LAREDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2010-2011
STUDENT
FINANCIAL AID
HANDBOOK
Introduction To Students and Parents
This handbook was developed to explain the philosophy, policies, and practices of the financial aid program at Laredo Community College.
It is the intent of Laredo Community College, within the limits of its resources to provide financial assistance to students, especially those who without such aid would be unable to attend college. To this end, the college has developed a financial aid program, which includes grants, scholarships, student employment and loans.
Scholarships and grants (gift aid) are awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional financial need and, in certain cases, for students who have excellent academic grades. Loans, which have definite repayment schedules, are available to students at a low rate of interest. Employment opportunities are available to all students depending upon their skills and the availability of job openings.
A basic premise of financial aid programs is that the main responsibility for meeting college costs lies with the family; thus, Laredo Community College can only be expected to assist with the cost of attendance.
In the following pages we attempt to familiarize you with our staff, policies, procedures, programs, and to answer the questions concerning financial aid most frequently asked by students, parents, and other interested persons.
For additional information contact the Student Financial Aid Center at Ft. McIntosh Campus -Memorial Hall Room 103 or Kazen College Center Room 234 at (956) 721-5361 or at the South Campus in BHC Room 123 at (956) 794-4361. We welcome inquiries concerning any aspect of the Student Financial Aid Programs.
Rick Moreno, Ph.D
Financial Aid Director
The Student Financial Aid Staff
Laredo Community College
Dr. Rick Moreno….………………..……………..Financial Aid Director
Ms. Adriana Marin ……………………Financial Aid Associate Director
South Campus
Mr. Carlos G. Perez ...……………..….Financial Aid Associate Director
Ms. Nelda Castañeda …………………..Compliance Officer/Federal
State and Institutional Programs
Ms. Alma Garcia….……………….………..…..Financial Aid Assistant I
Ms. Ana Laura Barrientos…………………...…..Financial Aid Assistant I
Mr. Peter Rios………………………..………...Financial Aid Assistant II
Ms. Erica Arrambide………………………..…..Financial Aid Assistant III
Ms. Blanca Iruegas…………………..……Financial Aid Assistant IV
South Campus
Mr. Remigio Gonzalez……………………..Financial Aid Assistant IV
South Campus
Ms. Thelma Heil………………...…..Student Employment Coordinator
Mr. Miguel Arellano…………………….…....Financial Aid Technician
Ms. Kesia Dominguez…………………..……Financial Aid Technician
Mr. Gilbert Ibarra…………………………….Financial Aid Technician
The Student Financial Aid Center staff is here to assist you with your financial aid questions so that you may take advantage of every opportunity available to accomplish your educational goals while at Laredo Community College.
CONTENTS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION 5
A. Philosophy 5
B. What Is Financial Aid? 5
C. Types of Financial Aid 5
D. How Eligibility Is Determined 6
II. SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS 6
III. FINANCIAL AID PROBATION AND WITHDRAWAL 7
IV. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES 8
V. PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT 8
VI. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FINANCIAL
AID ADMINISTRATOR 9
VII. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 9
VIII. ADMISSION TO LCC AND FINANCIAL AID 11
IX. CONFIDENTIALITY 11
X. METHOD OF DISBURSEMENT 11
XI. CONTINUATION OF FINANCIAL AID 11
XII. RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS 12
XIII. TYPES OF AID AVAILABLE 13 A. GRANTS 13
B. SCHOLARSHIPS 17
C. EMPLOYMENT 17
D. LOANS 17
XIV. STATEMENT OF BORROWER’S RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES 20
XV. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 23
XVI. STUDENT EXPENSE BUDGETS (COST OF EDUCATION) 25
XVII. OTHER FINANCIAL AID PAYMENT OPTION 26
XVIII. EMPLOYEES E-MAIL 27
GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Laredo Community College’s basic philosophy is that the family has the primary responsibility for providing a student’s education beyond the high school level. If a family lacks the necessary financial resources to provide educational opportunities for a student, the college may assist in providing those resources through one of its “financial aid” programs. This assistance is particularly important if a student is unable to pursue an education at Laredo Community College due to financial limitations.
What Is Financial Aid?
Financial Aid consists of any of the following four types of assistance:
· Grant Programs
· Employment (Job Assistance)
· Loans
· Scholarships
The financial aid award is based on individual need and eligibility, and may include a combination of various types of aid mentioned above.
What Are The Types Of Financial Aid?
GRANT PROGRAMS
· Federal PELL Grant
· Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
· Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership and Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (SLEAP/LEAP) and On-Campus (TPEG)
· Texas and TEOG Grants
· Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
EMPLOYMENT
· Federal Work-Study (FWS)
· Texas Work-Study
· Institutional Work-Study
STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS-William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
Beginning July 1, 2010, Laredo Community College will no longer process Stafford student loans. Federal regulations now mandate all institutions of higher education to participate in the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. There are two types of Direct Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized Direct Loans are for those with qualified financial need, so the government pays the interest that accrues on the loan before you begin repayment. Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available to students who have no financial need, therefore, the student is responsible for all of the interest that accrues over the entire life of the loan.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academics as well as on any combination of athletics, academics, financial need, campus/community activities, and leadership positions. Scholarships are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students in pursuing academic excellence and leadership roles. For additional information on scholarship and application procedures, contact any of the three Student Financial Aid Centers located at the Ft. McIntosh campus in MH 103, KCC 234, or the South Campus BHC 123. You can also obtain more information at our scholarship link at www.laredo.edu.
How Eligibility Is Determined
For Need-Based Aid Programs
Financial aid is awarded by the college to an eligible student after the process of filling out all necessary application forms has been completed and all required documentation has been received. The primary financial responsibility lies with the parent and the student. In the case of a self-supporting student, the primary financial responsibility lies with the student and/or the spouse, if married. Therefore, the purpose in completing the application process as outlined is to determine the expected contribution from income and assets toward the total cost of education by the student, his/her parents or spouse if married.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students receiving aid from Federal or State funded programs must be making satisfactory academic progress towards a degree or certificate. In addition to meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements outlined below, all students must also meet the specific financial aid program eligibility requirements. A student is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress if the following conditions are met:
Quantitative Requirement:
1. The minimum standard of academic progress for a full-time load (12 hours or more) is the completion of nine (9) hours; students enrolled for three-quarter time (9-11 hours) are required to complete six (6) semester hours and those enrolled for half-time (6-8 hours) are required to complete six (6) of the semester hours of which they attempted.
Qualitative Requirement:
2. A student with 1 to 14 cumulative semester hours of attempted work must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.2. A student with 15 to 29 cumulative semester hours of attempted work must have a cumulative GPA of 1.5. A student with 30 to 44 cumulative semester hours of attempted work must have a cumulative GPA of 1.8. A student with 45 or more cumulative semester hours of attempted work must have a GPA of 2.0.
3. Beginning with Fall 2010-2011 academic year, satisfactory academic progress will be measured as follows:
a). Students will have financial aid eligibility for up to 90 hours of attempted coursework.
b). Students GPA requirement will follow the academic GPA calculated by the LCC Admissions Center for all students.
Attempted coursework hours includes those in which the student does not receive financial assistance.
A student must have satisfactorily completed the minimum number of hours and GPA according to his/her enrollment status regardless of whether or not financial aid was received.
Students on “Financial Aid Withdrawal” are not eligible to receive assistance. They must enroll at LCC half time and pay for their educational expenses from their own resources. At the end of the semester the student must meet both qualitative and quantitative requirements in order to be removed from financial aid withdrawal. When a student receives financial assistance and withdraws or drops from LCC before completing 60% of the semester, he/she is obligated to refund the appropriate percentage of the money to the program as indicated in the current college catalog. See the “Return to Title IV” section for more information.
A maximum of 30 hours of remedial courses will be allowed as long as the remedial courses are required to pursue a degree or certificate. All remedial courses taken by a student are included in the maximum time allowed to complete his/her degree. Only one (1) repetition per course will be allowed if the student earned an “F” in the course. Courses that are repeated will count in the calculation of hours or NC attempted and completed hours earned if the student receives a passing grade; however, all grades received for the course will be included in calculating the GPA.
Financial Aid Probation and Withdrawal
Students on financial aid probation or withdrawal will be notified by e-mail of their failure to meet Laredo Community College’s financial aid satisfactory progress policy. While on probation, students will be eligible to receive financial assistance the following semester. However, these students will be referred to the Tutoring Center for assistance. Should the student then fail to make satisfactory progress, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Withdrawal until the student meets the financial aid academic progress requirements. All attempted coursework will be included in the 90 attempted coursework count, whether assistance is received or not.
Students that are placed on Financial Aid Probation WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PAY EARLY WITH FINANCIAL AID. Exceptions to any of the above must be approved by the Director of Financial Aid.
It is the financial aid recipient’s responsibility to determine or inquire about his/her financial aid satisfactory academic progress status at the end of each semester or summer session. This status can be obtained online by accessing passport.laredo.edu in the “Student” tab.
To regain eligibility: Student may enroll in subsequent semesters at his/her own expense until all deficiencies are met. Fall or Spring semesters student must enroll for 6 eligible college hours, must meet all requirements and maintain an acceptable GPA. Summer Session I or II a student may enroll for 3 eligible college hours, and meet all requirements and must maintain an acceptable GPA.
Required GPA for Financial Aid:
1-14 cumulative hours requires 1.2 G.P.A.
15-29 cumulative hours requires 1.5 G.P.A.
30-44 cumulative hours requires 1.8 G.P.A.
45 plus cumulative hours requires a 2.0 G.P.A.
Special Circumstances, Appeal and Hardship Processes
Special Circumstances Process:
1) Student must have a complete file and have been packaged
2)Student must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
3) Student must complete a "Special Circumstances" form and submit all required documentation supporting the circumstance
4)Special Circumstance request must be submitted by the "mid-semester" date provided on the Academic Calendar
Dependency Status Appeal Process
Students wanting to change their dependency status must:
1) Complete the “Petition to Apply for Financial Aid as an Independent Student
2) provide the following documentation:
a) lease/mortgage payments for the past 24 months in their name
b) utilities paid for the past 24 months in their name
c) provide the prior 2 years tax returns
Earned income for the prior two years must be equal to or greater than the total annual expenses.
Dependency appeal must be submitted along with complete documentation no later than the designated "mid semester" date provided on the Academic Calendar.
NOTE: Federal regulations prohibit changing dependency status back from independent to dependent during an academic year.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT:
Hardship probation and withdrawal cases will be addressed by the Director of Financial Aid. It is the aid recipient’s option to appeal the decision of the Financial Aid Director to the Financial Aid Advisory Committee. Appeal should be made no later than the designated "mid-semester" date provided on the Academic Calendar. A response will be provided within two weeks from date the appeal was submitted to the Financial Aid Center. Determinations by the Committee are final and cannot be appealed any further.
Applications can be picked up at any of the three Financial Aid Centers and are available online at the www.laredo.edu website.
Responsibilities Of The
Financial Aid Administrator
The Administrator shall:
- Make every effort to meet the demonstrated needs of all students at the institution to the extent funding will permit in an ethical manner, and
- Award all aid on the basis of demonstrated financial need, except where funds are specified for recognition of special talents. Where aid is not based on need and represents a significant portion of institutional assistance, the aid administrator should make every effort to redirect such funds to assist those students with demonstrated need; and
- Exercise adequate controls to insure that need-based aid awards do not exceed documented need; and
- Recognize that the primary responsibility for financing post secondary education rests with the student and family. Financial assistance from institutions and other sources is only intended as supplementary to the efforts of the family; and
- Help students seek, obtain, and make the best use of all financial resources available, and
- Provide in all appropriate literature a clear statement of the actual cost of attendance, which shall include both the direct and non-direct costs; and
- Inform the student of all conditions under which an award is granted at the time the offer is made; and
- Refrain from and discourage others from making any public announcements of the amount or type of financial aid awarded to a student in order to protect the confidentiality of the economic circumstances of the student and family; and
- Respect the confidentiality of student records. Information should be released only on the written consent of the student and/or family and all policies and procedures should protect the student’s rights of privacy, and
- Oppose the administration of aid to accomplish disciplinary objective; and
- Estimate needs honestly and fairly when preparing funding requests.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students Have the Right: