Financial Aid Policies and Procedures

Transcription

1 Federal Pell Grant The Federal Pell Grant requires a new application each academic year. Applications are available online at All potential students must meet all Lively Technical Center s entry requirements, including appropriate testing and program selection. Students must then apply for financial aid with the Lively Technical Center Financial Aid office. Lively Technical Center is a clock hour school. The Federal Pell grant award is based on a student s enrollment hours and weeks. Students must be enrolled a minimum of 225 hours per semester to qualify for the Pell Grant at Lively Technical Center. Program length must be a minimum of 600 hours. There is no late registration period for Pell students. Students must be verified and enrolled no later than 10 days prior to the start of semester to be eligible for certain deferments. Pell deferments are available for tuition, fees, books, and required supplies. Deferment will be permitted up to the total award amount for the enrollment period. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Financial Aid office of any change in program and/or hours of enrollment prior to or at the time of any change. A change may result in an award adjustment, termination of aid, and/or an increase/decrease in the cost of registration and tuition. Pell awards are based on continuous enrollment without interruption up to the designated hours per program. Pell refunds are disbursed through Rapid Pay cards. Cards are issued to new students prior to distribution of funds. It is the student s responsibility to maintain the pay cards throughout their enrollment period. Each semester, the Business Office will deposit any Pell refunds due to the student on the Rapid Pay cards. Lost cards can be replaced for a fee at the Business Office. Application Process 1. Application a. Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online to apply for the Pell Grant and FSEOG Grant at b. Student is required to have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for financial aid. As of July 1, 2012, the Ability-to-Benefit test (Wonderlic) will no longer qualify students to receive Title IV funding. Ability-to- Benefit students who are continuing in a program they began prior to July 1, 2012 will be allowed to continue receiving financial aid until the end of their program. c. Student will need to speak with a Guidance Counselor to complete their enrollment application. d. Student will continue financial aid application with the Lively Technical Center Financial Aid Office (FAO). e. FAO will verify information provided on the FAFSA Application and student may need to provide additional documentation requested by the FAO to complete the verification process. 2. Registration a. Once student has been verified, FAO will provide an award letter, as well as possible deferment options based on their individual Pell Award and hours of enrollment. Student may use this deferment to register for classes, if applicable. Student also has the option to enroll by paying fees out-of-pocket without deferment. b. The enrollment process is not complete until student has delivered all documentation to the Registration Office to receive a student schedule, student ID, and/or parking permit JDK 1

2 Federal Pell Grant Deferment Pell Grant recipients may qualify for deferrals. Deferrals may be granted on a semester basis. Fee deferment is the postponement of payment until student is awarded the Pell grant and/or any additional grants and scholarships for which the student is eligible. Types of Deferment 1. Tuition and fees including registration, lab and miscellaneous fees. 2. Books and supplies required by program for first period of enrollment only. Students must complete the verification and registration process ten (10) days prior to the first day of class to be eligible for both types of deferments. Student will be given the opportunity to defer not to exceed the award amount. Subsequent Semester Deferrals 1. Student must notify the FAO for subsequent deferrals prior to registration. 2. FAO will determine if returning semester deferral is warranted based on progress, grades and attendance. a. If it is not warranted, the FAO will explain to the student what course of action is to be taken. b. If it is warranted, FAO will provide a deferral for the next semester, then student will go to the Registration Office to register for his/her program. Should student fail to maintain attendance, grade and/or progress requirements, deferrals will not be granted and all fees will become the responsibility of the student JDK 2

3 Federal Pell Grant Attendance/Grades/Satisfactory Academic Progress Pell requires students to maintain satisfactory academic progress AT ALL TIMES to continue eligibility. Federal Pell regulations require both Quantitative and Qualitative measures of progress. This means satisfactory progress of program hours and weeks, as well as maintaining a cumulative passing grade. Lively Technical Center requires students to maintain 78% cumulative attendance and a C grade average or better (2.0) for satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The cumulative period for attendance, grades and progress is from the beginning to the end of your program. Lively checks SAP several times throughout the enrollment period. Lively reserves the right to delay Pell drawdown if a student is not meeting SAP. Program instructors will submit Monthly Attendance and Individual Timesheet Reports at the end of each month verifying attendance, grades and progress. Progress will be checked twice an enrollment period. Students with excessive absences resulting in the inability to complete their designated program within 150% of program hours will be withdrawn. Pell students who do not meet appropriate attendance and grade requirements at the end of a payment period will be issued a warning for the next payment period. A warning is an indication that the student is not progressing satisfactorily. Financial Aid Office will monitor progress at this time. Students are permitted one warning payment period, and will remain Pell eligible at that time. Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress by the end of the second payment period will be placed on probation. Probation means you are no longer Pell eligible and the Pell grant will be terminated. Students will assume responsibility for repayment of past and future tuition and fees. Students may appeal probation using the Probation Appeal application. The Pell grant disbursement is processed as students progress through the payment periods designated by the length of each individual program. All outstanding balances to Lively Technical Center will be satisfied before students are issued a refund. Students experiencing a significant life change, including, but not limited to, change of employment, homelessness, prolonged illness, pregnancy, death of immediate family member, etc. may present documentation to the Financial Aid office for consideration JDK 3

4 Federal Pell Grant Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws Summary of the Requirements of 34 CFR to Provide to Students as Part of Consumer Information The law specifies how your school must determine the amount of Title IV program assistance that you earn if you withdraw from school. The Title IV programs offered at Lively Technical Center that are covered by this law are: Federal Pell Grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs). When you withdraw during your payment period or period of enrollment the amount of Title IV program assistance that you have earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If you received (or your school or parent received on your behalf) less assistance than the amount that you earned, you may be able to receive those additional funds. If you received more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned by the school and/or you. The amount of assistance that you have earned is determined on a prorata basis. For example, if you completed 30% of your payment period or period of enrollment, you earn 30% of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive. Once you have completed more than 60% of the payment period or period of enrollment, you earn all the assistance that you were scheduled to receive for that period. If you did not receive all of the funds that you earned, you may be due a Post-withdrawal disbursement. Your school may automatically use all or a portion of your Post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition, fees and room and board charges (as contracted with the school). Lively requests your permission to use the Post-withdrawal grant disbursement for all other school charges. There are some Title IV funds that you were scheduled to receive that cannot be disbursed to you once you withdraw because of other eligibility requirements. For example, if you withdraw and did not have the minimum SAP requirement of 78% attendance and C grade average, the school will not draw down any financial aid. Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws If you receive (or your school or parent receives on your behalf) excess Title IV program funds that must be returned, your school must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of: 1. your institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of your funds, or 2. the entire amount of excess funds. The school must return this amount even if it didn t keep this amount of your Title IV program funds. Any amount of unearned grant funds that you must return is called an overpayment. The requirements for Title IV program funds when you withdraw are separate from any refund policy that your school may have. Therefore, you may still owe funds to the school to cover unpaid institutional charges. Your school may also charge you for any Title IV program funds that the school was required to return. Additional information is available on Student Aid on the Web at JDK 4

5 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is an additional grant automatically awarded to financially needy students. This amount fluctuates based on the number of eligible students enrolled per semester, the number of hours enrolled, and the availability of funds. FSEOG awards will be made to students who have been determined to have the greatest financial need first. Remaining funds, if any, will be distributed to students with less financial need. 1. Tier one eligibility is based on the following: Student must be enrolled full-time Student must have a zero (0) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 2. Tier two eligibility will be considered for part time students or those with higher EFCs if there are remaining funds for the semester. Lively Technical Center can apply this amount to outstanding deferments not covered by the Pell grant, and if applicable, refunds will be included with the Pell refund. Attendance/Grades/Progress FSEOG requirements are contingent upon the same attendance, grades and progress requirements of the Pell grant. Application Process 1. Student will apply for the FAFSA online. 2. FAO will determine student eligibility during verification process. 3. FAO will verify student meets all attendance/grades/progress requirements. 4. FAO award FSEOG funds to tier one eligible students first; tier two students if funds remain. 5. FSEOG awards will be processed concurrently with the Pell grant disbursement JDK 5

6 Office of Veterans Affairs (VA) Lively Technical Center is approved for training of qualified veterans under the Veterans Readjustment Benefit Act of Training is also approved for most programs under Public Law 894 (Disabled Veterans) and Public Law 634 (War Orphans). Interested students should contact: Nick Griffith, Veterans Affairs office at Any Veteran or other eligible student who receives benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 32, Chapter 1606, Chapter 1607, or Dependents of a Disabled Veteran will be entitled to one deferment each academic year and an additional deferment each time there is a delay (documentation from VA required) in the receipt of benefits. Any veteran who receives benefits under Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) will be entitled to receive a deferment each semester of enrollment. Chapter 30, Chapter 32, Chapter 1606, Chapter 1607, or Dependents of a Disabled Veteran who are eligible for Pell funding will be required to use a Pell deferral for payment of tuition and fees. If Pell does not satisfy tuition and fees, self-pay payment plan VA deferments will be accepted. Deferrals Any Veteran or other eligible student who receives benefits under Chapter 30, 32, 34, or 35 will be entitled to one deferment each academic year and an additional deferment each time there is a delay in the receipt of benefits. Students must understand that they are responsible for any tuition and fees deferred and will not be eligible for reenrollment until the deferral has been repaid. Any student who is eligible for Federal Pell Grant will receive a Pell deferment in place of or with a VA deferment. Anyone receiving just a VA deferment will be provided with a payment plan. Payment to the school is expected upon receiving payment from VA. FALURE to make payment will result in withdrawal from school and termination of benefits. Progress Veteran students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress within their vocational program area. A monthly evaluation showing unsatisfactory progress will result in the veteran being placed on academic probation. If the veteran does not improve and show satisfactory progress by the end of the probationary month, VA benefits will be terminated at the end of the probationary month. Reinstatement of benefits is possible after an evaluation period, which shows that the veteran has made satisfactory progress. Timesheets Lively Technical Center VA Attendance and progress sheets are used as a timesheet to monitor your attendance, average program grade, and program progress on a monthly basis. Your instructor is to complete the appropriate timesheet each month and submit it to Lively s VA Office JDK 6

7 Office of Veterans Affairs Attendance Veterans will follow Lively s attendance policy. Adult Students: The goal of Vocation Education is to develop the skills and attitudes needed for job entry into profession. Regular attendance is mandatory. VA students will maintain attendance standards for VA benefits eligibility as follows: 1. Students will be allowed 3 days non-exempt absences for any calendar month. Students who exceed the number of days non-exempt for any month during a calendar month will immediately terminated and no longer receive VA benefits. Note: Hours missed will be calculated into days. 2. Students, who have been terminated due to attendance, may be re-instated/re-certified upon attending one month of satisfactory attendance. 3. Students must call in each day they are absent 4. Students involuntarily withdrawn two times from the same program may be denied future enrollment in to that program. 5. Tardiness: is defined to mean any adult student who is late for any fraction of an hour of class shall forfeit credit for the entire one hour attendance. 6. Programs that are required to meet federal and state licensure requirements and lockstep program may require standards of progress more stringent than those outlined above. These programs will provide each student at the beginning of their training a written copy of the program s standards of progress requirements. Grades Veterans will also be evaluated every month on grade average. Any Veteran dropping below a C /2.0 average on a monthly evaluation will be placed on academic probation for one month and VA benefits will be terminated at the end of the month. Reinstatement of benefits is possible after an evaluation period, which shows that the veteran has met the required grade average. Reinstatement A VA student whose benefits have been terminated for unsatisfactory progress and/or less than a 2.0 GPA or C may have benefits reinstated after submission of a monthly evaluation showing satisfactory progress. Program Hours It is the responsibility of the VA student to notify the Veteran Affairs office when he/she has completed the required hours for the program of enrollment. If a VA student exceeds the required hours for a program, it will result in an overpayment that has to be repaid to the Veteran Administration office by the student JDK 7

8 Florida Student Scholarship and Grant Programs Bright Futures Enrollment Requirements Student must be a Florida resident (and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen) as determined by the student's postsecondary institution, and must enroll in a degree- or certificate program of study at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution. Student must enroll for a minimum of 225 clock hours per term by the end of the drop/add period. Eligibility for the award begins in the fall term of each academic year. If an initially eligible student did not receive award funding in the academic year following his/her graduation from high school, the student must apply to reinstate the award and receive funding within three years of high school graduation. An initially eligible student who enlists in the military immediately after high school graduation begins his/her three-year period upon date of separation from active duty. A student must reimburse the postsecondary institution for the cost of course(s) dropped or withdrawn after the initial drop/add period. Non-refunded hours will affect the student's renewal eligibility. Required Clock Hours for Renewal Full-time for two terms: Student funded for 360 clock hours in the fall and 390 clock hours in the spring must earn 720 clock hours for the academic year (360 clock hours for the fall and 360 clock hours for the spring) and the required cumulative GPA. Half-time for two terms: Student funded for 210 clock hours in the fall and 180 clock hours in the spring must earn 360 clock hours for the academic year (180 clock hours for the fall and 180 clock hours for the spring) and the required cumulative GPA. Three-quarter time for one term only: Student funded for 300 clock hours in the fall and 0 clock hours in the spring must earn 270 clock hours for the academic year (270 clock hours for the fall and 0 clock hours for the spring) and the required cumulative GPA. Full-time for one term and Half-time for one term: Student funded for 360 clock hours in the fall and 180 clock hours in the spring must earn 540 clock hours for the academic year (360 clock hours for the fall and 180 clock hours for the spring) and the required cumulative GPA. Half-time for one term only: Student funded for 0 clock hours in the fall and 250 clock hours in the spring must earn 180 clock hours for the academic year (0 clock hours for the fall and 180 clock hours for the spring) and the required cumulative GPA JDK 8

9 Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE) Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE) Program is a need-based grant program available to Florida residents enrolled in certificate programs of 450 or more clock hours at participating Florida colleges (public community colleges) or career centers operated by district school boards. Eligibility is based on the following: 1. Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. 2. Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made. 3. Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree. 4. Enroll for a minimum of 225 clock hours per semester. Attendance/Progress FSAG-CE is contingent upon the same attendance, grades, and progress requirements as the Pell grant. Application Process Because FSAG-CE is a need-based grant, students are required to apply for the Pell grant in order to demonstrate financial need. Applications are processed by awarding students with the highest cost of attendance, on a first-come first-served basis, by date of receipt of application. 1. Highest COA are Independent students who are starting new programs, are enrolled full-time, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero (0). 2. If funds for the term remain, students who are Dependents, attend part-time, and/or have a higher than zero (0) EFC will be considered FAO determines eligibility amount based on number of eligible students and amount of funds available. FAO will submit eligible student award to the LTC Business Office and funds will be credited to student account JDK 9

10 Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides scholarships for dependent children or unremarried spouses of Florida veterans who died as a result of service-connected injuries, diseases, or disabilities sustained while on active duty or who have been certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs as having service-connected 100% permanent and total disabilities. CSDDV also provides funds for dependent children whose parent is classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the Armed Forces of the United States or as civilian personnel captured while serving with the consent or authorization of the United States Government during wartime service. Eligibility The veteran will: Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Be a Florida resident for one year immediately preceding time of death, determination of 100% disability, or prisoner of war/missing in action classification. Have died as a result of a service-connected disability(ies) sustained while on active duty. Have been certified by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs as having a service-connected 100% permanent and total disability. Have been classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the Armed Forces of the United States or as civilian personnel captured while serving with the consent or authorization of the United States Government during wartime service for a dependent child to receive scholarship funding. The child or spouse will: Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A student s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend. Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made. Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree. Enroll in an undergraduate degree or certificate program for a minimum of six credit hours, 180 clock hours, or the equivalent, per term at an eligible participating postsecondary institution. Meet State of Florida s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid. For additional eligibility requirements please see the CSDDV fact sheet at Students are required to maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Attendance/Progress JDK 10

11 Financial Aid Fee Trust (FAFT) Students with special circumstances may be eligible to apply for Financial Aid Fee Trust (FAFT). FAFT is a fund to be used to pay in full, or in part, the fees of persons with demonstrated financial need. Eligibility Student demonstrates financial need when the Cost of Attendance exceeds awards by Pell, FSEOG, FSAG or waivers. Student must meet the following requirements: 1. Must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen 2. Must be a Florida resident 3. Submit a complete, error-free Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FASFA) each school year 4. Demonstrate sufficient financial need to qualify for an award 5. May not be in default of student loan 6. Does not owe a repayment of any grants or scholarships to any school Eligible students will be given a separate application for FAFT. Student must maintain appropriate academic progress, 78% cumulative attendance, and a C grade average (2.0) or better, and be progressing satisfactorily through their program. Students who are receiving FAFT and are withdrawn or drops prior to program completion may be required to repay tuition and fees to Lively Technical Center. Use of FAFT 1. Students at the end of program hours whose Pell grant will not cover tuition and fees will be allowed 100% FAFT of remaining fees for one semester in order to complete the program. 2. Students enrolling in a program of 600 hours or more who demonstrate financial need which is not met by the Pell award or any other scholarship, grant, or benefit, will be eligible for 50% FAFT deferment once they have paid 50% of remaining tuition and fees. 3. Students requesting a professional judgment may be eligible for assistance under the FAFT guidelines JDK 11

12 Professional Judgment Students may request a professional judgment review for student aid due to the following extenuating circumstances: Recently laid off and am not currently receiving Unemployment Compensation. Required supporting documentation: - Written and signed statement as to why a professional judgment is being requested. - Tax forms. - Letter from company on letterhead with original signature and contact information stating date of termination and condition of release. - Confirmation from Unemployment Office that student is not currently receiving unemployment benefits. Recently laid off and am currently receiving Unemployment Compensation. Required supporting documentation: - Written and signed statement as to why a professional judgment is being requested. - Tax forms. - Letter from company on letterhead with original signature and contact information stating date of termination and condition of release. - Confirmation of benefits from Unemployment Office including amount received and length of benefit. Other special circumstances and/or life change requiring consideration. Required supporting documentation: - Written and signed statement as to why a professional judgment is being requested. - Tax forms. - All supporting documentation relevant to this request. It is the student s responsibility to provide as much documentation as possible to qualify for a professional judgment. Students with limited or no accompanying information will not be considered in this process. All requests are subject to Administrative review. Professional judgment requests are processed in the order they are received. Students will be notified in writing once a decision is made. There is no guarantee that this process will be completed prior to the end of registration period and applications must be approved to receive a deferment based on the finding JDK 12