FINANCIAL AID
Federal Financial Aid
Federal Aid Programs offer funds administered by the US Department of Education. Detailed information concerning these funds may be found at the Department of Education's website: www.studentaid.ed.gov, or in their publication The Student Guide available in the CVCC Financial Aid Office. You may also obtain information by calling the US Department of Education's toll-free number: 1-800-433-3243. TTY may call 1-800-730-8913.
In general, to apply for Federal Aid Programs, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually and demonstrate eligibility each time. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. A paper copy of the FAFSA can be obtained from the web at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov.
Available Federal Aid Programs:
Federal Pell Grant
Criteria: US citizen or eligible non-citizen with no prior bachelor's degree; enrolled in an eligible program of study, demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility requirements.
Application: FAFSA
Summer Pell Policy and Procedures
Effective March 2010
Policy
Beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year, students are eligible for up to 2 scheduled awards (200%) per year of Pell Grants. For the summer of 2010, CVCC will pay Pell Grant out of the 2009-2010 year (as a “trailer”) during the transition period for the new Pell Grant awards. If students use their first scheduled award and enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours, they can be eligible for a 2nd scheduled award. For the summer 2010 only, no consideration will be given to 2010-2011 student eligibility during the cross-over period and no consideration will be given to academic progression requirements.
For summer 2011, CVCC will consider the term to be a “cross-over” payment period and will pay Pell Grant out of the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 year, whichever award year provides the student with the most Pell Grant eligibility. Students must have a valid ISIR on file for the year and complete verification requirements (if necessary). If students use their first scheduled award and they enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours for the summer, they may be eligible for a 2nd scheduled award. For the summer 2010, students must meet the academic progression requirement in order to be eligible for a 2nd scheduled award. To meet this requirement, the student must have passed a minimum of 24 credit hours (CVCC definition of an academic year) and enroll for at least 6 credit hours in the summer. If this requirement is met, the scheduled award will be made from the award year that provides the largest scheduled award, providing the student is otherwise eligible. If the requirement is not met, the student will not be eligible for a 2nd award.
For the summer terms in all subsequent years after 2011, the rules applied in summer 2011 will be applied using the correct aid years as determined by federal regulations.
Transfer Students for 2nd Scheduled Pell Grant award beginning 2010-2011
CVCC will use the assumption method to determine acceleration toward the 2nd scheduled Pell Grant award. If the student received 100% of the first scheduled Pell Grant award at a prior school(s), we will assume the student completed the first academic year. If the student received less than 100%, CVCC will use the same ration to CVCC’s academic year as the % of the scheduled award that was received from the other school(s) and round up.
Special Circumstances for Academic Year Completion Requirement for Second Scheduled Award
The academic year progression requirement can be waived by the Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid if it is determined that a student was unable to complete the hours of the first academic year due to “circumstances beyond the student’s control.” These circumstances may include but are not limited to:
• The student withdrawing from classes due to a verifiable illness and demonstrates the severity of the illness directly affected the ability to accelerate the student’s progression toward the degree
• The student was unable to register for classes necessary to complete their academic program because classes were not offered.
Determination must be documented and made on a student by student basis:
• The student must submit a statement and supporting documentation which supports they were unable to accelerate their progression because of events beyond their control
• Documentation must be sufficient to demonstrate the events were beyond the student’s control
• Documentation must include evidence the event was substantial enough to prevent the progression by the student
• Documentation must be supported by professionals including faculty, counselors, physicians, ministers, or police reports and/or court documentation
Special circumstances beyond a student’s control do not include:
• Withdrawing to avoid a particular grade
• Failing to register for a necessary class that is offered during the term to avoid a particular instructor
• Classes are full and student was unable to register
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Criteria: US citizen or eligible non-citizen with no prior bachelor's degree; enrolled in an eligible program of study; demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility requirements.
Application: FAFSA
Academic Competitivenes Grant (ACG)
Criteria: US citizen; enrolled full-time; be Pell Grant eligible; successfully completed rigorous high school program.
Application: FAFSA
Federal Work Study (FWS)
Criteria: US citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program; demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility requirements.
Application: FAFSA
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Criteria: US citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program; enrolled at least half time; meet academic requirements; subsidized loan students must show financial need.
Application: FAFSA and CVCC Loan Application. Must complete entrance counseling requirements. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
Additional Unsubsidized Loan
Criteria: Independent student; US citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program; meet academic requirements; enrolled at least half-time.
Application: FAFSA and CVCC Loan Application. Must complete entrance counseling requirements. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information.
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (PLUS)
Criteria: Parents of a dependent student who is a US citizen or eligible non-citizen enrolled in an eligible program; meet academic requirements; enrolled at least half time; the parents must also meet citizenship requirements.
Application: FAFSA and CVCC PLUS Loan Application
Award Amount: cost of attendance minus other financial aid
