catalog - Prairie State College

2006-2008 CATALOGSTUDENT SERVICESFINANCIAL AID & VETERANS AFFAIRSFinancial aid is available to Prairie State College students whoprove eligibility and are enrolled in approved programs.Types offunding available to assist students include the following:• Grants: Federal Pell, Illinois Student AssistanceCommission’s Monetary Award Program, FederalSupplemental Educational Opportunity (SEOG)• Loans: Federal Stafford, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford,Federal PLUS, Federal Family Educational Loan Program(FFELP)• Work Opportunities: Federal Work-Study jobs on campusSTUDENT ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AIDIn order to qualify for financial aid through any of the programslisted above, you must meet the following criteria:1. High School Equivalence: You must hold a high schooldiploma OR have earned a GED certificate equivalent.2. Citizenship: To be eligible for aid, you must be (a) a citizenor national of the United States, (b) a permanent resident(FORM I-151 or I-551), (c) an eligible non-citizenwith a Temporary Resident Card, or (d) an eligible noncitizenwith a Department Record (I-94) from the UnitedStates Immigration and Naturalization Service showingany one of the following designations:“Refugee,” “AsylumGranted,” or “Cuban-Haitian Entrant.”3. Satisfactory Progress: Under federal and state regulation,if you receive financial assistance you must fulfill therequirements of the Satisfactory Academic Progressguidelines. Failure to meet this requirement will result infinancial aid termination. Details of the College’sSatisfactory Academic Progress guidelines are availablefrom the Office of Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs inRoom 1359. Contact the office at (708) 709-3735.4. Defaults/Repayments: If you are in default or owe arepayment for any Title IV program, you are not eligiblefor any further aid.5.Transfer Students: If you have attended other collegesor postsecondary schools, you must submit a financial aidtranscript from each previously attended institution.HOW TO APPLYTo apply for federal and state need-based assistance, you mustcomplete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.The information youprovide on the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility forthe Federal Pell Grant and to calculate your family’s financialneed.The information reported on the FAFSA is confidentialand remains within the Office of Financial Aid & VeteransAffairs.You may be asked to submit documentation (such asincome tax returns) to the Office of Financial Aid & VeteransAffairs to verify the information reported on the FAFSA.Financial Aid Deadlines. Priority consideration is based upona completed financial aid file and enrollment by the followingpriority deadlines:• Fall semester—July 1• Spring semester—December 1• Summer semester— June 1Apply early. Financial aid is sometimes awarded on afirst-come, first-served basis. Be sure to complete the entireapplication and provide required signatures. Incomplete formswill cause delays. Always keep a copy of every form you completeand submit.For more information or an application, contact the Officeof Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs at (708) 709-3735 or visitRoom 1359.Federal Family Education Loan Program. In an effort todecrease the college default rate, all students interested in borrowingthrough the Federal Family Educational Loan Program(FFELP) must complete 6 credit hours before applying for aloan.You must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to continueborrowing under this plan.SCHOLARSHIPSHere are some of the countless scholarships available throughPSC, local, state and federal programs. Information is available inthe Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs.• Abby Foundation• David Berezin Memorial• Michele Bogdan (Nursing)• Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce/Ron Milnes• Robert Christopher GED• Vivien J. Costello Memorial• Datatel• First National Bank in Chicago Heights/Claire Luecke• Ford Motor Company EEOC Endowment• ICCSF—Illinois Health Improvement Association• Harry Kabbes• Hoekema• Homewood Rotary Foundation• Kiwanis Club of Chicago Heights• Kline Family• Dr.Timothy & Deborah Lightfield Returning Student• Mocha Moms• Francis Meyer/Bank Calumet• Harriet S. Murray• National Council of Jewish Women (book scholarship)• Father William O’Connor (Latino Heritage)• Olympia Fields Woman’s Club (Nursing)• Park Forest Nursing Club• Phi Theta Kappa (tuition waiver)• PSC Faculty Federation• Lynn Rudy Memorial Scholarship (performing arts)• St. James Hospital Auxiliaries• Scottish Rite (Health Care)• Suburban Service League• South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police(James Wade Memorial)• United States Trust• PSC Foundation ScholarshipsBooks for ScholarsNew BeginningsReturning StudentStudent Athletes• PSC Student Government Association• PSC TrusteesAchievementHonorAthlete (male & female)ValedictorianSalutatorianGED ValedictorianGED SalutatorianTechnical29STUDENTSERVICES