All TCC Financial Aid Applicants please read the following information before proceeding:
Washington State Need Grant (SNG) conditions of award:
If you receive this grant there are five special conditions, listed below, with which you must comply. If you have questions or find that you cannot comply with these conditions please see the financial aid administrator at the institution you are attending.
You do not owe a refund or repayment on a State Need Grant, a Pell Grant, or a Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, nor are you in default on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the Perkins, National Direct, or Federal Family Education Loan programs. In addition, you are not in default on a loan made through a state conditional loan or conditional scholarship program.
This grant is awarded to assist in meeting your educational expenses; and should you withdraw from classes, repayment of all or a part of the grant may be required.
You can choose to voluntarily make financial contributions to the Higher Education Coordinating Board in recognition of this STATE NEED GRANT. All voluntary contributions will be used to provide financial assistance to other students.
The offer of a STATE NEED GRANT is subject to and conditioned upon the availability of funds. The Higher Education Coordinating Board and the institution through which the grant is awarded, reserve the right to withdraw, reduce, or modify the grant due to funding limitations or due to changes in circumstances which affect your eligibility for the STATE NEED GRANT.
You are not pursuing a degree in theology.
Important Financial Aid Information:
Students must stay on track by only enrolled in classes required for their program of study.
Some classes are not eligible for financial aid. Ex: CNA, NAC, non-credit, high school completion, GED, ABE, Running Start and Continuing Education classes.
Students who audit classes cannot receive financial aid. If an audit grade is received (N), students may be required to repay the aid received for that class.
Students must attend all classes on which their aid is based. For online classes, attendance is based on class activity (not just logging in).
Students who receive a grade of ‘Z’ (never attended) may be required to repay the aid received for that class.
Financial aid can pay for a student to repeat a class that was failed or for grade improvement; however, all repeated classes are included in the maximum time frame calculation and pace of progress requirements.
Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office regarding any changes to missing grades.
Students are not required to be enrolled full-time. Aid is pro-rated for those attending less than full time.
Academic standards are separate from financial aid. You are not eligible for aid if you are academically suspended from the College.
Faculty and staff from areas outside the Financial Aid office are not required to know financial aid policies.
Students must use any financial aid funds received only for expenses related to their study at Tacoma Community College.
Student’s financial aid will be applied to their tuition accounts.
Students must be enrolled in an eligible college major or program and must make satisfactory progress (as defined by the college) toward completion of their college degree or eligible certificate in order to remain eligible for aid. Not all programs are eligible for financial aid.
Students must report any drop in credits, or withdrawal from this institution, to the Financial Aid Office and understand they may owe money back as a result of a drop in credits or withdrawal from this institution, or if they do not attend my classes.
Students who intend to withdraw from any or all of their classes must refer to the class schedule for dates and refund percentages.
Students cannot receive aid at more than one college/institution for the same period of enrollment.
Receipt of aid is subject to the availability of funds and continued eligibility,
Developmental Credits
Students are allowed up to 45 remedial credits (courses numbered below 100) in addition to the maximum number of college level credits allowed for their program. At the time of annual awarding a review of remedial credits will be made. Students who have exceeded 45 credits and are not progressing towards their degree will lose eligibility for aid for further classes below the 100 level. Credit courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) are not counted as part of the 45 development credits, if taken to prepare for entry into an eligible certificate or program. ESL classes are expected to be completed in a timely manner.
Degrees
A student must be working toward an eligible TCC degree or certificate to receive financial aid. Aid will end once a student has completed all requirements for the degree or certificate. TCC will fund one associate degree. A student may petition for financial aid funds for second degree.Aid for a 2nd degree will be limited and only for those specific courses required to complete the second degree. Students who have already acquired a bachelor degree may be eligible for limited funds.
Grade Point Average
Students who have attended TCC 6 or more quarters must have a 2.00 cumulative GPA, regardless of their enrollment levels and whether or not they received aid during that time. This is reviewed at the time of awarding and whenever a student is placed on Suspension.
No Longer Eligible for Aid
A student is no longer eligible for aid at TCC when he or she has:
- Failed to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 after 6 quarters at TCC
- Received aid for the maximum number of credits allowed for the program of study
- Been funded for two programs of study.
- Two consecutive quarters on warning or a total of three non-consecutive quarters on warning equals a suspension
- If placed on suspension for a third time
- Been placed on academic suspension
- The student owes a repayment of financial aid
TCC will fund up to 125% of the number of credits required for a certificate or degree. For example, if a TCC degree normally requires 90 college level credits to graduate, TCC will fund up to 113 credits. A student may petition to have up to 150% of the required credits.
All credits, regardless of whether they were taken while on financial aid, or credits removed under the Academic Forgiveness policy (that count toward the program of study) are used in calculating the maximum number of credits to be funded. Transfer credits from other colleges that are accepted for use towards the TCC certificate or degree will also be counted. Any exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.