Financial Aid Handbook Academic Year It s the right time to apply for financial aid for

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1 Fast Find What is Financial Aid?...2 Dates/Deadlines...3 Critical Enrollment Information...3 Financial Aid Handbook Academic Year Fall 2009, Spring and Summer 2010 Transfer Students...3 Cost of Attendance/Budgets...4 Financial Aid Programs...5 Loans...6 Satisfactory Academic Progress...7 Federal Loan Repayment Policy Scholarships...10 SFC Endowment Scholarships It s the right time to apply for financial aid for FEB Visit us at

2 2 What is Financial Aid? Financial aid is money provided to assist you in meeting college costs. It can be gift aid (grants and scholarships) or self help aid (parttime work and loans). Federal, state and institutional funding are three sources of financial aid. Grants are free awards that are based on financial need. Grants don t have to be repaid unless, for example, you are awarded funds incorrectly or you withdraw from school and owe a refund. Scholarships are non-repayable awards based either on merit or special talent alone or on merit and financial need. Work-study employment allows students to earn money while attending school. Student loans are available to students or their parents at low interest rates with repayment usually deferred until after graduation. Important If you withdraw from all of your classes within the first 60 percent of the payment period measured in calendar days, you may owe a portion of unearned aid back to the federal government. The college will owe a percent of the refund of the institutional costs, and any amount that the college repays will be billed to you. Refer to Federal Repayment Policy on page 8 for additional information. Who Should Apply? U.S. citizens, nationals or eligible non-citizens can apply for financial aid. You must have a high school diploma or GED before financial aid can be awarded, unless you qualify under ability to benefit guidelines. Most male students must register with the Selective Service to get financial aid. Where to Get Help If you have a question or need assistance with any part of the financial aid process, the Financial Aid Office in R-122 is where you can get help. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Financial aid specialists are available for walk-ins Monday and Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday 1 p.m.-4 p.m. You can us at financial.aid@sfcollege.edu or call (352) Please follow the five steps below to make sure your financial aid is awarded without delay: 1. File your FAFSA application at 2. Apply for admission to SFC and submit proof of high school graduation or GED. 3. Visit the Career Resource Center. 4. View your degree audit online before you register or see an academic advisor or a program advisor. 5. Check your financial aid status at esantafe and read your notifications regularly. Apply online 1. You must apply for financial aid each academic year. Apply online using FAFSA on the Web at Sign your FAFSA using your federal PIN. See the federal PIN on page 2. Do not estimate your financial figures. List Santa Fe s federal school code of and your housing plans in step six. If you leave your housing plans blank, you will be awarded financial aid based on a commuter budget. If you need help in transmitting the information, first complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet and then contact the Career Resource Center, (352) , for an appointment. The center is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. SFC will receive an electronic file with your FAFSA information that will be used in awarding your aid. 2. Apply for admission to SFC online at step1.htm. We cannot award you and disburse aid to you until you have completed the admissions process. This includes supplying academic transcripts from your high school and other colleges or postsecondary institutions that you have attended. As we receive more information about you, additional documents may be needed. Check esantafe to view the status of your financial aid file. 3. Visit the Career Resource Center, or go to and select Career Resource Center in the index for assistance in career planning. 4. View your degree audit online at esantafe and enroll in classes needed for your degree. For additional information see an academic advisor or a program advisor before you register. You must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program. Some ineligible programs are: 6907 Emergency Medical Technician and 7334 Home Health Aide. For a list of ineligible programs click on sfcollege.edu/admissions/app/acrobat/ascodes.pdf 5. Check your financial aid status by viewing My Financial Aid at esantafe. Respond promptly to our requests if additional information is needed. The Federal PIN Your federal PIN allows you access to personal information in U.S. Department of Education s systems such as applying for federal student aid. Your federal PIN allows you to: Access FAFSA on the Web and Corrections on the Web Sign your FAFSA electronically or obtain a copy of your FAFSA information Complete your Federal Direct Student Loan electronic Master Promissory Note (MPN) Review your grant and loan history on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) If you are a dependent student and one of your parents has a PIN, he or she can sign the application electronically using their PIN. How is Need Determined? The financial aid information you and your family provide on the FAFSA is analyzed by the federal processor to determine the expected family contribution (EFC). Family contribution is the amount you and your family should be able to pay toward your cost of education. Need is the difference between the amount you and your family can contribute and the cost to attend the college of your choice. The primary responsibility for paying for your education belongs to you and your family. College Budget (Cost of Attendance) - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

3 3 Award Notification You will receive a notification in esantafe when you are awarded. The types and amounts of aid offered, specific program information, your responsibilities, and the conditions that govern the award will be on esantafe in My Financial Aid. Important Dates/Deadlines January 1, 2009 Apply now (or as soon as possible after this date); complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year. March 15, 2009 Priority on time deadline for full funding June 30, 2010 The federal processor must receive the FAFSA on the Web by midnight Central Daylight Time. A paper FAFSA must be mailed in time for the processor to receive it by the deadline. July 15, 2010 File must be complete and verified (or 10 days prior to your last day of enrollment, whichever is earlier). August 8, 2010 SFC must receive your Student Aid Report (SAR, the results of your processed FAFSA); (or by last day of enrollment, whichever is earlier) for you to receive any financial aid. Your Financial Aid Information is Online at esantafe To find out the status of your file or the awards received, including the amount and disbursement date of your financial aid check(s), visit us online at esantafe. Confidentiality SFC ensures confidentiality of student records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Your information is kept private, and can only be released when a signed authorization is presented to the college. You can download the Student Authorization Form at Studentautho.pdf. Notification of Collection and Use of Social Security Numbers Section (5), Florida Statutes This notice is intended for students, employees, and applicants. Santa Fe College collects your social security number for use in performance of the college s duties and responsibilities for the following possible purposes: classification of accounts; identification and verification; creditworthiness; billing and payments; data collection; reconciliation; tracking; benefit processing; tax and scholarship reporting; financial aid processing; athletics recruiting; accreditation of programs; and reporting to authorized agencies of the state and federal government. Social security numbers are also used as a unique numeric identifier in certain cases and may be used for search purposes. Federal law requires that we protect social security numbers from disclosure to unauthorized parties. Students and employees are assigned SFC identification numbers to assist in protecting their identities. A Few Things to Know The Financial Aid Handbook information is available online at You may be eligible for a fee deferment (see more information on fee deferments on page 4. A standard term is 16 weeks in length and flexterms occur within the standard term for approximately eight weeks. Transfer students must have at least a 2.0 GPA after all official transfer course work has been evaluated to be eligible for financial aid. If you are awarded a Federal Direct Student Loan you must complete a loan orientation online at orientation.php. You must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at if you have not already done so for a prior Federal Direct Loan. Many outside organizations offer scholarships to students who meet certain criteria including, but not limited, to the following: background, professional affiliations, field of study, and/or place of residence. You may find scholarships at Transfer Students If you plan to transfer to SFC during the year (i.e. spring 2010 or summer 2010) you should: Add the SFC Federal school code on the FAFSA. Contact your current school and tell them of your plans to transfer so they may cancel your aid. All transfer credits as well as attempted course work at SFC will be included as attempted credit hours. You must have at least a 2.0 minimum cumulative all college grade point average (GPA) after all official transfer credits are evaluated to be eligible for financial aid. If you are a transfer student with a GPA less than 2.0 and you are attempting to qualify for aid in subsequent terms, you must either: 1. Raise your cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0, or 2. Earn a minimum term GPA of 2.5 for enrollment of at least halftime status. This must occur in your first term at SFC. Critical Enrollment Information Maximum eligibility for funding is based on a full-time enrollment status; however, part-time students may be eligible for financial aid. Per federal regulations, a student s financial aid must be calculated by determining the student s enrollment status based only on course work applicable to the student s degree or certificate at SFC. Enrollment status categories for funding are as follows: Full-time status is 12 credit hours or more; Three-quarter time status is 9 to 11 credit hours; Half-time status is 6 to 8 credit hours; Less than half-time status is 1-5 credit hours. Students who plan to register for less than full-time enrollment status should pay close attention to the eligibility requirements listed for each financial aid program (see page 5). The following are examples of enrollment status and financial aid eligibility: A. Melissa s program of study is associate of arts (AA) 1133 and she has completed all of her SFC degree requirements (60 credits). During the fall of 2009, she is registered for 13 credit hours of prerequisites required for admittance to the upper division of a state university that she wants to transfer to in the spring of Because her fall 2009 courses do not apply to her degree at SFC, her financial aid enrollment status is zero hours and she is not eligible for financial aid. Subject Credit Hours INR 2002 International Relations 3 SPN 1121 Spanish 2 4 STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 3 CPO 2001 Comparative Politics 3 B. John s program is associate of science (AS) 3315 Nuclear Medicine Technology and his fall 2009 registration of 9 credits includes a 3 credit hour class ENC 1102 that is not applicable to his degree at SFC. His enrollment status for financial aid is 6 hours (half time). Subject Credit Hours NMT 1111 Patient Care 3 NMT 1430 Radiation Biology 3 ENC 1102 Writing/Lit 3

4 4 Flexterm Enrollment What is a standard term? What is a flexterm? A standard term is 16 weeks in length. The standard fall term runs from August to December and the flexterm session occurs within the standard term at an accelerated pace. For example, the fall A flexterm runs from August to the middle of October, approximately eight weeks. Your fall financial aid will be based on your projected enrollment in ALL sessions as of the end of the regular drop with a refund date, August 28, 2009, OR the date the federal government processes your financial aid application, or the date that your financial aid is initially calculated by SFC, whichever is later. This is referred to as your lock-in date for determining all of your financial aid for the standard fall term, fall A flexterm, or fall B flexterm. The lock-in date for students who only attend the B flexterm will be the end of the regular drop with a refund date for the B flexterm or their processed date, or the date that your financial aid is initially calculated by SFC, whichever is later. If your application is processed by the federal government after the lock-in date for the standard fall term, August 28, 2009, then your registration will be locked-in at the processed date or the date that your financial aid is initially calculated by SFC, whichever is later. This same financial aid awarding process will also apply to the spring and summer terms of Please plan accordingly in scheduling your courses for future terms, and for any flexterms within the terms. Fall enrollment dates, categories, and examples are as follows: Fall term: 8/24/09 to 12/4/09 Fall A flexterm: 8/24/09 to 10/07/09 Fall B flexterm: 10/19/09 to 12/04/09 12 credit hrs. is full time 12 hrs: 6 fall + 3 fall A + 3 fall B 9-11 credit hrs. is 3/4 time 9 hrs: 3 fall + 3 fall A + 3 fall B 6-8 credit hrs. is 1/2 time 7 hrs 4 fall + 3 fall B 5 or less credit hrs. is <1/2 time 4 hrs: 3 fall + 1 fall B Students registering for flexterm courses will receive financial aid checks based on the combined flexterm and standard term enrollment. If you have any questions about flexterm enrollment and your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at financial.aid@sfcollege. edu or (352) Enrollment Status and Aid Adjustment at Lock-in Date After the lock-in date there are no adjustments to aid. Your award will be based on your recorded enrollment status and it will not increase or decrease after the lock-in date. Adjustment of Financial Aid Awards You will receive a tentative financial aid award based on full-time enrollment. At the lock-in date (which is the end of the regular drop with a refund date), your enrollment status is recorded and your award may be adjusted. The examples below illustrate the adjustment of a 4-month full-time award (standard term) and a 2-month full-time award (flexterm). Note that the amount of your actual financial aid award depends upon your calculated need. The following is an example of a 4-month budget (standard term) 12HRS 9HRS 6HRS Pell Grant $2365 $1774 $1183 Subsidized Direct Loan $1750 $1750 $1750 The following is an example of 2-month budget (flexterm) 12HRS 9HRS 6HRS Pell Grant $2365 $1774 $1183 Subsidized Direct Loan $1432 $1796 $2159 Federal Pell Grant is based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of credits you are taking each semester. If you are enrolled for less than 12 hours, your Pell award will be adjusted and, depending on your EFC, your Pell grant may adjust to zero. Usually the amount of your Direct Loan will not change. Prorating is required when your loan period is one term and you need 12 hours or less to complete your program. The following is an example based on 6 hours enrollment: The maximum loan amount will be the annual loan limit multiplied by the number of hours enrolled divided by 24 (the number of hours a full-time student is expected to earn within the academic year) X 6 = $ Fee Deferment A fee deferment is a charge of fees with the promise to pay at the established deadline. It does not automatically pay your fees; it only delays the payment. If you have been awarded financial aid, tuition will be deferred if fees are less than or equal to the amount of projected financial aid for the term. If you have not yet been awarded, but have a complete financial aid file, you may contact the Financial Aid Office for consideration of a fee deferment. Late applicants should be prepared to pay for tuition, books, housing, etc. You will be notified in writing of the fee deferment deadline. If the total deferred fees are not paid by the deadline, you will be flagged for a financial obligation to the college with a hold on all records and will be turned over to collections. If you drop a class after the drop with a refund date (e.g. during the period that you would receive a W), you will be responsible for paying the deferred fees. Fall and Spring Student Budgets Tuition: Single Resident* Single Commuter* FL Resident $75.80 Per credit hour $1,818 $1,818 Non-FL Resident $ Per credit hour $6, 768 $6,768 Books $700 $700 Room and Board $7,112 $1,920 Personal Expenses $2,120 $2,120 Transportation $1,496 $1,496 Totals: FL Resident $13,246 $8,054 Non-FL Resident $18,196 $13,004 *Costs are subject to change. To check the cost of attendance go to and click on Financial Aid for updated information. The resident or commuter budget is determined by the student s intended housing plans reported in step six of the FAFSA. Students With Disabilities The Financial Aid Office and the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) work together to assist students with disabilities. Contact the DRC for any special needs assistance at (352) voice/tty or visit Building S, room 229. Upon request, the DRC will arrange a meeting with a financial aid specialist. Veterans Affairs Veterans assistance programs at SFC are coordinated by the Veterans Affairs Office (R-101), (352) Veterans applying for financial aid must report all educational benefits and provide written verification

5 5 of same to the Financial Aid Office. Veterans may also be requested to submit a valid DD214 discharge form. Verification Verification is the process established by the U.S. Department of Education to check the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA. Verification may occur any time during the application or awarding process. In most cases, applicants are selected by the U.S. Department of Education; however, the college may also select a student. If selected, you will be notified by the federal processor and/or SFC. You may be asked to provide the following additional documents: Dependent Student Verification Worksheet Signed copy of your 2008 federal income tax return Signed copy of your parent(s) 2008 federal income tax return(s) Any other documents necessary to verify data Independent Student Verification Worksheet Signed copy of your (and spouse s) 2008 federal income tax return(s) Any other documents necessary to verify data This review may lengthen the processing time by four to eight weeks. No money will be awarded until the verification process has been completed. Each student must complete the verification process before the end of his or her academic year; files are inactivated in 30 days if no response is received. If the student refuses to provide the required verification documents, the case may be referred to the Office of Inspector General for resolution. Misrepresentation of Circumstances To maintain the integrity of the programs administered by the Financial Aid Office, all information and documentation submitted must be accurate and authentic. Students must provide complete information on all application forms and supplemental documents. Misrepresentation or the falsification of information and/or statements on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and can be considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code. Penalties also apply to state and institutional student aid funds. If the college has reason to believe that an applicant has applied for Federal Student Aid under false pretense, the case may be referred to the Office of Inspector General for resolution. Financial Aid Programs Federal Pell Grant This is a need-based grant program awarded to low-income undergraduates. Eligibility is determined by the federal processor. Award amounts are prorated according to the student s enrollment status (e.g. full time, three-quarter time, half time, less than half time). Fees may be deferred and books may be charged to accepted awards. Award amounts may range from $500-$4700 and are subject to change. Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) This is a merit-based and need-based federal grant program awarded to first and second year undergraduates who are enrolled at least halftime and eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. First academic year students must have completed a rigorous* secondary school program of study after January 1, Second academic year students must have completed a rigorous* secondary school program of study after January 1, 2005* and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at the conclusion of the first year of education. Award limits per academic year are as follows: first year students may receive a maximum of $750; second year students may receive a maximum of $1300. Fees may be deferred and books may be charged to accepted awards. *Visit html for Recognized State Rigorous Secondary School Programs of Study. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) This is a need-based grant program awarded to undergraduates with exceptional need and is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with early application as funds are available. Fees may be deferred and books may be charged to accepted awards. Award amounts range from $200-$600 per year. A minimum of half-time enrollment status (6-8 hours) per standard term is required for consideration. Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) This is a need-based state grant program awarded to undergraduates. To be considered, students must have one-year prior Florida residency and be enrolled in an eligible degree program. Priority is given to students with early application as funds are available. For renewal eligibility, if enrolled full time, students must earn 24 credit hours in previous summer, fall and spring semesters. If enrolled half time (6-8 hours) students must earn 12 credit hours; if enrolled three-quarter time (9-11 hours) students must complete 18 credit hours. If the award is a combination full-time and part-time FSAG, the student must successfully complete the applicable credit hours for each term. Award amounts range from $200-$1916 per year. Fees may be deferred and books may be charged to accepted awards. Florida Student Assistance Grant for Students in Certificate Programs (FSAG-CE) This is a need-based state grant created to assist Florida students enrolled in certificate programs. To be considered, students must have one-year prior Florida residency and be enrolled in a certificate program. Priority is given to students with early application as funds are available. For renewal eligibility, if enrolled full time, students must earn 24 credit hours in previous summer, fall and spring semesters. If enrolled half time (6-8 hours) students must earn 12 credit hours; if enrolled three-quarter time (9-11 hours) students must complete 18 credit hours. If the award is a combination full-time and part-time FSAG-CE, the student must successfully complete the applicable credit hours for each term. Award amounts range from $200-$1916 per year. Fees may be deferred and books may be charged to accepted awards. The student does not have to receive the Pell Grant to receive an FSAG-CE program grant. Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP) This is a need-based state funded program providing eligible students work experience to complement and reinforce their educational career goals. To be eligible, the student must be a Florida resident and be enrolled at least half-time. Awards range from hours per week. Students are paid minimum wage bi-monthly. Students who are awarded should contact the Financial Aid Work Study office in R-122 for job placement. A minimum of half-time enrollment status (6-8 hours) per standard term is required for consideration. Federal Work Study (FWS) This is a need-based student work program. Awards range from hours per week. Students are paid minimum wage bi-monthly. Students who are awarded should contact the Financial Aid Work Study office in R-122 for job placement. A minimum of half-time enrollment status (6-8 hours) per standard term is required for consideration. Community Service work study positions are available; if interested, advise the work study placement specialist. Santa Fe Scholarship This institutional scholarship is awarded to out-of-district students with early application as funds are available. Students must be taking course work required for their major; however, any enrollment status will be considered when determining awards.

6 6 Loans are Financial Aid William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan Program) Santa Fe College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan and the lender is the U.S. Department of Education. Fees may be deferred and books may be charged to accepted loans. The amount of the deferment will be limited to the net loan disbursed. A minimum half-time enrollment status (6-8 hours) per standard term is required for consideration. The loan will be disbursed in two installments, and no installment will be greater than half the loan amount. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. If you re eligible for a subsidized loan, the government will pay (subsidize) the interest on your loan while you re enrolled at least half time, for the first six months after you cease to be enrolled at least half time, and if you qualify to have your payments deferred. Depending on your financial need, you may borrow subsidized money for an amount up to the annual loan borrowing limit for your level of study (see below). You might be able to borrow loan funds beyond your subsidized loan amount even if you don t have financial need. In that case, you d receive an unsubsidized loan. We will subtract the total amount of your other financial aid from your cost of attendance to determine the amount of your unsubsidized loan. Unlike a subsidized loan, you are responsible for the interest from the time the unsubsidized loan is disbursed until it s paid in full. You can choose to pay the interest or allow it to accrue (accumulate) and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). Capitalizing the interest will increase the amount you have to repay. You can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period as long as you don t exceed the annual loan limits. For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008 the following limits apply: Dependent undergraduate student (excluding students whose parents cannot borrow Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loan): o $5500 if you re a first-year student enrolled in an eligible program of study. No more than $3500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans. o $6500 if you ve completed your first year of study in an associate degree program. No more than $4500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans. o $7500 if enrolled in a bachelor degree program of study. No more than $5500 of this amount can be in subsidized loans. Independent undergraduate student (and a dependent student whose parents have applied for but were unable to get a PLUS Loan: o $9500 if you re a first-year student enrolled in an eligible program of study. No more than $3500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. o $10500 if you ve completed your first year of study in an associate degree program. No more than $4500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. o $12500 if enrolled in a bachelor degree program of study. No more than $5500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. Over a four-year period beginning July 1, 2008, the interest rate on subsidized Stafford Loans made to undergraduate students will be reduced. The applicable interest rates for loans made during this period are as follows: First disbursement of a loan*: Made on or after And made before Interest rate on the unpaid balance July 1, 2008 July 1, percent July 1, 2009 July 1, percent July 1, 2010 July 1, percent July 1, 2011 July 1, percent These changes apply to subsidized Stafford Loans first disbursed on or after July 1 of each year through June 30 of the next year. This change does not affect any prior loans made to borrowers; the terms and interest rates of those loans remain the same. These reduced interest rates apply only to subsidized loans; any unsubsidized Stafford Loan for the same undergraduate borrower would continue to be made at the current fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent. *For loans that are first disbursed between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, there is a fee of up to 1.5 percent of the loan, deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement. If this is your first Federal Direct Loan, you must sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), a binding legal document that lists the conditions under which you re borrowing and the terms under which you agree to repay your loan. You may access a promissory note and submit it online at If you are unable to complete the MPN online, contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance. You must also complete and transmit the results of your online loan orientation at 30-Day Hold Generally, if you re a first-year undergraduate student and a firsttime borrower, SFC will hold your first payment until 30 days after the first day of your enrollment period. This practice ensures you won t have a loan to repay if you withdraw during the first 30 days of classes. Borrower Responsibilities You must keep SFC and the federal government informed of any changes in your: 1) Name 2) Permanent address 3) Name and address of expected employer 4) Address of next of kin 5) Change in enrollment status to less than half time How will I get the loan money? For both the Direct Loan and FFEL programs, you ll be paid through your school in at least two installments. No installment may exceed one-half of your loan amount. Your loan money must first be applied to pay for tuition and fees, room and board, and other school charges. If loan money remains, you ll receive the funds by check or in cash, unless you give the school written authorization to hold the funds until later in the enrollment period. A school with a cohort default rate of less than 10 percent for each of the three most recent fiscal years for which data are available is not required to delay the delivery or disbursement of the first disbursement of a loan for 30 days for first-time, first year undergraduate borrowers. Federal Loan Repayment Example Loan Amount Interest Monthly Total Total Total Months Type Borrowed Rate Payment Interest Paid in Repayment Direct Loan $3, $50.00 $ $4, Direct Loan $5, $ $ $ Direct Loan $9, $ $ $ PLUS $5, $ $ $ PLUS $11, $ $ $

7 7 Repaying Your Loans After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a period of time before you have to begin repayment. This grace period will be six months for a Direct Stafford Loan. (If you re a parent reading this and you have a FFEL or Direct PLUS Loan, you don t have a grace period and generally must begin repayment within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.) You have a choice of repayment plans (pg. 6). Your monthly payment will depend on the size of your debt and the length of your repayment period. Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid explains available repayment options, includes examples of monthly payments for different loan amounts, and covers other topics you need to consider when managing your loans. To use the calculator to determine your repayment amounts under each of the different repayment plans go to offices/osfap/directloan/calc.html. Exit Counseling You ll receive information about repayment and your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. We can t emphasize enough the importance of making your full loan payment on time either monthly (which is usually when you ll pay) or according to your repayment schedule. If you don t, you could end up in default, which has serious consequences. Student loans are real loans just as real as car loans or mortgages. You have to pay back your student loans. Get Your Loan Information The U.S. Department of Education s National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) allows you to access information on loan and/or federal grant amounts, your loan status (including outstanding balances), and disbursements made. Go to New Deferment Information The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA), enacted on Sept. 27, 2007, modified the Military Service Deferment, created the Active Duty Student Deferment and changed the poverty line standard for the Economic Hardship Deferment for borrowers in the FFEL and Direct Loan. For detailed information, contact the Direct Loan Servicing Center at or by calling or TTY users should call Federal Parent Loans to Undergraduate Students (PLUS) SFC requires students to complete the FAFSA and have a valid SAR on file to process a PLUS Loan. For lender information you may search Google for Federal PLUS Loans. This federal student loan program for parents of dependent students enables parents to borrow from a lending institution for the students education. Students will not be able to charge tuition or books against the PLUS loan. The award limit is the college budget less other financial aid. A minimum half-time enrollment status (6-8 hours) per standard term is required for consideration and students must meet minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Policies That Affect You Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients Minimum Standards Federal and state regulations require that students meet minimum standards in order to be eligible to receive financial aid funds. The minimum standards at SFC are defined below and are applied to all financial aid programs administered by the college, except those programs where eligibility requirements are defined by institutional or outside donor guidelines: 1. Students must meet an academic performance requirement of at least a 2.0 all college cumulative grade point average (GPA). 2. Students must make progress toward their degree. Minimum progress toward a degree requires initial year financial aid applicants who have previously attended SFC to earn 67 percent of registration attempted at SFC. 3. Minimum progress toward a degree requires continuing financial aid recipients to earn 67 percent of credit hours attempted during the current academic year for renewal eligibility. If a continuing financial aid recipient completes zero credits/hours for any funded term during the academic year, then he or she will lose all subsequent financial aid awarded for that academic year. 4. Students must complete their educational objective within a given time frame. This limit is effective whether or not financial aid has ever been applied for or received. a. All transfer credits as well as all SFC attempted course work will be included as attempted credit hours. b. All AA, AS and AAS degree-seeking students have a maximum of 90 attempted credit hours. c. All vocational and certificate (i.e. any 6000 to 7999 program code such as program code 6507 Office Systems Specialist) seeking students have a maximum of 45 attempted credit hours or less. d. All BAS degree-seeking students have a maximum of 180 attempted credit hours. Effect of Incomplete Grades, Withdrawals, Remedial Course Work, and Course Repeats A student who has no completed credit hours and has incompletes in a term has 20 school days from the first day of classes of the following term to make up the incomplete grades in order to continue receiving funds. Reinstatement of awards is contingent on a funds-available basis and it is the student s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office in writing within the time frame. If grade changes or incomplete grades made up after the time frame should affect subsequent terms or academic year eligibility, students must notify the Financial Aid Office in writing of such changes. Withdrawals from any course(s) will be counted in the total credit hours attempted and may result in failure to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress. Students must follow the official withdrawal procedures established by the college. Course repeats will be counted in the total attempted credit hours. See Grades and Reports in the Academic Affairs section of the college catalog for additional information. Funding for remedial course work will be limited to 30 credit hours regardless of whether or not the student received any financial aid for these remedial (college preparatory courses) credit hours. For students receiving financial aid, federal regulations place no limit on the number of ESL (English as a Second Language) credit hours a student may take. Remedial and ESL course work are treated the same as other courses for satisfactory academic progress purposes. Grades received in these courses will be used in calculating a GPA and hours attempted will be used to determine the percent of completion. Remedial and ESL course work will be counted when determining the maximum time frame for receiving financial aid. Reinstatement If a student is denied/suspended from financial aid, the student must attend a semester or semesters on unaided status until minimum standards are met. Determination of Continued Eligibility Probation/Suspension Students will be monitored for an all college cumulative 2.0 GPA, 67 percent completion of credit hours attempted and maximum time frame at the end of every term. Failure to maintain an all college cumulative 2.0 GPA or failure to earn 67 percent completion will result

8 8 in a probationary status that remains until the final review is performed. Students who complete zero credit hours or reach the maximum time frame will be suspended/denied from financial aid. A final review of satisfactory progress will occur at the end of the student s award year. Students who do not meet the above stated minimum requirement will be suspended from receipt of financial aid. Students who have reached the maximum time frame in their program of study may appeal for consideration of any further financial aid. A student will not be eligible for renewal of financial aid if minimum standards were not met for the prior funded year even if the cumulative hours earned (entire SFC academic record) is 67 percent of all attempted hours. A student who is suspended because of zero credit hours or less than 67 percent completed must attend, unaided, until the completion deficit points are made up for the prior funded year. Students must have an all college cumulative 2.0 GPA in order to continue receiving financial aid. Students have the right of appeal if circumstances warrant further review. Appeal Students have the right to appeal a financial aid denial or suspension if they have special circumstances that prevented them from meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements. Circumstances that may be considered for this appeal include: death in the student s immediate family, medical emergencies, accidents, divorce or separation of parents, personal tragedy, or other documented circumstances beyond the student s control that prevented him or her from meeting the minimum standards. Procedure for Review In order to appeal the decision on this basis, the following procedures must be used: 1. A request must be submitted by the student in writing to the Financial Aid Office. 2. The circumstances which prevented satisfactory progress must be clearly stated. 3. The request must include documentation to support the exceptional circumstance, such as death certificate, statement from physician, or other verifiable information. All documentation is subject to verification by the Financial Aid Office. 4. Once the review has been made the student will be notified of the result of the review. Transfer Student Evaluation All transfer credits as well as all SFC attempted course work will be included as attempted credit hours. Transfer students applying for financial aid must have at least an all college cumulative 2.0 GPA after transfer credits are evaluated to be eligible to receive financial aid funding. Transfer students with less than an all college cumulative 2.0 GPA and attempting to qualify for aid in subsequent terms must either: 1. Raise the all college cumulative GPA to at least a 2.0 or 2. Earn a minimum term GPA of 2.5 for enrollment of at least halftime status. (This must be performed the first term enrolled at SFC.) Postsecondary Adult Programs (PSAV) PSAV programs greater than or equal to 900 clock hours: Course work in these PSAV programs will be converted to credit hours for financial aid payment and will follow the same satisfactory academic standards as noted above for other credit programs. PSAV programs 600 to 899 clock hours: Course work in these PSAV programs is based on clock hour attendance. Students receiving financial aid must successfully complete the clock hour course work with a 2.0 GPA for each class funded before additional payment can be made. Duration of eligibility will be limited to the length of the program. Federal Repayment Policy As a result of the Higher Education Act of 1998, a student who completely withdraws from classes may be required to repay a percentage of financial aid funds received. The Registrar s Office, located in R-101, is the designated office to contact about withdrawing from the college. Office hours are: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For official withdrawal procedures, please see the college catalog. College refund policy dictates that fees will be refunded in full for course work dropped during the drop with a refund date or canceled by the college. However, the federal repayment policy supersedes the college refund policy for students receiving federal financial aid and completely withdrawing from the college. In general, a portion of federal student financial aid (Title IV) grant or loan funds, but not federal college work study funds, must be returned to the Title IV programs upon a recipient s withdrawal from school. Simply put, any Title IV financial aid recipient who withdraws within the first 60 percent of the payment period measured in calendar days owes a portion of unearned aid back to the federal government. The college will also owe a percentage of the refund of the institutional costs. Any amount that the college repays will be billed to the student. All students receiving Title IV assistance who completely withdraw are subject to the federal repayment law. This law uses the terms earned and unearned Title IV funds when relating the amount of assistance applicable to the percentage of time enrolled. It is the unearned portion that becomes the focus of the Return of Title IV Funds formula. The school must first determine the percentage of Title IV assistance the student earned. Up through the 60 percent point in time, the percentage of assistance earned is equal to the percentage of the payment period completed as of the day the student withdrew. If the withdrawal occurs after the 60 percent point, then the percentage earned is 100 percent, and no refund/repayment is required. The difference between the earned Title IV assistance and 100 percent equals the percentage of unearned Title IV funds that are therefore subject to repayment by the school and/or the student. Any required repayment is allocated back to the Title IV programs in order specified by law.* A student must repay the portion of the original grant overpayment that is in excess of half of the total Title IV grant funds that he or she received or could have received. The student does not have to repay grant overpayments of $50 or less per program. Any repayment of Title IV loans is to be repaid under the conditions of the existing promissory note. A student who owes a grant repayment remains ineligible for further Title IV assistance until the grant is repaid, unless the student and the U.S. Department of Education agree on a satisfactory repayment arrangement. The U.S. Department of Education allows a student to retain eligibility for 45 days from the date that the institution sends the repayment notification to the student. To continue eligibility past 45 days, the student will either have to pay the overpayment in full or make satisfactory arrangement with the U.S. Department of Education to repay. For more specific information regarding this policy or for examples of the repayment formula, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (352) *Return Title IV funds in the order as specified by law: 1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans 2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans 3. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans 4. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans 5. Perkins Loans 6. Federal PLUS Loans

9 9 7. Direct PLUS Loans 8. Federal Pell Grant 9. Academic Competitiveness Grant 10. Federal SEOG 11. Other Title IV assistance Financial Aid Resources FAFSA on the Web For federal program information, help in filling out the FAFSA application, requesting a duplicate Student Aid Report (SAR), change of address, adding schools, or query status: (800) TTY (800) FAFSA on the Web Customer Service Federal PIN Registration National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) U.S. Department of Education s central database with Title IV loans and/or Federal Pell Grant information including loan and/or grant amounts, outstanding balances, loan status, and disbursements. Direct Loan Services Online Federal Direct Loans Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) Online Closed School Search Page Federal Student Aid Aid for Native American Students Scholarships Information scholarships.jsp?g Scholarship Scam Alert Bright Futures Florida Financial Aid Application Selective Service System Online Title IV Code Search Page Student Gateway to the U.S. Government U.S. Department of Education SFA Ombudsman Florida s Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students The National Scholars Honor Society SFC Career Resource Center s Scholarship Information How Will I Get My Money? Financial aid checks are mailed to the student s current address on file with the Registrar s Office approximately three working days after the drop with a refund date. Please keep your mailing address up to date to prevent your check(s) from being lost or returned in the mail. Federal Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans disbursements must be accepted by the federal government prior to checks processing. Florida Student Assistance Grant, Bright Futures and other state scholarship checks will be processed as funds become available and internal reporting is completed. SFC Endowment Scholarship checks will be processed mid-semester. Financial aid checks will not be mailed to students owing an obligation to the college. If you owe an obligation, you will be notified and should resolve the issue. Once your issues have been resolved, your check may be picked up at the Cashier s Office. You are responsible for any debt or overpayment occurring as a result of your error or institutional error. The Cashier s Office is located in the Alan J. Robertson Administration Building, room 52, and is open for business Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional Information Anti Drug Abuse Act Students should be aware that, if convicted of a drug felony, they may lose eligibility for federal financial aid programs. Default Students are not eligible for federal or state student aid if they are in default on a federal loan or owe a repayment on a student grant. A student who has a financial obligation or is in default on a student loan shall not be permitted to graduate, register, receive an academic transcript or benefit from other regular college services. Need Financial Aid Forms? You can download forms at php. Report Outside Resources Notify the Financial Aid Office of all financial aid assistance not listed on your award notification as your award may have to be adjusted. You will be responsible for any overpayment occurring as a result of receipt of outside resources. Check the Web It is your responsibility to check esantafe for your financial aid information and read your notifications regularly. Professional Judgment Federal regulations allow SFC to deny loan eligibility to any student based on the professional judgment of the financial aid administrator. If you or your family have unusual circumstances that affect your eligibility consult with a financial aid specialist for additional information. Disclaimer Availability and regulations governing the financial aid programs as well as institutional policies and procedures are subject to change without notice. Updated information may be available on our website at Federal Student Aid Office of the Ombudsman An ombudsman resolves disputes from a neutral, independent viewpoint. The U.S. Department of Education provides the services of the Student Financial Aid Ombudsman who works with student loan borrowers to resolve loan disputes and problems informally. The office can be contacted at (877) , via the Web at ed.gov, or by mail at: FSA Ombudsman U.S. Department of Education 830 First Street, NE, Fourth Floor Washington, DC

10 10 Other Sources of Aid Scholarships Scholarships are gift aid based on scholastic achievement or special talent; some consider financial need. Scholarships designated for Santa Fe College students are described below. Many outside organizations offer awards based on place of residence, background, professional affiliations and/or field of study. Free computerized scholarship search assistance is available in the Career Resource Center. Outside aid is considered in your aid package and must be reported to the Financial Aid Office. Many upper division schools offer transfer scholarships to outstanding students graduating from SFC. For information on such scholarships, contact the university or college you plan to attend or visit our website at Transfer scholarship deadlines are usually early spring for the following fall term. Interested in a Direct Loan for Summer 2010? Download and submit to our office the summer financial aid application that will be available in early spring Please read the information below regarding your loan eligibility for the fall 2010 term. If you have been awarded Direct Loans for the fall and spring terms of the academic year and are interested in Direct Loans for summer 2010 term, the following may apply to you: You may have less loan eligibility for the fall 2010 term if your summer loan award exceeds one-half of the maximum you are entitled to borrow in an academic year (an 8-month period). Your academic year limit is based on your grade level (first or second year in program) and dependency status (independent or dependent). The amount of your award is based on the assumption of full-time enrollment in the full term. The amount of your award is based on your registration (number of credit hours) and on the enrollment period (full semester and/or flexterm) and it may change accordingly. Example 1 John is a dependent first year student. During the summer 2010, he was awarded a subsidized loan for $3500. The maximum eligibility of his fall 2010 loan is $0. This amount is the difference between his loan limit ($3500) and the summer loan award ($3500) = $0. Example 2 Mary is an independent first year student. During the summer 2010, she was awarded a subsidized loan for $3500 and an unsubsidized loan for $1500. She has no additional subsidized loan eligibility for fall 2010 because her summer 2010 subsidized loan for $3500 was the maximum she is entitled to borrow per academic year. For fall 2010 the maximum amount of her unsubsidized loan eligibility is $2500. This amount is the difference between her unsubsidized loan limit ($4000) and her summer 2010 loan award ($1500) = $2500.Should you have any questions regarding your loan eligibility, please contact the Financial Aid Office at financial.aid@sfcollege. edu or call (352) Study Abroad Students participating in a Santa Fe College (SFC) Study Abroad program may be eligible to receive financial assistance for their academic credits approved by SFC if the coursework is required for the students program of study at SFC. SFC Board of Trustees Scholarships By Florida statute, the following nine scholarships are funded in part by a portion of every tuition dollar. These scholarships offer tuition up to 76 credit hours or program length plus a $700 books/supplies allowance for a maximum of two years, unless otherwise stated. In-state tuition and fees are charged to these awards, unless otherwise stated in the student s scholarship. Board of Trustees Scholarships This one-year need-based award is offered on a first-come, firstserved basis to in-district students who have completed all SFC admission requirements and the Federal Application for Student Financial Aid. Students must meet minimum standards of academic progress as defined on page 7. Athletics This one-year renewable award is offered through the SFC Athletics Department to students who excel in baseball, basketball or softball. Students selected by the SFC Athletics Department must meet state athletic scholarship guidelines for eligibility and renewal. Full-time enrollment is required. Contact the Athletics Department at (352) for more information. Creative Arts This one-year renewable award is offered through SFC s Fine Arts Department to students who excel in art, dance, debate, music or theater. Consideration of candidates is based on auditions, portfolio, interview and recommendation. Students must enroll in courses relating to award, and full-time enrollment is required. Contact Fine Arts Chairperson at (352) for more information. College Achievement Program This award is offered each year to outstanding participants in the College Achievement Program. Students have three years to use this award. Full-time enrollment is required and students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA for renewal. Contact the Office of Diversity at (352) for more information. James Gregg Honors Program The Honors Program Scholarship Committee will award up to twenty scholarships per academic year to selected students from the Honors Program. Each scholarship will be granted for one year, renewable up to two consecutive years if academic standards are met. Contact the Office of International Education, Economic Development and Honors Program at (352) for more information. Public Service This scholarship is offered to selected students who are participating in the Gainesville Police Department s Cadet Program. Students are

11 11 expected to attend full time and must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA for renewal. Contact GPD Crime Prevention at (352) for more information. Student Ambassador This one-year award is offered through SFC s Welcome and Admissions Center to 16 students selected to represent the college for the fall and spring terms. Students must have earned at least 18 credit hours at SFC with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to apply for consideration. Contact the program coordinator at (352) Student Government This scholarship is awarded to the current academic year Student Government leadership team. Students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and must comply with the Student Government constitution to remain eligible. Students should contact the Student Government office in the Center for Student Leadership and Activities. Technology and Applied Sciences This scholarship is available to 18 students enrolled in SFC s Career and Technical Education Programs. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA for renewal. For additional information contact the Office of International Education, Economic Development and Honors Program at (352) or in Building P, room 213. SFC Endowment Scholarships The following scholarships are offered through the SFC Endowment Corporation: Alachua County/SFC Minority Scholarship Alfred B. Watson, Sr. and Agnes W. Watson Scholarship Altrusa International, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida Altrusa International, Inc. of Starke, Florida Arts and Sciences Scholarship ASA/NHRA Automotive Technology Scholarship A.W. Fletcher Memorial Scholarship Billy and Glenna F. Brashear Nursing and Health Scholarship Boone/Bussard Welding Scholarship Bradford County/Andrews SFC Minority Scholarship Bruce P. Walek Memorial Scholarship Charisma O Connor Memorial Scholarship Charles L. Blount Scholarship Charles R. Perry Memorial Scholarship Christa Leigh Hoyt Memorial Scholarship Colonel R. James Glikes Memorial Scholarship Davis, Monk & Co. Leo T. Hury Business Scholarship Dewitt C. Jones and Jeanne C. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Dexter and Sarajo O Steen Family Scholarship Disney s Animal Kingdom/Animal Programs Scholarship Dr. Erich and Ellen Farber Scholarship Dr. Lamar E. Crevasse Scholarship Ester Porter Lane Memorial Scholarship Fiona Kathleen Gott Memorial Scholarship Florence Smith Nursing Scholarship Francis B. Watson Memorial Scholarship Gene Gerber Memorial Scholarship Guy and Elizabeth Andrews Scholarship H. Medford and Patricia Connelly Scholarship Harold A. and Jeanne Cruthirds Johnson Scholarship Henry H. Beck Memorial Scholarship Herron Health Care Scholarship Hung-Sen Wu Memorial Scholarship Irene Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship James and Rena Swick Memorial Scholarship James F. Moore Memorial Scholarship Jean Rae Bronson Nursing Scholarship Jeff Block Memorial Scholarship Jeffrey Mattison Wershow Memorial Scholarship Joseph W. Fordyce Scholarship Joyce Doke Riherd/Bradford County Public Health Nursing Scholarship Kiwanis Club of Starke Community Service Scholarship Laura Lopez Memorial Scholarship Lillian Stump Nursing & Health Related Scholarship Margaret F. Knapp Nursing Scholarship Margaret R.T. Morgan Nursing Scholarship Mark M. and Flora Yon Richardson Memorial Scholarship Mazdak Noorbakhsh Memorial Scholarship Medical and Surgical Affiliates (MSA) Nursing and Health Related Scholarship Newberry Garden Club Scholarship Nicholas J. Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship Noah Jacob Rodkin Memorial Scholarship Norman Jensen Art Scholarship Norris O. Roszel Family Scholarship Nursing & Health Related Scholarship Nursing Education Scholarship Pamphalon Foundation Scholarship Patricia M. Blount Scholarship Patricia Sherman Fabrick/Alachua Habitat for Humanity Scholarship Philip H. Baker Gainesville Civitan Club Scholarship Plus One Scholarship Professional Retail Sales Associate Scholarship Roxann Kelley Buehn Memorial Scholarship S. Clark Butler Scholarship Shands at Starke Auxiliary Scholarship Shands at University of Florida/Rosa B. Williams Scholarship Starke Rotary Club Scholarship Village Nursing Scholarship Eligibility requirements for SFC Endowment Scholarships vary. Some awards are offered to graduating high school seniors in Alachua and Bradford counties; others are available to students entering SFC automotive, welding, business programs and health related fields. For information on specific scholarships please visit scholarships. A scholarship handbook will be available at Alachua and Bradford county high schools in early spring. Most deadlines are March 6, 2009 for the academic year. Tuition may be charged to accepted awards. Awards range from $1000 to $1600 per academic year payable during the fall and spring semesters. Other Scholarships Math Opens the Door Scholarships (MODS) The Santa Fe College mathematics department offers 30 scholarships worth $3125 per year to recipients majoring in mathematics or engineering who desire to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program in Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics. Both first-time-incollege and in-college students can apply but eligibility criteria vary. The scholarship is both merit and need-based so the student must also apply for Federal Financial Assistance. Additional information may be viewed at SFC s Math Opens the Door Web site at sfcollege.edu.

12 12 Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Over $35 million in local, regional, and international scholarships is available to Phi Theta Kappa Members. For more details, please contact the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Committee in S-154 or To find out when the scholarship committee meets, call (352) Barry Goldwater Awarded to college students who intend to pursue careers in math, natural sciences and engineering fields. For more information, call (352) Jack Kent Cooke Awards approximately 50 scholarships to undergraduate students attending community colleges or two-year institutions in the U.S. and planning to transfer to four-year institutions. For more information, call (352) Hispanic Scholarship Fund Offered to community college students who plan to transfer and enroll in a degree-seeking program at a four-year U.S. accredited institution in the U.S. For more information, visit Scholarships.aspx. Native American/Morris K. Udall Scholarship Offered to Native Americans and Alaska native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy or native health. For more information, visit udall.gov. The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association Undergraduate Scholarship Program Offered to students currently enrolled in one of the nursing programs. For more information, visit resources/. Transfer Scholarships Other Scholarships State of Florida Programs The Florida Department of Education offers various student financial assistance programs which are administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) in Tallahassee. These programs include Florida Bright Futures, Florida Student Assistant Grant, Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant and more. Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program This is a state scholarship awarded to Florida high school graduates who demonstrate high academic achievement. Awards are issued by the State of Florida directly to the eligible student. Initial eligibility is generally determined in your senior year of high school. The program has three levels. You may receive only one of the following: 1. Florida Academic Scholars Award pays 100 percent of college-level tuition plus a book allowance, and requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA for renewal; or 2. Florida Medallion Scholars Award (pays 100 percent of college-level tuition for associate degree programs or 75 percent of college-level tuition for certificate programs), and requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA for renewal; or 3. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (pays 75 percent of vocational program tuition), requires 2.75 cumulative GPA for renewal Renewal also requires completion of at least 6 credit hours of college-level course work each term. Each award level has different academic criteria for eligibility. The top-ranked scholar from each county will receive an additional award of up to $1,500. Applications and eligibility criteria are available from your high school s guidance office or from the Florida Department of Education Web site: floridastudentfinancialaid.org. SFC receives electronic information about eligible scholars from the Florida Department of Education. You must enroll for at least 6 hours of college-level course work each term. Initial award amounts are estimated for purposes of SFC s financial aid award planning. Actual payment depends upon the program regulations and the amount of tuition and fees assessed for the term. The scholarships will cover the designated percentage of in-state college-level tuition and fees for up to 45 credit hours of course work each year. Payment will be based on your actual tuition charges. Bright Futures awards are available for fall and spring terms only. For additional details about the Bright Futures program and program regulations, visit floridastudentfinancialaid.org. For more information, point your Web browser to The address is information@sfcollege.edu. Statement of Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Santa Fe College is committed to an environment that embraces diversity, respects the rights of all individuals, is open and accessible, and is free of harassment and discrimination based on, but not limited to, race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, veteran status and/or sexual orientation. Lela Elmore, Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Coordinator R-Annex, room 105, (352) Santa Fe College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate and Baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia or call for questions about the accreditation of Santa Fe College Santa Fe College, Gainesville, Florida