Financial Aid Information

The purpose of the financial aid program at Seminole Community College is to provide financial assistance to eligible students who want to further their education, but who could not attend college without assistance. Financial aid is available to supplement a family's contribution in order to help meet the cost of post-secondary education. The student financial aid programs are administered according to a nationally accepted policy that the family, meaning parents, student and/or spouse, is responsible for educational expenses.

The Student Financial Resources Office provides each recipient with electronic information about financial assistance at Seminole Community College. The student is responsible for reading this information and asking questions if he or she does not understand.

Different methods of applying for Federal Assistance are:

• To complete and mail the paper FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to the federal processor, or
• Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The Federal School Code for SCC is 001520.

Follow-ups to remind students of missing information are also provided. The student must follow the directions and promptly respond to correspondence.

Applying for Aid

Step 1. New students must apply for admission and submit proof of high school graduation. New and returning students must be in an eligible program.

Step 2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year, listing SCC code #001520. In approximately four to six weeks, the U.S. Department of Education will mail a Student Aid Report (SAR) to the student and information electronically to SCC. Most male students must register with Selective Service to get federal aid. Students can file electronically.

Step 3. Students must apply for Financial Aid each academic year. A limited amount of grants (other than Pell) are awarded to those students completing their files prior to March 15, provided that funds are available. Dependent students who are selected for verification must submit signed copies of both theirs and their parent(s) income tax forms for the preceding year. Independent students who are selected for verification must submit signed copies of their income tax form for the preceding year. Both (dependent and independent students) must submit a completed verification form.

Step 4. Students who wish to apply for a student loan should also submit a request for a Federal Stafford Loan. Students applying for a Stafford Loan for the first time at SCC must complete a student loan entrance-counseling workshop which is available online. Once processed, the student will receive a Promissory Note to complete and mail.

Financial need is the difference between the estimated cost of education and the amount you and your family are expected to contribute to these costs minus other scholarships/aid. Need-based financial aid awards may consist of a combination of grants, part-time employment, and loans.

Types of Financial Assistance

1. Pell Grant, the largest and best known source of grants, is awarded based on need and does not have to be repaid.
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to undergraduate and vocational students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Funds are limited and awards are made based on the priority consideration deadline.
3. Florida Student Assistance Grant is awarded to students with financial need based on State criteria. Recipients must be Florida residents during the previous 24 months, be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits), meet the Financial Aid Standards of Progress, and complete 12 hours for each term during the prior year that the grant had been received for renewal. The FAFSA must be processed by May 15.
4. Federal Work-Study Program awards a maximum of 20 hours of employment per week based on the availability of funds.
5. Federal Stafford Loan program is available for undergraduate students who enroll at least half-time at SCC (six or more credits). Loans are made by lending institutions and insured by a guarantee agency. Academic year maximums are $3,500 for freshmen and $4,500 for sophomores. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws or drops below half-time enrollment. The minimum payment is $50 a month but can be higher depending on the total amount borrowed. An additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available for independent students, as determined by federal regulations. Up to $4,000 per year can be borrowed under this program. The student is responsible to repay all interest which begins accruing immediately following disbursement.
6. Federal PLUS Loan is available for parents of dependent students. Maximum eligibility is equal to the cost of education minus other aid. Repayment of principal and interest usually begins within 60 days of the disbursement of the loan.
7. Florida College Career Work Experience program is funded by the State of Florida for student employment in local businesses and organizations. Each job must provide experience that relates to the student's major or career interest. Students employed under this program must have been Florida residents for the previous 24 months and must have financial need. Interested students or prospective employers should contact the Cooperative Education Office for further details.
8. Financial Aid Deferment: For students who have made a timely application for federal and state financial aid and wish to pay for tuition and fees from financial assistance, they must complete and sign a request each semester. For details, contact Student Financial Resources.
9. Short-Term Loan: A short-term loan program is available through SCC in which the student may borrow up to $300 or half of tuition. There is a service charge and the loan is due around 60 days before the end of the semester in which the funds are borrowed.

Seminole Community College Scholarships

Institutional scholarships are awarded based on criteria established by SCC. Awards must be coordinated with other types of financial assistance available and may reduce the eligibility for other federal or state need-based aid. Private scholarships are awarded based on criteria established by organizations and agencies other than SCC.

Rights of Financial Aid Recipients

Confidentiality: The Privacy Act exists to protect your right to confidentiality and limits our release of information about your file or award(s). Therefore, information released over the phone must be limited to general information. You must submit a written request if you need information about your financial aid released to an outside agency or to another person.

Knowledge: Financial aid recipients have the right to know what the Student Financial Resources Office has done and what is expected of them. Students who have questions have the right to contact the Student Financial Resources Office.

Fair and Equal Treatment: Financial aid awards at Seminole Community College are made without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, veteran's status, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. Need is determined using a nationally recognized formula. Students who are concerned that they were not treated equally or fairly should discuss the situation with the Director of Student Financial Resources.

Responsibilities of Financial Aid Recipients

Return of Title IV Funds: Any Federal financial aid recipient who completely withdraws or ceases attendance prior to completing more than 60 percent of any given term will be required to repay all or a percentage of the aid received. Students who find themselves in a situation where they must withdraw should make an effort to pass at least one course. In addition, the last date of attendance for withdrawn course(s) must be documented in order to minimize any overpayment/repayment of Federal funds. Failure to repay or make arrangements to repay these funds will make you ineligible for future Federal Assistance from SCC or any other institutions. The Department of Education has not made any provisions for extenuating circumstances. There is no appeal process. For additional information refer to the Financial Aid Student Guide or contact the Student Financial Resources Office.

All financial aid recipients must notify the Student Financial Resources Office when making any changes in their program. This includes completion of a degree. Failure to do so may cause loss of aid. Students receiving aid should check with the Student Financial Resources Office before withdrawing from course(s).

Award Notification and Disbursement of Funds

An award letter stating the types of aid, amounts and conditions of your award will be mailed to you. The disbursement of financial aid funds will begin after the drop/add period of the semester. Financial aid will first be applied to outstanding financial obligations the student may have with SCC, such as tuition and fee charges. Any remaining balance due to the student will be mailed in the form of a check to the student's local address. Since this process takes place after the term begins it is essential that the student set aside personal funds to cover expenses at the start of each term.

Note: For students enrolling in courses that begin after the standard start date of the semester, certification for aid eligibility and eventual disbursement of aid may not occur until those classes actually begin. Please contact Student Financial Resources for further details.

Providing complete and correct information: If inaccurate or incomplete information is provided, applications cannot be processed. This will result in delays or could make the student ineligible for aid. Students who deliberately provide false or misleading information may be prosecuted for federal fraud, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

Abiding by agreements: Students may be asked to sign agreements as part of their application for aid. Financial aid recipients should be sure they fully understand all forms before signing.

Satisfactory Academic Progress: Federal regulations require students to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate in order to be eligible to receive financial assistance. Academic progress for financial aid applicants will be checked at the end of each semester regardless of whether the student had received financial aid. Measures of progress include:

• Achieving and maintaining a 2.0 grade point average in their program.
• Completion of a specified minimum number of credits based on the number of credits attempted.
• Completion of a degree or certificate program within a specific number of attempted hours.

Important Information

• Applications for scholarships are available in the Admissions Office. Any student receiving an SCC scholarship must meet the financial aid standards of progress each term to maintain the scholarships for subsequent terms. Some scholarships have additional requirements.
• Federal student loans must be repaid.
• Less than half-time students may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants.
• Students who have received a bachelor's degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants or FSEOG, but may be eligible for other Federal student aid programs.
• Students attending two schools in the same enrollment period must inform both FAAs.
• Students cannot receive aid at both schools.
• Conviction of drug distribution or possession may make a student ineligible for federal aid.

Did you know?

SCC's Heathrow facility is conveniently located in the heart of the I-4 high tech corridor.