Financial Aid & Planning

SCC Financial Aid Office Contact Information

Phone: 800-642-4075 ext. 2610, 402-437-2610

Email: financialaid@southeast.edu * Remember, if you are sending an email to ask about your account, it should include your SCC ID and should be submitted via your SCC email account. *

Fax: 402-437-2402

Other Useful Contact information related to Admissions, Records, and Student Accounts:

• Questions about your admissions application: 402-437-2600
• Questions about registering for a course, transcripts, graduation, degree audits or course substitutions: 402-437-2605
• Questions about your student account, refund, and payment plan, etc.: 402-437-2669Types of Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Many financial aid programs are available at Southeast Community College. Financial Aid awards are administered by the Financial Aid Office under policies established by federal and state governmental guidelines.

Grants

Grants are financial aid that does not require repayment as long as the student completes the term. Grants are generally based on financial need. Available grant programs include the Federal Pell Grant, the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Nebraska Opportunity Grant. There are certain eligibility requirements for each grant award. Students who have a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for any of the grant programs listed.

The grant programs available at Southeast Community College are:

Federal Pell Grant

• Need-based
• Eligibility is primarily based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• Enrollment required: For full eligibility, a minimum of 12 credit hours is required each term. Amounts are pro-rated if you are enrolled in less than 12 credits.
• To be eligible during the summer term, a student must be enrolled in 6 or more credit hours.
• Length of eligibility: Maximum of 6 full-time terms
• Application: Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA)

SCC maintains a Federal Pell “recalculation date” of 15 days into each term. After this date, no Federal Pell recalculations will be done except when the recalculations are mandated by federal regulations. An enrolled, Federal Pell-eligible student will not receive an additional Pell award if the student adds a course or module after the recalculation date. If a Federal Pell-eligible student enrolls after the recalculation date, the student is awarded Federal Pell based on the student’s enrollment status. No further recalculations of the student’s Federal Pell award will be done, assuming the student begins attendance in each class.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

• Need-Based
• To qualify, you must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and have exceptional financial need.
• Enrollment required
• To be eligible during the summer term, a student must be enrolled in 6 or more credit hours
• Application: FAFSA

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

You may qualify for this grant if all the following apply:

• Your parent or guardian was a member of the Armed Forces and died as a result of performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/2001
• You were under the age of 24 years, or were enrolled at least half-time in college, at the time of your parent or guardian’s death
• Your EFC is above the limit for Federal Pell Grant eligibility
• Enrollment required: For full eligibility, a minimum of 12 credit hours is required each term. Amounts are pro-rated if you are enrolled in less than 12 credits.
• Length of eligibility: Maximum of 6 full-time terms
• Application: FAFSA

Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG)

• Need-based
• Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
• Must be a Nebraska resident
• Enrollment required: 6 or more credit hours
• Application: FAFSA
• The NOG is awarded during the fall and spring terms only

Education Loans

Available loan programs include:

• Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
• Alternative Loans - also known as “Private” loans. These loans are available through banks or other lenders and are credit-based.

All education loans must be repaid. Before accepting any loans, you should create a plan to repay them. Loans must be repaid even if you experience difficult financial circumstances and/or do not complete your education.

There are certain eligibility requirements for each program. All applicants for loans are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Loan eligibility cannot be determined until Southeast Community College receives a complete processed FAFSA and certain eligibility criteria have been reviewed.

All first-time student loan borrower’s funds will not be disbursed to student accounts until 30 days after the first day of the term attended. All one-term loans will be disbursed in two payments. The first half about 10 days from the beginning of the term and the second half mid-way into the term.

Federal Direct Loan

The federal government provides educational loans under the Federal Direct Loan program. Repayment of the Federal Direct Loan begins six months after you graduate or six months after you drop below half-time status.

There are two types of Federal Direct Loans:

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan:

This is a need-based loan for which the interest is paid by the government while you are in school at least half-time, during your grace period, and during times of deferment. In addition, any previously-borrowed subsidized loan will begin to accrue interest at the time that you reach the 150-percent timeframe.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan:

There is no financial need requirement to be eligible for an Unsubsidized Loan. However, total financial aid, which includes the Unsubsidized Loan, cannot exceed the cost of attendance. Unlike the Subsidized Loan, interest accrues while you are attending school and can be paid monthly or capitalized (added to the total loan balance) until you leave school.

Enrollment required: You must be enrolled in, attend and maintain a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Applications:

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2. Master Promissory Note (MPN)
3. Entrance Counseling is required. You may complete entrance counseling at https://studentloans.gov

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Parents can borrow funds to cover educational costs for their dependent students. Students must be enrolled in and attend a minimum of 6 credit hours and meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan information. Parents can begin repayment when the loan is fully disbursed, with the first payment generally due within 60 days, or can choose to begin repayment six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half time or graduates. There is no financial need required to be eligible; however, total financial aid cannot exceed cost of attendance. The applicant’s credit history will be evaluated in determining loan eligibility.

Maximum award amount: Student’s costs less other financial aid, subject to credit approval.

Enrollment required: Students must be enrolled in, attend and maintain a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Applications:

1. FAFSA
2. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Request and Master Promissory Note (PLUS MPN)

Alternative Loans

Some lenders offer private “alternative” loans to students to help cover educational costs. These loans generally require that you have good credit or a credit-worthy cosigner. Eligibility requirements, application procedures, fees, interest rates, and repayment terms vary from lender to lender. Families are encouraged to utilize the Federal Direct and Federal Direct PLUS Loan programs before considering an alternative loan. SCC does not endorse one lender over another, so students and parents must do their own research if they choose to apply for an alternative loan.

Resources for Borrowers

• Federal Student Aid Loan Information: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans
• Federal Student Aid Loan Default Information: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/default
• National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Used to review a student’s federal student loan history: https://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA/
• Student Debt Repayment Assistant (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau): https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/repay-student-debt/#Question-1

Federal Work Study (FWS)

Federal Work Study is a form of financial aid paid to a student as wages for work. It is a federally funded program of part-time employment for students with financial need. This program allows you to earn money to help pay for your educational expenses. The number of hours worked is determined by need. Receipt of FWS is dependent upon securing a student employee position in various departments on campus, or at an off-campus location.

To be considered for a FWS position, you must be enrolled at SCC as a regular student, in an eligible program of study, and otherwise eligible for federal financial aid. You must complete a Student Employee Application and apply for the positions in which you are interested. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal guidelines. Funds are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

• 2019-2020 Application: File the FAFSA.
• Student Employment Application (available in the SCC Career Services office on your campus.) Career Services can assist you in searching for employment opportunities either on or off campus.

Scholarships

Scholarships are funds provided by the College or outside contributors to students based on criteria determined by the donor.

Applying Online for SCC Scholarships

The SCC Scholarship application is available ONLINE at www.southeast.edu/scholarships and has open enrollment during the following calendar days:

Current and new SCC students

• May 1-31 - planning to attend Fall Semester
• Oct. 1-31 - planning to attend the Spring Semester

Current High School Seniors

• Dec. 1-Feb.29 - planning to attend the next academic year.

Note: To be considered for scholarships based on financial need, the applicant must also complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov for the appropriate school year.

If a student is unable to apply online, they may contact the Financial Aid Office with an explanation of extenuating circumstances and may receive assistance with the application process.

Additional Resources

Other sources of financial assistance available include employers and public agencies. Qualification requirements vary by organization. Please contact the appropriate agency listed for more information.

Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans attending Southeast Community College may be eligible to receive benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs when pursuing most associate degree programs. For more information, please visit the website of the Office of Veterans Services at https://www.va.gov.

Heroes Act

The Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act (HEROES) provides for the modification and waiver of some statutory and regulatory provisions related to students who receive financial aid and who are on active duty during a war or other military operation or who reside or are employed in a declared disaster area. These adjustments apply to return of funds and signature requirements for verification and application, among other things. Affected individuals include an individual who:

• Is serving on active duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency;
• Is performing qualifying National Guard duty during a war or other military operation or national emergency;
• Resides or is employed in an area that is declared a disaster area by any federal, state, or local official in connection with a national emergency; or
• Suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of a war or other military operation or national emergency, as determined by the secretary.

These waivers and modifications expire on September 30, 2022.

Other Sources of Financial Assistance

Other sources of financial assistance available include employers and public agencies. The following organizations offer tuition assistance to students at Southeast Community College. Qualification requirements vary by organization. Please contact the appropriate agency listed for more information.

• Nebraska Department of Labor, http://dol.nebraska.gov/Home/AboutUs
• Vocational Rehabilitation, http://www.vr.nebraska.gov/
• Bureau of Indian Affairs, https://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/GreatPlains/WeAre/Agencies/Winnebago/index.htm
• Professional Development, https://www.southeast.edu/fao/

Educational Tax Credits

Tax incentives may be available for certain college expenses, such as tuition and fees, as well as student loan interest. For information, consult your tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service.

Financial Aid 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. In addition to the general requirements listed below, each financial aid program may also have eligibility requirements which are specific to that program.

To Be Eligible for Federal Financial Aid Programs:

(Federal Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan, you must also:

• Be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States. Certain persons in process of becoming citizens or permanent residents may also be eligible.
• 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, early admit students, and students who apply for admission as visiting or guest students are not eligible for aid.
• Show your intent on the admission application as one of the following:
  • to obtain an associate degree for transfer to another college
  • to obtain an associate degree for the job market
  • to obtain a diploma
• Be enrolled in a financial aid eligible degree or diploma program. (Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.)
• Be enrolled in courses that provide credit toward your declared financial aid eligible degree or diploma program. (Courses taken as audit are not aid eligible. Financial aid can only be used for one repeat of a previously passed course.)
• Meet the enrollment and attendance requirements for each program.
• Demonstrate your ability to benefit from the program (the education offered) by meeting one of the following academic requirements:
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as GED; OR
  • Have a high school diploma from a state approved home school; OR
• Have an associate’s degree OR
  • Proof of completion of at least 60 semester or trimester hours, or 72 quarter hours not resulting in an associate’s degree, but acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree (an official college transcript must be on file with the Registration and Records Office.)
• Comply with requirements concerning Selective Service registration.
• 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 student loan with the Department of Education or another institution.
• Certify that you do not owe a refund to any federal aid program. This includes grant overpayments resulting from withdrawals.
• If selected for verification, submit all required documents as indicated in the Verification Policy.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as set forth in the Southeast Community College Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Other Factors that may Affect Financial Aid:

Developmental Hours

Federal financial aid programs will not cover any developmental courses taken after reaching the maximum 30 semester hours. These courses include, but are not limited to, any course level beginning with a zero, i.e. MATH 0900 , MATH 0950 , ENGL-0850, and ENGL-0950. Development courses that are no longer available are still included in determining the 30-developmental credit hour limit.

Repeated Coursework

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 the course even if the second attempt results in a lower grade.

Federal Pell Grant Recalculation

The fifteenth (15th) day of the term is the last day a Federal Pell recalculation is performed for the term except for cases where the recalculation is mandated by regulations.

For Federal Pell-eligible students who are enrolled at the beginning of a term and add a course or module after the 15th day, no additional Federal Pell is awarded to the student. If a Federal Pell-eligible student enrolls after the 15th of the term, the student is awarded Federal Pell based on the student’s enrollment status and no further recalculations of the student’s Federal Pell award will be done, assuming the student begins attendance in each class.

Consortium Agreement

Credits earned at another institution under a Consortium Agreement will be used to determine enrollment status for the awarding of federal financial aid. Such courses will be treated in the determination of academic progress as if they were transfer credits.

Incarcerated Students

Students are considered to be incarcerated if they are serving a sentence in a federal, state, or local penitentiary, prison, jail, reformatory, work farm, or similar correctional institution. No student who is incarcerated may receive Title IV loan funds, and no student who is incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution may receive Pell Grant funds.

Students are still potentially eligible for Pell, FSEOGs and Federal Work Study (but not Direct loans) if they are incarcerated in a juvenile justice facility, a local or county jail, or a local or county penitentiary or correctional facility. A student cannot receive a Pell Grant if he is subject to an involuntary civil commitment following incarceration for a sexual offense.

A student is not considered incarcerated if they have been in a halfway house or home detention, or sentenced to serve only on weekends or if they are confined to a facility before imposition of any criminal sentence or juvenile disposition while awaiting trial.

When completing the FAFSA, an incarcerated student should use the address of the facility they are incarcerated in as his or permanent mailing address. When the student is no longer incarcerated they should update the address on the FAFSA.

All information is subject to change based on changes to federal law, regulation, or college policy and procedure. If changes are made, students must abide by the new policy.

How to Apply for Federal Student Aid

To apply for most forms of financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must submit new financial aid applications for each academic year. Forms are available online at https://fafsa.gov/ and should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications are available Oct. 1 of each year.

Priority deadline dates have been established to prevent delays in processing financial aid awards.

Priority filing deadline dates for completing necessary financial aid forms are as follows:

• April 1 (Fall Term)
• Aug. 1 (Spring Term)
• Feb. 1 (Summer Term)

As part of the FAFSA application, students and parents (if applicable) must provide income information. In many cases, you may be able to retrieve your tax information from the IRS and transfer it to your FAFSA. You are highly encouraged to use this option when applicable.

Students and parents can sign the (FAFSA) electronically using the Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). The FSA ID will consist of username and password, both created by the FSA ID holder. The FSA ID can be created as the first step when beginning the FAFSA or can be done at the end as part of the final “Sign and Submit” step. This will act as the electronic signature each year you complete the FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, both you and a parent will need to create an FSA ID.

* The FAFSA must include the Southeast Community College Federal Title IV school code: 007591.

Students must complete the following eligibility requirements for financial aid consideration:

• Be accepted to Southeast Community College
• Be enrolled in a diploma or degree seeking program
• Have a high school diploma, GED®, or home school completion documentation.

Transfer students

If you have already completed the FAFSA for the current year and are transferring to SCC, add the SCC Title IV School Code 007591 to your Student Aid Report (SAR) by making a correction using FAFSA on the Web at https://fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/

What happens next?

After your FAFSA has been processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). If you completed the FAFSA on the web and provided an electronic signature and email address, your SAR will usually be sent to that email address within 1-2 days. If you did not provide an email address, your SAR will be mailed to the mailing address provided on the FAFSA within 7-10 business days. If you sent a paper FAFSA application to the FAFSA processor, allow two to three weeks to receive the SAR.

Students with Bachelor’s degrees

If you have a bachelor’s degree (or higher), you are not eligible for grants or Federal Direct Subsidized loans. You may complete the FAFSA to be considered for the Federal Work Study program and for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Answering Questions on the FAFSA Relating to Your Parent(s) Marital Status

The FAFSA requires students who are considered dependent to provide information about their parents. The instructions on the FAFSA state that you must provide information for your parents even if you do not live with them.

Your legal parents are considered your biological, adoptive, or state-designated parents. A person would also be considered your legal parent if they were determined to be so by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on the birth certificate).

• If your legal parents are married to each other, select “Married or remarried,” and answer the questions on the FAFSA for both of them. Same-sex couples must report their marital status as married if they were legally married in a state or other jurisdiction (foreign country) that permits same-sex marriage.
• If your legal parents are separated but living together, select “Married or remarried” and answer the questions on the FAFSA for both of them.
• If your legal parents were never married to each other or divorced and live together, select “Unmarried and both parents living together” and answer the questions on the FAFSA for both of them regardless of their gender. Do not include any person who is not married to your parent and who is not a legal parent.
• If your legal parents are divorced or separated and NOT living together, select “Divorced or separated” and answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, or with either parent, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support to you during the past 12 months or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent. If this parent is remarried as of the day you complete your FAFSA, select “Married or remarried” and answer the questions about that parent and your stepparent.
• If your parent was never married and does not live with your other legal parent, provide information for only one parent. Answer the questions about the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, or with either parent, give answers about the parent who provided more financial support to you during the past 12 months or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent.
• If your widowed parent is remarried as of the day you complete your FAFSA, select “Married or remarried” and answer the questions about that parent and your stepparent.

Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, aunts and uncles are not considered parents for your FAFSA unless they have legally adopted you.

Financial Aid Awards

The Student’s Financial Aid Package

SCC issues an online Financial Aid Award Letter that informs students of the financial aid they may be eligible to receive. The student’s offer of financial assistance is their estimated financial aid package for the academic year. Eligibility for need-based aid is determined by the estimated cost of attendance, the student’s Expected Family Contribution based on the information that was provided on the student’s FAFSA and the student’s enrollment status.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Financial Aid Office is required by federal regulation to monitor student progress toward completion of a degree. Being eligible to enroll in classes does not mean the student has an eligible Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status for financial aid. Academic records are reviewed for all students whether or not the student is currently receiving financial aid. SAP eligibility standards apply to the following financial aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
• Federal Work Study Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Nebraska Opportunity Grant
• Federal Direct Loan Program (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
• Other programs as determined by the Office of Financial Aid

The review of a student’s SAP status is based on the entire academic record, even if the student did not receive financial aid for previous terms of enrollment. This includes developmental courses taken at SCC, incomplete courses, withdrawals, and repetitions. Transfer credit hours accepted by the College will be brought into the SAP calculation as completed credits.

After each term has ended a student’s SAP status will be calculated and posted as a notification on their Hub account. Students will be notified via their SCC email account if they are not meeting minimum SAP requirements.

If a student is enrolled in two programs at the same degree level (two associate or two diploma programs), Financial Aid will use the program with the greatest number of credits to determine the student’s SAP status.

Eligible SAP Status

Students will be considered to have an eligible SAP status if they:

• Have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher,
• If the student’s program requires a higher average GPA, the student’s eligibility will be based on the program’s standard.
• Have a cumulative completion rate of at least 66.7% of total credit hours attempted (see chart A), and
• Have not exceed 150% of attempted credits required for program degree (see chart B).

SAP Statuses (Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Statuses) Financial Aid Warning

• Financial Aid Warning Cumulative Grade-Point Average
• Financial Aid Warning Cumulative Pace of attempted vs. completed credits
• Financial Aid Warning Both Pace and Cumulative GPA

A student who has not completed at least 66.7% of the total attempted credit hours (see Chart A), or is below the minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (or higher if program requires it) will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. The student has one term to correct the deficiencies in SAP. During this period, the student will continue to be eligible for financial aid and is encouraged to seek tutoring or other support services for help.

Chart A

The total number of attempted credit hours are multiplied by 0.667 to obtain the minimum hours that the student must have completed successfully. For example:

Based on this chart, a student who has attempted 24 credit hours must have successfully completed at least 16.01 credits. This cannot be rounded to 16 credits. If a student does not attain SAP during the Financial Aid Warning term, the student will be suspended from financial aid.

Ineligible SAP Status/Maximum Timeframe

To remain eligible for financial aid, a student must make sufficient progress to graduate within 150% of the attempted credit hours required for their program (see Chart B). If the degree is not completed within the timeframe allowed, the student becomes ineligible for federal financial aid.

Chart B (Examples Only)

Example: A student’s program requires 60 credit hours to complete. The student has attempted 90 credit hours but still has 6 credit hours to take before completing the program. The student will not be eligible for federal student aid for the remaining 6 credit hours.

Ineligible SAP Status/Financial Aid Suspension

If a student has not corrected all the deficiencies in SAP after a term of Financial Aid Warning, or if a student has reached the maximum timeframe, the student becomes ineligible for financial aid.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid/Right to Appeal

A student who is ineligible for financial aid can become eligible for financial aid again by fulfilling one of the following conditions:

• Achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher (or higher if program requires it) and/or obtain a cumulative completion rate of at least 66.7% of total credit hours attempted.
• Successfully appeal the ineligible status by demonstrating unforeseen, documentable extenuating circumstances and detailing why they failed to maintain SAP and what has changed in their situation allowing them to achieve SAP at the next evaluation.

A student with unforeseen, documentable extenuating circumstances who has been denied financial aid may appeal in writing by obtaining a SAP Appeal Form from the Financial Aid Office or online. The student must submit information and documentation explaining why the SAP standards were not met. The supporting documentation must be submitted before the appeal deadline for that term. The Financial Aid Office will respond to the student via their SCC email account regarding the status of the appeal. Only information submitted with the initial appeal will be considered by the Appeals Committee.

For those students who are appealing because they have exceeded the maximum timeframe, the Appeals Committee would consider classes taken toward a second Associate’s degree, transfer credits and developmental courses.

If a student’s initial SAP appeal is denied, the student may appeal to a secondary committee only if the student has additional information that was not submitted with the initial appeal. The secondary appeal is reviewed by a separate committee. The student will be notified of the results of the review via their SCC email. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final. There is no option for a third-level appeal, nor may the decision be appealed to the Department of Education.

If an appeal is denied, the student is responsible to pay charges for the term.

Financial Aid Probation/Academic Plan

If a student’s appeal is approved, they will be placed on Financial Aid Probation/Academic Plan. During this period, the student may receive financial aid for the next enrollment period. To continue to be eligible for subsequent enrollment periods, the student must meet the terms of the appeal.

Financial Aid Probation/Academic Plan terms:

Single Term:

• Successful completion of all courses attempted during the enrollment period with no withdrawals;
• Term GPA of 2.0 or higher (per program requirements) and

Extended Probation:

• Successful completion of all courses attempted during the enrollment period with no withdrawals;
• Term GPA of 2.0 or higher (per program requirements) and
• Follow the Academic Plan developed with a Financial Aid Counselor

Maximum Timeframe Appeal Approval (GSAP)

If a student’s appeal is approved for maximum timeframe, they will be placed on financial aid “GSAP.” While on timeframe appeal approval (GSAP), the student may continue to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for subsequent enrollment periods, the student must meet the terms of the appeal approval.

GSAP/Academic Plan terms:

• Successful completion of all courses attempted during the enrollment period with no withdrawals;
• Term GPA of 2.0 or higher (per program requirements) and
• Follow the Academic Plan developed with a Financial Aid Counselor
• Have no future program degree changes.

Additional requirements may be listed on the appeal approval notice.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid/Student Does Not File an Appeal or Appeal is Denied

A student who is ineligible can become eligible for financial aid by eliminating all academic deficiencies in their Satisfactory Academic Progress. These requirements are:

• Achieve the required cumulative grade-point average (CGPA) of 2.0 or better (per program requirements), and
• Satisfactorily complete enough credit hours to have a pace of completion of 66.7% or higher (see Chart A)
• Must be below 150% of the length of their program

Students will be monitored at the end of each enrollment period for minimum SAP requirements and will have their SAP set to satisfactory status once these requirements have been met. Students will be notified via their SCC email account and are encouraged to apply for federal aid.

Subsequent Periods of Financial Aid Warning, Appeal and Financial Aid Probation

Currently, SCC policy allows students to appeal financial aid suspension more than once. The subsequent appeal must be based on extenuating circumstances preventing the student from being successful and the extenuating circumstances and corrective action must be different from prior appeals.

Other Factors that may Affect SAP

Developmental Hours

A student is limited to taking 30 developmental credit hours. 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 any course level beginning with a zero, i.e. MATH 0900 , MATH 0950 , ENGL-0850, and ENGL-0950. Development courses that are no longer available are still included in determining the 30 developmental credit hour limit.

Incomplete, Withdrawals and Repeated Courses

An incomplete course is treated as attempted. If the incomplete causes a student to fall below the minimum SAP requirements, or if the student is on an approved appeal, the incomplete will cause a student to be suspended and future financial aid will be cancelled. Once the student has earned a grade for the course, the student may ask for SAP to be recalculated. If the new calculation shows the student is within the SAP guidelines, the student will be placed into the appropriate SAP status based on the completed course.

Withdrawals are treated as attempted but not completed and will count in the student’s Pace of Progression.

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 the course even if the second attempt results in a lower grade. Any courses that are repeated will be used in the calculation of a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress status. Each repetition will count toward the attempted hours; however, only the course(s) being counted in the CGPA calculation will be counted in completed hours for SAP. Limits on repeated courses are outlined in the College Catalog.

Academic Bankruptcy

In some cases, SCC will allow students to declare “Academic Bankruptcy” which permits the removal of credit hours and grade points from a student’s grade point average, to allow for improvement of the student’s GPA.

Federal regulations do not recognize the use of “Academic Bankruptcy,” so for SAP purposes, those grades will continue to be factored into the student’s SAP calculations.

Transfer Credits

When a student transfers credit from another school to an SCC program, all credits transferred in will be considered for SAP.

Consortium Agreement

Credits earned at another institution under a Consortium Agreement will be used to determine enrollment status for the awarding of federal financial aid. Such courses will be treated in the determination of academic progress as if they were transfer credits.

All information is subject to change based on changes to federal law, regulation, or college policies and procedures. If changes are made, students must abide by the new policies.

Return of Title IV Funds

Federal law requires schools to calculate how much federal financial aid a student has earned if that student:

• completely withdraws, or
• stops attending before completing the enrollment period, or
• does not complete all modules (courses which are not scheduled for the entire enrollment period) for which they had registered at the time those modules began, or
• received all failing grades for the term

Based on this calculation, Southeast Community College students who receive federal financial aid and do not complete their classes during an enrollment period could be responsible to repay a portion of the aid they received.

Federal financial aid covered under this regulation includes the Federal Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct loans, and Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans. State grant and scholarship programs are not covered under this regulation but follow the College’s institutional refund policy.

How is the financial aid that is earned by the student calculated?

Students who receive federal financial aid must “earn” the aid they receive by staying enrolled in and attending their classes. The amount of federal financial aid assistance students earn is determined on a pro-rated basis. Students who withdraw or do not complete all registered classes during the enrollment period may be required to return some of the financial aid they were awarded.

For example, if the student completes 30% of the payment period, the student earns 30% of the aid they originally were scheduled to receive. This means that 70% of the student’s scheduled awards remain unearned and must be returned to the federal government. Once the student has completed more than 60% of the payment period, the student will earn all of their federal financial aid.

The following formula is used to determine the percent of unearned aid that must be returned to the federal government:

The percent earned is equal to the number of calendar days completed up to the withdrawal date, divided by the total calendar days in the payment period (less any scheduled breaks that are at least 5 days long).

The payment period for most students is the entire enrollment period. However, for students enrolled in modules (courses which are not scheduled for the entire enrollment period), the payment period only includes those days for the module(s) in which the student is registered.

The percent unearned is equal to 100% minus the percent earned.

What is the withdrawal date?

The withdrawal date used in the return calculation of a student’s federal financial aid is the actual date the official drop form is processed by the Registration and Records Office or the date the student drops the courses on their WebAdvisor Account. If a student stops attending classes without notifying the college, the withdrawal date will be the last date of recorded attendance in class.

Who returns the unearned federal funds?

The college and the student are both responsible for returning unearned federal financial aid to the federal government. Amounts that must be returned will be applied in the following order: Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The College must return the lesser of 1) the total amount of unearned aid or 2) institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage. The college must return the lesser of:

1. The total amount of unearned aid or
2. Institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage.

The student must return any remaining unearned aid not sent back by the College.

The student also will be billed for any amount due the College resulting from the return of federal aid funds that were used to cover tuition and fees. For example, if the College is required to pay back to the government federal funds used to pay a portion of a student’s tuition for the enrollment period, the student then must pay the College for that unpaid portion of their tuition.

How do students repay the unearned funds?

The Financial Aid Office will notify students if they owe federal funds back to the government via their SCC email account. The amount returned to the federal government by the school then becomes a school debt for the student. The student will need to repay the amount returned by Southeast Community College.

What happens if students don’t repay?

If a student does not pay funds due to the College, the student’s records will be placed on financial hold. This means the student will not be permitted to register for classes or receive transcripts until their balance is paid in full.

What if the student is eligible for additional funds?

The Financial Aid Office will notify students if additional federal funds can be disbursed. This is called a “post-withdrawal disbursement.” Federal grants will automatically be applied toward the student’s account within 45 days of determining that the student withdrew. Federal Direct Loans must be accepted within 14 days of the notice; if the loan funds are not accepted, they will be cancelled. If the Federal Direct Loan post-withdrawal disbursement offer is accepted by the deadline, SCC will make the disbursement within 180 days of determining that the student withdrew.