GC Catalog 2011 2012 - Gaston College

Student InformationFinancial AidU.S. Department of Education and GastonCollege) for application or reapplication for aid.• Contact the Financial Aid Office beforewithdrawing from school or changing courseschedule.• Notify the Financial Aid Office in writing aboutadditional income not reported on Financial AidApplication.• Express written appreciation to any scholarshipdonor.• Understand and maintain Financial Aid SatisfactoryAcademic Progress Standards in orderto continue to receive financial aid. Studentsare not considered to be making satisfactoryacademic progress if they do not maintain atleast a 2.0 GPA each semester.• Officially drop or withdraw from a class(es) thatthe student registered for but is not attendingeven if that student applied for and/or receivedfinancial aid. The student cannot assume thatautomatic drops or withdrawals will be performedfor them in the event that they do notpay for his or her registration fees.• Make sure that his or her legal name, as itappears on the student's social security card, ison file with the Records and Registration Officeand is the name used on a FAFSA application.• Make sure that a correct address is on file withthe Records and Registration Office in order toproperly receive correspondence and/or refundchecks (if applicable) that are mailed.FEDERALLY SUPPORTED PROGRAMSFederally supported programs are funded by the governmentthrough the U. S. Department of Education.These programs consist of the Federal Pell Grant,Academic Competitiveness Grant, Federal SupplementalEducational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), andthe Federal College Work Study. Every student whois applying for financial aid at Gaston College mustapply for the Federal Pell Grant by completing theFAFSA. The student should complete the form on theInternet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please include GastonCollege’s Title IV school code #002973 on the applicationwhich will enable the U.S. Department ofEducation to provide a Student Aid Report (SAR) toGaston College.Gaston College does not participate in the Staffordor Federal Direct Loan programs and Gaston Collegedoes not certify student loans. There are many sourcesof alternative or private loans to help provide fundingto students of the College. Gaston College doesnot endorse the use of any particular alternative loanprogram, but rather encourages its students to thoroughlyreview the programs available and to selectthe program that best meets their personal needs.Eligibility for Federally Supported ProgramsStudents must meet the following requirements beforethey can receive federal financial aid funds:1. Have financial need.2. Have a recognized/regionally accreditedhigh school diploma, a General EducationDevelopment (GED) certificate, or a passingmark on an independently administered testapproved by the U.S. Department of Educationor meet other standards that are approvedby the U.S. Department of Education.3. Be enrolled as a regular student workingtoward a degree, diploma, or approved certificatein an eligible program. (Studentsmay not receive aid for correspondence ortelecommunications courses unless they arepart of an associate, bachelor, or graduatedegree program.)4. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.5. Have a valid Social Security Number.6. Make satisfactory academic progress.7. Sign a statement of educational purpose/certification statement on refunds anddefault (found on the Student Aid Report).8. Sign a statement of updated information, ifrequired (found on the Student Aid Report).9. Register with the Selective Services, ifrequired.Federal Pell GrantThe Federal Pell Grant program is designed to providefinancial assistance to those in need. Theamount of the Federal Pell Grant is determined onthe basis of the student’s and his or her family’sfinancial resources and the expected family contribution.The Federal Pell Grant Award is a grant and doesnot have to be repaid as long as the student maintainseligibility requirements for federally supportedprograms and attends their classes through the 60%point of the term. The student must maintain FinancialAid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.Federal Supplemental Educational OpportunityGrant (FSEOG)This program of direct grants of financial aid is forundergraduate students of exceptional financialneed who, without the grants, would be unable tocontinue their education. FSEOG is a grant and doesnot have to be repaid as long as the student maintainseligibility requirements for federally supportedprograms and attends their classes through the 60%point of the term. The student must maintain FinancialAid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)This grant is available to Federal Pell Grant recipientsthat are enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours14