academic catalog - Mt. Sierra College

Mt. Sierra College Financial Aid
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Application Process
It is very important for prospective students to complete the financial aid process as soon as possible. All required documents
must be submitted on a timely basis. Federal financial aid applicants must meet the following criteria:
Ì Evidence of qualified financial need;
Ì U.S. Citizenship or eligible non-citizen status;
Ì Valid Social Security number;
Ì Registration with the Selective Service, if required;
Ì Not in default on any federal educational loan;
Ì No outstanding repayment due on a federal educational grant.
Non-citizens are required to provide documentation to the Financial Aid Office. If registration is required, students must be
registered with Selective Service to receive financial aid. Supporting documentation may be required.
All applicants to Mt. Sierra College receive an initial financial aid packet when their application for admission is submitted.
This packet includes pertinent forms related to the financial aid application process. In addition, all financial aid forms are
available on the Financial Aid page of the Mt. Sierra College Website, www.mtsierra.edu. Applicants who have submitted a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) within the last twelve months may call 1-800-4FED-AID (800-433-3243) to
request a duplicate Student Aid Report (SAR) for submission to the Student Finance Department for processing.
Supporting documentation may be required to complete the financial aid application, including:
Ì U.S. tax returns (if the applicant is required to file a tax return) or W-2 forms;
Ì Verification worksheet;
Ì Statements from any agencies from whom the applicant has received benefits.
Federal regulations prohibit offers of financial aid to any individual who under IRS regulations is delinquent in filing a federal
tax return. If a tax return has not yet been filed but is not delinquent, estimates may be used when applying. However, these
estimates must be verified before any aid may be disbursed.
Eligibility
Financial need is determined by applying a formula to the information provided in the student’s FAFSA. The formula determines
the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount of money that the applicant and family are expected to be
able to contribute toward the applicant’s educational expenses, and is used to determine the amount of federal student aid
the applicant may obtain. A Mt. Sierra College Financial Aid Advisor will calculate financial need, using the following formula:
(Cost of Attendance) – (EFC) – (Federal Pell Grant if eligible) – (All Other Aid/Resources) = Financial Need
Eligibility is determined one award year at a time. Students should renew their FAFSA applications annually as soon as
possible after January 1.
Financial Aid Probation
Regulations mandate that all students must meet certain academic standards to maintain eligibility for federal and state
financial aid, including loans and grants. There are three standards of progress that must be met: 1) qualitative progress
(grade point average), 2) quantitative progress (credit hours earned), and 3) maximum time in program. All periods of
attendance are reviewed, including periods in which the student did not received financial aid. The full terms of the
Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and the academic impact of the failure to maintain these standards are explained on
page 46. The following addresses the impact upon financial aid eligibility.
1. Qualitative: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 throughout the program.
Cumulative grade point average is reviewed quarterly. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below
2.0 will be placed on academic (GPA) probation as defined under Academic Probation Policy.
Financial aid eligibility levels while on GPA Probation:
GPA 1: First Time Probation Eligible
GPA 2: Continued Probation Eligible
GPA 3: Second Continued Probation Not Eligible
Students will regain eligibility when removed from GPA 3 probation by raising their cumulative grade point average
to at least 2.0.
2. Quantitative: Students must earn sufficient credit hours to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students will
be reviewed at the end of their first academic year (equal to three quarters) and quarterly thereafter. To demonstrate
satisfactory progress, students must maintain a completion rate of at least 70%. The completion rate is calculated
by dividing total credit hours earned by total credit hours attempted.
A student whose completion rate falls below 70% will be placed on SAP Probation as defined in under Academic
Probation Policy.
Financial aid eligibility levels while on SAP Probation:
SAP 1: Progress Probation Eligible
SAP 2: Continued Progress Probation Not Eligible
Students will regain eligibility when removed from SAP 2 probation by raising their completion rate to at least 70%.
3. Maximum Time in Program: Credit hours attempted may not exceed 150% of the credit hours required to
complete the program. Students are not eligible for federal and state financial aid for credit hours in excess of this
amount. For example, 198 credit hours are required to earn a degree in Game Arts & Design. Game Arts students
may receive aid for 1.5 times 198 credit hours, equal to 297 credit hours. See Satisfactory Academic Progress for a
listing of credits allowed for all programs.
Appeal Process and Progress Exceptions
Students who have failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress due to significant cause may appeal for a progress
exception. Appeals to have Financial Aid reinstated must be submitted in writing to the Director of Student Finance. The
appeal must be based upon mitigating circumstances such as serious illness, a death in the family, significant work schedule
issues, etc. Students are required to provide verifiable documentation such as a doctor’s note to be considered for a progress
exception.
Mt. Sierra College Financial Aid
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