Financial Aid Terms and Conditions
Financial aid awards are based on students maintaining satisfactory academic progress as outlined on the College website.
The financial aid office will certify enrollment status at the end of the add/drop period for each semester. If students are registered for classes, but do not attend beyond the add/drop period, they must officially drop the course(s) or be financially responsible for all charges incurred. All awards will be adjusted at this time to reflect actual enrollment status. If students choose to take classes outside their program of study, they may be required to cover the cost from their own resources.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to be eligible for Rhode Island State Grant, and to receive priority funding for Federal College Work Study (FCWS) and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Students may be eligible for a Pell Grant if enrolled less than half-time. Direct Loan recipients must be enrolled for at least 6 credits at the time the loan is disbursed.
Financial Aid does not pay for audited classes, challenge exams or CLEP tests.
Students are required to notify the enrollment services/financial aid office if they receive financial assistance such as a scholarship, grant, or loan from an outside source since this may affect their eligibility for financial aid. Students must also notify the Office of Enrollment Services if they change their name or address. The College will use students’ financial aid funds to pay for outstanding tuition, fees, and other charges. Remaining funds will be disbursed during the semester.
If a student receives aid they are not entitled to, it will be their responsibility to repay those funds. If a student takes courses at two institutions during the same time period, they may only receive financial aid from one of the institutions.
Qualifying for Aid
To be eligible for federal, state and institutional aid, students must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate financial need (may not be required for some loan and institutional programs)
- Have a standard high school diploma, GED or ATB (Ability to Benefit)
- Be enrolled in a college credit program or an eligible certificate program
- Maintain financial aid standards of academic progress in program of study
- Not be in default or owe a repayment of Title IV funds
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen with permanent residency status and alien registration identification number
- Be registered with Selective Service (males between the ages of 18 and 25)
- Have not borrowed in excess of loan limits under the Title IV program
- Must have all requested documents on file before disbursements are made
Conditions Affecting Eligibility
All financial aid recipients will be required to repay a percentage of funds disbursed if they officially withdraw from college or stop attending all classes before 60 percent of the term has been completed. Financial aid funds will be terminated if a student is in violation of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Corrections made to your Student Aid Report (SAR) can cause changes in award amounts. Awards are based on your current or estimated enrolled hours. Dropping or withdrawing can cause your financial aid to be adjusted or canceled.
|
Credit Hours |
Status |
|
12 credits or more |
Full-time status |
|
9-11 credits |
¾ time status |
|
6-8 credits |
½ time status |
|
1-5 credits |
Less than ½ time status |
Paying the Bill
Your financial aid award will automatically be applied towards your bill. You may be able to use your financial aid to purchase books at the College Bookstore (if eligible). If your financial aid award is not enough to cover tuition and fees, you are responsible for the balance of your bill.
The student financial aid office reserves the right to adjust your award due to changes in your eligibility or the availability of funds.