College Catalog 2009-2010 PDF - Phillips Community College

provide programming that educates the student body
on the issues of the day from a Democratic perspective.
This organization is currently available on the
Helena-West Helena and DeWitt campuses.
Phi Theta Kappa
The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and
encourage scholarships, as well as provide opportunities
for leadership, fellowship, and service. To be eligible
for membership, a student must have earned a 3.5
GPA on 12 hours or more of course work leading to
an associate degree. For information, contact Tarsha
Smith, Effie Parham, Tracie Karkur, Susan Coit or
Phyllis Orlicek (extensions are listed in the back of
this catalog).
Student Financial Aids
Phillips Community College was founded on the
belief in equal opportunity, the ideal of making the
benefit of a community college education available
to all, regardless of financial needs. The function of
the office of Financial Aid is to provide assistance in
the formulation of realistic student financial plans. A
number of scholarships, loans, and grants are available
to prospective or continuing students who have
shown academic proficiency and have demonstrated
a financial need. Part-time employment opportunities
are open to all students, but are dependent upon the
availability of jobs and the student’s skills.
Financial Need
Both Federal, State and other financial aid is awarded
to students who show financial need and who are
maintaining satisfactory progress as defined by the
institution.
How to Apply:
1. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student
Financial Aid (FAFSA) for first time and transfer
students. These are available at all college campuses
or on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
2. Return the FAFSA to any college campus where
it will be processed electronically.
3. you will receive notification in the mail of the
status of your financial aid within two to three
weeks.
4. If you are attending PCCUA classes for the
first-time and you are eligible to receive federal
financial aid, you will need to submit the following
information:
• a copy of your high school transcript, GED,
OR a copy of your most recent college academic
transcript(s);
• a completed financial aid Student Data Form
(available on all campuses).
How it Works:
• If you are eligible for financial aid, you will receive an
Award Letter from the PCCUA Helena campus’ financial
aid office;
• Take the Award Letter with you when you register for
classes;
• you can use the Award Letter to help pay for your
tuition and books;
• If the amount of the award letter is greater than the
cost of tuition and books, the balance is paid to you in
two payments.
• Remember: Students who withdraw from classes may
be required to repay federal dollars.
To be considered a full-time student, federal financial aid
requires enrollment of twelve (12) credit hours.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity
Grants
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
(FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional financial
need - that is, students with the lowest Expected Family
Contributions (EFCs) - and gives priority to students who
receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG doesn’t have to
be paid back.
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.
Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate
students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional
degree. Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to
which other aid may be added. Student eligibility is based
upon financial need which is determined from information
provided on the FAFSA application.
The Stafford Loan Program
Stafford Loans are the Department of Education’s major
form of self-help aid for students. Stafford Loans may be
made either through the Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct
Loan) Program or through the Federal Family Education
Loan (FFEL) Program. Loans made to students here at
PCCUA are through the Federal Family Education Loan
(FFEL) Program. Funds for these loans come from private
lenders and banks that participate in the FFEL Program.
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate
students with a financial need, allowing them to
earn money to help pay for their educational expenses. The
program encourages community service work which allows
some students to work either on or off campus. Students
who are only interested in the Federal Work-Study Program
are still required to complete the FAFSA application to
determine their eligibility for this particular program.
PLUS Loan
PLUS loans are designed for parents of dependent students
who need to borrow money to help with educational expenses.
As with the Stafford Loan, these loans are made by
a bank, savings and loan, etc. These funds must be repaid.
More information is available from the Financial Aid Office
at Phillips Community College.
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Financial Aid