• be a high school graduate, have a GED or ABT,
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen,
• be registered with Selective Service (if required),
• attend a participating college,
• be working toward a degree or certificate,
• be making satisfactory academic progress,
• not owe a refund on a Federal grant or be in default on a Federal educational loan, and
• have financial need (except for Unsubsidized Direct Loans).

In addition:

• Federal student loans must be repaid.
• Students going to college less than halftime may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants and some other Federal student aid programs.
• Students who have received a bachelor's degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants or FSEOG, but may be eligible for other Federal student aid programs.
• Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible.

Types of Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grants: Students must be working toward a degree or certificate to be eligible. Eligible students may receive full benefits when enrolled in 12 or more hours. The Pell Grant is determined by student and/or family financial resources.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: This grant is intended for students of exceptional financial need who would be unable to continue their education without a grant. May 1 is the priority deadline.

Federal College Work-Study: This program provides jobs for students who have financial need and must earn a part of their educational expenses. May 1 is the priority deadline. Jobs are available on-campus and off campus, with emphasis being placed on community service.

William D. Ford
Federal Direct Loan Program

William D. Ford Federal Subsidized Loan: A loan program where students borrow directly from the Federal Government to finance educational expenses. These are interest-free loans until payment is due. A need must be established. Interest during repayment is variable but capped at 8.25%.

William D. Ford Federal Unsubsidized Loan: A new federal law called the Higher Education Amendments of 1992 recently created a new program of unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for students who do not qualify, in whole or in part, for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans. The student is responsible for paying interest on this loan beginning on date of disbursement. Interest during repayment is variable but capped at 8.25%.

William D. Ford Federal Parent Loan: Eligible parents of dependent students may borrow up to the cost of attendance per year; this amount may be in addition to any amount borrowed under the Subsidized Student Loan program by the student. However, the amount borrowed cannot exceed the cost of education (as determined by the school) minus any other financial assistance received. These loans carry variable interest rates with a maximum chargeable rate of 9%. Repayment of this loan usually begins 60 days after receipt of the loan check.

Disbursement of Funds

Loans: Effective for loans made on or after November 5, 1990, a student borrower who is entering the first year of a program of undergraduate education, who has not previously obtained a student loan, shall not be presented with the first installment of a student loan for endorsement by the school until 30 days after the borrower begins a course of study.

Regular Division: Loan checks will be distributed at the Business Office two weeks after registration of each semester. Students should report to the Financial Aid Office to complete proper paperwork BEFORE going to the Business Office to receive the check. This includes entrance loan counseling.

Community Education: Loan checks will be disbursed by the Business Office four weeks after classes begin. Please contact the Financial Aid Office to complete necessary paperwork.

Other Financial Aid and Scholarships: PELL, SEOG and institutional-controlled scholarship monies will be credited to the student's account each semester. These awards will be credited to institutional tuition, fees, books, meal plan and campus housing. If students have additional monies coming, that should be available about six weeks after the semester begins. On-campus students may pick up their checks in the Business Office. Off-campus students' checks will be mailed unless other arrangements are made. College Work-Study: Monies will be paid as a payroll check disbursed on the 5th of each month at the Business Office. If the 5th falls on a weekend, checks will be available the following Monday.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Section 668.16(e) of the Student Assistance General Provisions requires that financial aid recipients make "satisfactory academic progress" in order to be eligible for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Pell Grant, Perkins Loan, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student Loan, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), and/or Supplemental Loan for Students (SLS) programs. Cloud County Community College has established standards for evaluating a student's efforts to achieve an educational goal. These standards include a quantitative measure (number of hours earned each semester) and a qualitative measure (grade points earned for hours completed each semester). All students must be enrolled in a program leading toward a degree or certificate. A full-time student (part-time students will be proportionately adjusted) will be expected to complete their course work in a maximum of 6 semesters of enrollment. Summer school enrollment will not be counted as a period of enrollment.
Students Must Acquire the Following Minimum Standards for Cumulative Grade Point Average and Hours Passed:

Full Time Students (12 hours or more per semester)

3/4 Time Students (9 to 11 hours per semester)

1/2 Time Students (6 to 11 hours per semester)

     A student who receives all grades of I, F, or W for one semester will be ineligible to receive financial aid for the following semester unless documented reasons are provided.
Failure to meet these qualifications would result in the student being placed on probation or suspension. See below for details.
     Freshmen and Transfer Students Freshman and transfer students are assumed to be making satisfactory progress for the first semester of attendance at Cloud County Community College. After the first semester, freshmen and transfer students will follow the same standards for satisfactory progress as all other students.

Probation: At the conclusion of each semester, all students receiving Title IV 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 one semester probation, during which they will receive financial aid.
Suspension: Students not meeting satisfactory progress for two consecutive semesters will be denied financial aid until they complete the needed credits or grade point average to meet "satisfactory academic progress" policy requirements.

     Appeal for extenuating circumstances will be considered in cases of documented personal emergencies, medical reasons, or other situations. Students wishing to appeal should do so in writing to the Financial Aid Office. The written documentation should contain all reasons why courses were dropped or GPA was not met. Supporting statements from doctors, etc., should be included.

NOTE: If a student has completed more than 64 hours and wishes to continue at Cloud County Community College, they must take classes that apply toward another degree or certificate at Cloud County Community College. Special circumstances can be submitted to the financial aid officer.