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Grants
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant Program is an entitlement program based on financial need. Scholastic accomplishment has no bearing on eligibility. The applicant must be enrolled as a student in an approved postsecondary institution and must need financial assistance to continue his or her education.
Financial need is determined by a formula applied to all applicants by the federal government and the student eligibility index is calculated by this formula.
Awards are available for up to the period of time taken to receive the first baccalaureate degree. Students must reapply every year. The FAFSA becomes available on the web January 1st of each year.
Year Round Pell
Effective May 2010
The Year Round Pell Grant was authorized through the Higher Education Act of 2008. Students who are Pell eligible may receive two scheduled Pell Grant awards in the same award year. Thus students may receive a Pell Grant during the Fall, Winter, and Summer award periods.
Crossover Pell - Summer 2010 Pell Policy
Monroe County Community College considers the summer terms to be a trailer to the academic year. Therefore, a student's eligibility for financial aid (including the new "Year Round Pell Grant") for the Summer of 2010 will be based on the 2009-10 FAFSA data. If a student has exhausted all of the first scheduled Pell grant award, they may qualify for a second scheduled award for the Summer award period. To be eligible for a second scheduled award for the Summer 2010 award period (spring/summer semesters) a student must be enrolled at least half time during the summer award period (6 credit hours or more).
Beginning in summer 2011, we will consider BOTH the 2010-2011 FAFSA and the 2011-2012 FAFSA data to determine which year results in the highest Pell Grant award students are eligible to receive for that semester. It is highly recommended that students who are interested in taking summer courses submit the FAFSAs as early as possible.
Starting in the 2010-2011 Award Year, students must demonstrate academic year acceleration in order to qualify for a second scheduled Pell Award.
• Acceleration rules will start to apply for the summer 2011 semester.
• At least one credit hour in the payment period from the second scheduled Pell Grant award must count toward the student’s next academic year:
It is not necessary for a student to complete a full academic year’s worth of coursework prior to the payment of the second scheduled Pell grant award. For example, a student earned 9 credits in the fall semester and 9 credit hours in the spring. The school uses 24 credit hours to define the academic year and places summer in the concluding award year, therefore, the student will need to enroll in more than 6 credit hours in the summer term in order to be paid funds from the second scheduled Pell award. Six credits will go toward finishing the first academic year’s worth of work (9+9+6=24) plus additional credit hours to go toward the second academic year.
Transfer Students
• If a student received 100% of the First Scheduled Award at their prior school, it is assumed that the student completed an academic year.
• If a student received less than 100% of their First Scheduled Award, it is assumed that the student completed the same ratio of the academic year (24 credits) as the percentage of the First Scheduled Award utilized at the prior school. For example, a transfer student received $2007 of a $5350 Scheduled Award, $2007 x 24/5350 = 9 credits assumed the student earned at the prior school.
How to Apply
Award Amounts
Award amounts for the 2009-2010 award year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) range from $976 to $5,350.
The amount of the award will be affected by cost of attendance and enrollment status and status at time of first Pell Grant disbursement.
Rights and Responsibilities of Recipients
Students must continue to make Satisfactory Academic Progress in the program in which enrolled. Students must not owe any refunds on Pell Grants or other awards or be in default on repayment of any student loans.
Before receiving payment, the student must sign a statement, available from the Office of Financial Aid, that all money received will be used for the cost of attendance only.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
These are federal grants awarded by MCCC to undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need. The grants must be at least $100 and not more than $2,000 per year. Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress to continue receiving the grant, and meet all other conditions outlined in the Eligibility Requirements section. Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for this grant.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This is a new federal grant program being offered to student who are Pell eligible, completed a rigorous high school curriculum, and graduated after January 1, 2005. The scholarship is renewable for a second year; provided the student’s cumulative college grade point average is a 3.0 or higher. Annual award amounts are as follows: first year $750, second year $1,300. If you meet the above criteria, contact the financial aid office for more information. Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for this grant.
State Grants
Michigan Promise Scholarship
The Michigan Promise scholarship provides up to $4,000 to high school graduates for successfully completing two years of postsecondary education. All students who took the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) have the opportunity to receive up to $4,000 if they meet all eligibility requirements. Students who receive qualifying scores (Level 2 or above) in each of the required test components are eligible to receive up to half of their scholarship in the first two years of postsecondary enrollment (in installments of $1,000 each year). The student will receive a letter from the state notifying them of their award, as well as information on how to certify their award. The Financial Aid Office will need either a copy of the student’s official transcripts or high school diploma before entering the award.
TIP – Tuition Incentive Program
This program pays college tuition and fees for students from lower income families. It provides tuition assistance for the first 2 years of college and beyond. To meet the financial eligibility requirement, a student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-consecutive-month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). If you are eligible for TIP, you should have received a letter from the state notifying you of this. The Financial Aid Office will need a copy of this letter in order to ensure TIP pays for the student’s tuition. In addition to this, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filled out by the student for the current academic year in order to verify residency and citizenship.
Michigan Competitive Scholarship Program
These scholarships offer tuition and fees to Michigan residents of 12 months who qualify through a competitive examination, and who show financial need. Recipients must be attending MCCC full-time. Awards may be renewed annually for a maximum of 10 semesters, as long as need, a 2.0 grade point average, and satisfactory academic progress are maintained.
More information is available from high school counselors and by writing to the State of Michigan, Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909.
Michigan Adult Part-Time Grant
This grant is designed to provide grant assistance for needy adults who enroll at MCCC on a part-time basis (3-11 credit hours). Maximum grant eligibility per year is $600 for a maximum of two years of study. Students must qualify as self-supporting under current federal criteria, demonstrate need, be out of high school (other than GED) for at least 2 years, be a Michigan resident for at least 12 months, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, not be incarcerated, not enrolled in a theology or divinity program, not be in default on a student loan, and must be making satisfactory academic progress, as defined by MCCC. Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for this grant.
Michigan Education Opportunity Grant
This grant is designed to provide need-based assistance to full-time undergraduate students up to $1,000 per year. Student must be a Michigan resident for at least 12 months, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by MCCC, may not be incarcerated in a corrections institution, and not be in default on a student loan. Filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for this grant. |
