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Financial Aid Eligibility General Requirements

Applying for Financial Aid

To be eligible for MCCC and federal and state assistance, a student must:

  • have financial need, except for some loans.
  • have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or pass an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Department of Education
  • be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program.
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  • have a Social Security Number.
  • make satisfactory academic progress.
  • sign a statement of educational purpose/certification statement on refunds and default.
  • sign a statement of updated information.
  • register with the Selective Service, if required.

The Application Process

Students can apply for federal and state aid by filling out the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) on the web, available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov, or by obtaining a paper FAFSA from your high school, or the Financial Aid Office located in the Administration Building, Room 159.

Students who have previously applied for federal student aid may be able to fill out a "Renewal FAFSA." When using a "Renewal FAFSA" there are fewer questions to answer.

You may submit a FAFSA

FAFSA on the Web is a free U.S. Department of Education Web site where you can complete a FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA online and submit it via the Internet. You can use FAFSA on the Web on a personal computer (PC) or a Macintosh that is equipped with certain U.S. versions of Netscape. The address is www.fafsa.ed.gov .

To be considered for non-federal aid such as institutional and/or state aid, students may have to fill out an additional application. Check with the Financial Aid Office to see which non-federal application to fill out, if any. Remember, there's no charge to apply for federal student aid.

For the Federal Family Education loan programs, there are some additional steps students must take to apply.

Read the instructions when applying for financial aid whether filing the FAFSA or the "Renewal FAFSA". Pay special attention to any questions on income, because this area is where most mistakes are made. Also, in Section H of the FAFSA or "Renewal Application," fill out carefully the name(s) of the school(s) you're interested in attending. If any of these schools participate in at least one of the programs mentioned in the Federal Student Guide, it will have a "Title IV Institution Code." You can get a list of Title IV codes from the College's financial aid office, your high school, or your local public library and on the World Wide Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov 

Apply as soon as possible AFTER January 1st. (Do not apply before this date.) If not applying electronically, mail the completed FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA in the envelope(s) found in the application package. It will take approximately four weeks for the federal application to be processed. When you apply, you should have certain records on hand. These records are listed on the application. You should save all records and all other materials used in completing the application. You may need them later to prove that the information you reported is correct. This process is called verification.

All MCCC awards are made for a period of one academic year only. Reapplication must be made for each year. Copies of the required forms may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

Financial aid awards for the prospective student are not approved before the student has attained regular admission status through the Admissions Office.

Financial aid funds are limited, late applicants may be either denied for some types of assistance, given loan and job aid only, or receive lower than normal scholarship awards.

The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to request income and asset verification of financial statements submitted for need-based aid. Failure to provide the requested information will result in cancellation of award action. Falsification of income information submitted for the purpose of receiving financial assistance will result in cancellation of all future assistance and repayment of all prior assistance received falsely. If federal and/or state funds are involved, notification of the false information will be provided to the proper agencies (U.S. Office of Education and/or Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority) for their further disposition.


Appeal Procedure

Denial of federal financial aid to students who have not maintained satisfactory progress may be appealed to the Director of Financial Aid. Fill out a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal sheet outlining the reasons for failure to meet the standards, as well as the appropriate third-party documentation, may be required. The decision is final.

Should other non-federal financial aid be involved where different criteria for renewal exists, such as MCCC scholarships, their criteria will be applied to that aid independently.

Financial Aid Probation

A student who fails to complete the minimum number of credits or grade point average required for his or her attendance status, e.g., full time, etc., will be placed on financial aid probation. To be removed from probation, the student must complete the minimum number of credits in the full- or half-time status in which he or she was placed on probation. Upon completion of the required credits, the student will be removed from probation. Failure to earn the required credits and grade point average may result in financial aid suspension. While on probation, students may still receive financial aid. Students who are suspended are not eligible to receive aid from financial aid programs listed in this document.

Financial Aid Suspension

To be removed from financial aid suspension status, a student must complete a regular semester, attaining the minimum credit earned or grade point requirements, while not receiving financial aid governed by this policy. Successful students then may make a written appeal to be placed on financial aid probation status.

Mitigating Circumstances

It is recognized that special mitigating circumstances may cause a student to fail to achieve satisfactory progress. If, in the judgment of the Financial Aid Director, mitigating circumstances justify continued financial aid eligibility, the Financial Aid Office reserves the right to make this determination.

Right to Appeal

Any student who is placed on probation or suspension may appeal this decision by submitting in writing a statement explaining his or her performance and the reason why he or she believes he or she should not be placed on probation or suspension status to the Director of Financial Aid.

Financial Need

Aid from most financial aid programs is awarded based on financial need. (An exception is the Federal Loan Programs. It's possible to receive a Federal Stafford Loan regardless of income.)

The information reported when applying for aid is used in a formula, established by Congress that calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an amount families are expected to pay toward education. For the Federal Pell Grant Program, if the EFC is below a certain number, students are eligible for a Pell Grant.

Cost of Education
­ Expected Family Contribution
= Financial Need

The financial aid administrator takes the cost of education for the College and subtracts the amount you and your family are expected to pay toward that cost. If there's anything left over, students are considered to have financial need.

Dependency Status

Certain questions answered when applying for financial aid will determine whether students are considered dependent on their parents and must report their income and assets as well as their own, or independent and report only their own income and assets (and those of a spouse). Income and asset information are used in determining your eligibility for federal student aid.

Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the idea that students' parents have the primary responsibility of paying for their children's education. Students who have access to parental support (dependent students) should not receive federal funds at the expense of students who don't have that access (independent students).

An independent student is one of the following(2008-2009)

  • someone born before January 1, 1985
  • married
  • a graduate or professional student(If yes, you are not eligible for a Pell Grant)
  • someone with legal dependents other than a spouse
  • an orphan or ward of the court
  • veteran of U.S. armed forces or on active duty

If you claim to be an independent student, the school will ask for proof before awarding any federal student aid. If you think you have unusual circumstances that would make you independent even though you normally would be considered dependent, talk to the financial aid administrator. The aid administrator can change your status to independent if he or she thinks your circumstances warrant it. Remember, the financial aid administrator will not automatically do this. That decision is based on his or her judgment, and it's final-you cannot appeal it to the U.S. Department of Education.

NOTE: Independence criteria are determined annually by the Federal Government and are subject to change.

The Student's Financial Aid Package

Usually a combination of gift (scholarship and grant) and self-help (job and loan) aid is offered the student. The proportion is determined annually.

Where Pell Grant, Michigan Competitive Scholarship, or Stafford Student Loan estimates appear, students are responsible for obtaining and completing necessary application forms to secure this aid.


Changes in the Award

The Office of Financial Aid anticipates that students will receive the aid package described in their award announcement. It may, however, be necessary for the College either to increase or decrease the award if changes occur in enrollment status, family financial status, or the student's own financial resources or expenses.

Changes in enrollment status include changing majors, taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester, or withdrawal before the end of the semester. Reductions in credit hours below 12 credits in a semester without approval from the Office of Financial Aid may result in a cancellation of assistance for that semester. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid before making a change of this type.

Special Circumstances

Although the process of determining a student's eligibility for federal student aid is basically the same for all applicants, there is some flexibility. For instance, the financial aid administrator can change your status from dependent to independent based on the documentation you provide to prove your special circumstances.

In some cases, the financial aid administrator may adjust your cost of attendance or the information used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to take into account circumstances that might affect the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education. These circumstances could include a family's unusual medical or dental expenses or tuition expenses for children attending a private elementary or secondary school. Also, an adjustment may be made if you, your spouse, or either of your parents (if applicable) has been recently unemployed. If conditions such as these apply to you or your family, contact the financial aid administrator.

Check with the financial aid administrator if you feel you have any other special circumstances that might affect the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education. But remember, there must be very good reasons for the financial aid administrator to make any adjustments, and you will have to provide adequate proof to support those adjustments. The financial aid administrator's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

Award Revision

Overpayments resulting from full or partial cancellation of aid will normally result in a debt on the student's account and must be paid back according to normal repayment policies of the College. It is the student's responsibility to verify the accuracy of billing charges, aid credits, and stipend checks.

Award Disbursement

Scholarships and Pell Grants are usually divided in half and credited directly toward the semester bill. When possible, awards are applied to the first bill in each semester; however, late awards or award revisions may be applied throughout each semester. When FFEL Stafford Student Loan checks are received by the College, they will be released as soon as regulations permit. Remember, loans are a reimbursement program at MCCC and students should make arrangements to pay their tuition ahead of time.

Stipend checks are usually available the day classes begin each semester. However, should federal or state money not be received, students should plan to have sufficient funds for books and other expenses until checks are available.

Statement of Student Financial Aid Rights
and Responsibilities

  1. Students have the right to be informed of and to apply for all financial aid programs for which they are eligible. The responsibility to apply by program deadlines and to acquaint themselves with the application procedure resides with the student.
  2. Students have the right to know how financial need and award packages will be determined and to request a review of the financial aid package should circumstances change to affect negatively the family's ability to meet costs of attendance, and the responsibility to notify the College should new resources become available to the student which were not originally considered.
  3. Students who borrow to attend the College have a right to full disclosure of the terms and provisions of loan programs, including typical repayment schedules and the responsibility to attend exit interviews before leaving College. They must repay loans on a timely basis and keep the College informed of their current address.
  4. Students have the right to be informed of financial aid policies and have the responsibility to be aware of all published financial aid policies and to comply with these policies.
  5. Students have the responsibility to submit accurate information on all College documents relating to the financial aid application process.

Tax Status of Financial Aid

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 amended the Internal Revenue Code section pertaining to the taxability of scholarship and fellowship grants. Effective January 1, 1987, only the amount of a scholarship or fellowship grant which is used for qualified tuition and related expenses (i.e. tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment) is excluded from gross income. Any amount of a scholarship or fellowship grant which is used for non-course related expenses (such as room and board) is taxable and has to be included in the student's gross income.

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