Concordia College Alabama (CCA)

Transcription

1 (CCA) Consumer Information Student Financial Aid Program CCA is aware of the financial burden facing many prospective college students and their parents. Students desiring to attend college, however, should not let the possibility of financial problems alter their plans and desires. Instead, they should seek advice from Concordia s Financial Aid Office, who in many instances may be able to help arrange an acceptable financial package. Financial assistance for students at Concordia is available in three types. One is based upon achievement, both academic and extra-curricular, and is administered in the form of scholarships. One is based upon the student s financial need and is administered in the form of grants and employment opportunities. The other is the Direct Lending Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Application forms for financial aid awarded through the college should be requested from the Admissions Office or download on line from Go to admissions>financial aid. Types of Financial Aid Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Alabama Student Grant Program Alabama Student Assistance Grant Program William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program Federal Work Study Program Institutional Scholarships Lutheran Church Workers Financial Assistance Accepts outside scholarships or aid for students, if applicable, without over awarding Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) For students who qualify, the Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant) Program is the foundation of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Pell Grants provide undergraduate students who have financial need and meet the other requirements for FSA assistance with a foundation of financial aid to help defray the costs of postsecondary education. Other forms of financial aid can then be added to a student s Pell Grant to help meet the student s full need. Unlike other programs such as the Campus-Based programs, schools don t have to make decisions about who receives Pell Grant funds or how much they receive. ED pays Pell Grant funds to all eligible students, and standard formulas determine how much each student receives. All undergraduate students needing financial aid at CCA are eligible to apply and are expected to apply for assistance under the PELL Grant. To be considered for federal

2 Concordia College Selma Consumer Information p. 2 student aid, a student must complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA collects financial and other information used to calculate the expected family contribution (EFC) and to determine a student s eligibility through computer matches with other agencies. Application forms for this grant are available online at The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program Direct Loan Programs: Subsidized and Unsubsidized, provides low-interest loans to eligible borrowers to cover postsecondary education costs. The Direct Loan program uses funds provided by the federal government, and makes loans available directly through participating institutions. Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Subsidized Loans) are made to students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) who demonstrate financial need. Borrowers are not charged interest while they are enrolled in school at least half time and during grace periods and deferment periods. When borrowers cease to be enrolled at an eligible school, on at least a half-time basis, a six-month grace period begins. The repayment period for a Direct Subsidized Loan begins and interest begins to accrue the day after the grace period ends. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford/Ford Loans (Direct Unsubsidized Loans) are made to students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). They do not require students to demonstrate financial need. Borrowers are responsible for the interest that accrues during all periods over the life of a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. During periods of enrollment and the grace period borrowers may choose to pay the interest, or have it capitalized. When a borrower ceases to be enrolled at an eligible school on at least a half-time basis, a six-month grace period begins. The repayment period for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan begins the day after the grace period ends. Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Direct PLUS Loans) allow parents, and in some cases stepparents to borrow on behalf of their dependent undergraduate children who are enrolled at least half time at a postsecondary school. Interest on a Direct PLUS Loan begins to accrue when the first installment is disbursed. Repayment begins when the loan is fully disbursed. Federal Direct Consolidation Loans (Direct Consolidation Loans) allow borrowers (students or parents) to combine one or more federal education loans into one new Direct Loan requiring only one monthly payment. There are three types of Direct Consolidation Loans: 1. Direct Subsidized Consolidation Loans, 2. Direct Unsubsidized Consolidation Loans, and 3. Direct PLUS Consolidation Loans.

3 Consumer Information p. 3 Even if a borrower consolidates his or her federal education loans from more than one category, the borrower still has only one Direct Consolidation Loan and makes only one monthly payment. Students may apply online at Before a first-time Federal Direct Loan borrower takes out a loan, the school must ensure that entrance counseling is conducted. Counseling must include: an explanation of the use of a Master Promissory Note (MPN), the importance of repayment and a description of the consequences of default. Loan exit counseling must also be provided before the borrower completes his or her course of study or otherwise leaves the school. Master Promissory Note (MPN) The MPN is very important because it is the document that makes a borrower legally responsible for repaying his or her Direct Loan. The MPN collects identifying information for the borrower and the school, such as the borrower s name, SSN, date of birth, address and references. It does not include specific details concerning the loans that are to be made under that MPN, such as loan amounts, loan periods, or disbursement dates and amounts. The process to complete the MPN and the Entrance Counseling: Go to Admissions>financial aid. Because the MPN does not include specific loan information, multiple loans can be made under a single MPN, and adjustments to the loan or disbursement amounts usually do not require a student (or parent) to sign a new MPN. However, your school must notify the student of the proposed loan amounts, and give an opportunity to refuse the loan or request a lower loan amount. The MPN also contains information on the terms and conditions of the loan(s) that will be covered by the MPN, such as cancellation provisions, interest, fees, late charges, and repayment information and default provisions. The student or parent must receive a copy of the Borrower s Rights and Responsibilities Statement at the same time as the MPN. This Statement provides additional detail about interest rates, repayment terms, deferment, forbearance, and cancellation provisions, and late charges. Rights and Responsibilities The benefit of financial aid at any institution requires students to be knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities as borrowers. We ve compiled a list to help students at Concordia better understand these rights and responsibilities: Students Have the Right to Know The names of organizations which accredit and license the College The cost of attending the college and its refund policy

4 The type of financial assistance offered by the College from federal, state, local and private programs What the procedures and deadlines are for applying for financial aid How the College determines financial need Consumer Information p. 4 About each type of financial assistance offered. Information about all student loans offered The kind of Work-Study jobs offered, hours, duties, rate and frequency of pay About special facilities for the handicapped The College s Satisfactory Academic Progress and Performance Policy Students Have the Responsibility to Review and consider all information about the College before enrolling Pay special attention to the application for financial aid, complete it accurately, submit it on tine and to the right place Know all deadlines for applying for aid and meet them Provide all required documentation, corrections, and/or information requested by the Financial Aid Office Read, understand, and keep copies of all forms Repay any student loans borrowed Perform an entrance and exit interview Understand the College s refund policy Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) provides assistance to exceptionally needy undergraduate students. Students are exceptionally needy if they have the lowest EFCs. A priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients. Funds in this program are limited at CCS, therefore awards are made on a first come first served bases to applicants who are full Pell Grant eligible and completes the FAFSA early. No in-house application is available for this program. Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) provides part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students who need the earnings to help meet their costs of postsecondary education. The FWS Program encourages students receiving FWS assistance to participate in community service activities. The policy at CCS is to pay students minimum wages on a bi-monthly basis. Many of the jobs are on campus and the hours are limited due to limited funds received from this program. Students should make applications in the Financial Aid Office. Work-study will not be awarded to students until proof of class attendance, for the first week of classes, is provided to the Financial Aid Office from the Registrar s Office. The First Step TO STUDENTS WHO WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE FOR THE FIRST TIME:

5 If you plan to attend CCA beginning the fall semester, then the process of applying for financial assistance should begin soon after January 1, with the completion of a FREE APPLICATON for FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA). See Establishing Need for a discussion on the FAFSA. TO STUDENTS RETURNING TO CCA FOR THE FALL: NOW IS THE TIME TO APPLY for financial assistance for the fall semester. I urge you to take the procedural steps you took last year in obtaining aid from private sources, such as, your home congregation or your church district for Lutheran student aid. You should be aware of the public sources of financial assistance described in this booklet. You may be entitled or eligible to receive monies from several sources of aid. Consumer Information p. 5 TO STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM CONCORDIA COLLEGE ALABAMA: Most colleges and universities set early deadlines (March 15 or April 1)for financial aid requests. Therefore, make early contact with the financial aid office of the college or university you plan to attend if you want to be considered for financial aid. Alabama State Grant Program This program is a state student assistance program established August 4, 1978, by the legislature of the State of Alabama and designed to provide non-sectarian, secular education at independent, non-profit, post-secondary institutions of higher learning located with the State of Alabama. To be eligible for this program, students must complete a State of Alabama Grant Application and prove residency, for the past twelve (12) months, for the State of Alabama. Applications may be downloaded from the web site at: >Admissions>Financial Aid, or contact the Financial Aid Office at Alabama Student Assistance Program This is a state/federal aid program established in 1975 and designed to provide financial assistance to residents of the State of Alabama for undergraduate post-secondary education within the State of Alabama. It is the responsibility of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to establish policies and procedures for the implementation of the Alabama Student Assistance Program. The program is administered in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Commission. Recipients of the program must be Federal PELL eligible and most needy. Funds in this program are very limited at CCA and are usually depleted early. The college uses the FAFSA application in association with this program. No in-house application is provided. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information at Church Worker s Program (Lutheran Students) Students who plan to enter full-time work in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod may be eligible for a financial-aid package that will help cover their cost of attending CCA. This package is inclusive of all grants (federal/state), scholarships and other forms of aid. It will help pay tuition, regular room and board fees, building fee, activity fee and application fee. Recipients of this aid will pay for books, I.D. card, mailbox, room key, and parking decal. Applications may be downloaded from the website at: >Admissions>Financial Aid, or contact the Financial Aid Office at Lutheran Church District Aid

6 Students who plan to enter full-time work and is an active member in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod may be eligible for aid from your local home districts. The determination of these funds, are not the decision of the college, but the district. Applications must be completed by the student and submitted to the college who submits Consumer Information p. 6 to the districts. Applications may be downloaded from the website at: Southern District website: and click on the Ministries Tab and scroll down to click on Recruitment and Scholarship. Or contact the Financial Aid Office at Institutional Scholarships All CCA scholarships are designed to encourage excellence in performance. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of superior performance in academic work, active participation in extra-curricular activities, and positive contributions to all areas of college life. Scholarships at CCA includes but not limited to the following: Athletics: (football, basketball-male & female, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, soccer, cheerleaders). Music: (marching band, choir). Academic: (academic, honor). For applications go to the following website: >Admissions>Financial Aid>Scholarship Programs. Establishing Need The family has the primary responsibility to meet the student s educational expenses. This is the basic assumption underlying the philosophy of determining eligibility for and awarding of financial assistance. If a student depends on his or her parents for support, then the parents are required to submit through the Federal Student Aid Programs, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid-Federal Pell Grant to show the student s need for financial assistance. In order to determine need, FAFSA considers the household size, the number of family members in college, medical, parochial tuitions, and other relevant factors. On the basis of a careful analysis of the financial documents, the Financial Aid Office determines the amount which the student and his or her family can reasonably be expected to provide. The difference between these available funds and the cost of education for one year is the amount of financial aid the student is eligible to receive from sources outside of the family. This difference is called DEMONSTRATED need for that year. If a student is not living with his or her parents, is not claimed on his or her parent s income tax return as a dependent, then the student submits the FAFSA without parental financial data. Cost of Education/Tuition & Fees CCA is a private non-profit, post-secondary institution. The college posts Tuition & Fees on the website at: >Admissions>Tuition & Fees.

7 Methods of Payment Information regarding student s accounts and methods of payment may be obtained from the Academic Bulletin or calling the Business Office at Consumer Information p. 7 Refunds (Institutional and Federal) Information regarding refunds may be obtained from the Academic Bulletin or by contacting the Business Office at Independent Student Definition (Dependency Status) The definition of independent student has been revised. An independent Student is an individual who meets one of the following criteria: 1. An individual at least 24 years old by December 31 of the award year. 2. Parents deceased/ward of Court/In Foster Care. 3. A veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States. 4. An individual with legal dependents other than a spouse 5. A graduate or professional student who will not be claimed as an income tax exemption by his or her parents for the first calendar year of the award year. 6. A married person who will not be claimed as an income tax exemption by his or her parents for the first calendar year of the award year. 7. A single person with no dependents who was not claimed as a dependent by his or her parents for the two calendar years preceding the award year and demonstrates self-sufficiency for those two years as evidenced by an annual total income of at least $5,000 in each of those years. 8. Is on Active Duty in U. S. Armed Forces 9. Is or was an Emancipated Minor (Court ordered) 10. Is or was in Legal Guardianship (Court ordered) 11. Homeless or at risk of being Homeless. 12. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth as determined by High/Homeless Liaison. 13. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth as determined by HUD. 14. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth as determined by Director of Homeless Youth Center. Statement of Registration Compliance Men aged are required to register with the Selective Service System. This requirement covers men residing in the United States who are U.S. citizens or noncitizens, except that a man who is in the U.S. as a lawful nonimmigrant isn t required to register as long as he maintains that status. Students who are required to register with the Selective Service must do so to be eligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) funds. The student has several ways to register, which include using the application process. There s a question on the FAFSA that asks if the student wants Selective Service to register him. By answering yes, the student gives the Department of Education permission to submit his registration information to the Selective Service so that he may

8 be registered. He can also ask to be registered by changing the answer to this question on the SAR to yes and submitting the correction (the answer to the question Are you Consumer Information p. 8 male? must be yes too). The student may also register at the post office with a form available there, or he can register online at the Selective Service website: In some cases, a student will not be able to register using the FAFSA or SAR. Generally, however, a male student who is and who has not registered previously may use this method. Students who have questions about Selective Service registration may contact the Selective Service at (847) or on the Web. Information regarding registration may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office at Admission and Academic Regulations Information regarding admission and academic regulations may be found in the Office of Admissions and the Office of Academic Affairs at Admission Procedures and Requirements Readmission Procedures-Information regarding the procedures and requirements related to admissions may be obtained from the Enrollment Management office and the Academic Bulletin. For more information call Readmission after Academic Suspension The Office of Academic Affairs and the Academic Bulletin will contain information regarding steps a student should take for readmission after academic suspension. For more information call Readmission after Disciplinary Suspension The Academic Bulletin as well as the Office of Student Services will have information for students who are seeking readmission after disciplinary suspension. For more information call Academic Information and Regulations, Class Attendance Policy, Grading Policies and Practices, Major, and Area of Concentration or Emphasis Information regarding the regulations, policies and practices listed above is available in the Academic Bulletin and in the Office of Academic Affairs. For more information call Academic Requirements for Financial Aid Federal and State. In accordance with federal and state regulations, students participating in any of the federal or state financial aid programs offered through

9 Consumer Information p. 9 must maintain satisfactory academic performance and progress. To be considered making satisfactory academic performance and progress, the student must perform and progress towards graduation. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) To be eligible for FSA funds, a student must make satisfactory academic progress, and the school must have a published policy for monitoring that progress. The policy explains the qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (time-related) standards used to check SAP, and it must apply consistently to all educational programs and all students within categories (e.g., full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate students). It must be at least as strict as the school s standard for students enrolled in the same educational program who are not receiving Title IV aid. CCA measures SAP at the end of each spring semester. This policy for FSA funds is located in the Academic Bulletin. For more information you may contact the Financial Aid Office at Standards of Progress and Conduct for Veteran Benefits Information regarding Standards of Progress and Conduct for Veteran Benefits may be obtained from the Office of Veteran Affairs at or the Academic Bulletin. Students with Disabilities Students meeting Americans with Disabilities Act criteria should contact the 504 Coordinator, or the Dean of Academic Affairs, at (334) , for information regarding documentation or disability and for special services and accommodations. Graduation Rate Information regarding Concordia s graduation rate for first time, full-time undergraduate students who entered may be obtained from the Office of Institutional Research by calling Campus Security The office of campus facilities (Security) annually produces information regarding campus crimes, fire prevention (etc). This office may be contacted at (334) Equity in Athletics (Participation Rates and Support for Athletic Programs) The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) is intended to make prospective students aware of a school s commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for its men and women

10 students. Information regarding the EADA may be obtained by calling or the Vice President of Student Affairs. Family Education rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) The college s Office of Academic Affairs disseminates information to students about their rights under the FERPA. Additional information may be found in the Academic Bulletin, or by contacting the Office of Academic Affairs at Consumer Information p. 10 ACCREDREDITATION is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia ; Telephone number ) to award the Associate of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Science degree. For more information, please contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs at ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ACT The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 requires that all recipients of grants from any Federal agency, including institutions participating in the campus-based program (Federal Stafford Loan, Federal College Work-Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal National Direct Student Loan Programs) and State agencies participating in the State Student Incentive Grant Program, certify to it that they will maintain a drug-free work place. In the case of the grantee who is an individual, e.g., a Federal Pell Grant recipient, the grantee must certify to the agency that he or she will not engage in certain unlawful actions involving controlled substances while conducting grant activities. In addition, the statue provides that if an individual is convicted of certain drug-related Federal or State offenses, a court must suspend his or her eligibility for Federal benefits, including Federal student financial aid. If an individual is convicted three or more times for drug distribution, he or she may become permanently ineligible to receive additional Title IV financial aid. The statue also provides for a separate schedule of suspension of eligibility for drug possession. CCS supports this statement and strives to be a drug free place. Please see the Academic Bulletin for more information or the Vice President for Academic Affairs at STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CCA operates in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the regulations issued there under to the end that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored by this institution. For further information, contact the Vice President of Academic Affairs at

11 Financial Aid Office 1712 Broad Street Selma, Alabama (334)