Introduction
	Financial Aid Program
	Federal Grants
	Federal Work Study
	Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
	Federal Parent Loan for Dependent Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
	Board of Regents Scholarships
	Requirements for Financial Aid
	Financial Aid Applications
	Deadline Dates
	How Financial Need is Determined
	Demonstrating Need
	Awarding of Financial Aid
	Student Rights and Responsibilities
	Return of Title IV Funds Policy
	Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
	Glossary of Terms Used
	Glossary of Acronyms

INTRODUCTION

Neosho County Community College, a comprehensive community college located in the city of Chanute (population approximately 9,500), serves the higher educational needs of the residents of southeast Kansas.

Neosho County Community College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL  60602-2504, 1-(800) 621-7440; (312) 263-0456 and the Kansas State Department of Education.

NCCC is a member of the Kansas Association of Community Colleges, the North Central Association, the American Association of Community Colleges and the Southeast Kansas Higher Education System.

NCCC is an equal opportunity institution.

Neosho County Community College Office of Financial Aid

Kerrie Coomes, Director of Financial Aid, (620) 431-2820 ext. 219

Susan Beddo, Financial Aid Specialist, Ottawa Campus, (785) 242-2067 ext. 315 

Kara Hale, Financial Aid Specialist, Chanute Campus, (620) 431-2820 ext. 278

[ Back to Top ]

Financial Aid Program

The financial aid program at Neosho County Community College provides financial assistance for students wishing to attend NCCC (to eligible students enrolled in a degree program) but would find it difficult to do so without financial assistance. A comprehensive assistance program which includes scholarships (institutional, academic, and athletic), grants (State and Federal based aid) , loans (federally-funded subsidized, unsubsidized and parent loans) and part-time employment (College Work Study and Community Service) is available. Only students who have made application in the registrar’s office as a degree-seeking student and have been accepted as such will be eligible for financial aid.

To inquire about aid which you may qualify for, please request an application for federal aid referred to as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by writing to : Office of Financial Aid, Neosho County Community College 800 West 14th Street, Chanute, Kansas, 66720. FAFSA applications are also available in high school counseling offices and at most public libraries. The priority completion date for federal aid applications is April 1 of each year.[ Back to Top ]

The priority processing date for all scholarship applications is May 1. All applications processed by this date will be given first consideration. All applications received after May 1 will be considered depending on funds available.

Federal Grants
 Grants are defined as funds based on financial need that does not have to be repaid.

FEDERAL PELL GRANT
Pell Grants are the largest Federal grant program. This program is for undergraduates, and awards range from $400 to $4050 per year. Eligibility is determined by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). [ Back to Top ]

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (FSEOG)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional need. Because of limited funds, grants range in amounts from $100 to $300 [ Back to Top ]

ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANT (ACG)
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a new grant program that began in the 2006-2007 award year for undergraduate students enrolled full-time in a degree program, who receive Federal Pell Grants and are U.S. citizens. To be eligible award year students must also be high school graduates and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second year student). In addition, first-year students must not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program. Additionally, second-year students must have completed at least 26 credit hours and have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. [ Back to Top ]

Federal Work Study (FWS):
Federal Work Study Employment is made available by the college and the Federal government. These jobs are supervised by Neosho County Community College. Jobs will include community service opportunities. A student’s earnings may not exceed their financial need. [ Back to Top ]

Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
 Loans are defined as funds that must be repaid.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN
Students may apply for a Stafford Loan by completing the loan process available on the financial aid web page.  Remember, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be on file.  This loan is a low-interest, fixed-rate (but subject to change) loan to help you pay for the cost of your education beyond high school. There is a six-month grace period immediately following separation from school.   The student may be charged an "origination fee" and may also be required to pay up to a one percent "federal default fee".  The fees will not exceed three percent of the loan amount. There are two different types of Stafford loans, subsidized and unsubsidized. 

SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN
Applicants must meet the Federal "need" qualification to receive the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan. This is a need-based loan.  The federal government pays the interest to the lender during your enrollment in school, during the six month grace period and during other authorized periods called "deferments" when payments may be postponed.  [ Back to Top ]

Unsubsidized STAFFORD LOAN
Unlike a Subsidized Stafford Loan, which defers interest charges while the student is attending school, the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan interest rate begins on the date the first disbursement is sent to the school by the lender; the interest may be capitalized when repayment of the principal is deferred. The loan amount the student may borrow is determined by subtracting the total financial aid received from the student’s financial aid budget (Cost of Attendance).
Annual loan limits for Stafford Loans are $2,625 for the first year of undergraduate study and $3,500 for the second year of undergraduate study.  At no time will the combined total of subsidized and unsubsidized loans (for applicants classified as Dependant) exceed $2,625 for the first year or $3,500 for the second year. 

For applicants classified as Independent, those students are eligible for an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized only.  At no time in the 2006-2007 school year will the combined total of subsidized and unsubsidized loans exceed $6,625 for the first year or $7,500 for the second year.[ Back to Top ]                                      

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS):
The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students are made available to applicants classified as dependent students. Applicants are required to apply for Federal "need based" aid before they will be considered for the PLUS. The interest rate on the PLUS loan is adjusted annually on July 1. Repayment of principal and interest begins within 60 days of the loan’s disbursement. An origination fee will be deducted from parents’ loan checks by their lenders. The fee will not exceed three percent of the loan amount. The lender may also collect a "guarantee fee" of up to one percent of the loan amount. Parents are restricted to an annual loan amount. The amount borrowed cannot exceed "Cost of Attendance" minus "all other eligible aid per dependent student." [ Back to Top ]

Board of Regents Scholarships

Kansas State Scholarship:
The program is administered by the State Board of Regents Student Assistance Section. Scholars are designated solely on the basis of the American College Testing Assessment (ACT) or the Career Planning Profile. Scholars are considered for a stipend of up to $1,000 upon verification of financial need.

Kansas Minority Scholarship Program:
The Kansas Minority Scholarship is a state-funded program designed to enable and encourage academically talented minority students to further their post-secondary undergraduate study. A $1,850 renewable scholarship is available to minority students with demonstrated scholastic ability and financial need. For further information contact the Kansas Board of Regents.

Kansas Nursing Scholarship Program:
The Kansas Nursing Scholarship Program (KNSP) is designed to provide financial incentive to students admitted to and enrolled in nursing programs. Nursing scholarships will be funded by the State of Kansas and by a medical care provider (sponsor). Applicants are required to secure sponsorship prior to submitting the nursing scholarship application. For further information contact the Kansas Board of Regents or the NCCC Mary Grimes School of Nursing. [ Back to Top ]

Requirements for Financial Aid

To be eligible, students must:

• be a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen,

• be registered with the 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.

In addition:

• Federal student loans must be repaid.

• Some Less-than-half-time students 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 loan assistance.

• Students attending two schools in the same enrollment period must inform the Financial Aid Office at both institutions of their dual enrollment. Students cannot receive financial aid at both schools.

• Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible.

[ Back to Top ]

Financial Aid Applications

Application:
All students applying for Federal Financial Aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more or to submit an online application consult FAFSA INFO. Paper application forms are available in high school counseling offices and at most public libraries. A paper application can also be obtained by writing to : Office of Financial Aid, Neosho County Community College 800 West 14th Street, Chanute, Kansas, 66720 and requesting a FAFSA. All students applying for federal aid are required to complete a Student Data Form and submit it to the office of financial aid. These forms are provided by the Office of Financial Aid. To apply for loans students must complete a loan worksheet and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid, complete online loan entrance counseling, and sign a master promissory note. Loan worksheets are available in the Office Financial Aid and online.

Academic and High School Transcripts:
An official high school transcript or GED certificate must be recorded through the NCCC’s Registrar's Office. All post secondary official academic transcript(s) must be recieved, recorded, and evaluated by the NCCC's Registrar’s Office.

Verification Documentation:
Students may be required to submit documentation to verify the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If necessary, the Financial Aid Office will contact students about this documentation.

Loan Application Procedures:
At the beginning of each loan period an entrance interview must be conducted. This counseling consists of discussing the types of loan options and eligibility available to the student, as well as loan deferments and repayment responsibilities. The student will also obtain a loan information packet that includes a STUDENT LOAN WORKSHEET and instructions as to how to complete the ENTRANCE COUNSELING and Master Promissory Note (MPN) ON-LINE by accessing NCCC's web site. The Financial Aid Office receives verification of Entrance completion electronically and a copy is placed in the student’s financial aid file. The MPN is then also completed electronically immediately following the Entrance Counseling process. The Student may sign electronically, however if they chose not to sign electronically the student must print out the MPN, sign, date and mail the MPN to their lender. The STUDENT LOAN WORKSHEET informs the Financial Aid Office of the dollar amount the student is requesting and must be completed by the student and returned to the Financial Aid Office. These steps must be accomplished before the loan application will be processed.

At the end of each loan period exit counseling will be completed.  A Loan Exit Packet is mailed to the student with instructions as to how to complete the EXIT COUNSELING ON-LINE. The Financial Aid Office receives verification of Exit completion electronically and a copy is placed in the student’s financial aid file. The Loan Exit Packet also contains all of the student's loan information while they attended NCCC and also information regarding the student's lender and how the lender may be contacted. The packet contains documentation regarding loan repayment obligations, the consequences of delinquency and default, and the importance of keeping the lender informed of any changes in status, address, or if the borrower is having difficulty making loan payments. Until this requirement has been completed, all transcripts, grades and other services may be withheld. [ Back to Top ]

Deadline Dates

Scholarship applications will be accepted at any time after January 1, but those received before May 1 will be given first consideration. Those received after May 1 will be considered if funds are available. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid regarding scholarship applications. Scholarship recipients will usually receive the award notifications in June.

Federal Financial Aid application priority date is April 1. You should apply as early as possible but not before January 1 of each year. The preceding year’s tax return information is required on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid. You may want to consider filing your taxes as early as possible.

NOTE- Financial aid deferments will be given to eligible students with a completed financial aid file by the payment deadline date. This date is established by the business office every semester and published in the semester class schedule. The deferment allows students to delay paying any tuition, fees, college housing, or books until their federal aid is received by the college. The amount of federal aid disbursed is according to the amount of hours enrolled in at the time the award is calculated for payment. Financial aid recipients are classified as full-time (taking 12 or more hours per semester), three-quarter-time (9-11 hours per semester), half-time (6-8 hours per semester) or less than half-time (3-5 hours per semester). However, the student is responsible for all costs not paid by the federal aid or if they lose their federal aid eligibility. This form must be completed each semester, however a student only applies for federal aid each academic year. It is important for students interested in Federal Financial Aid to understand that financial aid funds are limited. It is essential to correctly complete and submit the forms as soon as possible.

Consortium Agreements: If you will be taking additional hours towards your degree at another institution during this academic year and wish to have it included in your financial aid, you must complete a Consortium Agreement from NCCC. You are then required to send your Agreement to the other participating institution for completion of enrollment description and credit hours. Consortium Agreements must be completed for each semester and be received by NCCC prior to the 20th day of each semester. Consortium Agreements will be used in calculating your actual award. Please contact our office for more information. An official academic transcript from the participating institution is required at the conclusion of the semester. [ Back to Top ]

How Financial Need is Determined

To be considered for the Federal student aid programs, a student must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more or to submit an online application consult FAFSA INFO. Paper application forms are available in high school counseling offices and at most public libraries. A paper application can also be obtained by writing to : Office of Financial Aid, Neosho County Community College 800 West 14th Street, Chanute, Kansas, 66720 and requesting a FAFSA. The priority completion date for federal aid applications is April 1 of each year. This application collects financial and other information used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that ultimately determines the student’s eligibility for aid. If eligible, the student will then be offered an aid package.[ Back to Top ]

Demonstrating Need

At its simplest level, a student’s financial need is the difference between the amount the family can be expected to contribute to the student’s education (EFC) and the student’s cost of attendance (COA) at NCCC.

Cost of Attendance (COA):
The law specifies that the cost of attendance includes both institutional and non- institutional expenses. These costs are reviewed annually.

Neosho County Community College establishes a cost of attendance based on average student cost. The intent is to provide an allowance which considers approximately how much money a student may expect to need to complete an academic year, including living and college expenses.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC):
When the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is processed by the Department of Education, the information from the application is analyzed and an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is calculated based a formula established by law. Your family's income (taxable and untaxed), assets and benefits (for example, unemployment or Social Security) are all considered in determining your EFC. Your family size and the number of family members who will be attending a college or career school are also considered  to determine how much parents and students can be expected to pay toward a student’s education. In essence, the EFC measures the family’s financial strength based on the income and assets of the student, the student’s spouse and (if the student is dependent) the student’s parents. The EFC formula also takes into account the family’s expenses, based on the number of persons in the household and the number of those persons attending college. [ Back to Top ]

Awarding of Financial Aid

The process of determining what programs of aid and the dollar amount to be included from each program in meeting the need of each applicant is referred to as "packaging".

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted from the student’s Cost of Attendance and the difference is the student’s "financial need." The following steps are subtracted from the student’s financial need in order to determine a package:

• All scholarships being received by the student. (All scholarships must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as the student is notified of the award.)

• The amount of Pell Grant a student is entitled to receive.

• Students with the highest financial need will be considered for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant . Recipients must also meet all other necessary requirements as described by this Federal Grant Program.

• Any other aid the student may be receiving will be deducted from need. (Students are required to report these funds, such as JTPA, WIA, Heartland Works, or SRS, to the Financial Aid Office.

• Upon request, students will be considered for Federal Work Study and various loans.

The proportion of need met in each student’s case is dependent upon the available funds. Neosho County Community College will attempt, but is under no obligation, to meet full need. Aid will be awarded first to students with demonstrated need, with a priority given to those applications completed by April 1.

If excess funding becomes available, funds will be awarded based on the remaining need of students.

Award Notification

Each student will receive an award letter showing his/her actual financial aid package. The student should read the letter carefully, as well as any attached forms. Students who have questions are invited to contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Disbursement of Funds

Prior Pell Grant and student loan history will be verified before the start of the semester and/or disbursement of aid. The signed, Student Data Form authorizes the school to apply the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Plus Loans to credit the student’s account each semester. Charges for tuition, fees, books, and college housing (if applicable) and other allowable charges assessed to the student will be subtracted from the federal financial aid credit and a change check will be disbursed for any credit remaining on the student’s account. The initial transfer of funds and payment of aid will be approximately mid-October and late February. Students are to contact the business office for disbursement of their aid.

Federal College Work Study money will be paid as a payroll check disbursed on the last business day of each month at the president’s office located in Sanders Hall. [ Back to Top ]

Rights and Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

• Students must complete all application forms accurately and submit them prior to deadline dates.

• Students must provide correct information. In most instances, intentionally misreporting information on financial aid application forms is against the law and may be considered a criminal offense which could result in an indictment under the U. S. Criminal Code.

• Students must submit all additional documentation, verifications, corrections, and/or new information requested by the Office of Financial Aid.

• Students are responsible for reading and understanding all forms that they are asked to sign and for keeping copies of the forms.

• Students accept responsibility for all agreements they sign.

• Students must perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work-Study award.

• Students should be aware of NCCC’s refund procedures.

• Students are responsible for reporting to the Office of Financial Aid all scholarships and other aid they may be receiving and any changes in the information they have submitted.

Student Rights

• Students have the right to know which financial aid programs are available at NCCC.

• Students have the right to know the deadlines for each of the financial aid programs available.

• Students have the right to know how financial aid will be distributed, how decisions on that distribution are made, and the basis for these decisions.

• Students have the right to know how financial need was determined. This includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc. are considered in the cost of attendance.

• Students have the right to know what resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, student assets, etc.) were considered in calculation of their need.

• Students have the right to know how much of their financial need as determined by the institution has been met.

• Students have the right to request an explanation of the various programs in their student aid package.

• Students have the right to know NCCC’s Return of Title IV Funds Policy.

• Students have the right to know what portion of the financial aid they received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, students have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the pay back procedures, the length of time the student has to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.

• Students have the right to know how NCCC determines whether students are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if they are not. [ Back to Top ]

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

The Registration Office has been designated as the official office for withdrawal notification.

For federal aid recipients attending NCCC, a portion of Title IV grant or loan funds, but not federal work-study funds, may be returned to the Title IV programs (includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Stafford and Federal PLUS loans) upon a Title IV recipient’s (the student’s) withdrawal from school. This means that if a federal recipient attending NCCC withdraws from all of his/her classes prior to the end of the semester, the Financial Aid Office must use a federal formula to determine what percentage of the student’s aid must be returned to the federal government.

The calculation of the Return of Title IV Funds is based on the student’s withdrawal date. The percentage of the period of enrollment (fall or spring or summer semester) for which assistance was awarded (the entire semester) will be determined. To calculate the amount of Title IV assistance earned. Up through the 60 percent point in time, the percentage of assistance earned is equal to the percentage of the period of enrollment for which it was awarded that was completed as of the day the student withdrew.

If a student has received more grant or loan assistance than the amount earned (percentage of semester student was enrolled), the unearned funds shall be returned to the federal programs. Differences between amounts earned and amounts received by the student will be returned to the Title IV programs. If a student withdraws after completing at least 60 percent of the semester, then the student earned 100 percent of the Title IV aid for that semester. Once NCCC completes the calculations, a student will receive written notification of the dollar amounts returned to the federal program and if it is necessary for a student to make any additional payments to the federal government or to NCCC.

Aid will be repaid to the appropriate fund according to the following distribution priority, which is statutorily prescribed.