Policy 8 – 01A: FINANCIAL AID PROCESS

Quincy College encourages all students to apply for financial aid. The College realizes that higher education today is often a financial burden for their families, whatever their income. Thus, our financial aid policy recognizes the need of the middle income family as well as others. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and the student’s status at Quincy College. We are happy to assist every student who applies.

Financial Aid Rules, Regulations, Rights, and Responsibilities

A. Application Procedures

1. All students seeking financial aid from Quincy College must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application can be found online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and the Quincy College Supplemental Financial Aid form. Both are available in the Financial Aid Office.

2. A student will be asked a series of questions on the application. Those who cannot answer YES to at least one of the questions listed after the“ Income Information” section are considered, by Federal Financial Aid requirements, to be a DEPENDENT student and must complete the FAFSA form using their parent(s)/spouse’s and their own income information.

3. Whereas dependent student’s financial awards will be based on parents’, and their own income, INDEPENDENT students’ awards will be based on student and spouse's income if applicable.

4. Dependency status issues must be directed to the Financial Aid Office where a qualified financial aid counselor can help answer questions or solve problems.

5. Student loan applicants who have completed both the FAFSA and the Supplemental Financial Aid form may be offered a student loan. Before the loan can be processed, students must complete an Entrance Counseling Session. They must also take part in a loan exit interview before they leave or graduate from Quincy College.

B. General Eligibility Requirements

1. Students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate granting program.

2. Students must be U.S. citizens, national, or permanent residents of the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands.

3. Students must not be in default on any previous loan or refund obligation.

4. Students must be in compliance with draft registration requirements.

5. Students (and parents) must file a current federal tax return if required by law before they are eligible to apply for financial aid.

6. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to receive financial aid. Satisfactory progress is measured twice a year, at the end of each semester. In order to maintain satisfactory academic progress, a student must successfully complete 67% of the courses they attempt. This measurement is taken cumulatively to include all courses attempted at Quincy College. Additionally, each student must maintain a cumulative grade point average to meet the following standards:

a. By the end of each semester, a student must have a GPA greater than or equal to 2.0.

b. If a student has not achieved the necessary GPA, they will be given one semester of academic warning. By the end of that semester their GPA must be 2.0. If the student’s GPA does not improve to the required level after the probationary period, they will lose their financial aid eligibility.

c. In order to regain eligibility, a student must attend classes at Quincy College at least half-time until they meet the required standards.

d. A financial aid appeal process is allowed with the final decision resting with the Director of inancial Aid. If approved, the student will have one (1) semester to raise their GPA to the satisfactory level.

Students who change their major, students with prior Associate’s Degrees who return to school to study in another area, or students who transfer from another institution, shall be treated as new students relative to time periods allowed for completion of their degree within the limits of Title IV regulations.

The following will NOT be considered as credits successfully completed:

• “F” Failure
• “I” Incomplete
• “W” Withdrawal

Incomplete (“I”) grades are calculated as failing (“F”) grades unless the course has been satisfactorily completed within one semester. Courses that are repeated will count in the calculation of hours attempted and completed hours earned if the student receives a passing grade, however, only the highest grade received for the course will be included in calculating the GPA.

C. Verification

1. For those students selected, Quincy College is required to complete the process of verification before we make a disbursement of financial aid.

2. If a student fails to provide the required documentation within the specific time period, it could result in the loss of financial aid for the semester and/or the academic year.

3. Completion of Verification – When the verification review is completed, you will receive either a follow-up form from the Department of Education, notifying you of corrections made to your application, or an award letter confirming your financial aid award.

4. Financial Aid regulations require the Financial Aid office to review and request documents from students (and parents if required). Documents include but are not restricted to the following:

a. Signed Federal tax return,
b. High school diploma,
c. Declaration of Major,
d. Supplemental Financial Aid Form, and
e. Verification Form.

The review of a student’s file begins upon receipt of required documents. If further documentation is needed once a review begins, the information will be requested. Clarification of information may be requested. All information will be kept confidential.

Written permission is needed to discuss a student’s file with anyone other than the student unless he or she is under the age of 18.

D. Awarding of Aid

1. All financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Financial information reported on a properly completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is sent to the Pell Grant program, the MASSGrant program, and to the student.

2. The Pell Grant program and the MASSGrant program make their own financial aid awards based on their own criteria of financial need.

3. Massachusetts has its own deadline for receipt of completed FAFSA results. If the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not receive results by May 1st, then a student may not be eligible to receive a MASSGrant.

4. Financial Aid amounts received in one year may not always be awarded in future years. Eligibility is always re-determined each year. Students must reapply for financial aid each year they plan to attend.

5. Quincy College awards all campus-based aid (College work-study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants) using the following method:

a. A student’s financial aid eligibility is equal to his/her estimated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or by the student’s Cost of Attendance (see section E below) at Quincy College, whichever is less.

b. From this figure all Pell, MASSGrant and other outside aid is subtracted. This new figure is the student’s adjusted financial need. Due to limited funds, all students showing adjusted financial need may not receive awards.

c. Students filing late applications for aid will be considered after aid is awarded to those who applied by the required deadlines.

E. Cost of Attendance

1. Students may receive financial aid to cover the cost of tuition, fees and other educationally related expenses such as books, supplies, uniform, commuting costs, day care, etc. The total of all these expenses is called the Cost of Attendance. On a student’s combined financial aid from all sources may not exceed the Cost of Attendance for his/her program.

2. Students do not always receive enough aid to cover costs. In the event this occurs, the Financial Aid Office will refer to alternative loan options to cover the remaining balance. There is no guarantee a student will be eligible for alternative programs as they are based on credit rating.

F. Disbursement of Financial Aid

1. Students who complete their files by submitting all necessary paperwork to the Financial Aid Office before the start of the semester shall have the amount of their Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants credited towards the tuition.

2. Late completion will require students to first pay for their classes. Then when aid is credited to their account, a refund may be issued, if one is due, to the student in the amount of aid posted.

3. MASSGrants are credited toward tuition when the Financial Aid Office receive a payment roster from OSFA.

4. Students who pay their tuition and later complete the award process will be issued checks in the amount of their awards later in the semester.

G. Refund Policy

1. Federal Law requires that any institution participating in Title IV programs shall have, in effect, a fair and equitable refund policy under which the institution refunds unearned tuition, fees, room and board, and other charges to a student who received grant, loan, or work assistance under this Title, or whose parents received a Plus Loan if the student:

a. Does not register for the period of attendance for which the assistance was intended, or withdraws or otherwise fails to complete the period of enrollment for which the assistance was intended.

The institution has an institutional refund policy and a pro rata refund policy. The greater amount will be used for first time students receiving Title IV funds. Copies of these refund policies are available upon request from the Financial Aid Office and here.

H. Retraction of Aid

1. Failure to complete classes or follow College policy regarding withdrawal from one or more classes may result in retraction of awarded aid. This may result in a student owing a tuition balance to Quincy College. Any refund the student received would be required to be returned to Quincy College.

2. Following proper withdrawal process is important to avoid difficulty with future enrollment, satisfactory academic progress, and financial aid eligibility.

3. Students receiving a grade of “F” for all classes in a semester will be subject to retraction of aid per Federal regulation. Any balance that results is the responsibility of the student.

If you have any questions, you can contact our Financial Aid Office by calling 617-984-1620 or going here.

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