College Catalog (2011-2012)

2011-2012 College Catalog: Financial Aid, Scholarships and Student Employment

Although the student and the student's family have the primary responsibility for financing the costs of education, there is some aid available through TMCC for those families who cannot meet the total costs. This aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, student employment or a combination of these. These programs are regulated by federal (Title IV), state and campus guidelines. Most of the financial aid guidelines specify eligibility requirements, which include, but are not limited to the following.

  • Be a citizen, permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen of the United States, as documented by the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Have earned a high school diploma, successfully completed the GED or exhibited an ability to benefit by scoring satisfactorily on the ACCUPLACER in Reading, Comprehension, and Arithmetic. If you don't meet any of these requirements but have completed 6 or more college credits please see a financial aid representative.
  • Be accepted to or registered in a specific degree or certificate program at the TMCC admissions and records office.
  • Not be in default or owe a repayment on any Title IV loans or grants.
  • Be enrolled in classes that will apply to the degree requirements of the declared major (not to include SENR courses or workforce development and continuing education classes).
  • Certify that you have not been convicted of violating any federal or state drug possession or sale laws, while receiving Title IV funding.
  • Provide any other documents, as required.

Students who do not specifically meet any of the eligibility requirements may still be eligible for some types of aid and should see a financial aid officer to discuss their special circumstances.

Application Deadlines

To receive consideration for all Title IV and other financial aid funds students should apply as soon as possible beginning January 1 of each year. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must have a completed file and be eligible by July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring or April 15 for summer. Otherwise, they will be responsible for paying their own fees and buying their own books and supplies. If payment is not made by the date fees are due, the student will be dropped from all their classes. If a student is determined to be eligible after these dates and is enrolled, they will receive their financial aid award as a reimbursement.

Scholarship applications are available online at scholarships.tmcc.edu. The TMCC scholarship application has an annual due and may be found online at scholarships.tmcc.edu.

Student employment and work study positions are posted all year, but are filled according to job and fund availability and the qualifications of the applicant.

Application Process

The student may apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. A new application must be filed each year. Students and parents may apply online for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov to eliminate the requirement to mail in an original signature. The PIN also enables students and parents to make corrections to FAFSA information electronically. If the student chooses not to obtain and/or use this PIN, they may still apply via the Web, but it may prolong the process.

The student may then complete his/her application via the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students who require a paper application may request one from the Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243. Students may mail the application to the central processor in the envelope provided with the application. Students (and/or their parents) who have questions about the application are encouraged to contact TMCC's financial aid office. Students who have a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) will automatically receive a PIN for Web application for the next award year.

If the application is submitted via the Web, students will receive an acknowledgment letter or email from the Department of Education within three weeks once the signature page or application using a PIN is received. If the application is mailed to the processor, they will receive a SAR within four to six weeks. After receipt of the acknowledgment letter or SAR, students must then submit any remaining supplemental documents to the financial aid office as soon as possible.

Students may be asked to submit additional documents. Most forms are available via the Web at http://financialaid.tmcc.edu and click on documents and forms. The financial aid office will interpret or determine eligibility. File completion status and award letters are posted on MyTMCC.

The student's financial aid award cannot exceed the established need. Awards may be a combination of grants, loans, scholarships or work study. Students having unusual circumstances concerning their eligibility for financial aid are encouraged to check Appendix D to see if they should contact a financial aid officer regarding their situation.

Types of Financial Aid

Detailed information on each type of aid including requirements, satisfactory progress policies, award limitations and repayment schedules are available on the TMCC financial aid Web site in Appendix D of this course catalog. Following are brief descriptions of different types of aid available.

Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded by the State of Nevada Treasurer's office to all Nevada high school seniors who have met Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship eligibility requirements, graduated June 2000 or after and meet program requirements, including declaring a major at TMCC. The Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship value at TMCC is $40 per credit (excluding courses numbered under 100) for a minimum of six credits and a maximum of 12 credits. While fees for the courses numbered under 100 are not eligible for payment of millennium funds, the courses are counted toward the minimum six-credit requirement. The credits and grades earned are calculated into the students' GPA. The millennium scholarship does not cover workforce development and continuing education classes. For more information contact the millennium scholarship office at http://nevadatreasurer.gov or call 888-477-2667. Check your millennium status and award online via MyTMCC or go to www.tmcc.edu/financialaid/ggms for more information. .

Grants

Federal Pell Grant: this grant is funded by the federal government and awarded to eligible students who have not yet received a bachelor's degree. The amount of the grant is determined by the student's estimated family contribution (EFC). The actual award is based on the EFC, the student budget at the institution and the number of credits for which the student enrolls.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: these limited funds are for students enrolled in at least six credits who qualify for a Pell Grant. Students who apply early and show the greatest need are given preference for this grant.

Nevada Student Incentive Grant/Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership: these limited funds are for Nevada residents who are enrolled at least half-time (six credits) and have considerable financial need. Students who apply early and show the greatest need are given preference for this grant.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant: this grant is for eligible Native Americans and offered by the BIA through the individual tribes or BIA agencies. Students initiate the application process by contacting their specific tribal office.

Access State Grants and Grants-in-Aid: these limited funds are available for Nevada residents and some nonresidents enrolled at least half-time (six credits). The TMCC financial aid office determines eligibility based on need or merit.

Loans

Federal Perkins Loan: this is a long-term, low-interest loan. The TMCC financial aid office determines who is eligible and the amount of the loan. Students having exceptional need and the least ability to contribute to their own educational costs are given priority. Repayment begins 9 months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below six credits.

Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized): these are low-interest, need-based and non need-based loans, respectively, made by banks and other commercial lending institutions to students. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time (six credits). Students must have applied for financial aid with the FAFSA and be enrolled in at least six credits. To receive the separate loan application, the student must attend a group workshop. Sign up sheets for the workshops are at the financial aid reception desk. Prior to receiving their second disbursement or upon graduating, leaving school or dropping below six credits, students must complete an online exit counseling at http://studentloans.tmcc.edu.

Federal PLUS Loan: the PLUS loan is for the parents of dependent students. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5%. Repayment of PLUS loans begins 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan check. PLUS packets are available on request from the financial aid office.

Emergency Loan: TMCC students who are enrolled at least half-time (six credits) and whose fees have been paid or deferred may apply for a loan of a maximum of $200. Additional restrictions may apply. This loan must be repaid within 30 days and requires a $1 processing fee. Students may receive one loan per term. There is a $5 late fee for loans not paid back by the due date.

Employment

Federal and State Work Study Program: these programs provide eligible students with an hourly wage to work in an approved job. Students apply for financial aid using the FAFSA and are informed via an award letter on MyTMCC if they are eligible. Job listings are posted on the Web at studentjobs.tmcc.edu.

Regents Service Award Program: this state-funded work program offers students positions that require a higher level of skill or knowledge and are more directly related to their career goals. Students need not be eligible for financial aid but must meet state-mandated eligibility criteria. Positions are posted on the Web at studentjobs.tmcc.edu.

Student Employment: students who have not qualified for either of the work study programs may apply for on- or off-campus jobs as available. These jobs are posted on the Web at http://studentjobs.tmcc.edu.

Financial Aid Student Rights

All consumer information is available via the Web at financialaid.tmcc.edu.

Students have an equal opportunity to receive financial aid. After making proper application, students are entitled to expect an equitable determination for eligibility of available funds. Each student's application is individually reviewed using the same evaluation criteria.

Students have the right to have access to information about all types of aid available at TMCC and minimum requirements for eligibility.

Students have a right to information regarding repayment schedules and interest rates for loans. This information is available in financial aid publications, but it is still important for students to read their own promissory notes carefully before signing.

Students have the right to appeal decisions made by the financial aid officer to the financial aid review committee.

Financial Aid Student Responsibilities

Students receiving financial aid from TMCC are required to accept certain responsibilities in order to receive their aid packages and/or maintain eligibility for continued aid awards.

Enrollment: students must be enrolled in a degree program. Any changes may result in the loss of eligibility and a delay in aid received. Workforce development, continuing education and SENR classes are not considered part of the credit load nor in the completion rate.

FULL-TIME: If a student's award is based on full-time enrollment, the student must maintain 12 or more credits.

3/4 TIME: If a student's award is based on three-quarter-time enrollment, the student must maintain 9-11 credits.

1/2 TIME: If a student's award is based on half-time enrollment, the student must maintain 6-8 credits.

LESS THAN 1/2 TIME: If a student's award is based on less than half-time enrollment, the student must maintain 1-5 credits.

See Appendix D for a complete, detailed explanation of satisfactory academic progress.

Change of Status: students are required to notify the TMCC financial aid office in writing of any event that may alter their financial status such as a change of residency, receipt of additional educational benefits or acceptance of a scholarship. If it is determined that a student received money that exceeded his/her eligibility, the student is liable for repayment of the over-awarded amount.

Students should contact the admissions and records office to report any changes in name or educational goal/major. Address changes can be made on MyTMCC. This will ensure that the student receives all correspondence from the college and meets financial aid requirements.

Proper Use of Funds: financial aid funds are to be used for education related expenses only. Direct educational costs are tuition, fees, books and supplies. Indirect educational costs include expenses for room and board, transportation and other applicable living expenses incurred while attending TMCC.

Financial Aid Refund Policy

Students receiving aid may have their financial aid adjusted. This can result in an over payment and may require students to repay all or a portion of their financial aid funds.

Scholarships

Scholarships from the Truckee Meadows Community College Foundation and the financial aid office are designed to reward achievements and encourage academic excellence. Awards vary in amount, but can range up to $1,000 or more an academic year.

Scholarships are based upon many factors including scholastic merit, financial need, college and community service, life circumstances and major field of study. Students must apply every year by May 1 for the following academic year.

Agency/Off-Campus Scholarships: students who have been awarded a scholarship from an outside agency and want to apply their award to their costs of attending TMCC should have their donor contact TMCC financial aid, scholarship and student employment office. It is the student's responsibility to coordinate the disbursement process between the donor and the college.

Tribal Scholarships: these scholarships are for eligible Native Americans and offered through the individual tribes. Students initiate the application process by contacting the respective tribal office and filing the FAFSA.

Additional Information

For additional information regarding the financial aid, scholarship and student employment programs, visit the financial aid office in RDMT 315 on the Dandini Campus, phone 775-673-7072, visit us on the Web at financialaid.tmcc.edu.