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

The information from your FAFSA application 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. The FAFSA should be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Applicants receive an acknowledgement from the U.S. Department of Education when the FAFSA is successfully submitted. This is the Student Aid Report (SAR) which is sent to the email you provided on the FAFSA application.

You must add SCF’s Federal School Code is: 001504. 

Financial Aid Eligibility Criteria 

Your financial need determines your eligibility for financial aid. Generally, to qualify for federal, state, and/or institutional assistance, you must:

To qualify for federal student aid (grants, loans, and work-study funds), you have to meet certain requirements.

• demonstrate financial need (for most programs);
• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25);
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
• be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
• sign statements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) stating that
  • you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and
  • you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes; and show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law.

Federal aid is available for up to 30 remedial credits. Once a student attempts 30 remedial credits, federal aid will be awarded for college-level credits only.

Official transcripts from all prior schools must be received and evaluated by SCF before you are eligible to receive financial assistance. In order to be degree-seeking at SCF, you must have a high school diploma or GED.

 Deadlines

Priority deadlines for each term are provided for student financial planning. The dates for each term are provided in the academic calendar. If all required paperwork is not submitted by the term deadline, students are responsible to secure funding for classes. A student’s financial aid will be available when funding is finalized.

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

Disbursement of Aid 

A financial aid award (other than Federal Work Study) may be used towards fees for the specified term(s). Any balance on the account will be credited to the student unless otherwise specified by a private scholarship donor. Refunds of any credit balance will be placed on the student’s HigherOne Card based on the disbursement dates specified on the academic calendar.

Students who borrow a Direct Loan for the first time will have a hold on their first loan disbursement until thirty days after the start of their classes. 

Students who are employed under the Federal Work Study program will be paid bi-weekly for the hours that they worked.

Attending Hours: A class must begin before being considered as attending. Student loans will not disburse to a student until they have at least 6 attending hours.

Financial Aid Terminology

Types of Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant

This is the primary Title IV aid. Qualified students may be awarded up to $5,730 for the 2014-2015 academic year at SCF.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a need-based federal program. The priority deadline is May 1, 2014, for consideration for awarding of these funds.

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.  For eligibility rules refer to floridastudentfinancialaid.org .

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 are available at floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

Scholarships

Many local organizations, businesses and individuals offer scholarships to students. Organizations may choose their own recipients and have their own application process. Others are administered by the SCF financial aid services office or the SCF Foundation. Scholarship information is available online at financial aid scholarship link and SCF foundation scholarship link.

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 Financial Aid Repayments 

The following actions may 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 may 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 may 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 demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

This is an institutional work program that enables students to work part time, up to 20 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, 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 may be affected by the amount of FWS funds already awarded. 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/oncampusemployment/.

Federal Loans

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students and parents to help pay for the cost of the student’s education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank. Financial aid awarded in the form of loans must be repaid. For this reason, these federal loans are considered to be a “self-help” form of assistance.

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible students who are accepted for admission as a regular student and are enrolled at least half time (six credit hours) at SCF during the time of disbursement. Eligibility to receive the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans is based on the information reported on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

 No interest is charged on the Direct Subsidized Loan while the student is enrolled at least half time. Interest is charged on the Direct Unsubsidized Loan from the time that the loan is disbursed. Entrance and Exit Counseling Sessions, as well as a Master Promissory Note, are required to be completed by the student. These tasks can be completed at www.studentloans.gov. First time Direct Loan borrowers will not receive their first loan disbursement until at least 30 days after their classes begin.

Direct PLUS Loans

Direct PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent students. The interest rate on this loan is fixed and the interest will begin at the time of disbursement. Parents do have the option of contacting the loan servicer to request a deferment of payments until the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half time. This loan can be applied for (by the parent of the student) at www.studentloans.gov. A credit check will be performed during the application process. If the parent is not approved for this loan, the student may be eligible for additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Financial Aid Refund and Repayment Policy

Refunds and Repayments 

Important: If you are a financial aid recipient, please consult the office of financial aid services before dropping classes or withdrawing from the college.

A 100 percent refund of fees (less nonrefundable fees) will be made if a student withdraws on or before the last day of add/drop registration as described in the College catalog for the academic year. Exceptions to the 100 percent refund provision are made pursuant to Federal regulations for the return of Federal funds policy. If a student registers for short-term or weekend classes, he/she will follow the same procedures but may have separate add/drop refund deadlines.

Title IV funds (excluding Federal Work Study and student loans) and scholarships will be refunded 100 percent to the appropriate Federal account or scholarship if the student drops classes prior to the end of the drop/add period. All aid awarded but not disbursed to a recipient will be refunded 100 percent to the appropriate account (excluding Federal Work Study and student loans) if the student withdraws before funds are disbursed.

Any Federal aid recipient who completely withdraws before the 60 percent point in the term will be required to repay a portion of the Federal funds received under the return of Title IV funds policy. If a recipient registers for a short-term class, or changes from credit to audit, he/she may be required to repay the full balance of the Federal funds received. The return of Title IV funds policy applies to all other recipients of Federal funds who completely withdraw prior to completing more than 60 percent of the term.

Awards in excess of fees due (balance checks) for all continuing, eligible students will be disbursed when funds are available.

No Show Policy

Students are not eligible to receive financial assistance for classes which they are 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 will be subject to loan exit counseling. 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. This will be determined by the return of Title IV funds policy.

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. For example, if the student completed 30 percent of the term, the student earns 30 percent of the aid received.

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. Direct Unsubsidized Loan Direct Subsidized LoanDirect PLUS Loan
2. Federal Pell Grant
3. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

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 amount of aid the student has earned will be determined 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.

SCF will notify the student when a refund calculation is performed due to either an official or unofficial withdrawal. 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.

Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress 

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

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy consists of three requirements: Minimum Financial Aid cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, successful completion rate of 67 percent, and maximum time frame of 150 percent of the current program.

Note: The Financial Aid GPA is an accumulative GPA of all courses on your transcript, including remedial coursework. This is not the same as the academic GPA.

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

Veterans’ Information

SCF is authorized by the State Approving Agency to certify VA educational benefits for all eligible veterans, dependents, members of the selected reserve, and active-duty personnel.  Most degree programs currently offered may be certified with VA; some circumstances may prevent the certification of educational coursework with VA. 

Students who are eligible for VA educational benefits are strongly encouraged to contact the Veteran Services on the SCF Bradenton or SCF Venice campus as early as possible.  The SCF Veteran Services webpage has detailed information regarding the policies and procedures for the initiation, transfer, and certification of VA educational benefits.  The webpage may be viewed at scf.edu/Veterans.  It is the student’s responsibility to remain informed of all VA regulations and SCF policies regarding the use of their VA educational benefits.  Under no circumstances will SCF certify coursework if the student is not currently enrolled in a degree seeking program, or if the coursework does not apply toward the degree the student is currently pursuing at SCF.         

Student’s using VA educational benefits must maintain satisfactory academic standing at SCF; this requires a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA, while also maintaining satisfactory progress toward their degree. If a student drops below a cumulative GPA of 2.0 their VA education benefits will be placed on probation.  Failure to achieve satisfactory academic standing after the probationary semester will result in the termination of the student’s VA educational benefits. Reinstatement of these benefits may occur after academic counseling with a Veterans’ Advisor, and/or the student achieves satisfactory academic standing.  Additionally, VA educational benefits will be terminated if the student is dismissed for disciplinary reasons. 

Detailed information about the administration, eligibility requirements, and current payment rates for all VA educational programs can be found on the GI Bill® website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.

Waiver for Purple Heart or Superior Combat Decorations

Florida Statute 1009.26(8) provides a fee waiver to a recipient of the Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence if the recipient is enrolling in a Florida public community college or state university, and provided he or she meets specific criteria:

1. The student is admitted as a full-time, part-time or summer-school student in an undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate
2. The student is currently, and was at the time of the military action that resulted in the awarding of the Purple Heart or other superior combat decoration, a resident of Florida
3. The student submits to the College DD Form 214, issued at the time of separation from service, as documentation that he or she has received a Purple Heart or other combat decoration superior in precedence

The combat decorations that would qualify students for the provisions of the Purple Heart or Superior Combat waiver include:

Purple Heart
Bronze Star (must be “V” designation or device) Distinguished Flying Cross
Legion of Merit (must be “V” designation or device)
Silver Star
Air Force Cross
Navy Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Medal of Honor

Limitations of the Purple Heart or Superior Combat Decorations:

• This waiver is only applicable for 110 percent of the number of required credit hours of the degree or certificate program for which the student is enrolled.
• Fees are limited to those that are inherent in the cost of tuition and charged to every student regardless of the course(s) in which he or she is enrolled.
• This waiver is considered “countable aid” for student financial aid purposes.

Military Activations

Military veterans, reservists and members of the National Guard and their dependents who are attending SCF may receive orders for active duty, redeployment or relocation. In such cases, the College must receive a copy of the student’s activation, redeployment or relocation orders issued from the military in order to proceed with the dropping of courses for the term of activation.

Activation documentation may be submitted to the Veterans’ Advisor at SCF Bradenton or SCF Venice.

Deferments

An automatic deferment of tuition and fees will be issued for all students who are currently using VA educational benefits.  This deferment will only be issued if the student has submitted a Request for Certification form through the Veteran Services.