Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office would like to take this opportunity to wish you success in your endeavors while enrolled at CACC. It is our policy and mission to offer you financial counseling and assistance to help you pursue your educational goals.

Central Alabama Community College is approved to participate in the following programs:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
• Direct Stafford Loans
• Federal College Work Study (FCWS)
• Federal Community Service Work Study
• Alabama Student Assistance Program Grant (ASAP)
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• The Alabama Workforce Investment Act
• Trade Adjustment Act
• Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)

In addition to the above listed programs, Central Alabama Community College also participates in institutional scholarships, privately sponsored scholarships, and benefits for veterans and dependants of veterans. (Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.)

Our offices would appreciate the opportunity to assist you in applying for financial aid. Even though we cannot assure you that you will qualify for assistance, we would like to encourage you to take the first step by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov.

If we can be of assistance to you while enrolled at CACC, please don't hesitate to contact our offices.

Sincerely,

Cindy Entrekin
Director of Financial Aid

Financial Aid Links

Financial Aid Programs

The Financial Aid Office administers the student financial aid programs which provide financial assistance for students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend Central Alabama Community College. Financial Aid is designed to assist in the financing of the student's educational expenses. Eligibility for assistance is based primarily on financial need. Need may be defined as the difference between the total cost of education (expenses such as tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, etc.) and the amount which the student and the student's family can afford to pay as determined by the Federal Methodology Calculations. Financial Aid Office staff provide Financial Aid workshops at area schools in January and February of each year to assist students and parents in understanding their financial aid options.

Central Alabama Community College is approved to participate in the following programs: Federal Pell Grants; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG); Direct Stafford Loans; Direct PLUS Loans; Federal College Work Study (FCWS); Federal Community Service College Work Study; Alabama Student Assistance Program Grant (ASAP); Vocational Rehabilitation; Workforce Investment Act; Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG), and Trade Adjustment Act.

In addition to the above listed programs, CACC also participates in institutional scholarships, privately sponsored scholarships, and benefits for veterans and dependents of veterans.

A brief overview of the basic programs administered by the Financial Aid Offices are as follows:

Federal Pell Grants:

Pell Grants are awarded to students who need money to pay for their education after high school. A Pell Grant is not a loan, so it does not have to be paid back. The award of a Pell Grant is calculated using a Federal Methodology Calculation. The award is dependent upon the student's and/or family of the student's financial circumstances. To get a Pell Grant, a student must be an undergraduate who does not already have a bachelor's degree. Application is made directly to the Federal Government through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All Pell Grant recipients must reapply each year after completion of Federal Income Tax Returns. For more information about Pell Grants, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG):

FSEOG is a grant awarded to students with exceptional financial need; it does not have to be repaid. To receive a FSEOG, a student must be an undergraduate who does not already have a bachelor's degree. Also, the student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester. Financial need is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students need only to complete the FAFSA to be considered. Since funds are limited, all eligible students will not receive this grant.

Direct Stafford Loans:

Subsidized loans are awarded on the basis of financial need. Interest is deferred prior to repayment beginning and during authorized periods of deferment. Unsubsidized loans are not awarded on the basis of need. Interest is charged from the date the loan is disbursed until the loan is paid. Interested students must submitted the FAFSA before receiving consideration. An interview is conducted with a financial aid counselor and the entrance counseling is completed online at www.studentloans.gov. Funds are sent directly to the college and posted to the student's account. Balances due to the student will be disbursed by check. Students will receive written notification by the Financial Aid Office when funds will be available.

Federal College Work Study (FCWS):

A FCWS job allows students to earn part of their school expenses. Financial need is determined by means of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and application is made directly to the Financial Aid Office on a College Work Study Application.

Federal Community Service College Work Study Program:

This program is designed to give students an opportunity to earn money and work with a non-profit organization while allowing them the opportunity to have firsthand experience with the needs of the community. Students usually work 10 to 20 hours per week. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the student's Financial Aid application. Application is made directly to the Financial Aid Office on a College Work Study Application.

Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP):

This is a state/federal aid program to provide financial assistance to Alabama residents for postsecondary education at participating colleges within the State of Alabama. Students apply through completion of the FAFSA. To be eligible students must have demonstrated financial need. The student must be enrolled in at least six credit hours each semester to receive consideration for this grant. Since funds are limited, all eligible students will not receive this grant.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG):

The Higher Education Reconcilation Act of 2005 (HERA) created this grant program for full-time students who are at degree-granting institutions, are U.S. citizens, and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. The ACG is available for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. This grant is in addition to the Student's Federal Pell Grant. A student applies for the ACG by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov.

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Scholarships

Central Alabama Community College offers competitive scholarships to qualified students. Scholarship applications are available in the Financial Aid Office or from high school counselors. Applications must be on CACC Scholarship Application forms and be accompanied by all required documents as listed on the application. Properly completed applications should be submitted to the appropriate address listed on the scholarship application by the announced deadline. The deadline for applying for scholarships at CACC is March 1 of each year and awards are made by May 1.

Scholarship assistance is available as follows:

Academic Scholarships:

Academic Scholarships recognize outstanding high school seniors who have excelled in academics. Students should have a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average in addition to involvement in extracurricular activities. ACT and/or SAT scores will be considered if available. This scholarship covers tuition, technology fees, and facility fees for one year and is renewable for the second year if the requirements have been met. This scholarship will not cover the extra tuition charged to out-of-state students.

Ambassador Scholarships:

Ambassador Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who have excelled in leadership. Students should have a minimum of a 2.50 grade point average. Much emphasis will be placed on leadership in extracurricular activities. ACT and/or SAT scores will be considered if available. Applying students will be expected to participate in a brief interview process with a committee of approximately five to seven committee members. This scholarship covers tuition, technology fees and facility fees for one year and is renewable for the second year if the requirements have been met. This scholarship will not cover the extra tuition charged to out-of-state students.

Athletic Scholarships:

Athletic scholarships are awarded on the basis of performance in athletic tryouts and the student's record of athletic achievement. Scholarships are awarded in men's baseball, golf, women's softball, and women's tennis. Interested students should contact the appropriate coach of each sport for scholarship consideration.

Performing Arts Scholarships:

Jazz band and choral scholarships are available to students who portray talent in these areas. Students must have a minimum of a 2.50 grade point average. Scholarships are based on audition performance with consideration given to high school achievement. Applicants will be contacted with audition dates, time and audition place. This scholarship covers tuition, technology fees and facility fees for one year and is renewable for the second year if the requirements have been met. This scholarship will not cover the extra tuition charged to out-of-state students.

Senior Adult Waiver:

Adults 60 years of age or older may take advantage of free tuition for college credit courses. A Senior Adult Waiver form must be completed by all students applying for this waiver. Admission requirements must be met prior to receiving the wavier. Adults must purchase their textbooks and pay a facility and technology fee. Through this program, eligible adults may enroll in one or more credit courses as long as space is available in the class. Courses may not be repeated. Persons living on a fixed income may be eligible for financial aid, which would help defray the cost of transportation and books.

Technical Scholarships:

Technical scholarships are awarded to high school seniors enrolling in occupational degrees, associate in applied science degrees or specific certificate programs. Students must have a minimum of a 2.50 grade point average in addition to involvement in extracurricular activities. To receive consideration ACT and /or SAT scores will be considered if available. This scholarship covers tuition, technology fees and facility fees for one year. If all requirements have been met, this scholarship will be renewable for either the second year or until the technical program has been completed, which ever is the least. This scholarship will not cover the extra tuition charged to out-of-state students, nor will it cover the expense of insurance, i.e., accident insurance, or malpractice insurance.

Download Scholarship Application

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Other Forms of Financial Assistance

Vocational Rehabilitation:

The State of Alabama provides certain benefits for students through the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Information is available from the Department of Rehabilitation Services in your area.

Workforce Investment Act:

The purpose of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is to establish programs to prepare youth and unskilled adults for entry into the labor force. WIA offers job training to those economically disadvantaged individuals and other individuals facing serious barriers to employment who are in special need of such training to obtain productive employment. Information is available from the local Career Link Office in your area. Eligibility for this program is determined through the Career Link Office.

Trade Adjustment Act:

The Trade Act of 1974, as amended, created a program to assist individuals who became unemployed as a result of increased imports, return to suitable employment. Information is available from the Employment Securities Office in your area. Eligibility for this program is determined through the Employment Securities Office.

Veterans Benefits:

The Federal Government and the State of Alabama have programs that provide financial assistance to veterans and their dependents. Veterans or their dependents seeking assistance under the various Federal and State programs should, if possible, make initial application for such programs several weeks prior to enrollment. CACC has application forms for most veteran programs and will offer assistance to the student in completing these forms and forwarding them to the proper V.A. Office. Since most Federal V.A. programs make monthly payments directly to the veteran, veterans must be prepared to pay tuition and fees and meet all the payment deadlines before receiving the initial monthly allowance.

The Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP) is designed to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members. Limited funding is provided by the Alabama Legislature and priority is given to those who apply early. Applications for ANGEAP are available from the member's Alabama National Guard Unit. For more information concerning ANGEAP, members should contact their National Guard benefits administrator at their unit.

The Alabama GI and Department of Education Benefits Act provides tuition and books to certain categories of children, wives, and widows of veterans who are deceased or disabled.

For additional information about the full range of veterans programs available through the Veterans Administration, contact Veterans Administration, contact Veterans Administration Regional Office, 474 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (1-800-827-1000).

For additional information about benefits available under the Alabama GI and Departments Educational Benefits Act, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O Box 1509, Montgomery, AL 36102 or the local county Veterans Affairs Officer listed in the yellow pages under Alabama State Government.

All Veterans should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to registration in order to complete proper certification with the Veterans Administration.

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Student Eligibility

Policies, which govern student eligibility, are established by both the U. S. Department of Education and post secondary institutions. The federal policies are the same regardless of the institution one attends, but institutional policies vary and are not always the same. However to be eligible for most financial aid programs you must:

• demonstrate financial need.
• have a high school diploma or a GED certificate, or pass an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
• be enrolled as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
• be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the institutional policy.
• not be in default on a Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFELP).
• not owe a repayment on any federal financial aid program.

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Applying for Federal Financial Aid made Easy at Central Alabama Community College:

Priority Deadline: May 1

Students applying for financial aid (grants, loans and work study) must complete the following steps:

1. Students must apply for admissions to Central Alabama Community College. All admissions requirements will need to be completed before the financial aid award can be made.
2. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov to be considered for any federally sponsored financial aid. Central Alabama Community College will notify students with information regarding the final steps necessary for processing aid when the Student Aid Report (SAR) is received from the Department of Education.
3. If selected for verification, students will be required to complete additional forms. Approximately one-third of all financial aid applications are selected by the Department of Education for verification. Students who are selected for verification will be notified of the documentation requirements by the Financial Aid Office.
4. Once all required paperwork has been received and verified, the Financial Aid Office will deliver to the student, by mail or in person, an official award packet. This award packet will consist of a Financial Aid Award Letter and a Financial Aid Information Packet that will explain how these funds will be disbursed to the student.
5. Students wishing to apply for a federal student loan must contact the Financial Aid Office to request required paperwork and counseling information.

Please allow six weeks for processing of Financial Aid Awards.

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Applying for Scholarships

To apply for scholarships, you must complete a Scholarship Application no later than March 1. The application with all required documents must be forwarded to the Financial Aid Office for scholarship consideration. Scholarship applications received that have not been postmarked by March 1 will not receive consideration.

Downloadable Scholarship Application

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Disbursement of Financial Aid Grants

When the student receives a financial aid award letter, it is his/her indication that the financial aid award has been established in the College's computer system. The Student then may register for the semester and charge tuition, fees, books and supplies up to the total amount of the financial aid awarded. Balances remaining after the student's charges have been deducted will be disbursed in the form of a check to the student. The student will receive notification in his/her Financial Aid Information Packet of the scheduled disbursement date. All financial aid refund checks will be mailed to the address on file for the student in the Admissions Office. A student completely withdrawing from school prior to disbursement of funds will have his/her aid adjusted to cover direct costs only. If a student receiving federal financial aid stops attending school prior to 60% of the length of the term, financial aid monies will be due back to the Department of Education based on the formula calculated by the Financial Aid Office in accordance with the Title IV Refund calculation.

CHECK DISBURSEMENT DATES FOR FINANCIAL AID MONIES:

ALABAMA STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANT: Students will be notified by mail when these checks are available.

PELL GRANT AND SUPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG): Disbursement dates will be posted on the student's Financial Aid Award Letter and included in the student's Financial Aid Information Packet.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS: Disbursement dates will be posted on the student's Financial Aid Award Letter and included in the student's Financial Aid Information Packet.

COLLEGE/COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK STUDY: Students may pick up their work-study check on the last working day of the month in room A104 on the Alexander City Campus or in Student Services on the Childersburg Campus.

The College reserves the right to modify the disbursement dates, if necessary.

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Policies Governing Financial Aid Awards

REPLY: Due to the demand for financial aid, replies not received within 7 days of the receipt date of the Award Letter are subject to cancellation.

REVIEW: The Financial Aid Offices reserves the right to review and revise or cancel the award at any time due to changes in financial or academic status, discovery of incorrect or falsified information, or errors in determination of eligibility and need for assistance.

COURSE LOAD FOR PELL GRANTS: Students receiving Pell Grants must enroll for at least 12 semester hours to receive their full Pell award. However, please note that students are not required to have full-time enrollment. Students enrolled for less than 12 hours are eligible for a prorated portion of their full entitlement as determined by the Pell Grant Payment Schedule.

COURSE LOAD FOR STUDENT LOANS AND WORK STUDY: Students applying for student loans or employed under the work study program must be enrolled for at least 6 semester hours each semester to receive funding.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS: Students who meet all other eligibility requirements must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to receive financial aid. These Standards of Progress are printed in the College's Catalog and are also included in the students Financial Aid Information Packet.

RENEWAL: Financial aid awards are not automatically renewed from year to year. A student must reapply by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.gov for each academic year.

TUITION DEFERMENT AND BOOKSTORE CHARGES: Upon a student's request, tuition and books can be charged to the Pell Grant account or student loan account, and the balance of the award will be paid to the student by refund check. Students should present their class schedule to the bookstore personnel when requesting that books be charged. (IMPORTANT: BOOKS CANNOT BE CHARGED TO PELL GRANTS OR STUDENT LOANS UNTIL THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF CLASS. BOOKSTORE CHARGES WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES.)

REFUNDS: Any student whose tuition has been paid by Federal Financial aid will not be entitled to a refund of tuition and fees. The student's refund will be deposited back into the federal financial aid accounts.

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Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Financial Aid Recipients

CACC students receiving financial aid from a Pell grant, Federal Student Loan, Federal College Work Study Programs, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or any other Title IV Program must comply with the following standards of satisfactory progress:

1. Program of study:

Students receiving financial aid must be enrolled in a program of study leading to an approved degree or an approved certificate at this institution.

2. Time Frame:

Students receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid may receive financial aid for a period of time not to exceed 1.5 times the normal length of a specific program. (The "normal length" of a specific program will vary depending upon whether the student is halftime, three-quarters time, or full-time. Example: a one-year program should be completed in one and one-half years; a two-year program should be completed in three years.) The total maximum time includes all semester and terms of enrollment at CACC whether receiving financial aid or not. This includes semesters in which the student withdraws from all courses.

3. Minimum Hours Required to Pass:

Students receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid must earn two-thirds of the minimum number of hours required for each academic year to complete a program in the normal length of time allowed. For programs of one academic year or less, student's progress will be measured prior to the end of the program. The normal length of time allowed for specific program completion is determined by CACC.

4. Grade Point Average

Students receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid must comply with the grade point averages and Standards of Progress applicable to all students enrolled at CACC.

5. Suspension:

A student is not eligible to receive financial aid when a student has been suspended until the student serves the suspension, attends CACC at his/her own expense for at least 12 semester hours, and makes the cumulative GPA required for the number of credit hours attempted at CACC or makes a semester GPA of at least 2.0 or above.

A suspended student who is readmitted upon appeal is required to attend for at least 12 semester hours and make the cumulative GPA required for the number of credit hours attempted or make a semester GPA of at least 2.0 or above before financial aid consideration will be given.

A transfer student who has been suspended from another institution is not eligible for student financial aid in his/her first semester of enrollment. Eligibility of any subsequent semester must be based on at least 12 cumulative semester hours completed at CACC.

6. Change of Program:

One change in the student's program of study will be allowed; however, aid will be granted only for additionally required hours as determined by comparison of the two programs of study. After the first change of program, the student must follow guidelines, which are available upon request in the Financial Aid Office.

7. Transitional/Developmental/Remedial Courses:

A student receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid may not enroll in the same transitional/developmental (remedial) course more then three times and continue to receive financial assistance. A Title IV Federal Financial Aid recipient may not be paid for more than 30 semester credit hours of transitional/developmental (remedial) work. Financial aid paid for these courses is based on the institutional (nontransferable) credits assigned to the course. Non-credit transitional/developmental (remedial) course grades are not included in the student's grade point average.

8. Repeated Courses:

Students will be paid financial aid only one time for courses in which a grade of "A", "B", "C," or "D" is assigned. A course assigned a grade of "F" may be repeated with financial aid eligibility one additional time.

9. Incompletes:

For financial aid purposes, a grade of "I" (Incomplete) is calculated the same as a grade of "F" (Failure) in determining grade point averages and in determining the minimum number of hours earned for completion of the program. A student will not be paid financial aid again for a course in which an Incomplete ("I") grade was assigned. When the course is completed, a student may request that the Financial Aid Office review and update his/her financial aid status.

10. Audit Courses:

A student WILL NOT be paid financial aid for an audit course.

11. Transfer Credit:

Grades accrued at other regionally accredited post secondary institutions are not included in grade point average calculation, but courses passed ARE counted in completion of the program requirements. (See the Transfer Student section under Academic Policies and Regulations for additional information applicable to all students enrolled at CACC.)

12. Extenuation Circumstances and Withdrawals:

Students who withdrawal or are administratively withdrawn from all classes will lose eligibility for additional financial assistance and may be required to repay all or part of any financial aid awarded for that term as determined by the Title IV refund calculation. If the student feels that his/her withdrawal was due to extenuating circumstances, the student may write a letter of appeal to the Director of Financial Aid explaining the circumstances that necessitated the withdrawal. This appeal should include the student's name, address, phone number, student ID, and should explain in detail the reason for the withdrawal. In addition, this written request should outline the student's plan for the prevention of future withdrawals. Circumstances that warrant consideration include, but are not limited to, an excessive number of years since last attending college (generally two or three years), death of a family member, loss of transportation, loss of child care, etc. The Director of Financial Aid will carefully review the student's appeal, transcript, and the student's academic progress reaching a decision regarding the appeal. Appeals are generally only granted once for extenuating circumstances and does not override whether a student must repay all or part of the financial aid awarded for that term as determined by the Title IV refund calculation.

13. Financial Aid Probation Period:

In evaluating the eligibility of a student for federal financial aid assistance, students must be making satisfactory progress, which is determined by reviewing the student's cumulative GPA and successful completion of at least 66% of all hours attempted at CACC. Failure to meet both these requirements may constitute the granting of a financial aid probation period. If denied assistance, the student may submit a letter of appeal, in writing, to the Director of Financial Aid.This appeal should include the student's name, address, phone number, student ID, and should explain in detail the reason(s) for failing to meet the requirements for academic progress. Circumstances that warrant consideration include, but are not limited to, an excessive number of years since last attending college (generally two or three years), death of a family member, loss of transportation, loss of child care, etc. The Director of Financial Aid will carefully review the student's appeal, transcript, and the student's academic progress reaching a decision regarding the appeal. If granted, a Financial Aid Probation Letter will be issued to the student outlining the guidelines for the period of probation. Failure to abide by the financial aid probation guidelines will result in the loss of future financial assistance. The granting of a financial aid probation period will not override whether a student must repay all or part of the financial aid awarded as a result of a Title IV refund calculation.

14. Title IV Refunds:

If a student receiving federal aid stops attending school prior to 60% of the length of the term, financial aid monies will be due back to the Department of Education based on the formula calculated by the Financial Aid Office in accordance with the Title IV Refund calculation.

15. Appeal Process:

Students who believe that they have received unfair suspension of financial aid may appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee or Sub-Committee for a hearing. The request for an appeal should be made in writing and submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

NOTE: Specific information about eligibility and current procedures for applying for financial aid can be obtained from the Financial Aid Offices located on either campus.

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LINKS

Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

• Federal Student Guide to Financial Aid
• http://www.fastweb.com/
• http://www.kheaa.com/
• http://www.finaid.org/calculators/loanpayments.phtml
• http://www.pin.ed.gov/

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