester based on the number of credit hours you enroll in each semester.

PELL Grant proceeds are available approximately five weeks after the start date of each semester, with the exception of funding for late start courses. If your file is not complete until after the fourth week of class, you can expect your proceeds to take an additional two to three weeks.

Proceeds will be available via ACH to a bank of the student’s choice or to a HigherOne® debit card.

Academic Competitiveness Grant The ACG Grant is a federal grant program intended to encourage, respectively, rigorous academic study in high school and enrollment in college. An individual my receive up to $750 for a first year student or $1,300 for a second year student, if the student has successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. Second year recipients must also have attained at least a 3.0 GPA in their first year of undergraduate education.

To be considered for an ACG grant a student must meet the following criteria: • Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient; • Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours or more) in a degree program; • Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of a program of study at a

degree granting institution; • Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of student after Jan. 1, 2005; • If a first year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program and if a second-year student, have a least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.

Student Loans Student loans require repayment at a future date. In most cases, loans do not have to be repaid until six months after graduation. If you decide to discontinue your education before graduating, you will be required to start payments towards your student loan six months from your last date of halftime enrollment. Failure to repay your loan will result in future consequences such as garnishment of wages, withholding of state and federal income tax refund, and difficulties in obtaining any future loans from any creditor.

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Pell Grant, ACG Grant & Student Loans NOTE: SCC does not process PLUS loans or loans for summer semesters.

To obtain a student loan, you must complete a FAFSA. You may then complete the application for a student loan by going to www.stchas.edu/financial_aid_tuition/types_of_aid_eligibility/ studentloans.html and follow all steps indicated.

The amount of funds you are eligible to receive will depend on your grade level, i.e., freshman or sophomore (see “annual limits” chart on next page), how much you have already borrowed, and whether you are eligible to receive a subsidized or unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan. Students may not receive financial assistance over and above their determined cost of attendance.

A subsidized Federal Direct Loan is awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) number found on your SAR. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these periods.

An unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized – that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount.

You may receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period depending on whether you are an independent student or dependent student, your cost of attendance, and your current grade level. See chart below:

Federal Direct Loan Annual Limits Listed below are the annual maximum loan amounts. Enrollment Services will determine the amount you’re eligible to receive. It is recommended that you borrow only what is necessary.

Grade Level First Year Second Year

Dependent1 $3,5003 + $2,000 Unsubsidized $4,5003 + $2,000 Unsubsidized

Independent2 $3,500 + $6,000 Unsubsidized $4,500 + $6,000 Unsubsidized

Aggregate Loan Limits Dependent $31,000 1

Independent2 $57,500

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Enrollment Services Office at 636-922-8268 at St. Charles Community College

BORROW WISELY! STUDENT LOANS MUST BE REPAID! 1 2 3

Dependent: Students who were required to use parents’ income tax information to complete the FAFSA. Independent: Students who needed only their own an/or their spouses’ income tax information to complete the FAFSA Except for the additional unsubsidized amounts available to students, loan amounts may be subsidized, unsubsidized, or a combination of both.

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Pell Grant, ACG Grant & Student Loans All students receiving a Federal Direct Loan must be enrolled in and attending a minimum of six credit hours per semester. Funds will not be disbursed if a student should show enrollment status at less than six hours at the time of disbursement.

Students enrolled in late-start classes will receive funding later in the semester.

Student loan proceeds are processed twice within a school year or twice within an individual semester, if a student is only borrowing for one term. Funds are first applied to any outstanding balance owed to SCC. Funds over and above tuition, fees, and book charges will be sent via ACH to a bank of the student’s choice or to a HigherOne® debit card. Students must be enrolled in and attending at least six credit hours on the date funds are disbursed.

NOTE: The disbursement date shown on your MPN is the date SCC can begin requesting your loan funds.

Funds will not be requested until valid attendance/participation information is submitted to the Enrollment Services Office.

• Attendance information is collected beginning the 3rd week of the semester for the fall and spring terms and the 2nd week of the semester for the summer term.

• Attendance for any “Late Start” classes will be collected 2 weeks after the first day the class begins.

Once attendance information is received, processing will take 2 to 3 weeks for funds to be available to you.

Students who have a complete file before the posted deadline for a semester and are eligible to receive either a Pell Grant and/or Federal Direct Loan will be eligible to have their class schedule secured without having to prepay tuition and fees. In addition, bookstore credits will be available to you prior to the start of that term so that you may obtain your textbooks. The college will then deduct your tuition, fees, and book charges upon receipt of funding from the Department of Education. Excess funds will be issued to the student via ACH to a bank of the student’s choice or to a HigherOne® debit card. Funds are typically available during the fifth week of class.

The following criteria will be verified prior to issuing proceeds to the student: • Current enrollment status • Previous cumulative GPA

• Completion ratio • Attendance dates and suspension lists

Minimum GPA Standards Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted Cumulative Grade Point Average * 1-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 16-30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8

31 or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 *Includes grades of A, B, C, D, and F. Grades of I, P, R, V and W are not counted in cumulative GPA.

Completion Ratio Minimum 66% Refer to the section on “Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards” (p. 10) for more information.

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Federal Work-Study Program Students who have completed a FAFSA may be eligible for the Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP). The FWSP is a need-based program that allows students to work up to 15 hours per week while school is in session and 20 hours per week when not in session. Most employment is on campus and pays $7.40 per hour. FWSP students are exempt from FICA taxes.

Students interested in applying for the FWSP should obtain an application from the Enrollment Services Office. Applications remain on file for one semester in the office for review by interested college departments. Upon hire, students will need to complete tax forms with the Human Resources Department.

The total work-study award a student is eligible to receive will be calculated by the Enrollment Services Office based on the information reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR) and other funds awarded for a given semester.

FWSP students are required to complete a time sheet each day they work. Time sheets must be signed by the supervisor and submitted to the Enrollment Services Office by the scheduled deadline for each pay period. Payroll is available every other Friday through direct deposit to a bank account of the student’s choice.

Work-study students are expected to report for their scheduled shifts. You must contact your supervisor should you be unable to attend work or need to adjust your schedule. FWSP students should be working during their scheduled hours. You will be sent home should there be no work assignments available for you when you report to your job at your scheduled time. FWSP students may take an unpaid lunch break or other unpaid breaks as scheduled by their supervisor.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards must be maintained by FWSP students to continue employment. Please refer to page 10 for SAP policies and procedures.

FWSP students do not qualify for Family and Medical Leave.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress All students receiving any form of financial assistance are expected to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP). All first-time financial assistance applicants must have their previous grades from SCC and their cumulative completion rate from ALL previous course work evaluated prior to disbursement of any type of federal financial assistance.

All financial assistance awards are pending until this process has been completed. If you have not met the minimum standards for grades and completion rate, you will be placed on probation or suspension even if you have not received assistance in the past.

You should select courses that will fulfill your educational goals. These courses must follow published degree requirements. Students will be evaluated at the end of the fall and spring semesters in order to determine eligibility of assistance for the next term. Please be aware that some programs may have a higher renewal GPA requirement.

To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, students must meet the minimum requirements noted below. The first column below shows the number of cumulative credit hours attempted and the second column shows the minimum cumulative GPA required based on those credit hours. For example, if you have attempted 18 credit hours, you are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.8.

Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted **

Cumulative GPA

1-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 16-30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8

31 or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0

** Completion (with a passing grade) of at least 66% of cumulative credit hours attempted. To calculate completion ratio, divide the total number of hours completed by the total number of hours attempted. For example: you have completed 30 hours and you actually attempted 45 hours, then 30 divided by 45 = 66%.

Grades of A, B, C, D, and F are included in the cumulative GPA (Grades of I, P, R, V and W are not counted in cumulative GPA but do count toward attempted hours).

Students may repeat classes for which they received a failing grade to improve their GPA; however, financial assistance will pay for classes to be repeated only one time.

In addition to these standards, there may be additional requirements for enrollment in certain programs, such as eligibility for the Title IV programs and/or for veterans’ benefits. Students who fail to meet the above minimum requirements will be placed on SAP probation. Students are eligible to receive federal financial aid funds while on SAP probation.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress A student’s financial aid will be suspended for any of the following reasons: • Failure to meet the minimum required cumulative GPA (see chart on previous page) during the semester(s) following notification of probation.

• Failure to complete 66% (2/3) of the cumulative credit hours attempted. To calculate completion ratio, divide the total number of hours completed by the total number of hours attempted. For example: if you have completed 30 hours and you actually attempted 45 hours: 30 divided by 45 = 66%. (This includes grades of I, W, F, P, & Z).

• Complete withdrawal from SCC during any semester, whether or not aid was received.

• Failure to complete three credit hours attempted during a given semester with a passing grade (A, B, C, D).

• Receiving failing or incomplete grades for all courses in a given semester or a combination of F, I, W, or R grades in a given semester.

• Completion of the maximum number of credit hours allowed at the community college level.

You may not appeal the maximum hour limit.

An SCC student enrolled in an associate’s degree program is entitled to receive financial assistance for a maximum number of 96 attempted credit hours. This includes hours transferred from other colleges, hours previously attempted at SCC (whether or not financial assistance was received), withdrawals, and repeated course work. Exceptions may be made for students who are in their last semester of degree completion.

You may change programs, but program changes do not automatically extend the maximum number of credit hours for which you will be paid.

The maximum number of credit hours for a certificate program that would be eligible for financial assistance is based on the number of credit hours required for completion of those individual programs. For example: for a certificate program that requires 36 credit hours, you will be allowed no more than 54 hours in order to complete the certificate program.

These rules apply for every semester of attendance regardless of whether student aid was received.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress Student records will be reviewed at the end of each fall and spring semesters. If you fail to meet the standards for financial assistance eligibility, you may continue to enroll at your own expense.

Students completing course work in a summer term to improve their FA status may request a review of their file.

Students who are placed on financial assistance suspension due to extenuating circumstances may appeal their suspension through the Enrollment Services Appeals Committee. Appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Students whose financial assistance has been reinstated as a result of an appeal will be granted the status of “Financial Assistance Suspension Return.� Progress will then be monitored on a term basis rather than a cumulative basis. Students are then required to maintain a term grade point average of at least 2.0 and a completion ratio of at least 75% for each future term of enrollment.

A student who fails to meet the term requirements after being reinstated will be ineligible for any future financial assistance until his/her cumulative grade point average is a minimum 2.00 and their cumulative completion ratio is 66%. Additional appeals will not be considered. Students may continue to attend at their own expense.

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Financial Assistance Appeals Process To file an appeal, you must submit the following items to the Enrollment Services Office: • A completed Suspension Appeal form (available from the Enrollment Services Office or at www.stchas.edu/students/finance/forms).

• A letter explaining the extenuating circumstance that led to your lack of satisfactory academic progress. (Examples of extenuating circumstances are: an unexpected hospitalization, death of an immediate family member, physician’s orders restricting school attendance.)

• Supporting documentation, e.g., doctor’s letters, hospitalization papers, death certificates, etc.

Provide as much documentation as possible as this will enable the committee to verify the events that occurred.

The Appeals Committee meets the third Wednesday of every month. The documents listed above must be submitted by noon on the preceding Thursday. Information submitted after this time will be held for the next month’s meeting. One additional meeting time will be scheduled in January and May to coincide with the payment due dates for the next semester. You will be notified by mail of the committee’s decision.

Should you wish to contest the original decision of the committee, you may do so in person at the next appeals meeting. To schedule an appearance, call 636-922-8270 no later than noon on the Thursday preceding the meeting.

Students on financial assistance suspension, whose appeals have not been read and/or approved by the payment deadline for a given semester, are required to pay for their tuition and fees (by the payment deadline) in order to secure the classes in which they have enrolled.

Appeals must be received no later than three weeks after the start of the semester in which you are enrolled. Appeals received after three weeks will take affect the following semester.

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Veterans Benefits and Standards Students who have served in the military, are dependents of a disabled or deceased veteran, or who are currently on active duty, may qualify to use Veterans Educational Benefits.

To activate benefits, you must submit a VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Benefits) to the VA. You can submit the application online at www.gibill.va.gov; click “Electronic Application.” You can also print the form from the above site and mail it to the VA regional office that processes your claim. For Missouri, this address is: VA Regional Office, P.O. Box 66830, St. Louis, MO 63166-6830.

A third option is to call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) and request the form. Students who are dependents of a disabled or deceased veteran will request a VA Form 22-5490.

After completing your application to activate benefits, you will receive a “Certificate of Eligibility” letter from the VA. At this time, contact the Financial Assistance Office and arrange to meet with the Certifying Veterans Official. The Certifying Veterans Official will process your benefits for a monthly stipend according to the number of credits you are enrolled in for that current term.

Veterans benefits are available according to the following course-load guidelines:

COURSE LOAD

FALL / SPRING

Full time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 or more hours Three-fourths time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11 hours Half time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 hours Less than half time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 hours

Veterans’ Standards of Progress The Veterans Administration may refuse to pay educational benefits to a veteran who fails to make satisfactory progress toward a specified educational goal. The Veterans Administration will be notified if the veteran: • Fails to declare an educational goal (major) within the first semester. The veteran must become a regular student in a specific program.

• Fails to have previous college transcripts evaluated and applied toward the current program.

• Fails to convert an “I” grade to a letter grade before the midterm of the following semester.

• Accumulates more than 12 hours of “F” grades.

• Allows the cumulative grade point average to fall below the minimum standards for two consecutive semesters. See “Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards” on page 14.

Important Notes Regarding Veterans Standards • The Veterans Administration will not pay for repeat courses for which a passing grade (A, B, C, D) has already been received unless the program being followed requires a specific passing grade. The VA will not pay for courses that do not earn credit and/or are not computed into the GPA and/or are not necessary for progress toward the specified educational goal.

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Veterans Benefits and Standards • To change your degree program you must contact the Veterans Certifying Official so that a review can be made of your file and also to report this change to the Veterans Administration.

• Any changes to your course schedule must be reported immediately to the Certifying Veterans Official, so that the VA can be made aware of the change in your monthly stipend. Failure to do this will result in overpayment from the VA, and they will require repayment from you. You may also be required to repay all benefits for the course or courses you dropped unless you can validate that the change was due to mitigating circumstances.

• Each month the veteran is required to verify his/her attendance. Payment will not be issued until the VA receives your verification. We encourage you to complete your verification by using the VA’s Internet verification program at www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-877-823-2378.

When the system confirms that you are certified, your verification is complete. Do not return the VA form 22-8979 that may have been previously mailed to you.

• When a veteran is transferring from another school, previous college transcripts must be forwarded to SCC, evaluated, and applied toward the current program being pursued.

Students who have other military tuition assistance programs in addition to their VA benefits are required to contact their commanding officer. In these situations, an invoice for billing must be given to the Veterans Certifying Official.

Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehab for Veterans Some veterans are approved under a special education benefits program known as Chapter 31.

This program provides benefits to those veterans who have been determined to have a disability and need additional assistance. These veterans will meet with a VA Vocational Rehab caseworker for program approval. If accepted into Chapter 31, VA form 28-1905 is required to be submitted to the Veterans Certifying Official. This will allow for the approval of the veterans courses to be secured in the system until payment has been made. The issuance of a voucher for books and supplies and certification by the college’s Certifying Veterans Official will also require this approval process.

Missouri Returning Heroes Act This act provides that institutions of higher education that receive any state funds, shall limit the tuition charged to combat veterans to fifty dollars per credit hour, as eligibility is determined, for any program leading to an undergraduate certificate, or an associate or baccalaureate degree. A “combat veteran” is any person who served in armed combat after September 11, 2001, who was a Missouri resident when first entering the military, and who was discharged from military service under honorable conditions.

If you would like to apply, please submit a copy of your most recent DD-214 (long form) and the Returning Heroes Education Act Application to the Enrollment Services Department located in the Administrative Building, room 1113. Your documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the criteria to be considered for reduced tuition. The Office of Enrollment Services will determine the amount, if any, that your tuition will be reduced.

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State Funded Programs Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program This is a need-based program designed to provide students with a simplified financial aid process, provide predictable, portable awards, and increase access to a student’s school of choice. Eligibility is determined by the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible for initial or renewed assistance you must: • Have a FAFSA on file by April 1, 2009.

• Have any FAFSA corrections made by July 31, 2009 (school choices may be added until September 30, 2009).

• Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and a Missouri resident • Be enrolled full-time at a participating Missouri school.

• Have an EFC of $12,000 or less.

• Not be pursing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity If you are eligible for A+ tuition reimbursement your award will be reduced by the amount of the reimbursement. Award amounts may also be reduced if your total aid package, excluding educational loans and aid based solely on academic performance, exceeds your cost of attendance.

Awards are not available during summer terms.

The table below displays the minimum and maximum annual awards for each institutional type as established by the Missouri legislature in the statute. Maximum award amounts may be less than those shown in the table depending on the amount of funding that is available for the program.

Public Two-Year Maximum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minimum $1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300 There is no paper Access Missouri application to fill out. Complete your FAFSA by April 1 each year. The MDHE receives electronic FAFSA records for Missouri residents directly from the federal government.

The Access Missouri award may be renewed annually until you have obtained a bachelor’s degree or completed 150 semester credit hours, whichever occurs first. To renew you must: • Reapply and have your eligibility re-evaluated each year. This means that if you fail to file a new FAFSA by the deadline or your EFC increases to a point above the eligibility cutoff (currently $12,000), you may no longer be eligible for an Access Missouri award even though you received one in the previous year.

• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by SCC.

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State Funded Programs Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship The Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship Program provides scholarship awards to parttime and undergraduate students who are employed 20 hours or more per week. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need as determined by their Student Aid Report (SAR). The maximum award may not exceed the amount of tuition per credit hour for a part-time undergraduate Missouri resident at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Missouri Higher Education Academic “Bright Flight” Scholarship Program This merit-based program encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri postsecondary schools.

To be eligible, you must: • Be a graduating high school senior (or equivalent) who enrolls as a first-time, full time student at an approved Missouri school.

• Receive the scholarship during the academic year immediately following your senior year in high school (or when you obtain a certificate of high school equivalence).

• Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or a permanent resident.

• Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.

• Have a composite score on the ACT or the SAT in the top 3 percent of all Missouri students taking those tests by the June test date of your senior year in high school. (Only composite test scores achieved on national test dates or on special test dates approved by the testing companies are acceptable. Test scores from residual tests are not acceptable.)

Individuals who have completed a home-school program or who have obtained a certificate of high school equivalence by passing the General Educational Development (GED) exam may be considered for the scholarship program. GED students must submit a copy of their GED certificate to: Missouri Department of Higher Education

Attn: Bright Flight

3515 Amazonas Drive

Jefferson City, MO 65109 For 2009 high school seniors to qualify for the Bright Flight Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year, you must have achieved one of the following test scores to qualify in the top 3 percent. Essay portions are not taken into consideration when determining the qualifying score.

• ACT composite score of 31 or above • SAT critical reading score of 790 or above and a math score of 790 or above As a reminder, 2009 high school seniors must achieve the updated score on or before the June 2009 national test date in order to qualify for the Bright Flight Scholarship.

If you took the ACT or SAT as a high school junior or sophomore, your score will be accepted as long as it meets the qualifying score(s) announced during your senior year in high school.

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State Funded Programs The $2,000 annual scholarship is distributed in two payments of $1,000 each semester, conditional on sufficient state appropriations. Awards are not available during summer terms. If you are awarded a Bright Flight scholarship, your postsecondary institution will notify the MDHE of your eligibility and will request payment of the scholarship awards when you enroll for the fall and/or spring semesters. Full time enrollment is required.

Completion of the FAFSA is not required to receive a Bright Flight scholarship. However, if you elect to complete a FAFSA, information on that application or updates to it can impact your eligibility for Bright Flight even if you have previously been notified of your eligibility.

The scholarship may be renewed annually for up to 10 semesters or until you have completed a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. To renew, you must: • Receive the scholarship at an approved Missouri postsecondary school at least one semester each academic year, beginning with the year immediately following your senior year in high school.

• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.

• Provide any requested eligibility information by July 31 or September 30 of the year it is requested.

Public Service Officer or Employee’s Child Survivor Grant Program This program provides tuition grants to public safety officers or Missouri Department of Transportation employees engaged in the construction or maintenance of the state’s highways, roads and bridges who were permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. The grant is also available to their children and spouses, as well as the children and spouses who survive such employees who were killed in the line of duty.

To be eligible, you must: • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full time undergraduate student at a participating Missouri postsecondary school.

• Be less than 24 years of age (applies to dependent children only).

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.

• Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.

• Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.

The maximum annual grant amount will be the lesser of the following: • Actual tuition charged at the school where you are enrolled full time OR • Amount of tuition charged to a Missouri undergraduate resident enrolled full time in the same class level and in the same academic major at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

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State Funded Programs The grant may be renewed annually until you have obtained a bachelor’s degree or, if you are a dependent child, through the semester in which you turn 24. Awards are not available during summer terms.

To apply, download the Public Service Officer or Employee’s Child Survivor Grant Program Application, or contact the MDHE. There is no application deadline; however, early submission of the completed application is encouraged.

Initial recipients must provide documentation and an authorized signature from the governmental entity that employed the disabled or deceased person. Renewal applicants must submit an application annually. However, the documentation and signature are not required after the initial application.

Vietnam Veteran Survivor Grant Program This grant is available to children and spouses of Vietnam veterans whose death was attributed to or caused by exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam conflict.

To be eligible, you must: • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full time undergraduate student at a participating Missouri postsecondary school.

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.

• Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen.

• Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.

The maximum annual grant amount will be the lesser of the following: • Actual tuition charged at the school in which you are enrolled full time OR • Average amount of tuition charged to a Missouri undergraduate resident enrolled full time in the same class level and in the same academic major at the Missouri public four-year, regional institutions.

Grants may be renewed annually until you’ve obtained a bachelor’s degree or completed 150 credits.

To apply, download the Vietnam Veteran Survivor Grant Program Application at www.dhe.mo.gov/ files/vietnamveterans.pdf, or contact MDHE. There is no application deadline; however, early submission of the completed application is encouraged.

Initial recipients must provide a qualified medical certification by a Department of Veterans Affairs medical authority to verify that toxic chemical exposure contributed to or was the cause of the veteran’s death. Renewal recipients must submit an application annually. However, this certification is not required after the initial application.

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State Funded Programs The following programs are federal government programs that are administered at the state and local community level rather than by the federal government. Therefore, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required to be completed each school year to determine if a student is eligible to receive Pell grant funds, which will be applied to the student’s charges before any eligible state funding.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) WIA provides help to workers who have been permanently laid off because of a business closure, cutback, or other similar circumstances. The program funds educational retraining and other supportive services.

To determine eligibility, contact your local Missouri Career Center and meet with a counselor.

(St. Charles County residents should call 636-278-1360.)

Once you have been approved for WIA benefits, your career counselor will assist you with the necessary paperwork required for funding. You should then meet with an Academic Advisor and with a Financial Aid Counselor for further guidance.

Vocational Rehabilitation This program provides assistance to students with a physical and/or mental disability.

Students are required to meet with their vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine their eligibility for benefits. Students residing in St. Charles County may call 636-940-3300 for information. If you are unsure as to which Vocational Rehabilitation office to call, contact the main office in Jefferson City at 573-751-3251.

After a student has been approved for benefits, authorizations for payment will be issued and mailed to the college. This will allow the college to bill for those expenses allowed and to secure the student’s classes until payment has been made. Textbook credits will be given prior to the start of a new semester, if approval for books and/or supplies is granted.

Vocational Rehabilitation students must complete a FAFSA for each school year they plan to attend. If eligible to receive a Pell grant, these funds will be utilized prior to Vocational Rehabilitation funds.

Students who have a physical disability and need additional assistance while on campus should contact the Office of Accessibility Services at 636-922-8247.

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A+ Schools Program The A+ Schools program is a school-improvement initiative established by the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993. The State Board of Education approves high schools for A+ once they have met the program requirements. Students who graduate from a designated A+ School may qualify for state-paid assistance to attend any public community college or technical school in the state.

A+ students can receive benefits up to four (4) years from their high school graduation or for up to a total of six (6) semesters or up to completion of the required credits to complete a degree, whichever occurs first.

Application deadlines are established each term to allow sufficient time for processing of A+ files in order to ensure A+ funding for each student.

A+ students are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each school year. This should be done soon after you and your parents have filed taxes from the previous calendar year. Your parent’s taxes are not necessary if you are declared an independent student as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. You will not be processed for A+ funding until we have received the results of your FAFSA. Files selected for verification by the Department of Education must be completed prior to A+ processing. New students to SCC must submit an official certified A+ transcript.

To avoid pre-payment of tuition and fees your FAFSA results must be received in the SCC Enrollment Services Office, along with any additional required documentation if selected for verification by the scheduled deadline. Students new to SCC must also have an official A+ certified transcript on file by this deadline. The deadline for the fall semester is July 1 and the deadline for the spring semester is Dec. 1.

Should you not meet the scheduled A+ application deadlines set for each term, you will be required to pay your tuition and fees by the payment due date in order to secure your class schedule. You will then have additional time to complete your file and still be processed for A+ funding as a reimbursement once SCC receives funding from the State of Missouri.

The final deadline to complete your A+ file for the fall semester is Sept. 15, and the deadline for the spring semester is Feb. 1. Class schedules must be approved by an advisor and finalized by these deadlines as well. Any additions or changes made to your class schedule after the Sept. 15 and Feb. 1 deadlines will not be funded by A+.

Incoming transfer students must provide official transcripts from each institution previously attended by these same deadlines and must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA to be eligible for A+ benefits. Also, the SCC school code (017027) must be added to your FAFSA application by the previously mentioned deadlines.

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A+ Schools Program State program regulations require that any eligible federal and/or state awards that fund tuition must be applied to a student’s account prior to utilizing A+ funding. In the event a student is eligible for any federal and/or state awards and a balance remains on the account after applying those awards, we will then bill the A+ program for the remaining amount owed.

Eligibility Requirements to Maintain A+ Benefits • A+ students must meet with an Academic Advisor every semester to have their class schedules approved in order to ensure A+ funding. Unapproved registrations will be at the expense of the student.

• A+ benefits cover the cost of tuition and fees for only those courses required for your degree program at SCC, including any developmental courses you may be required to complete. The program does not cover the cost of telecourse fees, private music lesson fees, nursing or art supplies, or insurance. Students are responsible for any charges not covered by the A+ program.

• A+ students are required to be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours).

• A+ students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

• A+ will pay for a student to take a course only one time.

• A+ benefits cannot be used during the summer, or any other semester, if the student is not degree seeking at SCC. • SCC will allow A+ students to be concurrently enrolled at another institution if this is the student’s last semester prior to completing their Associate’s Degree. Coursework must be required for the student’s degree program and not offered by SCC for that term. Exceptions to this policy may be considered on an individual basis with prior approval from the A+ Coordinator.

Students who fail to meet A+ eligibility requirements will no longer be processed by the Enrollment Services Office for A+ funding. It is your responsibility to notify the A+ Coordinator for reinstatement after you have again met the minimum requirements.

Benefits/requirements of the A+ Program are subject to change at anytime. All changes are made by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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Scholarships Through SCC There is a wide variety of sources for scholarship information. Searching for scholarships can be very time consuming, but it is worth the effort in the end.

To help you in your search, SCC has a scholarship Web page, which primarily lists scholarships offered through SCC funding or gift donations made to the college. Information is also available pertaining to Internet references and transfer scholarship information to other Missouri colleges and universities.

SCC Trustee Scholarships and Foundation Scholarships are the two primary awards exclusive to SCC. A brief summary of these scholarship programs is given below.

Board of Trustees Scholarship Program The Board of Trustees Scholarship Program is designed to attract students to SCC who have demonstrated a high level of academic ability or have other special talents.

All Trustee Scholarships cover the cost of in-district tuition and standard fees. Special fees, such as private music lessons, nursing, OTA and Health Information for malpractice insurance, RN certification course and clinicals, LPN assessment testing, nursing assessment testing, scuba course and telecourse fees, are not included. Any additional tuition (for example, if a student lives out of the district) would be paid by the recipient.

Trustee Scholarships apply only to those courses that are part of your degree program within a 72-credit-hour limit. In addition to the 72 credit hours, the Trustee Scholarships will apply to any developmental courses you may be required to complete. Courses transferred from other institutions that apply to your degree program will be considered in the 72-credit-hour limit. Transfer courses that do not apply toward your degree program will be excluded from the 72-credit-limit.

Deadlines for all Trustee Scholarships are April 1 and June 1. Awards are granted in the fall term and can be renewed for up to three additional semesters (excluding summers) providing the renewal criteria is met for each type of scholarship.

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Scholarships Through SCC SCC Foundation Scholarships The St. Charles Community College Foundation is the official fund raising and private giftreceiving agency for the college. Chartered as a non-profit corporation for educational purposes, the Foundation solicits and receives tax-deductible gifts and manages these gifts and bequest for the benefit of the college.

The SCC Foundation Board of Directors is composed of concerned community leaders from businesses, professions, and service agencies and institutions. Directors take an active role in fund raising and they dedicated a portion of those funds for scholarship opportunities to St. Charles Community College students.

In this section of the Web page, students will find a variety of scholarships with a very diverse set of criteria. The two deadlines established for all Foundation Scholarships are April 1 for awards granted in the fall term and Oct. 1 for the spring term. Award amounts vary but will not exceed the cost of tuition, standard fees and books. Funds are applied directly to the student’s account. Some of the Foundation Scholarships are renewable for one additional semester, providing the renewal criteria are met.

To obtain additional information or to apply for either the Trustee Scholarship and/or the Foundation Scholarships, you may contact the Enrollment Services Office at 636-922-8268 or stop by the office to obtain an application. Applications are also available online at www.stchas.edu/students/finance/sgfoundationschol.shtml.

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Refund/Repayment Policies SCC has instituted a refund policy for all Title IV grant and loan recipients who withdraw from or fail all classes during an enrollment period for which they have been charged. This refund policy complies with current federal government regulations.

According to the policy, the amount of Student Financial Assistance money you have earned up to the point of withdrawal is determined by a pro-rated formula.

For example, if you attended classes for 30 percent of the enrollment period, you earned 30 percent of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive. Once you have completed more than 60 percent of the enrollment period, you have earned all of your financial aid funds.

If you received excess money after tuition, fees, and book charges are paid, SCC must return to the U.S. Department of Education a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of • The college’s institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of the funds, OR • The entire amount of the excess funds.

If the college is not required to return the entire amount of excess funds, the student must return the remaining amount of the funds. Any loan funds that you must return must be repaid in accordance with the promissory note (the binding legal document that you signed when you received your loan). You must make scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period of time.

If you are responsible for returning grant funds, you do not have to return the full amount. The law provides that you are not required to return more than 50 percent of the grant assistance received in any one semester. You are required to make arrangements with the college or with the U.S. Department of Education to return any grant over-payments.

The date a student officially withdraws through the Enrollment Services Office will be used to calculate aid earned for students who withdraw from all of their course work in a given semester.

The midpoint date of a semester will be used to calculate aid earned for students who fail all of their course work in a given semester. If a student actually attends beyond the mid point, they may obtain signatures from faculty for verification of attendance, in order to obtain an updated calculation.

Any funds a student is required to return will be deducted from the account they submitted when enrolling in the Nelnet Deferred Plan. Enrollment in this plan is required of Financial Aid recipients prior to the payment due date. Enrollment in Nelnet will secure a student’s class schedule for a particular term.

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4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive | Cottleville, MO 636-922-8000 | www.stchas.edu