Facts and FAQ

DO NOT TAKE THE FA QUIZ UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE POST CARD FROM THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE

The following information, along with the FA Calendar, is required to successfully complete the FA Quiz. Awards will not be placed on student accounts until the FA Quiz is completed.

Financial Aid Facts and Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for financial aid?

Complete the appropriate Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is required for all types of Financial Aid. The FAFSA can be completed on paper or on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students may also bring their completed FAFSA to the Financial Aid Office for electronic filing. A separate application is required for all scholarships and the Workstudy Program. These applications are available to print on-line at www.haywood.edu or pick up in the Financial Aid Office.

Is there a deadline for filing financial aid?

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid early. If you are a resident of North Carolina there is a possibility that additional state aid may be available to you. These funds are available on a first-come-first served basis. The deadline for filing is March 15 of each year for state aid.

  • GRANTS: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, Education Access Rewards North Carolina (EARN), North Carolina Community College Grant, North Carolina Student Incentive Grant. Grant funds are based on need and usually do not have to be repaid. Eligibility is determined by FAFSA results, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Grant funds will only pay for classes required to complete a specified program of study. Student aid will not pay if the student is reported as a “No Show” or “Audit” or if the grade received is a “Credit by Exam.”
  • SCHOLARSHIPS: North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship, Nurse Scholars Program, Nurse Education Scholarship Loan Program, Golden Leaf Scholarship, North Carolina Teaching and Nursing Scholarship, Institutional Scholarships. Scholarships may be awarded by the College, by the Haywood Community College Foundation, or by outside organizations. In general, scholarships are gift aid and are not required to be repaid if the eligibility requirements are met. To apply, students should print the application from our website, www.haywood.edu, and submit the completed application to the Financial Aid Office by the deadline. Students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for scholarships. These applications along with the scholarship application are available in Student Services as well as on-line.
  • SELF-HELP: Federal Work-study Program
  • LOANS: Alternative Loan Program (information available upon request)

**Haywood Community College does not participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).

Do I have to reapply for financial aid every semester?

Students must re-apply for financial aid each academic year. The FAFSA is available in January each year. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early.

Can I receive financial aid if I am enrolled as a part-time student?

Awards are based upon enrollment status:

  • 1-5 semester credit hours =< ½ time
  • 6-8 semester credit hours = ½ time
  • 9-11 semester credit hours = ¾ time
  • 12 or more semester credit hours = Full time

For example: if the award is $1000 for full-time and the student is enrolled ½ time, the adjusted award amount will be $500.

What happens if I withdraw from school? 

Return of Title IV Funds

If a student withdraws from all classes prior to the 60% point of any semester, he/she could owe money back to the Title IV program. The student is responsible for repaying any funds received which cannot reasonably be attributed to meeting his/her expenses at HCC and the amount of repayment will be based on regulations published by the Secretary of Education and on the Return of Title IV funds policy. The Return of Title IV Funds policy requires any student receiving financial aid to remain in all classes up to the 60% point of any semester. Withdrawing from all classes up to and including the 60% date, in most cases, will require repayment of funds. The Return of Title IV Funds Policy is published in its entirety in the HCC catalog and on the HCC website at www.haywood.edu.

What do I have to do to remain eligible to receive financial aid?

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (SAP)

Federal law requires students receiving federal student aid to maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution. According to federal regulations concerning satisfactory academic progress, the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy must include both (1) a qualitative measure (the use of a cumulative grade point average) and (2) a quantitative measure (the maximum time frame for completion). Students receiving financial aid must maintain a 2.0 GPA and at least a 67% completion rate. This means that the student must complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted, with a 2.0 GPA or better. SAP is calculated based upon all credit hours attempted and/or completed while attending Haywood Community College, not just the current enrollment period. Remember: Withdrawing from classes will affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress.

How long can I receive financial aid?

Financial aid funds will pay for 150% of the hours required to complete a qualifying degree program. To calculate the hours of eligibility, multiply the hours required for your program by 150%. Students may take up to 30 hours of developmental classes over and above the 150% limit.

What happens if I have a student loan from the past that has not been repaid?

The student must certify that there is no money owed on any grant or loan, no loans in default status or have made satisfactory arrangements to repay any defaulted loan, and have not borrowed in excess of the loan limits under Title IV programs at any institution.

What about the money left over from grants or scholarships?

On refund day, checks may be picked up in the cashiers office located on the second floor of the Student Center between 9:00 pm and 7:00 pm.  A current student identification card is required. Please refer to the Financial Aid calendar for refund dates. Checks may be picked up in the Cashier’s Office  between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 on Fridays after refund days.

Will I have financial aid for summer?

If a student was enrolled full-time and receives Pell Grant for both the fall and spring semesters, the student will NOT receive Pell Grant money for the summer semester. However, if the student is enrolled less than full-time for fall and/or spring semester, Pell Grant funds may be available for the summer semester.

Contact Us

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Phone

828-627-4509

E-mail

mguge@haywood.edu

This page was last modified on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 10:08 AM