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 Student 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

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Financial Aid Program

The financial aid program at Neosho County Community College (NCCC) provides financial assistance for eligible students enrolled in a degree program wishing to attend NCCC. Many students find it difficult to attend college 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.

Begin the application process by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Copies of online or paper applications are available in the forms section. To learn more about the FAFSA or to submit an online application consult FAFSA INFO. If you will be attending in Fall 2008, Spring 2009, or Summer 2009, then you will need to complete a 2008/2009 FAFSA. The 2008/2009 FAFSA can be submitted until June 30, 2009 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you plan to attend NCCC in Fall 2009, Spring 2010, or Summer 2010, please complete a 2009-2010 FAFSA. These FAFSA applications will be available December 2008 and can be submitted beginning January 1, 2009. Our priority processing date for the 2009-2010 FAFSA is April 1, 2009. If you have questions about the FAFSA application, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Neosho County Community College's Federal School Code:   001936

Scholarship applications can be submitted beginning January 1 for the following fall semester. Our priority processing date for scholarship applications is May 1. All applications received by this date will be given first consideration. All applications received after May 1 will be considered depending on funds available.

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

PELL GRANT
Pell Grants are the largest Federal grant program. This program is for undergraduates. Annual Pell awards for full-time students (12 or more credit hours) range from $523 to $4731 for the 2008-2009 award year.  Annual Pell awards for full-time students (12 or more credit hours) can be up to $5350 for the 2009-2010 school year. Eligibility is determined by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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SUPPLEMENTAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are federal funds available to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional need. Because of limited funds at our institution, SEOG annual awards range in amounts from $100 to $300. 

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ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANT (ACG)
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a 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 and meet other criteria. 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 since high school graduation and have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in those 26 or more credit hours. The amount of the ACG, when combined with a Pell Grant, may not exceed the student's cost of attendance.

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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. Student's are paid monthly for the work they perform. Actual earning are determined by the number of hours worked. 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 completed and the student must have a complete financial aid file.  This loan is a low-interest, fixed-rate loan to help you pay for the cost of your education beyond high school. For Stafford Loans that are first disbursed between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 the lender may charge fees of up to 2 percent of the loan. A portion of the fees is paid to the federal government and a portion is paid to the guarantor (the guarantor administrates the Stafford Loan program) to assist with the costs associated with providing the loan. These fees are deducted from the loan by the lender before the loan is sent to NCCC.

 There is a six-month grace period once you leave school or drop below half-time (half-time is 6 to 8 credit hours). During the 6 months grace period the student should receive repayment information and be notified by the loan company when payment is due. However, you are responsible for beginning repayment on time even if the information does not reach you. Payments are usually due monthly. The minimum payment will be at least $50 and may be greater depending upon the total amount borrowed. The student can choose between different repayment options. Stafford Loans can be repaid early without penalty. 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 on your behalf if you are at least a half-time student (enrolled in 6 or more credit hours), during the six month grace period, and during other authorized periods called "deferments" when payments may be postponed.  Another benefit offered by the Subsidized Stafford Loan is a lower interest rate. For Subsidized Stafford Loans: loans disbursed July 1, 2008 through July 1, 2009 have a fixed interest rate of  6.0 percent, loans disbursed July 1, 2009 through July 1, 2010 have a fixed interest rate of 5.6 percent.  [ Back to Top ]

Unsubsidized STAFFORD LOAN
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan eligibility is not based on financial need and interest begins to accumulate once the first disbursement is sent to the school by the lender. For loans disbursed July 1, 2008 through July 1, 2009 the interest rate is fixed at 6.8 percent. During a period when the Unsubsidized Stafford loan is in deferment, the interest on the loan can either be paid as the student goes through school or be capitalized (added to your principal loan balance, therefore increasing the amount to be repaid). The unsubsidized 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), while taking into consideration annual loan limits.

Annual loan limits for Subsidized Stafford Loans are $3,500 for the first year of undergraduate study (students classified as freshmen, 0-25 credit hours earned) and $4,500 for the second year of undergraduate study (students classified as sophomores, 26 or more credit hours earned).  At no time will the combined total of subsidized and unsubsidized loans, for students classified as Dependant, exceed $5,500 for the first year or $6,500 for the second year.  For applicants classified as Independent, those students are eligible for an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized only.  [ 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. Students are required to apply for Federal "need based" aid before they will be considered for the PLUS. Beginning July 1, 2006, FFELP PLUS loans disbursed have a fixed interest rate of 8.50 percent. Interest is charged on a PLUS loan from the date of the first disbursement until the loan is paid in full. Prior to July 1, 2008 repayment of principal and interest began within 60 days of the loan’s disbursement. However, for PLUS loans disbursed  July 1, 2008, the borrower (parent) has the option of waiting to begin repayment until 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed or waiting until 6 months after the student, on whose behalf the parent borrowed, leaves school or drops below half-time (half-time is 6 to 8 credit hours) enrollment. Fees of up to 4 percent of the loan may be charged by the lender. These fees are origination fees of up to 3 percent and guarantee fees of up to 1 percent. These fees are deducted from the loan by the lender before the loan is sent to NCCC. Parents are limited 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

Applicants for funding from the Kansas Board of Regents should complete the state application. To obtain an application or for further information, access the Kansas Board of Regents site.

Kansas State Scholarship:
The program is administered by the State Board of Regents Student Assistance Section. State Scholars are Kansas residents who receive State Scholar designation. Scholars are designated on the basis of the American College Testing Assessment (ACT) results and GPA. Scholars are considered for an award up to $1,000 upon verification of financial need. For further information, access the Kansas Board of Regents site.

Kansas Ethnic 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, access the Kansas Board of Regents site.

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship Program:
The Kansas Nursing Service 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, access the Kansas Board of Regents site or contact 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,

• have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate,  be registered with the Selective Service (if required),

• attend a participating college,

• be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program,

• be making satisfactory academic progress,

• not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal student loan, 

• have financial need (except for some loan programs).

• certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes

In addition:

• Some Less-than-half-time students may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants and some other Federal student aid programs. The majority of students will need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to receive aid.

• Students who have received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for Federal Pell, SEOG, or ACG grants, but may be eligible for loan assistance.

• Students attending two schools in the same enrollment period must inform the Office of Student Financial Aid 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. It is possible for some students to regain eligibility by successfully completing an acceptable rehabilitation program.

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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 Student 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 Student Financial Aid. These forms are provided by the Office of Student Financial Aid. To apply for loans students must also complete a loan worksheet and submit it to the Office of Student Financial Aid, complete online loan entrance counseling, and sign a master promissory note. Loan worksheets are available in the Office of Student Financial Aid and in forms.

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 Office of Student Financial Aid will contact students about this documentation.

Loan Application Procedures:
Each award year the student applies for loan, an entrance interview must be completed by the student prior to loan funds being awarded. 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 Office of Student Financial Aid receives verification of entrance interview completion electronically. The Master Promissory Note (MPN) can also be completed electronically. The Student may either sign electronically or mail a signed and dated paper copy of their MPN to their lender. The student will also complete a  student loan worksheet to inform the Office of Student Financial Aid of the dollar amount the student is requesting and the type(s) of loan the student is willing to receive. The worksheet must be completed by the student and returned to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The entrance counseling, master promissory note, and student loan worksheet must all be completed before the loan application will be processed.

At the conclusion of each loan period, exit counseling must be conducted.  Exit loan counseling will be offered to our students thru an online service with a link on our website. The student will be contacted by mail and/or email at the end of their loan period and directed to complete EXIT COUNSELING if they have not already done so during that loan period. Students with summer semester loans will be contacted to complete exit counseling in May.  At this time, a hold will be placed in the Registration module of the student's records. The hold will be removed upon confirmation that the student has successfully completed exit counseling. The Office of Student Financial Aid receives verification of completion electronically. Until this requirement has been completed, all official transcripts and some 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 Student 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 Student 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 Student 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 Office of Student Financial Aid.

• 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 Student 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, SEOG, and/or ACG Grants, 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 Student 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 Student 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 ACG, 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 Office of Student Financial Aid 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.