Student Financial Aid

scf.edu/FinancialAid

This section is designed to provide information and application procedures for student financial assistance awarded through the financial aid services office.

The purpose of financial aid at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) is to provide assistance to students who have demonstrated financial need or who possess academic or special talent. Awards may come from grants, scholarships, loans or part-time employment.

Financial Aid Application Procedure

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

SCF considers FAFSA to be the College application for need-based assistance.

The information on the Student Aid Report (SAR) is used to determine eligibility to receive funds from federal programs, and from many state and institutional aid programs. Students should check requirements for each aid program for which they wish to be considered. Application procedures vary with the type of aid.

SCF’s Title IV Code is: 001504.

Financial Aid Eligibility Criteria

Approximately one to two weeks after an application is submitted online, the applicant will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). If SCF is not listed in step number six (6) on the SAR, students should go online to www.fafsa.gov and add the school code. This year (2011-2012) the SAR is yellow in color.

If a student qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant, an award will be offered if the student meets these requirements:

• The student has been formally accepted for admission to the College as a regular A.A., A.A.S., A.S. B.A.S. or B.S. degree-seeking student and the admission file is complete.
• The student submitted all required forms and documents to verify his or her application.
• The student meets the U.S. citizenship requirements.
• The student is not in default on a student loan or does not owe a refund on a scholarship or grant.
• The student is making satisfactory academic progress.
• The student enrolls in classes.

Note: A foreign student who is attending SCF on a student visa and who already has declared financial independence is not eligible for federal financial aid programs.

Note: If a student qualifies for financial aid, an award letter noting all forms of aid will be sent by the financial aid services office.

The following deadlines for each term are provided for student financial planning. If students have not submitted all required paperwork by the term deadline, students will need to pay for classes and be reimbursed when their financial aid has been finalized.

Fall 2011 Term - Aug. 1, 2011
Spring 2012 Term - Dec. 12, 2011
Summer 2012 Term - April 27, 2012

Students can check their financial aid status by going to scf.edu/SCFconnect.

Disbursement of Aid

A financial aid award (scholarships and grants) may be used for registration fees for the specified term(s). At the close of registration, any balance in the account will be credited to the student unless otherwise specified by a private scholarship donor. Refunds of any credit balance will be forwarded to the student based upon the student’s OneCard chosen option approximately three to four weeks after registration ends.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan funds will be released no earlier than two weeks after the first day of classes of each term provided the funds have been received. Refunds of any credit balance will be forwarded to the student based upon the student’s OneCard chosen option. The first loan disbursement for a first-year student who has not previously had a Stafford Loan will be 30 days after classes begin. A student may be eligible for a deferment of fees and/or short-term loan for books if the financial aid file is complete.

Students who are employed in one of the SCF college work programs will be paid bi-weekly for hours worked.

Financial Aid Terminology

Types of Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant

This is the largest of the federal government’s student aid programs. Qualified students may be awarded between $0 and $5,510 per year at SCF.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant

This is a grant from the federal government for students who have completed a rigorous high school program. The award amount is a one-time award of $750 to students who have not completed their first year and a one-time award of $1,300 to students who have completed their first year of college.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Each year SCF receives an authorization from the federal government designated for FSEOG. The priority deadline is May 1, 2011, for consideration when awarding these funds. FSEOG is awarded after the end of the add/drop period for the fall.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)

This program is sponsored by the state of Florida and is designed to provide assistance to qualified students who demonstrate financial need. To apply, a student must file the FAFSA form. To be eligible for an award, a student must be a resident of Florida for one year and must be a half-time (six credit hours) student. The priority deadline is May 1, 2011, for consideration when awarding these funds. FSAG is awarded after the end of the add/drop period for the fall.

State Financial Aid Programs

The state of Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance administers several scholarships, work and loan programs. Information on these programs, application procedures, criteria and deadlines is available in the annual publication, “Financial Aid Sources for Florida Students.” This publication is available in the SCF financial aid office.

Scholarships

Many local organizations, businesses and individuals offer scholarships to students. Some of these organizations choose their own recipients and have their own application process. Others are administered by the SCF financial aid services office and the recipients are selected by the College. Scholarship information for the 2010-11 academic year is available online and in the financial aid services office for both SCF scholarships and private donor scholarships administered by the SCF financial aid services office.

Agency Assistance

State and federal agencies offer educational support for those who qualify. Such agencies include Vocational Rehabilitation; Blind Services; Workforce Investment Act; Children and Family; and Health and Rehabilitative Services. Students who may qualify should contact the proper agency directly.

Reasons for Scholarship or Grant Repayments

The following actions will require repayment of any grants or scholarships that have been received, including money that has been used for tuition/fees, books and supplies and living expenses.

1. The student registers and does not attend one or all of the classes he or she has registered for and does not drop the classes during add/drop. Due to reduced eligibility, the student will be required to repay any grants and/or scholarships that were received.
2. The student registers for a class and changes his or her status from credit to audit. Due to reduced eligibility, the student will be required to repay any grants and/or scholarships that were received.
3. The student registers for classes and drops all of them during add/drop but does not return books and/or supplies that were purchased through the use of a scholarship or grant. Due to reduced eligibility, the student will be required to repay any grants and/or scholarships that were received.
4. The student receives a grant or scholarship that requires full-time attendance but is carrying less than 12 load hours because a class was canceled or the student never attends a class or changes status from credit to audit. Due to reduced eligibility, the student will be required to repay any grants and/or scholarships that were received.
5. The student completely withdraws prior to completing 60 percent of a term and received federal student aid.

On-Campus Employment Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program

Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program that enables students to work on campus. FWS students must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility is determined by the student’s evidence of financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

This is an institutional work program that enables students to work part time, up to 25 hours per week, in administrative and departmental offices, libraries and laboratories. Interested students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 throughout employment and must be enrolled in a minimum six (6) credit hours and be a degree-seeking student at SCF in order to work as a student assistant. Students also should be aware that the amount of Federal Student Loan dollars one is eligible to receive is directly affected by the amount of FWS funds already awarded and vice versa. For additional information on how FWS could affect your student loan eligibility, please contact either the financial aid office or the career resource center. Applications for all on-campus student assistant positions are available in the career resource center.

Students interested in employment off campus may contact the career resource center or the career resource center Web page, scf.edu/CareerResourceCenter.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Education Loans

Financial aid awarded in the form of loans must be repaid. For this reason, loans are considered to be a “self-help” form of assistance.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans (FDSL)

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is a low-interest loan available to eligible students who are accepted for admission to the College and enrolled at least half time (six credit hours) at SCF at the time of disbursement. Students borrow directly from the federal government. The interest during periods of enrollment is paid by the federal government if the student demonstrates financial need. Processing by the government may take up to two months. Entrance/exit interview information is required. First-year students who have not had a previous loan will receive a first-loan disbursement 30 days after classes begin. If the financial aid file is complete, the student may be eligible for a deferment of fees and a short-term loan for books.

Additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

The additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a non-need based, low-interest loan available to eligible dependent and independent students who are accepted for admission to the College and enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) at SCF at the time of disbursement. Students borrow directly from the federal government. The interest during periods of enrollment is NOT paid by the federal government and is to be paid by the student. Processing by the government may take up to two months. Entrance/exit interview information is required. First-year students who have not had a previous loan will receive a first-loan disbursement 30 days after classes begin. If the financial aid file is complete, the student may be eligible for a deferment of fees and a short-term loan for books.

Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (FD PLUS)

This federal loan program is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Qualified applicants may borrow from the federal government. The interest rate on these loans is variable with a maximum of 9 percent and repayment must begin within 30 days of the loan’s full disbursement. First-year students who have not had a previous loan will have a first-loan disbursement date of 30 days after classes begin. If the financial aid file is complete, the student may be eligible for a deferment of fees and a short-term loan for books.

Deferments

SCF deferments are for students who have been determined eligible for financial aid, but a delay in receipt of their financial aid or veterans’ benefits means the funds will not be available at the time of registration. NOTE: Students must complete a deferment/short-term promissory note each term if the student loan is the only form of payment for tuition and fees. Students who have a student loan and additional aid for a term that is not adequate to cover tuition and fees, need to complete a deferment/short term promissory note each term for the balance due.

Short-Term Loan

Short-term loans are available to students who have a student loan pending or are eligible for an unawarded scholarship or grant. (The financial aid services office must have proof of eligibility on file.) The SCF short-term loan is a no-interest loan to cover books and is repayable by the date on the promissory note. Students who have a scholarship or grant and are eligible for a bookstore authorization are not eligible for a short-term loan.

Students need to complete a deferment/short-term promissory note each term if the student loan is the only form of payment for tuition and fees. If a student has additional aid, but it is not adequate to cover tuition and fees, and the student has a loan, they will need to complete a deferment/short-term promissory note each term for the balance due.

Emergency Student Loan

The Emergency Student Loan program at SCF was developed by The State College of Florida Foundation to serve enrolled students who have verified eligibility for financial aid and have a documented unexpected emergency. SCF is committed to providing financial planning strategies and guidance to students in need of fiscal resources to support their pursuit of a post-secondary education degree.

Emergencies are defined as: emergency health care; transportation emergencies; personal emergencies (i.e., food and child care); others (with supporting documentation).

Students interested in applying for a Foundation Emergency Student Loan should contact the SCF financial aid services office for further information.

Financial Aid Refund and Repayment Policy

Refunds and Repayments

CAUTION: If you are a financial aid recipient and are thinking about dropping your classes or withdrawing from the college, please consult a financial aid specialist.

SCF students receive a 100 percent refund on all tuition and fees for classes dropped prior to or during the drop/add period for each term. If the student is receiving financial assistance, any refund will first be credited to the financial assistance programs from which assistance was disbursed.

SCF’s tuition refund policy is separate from the federal requirement to return unearned aid when a student withdraws. Whether or not the student receives a tuition refund has no bearing on the amount the student may be required to repay under the Return of Title IV Funds formula.

No Show Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to attend classes. SCF’s No Show policy requires the faculty to take attendance during the first two weeks of classes and report any student who did not attend. Any student who does not attend at least one class during the first two weeks of the course will be reported as a No Show in that class. Students are not allowed to receive financial assistance for classes which they were reported as a No Show. The student’s financial assistance will be adjusted based on the enrollment status.

Official/Unofficial Withdrawals

Students who wish to withdraw must follow SCF’s official withdrawal process. Students who wish to withdraw completely from SCF are required to report to the financial aid office for exit interviews. If a student officially withdraws or stops attending all courses, the student may be required to repay all or part of the financial aid disbursed in that term.

Students receiving federal funds may be required to repay aid determined to be “unearned.” The earned/unearned calculation is based on the percentage of days the student attended during the term in which they withdrew. The amount of aid the student has earned is determined on a prorated basis. That is, if the student completed 30 percent of the term, the student earns 30 percent of the aid received. Once the student has completed 60 percent of the term, the student is considered to have earned all of his or her aid.

The difference between the earned federal aid and total aid received equals the amount of “unearned” federal funds. Unearned federal funds are subject to repayment. Federal regulations require Title IV aid to be refunded in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3. Federal PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant
6. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

Instructors will determine if their students are actively participating in their class at the 61 percent point of the term. If a student’s active participation cannot be determined for a specific course, the student will automatically receive a grade of WF (withdrawn failing).

If the student does not receive a passing grade (which includes grades of “I”, “W”, “WF”, and “F” grades) at the end of the term, the return of Title IV (R2T4) funds calculation will be done after grades are posted for the term and it will be assumed the student unofficially withdrew at the 50 percent point of that term or based on the last day the student attended class as reported by the instructor. Confirmation of active participation at the 61 percent point will be verified before the R2T4 calculation is processed. The determination of withdrawal will be made within 30 days after the end of the term. The R2T4 calculation will be made within 30 days of the date of determination, and unearned funds that the school is required to return will be repaid no later than 45 days after the date of determination.

Any amount the student is required to return, SCF will repay to the applicable federal program on the student’s behalf and the student will be billed by SCF for any funds returned on his or her behalf.

SCF will notify the student when an R2T4 calculation is performed due to either an official or unofficial withdrawal and the student may be billed for any outstanding obligations by the student failing to earn Title IV funds, for which Federal funds were disbursed. Students are not eligible for further aid until all repayments have been made.

SCF will perform R2T4 calculations for students that withdraw after the 60 percent point to ensure there is no post-withdrawal disbursement.

Withdrawal from Standard Term-Based Programs Using Modules

Students who are enrolled entirely in only Express or first or second eight week modules meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Education’s provisions for Withdrawals from Standard Term-Based Programs Using Modules. If a student completes one course, no R2T4 is required. If the student does not, R2T4 will be calculated.

Students who withdraw from the first module who provide SCF with a statement of their intent to enroll in the second module will not be placed into R2T4. If the student does not attend or does not complete at least one class with one module, the R2T4 will be calculated.

Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal Regulations require that all students receiving Title IV financial aid (Pell Grants, FSEOG, ACG, Federal Work Study and Stafford Loans) maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is reviewed every term (Fall, Spring and Summer).

A Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy consists of three requirements: Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA), successful completion rate, and maximum time frame.

For complete policy, go to scf.edu/SAP.

Veterans’ Information

The College is approved by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans and eligible dependents of disabled or deceased veterans who plan to attend under any of the various training laws should contact (well in advance of registration) the financial aid services office on the Bradenton or Venice campus. Upon enrollment, veterans and veteran-dependents are required to pay all regular fees and charges. However, those veterans attending SCF, who are eligible to receive benefits, may be granted one 60-day deferment for the payment of fees per academic year (during Summer A, a one-time 30-day deferment is available). Veterans failing to pay all fees at the end of the 60- or 30-day period will be withdrawn from the College. Upon certification by the College and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, educational allowances for Chapters 1606, 1607, 30, 32 and 35 are paid monthly to the veterans for training time computed as follows:

The term hours referred to above are computed on the basis of credit hours.

In addition, upon certification by the College and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, eligible veterans receiving VA educational benefits under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) will: 1) have the applicable percentage (based on aggregate active duty service) of tuition and fees paid directly to the College; 2) be paid a monthly housing allowance* equivalent to the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents, determined by the zip code of the College, and is prorated based on the percentage of the maximum benefit payable; and 3) receive a book and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 for a maximum of 24 credit hours per academic year.*

* Active duty members, anyone training at a rate of pursuit at 50 percent or less, and those pursuing training solely by distance learning are not eligible for the monthly housing allowance or book stipend.

For those eligible veterans receiving educational benefits under Chapter 31, the VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, books, equipment, and up to a certain dollar amount for supplies. In addition, the veteran receives a monthly subsistence allowance. The monthly subsistence allowance paid to the veteran is lower than the monthly payments made to veterans under other VA educational benefits programs. This is due to the VA making a separate payment to assist the veteran in meeting the costs of school attendance, and because the veteran is receiving (or is entitled to receive) monthly disability compensation payments.

The College and the student are responsible for notifying the Veteran Affairs (VA) office of any change in status that affects the rate of benefits. The student is required to complete a withdrawal form at the College if he or she withdraws from class.

In addition, a veteran attending SCF is required to:

1. Attend all classes for which he or she is registered;
2. Enroll for classes only in his or her approved program; and
3. Show satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a degree.

Veterans’ Deferments

Except for qualified veterans (see next paragraph), the College cannot, by Florida law, extend credit of any kind. No registration will be completed until all registration fees, incidental fees and tuition fees have been paid in full; nor may a student attend classes until these requirements are met.

All eligible veterans or qualified dependents pursuing an education within the meaning of Chapter 30, 32, 33, 34/30, 35, 1606 or 1607 of Title 38, United States Code, are entitled to one 30-day or 60-day deferment for the payment of tuition and fees only, books and supplies not included. The 30 days is only for the Summer term, in accordance with Florida Statute 240.345 for Postsecondary Education. To have a deferment processed, all veterans and qualified dependents must contact the College veteran representative in the financial aid services office at SCF Bradenton or SCF Venice for guidance.

To qualify, a student must have enrolled in classes for the upcoming term and a veteran under chapter 30, 32, 33 or 34/30 must have supplied a readable copy of his or her DD-214 and a fully completed 22-1990 Application for Veterans Educational Benefits. For selected reserve chapter 1606 personnel, he or she must have supplied the same 22-1990 as well as a fully completed DD-2384 Notice of Basic Eligibility. For those under the chapter 35, qualified dependents must have submitted the 22-5490 Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance and supporting documents. All of the above must be submitted prior to the granting of any deferment. Sometimes unforeseen circumstances arise and students are not able to meet the payment due date; setting aside the amount needed to pay off the deferment is most important. Students will be administratively withdrawn from classes for failure to pay their deferment on the specified date. The withdrawn student still will owe the College the amount of the deferment and will owe the VA for any benefits received during the deferment period.

Please note: Any classes from which a student withdraws after the end of drop/add period must still be paid for even if dropped prior to paying for the deferment.

Veterans who fail to pay fees after the 60-day deferment period will be treated as any other student failing to pay fees by a stated deadline.

Standards of Progress for Veterans/Dependents for Credit Classes

To continue to be eligible for VA benefits, a student must make satisfactory progress toward his or her educational goals. The satisfactory progress system at SCF is a positive program for assisting students who, due to unsatisfactory academic performance, may experience difficulty in achieving an educational objective at the college level.

Standards for satisfactory progress shall be:

1. A veteran/dependent student must complete at least 50 percent of hours attempted per term with a passing grade. Hours are based on enrollment at the end of the registration period.
2. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) per term must be: 

3. A student veteran/dependent who fails to meet or maintain the above standards will be placed on probation for the following term, but will retain VA benefits. During the next term of attendance, the student must meet and maintain the above standards of progress to maintain eligibility for VA benefits. At the discretion of the College, the veteran/dependent may be granted a second consecutive term of probation. In addition, if poor performance is caused by mitigating circumstances, a letter and, if possible, documentation, explaining and supporting the mitigating circumstance, must be submitted for review and possible removal from probationary or suspension status.
4. Students placed on academic suspension or dismissal, even though reinstated to the College, may have their VA benefits adversely affected. Students who are academically suspended from another college or university and who transfer to SCF must make satisfactory progress during their first term at SCF before VA benefits may be restored.
5. A student may re-establish eligibility for VA benefits in accordance with regulations promulgated by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. For additional information, contact the College veteran representative in the financial aid services office.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Veterans for Adult Education Program

Veteran students are required to attend all classes. Excused absences will be granted only for extenuating circumstances substantiated by entries in the student’s files. Educational benefits of VA students who accumulate three (3) days of unexcused absences in any term will be terminated for unsatisfactory attendance. The veteran student may petition the College to be recertified for VA educational benefits for the term following termination. The College may recertify the student only if it determines that the student’s attendance-related problems have been resolved.

If, at the end of a term, a veteran student’s progress is deemed to be unsatisfactory, the student is placed on probation for the next term. If the student’s progress remains unsatisfactory at the end of the following term, the student will be terminated from the veteran program.

Military Activations

Military veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard who are attending SCF may receive orders for active duty. In such cases, the College must receive a copy of the student’s activation orders issued from the military in order to proceed with the dropping of courses for the term of activation. This copy must be submitted to the financial aid services office at SCF Bradenton or SCF Venice for processing the registration. Copies of the forms may be submitted via fax: 941-727- 6179, by mail or hand-delivered to the financial aid services office.

The process will initiate a drop on behalf of the student from classes for the term of activation. A refund of tuition and fees will be sent via the option chosen by the student when activating his/her OneCard account or to the scholarship fund that paid for the tuition and fees. For book refunds, a copy of the student’s activation orders must be submitted to the bookstore. Book receipts and a copy of the student’s schedule are helpful but not required. Questions may be directed to the financial aid services office.