2000-2001 Catalog
Student Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to be . . .
- advised of what financial aid programs are available at FCCJ
- advised of application procedures
- informed of current financial aid standards of academic progress
- apply early for financial aid assistance
- submit all required forms and documentation
- use financial aid wisely and for educational and related expenses
only
- request financial aid transcripts from all schools previously attended,
whether or not assistance was received, if required by the financial
aid office
- complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid and is also required for students interested in other types of aid, including scholarships. Students should apply early, preferably before March 15 each year. The application is available at local high schools, campus Enrollment Services F.A.O. office or on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The application is to be completed by the student and the student’s family and mailed to the address on the application or transmitted via the web. It is strongly recommended that students apply online to reduce errors and expedite processing of the financial aid application. Once the application is processed, the results of the federal analysis are sent to the schools listed on the application. The student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Students will also be required to bring additional documents to their home campus Enrollment Services F.A.O. office.
Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year. To continue receiving financial aid, students must reapply each year. As financial circumstances change from year to year, the award amount may change each year. Financial aid is awarded for the academic year and credited toward fees each semester.
Types of Financial Aid
The Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are two of the largest federally funded grants and are based on financial need.
The state of Florida administers the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program. Students are selected and notified of eligibility by the Florida Department of Education’s Bureau of Student Financial Assistance.
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) is a need-based grant awarded by the Florida Department of Education to full-time students.
Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are low interest loans provided by an approved lender. The subsidized Stafford loan is awarded based on need. Interest is paid by the government while you are enrolled in school at least half-time. The unsubsidized Stafford loan is available to students regardless of financial need but the interest must be paid while the student is in school or it is capitalized (added to the principal). Loans must be repaid and include interest. Repayment usually begins shortly after a student graduates, leaves school or drops to less than half-time attendance.
The Federal Work-Study program is a part-time employment program that provides students with work experience and an opportunity to earn money to help with educational expenses. To receive a work-study award a student must be eligible for financial aid.
Talent Grants pay tuition, fees and a book stipend for students who demonstrate outstanding talent or ability in a specific area.
Scholarships and grants provide funds that do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, financial need and/or other criteria. All scholarship applicants must submit a FASFA each year they wish to apply for a scholarship.
Contact your Enrollment Services F.A.O. office to obtain more information on specific scholarships and grants that may be available.
Qualifying for Aid
To be eligible for federal, state and institutional aid students must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate financial need (not required for some loan programs).
- Have a high school diploma or equivalency degree.
- Be enrolled in a college credit program or an eligible vocational
program.
- Maintain financial aid standards of academic progress in course of
study.
- Not be in default or owe a repayment of any Title IV funds.
- Have a valid social security number.
- Be an U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen with permanent residency
status and an alien registration identification number.
- Be registered with Selective Service if you are a male between the
ages of 18 and 25.
- Have not borrowed in excess of loan limits under any Title IV program.
- Federal regulations require that students may only receive financial
aid for up to 150% of the number of credits required to complete their
degree or certificate program.
- Must have all requested documents on file before disbursements are
made.
Students are only allowed to attempt a limited number of hours under federal financial aid guidelines. All students receiving Title IV financial aid funds must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to receive Title IV funds. Academic history is reviewed for all students applying for financial aid, regardless of whether financial aid has been previously received. All students receiving aid must successfully complete a minimum of 67% of cumulative credit hours attempted in order to continue receiving Title IV financial aid funds. Failure to meet these standards may impact the student’s eligibility for financial aid and ability to register. Please contact the financial aid office on your campus for further information.
150% Rule
Students receiving financial aid will have their aid terminated upon reaching 150% of the number of credits needed to complete their degree or certificate program. This regulation is effective for all students, even those, that have not previously received financial aid. For example, a student working toward an A.A. degree needs 60 hours to graduate. Once that student completes 90 hours he/she is no longer eligible for financial aid. (60 hrs x 150% = 90 hrs) Under extenuating circumstances the 150% rule may be appealed. The 150% rule applies to all classes attempted by the student, including vocational and transfer hours. Students must make other arrangements to pay their tuition and fees if their financial aid is terminated and they do not appeal or their appeal is denied.
Appeals
If a student’s financial aid has been terminated, he/she may appeal the decision based on extenuating circumstances such as medical conditions, death in the family, etc. Students must submit proof of the mitigating circumstances with their appeal through the Dean of Student Success at their home campus.
Verification
Each year a certain percentage of financial aid applicants are randomly selected for verification as required by the Department of Education. If selected for verification, the student must provide additional information (e.g.: federal income tax return) before financial aid can be awarded.
Repayment
Effective fall term, 2000, students who receive Title IV federal student aid and withdraws from all classes during the first 60% of the academic term will be subject to repayment terms as outlined by the Department of Education. If disbursement has already been made to the student, it is the student’s responsibility to repay all funds due. Federal regulations require a formula be used based on number of calendar days in the term and the number of days attended by the student before withdrawal to determine how much financial aid was "earned" by the student. The difference between aid disbursed and aid earned will be used to calculate how much the student must repay. Information on the new refund policy is available at each campus Enrollment Services F.A.O. office.
Disclaimer
The above list is to provide you with general financial aid information only. It is accurate as of the date this catalog was printed, but is not meant to be a complete list of all financial aid regulations. If financial aid standards of academic progress are changed, the new requirements will supersede those listed in this catalog. Florida Community College at Jacksonville reserves the right to cancel or amend financial aid awards based on a change in funding or other reasons specified by federal and state regulations.
Veterans Affairs
Veterans benefits are a form of student aid awarded to eligible individuals based on their military service. There are currently five programs provided under Title 38 of the United States Code which authorizes payment of educational benefits to eligible individuals.
- Chapter 30 — New GI Bill — members of the armed forces who
entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985.
- Chapter 31 — Disabled Veterans — members having a service-connected
disability which entitles them to veteran compensation.
- Chapter 32 — Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) —
members who initially entered service after Dec. 31, 1976.
- Chapter 35 — Survivor and Dependents — sons, daughters,
spouses and surviving spouses of veterans who died in service, as a
result of a service-connected disability or became permanently and totally
disabled.
- Chapter 1606 — Selected Reserve Program — members of the selected reserve who are certified by their unit commander and the VA.
- Complete the necessary applications at the enrollment services office
on any campus.
- Provide copies of all DD214’s if applicable.
- Provide a copy of marriage licenses, birth certificates and divorce
decrees, if applicable.
- Provide a certificate of eligibility from VA, if available.
Inquiries relating to benefits should be directed to the VA agency that is providing the benefits. Once students have been certified, they are required to notify the campus enrollment services office each time they make a change in enrollment.
The College’s veterans affairs office will audit all courses for enrolled students who are eligible to receive benefits. There are restrictions as to the programs and courses for which students will be certified.
- Students may only be certified for programs, courses and terms approved
by the state approving agency.
- The declared program of study must be the same on both the College’s
record and the student’s official Veteran Affairs file. Students
must follow the program of study outlined in their graduation status
sheet and can only be certified for courses which are required for graduation.
- Students cannot be certified for an audit
course, a course for which they have previously received credit or the repeat of an "I" grade within one year.
- Non-punitive grades will be reported to the Department of Veterans
Affairs and will affect the previously submitted certification within
a given term.
- Veteran students must achieve satisfactory academic progress in order
to continue to be certified. Unsatisfactory progress must be addressed
with an academic counselor before certification can be resumed. Minimum
standards of progress are the same as for the general student population.
See section on "Standards
for Student Success."
Veterans in vocational programs are allowed two days of unexcused absences per class per calendar month. Excused absences are those occurring for the reasons cited hereafter and officially accepted by the director of student aid.
- Personal Illness — Must be supported by a physician’s signed
statement on letterhead stationery, specifying the dates the student
was incapable of attending classes.
- Death in Family — Pertains to death of a parent, spouse, children,
brothers or sisters only. Must be supported by valid evidence that indicates
date of death and relationship of deceased person to the veteran.
- Jury Duty — Must be supported by a document from the court showing
dates of jury service.
Deferment and Short-Term Loans
Short-term loans are available to students with documented need and ability to repay. Students must have no other source of funds with which to meet temporary costs of education. One deferment of tuition charges per year is available for veteran students who qualify. The VA deferment and short-term loan due date is determined as follows.
- If the term is at least 60 calendar days in length, the obligation
must be cleared no later than 60 calendar days from the beginning date
of the term.
- If the term is less than 60 calendar days, the obligation must be
cleared no later than 10 calendar days from the end of the term.
Special Programs Offering Financial Aid
InVEST Program
The InVEST program is a cooperative effort by FCCJ, the health and business communities, and other agencies to recruit individuals 18 years of age or older into non-credit vocational training programs. The program is designed to provide support and encouragement for adults who are educationally or economically disadvantaged. Assistance and services that the program offers include: tuition, transportation and other financial assistance; career advising; assistance with registration for vocational classes; TABE testing and vocational assessment; services to students with disabilities; and financial aid advising. Program availability is subject to continued funding through the Carl Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1998. For more information call 633-8189 or 633-8398 at Downtown Campus.
Tax Credits
The federal government’s Taxpayers Relief Act of 1997 (TRA ’97) provides new tax benefits to help families meet the cost of postsecondary education. The TRA ’97 contains the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit for students in the first two years of postsecondary (college and vocational) education and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit for other students. Because each person’s tax situation is unique, students interested in these tax credits should consult their tax advisor to determine eligibility. More information can also be obtained by calling the IRS at (800) 829-1040 and asking for IRS publication 970 or logging on to the IRS Web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov or U.S. Department of Education Web site at www.ifap.ed.gov.
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