Financial Aid

Financial Aid

FAFSA Help - Need help completing the FAFSA? - Check out this tutorial 7 Easy Steps to FAFSA.

FAFSA Workshop - One-on-one assistance with Financial Aid staff to help you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Come prepared with: the FAFSA Worksheet, 2010 tax returns (for 2011-12 FAFSA) or 2011 tax returns (2012-13 FAFSA) for both you and your parents (as appropriate), and PIN (s). Workshops will be held in the Computer Lab in Building 23 room 201. No need to sign up, just show up!

• January 12 from 10-11
• January 26 from 2-3
• February 7th from 10-11
• February 23rd from 3-4
• March 8th from 10-11
• March 22nd from 3-4

Financial Aid Orientation:

Students who have been awarded financial aid must attend a mandatory Financial Aid Orientation on-line.

Why Should I Apply For Financial Aid

The cost of financing a college education is steadily rising. Many parents and students are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for college without some financial assistance. We attempt to make limited funds available in a fair and equitable manner. The distribution of these funds is regulated by federal and state laws and we cannot determine your eligibility for financial aid unless you complete the entire application process.

When are applications reviewed?

We evaluate financial aid applications in batches based on the date the file was completed (all required items received in our office). Although we continuously review and award applications throughout the year, you need to make sure your application is completed by the deadline dates listed on the front cover to ensure notification of your financial aid eligibility before tuition is due. Applications completed after the deadline will be reviewed in the on-going process but CANNOT be guaranteed notification for tuition payment. Students wanting to enroll for that quarter must plan to pay their tuition to guarantee their enrollment. If they are determined later to be eligible, they will receive retroactive funds for that respective quarter. (Retroactive funding does not mean reimbursement of what you paid out of pocket. It may be more or less, depending on student eligibility and funds availability).

Application Deadlines

We evaluate financial aid applications in the awarding cycles listed below. When completing the application process by the awarding cycle date, you are assured notification of your financial aid eligibility in time for tuition payment. This is our commitment to you for completing the process by the specified date. Any applications completed after that quarter's awarding cycle date will be reviewed in the next cycle. Applications processed by the Federal Processor by our deadline date that have completed all other application requirements will be considered to have met the deadline.

• If you are applying for Summer Quarter, 2011
  the deadline for your file to be completed is
  April 14, 2011.

• If you are applying for Fall Quarter, 2011
  the deadline for your file to be completed is
  June 30, 2011.

• If you are applying for Winter Quarter, 2012
  the deadline for your file to be completed is
  October 28, 2011.

• If you are applying for Spring Quarter, 2012
  the deadline for your file to be completed is
  February 3, 2012.

• If you are applying for the 2012 - 13 year, files completed by March 22, 2012 will be given first consideration for all funds, including FSEOG.

Steps To Apply For Financial Aid

1. Application - To start the process you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our school code is 005372.

Web Application – Before you can apply over the Web you must first request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the Department of Education. This PIN will allow you and your parents (if applicable) to sign your application electronically. The Web address is www.pin.ed.gov. Once you receive your PIN you can then file your application electronically. To ensure your ability to meet our deadline requirements, this process must be completed at least three weeks before the published deadlines.

2. Data Sheet - This is our institutional form and is available when you pick up your financial aid packet from Student Financial Services or by downloading the data sheet from the Financial Aid Forms section above. Returning students are required to fill out a new Data Sheet every academic year (Sept. through August).

3. Transcript Evaluation - An official evaluation of credits completed at other institutions is required. You must request OFFICIAL copies of all previous colleges, technical schools and universities transcripts to be sent directly to yourself. Then bring the transcripts in the ORIGINAL SEALED ENVELOPE to the Enrollment Services Office for review and complete an Application for Transfer of Credits. The evaluation process takes up to 8 weeks. To check on the status of your transcript evaluation, call Enrollment Services at (360) 596-5241.

4. Admissions - You must also apply for admission to our college. This is a separate application process. Check with the Enrollment Services Office for application materials and deadlines. Their phone number is (360) 596-5241. You may also apply online.

Your application is not complete until we have received ALL the required materials, ALL discrepancies are resolved and you have an award letter from our office. We will contact you one time if you are missing information for your file. If you do not provide the additional information we are requesting we will discontinue your application. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete and ready for review.

During the review process you may also be required to provide us additional paperwork such as:

• A copy of your I-94, I-151 or I-688 if your eligible non-citizenship status is not confirmed.
• Leave and Earnings Statement.
• A signed copy of your and, if applicable, your parents 2010 tax return.
• A Verification worksheet which can be found above in the Forms section.
• A copy of your social security card.
• Confirmation of your Selective Service (Military Draft) registration www.sss.gov.
• A statement from your lender if we have notification that you are in default on a federal student loan.
  
  NOTE: Students cannot receive aid at two colleges concurrently.

Am I Eligible For Financial Aid?

All financial aid applicants must:

1. Apply for admission to the college;

2. Have a high school diploma, GED, pass an Ability to Benefit Test or has satisfactorily completed 6 credits of college work that are applicable to a degree or certificate offered by the school.

3. Must be pursuing a college degree or certificate that is financial aid eligible (check with Financial Aid).

4. Meet satisfactory academic progress policy standards. (The policy is available in our office.)

5. Must not be in default or repayment.

We use the following formula to determine your eligibility.

NOTE: Awards are subject to funds availability

Can I Afford College?

College costs are rising. Students must plan to pay for tuition, books, supplies, rent, food, utilities, transportation and personal expenses. Students are expected to plan ahead and be prepared to contribute to the cost of attending college. Our first priority is to help students pay for tuition and books. Below is a guide in estimating what it may cost you to attend South Puget Sound Community College for nine months. Living expenses will vary according to lifestyle choices.

What Am I Applying For?

The following list contains all financial aid available to South Puget Sound Community College. Funds are subject to availability and awarded first come, first served.

There are three basic types of financial aid called opportunity pathways:

1. grants
2. loans
3. work study

New aid programs may be added during the academic year. However, at the time of this publication, the college participates in the following aid programs:

GRANTS. Grants are funds awarded to be applied towards school expenses. Normally, they will go toward tuition and fees first. Grants are not required to be repaid, unless you do not complete the credits registered for. Types of grants offered are: Academic Competitiveness Grant, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Washington State Need Grant, Tuition Waiver, Student-to-Student Daycare Grant, South Puget Sound Community College Grant, State Opportunity Grant.

Types of grants offered are: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Washington State Need Grant, Tuition Waiver, Student-to-Student Daycare Grant, South Puget Sound Community College Grant, State Opportunity Grant.

LOANS. Loans must be repaid. Typically, repayment begins six months after you are no longer enrolled in at a minimum of 6 credits. For specific information regarding assessing your debt burden and repayment terms, more information is available on the loans page and in our office. Students interested in Stafford Loans, must complete Entrance Counseling and the Loan Request Form. Students must first have their eligibility for other types of aid determined and then may proceed with their loan process.

Direct Loan Program offers: Subsidized Stafford Loan - Unubsidized Stafford Loan.

WORK STUDY. Work study is an opportunity for you to earn a portion of your financial aid eligibility by working on or off campus. You will indicate on the Data Sheet if you are interested in the work study program. Instructions on how to begin the workstudy process will be included in your award packet. You can also find more information at the Career Center in Building 25 or call (360) 596-5567 or online at https://jobcenter.spscc.ctc.edu.

Types of work study offered are; Federal Work Study, Community Service Learning Work Study, State Work Study.

Student Responsibilities For Financial Aid Recipients

If you are awarded financial aid, you have certain responsibilities to maintain eligibility. You will be receiving detailed information with your award packet. These are some key items that you need to be aware of:

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS – Students are required to meet satisfactory academic progress standards. Students who complete all credits with a quarterly and cumulative 2.0 GPA are considered to be making satisfactory progress. Students are also subject to completion ratios. You will receive detailed information with your award packet.

COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL – Students who have commenced attendance and are considering a complete withdrawal, are advised to talk to Student Financial Services. Completely withdrawing after receiving financial aid funds may put you in a repayment status. Students who owe a repayment are not allowed to enroll and in some cases cannot receive financial aid at any other institution until the repayment is resolved. See our office for the Return of Title IV funds policy.

TIMEFRAME – Generally, students are funded for the number of credits needed to complete an approved program of study. Students who have attended other colleges will be required to have a transcript evaluation done by Enrollment Services, after which a timeframe will be calculated. Students completing prerequisite courses should consult with our office prior to requesting a transcript evaluation. Students are allowed up to 45 credits of remedial course work and two programs of study.

STUDY ABROAD – If the college is offering a program abroad that applies to your eligible program of study, financial aid may be available to you. Contact our office for more information.

OUTSIDE FUNDING – Financial aid students are required to notify our office of any outside assistance being received for education expenses. This includes: scholarships, DVR, L&I, Employment Security, and any other educational benefits. Failure to report this information could result in an over award and a student could be required to repay the financial aid received.

Balance Check Process:

All financial aid checks are being mailed directly to students. Please note that by endorsing/cashing/depositing this check, you are certifying that:

• You are currently enrolled in the appropriate number of credits based on your financial aid award.
• If awarded full-time…12 or more credits If awarded ½-time…6-8 credits
• If awarded ¾-time…9-11 credits If awarded less than half-time….1-5 credits
• You are attending, or will attend, all of your classes.
• Your tuition has been paid in full.
• If at the end of the quarter your grades/your instructors do not confirm that the credits for the classes you attended meet the minimum requirements for the aid you received, you will repay some or all of the financial aid funds you received, as determined by the Financial Aid Office. You may also be suspended for future quarters of aid.
• If you withdraw from a class you are REQUIRED to submit proof of attendance using the Attendance Verification Form prior to withdrawing.

Dropping or withdrawing from classes:

Students receiving financial aid who are withdrawing from a class are required to submit proof of attendance prior to being allowed to withdraw. Please take the Attendance Verification Form to your instructor to document the last date that you attended that specific class and submit it to our office when you are having us sign off on your withdrawal form. Additionally, if you will not be completing a class but are too late to withdraw, you are advised submit this completed form to our office. The longer the period of time that we can verify that you have attended a class, the smaller the potential repayment you will owe.

Additional Information

UPDATING FINANCIAL AID – All students are responsible for updating address, phone number, and other changes with our office. It is imperative that we have accurate information to contact you. Please note, you will need to update Enrollment Servicesand FAFSA separately.

PARKING – Students who have been awarded and have accepted their financial aid may contact the Student Financial Services for a temporary parking voucher. Vouchers will be given out two weeks prior to the start of the quarter for those who will be picking up financial aid balance checks. Students will be required to show photo identification and aid status will be verified before temporary vouchers are given.

SCHOLARSHIPS – Student Financial Services has information about both outside private scholarships and the college’s Foundation scholarships. Please contact Financial Services or visit the Scholarships Page for more information.

The Washington Scholarship Coalition, comprised of public and private organizations, announces the launch of theWashBoard.org, making it easier for Washington students to efficiently find and apply for relevant scholarships. Visit www.thewashboard.org for more information.

VETERANS EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS – South Puget Sound Community College is approved for the education and training of eligible veterans, the children and spouses of deceased and 100% disabled veteran and eligible members of the Selected Reserves.

Veterans Services is located in the Student FInancial Services office in Building 25. Appointments may be scheduled by calling either (360) 596-5242 or (360) 596-5232. Detailed information regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs education programs may be accessed at www.gibill.va.gov.

Students receiving VA educational benefits are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid.

Students who provide false information on any financial aid form will be subject to punitive actions.

School Code

Our school code for the FASFSA is 005372

ENROLLMENT LEVELS AND YOUR FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY

Your enrollment level is determined as of 8:00 am the first day of the quarter. See the specific dates below. This is the enrollment level that is used to calculate your financial aid eligibility. It will determine if you are a full time student (12 or more credits), a three quarter time student (9 – 11 credits), a half time student (6 – 8 credits) or a less than half time student (1-5 credits). Students’ aid is adjusted according to their enrollment level at that time. Students who adjust their enrollment after that time will not have their aid adjusted with the exception of students who fail to commence attendance in their classes. This means that enrollment changes after 8:00 am on the following dates for each quarter will not cause a recalculation in students aid:

Fall September 20th at 8:00 am
Winter January 3rd at 8:00 am
Spring April 4th at 8:00 am
Summer July 5th at 8:00 am

Who To Contact For More Information

Student Financial Services
South Puget Sound Community College
2011 Mottman Road SW
Olympia, WA 98512

Phone: (360) 596-5232

• Carla Idohl-Corwin, Dean of Student Financial Services
• Kerri Chaput, Director of Student Grants and Scholarships
• Stacey Savino, Director of Application Processing and Special Programs
• Amy Ybarra, Program Specialist 3, Student Loan
• Mary E. Davis, Program Coordinator/Veteran Educational Benefits
• Tim Goebel, Fiscal Specialist
• Yvonne “Cookie” Greer, Program Specialist 2/ Student Files
• Debbie Ellis, Financial Aid Assistant
• Brenda Music, Financial Aid Assistant
• Corinne Daffern, Director of Career Services
• Lynn Ouellet, Office Assistant/Career Center
• Cooperative Work Experience/Internship Program
• Sally Murrow, Program Coordinator, Cooperative Work Experience/Internship Program
• Anna Nikolaeva Olson, Career Services Specialist

Student Financial Services

Consists of the following: Financial Aid, Scholarships, and the Job Center. Student Financial Services supports the mission of Student Services. The mission of our staff is to enable students to meet their educational objectives through employment opportunities, and other financial assistance.

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