Stark State College. Enrollment Guide. Information essential to your college success. starkstate.edu

Transcription

1 Stark State College Enrollment Guide Including admissions, financial aid and registering for classes Information essential to your college success. starkstate.edu

2 Welcome You re on your way to joining the Stark State College family. Read this entire booklet to get an overview of the enrollment process. Review the following checklists to determine if you have completed all necessary steps for starting classes in the coming semester, including admission, financial aid and registration. We look forward to assisting you Table of contents Apply for admission... 1 Apply for financial aid... 2 Types of aid... 4 General eligibility requirements... 4 Additional financial aid services... 6 Student grants, work programs and scholarships... 6 Tax credits... 8 Veterans benefits... 9 Registering for classes Cost/disbursement Standards of academic progress Frequently asked questions Other information to know Class attendance Title IV refund Student rights/responsibilities/information Student confidentiality Student services Directory... inside back cover Stark State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. For inquiries regarding the College s non-discrimination policies (Section 504, Title IX and Title VI) contact Wally Hoffer, Dean of Student Services at , Ext or Room S307f.

3 1 Apply for admission NOTE: Apply for admission First-time students o Apply for admission to the College > online at > via mail at 6200 Frank Ave. N.W., North Canton, OH > in person at the Academic Records/Registrar s Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. o Submit these documents to the Academic Records/ Registrar s Office: > Official high school transcript or GED scores. Contact your high school to obtain these records. Every student must submit proof of high school graduation or GED completion. Home schooled students are required to submit an equivalent diploma, which may be official GED scores or a notarized transcript that includes the graduation date, all courses with grades and final GPA. They must also submit ACT or COMPASS test scores. > ACT/SAT scores (if taken within the last two years) > Transfer students must also submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. The college transcripts will be evaluated to determine which courses will transfer to Stark State. Official transcripts from every college attended must be submitted, even if you anticipate the credits will not transfer. > Males between the age of 18 and 26 must supply the College with their Selective Service number. To register or obtain your number go to or call toll-free or o Schedule an appointment Call or stop in the Office of Admissions/ Student Services to complete the COMPASS assessment (pre-admission placement). Testing times are Monday - Thursday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. If you took the COMPASS assessment within the last two years at another college or university, have the results sent to the Office of Admissions/Student Services. o Log on to mystarkstate Information on how to access mystarkstate will be provided with your letter of acceptance to Stark State College. It is important to use mystarkstate to track the progress of your admission and financial aid applications! Fully-online students who plan to take only online classes should refer to for application information. 1

4 2 Apply for financial aid Apply for financial aid The Financial Aid Office is committed to helping find ways to make a college education affordable for Stark State students and their families. We offer a variety of services and programs designed to help meet your educational expenses. Our staff is dedicated to making sure you receive your aid in a timely and efficient manner. The key to financing your education is to start planning early. The more you know about how financial aid works, the better prepared you will be to pay for college. For the most up-to-date financial aid information, click on the financial aid link on the Stark State website, If you have any questions about the financial aid process, contact the Financial Aid Office at Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed at 3 p.m. on Friday during the summer). o Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) All students should apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA via The Stark State College school code is You will need your federal tax return to complete the FAFSA. You also will need a PIN to complete the FAFSA online. Apply for your PIN at Dependent students will need a parent to sign the FAFSA with a PIN; parent will need to apply for a separate PIN. Priority dates Summer session March 1 FAFSA filing deadline April 1 Required documentation deadline May 1 Online loan request deadline Fall session May 1 FAFSA filing deadline June 1 Required documentation deadline July 1 Online loan request deadline Spring session Oct. 1 FAFSA filing deadline Nov 1 Required documentation deadline Dec 1 Online loan request deadline Applications received after these dates will be considered for aid, but students may not receive funds until after the start of the semester. That means you should be prepared to use your own funds to pay for a portion of your tuition and all of your books before the semester s payment deadline. 2

5 o FAFSA follow-up Once your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive a confirmation from the U.S. Department of Education central processing system. After central processing, Stark State then receives an electronic copy of your FAFSA usually within a week. An will be sent to your Stark State address notifying you of any additional required documentation. If you are asked to submit additional documentation, do so as soon as possible. Your financial aid cannot be processed without the requested documentation. Additional requirements can be found on mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Financial Aid Tools channel >> Student Requirements link. o Understand your award package After all your documentation has been reviewed, an will be sent to your Stark State address notifying you that your financial aid award package has been created. Note that your award is based on your enrollment as a full-time student (12 credit hours) for the entire academic year. You do not have to be a full-time student to qualify for financial aid. Adjustments to your Pell grant are made based on your level of enrollment, depending upon whether you are full-time (enrolled in 12 credits or more) or part-time (enrolled in 11 credits or less). Initially, the amounts awarded represent your funds for a fall/spring academic year. If you enroll in classes for the summer, your award will automatically be re-allocated to include all three semesters. Transfer students who have received financial aid from another school during the current award year should ask their previous school to cancel all pending financial aid. Once that aid has been cancelled, provide documentation of that cancellation to the Stark State Financial Aid Office. o Apply for a student loan If you are offered a Direct Loan and are interested in borrowing those funds, you must formally accept the offered loans through mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Financial Aid Tools channel >> Accept Award Offers link. If you are a first-time loan borrower at Stark State you also must complete the loan application process. This includes completing a loan entrance counseling session and a Master Promissory Note. These can be accessed through mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Financial Aid Tools channel >> Apply for Your Loan link or by directly accessing Your funds will not be processed until you complete this requirement. Keep in mind that you must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours in order to receive your loan funds. Federal regulations require first-year, first-time loan borrowers to wait 30 days after the start of their semester before funds can be disbursed to them. If you are applying for a one-semester loan, your loan will be paid in two disbursements. The first half will be paid on the established disbursement date for that term; the remaining funds will be paid at the mid-point of the semester. your connection admissions financial aid registration 3

6 Types of aid Grants are need-based financial aid from the federal and state government. Grants do not require repayment. Available grant programs include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). TIP: Fill out your FAFSA as early in the year as possible! Loans are financial aid that must be repaid. Available loan programs include the Federal Direct Loan and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), a loan for parents of dependent students. Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid paid to a student as wages for working. Scholarships are funds provided by the College or donors to students based on pre-determined criteria. Additional resources include assistance from public agencies as described in this booklet. General eligibility requirements Eligibility for most financial aid programs is based on demonstrated financial need of the student and/or the student s family, and on registered credit hours. For federal and state financial aid programs a student must be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States. Certain persons in the process of becoming citizens or permanent residents also may be eligible. To be eligible for federal financial aid programs (Pell, FSEOG, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Loan, Federal PLUS), you must also be accepted by the college for admission as a regular student and demonstrate the ability to benefit from the selected program of study. Students enrolled in high school, post-secondary option students, and early admit students are not eligible for aid. show intent on the admission application to obtain an associate degree for transfer to another college, an associate degree for the job market, or a certificate. be enrolled in a financial aid-eligible degree or certificate program. be enrolled in courses that provide credit toward a financial aid-eligible degree or certificate program. Courses taken as audit are not eligible. meet the enrollment and attendance requirements for each program. demonstrate the ability to benefit from the education offered. You must provide an official transcript to the Office of the Registrar verifying you have earned a high school diploma or GED. comply with requirements concerning Selective Service registration. For information regarding Selective Service, or to register, visit 4

7 comply with requirements concerning submission of a Statement of Educational Purpose. This is included on the financial aid application (FAFSA). certify that you are not in default on any federal loan. certify you do not owe a refund to any federal aid program, including grant overpayments resulting from withdrawing from class(es). maintain satisfactory academic progress as set forth in the Stark State College Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. accumulate no more than 30 hours of developmental courses. For Ohio programs (Ohio National Guard Tuition Assistance and War Orphans Scholarship), you must also be a resident of Ohio (according to Ohio law) for 12 consecutive months and be enrolled in an associate degree program. Students pursuing a one-year certificate are not eligible. IMPORTANT Every student needs to be aware of Stark State s policies some important ones are summarized here. Read the policies in their entirety on mystarkstate. Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) Policy - As a recipient of financial aid, you are required to adhere to Stark State College s SAP policy. Prior to registration, be sure to review the policy on page 14 of this booklet or on mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Standards of Academic Progress link. Before making any adjustments to your class schedule, speak to a student service representative. Repeat Coursework Policy - Students may receive financial aid for repeating courses. However, if retaking a previously passed course, financial aid can only be used for one repeat of that course. Any course that is repeated will be used in the calculation of a student s Satisfactory Academic Progress status. More information on this policy is available through mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Financial Aid Tools >> Repeat Coursework Policy link. Title IV Refund Policy - This policy regulates what happens to federal financial aid if you withdraw or cease attendance in your scheduled classes. More information on this policy is available on page 20 of this booklet or through mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Title IV Refund Policy link. Class Attendance Policy - Attendance will be taken in all classes to document that students who are eligible for federal financial aid attend class. Students who receive federal financial aid and do not attend their classes risk having their financial aid cancelled or reduced. More information on this policy is available on page 20 of this booklet or through mystarkstate >> My Stuff tab >> Financial Aid Tools >> Attendance Policy link. Developmental Classes - A student is limited to 30 developmental credit hours while receiving federal financial aid. Federal financial aid programs will not cover any developmental courses taken after reaching the maximum 30 hours. These courses include, but are not limited to MTH100, MTH101, MTH103, MTH123, ENG010, ENG011, ENG100, ENG101, ENG103, ENG105, OAD/AOT100, OAD/AOT101, IDS101, IDS102, CAL101, CAL102, and CAL105, ITD100 and ITD101. Freeze Date - The amount of your financial aid award is determined by your enrollment at the end of the sixth day of the semester. This is known as the freeze date. If you add or drop classes before the freeze date, your aid will be adjusted based on the number of credit hours you are enrolled. If you add or drop classes after the freeze date in any given semester, your aid will not be adjusted for that term, but you could be in violation of the Standards of Academic Progress policy. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on the freeze date and how it will impact your financial aid. If you violate the SAP Policy, Title IV Refund Policy or Class Attendance Policy, you may be subject to sanctions that may include an immediate return of some or all of the funds awarded to you and/or a suspension of your eligibility for future financial aid funding. your connection admissions financial aid registration 5

8 Additional financial aid services Phone counseling General information can be obtained by phone; to ensure confidentiality, however, dollar amounts cannot be discussed. Phone counseling is available during office hours. Callers with detailed questions or complicated situations may be asked to make an appointment. During the busy months of July, August and September, the Financial Aid Office will assist callers to the best of our abilities. We apologize if the high volume of calls/visits to our office results in delays in service. Please be patient and understand that we will help you as soon as possible. Appointments Appointments are offered to assist with in-depth questions or concerns. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Same day appointments will be accommodated as schedules permit and cannot be guaranteed. To schedule an appointment, call the Financial Aid Office, Student grants, work programs and scholarships Federal programs To apply for these programs you must complete the FAFSA Federal Pell Grant (PELL) An award of $605 to $5,645 per year, based on financial need. Eligibility is based upon need, enrollment and cost of education. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Allocation of funds is at the discretion of Stark State. Awards are based on need and application date. Award amounts vary, up to $400 per year. Apply through the FAFSA. According to federal regulations, students must be Pell-eligible to receive FSEOG funds. You must apply early! Funds are limited and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) Allows students to be employed at the College to earn money for educational expenses. Awards are based on financial need; submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office. An award does not guarantee earnings; students are paid with a bi-weekly paycheck for hours actually worked. Check mystarkstate >> Student Support tab >> Work Study Jobs List channel for job postings. Federal Direct Loan Programs A Federal Direct Loan offers freshman students up to $5,500 and sophomores up to $6,500 per year. Students pursuing a one-year certificate will remain at freshman level for borrowing purposes. This is a loan and must be repaid. Interest rates vary annually. If you already have a Direct Loan, borrowing a new loan will not affect the rate or terms of your previous loan(s). You may qualify for a subsidized and/or an unsubsidized Direct Loan up to the amounts listed above. Subsidized Direct Loans These loans are based on financial need; therefore, some students may not qualify. With a subsidized Direct Loan, no interest accumulates and no repayment is required as long as the student is enrolled in college at least half time. 6

9 Unsubsidized Direct Loans Students who do not qualify for a subsidized Direct Loan may borrow up to the maximum amounts designated on the award notification through an unsubsidized Direct Loan. Loan payments can be deferred as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time. Interest will accrue and can be paid by the borrower while in school and during the grace and repayment period. Independent students (see definition, page 17) have the option of borrowing an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized Direct Loan Funds. Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Federal PLUS) The Federal PLUS program is for parents of dependent students. It is a loan in which family income is not taken into consideration; therefore, the program is open to almost any parent who has good credit. The parent can borrow up to the cost of the college education, less aid, at a variable rate of interest (currently not to exceed 9%). Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement of the funds, according to the terms negotiated by the bank. We recommend students first utilize all eligibility for grants and the Federal Direct Loans before receiving a federal PLUS. This is a loan and must be repaid. Funds are made in multiple disbursements and given to the parent(s) after tuition and fees have been paid. State programs Ohio National Guard If you enlist in the National Guard for six years, the National Guard will pay 100% of tuition costs. You must be an Ohio resident enrolled in at least six credit hours at an Ohio college. Contact your local National Guard at for more information. Montgomery GI Bill If you serve in the Army Reserve or the National Guard, you may be eligible to receive education benefits while attending classes. In addition, you may qualify for loan repayment. Contact the local Army Reserve or National Guard Office for more information. The Academic Records/Registrar s Office certifies enrollment for this program. Institutional programs President s Scholars Award Awarded to new, first-time, full-time students ONLY. Must meet two of three criteria: 1) high school GPA 3.0 or higher, 2) rank in the top 25% of your high school class 3) ACT composite score of 22 or higher. The total scholarship award is $2,500 divided over six semesters. Additional requirements detailed when the award is made must be met to maintain eligibility and receive the full award amount. Other scholarships Application is made by filing the FAFSA prior to June 1. A complete list of scholarships is available at For additional information on outside scholarship funding, visit or or your local library. Scholarships are divided between fall and spring semesters unless otherwise designated by the donor. your connection admissions financial aid registration 7

10 Social service programs Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) Educational assistance may be available for students with special needs. Call the Canton ( ) or Akron ( ) BVR office for more information. Workforce Initiative Association (WIA) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for individuals who recently lost jobs or are entering the workforce after an extended period of unemployment. You must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for grants before being considered for WIA and TAA funding. For information about WIA and TAA, contact the Employment Source at Tax credits and deductions For the 2012 tax year, two tax credits are available to help you offset the costs of higher education. You may be eligible to claim an education credit if you, your spouse, or a dependent you claim on your tax return was a student enrolled at or attending an eligible educational institution. The credits are based on the amount of qualified education expenses paid for the student in 2012 for academic periods beginning in 2012 and in the first three months of Lifetime Learning Tax Credit The Lifetime Learning tax credit is a non-refundable federal income tax credit of up to $2,000 (20% of the first $10,000) for qualified tuition and related expenses. The amount of your lifetime learning credit for 2012 is gradually reduced if your modified adjusted gross income is between $52,000 and $62,000 ($104,000 and $124,000 if you file a joint return). American Opportunity Credit The American Opportunity Credit is a partially refundable credit up to $2,500 (100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,000) for qualified expenses paid for each eligible student. This credit is only available to students who are in the first four years of post-secondary education. The amount of your American Opportunity Credit for 2012 is gradually reduced if your modified adjusted gross income is between $80,000 and $90,000 ($160,000 and $180,000 if filing a joint return). In addition to the two tax credits, two deductions may be available to you. Student Loan Interest Deduction Students can deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest paid in 2012 on any federal or private educational loans on your federal tax return. The loans must have been used to fund half-time or greater attendance. You may qualify for this deduction if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $75,000 ($155,000 if you file a joint return). Tuition and Fees Tax Deduction You can reduce your taxable income by as much as $4,000 and may benefit from this deduction if you are not eligible for any of the education tax credits. If your modified adjusted gross income is less than $80,000 ($160,000 if you file a joint return) you may be eligible for a $2,000 deduction. If your modified adjusted gross income is less than $65,000 ($130,000 if you file a joint return) you could be eligible for the maximum $4,000 deduction. The amount of the tuition and fees deduction you are eligible for depends on the amount of qualified tuition and related expenses you paid. NOTE: These summaries, current at press time, are meant to give a general overview of these educational tax initiatives. Consult a tax advisor or IRS Publication 970 regarding the specifics of your personal situation. 8

11 Veterans benefits How to apply for veterans benefits Stark State College is privileged to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans. The College is fully-accredited under the laws that provide educational benefits for veterans. The Academic Records/Registrar s Office certifies veterans eligibility and assists new and continuing student veterans with the processing of VA forms for educational benefits. To receive benefits, you must apply for admission to the College by following the instructions at You can apply online, by mail or in person at the Academic Records/Registrar s Office. Once you are notified of your admission to the College, call the College s veterans representative at , Ext to schedule an appointment or drop by Room S308. Hours for one-on-one benefit counseling are Monday and Thursday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tuesday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m a.m. The College s veterans representative will provide guidance in preparing your Application for VA Education Benefits for submission to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additional information regarding educational benefits is available at Ohio GI Promise In an effort to assist veterans, service members and their families with reducing the costs associated with obtaining a college degree, the state of Ohio spearheaded an initiative known as the Ohio GI Promise which allows U.S. armed services veterans, their spouses and dependents who choose to attend Ohio colleges and universities to do so at in-state tuition rates. Details about the Ohio GI Promise can be found at the University System of Ohio website To determine if you meet the qualifications for in-state tuition rates, visit to print the residency reclassification application, complete and return it to the Academic Records/Registrar s Office with the appropriate required supporting documentation. Additional military scholarships/financial aid opportunities Scholarships and grants exclusively for the military community can be found at The Ohio National Guard Scholarship provides tuition assistance to qualified members; visit The Veterans Club of Stark State College This student organization assists and encourages veterans and their family members to develop educationally and socially, gain organizational and leadership skills and learn more about the community involving the veterans through personal interaction. For more information, contact , Ext or stop by Room B230. your connection admissions financial aid registration 9

12 Receiving credit for military service Some of your military experience may be applied toward credit for a degree. To receive credit, you must submit transcripts for your branch of the military. Go to and click on Receiving Credit for Military Service to view transcript submission information. Other resources The General Educational Development (GED) Testing Service (GEDTS) maintains all records of GED transcripts obtained by active duty US military personnel tested after October 1, 1985, and by US military personnel and dependents tested overseas after September 1974 under the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Educational Support (DANTES) program. GEDTS also maintains records of GED tests taken at the Veterans Medical Centers after October 1, To obtain an official copy of the GED transcript, users should complete the GED transcript request form ( and submit it to: GED Testing Service, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20036; phone or , fax , DANTES maintains the educational records of the service members who have completed DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSSTs), CLEP examinations, GED, and United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) tests. For more information, visit the DANTES website at For tests and courses taken under the auspices of USAFI before September 1974, contact Thomson Prometric, USAFI Records, P.O. Box 6605, Princeton, NJ ; , toll-free , fax There is no charge for transcripts sent to military test control officers for counseling purposes. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty You can request a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Form (DD-214) at Don t have a computer? Mail your request to National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132; call or fax

13 3 Registering for classes Registering for classes First-time students o Meet with an admissions counselor All new Stark State College students are required to meet with an admissions counselor prior to registering for classes. Schedule an appointment by calling or stop in the Office of Admissions/Student Services. During this meeting you ll review COMPASS assessment results, select a major and develop a student learning plan. o Register for classes in the Academic Records/ Registrar s Office. o Review your student schedule for correct classes, days, times, payment deadline dates, refunds and other deadlines. Registration procedures and services o If you need to add or drop a class use mystarkstate or file a schedule change form with the Academic Records/ Registrar s Office. IMPORTANT Adjustments to your schedule could result in adjustments to your financial aid. Visit the Financial Aid Office before making any schedule changes to determine the effect a schedule change may have on your financial aid eligibility. o Enrollment verifications can be requested through mystarkstate. Also, after the third week of each semester, enrollment information is available from the national clearinghouse link found there. NOTE: Fully-online Students who plan to take only online classes should refer to for application information. your connection admissions financial aid registration 11

14 TIP: File your FAFSA when you file your taxes! Costs/disbursement Estimated costs for nine months of full-time education at Stark State for Tuition and Fees $3, Books and Supplies $1,000 Transportation* $1,872 Personal Expenses* $4,208 Living Costs* $1,596-$5,612 *budget item estimate based on information provided by The College Board organization Stark State Plus Card You will be sent a Stark State Plus Card when you enroll in classes. Activate your card as soon as you receive it; it s the only way to receive your refund from Stark State College. Go to to select a refund preference from the following options have your funds deposited into your current bank account - the money will be available to you two to three days after the College releases the funds OR choose a Higher One debit/checking account - the money will be available to you within 24 hours after the College releases the funds OR select a paper check option Payment of fees with financial aid The method for payment of fees varies with each type of aid program. Your award notification lists your financial aid eligibility by semesters at full-time status. The amount of aid typically available to you each semester is the amount listed. Your aid will be pro-rated for enrollments less than full-time (12 credit hours). Financial aid is first applied to the student s tuition account. Any excess funds can be disbursed to you as a refund. Financial aid funds will be applied to your account after your attendance is verified in all classes. You will receive your financial aid refund after the term has begun. Distribution of refunds Summer semester: third week of classes Fall and spring semesters: fourth week of classes First-time loan borrowers who are subject to the 30-day disbursement delay will not receive a refund of loan proceeds until the fifth week of classes. Arrival of your refund depends on the refund preference you selected when you activated your Stark State Plus Card. Visit if you wish to change your refund preference or to view account activity. 12

15 Bursar/Business Office The Financial Aid Office works closely with the Bursar s Office to coordinate student billing and balances due. Refunds and disbursements are handled by the Bursar s Office based on your enrollment. Stark State College Student Installment Plan (SIPP) The Student Installment Payment Plan (SIPP) is printed on your schedule/receipt each semester. This program offers you the option of paying your tuition in installments. A fee of $20 is assessed; however, no interest is charged. Visit for details. IMPORTANT Revisions and cancellations The College reserves the right to review, revise or cancel financial awards at any time due to changes in your financial, residential or academic status. your failure to comply with the policies, procedures or laws pertaining to these programs. the availability of federal, state and institutional funds for each program. changes in College policy. The College is not obligated to satisfy the total financial need of a student. Buying books with financial aid money The Stark State College Store offers a variety of products and services at its two locations on main campus. The main store, located in the Student Center (S105), is open Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (hours vary between semesters and during summer session). The textbook center in G105 is open during the first 4-6 weeks of each semester. Once G105 closes, books can be purchased in the main store. The College Store offers competitively priced textbooks, used books and many textbook rentals, along with e-books when applicable. You must show your student ID and your schedule to buy books. You may use your financial aid to purchase books as long as your funds are available and allocated to the bookstore (after the fourth week of the term no charges to financial aid can be made). Check mystarkstate for your account balance. If using financial aid, you will need to show a photo ID. The College Store website lets you search for and price your required texts. You also have the option to order books online and have them delivered to your home, but financial aid cannot be used for online purchases. The College Store also offers clothing, insignia items, academic supplies and various other supplies necessary for certain programs of study. You can also buy laptops, academically priced Microsoft and Adobe software, as well as gas cards, SARTA bus passes, fax services and laminating. Supporting the Stark State College Store supports your college. All funds generated through the store go back into Stark State College s general fund to support you, the student. your connection admissions financial aid registration 13

16 Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) At Stark State College, we care about your success! That s why it s important for you to understand and meet the requirements of Standards of Academic Progress (SAP). This series of standards required to maintain eligibility for federal student aid includes requirements pertaining to completion of credit hours, grade point average (GPA) and maximum time frame as defined below. If you do not meet these requirements you will be disqualified from future financial aid. SAP requirements Stark State College requires that any student who applies for or receives federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress toward an Ohio Board of Regents (OBR)-approved degree or certificate. Satisfactory academic progress is measured as Overall grade point average of 2.0. Successful completion of 67% of the cumulative attempted* credit hours, including hours of repeated coursework. Attempted hours are determined by the number of credit hours you are registered for at the end of the sixth day of the semester. Completion of an OBR-approved degree or certificate within the number of required credit hours listed in the College catalog for the associate or certificate degree, multiplied by 150% (as determined by the Financial Aid Office), including accepted transfer credit hours and up to 30 attempted credit hours of required developmental coursework. Successful grade completions are A, B, C, UC, D, UD, CR Unsuccessful grade completions are F, W, IN, NC, NA If you repeat a course, both grades will appear on your academic record, and the highest grade will be used in calculating the grade point average. *Attempted hours are determined by the number of credit hours you are registered for at the end of the sixth day of the semester. Credit hours added after the sixth day of the term will be included in the SAP calculation, even if financial aid is not used to pay the tuition and fees associated with those hours. 14 Monitoring progress At the end of each term attended, your academic progress will be evaluated, based upon the standards listed above. If you fail to meet any of the above requirements, you will receive a notification letter from the College. After the first term in which the requirements are not met, you will be placed on financial aid warning for one subsequent term. During the warning period, you will continue to be eligible for federal financial aid. The College encourages you to meet with an academic advisor to receive assistance with your educational goals. After the second term in which the requirements are not met, you will become ineligible for federal financial aid. In order to regain federal financial aid eligibility, you will be required to pay for your classes out-of-pocket until you are able to reach the 67% completion rate and a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

17 Appeal process If you have unusual or mitigating circumstances, you may submit an appeal requesting to continue to receive federal financial aid. Mitigating circumstances must be documented and approved by the Standards of Academic Progress Appeal Committee, made up of a financial aid representative, academic affairs representative, and student services representative. The appeal must be submitted by the last day to register in the term in which you are applying for continued federal financial aid. You may only submit two appeals during your time at Stark State College. Rare exceptions will be made to this policy. If federal financial aid is reinstated as a result of the appeals process, you are placed on probation for one term. During the probationary period, you must complete all registered courses and achieve a 2.0 grade point average for each semester of the probationary period to remain eligible to receive federal financial aid. After one semester of meeting the probation requirements, you will be placed on an academic plan and must continue to complete all registered courses and maintain a term 2.0 GPA. As long as you are meeting the requirements of the academic plan, you will continue to receive aid. Once you are at a 67% completion rate for all attempted courses and a 2.0 grade point average, you will go back to good standing. Appeal procedure o o o Step 1 You must complete the SAP appeal form and submit it to the Financial Aid Office along with an explanation and documentation of the reasons for failing to comply with the stated academic standards. The explanation must include what improvements you have made that will ensure future academic success. Step 2 The Standards of Academic Progress Appeal Committee will review the appeal and render a decision. Step 3 You will receive the written decision of the Committee within 10 business days of the committee meeting. The decision of the Standards of Academic Progress Appeal Committee is FINAL. The Committee reserves the right to establish parameters as part of the approval process, including but not limited to restrictions of credit hours or specific courses, mandatory advising or adherence to an academic plan. If you are approved for financial aid, you are encouraged to seek an academic advisor to review an academic plan. your connection admissions financial aid registration 15

18 ? Frequently asked questions Frequently asked questions What is financial aid? Financial aid is money provided by various agencies (federal, state and local governments, colleges or universities, community organizations and private corporations or individuals) to assist students in meeting the cost of attending college. It includes gift aid (grants and scholarships) and self-help aid (loans, which must be repaid and student employment). How is my eligibility determined? When you file the FAFSA, you are considered for all federal, state and institutional aid administered by the Financial Aid Office. One or more types of aid are awarded to make up the financial aid package. Do I need to be a full-time student to receive financial aid? No! The amount of financial aid awarded is determined, in part, by the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled. What is the Expected Family Contribution? Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount of money your family is expected to contribute toward educational expenses from resources other than financial aid and is based on ability to pay. The EFC is calculated using the information provided on the FAFSA. Factors used to determine a family s contributions include the previous year s adjusted gross income, assets, size of family and the number of individuals in the family attending college. How is financial need determined? Financial need is determined by the difference in the cost of attendance (COA) and the expected family contribution (the family s ability to pay for college costs). How do I get my books? If you have authorized your financial aid for use other than tuition, you may be eligible to charge your books to your account using your excess financial aid. The charges will then be applied to your tuition account. The system is updated on a nightly basis as aid is processed and book charges are assessed. To see if you may be eligible to charge your books to your account, check your account via mystarkstate. If a credit appears on your account, you may be able to charge your books. 16

19 I receive no help from my parents and live on my own. Does that qualify me as an independent student? Not necessarily. In order to be considered as an independent student for purposes of financial aid, you must be able to answer yes to at least one of the following questions for the school year: 1) Were you born before January 1, 1990? 2) As of today, are you married? 3) Will you be working on a master s or doctorate program? 4) Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training or are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?* 5) Do you have children or legal dependents (other than a spouse or children who live with your) who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014?* 6) At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?* 7) Are you or were you an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?* 8) At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?* 9) At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?* 10) At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?* If you cannot answer yes to any of these questions but feel there are circumstances that warrant your classification as an independent student, call or stop by the Financial Aid Office to set up an appointment so we can review your situation. *You may be required to provide documentation to the Financial Aid Office. What is verification? The Department of Education selects some FAFSA applicants for a process called verification. If you are selected, you may be asked to complete a verification worksheet and provide a federal tax return transcript from the IRS and other income documents as required to the Stark State College Financial Aid Office. Spouse or parents information and other documents may also be requested. Verification must be completed before aid eligibility can be confirmed. your connection admissions financial aid registration 17

20 TIP: File a FAFSA for financial aid! I have a bachelor s degree. May I still apply for financial aid? Students with bachelor s degrees may still apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. These students are not eligible for the Federal Pell or FSEOG grants. I am divorced/separated. What should I include on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Students who are divorced or legally separated should not include their ex-spouse s income on the FAFSA. For more information on detailed or complicated questions, contact a Stark State College financial aid representative. I was recently married. Do I have to include my spouse s income on the FAFSA? Yes. You should include your spouse s information on the FAFSA if you are married at the time the application is completed. If separate federal income tax returns were filed, combine the adjusted gross incomes from the tax returns and include them on the appropriate line of the FAFSA. Do the same for the amount of taxes paid and other amounts. What if I lost my job or have other special circumstances? The Financial Aid Office can take into account special circumstances which may affect your need. These may include loss of income due to layoff, disability, divorce, separation or loss of untaxed benefits. You can obtain a special conditions form from the Financial Aid Office and make an appointment with a financial aid counselor. NOTE: Not all requests for special conditions are approved. Can I get financial aid for the summer semester? Yes. You need to complete the FAFSA by March 1 of each year in order to have your aid ready for the summer. What is Standards of Academic Progress (SAP)? Standards of Academic Progress is a federal policy that the school is required to enforce to ensure that you are making progress toward your degree. Refer to the Standards of Academic Progress for Stark State College outlined in this booklet or visit 18