FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen.

6. Complete statements of

(a) Educational Purpose

(b) Selective Service Registration Status

HOW FINANCIAL NEED IS DETERMINED

Financial Aid (the difference between the reasonable cost of attending college and the reasonable expectation from family resources) is the amount which the Financial Aid Office will endeavor to provide from one source or a combination of sources.

The full cost of attendance cannot be met by financial aid programs. All students are expected to contribute personal resources.

DEPENDENT STUDENTS

Financial need is determined on the basis of income and assets of both the parents and student. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed. The college must receive a valid Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).

Adjusted gross income, untaxed income and benefits, number of family members and number of college students are considered in determining the amount the family is expected to contribute to the student's education. Also considered are student and parent savings, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, trust funds, money market funds, other investments, and net worth of business and/or investment farms.

Independent Students

Financial aid is determined on the same basis as for dependent students, except parent income and assets are not considered.

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HOW TO APPLY FOR AWARDS BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED

Eligibility for all need-based awards is determined through submission of a valid Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The process is as follows:

1. Complete FAFSA indicating Garden City Community College (Federal School Code 001919) in the Information Release section. Forms are available from high school counselors, the area LULAC representative, or the Financial Aid Office at Garden City Community College. Students can also apply with FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov
2. The Student Aid Report is mailed from the processor to the student approximately 2 weeks after submitting a FAFSA or sent by email if an email address has been provided.
3. Have official high school transcript or GED scores sent to the Admissions Office.
4. Have official transcripts sent from all other post secondary institutions to the Admissions office.
5. Meet all student eligibility requirements previously listed.
6. Provide documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office.
7. Complete a new financial aid application each year.

AWARDS BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides eligible undergraduate students with a base for financial aid. Student eligibility is based on financial need determined by the US Department of Education and reviewed by Congress annually.

The Pell award is a grant and does not normally have to be repaid. Grants range in size according to student eligibility and the student's level of enrollment. Students who drop out, quit attending classes, or drop below 3 credit hours may have to repay a portion or all of the Pell Grant received. Pell awards range from $0 to $4310 for the 2007-08 academic year.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)

FSEOG provides financial assistance to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. FSEOG awards at GCCC range from $0 to $500 per year. FSEOG funds are limited and priority is given to PELL recipients with lowest family contribution figures. Students must qualify for Federal Pell Grant to receive FSEOG and be enrolled at least half time.

ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANT (ACG)

Students who are eligible for Pell Grants could receive additional awards under the Academic Competitiveness Grant Program if they have completed "a rigorous secondary-school program of study" and maintain a 3.0 GPA in college. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM (FWS)

This program provides part-time employment for many students with financial need. FWS gives students a chance to earn income to help pay educational expenses. Students work at local schools or in college facilities (i.e., library, student center, residence halls or as assistants of administrative, faculty or maintenance personnel). FWS hours range from five to fifteen hours per week. Availability of FWS is determined year to year. Non-Need Based Institutional Work-Study is also available.

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FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM

STAFFORD LOAN PROGRAM

The Stafford Loan Program provides students with long term, low-interest loans for post-secondary educational expenses. Loan funds are provided by participating private lending institutions. Stafford loan interest rates are fixed at 6.8%. Loan eligibility ranges from a maximum of $3,500 for first year students to a maximum of $4,500 for second year students. Stafford Loans are available in both subsidized and unsubsidized versions depending on student eligibility. Applications are available from participating lenders or the Financial Aid Office. Students must complete online entrance counseling before their loan will be certified. Online Exit Counseling is required annually for all borrowers. 

SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOANS

Subsidized Stafford Loans are available to students who qualify based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The federal government pays the interest on behalf of the student while the student is enrolled at least half-time. The student becomes responsible for making payments on the principal and interest six months after leaving school, graduating, or dropping below half-time enrollment.

UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOANS

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to students regardless of family income. However, students are responsible for the interest on these loans while attending school. Interest may be paid as it accrues or capitalized with the loan principal at repayment. Payment of both principal and interest begins six months after leaving school, graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment.

PLUS LOAN (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students)

The PLUS Program allows parents to borrow money to pay for their dependent children's cost of attending a post-secondary school. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5%. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION BENEFITS

Veterans, spouses and children of disabled or deceased veterans may qualify for special education benefits. Students should contact their local Veterans Administration Office for forms and further information. Any and all VA benefits received must be reported to the Financial Aid Office.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Students with physical or emotional disabilities may qualify for special assistance. Students should contact the division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services in their area.

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AWARD NOTIFICATION

When a student's need has been established, it is the goal of Garden City Community College to make funds available to help meet that need. Recipients are selected according to established need and on a first-come first-served basis, as funds are available. Students will receive award letters as soon as possible after the college receives its official notification of program funding from the federal government. Financial aid files are complete only when all requested information and documentation has been received. Financial aid files are then reviewed and awarded in chronological order of completion, and award letters are printed in this same order. Files complete and accurate by June 1st will be awarded prior to August 1st. Files complete and accurate by July 1st will be awarded prior to the start of the Fall semester.

A Financial Aid Award Letter, stating components of the Financial Aid Package will be mailed or given to the student for acceptance. This letter shows awards offered to the student.

One signed copy of the award letter must be returned to the Financial Aid Office at Garden City Community College. A form entitled Financial Aid Information accompanies each notification. Once accepted, the funds in the amount stated will be reserved for the student. Money cannot be released until the student's enrollment has been certified by the Registrar.

COST OF EDUCATION COMPONENTS

Garden City Community College defines an academic year as 32 weeks in length beginning with the first day of class of the regularly scheduled Fall semester and ending with the last day of final examinations for the regularly scheduled Spring semester.

The following components are used in computing a full-time student's cost of attendance at Garden City Community College for the 2007-08 academic year. Adjustments are made for less than full time student status.

Tuition (based on 32 credit hours per year)

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AID PACKAGE

In addition to aid available from the college, financial aid is available from a variety of sources. Such agencies have their own criteria for eligibility funding and limits.

Students should be aware that the various agencies and the college will determine awards at different times and independently of each other. Students must report all scholarships, grants, VA benefits, etc. to the Financial Aid Office.

In cases where students receive more than one award, the aid package may need to be adjusted in order to comply with federal regulations and individual program guidelines. If this happens, students will be advised of their options. With the variety of agencies controlling funds, the need to make adjustments is becoming more common.

Students and their parents should understand that the acceptance of any award is always subject to adjustment in order to comply with the federal regulations and the guidelines of any program from which funds are received. Awards may be prorated or eliminated based on the students actual enrollment status.

The amount of each student's federal award is based upon established need. A student's financial aid package is awarded in the following order: (1) Federal Pell Grant (2) external sources of scholarships and grants, (3) institutional scholarships & grants, (4) Academic Competitiveness Grant (5) FSEOG, (6) Federal Work-Study, and (7) Federal Stafford Loans.

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

Financial aid payments are disbursed a minimum of twice a year and normally once each semester. Disbursements will be made after the student's enrollment has been certified by the records office. Certification procedures begin subsequent to the 20th day of classes, and disbursement will be subsequent to the 30th day. (Not all classes certify at the same time). Students must plan accordingly.

Federal Stafford Loan proceeds are disbursed no sooner than other federal aid.

Work-Study checks are disbursed monthly.

U.S. Department of Education regulations require that Garden City Community College establish satisfactory academic progress standards for federal financial aid recipients. Students receiving Federal Pell Grants, Academic Competitivenss Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work Study, any Stafford Student Loans, and/or any other federal aid must meet the following standards to ensure that only those students demonstrating satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of their degree, or transfer program leading to a bachelor’s degree, continue to receive federal financial aid.

The standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress measure a student’s performance in three areas: completion rate, grade point average, and maximum time frame. Students’ academic progress will be evaluated at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Classes taken during the summer will be considered in the fall calculation. Notification of failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress will be mailed to the student’s permanent address.

It is the student’s responsibility to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Completion Rate
Satisfactory progress will be measured by comparing the number of credit hours completed with the number of credit hours attempted. Students must earn 67% (two-thirds) of the credit hours attempted for the term. Calculations for full time students will be based on 12 hours regardless of the total number of hours of enrollment. A student failing to complete 67% (two-thirds) of attempted hours will be placed on probation for the following semester of enrollment. A subsequent semester of unsatisfactory progress will result in denial.

A student who fails to earn any credit for the hours attempted for a semester of enrollment will be placed on denial without probation.

Attempted hours include any course the student remained enrolled in past the refund period. Earned hours include any hours for which the student earned an A, B, C, D, P, or CR. Failures (F’s), withdrawals (W’s), and incompletes (I’s or IP’s) are considered as attempted hours, but not earned hours. Repeated and remedial courses are included in the calculation of attempted and earned hours. All hours attempted and/or completed are included in the calculation even if the student was not receiving federal financial aid when enrolled in those courses.

Cumulative GPA
All students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

A student failing to meet the cumulative GPA standard will be placed on financial aid probation for the following semester of enrollment. A subsequent semester of unsatisfactory progress will result in financial aid denial.

Students who meet the requirements for hours completed during their probationary semester, but are unable to raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 in one semester must have a semester GPA of above a 2.0 to remain on financial aid probation.

Maximum Time Frame
Credit hours: A student will be expected to complete his/her course work in a maximum of 96 hours of enrollment. Students who do not complete their course work in 96 hours will be placed on denial.
Degree completion: Students who have completed an Associate Degree or beyond are no longer eligible for financial aid at GCCC. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis when additional hours are required to establish, maintain, or renew professional certification or for other unusual circumstances as per the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid. Second Associate Degrees will not normally constitute a special circumstance.

Transfer Students
A transfer student is any student who has previously attended another institution. Official academic transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions must be on file at GCCC before an initial financial aid award will be made. Transfer hours are included in the calculation of attempted and earned hours and in the cumulative GPA. Transfer students may be placed on probation for their first semester of attendance at Garden City Community College.

Probation
At the conclusion of the Fall and the Spring semesters, all students receiving federal aid will be evaluated to determine whether or not they are attaining satisfactory academic progress. If the student is failing to meet satisfactory academic progress, he/she will be placed on probation for the following semester or the next semester that they enroll at GCCC. Probation status will not prevent the student from receiving financial aid. This is not the same as being on academic probation with the College. Any student failing to meet satisfactory academic progress standards after one semester of probation will be placed on financial aid denial.

Denial
Students not meeting satisfactory progress for two semesters will be denied financial aid until they file a successful appeal or complete the needed credits and grade point average to meet satisfactory academic progress policy requirements.

Students who have attempted more than 96 hours will be denied financial aid without probation. Students in this category may only continue receiving financial aid for specific courses needed to complete their degree or transfer to a program leading to a bachelor’s degree. Verification of required courses must come from the student’s academic advisor.

Students who receive a grade of “Fail”, “Incomplete”, “IP-In Progress, and/or “Withdrawn” for all hours attempted within one semester will be placed on denial without probation. Denied students are not eligible for federal financial aid of any kind at GCCC. This is not the same as being on academic dismissal from the college.

Reinstatement
A student who has been placed on financial aid probation may have their status adjusted if a subsequent period of enrollment brings them into compliance with satisfactory academic progress standards. The adjustment will be made when satisfactory progress is calculated at the end of the fall or spring semester.

Students who do not appeal or whose appeal is denied must complete a minimum of (12) twelve credit hours (half-time students or less-than half-time students must complete a minimum of (6) credit hours) at their own expense and attain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Students who meet this requirement will have their financial aid reinstated upon written request. If their cumulative GPA is below the required 2.0, the student will be reinstated on financial aid probation.

Appeal Process
Students who have been placed on denial have the right to appeal if they have extenuating circumstances that warrant an exception to the policy.

APPEAL PROCESS
The appeal process is available to any student on financial aid denial. During the appeal process, a student is allowed to enroll at GCCC if he or she meets all requirements for admission or re-admission. However, the student is responsible for paying all direct costs (tuition, fees, books, residence hall charges) at the time of enrollment. All appeals must be made in writing and submitted in compliance with the requirements shown below.

To make an appeal the student must take the following steps:

1. File an “Appeal of Financial Aid Denial” form (available at the Financial Aid Office) by the first day of class for the semester of enrollment for which they wish to be considered. The appeal should explain specific mitigating circumstances which prevented the student from maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress and should include supporting statements and documentation from appropriate sources (i.e. physician, academic advisor, employer). The appeal should also include steps taken to insure that the circumstances will not be repeated. The Director of Financial Aid will make a decision regarding the appeal and notify the student of the decision within one-week following the deadline to appeal.

2. If the appeal is denied by the Director of Financial Aid, the student may continue the appeal process by filing a written appeal with the Dean of Student Services within two school days of notification of denial of appeal by the Director of Financial Aid. The Dean of Student Services will forward the appeal to the Scholarship and Academic Review Committee.

3. The Scholarship and Academic Review Committee will hold a hearing on the appeal within one week of receipt of the referral. The committee will notify the student of the hearing date, time and place. This notification will be given at least two school days in advance and the student must be present at such hearing. Student’s failure to appear at the hearing waives the student’s right to appeal. The committee shall either (1) uphold the decision or (2) recommend that the decision be modified.

4. The student, the Dean, or the Director of Financial Aid may appeal the decision of the Scholarship and Academic Review Committee. This request for appeal must be made in writing to the College President within three school days after the committee has made its decision. If the appeal is denied, the student remains on Financial Aid Denial. If the appeal is granted, the student’s eligibility for federal financial aid will be reinstated and the student may be placed on Financial Aid Probation. The President of Garden City Community College, or his/her appointee, shall have final jurisdiction on academic progress appeals for financial aid recipients.

If the appeal is denied or the student does not submit an appeal within the above deadline, the student must complete a minimum of twelve credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA before the student will be allowed to request a reinstatement. If the student received a denial notification for a semester in which they were enrolled half-time or less, a minimum of six credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA must be completed before the student may request a reinstatement.

REFUND POLICIES

Institutional Refund

Tuition and Fee Refunds

• Students are eligible for refunds upon filing a "Change of Schedule" form in the Registrar's Office. Written notification is required.

• Students who enroll during the early enrollment period and fail to make the required (fee) payment by the publicized date will have their enrollment deleted without the necessity of completing a "Change of Schedule" form.

• Refunds are calculated based on the day the official withdrawal is filed in the Registrar's Office (in person, by fax or by postmark date), not when the student stopped attending class. (Failure to attend or ceasing to attend a class does not constitute an official withdrawal.)

• If the college cancels a class, enrolled students will receive a full refund of tuition and fees for that class regardless of date.

• If a student withdraws from a course after the refund period and simultaneously adds a course, no refund will be given for the withdrawn (dropped) course. Full tuition and fees will be charged for the added course. Exception: If at any time a student, upon the advice of his/her instructor, advisor or counselor and with approval of the dean of instruction or applicable outreach administrator, withdraws from a course and simultaneously adds a course (i.e., section change or level change in same department, etc.), no additional tuition or fees will be charged if the total course hours and fees are identical.

• If an enrolled student is called to active military duty, full tuition will be refunded. Fees are not refundable if the activated date is beyond the published refund date.

100% Refund periods are as follows (also applies to Evening and Outreach classes):

Regular Sessions (16 weeks)

Students who officially withdraw are entitled to a full refund of tuition and fees through the third Friday of the fall and spring semesters. No refund on tuition and/or fees is given after this date and the student is responsible for the total tuition and fees incurred. Refer to the Student Handbook for the exact date.

8 and 6-Week Sessions

The 100% refund period for 8-week sessions and the regular summer 6-week session is the second Friday after the start of these sessions. Refer to the Student Handbook for the exact date.

Sessions Less Than 6-Weeks

The 100% refund for classes less than 6 weeks in length is prior to the third class meeting.

For Business and Industry Institute (B&I) classes and American Management Association Extension Institute (AMA) classes, refer to brochures for refund policy and time periods.

Workshops and Seminar Refunds

A request for refund for workshops and seminars (usually one week or less in length) will be honored if a written request is received in the Registrar's Office five business days prior to the beginning of the seminar/workshop. If a written request is not received five days prior, the student is responsible for all tuition and fees.

Refund Appeal Procedure

• Students wishing to appeal their refund must complete a "Refund Appeal Request" form and return it with appropriate documentation to the Business Office within one week of the official withdrawal date.

• Ruling on the appeal will be determined by a committee consisting of representatives from the Business Office, Student Services and Instruction.

• The Business Office will notify the student, in writing, of the committee's decision.

In addition to GCCC's refund policy, all students receiving Federal (Title IV) Financial Aid are subject to a "Return of Title IV Funds" calculation. This calculation is required for students who completely withdraw on or before the 60% point of the semester. The "Return of Title IV Funds" calculation involves only the Federal Financial Aid portion of funds received by the student. It determines the amount of federal funds the student and GCCC are entitled to keep, based on how long the student was enrolled during the semester. It is possible that GCCC and/or the student will owe federal funds back to the Department of Education regardless of the outcome of the GCCC institutional refund policy.

Return or Title IV Funds Distribution

If the student and/or GCCC are required to repay Title IV Funds received, the repayment must be made in the following order:

INDEBTEDNESS

Students must clear all indebtedness to the college before diplomas or academic transcripts can be issued.

Students who owe a repayment on grants or are in default on any student loan will have a hold placed on their records at the college. No student will be eligible for Financial Aid until any excess payment or default has been settled.

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STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Students have the right to know: the financial aid programs that are available; the deadline for submitting applications for each financial aid program; how financial aid will be distributed; how financial need was determined; what resources were considered in the calculation of the need; how most of the financial need as determined has been met; Garden City Community College's refund policy; what portion is grant aid; how the school determines whether students are making satisfactory progress and what happens if they are not making satisfactory progress.

Students have the responsibility: to complete forms accurately and submit them on time; to provide correct and complete information; to return all additional documentation, correction or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which the applications were submitted; to read and understand all forms they are asked to sign and to keep copies; to perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a work study award; to be aware of the school's refund procedure; to repay all loans in accordance with the repayment schedule; and to inform the Financial Aid Office of any changes in enrollment, name, address, and marital status.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND FACULTY

Descriptions of the academic and technical programs offered at Garden City Community College, the list of the administration and faculty and the college accrediting agencies may be found in the current issue of the college catalog.

PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY

The Garden City Community College campus, buildings, classrooms, east residence hall and apartments are designed to be accessible to disabled students. Some special programs or classes are provided for the disabled student. Special classes are available for the disadvantaged student.

According to the requirements of Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and Executive Order 11246, Garden City Community College does not discriminate against applicants, employees or students on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status or handicap, nor will sexual harassment be tolerated in its employment practices and/or educational programs or activities. Those concerned about the above should contact the Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer, Garden City Community College, 801 Campus Drive, Garden City, Kansas 67846.

STUDENT'S RIGHT-TO-KNOW/CAMPUS SECURITY ACT

GCCC adheres to the Student's Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act (Public Law 101-542). Current statistics are available upon request through the Admissions Office.

SCHOLARSHIP DISTRIBUTION POLICIES

Scholarships are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis and are available for fall and spring semesters only. Grade point averages or GED scores*, financial need, and majors are taken into consideration. Scholarship criteria vary, so students are matched as closely as possible with the scholarship standards. Activity scholarships and Grant-In-Aid scholarships are awarded by respective departments. Tuition and books scholarships are awarded only once each semester. The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference By-Laws control the amount of aid a student can receive if he/she participates in athletics. As a member of the Athletic Conference, GCCC adheres to these regulations.

Many scholarships are renewable, provided the student meets the requirements (grade point average and credit hour requirements). Students must re-apply by March 1 of each year for scholarships (including renewals). The goal for distributing scholarships is that awards should be made to as many students as possible, versus over-awarding any particular student.

* Any scholarship that has a grade point average as part of the eligibility, the GED score will convert to the following grade point average.