Terms and Conditions

• Qualifying for Aid
• Conditions Affecting Eligibility
• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Repayment of Title IV Funds

Financial aid awards are based on you maintaining satisfactory academic progress as outlined in the College catalog.

The student aid office reserves the right to adjust your award due to changes in your eligibility or the availability of funds.

The student aid office will certify your enrollment status at the end of the add/drop period for each session. If you register for classes but do not attend beyond the add/drop period, you must officially drop the course or you may be responsible for all charges incurred. All awards will be adjusted at this time to reflect your actual enrollment status. If you choose to take classes outside your program of study, you may be required to cover the cost from your own resources.

You must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) in order to be eligible for Stafford Student Loan (FFEL), Star Opportunity Grant (formerly Institutional Needs Fund), Part-Time FSAG, PSAV Grant, and to receive priority funding for College Work Study (CWS), and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). In order to receive the Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG), you must be enrolled full-time (12+ credits) and be in an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. Degree program. In some cases, you may be eligible for a Pell Grant if you are less than half time.

Financial Aid does not pay for audited classes or challenged exams.

You are required to notify the enrollment services/financial aid office if you receive financial assistance such as a scholarship, grant, or loan from an outside source since this may affect your eligibility for financial aid. You must also notify the enrollment services/financial aid office if you change your name or address. The College will use your financial aid funds to pay for outstanding tuition, fees, and other charges incurred. The first source of funds received by the College will be used to pay these outstanding charges. Remaining funds will be disbursed during the semester.

If you receive aid you are not entitled to, it will be your responsibility to repay those funds. If you are taking classes at two different colleges you can only receive aid at one institution.

Qualifying for Aid

To be eligible for federal, state and institutional aid students must meet the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate financial need (may not be required for some loan and institutional programs).
2. Have a standard high school diploma, GED or ATB (Ability to Benefit) on file.
3. Be enrolled in a college credit program or an eligible vocational program.
4. Maintain financial aid standards of academic progress in program of study.
5. Not be in default or owe a repayment of Title IV funds.
6. Have a valid Social Security number.
7. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen with permanent residency status and an alien registration identification number (may not be required for some institutional programs).
8. Be registered with Selective Service (males between the ages of 18 and 25).
9. Have not borrowed in excess of loan limits under the Title IV program.
10. Federal regulations require that students may only receive financial aid if they are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (see details below).
11. Must have all requested documents on file before disbursements are made.

Conditions Affecting Eligibility

All financial aid recipients will be required to repay a percentage of funds disbursed if they officially withdraw from college or stop attending all classes before 60 percent of the term has been completed. Transfer students funds cannot be disbursed until all academic electronic financial aid transcripts have been received and evaluated. Financial aid funds will be terminated if a student is in violation of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Corrections made to your Student Aid Report (SAR) can cause changes in award amounts. If you are attending two institutions, your financial aid funds can only be processed at one institution. Awards are based on your current or estimated enrolled hours. Dropping or withdrawing can cause your financial aid to be adjusted or cancelled.

Note: For all semesters:

Credit Hours	Status
12 credits or more	Full-time status
9–11 credits	3/4 time status
6–8 credits	1/2 time status
1–5 credits	Less than 1/2 time status

Title IV Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (Effective for 2008-09)

Students are only allowed to attempt a limited number of credit hours under federal financial aid guidelines. Credits may include college or workforce credits, transfer credits, remedial credits and all other credits attempted at FCCJ. All students receiving Title IV financial aid funds must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to receive Title IV funds. Academic history is reviewed for all students applying for financial aid, regardless of whether financial aid has been previously received.

All students receiving aid must successfully complete a minimum of 67 percent of cumulative credit hours attempted in order to continue receiving Title IV financial aid funds. For example, student attempts 35 credits and must complete 23 credits successfully (35 credits x 67 percent = 23 credits). Students must also maintain at least a 2.0 G.P.A. SAP will be evaluated yearly, after the spring semester, for the following academic year. Students enrolled in one-year or less certificate or vocational programs will have grades reviewed at the end of each term. (Successfully completed grades: A, B, C, D, S, NG — Unsuccessful grades: U, W, F, FN, I.) Failure to meet these standards may impact the student’s eligibility for financial aid and ability to register. Please contact the enrollment services/financial aid office for further information.

150 Percent Rule

Students receiving financial aid will have their aid terminated upon reaching 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete their degree or certificate program. This regulation applies to all students, including those that have not previously received financial aid. For example, a student working toward an A.A. degree needs 60 hours to graduate. Once the student attempts 90 hours he/she is no longer eligible for financial aid. (60 hrs. x 150 percent = 90 hrs.) Under extenuating circumstances the 150 percent rule may be appealed. The 150 percent rule applies to all classes attempted by the student, including vocational and transfer hours. Students must make other arrangements to pay their tuition and fees if their financial aid is terminated and they do not appeal or their appeal is denied.

Appeals Procedure

Students whose aid is cancelled may appeal this decision only if there are extenuating circumstances (medical or personal problems). To appeal, the student must complete and return the appeal form to the home campus enrollment services/financial aid office. All supporting documentation must be attached or the appeal form will not be accepted. After reviewing the written appeal and all documentation, the campus dean will notify the student in Artemis/Connections (students will be required to log on to their student accounts in Artemis/Connections for notification). All aid remains cancelled until the student receives notification the appeal was approved for the next period of enrollment. The dean reserves the right to limit the student’s enrollment to less than full-time.

Repayment of Title IV Funds

Title IV financial aid recipients who officially withdraw from all classes during the first 60 percent of the academic term will be notified by the College and subject to repayment terms as outlined by the Department of Education. If disbursement has already been made to the student, it is the student’s responsibility to repay all funds due to FCCJ and/or the Department of Education. Federal regulations require a formula be used based on number of calendar days in the term and the number of days attended by the student before withdrawal to determine how much financial aid was “earned” by the student. The difference between aid disbursed and aid earned will be used to calculate how much the student must repay. Information on the Return of Title IV Funds policy is available at each campus enrollment services/financial aid office.

If the student unofficially withdraws (stops attending) or student’s academic transcript reflects unsuccessful completion of all courses, Florida Community College will have student aid calculated on 50 percent completion of the term. Documentation of an academic-related activity, including notification from the faculty, may be used to recalculate aid eligibility based on the last date of attendance.