Financial Aid

Mayland Community College seeks to provide financial assistance to students who otherwise would not be able to continue their education. Types of aid available include scholarships, grants, part-time work, child care and tax credits. All students are encouraged to apply for financial assistance. Counselors in Student Development are available to advise students in applying for financial aid.

Section Topics

 

 

Eligibility Regulations & Requirements

• Students who receive Title IV federal aid and then drop out before the 60% point of the semester will be required to pay back a percentage of the aid. Failure to repay will result in the loss of eligibility for further Title IV aid until the amount due is repaid in full.
• Student eligibility for financial assistance is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the Mayland Community College Scholarship Application. All information received in the Mayland Financial Aid Office will remain confidential. Awards are made according to federal, state and local regulations. Students' need is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution (EFC) from the total educational cost (COA). Information submitted may be subject to documented verification.
• The school reserves the right to review and make adjustments to awards if the student becomes over awarded, if the student's resources change, or if there are other changes in the student's financial need.
• Students in default of a student loan or repayment of a grant cannot be awarded financial aid under Title IV Federal Regulations.
• Students receiving financial assistance are required to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, as well as earn a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year when receiving financial aid as a full-time student, 18 credit hours per academic year when receiving financial aid as a three-quarters time student, and 12 credit hours per academic year when receiving financial aid as a half-time student.
• Financial aid awards are not made on the basis of any disability, race, color, sex or national/ethnic origin.
• If a student's financial aid award has not been approved by Mayland, 100% payment will be expected no later than Registration Day. Failure to do so will result in the student being removed from his/her classes.
• Due to Federal Regulations, if you are in a certificate or diploma program then clock hour to credit hour conversions are required which could reduce the Pell amount awarded.
• The Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certificate program is a one time, one semester Pell award.

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Application Procedures

Grants & Work Study

Students applying for all financial aid should file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid or visit www.fafsa.ed.gov). This application is used to determine eligibility for all federal aid, including: Pell Grants, College Work-Study, and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). It also is used to determine eligibility for the North Carolina State Incentive Grant and the North Carolina Community College Grant. There are no fees charged to process this application.

For Mayland students who wish to enroll in RAVEN (Regional Audio/Video Education Network) classes, the financial aid application process is similar to that for on-campus classes. Requirements for telecourses, Internet courses, and teleweb courses, which are all monitored by Mayland instructors are considered the same as normal classroom instruction.

However, courses from other colleges offered through FOLDER (Functioning Online Listing of Distance Education Resources) do have additional paperwork requirements. In order to receive any type of Title IV aid, these students must submit the following documentation:

1. copy of registration form showing the course number, section number, course title, number of credit hours, and total charges;
   
   
2. copy of tuition and fee payment receipt;
   
   
3. confirmation by letter or e-mail from the course instructor that the student is enrolled and participating in the online class

All students picking up Financial Aid checks from the Business Office must present a form of Picture I.D.

All undergraduate non-degree Pell programs which have courses that will not transfer for full credit towards an associate degree at Mayland Community College will be prorated using the clock hour conversion formula as regulated by the Department of Education.

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Mayland Community College Scholarships

Any student who wishes to apply for a scholarship may complete the Mayland Community College Scholarship Application, which may be obtained at the Student Development window. Applications for scholarships awarded for Fall Semester must be received by the Student Development Office by July 1st. Applications for scholarships awarded for Spring Semester must be received by the Student Development Office by November 1st.

All applications for financial aid are available in local area high school guidance offices and in the Student Development area of Mayland's Gwaltney Hall.

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Financial Aid Notification of Regulations and Requirements

Students applying for a PELL Grant may be chosen for a process called VERIFICATION. Students are randomly selected for verification by the Department of Education according to the application information. Financial aid will only be awarded when all verification has been completed. For balancing purposes, all verification information needs to be turned into the Financial Aid office by June 10 for each year. Failure to get all information in on time may affect a student's financial aid.

Any schedule adjustments made after the allowed schedule adjustment period could negatively impact a student's financial aid award.

It is the student's responsibility to attend the 1st day of class. Failure to attend or failure to be in contact with their instructor, may negatively impact the student's financial aid awards.

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Disbursment Schedule

All checks are to be picked up at the Cashier's window located in Gwaltney Hall on the College's Main Campus. A signature and photo ID are required when picking up a check.

The Pell Grant disbursement schedule is as follows:

Fall Semester, 2010	September 24, 2010
Spring Semester, 2011	February 11, 2011
Summer Semester, 2011	June 22, 2011

For all other Financial Aid checks please check your LEO account for disbursement information.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress in 1980, mandates institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of "satisfactory progress" for students receiving aid. For the purpose of maintaining consistency among all students receiving financial aid administered by the Mayland Financial Aid Office, the standards are applicable to all financial aid programs including all federally sponsored Title IV programs.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipient
Definition for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To initially receive or continue to receive financial aid at Mayland Community College, a student must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress by maintaining at or above a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), with a 66 percent or greater completion rate of attempted credit hours.

Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Mayland Community College applies these standards to all federal and state financial aid funds in order to maintain a consistent procedure for all students receiving assistance.

In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following minimum guidelines:

1. Qualitative Standard – Must not be suspended according to the College's academic suspension procedure. In addition, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
   
   
2. Quantitative Standard – Must earn 66 percent of the total cumulative credit hours attempted (e.g., if the student has attempted 50 credit hours, the student must have earned credit for at least 33 hours). The number of hours attempted is defined as the total cumulative number of credit hours for which the student was enrolled at the general 10% point of each term. The total number of hours earned is defined as the total cumulative number of credit hours from each term at MCC for which the student received a passing grade as noted on the student's academic transcript.
   
   
3. Maximum Time Frame – Must complete program of study in a time frame not to exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program for full-time students. This will be measured in credit hours (e.g., if the academic program length requires 60 credit hours, maximum time frame cannot exceed 90 credit hours attempted).

It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of his/her Satisfactory Academic Progress status for financial aid eligibility. To determine a student's academic progress status and eligibility for financial aid, the student's academic record is evaluated at the end of each semester.

Financial aid recipients will be granted a two-semester period following the first semester of failure to regain cumulative satisfactory academic progress. The first term after failure to make satisfactory academic progress is known as “monitoring” status. If satisfactory academic progress is not regained, the next term is known as “probationary” status. During the monitoring and probationary status periods, a student may continue to receive financial aid provided he/she is otherwise eligible. Students are expected to use this period to work on re-establishing satisfactory academic progress.

If, at the end of the monitoring and/or probation periods, the student is able to re-establish satisfactory academic progress, the probation is lifted. After these two terms, if satisfactory academic progress has not been regained, he/she is placed in “unsatisfactory” status and the student is no longer eligible for financial aid until their progress is again satisfactory.

A student who does not meet the academic requirements for financial aid eligibility at the end of the probationary semester may attend the next semester(s) (without financial aid) in order to make up the deficiencies (2.0 grade-point average and 66% completion rate). This only applies if the student has not been placed on academic suspension. A student also has the option of applying for an Appeal of Financial Aid Termination if the student feels he/she demonstrates mitigating circumstances that prevented them from reaching satisfactory academic progress; such as a death of a relative, student or family illness or injury. Documentation is required and the appeal process must be followed for the appeal to be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

When a student re-enters college or changes majors, prior credits applying to the current major will be calculated in the required 150 percent time frame.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress

The specific procedures for applying the satisfactory progress standards are outlined below:

1. Satisfactory progress will be evaluated prior to each payment period on a semester basis.
2. Grades of "F," "I," "WF," "W," "WP," "SP" and "Y" will not qualify as successful completion of credit hours
   attempted.
3. Repeated courses for which the student initially received a grade of "I" and waspaid will not qualify for repayment. Likewise, courses repeated that were previously passed with a "D" or higher will not qualify for repayment. Repeated courses for which a student received a grade of “F,” “W,” “WF,” or “WP” will qualify for repayment.
4. Audited classes are not counted in the number of hours to be considered when determining enrollment status for Pell Grant calculation and other financial aid.
5. Transfer credits from other post-secondary institutions will be used to determine satisfactory progress.
6. Except for courses in English as a Second Language, up to 30 credit hours worth of non-credit or reduced
   credit remedial coursework may qualify for payment.
7. A student who fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress, as defined will forfeit all financial aid awarded
   and disbursements will be terminated.
8. The maximum enrollment time frame will be pro-rated for those students who enroll on a less than full-time basis.

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Appeal of Financial Aid Termination

To appeal financial aid
termination, a student must be able to demonstrate mitigating circumstances. The procedure for appeal is:

1. A student will apply for Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal using the form that can be downloaded from the list of forms under financial aid. The student must include all documentation required along with the explanations why satisfactory progress was not met and why financial aid should not be terminated.
   Documentation to support the appeal is required.
2. The form and all supporting documentation should be turned into the Financial Aid Director.
3. Within five working days, the Director of Financial Aid will call a meeting of the Financial Aid Committee to review the appeal to determine whethertermination of aid is justified. The student will be advised of the
   decision in writing within five working days of the meeting.
4. If the student disagrees with the finding of the committee, the student may file a grievance using the Student Grievance Policy.

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Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

Should a student lose financial aid eligibility by not meeting the satisfactory academic progress definition, termination will continue until the student regains academic satisfactory progress.

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Types of Aid

Federal Pell Grant Program

The purpose of the Federal Pell Grant is to provide eligible students with a foundation of financial aid for post-secondary education. Any student working toward a degree/diploma/certificate may be eligible for the grant, which ranges from $400-$4310, depending on the number of credit hours enrolled each semester and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated by the Department of Education.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

This grant is for students demonstrating exceptional need to meet their costs of education. Eligibility is determined from the FAFSA application.

Federal College Work-Study Program

This aid is intended to provide eligible students employment to assist in paying their expenses to attend college. The Mayland Financial Aid Office endeavors to assign the student to work in an area related to intended career objectives. A student must be eligible to receive a Pell Grant in order to be eligible to receive Work-Study Aid.

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North Carolina Student Incentive Grant

Students with exceptional financial need may receive a NCSIG. The requirement for consideration of the NCSIG is to complete the FAFSA by March 15 each year. No other form is required.

North Carolina Community College Grant

The North Carolina Community College Grant is funded by an appropriation made by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1999 and provides the largest financial need-based student assistance program in the history of the North Carolina Community College System. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Community College System make these financial aid funds available to the neediest students who are not eligible for other financial aid programs that cover their required educational expenses. Students who are ineligible to receive a full Pell Grant award are considered for this need-based grant. A requirement for consideration of the NCCCG is to complete the FAFSA by March 15 each year.

Scholarships

A number of scholarships are available at Mayland and eligibility requirements vary. Scholarship applications may be picked up and turned in after completion at the Student Development window. Applications for miscellaneous scholarships from various sources are posted on the Financial Aid Bulletin Board near the Financial Aid Office (Room 148). The financial aid page on the Mayland Website contains links to several financial aid resources on the Internet.

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North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship

The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (NCELS) program was created by the 2005 General Assembly to provide financial assistance to NC students with need, who attend eligible colleges located within the state of North Carolina. This scholarship is offered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority through College Foundation, Inc.

An applicant must:

1. be a NC resident for tuition purposes;
2. meet all the eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell grant, except the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) requirement; and
3. enroll for a least six credit hours per semester as an undergraduate student in a degree, certificate or diploma program at an eligible North Carolina post-secondary institution;
4. the student must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements of the institution they are attending.

NC Education Lottery scholarship is not offered for the summer semesters. The only application for this funding is to apply using the FAFSA application. (You can find the application at www.fafsa.ed.gov ).

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Academic Competitiveness Grant

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) was authorized in February of 2006 under the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA), and was implemented on July 1, 2006.

An applicant must:

1. be a US Citizen;
2. Full time enrollment status;
3. be in an eligible degree program;
4. must be Pell eligible;
5. must demonstrate need;
6. must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements of the institution they are attending.

Grant levels are fixed amounts set at: 1) $750.00 for first year students 2) $1,300.00 for second year students. Progression based on Title IV definition of academic year.

The student must have graduated from a rigorous program of study while in high school such as College Tech Prep, or NC Scholars Initiative to be eligible for ACG. For the first year ACG students must have completed the rigorous program after January 1, 2006 and for the second year ACG students must have completed by January 1, 2005. A second year ACG student is also required to obtain at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of their first academic year to remain eligible.

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Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund (EARN)

EARN was established by the 2007 North Carolina General Assembly to provide grants to eligible students to enable them to obtain an education beyond the high school level at community colleges and universities in North Carolina without incurring student loans during the first two years of their postsecondary education.

The maximum grant for which a student is eligible is $4,000 per academic year. The EARN grant plus other financial aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance established by each college or university.

An applicant must:

1. Be a NC resident and the US for tuition purposes,
2. Must be enrolled full-time and be enrolled in college for the first time, exclusive of any college credits earned while in high school, at a North Carolina public university or a community college within seven months of high school graduation or obtaining a GED,
3. Must be classified as “dependent” for Federal Title IV programs or is award or dependent of the courts,
4. The student must demonstrate total family income not exceeding 200% of the applicable federal poverty guideline,
5. The student must meet all other eligibility requirements for the federal Pell Grant.

To retain eligibility for a grant for a second year, the student must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards established by the eligible college or university in which the student is enrolled. The student may not receive a grant through this program for more than the equivalent of two academic years.

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Tax Incentives

On August 5, 1997, President Clinton signed into law the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, putting into place some ways through the tax structure that students can reduce their costs of education. Included under this act are the Education IRA, the Hope Scholarship Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, and Student Loan Interest Deductions.

For additional information on these tax incentives, call 1-800-4-FED-AID or seek advice from your tax consultant or the IRS. You may also visit the IRS Website at www.irs.ustreas.gov and click on “Tax Info For You” at the bottom of the webpage.

Education IRA

This is a trust or custodial account that is created exclusively for the purpose of paying the qualified higher education expenses of the designated beneficiary of the account. Taxpayers, including the designated beneficiary, may deposit up to $500 per year, tax-free until withdrawal, into an Education IRA for anyone under the age of 18. Also, no tax is owed upon withdrawal from the IRA account unless the amount withdrawn is greater than the cost of the student's qualified higher education expenses.

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Education Tax Credits

As a community college student, you are eligible to receive education tax credits that can reduce the expense of your education. There are two education tax credits available, the Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The credits are based on education expenses paid for you, your spouse, or your dependents. During any particular year, you can claim only one of the credits for each student.

The amount of the credit is determined by the amount you pay for “qualified tuition and related expenses” for each student and the amount of your modified adjusted gross income (modified AGI).

Expenses that qualify are tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an accredited college, university, vocational school, or other post–secondary educational institution that is eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education.

Qualified expenses do not include room and board, insurance, transportation, or other similar personal, living, or family expenses. Qualified expenses may include fees for books, supplies, and equipment only if the fees must be paid to the school for the student's enrollment or attendance. In addition, qualified expenses may include student activity fees if the fee must be paid to the school for the student's enrollment or attendance.

The Hope Credit

You can claim a Hope Credit only for an “eligible student.” An “eligible student” is a student who:

1. As of the beginning of the year, has not completed the first two years of post–secondary education (that is, generally is a freshman or sophomore in college).
2. Is enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential, for at least one academic period beginning during the year.
3. Is taking at least one–half of the normal full–time workload for the student's course of study for at least one academic period beginning during the calendar year, and
4. Is free of any federal or state felony conviction for possessing or distributing a controlled substance as of the end of the year.

You can claim a Hope Credit for only two tax years for each eligible student. An eligible student can be you, your spouse, or your dependent for whom you claim an exemption.

Lifetime Learning Credit

The Lifetime Learning Credit is not based on the student's workload. It is allowed for one or more courses that the student takes at an eligible educational institution. The credit is not limited to students in the first two years of post–secondary education. Expenses for graduate–level degree work are eligible. However, to be eligible for the credit, the student must be taking course work in order to acquire or improve job skills. There is no limit on the number of tax years for which the Lifetime Learning credit can be claimed for each student. The amount you can claim as a credit does not vary (i.e., increase) based on the number of students for whom you pay qualified expenses.

Both the Hope Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit may be reduced, or eliminated, if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain limits, based on your filing status. You cannot claim either credit if you are married filing a separate return. The credit is claimed on Form 8863 (PDF).

For answers to some frequently asked questions, refer to http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw52.html and for additional information on education credits, refer to Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.

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Resources

Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation

This program aids disabled veterans to prepare themselves for work.

Eligibility:

• Veteran must have a service connected disability of 10 percent disabling and a serious employment handicap or, Veterans must have a service connected disability of 20 percent.
• Discharge must be other than dishonorable.
• An active duty service member can apply as long as she/he is in the process of a medical separation and has a disability rating of at least 20 percent.

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Veterans Scholarships

In appreciation for the service and sacrifices of North Carolina's war veterans, a four-year scholarship program has been established for the qualifying children of certain class categories of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA veterans.

To qualify, the applicant must:

1. Be under age 25 at the time of application,
2. Have a veterans parent who was a legal resident of North Carolina at the timeof said veteran's entrance into that period of service in the armed forces during which eligibility is established.

OR

1. The applicant is the natural child or adopted child prior to age 15, who was born in North Carolina and has been a resident of North Carolina continuously since birth.
2. The veteran's disabilities must have occurred during a period of war.

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Veterans Administration Benefits

Most curriculum programs offered by the College are approved for Veterans Administration educational assistance benefits. Veterans, dependents of veterans and war orphans may be eligible for VA benefits. For further information and assistance in establishing eligibility for educational benefits, the student should contact the Financial Aid Technician (room 145).

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Workforce Development Programs

Mayland Community College's Workforce Development Programs provide training, education and employment programs funded through the federally funded Workforce Investment Act. The purpose is to prepare adults and dislocated workers for available employment opportunities through a variety of services that include:

• Information on local career opportunities • Matching skills to jobs
• Scholarships for training • On-the-Job Training
• Paid work experiences • Job search skills
• Interviewing techniques and resume development

For more information, call 733-3901 in Avery County, 765-7758 in Mitchell County, and 682-6618 in Yancey County.

WIA Youth Services

WIA-funded programs provide services to both in-school and out-of-school youth combining year- round and summer training activities. These activities help eligible young people to achieve academic and employment success and to be prepared for lifelong learning through an array of options that will improve their educational and skill competencies and provide connections to employers.

The Get REAL (Resources Employment Advancement Learning) System of Services offers resources for youth up through the age of 21 to help plan a career, get job experience, get advice on how to climb the career ladder and learn job training and searching skills. Programs are administered through the JobLink Career Centers in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties. For more information about these services call 733-3901 in Avery County, 765-7758 in Mitchell County, or 682-6618 in Yancey County

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