Page 10 - 2012-2013 TMCC College Catalog

A-8 2012-2013 TMCC College Catalog
Student Health Insurance and
Health Resources
Enrolled students may choose to enroll
in an optional health insurance plan.
Students should determine which plan
best meets their personal needs since
each plan has significant differences in
coverage, options and premium amounts.
Students are encouraged to review the
options carefully before purchasing a
plan. Students complete the appropriate
application and submit payments directly
to the selected insurance provider.
Payment of premiums is not processed
through the TMCC business office. For
more information about available plans,
please contact the Office of the Dean of
Student Services.
Student Publications
The college funds a bimonthly student
newspaper, ECHO. The newspaper, which
publishes seven issues each semester,
is designed to inform students about
the college, its functions and activities.
Students interested inbecomingmembers
of the publications staff or contributing
relevant articles, photographs or other
materials are encouraged to contact the
student publications office at 775-673-
7171.
Transportation
RTC RIDE, the public transportation
system of the Reno/Sparks area is
available to and from TMCC campuses and
education center. For route and schedule
information, call RTC Ride customer
service at 775-348-RIDE (775-348-7433) or
visit www.rtcwashoe.com. Each individual
student is responsible for transportation
to the college.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
The office of equity and inclusion is
responsible for initiating cooperation
from students, faculty, staff and
community members to make the college
more inclusive, aware, sensitive and
understanding of our diverse community
environment. The areas of focus include
cultural awareness, diversity training and
under-represented student advocacy.
The office strives to build tolerance
and provide a climate of inclusiveness
without regard to race, color, gender,
religion, national origin, age, sexual
orientation, disability, Veteran status or
marital status. It also maintains a work
and learning environment with a policy
of zero tolerance for sexual harassment or
discrimination and also provides training
for all administrators, faculty and staff.
The office of equity and inclusion
is located at 7000 Dandini Blvd., Red
Mountain Building, room 208. The office
hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Please call 775-673-7123 for more
information.
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 or
successfully completed the GED.
• Be accepted to or registered in
a specific degree, emphasis, 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 declared degree, emphasis,
or certificate requirements (not to
include SENR courses, 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 coordinator to
discuss their special circumstances.
ApplicationDeadlines
To receive consideration for all Title IV
and other financial aid funds students
shouldapplyas soonaspossiblebeginning
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 scholarships.tmcc.edu. The TMCC
scholarship application has an annual
due date 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.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.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 ismailed 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 theWeb 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/denial 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 and