Financial Aid 2010-2011 - Northwest Mississippi Community College

financial
2010-2011aid
NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

your guide tofinancial
aid
Although tuition at Northwest ranks among the lowest in Mississippi, scholarships,
loans, grants and work-study are available to qualified students through the college’s
financial aid program.
This booklet is designed to make your application for financial aid an easy step. We will
answer any questions you have whether you are beginning the financial aid process
or are a returning student. The major responsibility of the Northwest Financial Aid
Department is to inform students of financial opportunities in order to meet postsecondary
costs through a program of grants, loans, work-study and scholarships.
The secret to an easy financial aid application process is meeting deadlines and taking
care of paperwork in a timely fashion. So, let’s get started!
Northwest Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate of Arts
degree, the Associate of Applied Science degree, and certificates in career education. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA, 30033-4097,
or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Northwest Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a veteran or disabled veteran
in employment, programs, or provision of services. Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act is coordinated by
Mr. Michael Dottorey, Disability Support Services Coordinator, McLendon Student Center, P.O. Box 5555, Highway 51 North, Senatobia, Mississippi 38668, telephone number
662-562-3309, e-mail address mldottorey@northwestms.edu. Compliance with Title II of the Age Discrimination Act and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is
coordinated by Mr. Gary Mosley, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7017, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, Mississippi, 38668,
telephone number 662-562-3216, e-mail address gtmosley@northwestms.edu.
The safety and security of students, faculty, and staff are very important to Northwest Mississippi Community College. A copy of “Preventing Campus Crime,” published annually
by the Campus Police Department, details Northwest policies and procedures regarding campus safety. A copy of the brochure, which contains the annual crime statistics report,
is available upon request from the Campus Police Office (662-562-3214) in printed form and online at www.northwestms.edu/policeandpublicsafety/policehome.html. “Preventing
Campus Crime” is published in compliance with all applicable federal laws regarding campus safety and security.
See for yourself.
Northwest Mississippi Community College . 4975 HWY 51 N Senatobia . 662-562-3200

scholarships
A number of students who attend Northwest Mississippi Community College every year receive
aid whether it be through scholarships, grants, loans, etc. Below are listed a number of the scholarships
available to students.
Each scholarship applicant must have the following on file at NWCC:
• Application for Admission • Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov)
• ACT score report • Complete High School transcript after graduation
traditional students
Presidential Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to students who make a 20 or above on the ACT.
Recipients must be full-time fall-entering freshmen and must maintain the required
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Awards will be made as long as funds
are available.
Leadership Scholarships
These scholarships are limited in number and are awarded to in-district students who
exhibit leadership abilities, have special skills or talents, have an ACT score of 15-19 and
a B average, and/or have strong academic qualities. Recipients must be full-time fallentering
freshmen and must maintain the required cumulative GPA of 2.5.
June S. Gardner Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to in-state high school valedictorians and salutatorians.
Recipients must be full-time fall-entering freshmen and must maintain the required
cumulative GPA of 2.5. Awards will be made as long a funds are available.
Department Scholarships
Other scholarships are available through
chosen majors and other departments such
as Cheerleader, Athletic, Band, Art, Speech/
Theatre, Music Performance, Student Publications,
and Scholarships for Children of
Employees. Refer to the latest Northwest
Bulletin for a detailed list of these scholarships
and their requirements.
non-traditional students
Adult Student Scholarships
These scholarships are limited in number and are awarded to Mississippi residents. Applicants
must be 25 years of age and a full-time student. Scholarship applications are reviewed
by a committee and awarded based on financial need, credit hours previously earned and
academic achievement. These scholarships are awarded for the fall semester only.
Howard Carpenter GED Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to the residents of the Northwest district who have scored
500 or above on the GED test. Awards are for full-time entering freshmen. Recipients must
maintain the required GPA of 2.0 during their enrollment. Application information must be
completed prior to the start of a semester.
Foundation Scholarships
Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and
civic organizations, scholarships are available through the
Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation.
You must submit a Foundation Scholarship Application
Form, available from either the Recruiting or Foundation
Office. Criteria vary by each scholarship. Look in the current
Northwest Bulletin for more information, or contact
the Foundation Office.
application deadline april 1

how
do i
apply
for
federal
student
aid?
step one
• Apply for a PIN (number) at www.pin.ed.gov
(A PIN number is necessary for all students. A dependent student also needs a PIN number for
a parent to sign the FAFSA)
* Be sure to keep this number in a safe place! You will use the same number each and every time you
apply for financial aid to attend college. This is a personal and private number for your personal use
only and the Financial Aid Office will not have this number in their files.
step two
•
•
•
GET ORGANIZED! It is recommended to have a folder to collect all of your college information
in one place.
Part of getting organized is gathering all of the necessary forms to complete the FAFSA online.
You will need copies of your IRS 1040 forms and any W2’s from the previous year. If you are a
dependent student, you will also need your parents IRS 1040 and W2 forms.
step three
Be sure you have all of your tax information, necessary forms, etc. ready before you begin the
FAFSA form online. You will have approximately 20 minutes to complete the actual FAFSA online
once you go to the FAFSA Web site.
step four
Once you receive your PIN, complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov using the above information.
Your FAFSA results will come from the FAFSA processor.
*If your file is flagged for verification by the government, you will receive a letter from the college Financial Aid office
requesting copies of documentation. Please provide the requested documents ASAP to avoid any delays on receiving
your award. Award letters are sent out weekly beginning in the spring each year.
don’t forget!
• List NWCC school code: 002427
• Answer all questions; don’t leave anything blank!
• Sign electronically with your PIN. If you are a dependent student,
a parent must also sign the FAFSA with their PIN.
what do
I need to
complete
the FAFSA?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Every student must complete the
FAFSA form online to be eligible
for any type of federal aid such as
loans, grants, work study, etc.
Copy of your parents’ federal tax returns
Your driver’s license and Social Security number
Your W-2 forms and other records of money earned
Records of untaxed income such as clergy allowances, child
support, etc.
Business and farm records
Stock, bond and other investment records

Apply for admission to Northwest
Apply for the 2010-2011 Free Application
for Federal Student AID (FAFSA)
NWCC timeline
checklist
Before you can be awarded Financial Aid, you must apply for admission.
Apply online using the steps on the previous page. Be sure to electronically sign with your PIN or the
form will not be sent to the schools you want. Northwest’s school code is 002427.
Waiting Period
Your Student Aid Report, or SAR, will be sent to the school and to you within 2-3 weeks. If you
haven’t received your SAR in six weeks, contact the the Central Processing System at 1-800-433-3243
to check the status of your application.
Respond immediately to the Northwest
Financial Aid Office
If the Financial Aid Office needs more information, respond immediately to avoid delays in receiving
your financial aid.
Determine if your file is complete
You will receive an award letter telling you the amount offered. You must sign and return the color
copy to the Financial Aid Office accepting or declining the award.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward your degree objective. Your class attendance
and performance will be monitored.
priority deadline april 1

what is
workstudy?
The
You must complete the FAFSA and indicate that
you are interested in work-study to be considered.
Unfortunately, you cannot work as many
hours as you want. The amount of money you
earn cannot exceed your total work-study award,
which ranges from 30-40 hours per month. If a
student has remaining eligibility, work-study will
be awarded.
work-study program provides on-campus jobs
for students with financial need, allowing them to earn
money to help pay for educational expenses. Positions
are available in many locations on campus.
Wages are $7.25 an hour. You will be paid by the
school directly once a month. It is your responsibility
to pick up your check from the Business Office
or endorse it to the school to credit to your account.
For more information, such as how to apply
and what jobs are available, visit our Web site at
http://northwestms.edu/financialaid/workstudy.html.
helpful Web sites
Personal Identification Number (PIN): www.pin.ed.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.ed.gov
Pre-Application Worksheet for the FAFSA: www.studentaid.gov
State Grants (MTAG, MESG): www.mississippi.edu
NWCC: www.northwestms.edu
Click on Financial Aid from the drop down list
Click on links on the left hand side of the screen for options

what ofloans types are
available ?
Federal Stafford loans are a major form of self-help aid. These funds are to be used for
education purposes, which include tuition, books, supplies, room, board, and transportation.
Unlike scholarships and grants, these funds do have to be paid back. There are
several repayment schedules, but most begin six months after graduation or withdrawal
from school or when the student becomes half-time, falling below six credit hours. Interest
rates also vary.
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
Loans through commercial lending institutions are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial
need. Borrowing limits vary according to classification and dependency status. The federal government
pays the interest for the student until repayment begins. The interest rate is fixed at 5.6 percent.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Loans through commercial lending institutions are available to students without regard to financial need.
Borrowing limits vary according to classification and dependency status. Annual eligibility is limited to the
cost of attendance minus other financial aid the student receives. Even though repayment does not begin
immediately, the student is responsible for interest charges that begin to accrue immediately. The interest
rate is fixed at 6.8 percent.
Federal Parent Loan (PLUS)
Parent loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay the education expenses of their
dependent undergraduate children. Annual eligibility is limited to the cost of attendance minus other financial
aid the student receives. Financial need is not a requirement for this program. Repayment and accrual of
interest begins immediately. Students must file the FAFSA to establish eligibility for the loan. The interest rate
is fixed at 8.5 percent.

what are
grants?
Grants are federal aid that, unlike loans, do not have to be paid back as long as
you are enrolled in more than 60 percent of the semester. They are given based
on financial need determined by questions you answer on the FAFSA. Below
are listed some of the types of grants you can receive while attending North-
Pell Grant
This grant is available to any student working on his or her first undergraduate degree.
Amount awarded is determined by information provided on the FAFSA and is based on the
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of hours the student is enrolled. The
maximum award for the 2009-2010 school year was $5,350.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is awarded to the student with exceptional financial need or the lowest EFC. Priority
is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. There is no application for this grant.
Grant size varies, but it typically ranges from $100-$400.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This grant is federal money to undergraduate students using information from the FAFSA.
• A first year recipient must be Pell Grant eligible, have graduated after 1/1/2006, and have
completed a rigorous curriculum in high school. This award is up to $750 per year.
• A second year recipient must be Pell Grant eligible, have graduated after 1/1/2005, have
a cumulative GPA of 3.0, have completed at least 24 semester hours, and have completed a
rigorous high school curriculum. This award is up to $1300 per year.
Students’ high school curriculum will be verified in the college admissions office.
For more detailed information about these grants,
visit northwestms.edu/financialaid/grants

what
benefits are formississippi
available
There are a few grants specifically for residents of Mississippi. These are grants
awarded by the state and do not have to be paid back. It’s a good idea to apply
well in advance of the listed deadline.
Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG): Sept. 15 deadline
-Freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior
-Resident of Mississippi
-Enrolled full time
-Attend an eligible Mississippi college or university
-Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and ACT of 15 or SAT of 720
This grant covers up to $500 per year for freshmen and sophomores, $1,000 per year for juniors and seniors.
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG): Sept. 15 deadline
-Resident of Mississippi
-Achieved a GPA of 3.5 after a minimum of seven semesters in high school
-Scored 29 on the ACT or 1280 on the SAT, or is a National Merit/National Achievement Scholar
-Enrolled full time at an eligible Misissippi college or university
This grant covers up to $2,500 per year.
Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP): March 31 deadline
-Freshman or sophomore who graduated from high school within the immediate past two years
-Resident of Mississippi
-Demonstrates need as determined by the results of the FAFSA
-Documents an average family adjusted gross income of $36,500 or less over the prior two years
-Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a 20 ACT score
-Meets a specific high school core curriculum
HELP covers tuition and requirements for no more than 10 semesters. The requirements listed should not be
considered as the only requirements for participation in these programs. All dates are subject to change.
For more information, contact the
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
601-432-6997 or 800-327-2980.
residents ?
MTAG
MESG
HELP
september 15
september 15
march 31

September
January
March
April
May
July
timeline
Apply for admission for the upcoming school year. If you have
taken the ACT, send your scores along with your application for
admission to the Registrar’s Office. If you have not, prepare for
and take the ACT this fall. Look into what NWCC scholarships
you are eligible for, as well as search online for scholarships from
outside sources.
January 1 is the first day to apply for the FAFSA online. Do not
sign or submit the form before this date! Apply for your PIN, print
out and complete the Pre-Application worksheet from the Web
site (www.studentaid.gov), and gather all of the forms necessary
to complete the FAFSA form. If you are a Mississippi resident,
January 1 is also the first date to apply for MTAG and MESG. Also,
take this time to get a head start on applying for scholarships and
grants, whose deadlines are coming in early spring.
The time of deadlines has arrived! If you are a Mississippi resident,
apply for the HELP grant by March 31. Deadlines for scholarships
and early deadlines for FAFSA submission are coming up in April,
so complete application forms and start submitting!
Deadlines!
April 1 - Scholarship application submission deadline
April 1 - FAFSA priority deadline
Make sure that the Registrar’s Office has all necessary documents
such as your application for admission, official transcripts with
final grades from your high school and all colleges/universities
attended. Check the progress of your financial aid on the FAFSA
Web site.
Attend a Summer Orientation session to complete any necessary
forms, attend information sessions, finalize financial aid, meet
with your adviser, register for classes, and take care of any other
necessities for the upcoming school year.
September
September 15 of your fall semester of college is the deadline to
apply for MTAG and MESG.

so how
much cost?
will it
With all this talk of aid to help pay for college, you are probably wondering
how much it will actually cost. Fortunately, we’ve created a table of the
average cost of attending Northwest Mississippi Community College for
a semester. Costs and fees vary from student to student, so be sure to
check with the current Northwest Bulletin for the most up-to-date information.
When planning for college, be sure to include costs such as travel,
food outside the meal plan and other personal expenses.
Housing $600 $600
Meal Plan/Board $800 $800
Books
Total
Expenses In-State Out-of-State
General Fees/Tuition
(Full-time per semester)
$850 $1,850
$450
$2,700
$450
$3,700
*This is only an estimate of an average semester. Costs are subject to change. In addition to
these costs, many classes require specific fees. Be sure to check the Bulletin for exact prices.

contacts
Financial Aid Office
Suite 103 Yalobusha Hall
fin_aid@northwestms.edu
662.562.3271
Foundation Office (Foundation Scholarships)
srcanon@northwestms.edu
662.560.1103
Recruiting Office (Academic Scholarships)
recruiting@northwestms.edu
662.562.3222
Registrar’s Office (Admissions)
P.O. Box 7047
2975 Hwy 51 S
Senatobia, MS 38668
662.562.3219
662.562.3220
Main NWCC Telephone Number
662.562.3200
school code
002427