Page 58 - SU Catalog 2017_18

56 Southern Union State Community College Southern Union State Community College 57

FINANCIAL AID Convictions only count if they were for an offense that occurred during a period
of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV aid—they do not
Through institutional, state, and federally subsidized assistance programs, Southern Union count if the offense was not during such a period. Also, a conviction that was
State Community College provides financial aid to students of academic promise and finan- reversed, set aside, or removed from the student’s record does not count, nor
cial need. Part-time employment, scholarships, loans, and grants assist students who have does one received when they were a juvenile, unless they were tried as an
difficulty meeting the financial obligations of college. Financial aid rules and regulations adult.
are subject to change according to new regulations handed down by the U.S. Department
of Education and/or the Alabama Community College System. B. Standards of Academic Progress for Financial Aid
All students receiving federal aid (Pell Grant, College Work Study,
A. Federal Financial Aid Supplemental Grant, or William D. Ford Direct Loan) must make satisfacto-
1. Eligibility ry academic progress. Academic progress must be monitored for all terms of
There are certain eligibility requirements mandated by the U.S. Department of enrollment, whether or not financial aid was received. In accordance with federal
Education. In order for students to receive Title IV federal financial aid, students guidelines, students receiving federal financial aid at Southern Union must meet
must: the following requirements:
a. have a high school diploma or GED; 1. Time frame: Students may receive financial aid for a period of Information Financial
b. be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program leading to a time not to exceed 1 1/2 times the normal length of their
degree or certificate; specific program of study. For example, students in an Associate in
c. be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; Science Degree requiring 64 credit hours will have a maximum of 96
d. be making satisfactory academic progress; hours to complete the program. Students who transfer from other
e. not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal colleges will have all credit hours accepted by Southern Union included
educational loan; in the 96-hour total. The length of programs may vary.
f. be registered with selective service if required; 2. Grade Point Average Standard: Each student will be expected to meet
g. must not possess a Bachelor’s degree from any foreign or U.S. college or exceed the following GPA at the indicated points in his/her program
2. Application Process of study:
All students applying for the federal financial aid programs must submit a Free Credit Hours Minimum Cumulative GPA
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application should be 12 - 21 semester hours 1.50
completed on the internet at www.fafsa.gov. The school code to use for Southern 22 - 32 semester hours 1.75
Union is 001040. Students and parents of dependent students should first create 33 + semester hours 2.00
an FSA User ID and password to complete FAFSA online.
*Transfer credits, if applicable, are not included in GPA calculation.
3. Pace Standard: Each student must earn two-thirds of all the
Applications received by June 1 receive priority consideration for Pell and/or hours he/she attempts in order to complete a program in the allotted
loans for the upcoming fall semester. Students who have not completed all the
required paperwork by June 1 cannot be assured that Pell and/or loans will be time frame. For example, a student who has taken 30 hours should have
ready in time for fall tuition and fee payment. Students must apply each academ- earned at least 20 hours. If a student repeats a course which was
ic year for assistance. previously successfully completed, the credit hours obtained the
second time the course was attempted do not count toward the
Students should have an application for admission and all required transcripts minimum number of academic hours required for program completion.
on file in the Student Services Office. If a student is selected for additional Withdrawals count as hours attempted but not earned.
verification, all documention requested by the Financial Aid Office should be 4. Developmental courses: A student may not enroll in the same
submitted as soon as possible. When all required information is received, developmental course more than three times and continue to receive
eligible students will receive an award notification from the Financial Aid financial assistance. A federal financial aid recipient may not receive aid
Office. for more than 30 semester hours of developmental work.
Developmental hours taken will be included when determining a
3. Ineligibility/ Drug Conviction student’s grade point average and pace standards progress for financial
A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for FSA funds. The aid, including the maximum time
student self-certifies in applying for aid that he/she is eligible; you are not re- frame allotment.
quired to confirm this unless you have conflicting information.