Pell Grants

Application Procedures
Students may apply for a Pell Grant by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The completed application should be submitted for processing according to the directions included on it. A calculated Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to the applicant. The applicant's award is then determined by MCCC based upon enrollment and submission of a SAR to the Office of Financial Aid. Funds will be credited to the student's institutional account when all documentation is submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

Methods of Selection of Recipients and Allocation of Awards
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.

Award Schedule
Currently awards range from $200 to $4,310, but may not exceed one-half the total cost of attendance. 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 progress to continue receiving the grant, and meet all other conditions outlined in the Financial Eligibility section.

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.

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 default on a student loan.

Michigan Merit Award Scholarship Program

This program is a new merit-based scholarship for high school seniors, beginning with the graduating class of 2000. To be eligible, a student must take the Michigan Education Assessment Program High School Test (MEAP HST) in mathematics, reading, science, and writing. Students who score at level 1 or level 2 on these four tests and meet all other eligibility requirements will qualify to receive a $2,500 scholarship. For more information call 1-888-95-MERIT or visit www.treasury.state.mi.us. 

Other Sources of Financial Aid

Michigan Bureau of Rehabilitation

The Bureau of Rehabilitation is an arm of the Michigan Department of Education, designed to provide rehabilitative services to vocationally handicapped or impaired individuals.

Any person with an impairment such as an amputation, a cardiac condition, speech problems, deafness, blindness, orthopedic involvements, or epilepsy, can make application for service through the Bureau of Rehabilitation.

All services provided are individually planned to meet the established need and could include, for example: tuition, fees, books, prosthetic devices, maintenance, or other services that would be required for the completion of a rehabilitation program.

A student who feels that vocational rehabilitation services are needed may make inquiry and application for assistance by contacting the office of the State of Michigan Bureau of Rehabilitation serving the student's home area.

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Grants for qualified students of at least one-quarter American Indian descent are available through the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Information can be obtained by contacting Scholarship Officer, B.I.A., Higher Education Grant Program, Michigan Intertribal Education Association, Inc., Baraga, Michigan 49908.

Public Act 174 Michigan Indian Tuition Grant

This program currently provides free tuition at MCCC for North American Indians. Information can be obtained by contacting the Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs, 5423 North Logan, Lansing, Michigan 48914, (517) 373-0054.

Benefits for Children of Deceased
or Totally Disabled Veterans

Public Law 634

Those eligible for educational benefits are young men and women whose veteran-parents died of injuries or disease resulting from military service during World War 1, World War II, or the Korean conflict. Students generally must be between 18 and 26 years old; however, children will be permitted to begin school before their eighteenth birthday and finish after their twenty-sixth in some instances.

To be eligible for full benefits, a student covered under the above program must carry at least 12 semester hours of credit.

Public Act 245

Sons or daughters of a veteran who died for service-connected causes or who is totally disabled as a result of service-connected causes of any war in which the United States has been a participant, may be eligible for benefits under Public Act 245 of the Public Acts of 1135, as amended. The benefits waive the regular fees each semester until the student reaches 23 years of age. Anyone who believes he or she is eligible should request an application from the Michigan Veterans' Trust Fund, Lansing, Michigan. Recipients must be full-time students and must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.25 grade point average.