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Catalog 1999-2000 |
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The primary function of the Financial Aid Office is to assist
students and prospective students as they plan the financial decisions
necessary for attending college. All federal aid programs, as
well as many state and local programs, require a "needs analysis"
from each participating student. Our students use the needs analysis
form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
as the PCC application for any federal aid.
FAFSA forms are available in the Financial Aid Office on both
the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses, as well as in Polk County
high school guidance offices.
Your rights and responsibilities are explained in detail in the
current issue of the booklet, "Financial Aid Information,"
available in the Financial Aid Office on both campuses.
The major categories of financial assistance programs include
grants, loans, the College Work-Study Program, and scholarships.
GRANTS
Grants, like scholarships, do not have to be repaid. Most grant programs are based on student need.
PELL GRANT
Pell Grant is a need-based federal aid program for undergraduate
students. Eligibility is determined by the federal processor.
The maximum award is established by the Federal Government and
awards are prorated according to the number of credits for which
you are enrolled.
Eligibility
Your eligibility for Pell Grant is based on a number of factors:
Applying for Pell
Follow these steps to apply for the Pell Grant:
Awards and Payments
If you meet all applicable standards the Financial Aid Office mails an award letter listing the amounts you are eligible to receive. Funds are credited to your account for payment toward the cost of tuition and books. If there is a balance in your account after the term begins the PCC Business Office sends you a check in that amount. Please see the current issue of the booklet "Financial Aid Information" for complete disbursement information and minimum enrollment criteria. The booklet also explains the standards of progress necessary to continue your eligibility for financial assistance, as well as verification requirements for Pell Grants.
SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT
Federal awards are made annually to students with the greatest financial need.
FLORIDA ASSISTANCE GRANT
Awards of up to $800 per year, annually provided, may be awarded to students with exceptional need. Deadline to apply for the Florida Assistance Grant is May 15.
HOPE SCHOLARSHIP CREDIT
The Hope Scholarship Credit is equal to all of the first $1,000 of tuition and fees (less scholarships, grants, and tax-free tuition benefits) and half of the next $1,000 of tuition and fees and is available to parents of dependent students or to students who are not claimed as dependents on their parents' return. The maximum credit of $1,500 will increase for inflation after 2001. The Hope credit can be claimed only for two tax years and applies only to the first two years of postsecondary education. Students must be enrolled at least half-time during at least one academic period that begins during a tax year and cannot have had a drug felony conviction in a year that the credit applies. Education expenses paid on or after January 1, 1998, are eligible for the Hope credit.
LIFETIME LEARNING CREDIT
The Lifetime Learning Credit applies to tuition and fees for
undergraduate, graduate, and continuing-education course work.
A family can claim on its tax return a credit equal to 20 percent
of $5,000 of educational expenses; so the maximum benefit is $1,000
each tax year. Eligible education expenses are offset by scholarships,
grants, and other tax-free tuition benefits. Starting in 2003,
the amount of eligible education expenses increases to $10,000,
resulting in a $2,000 maximum tax credit. Education expenses paid
on or after July 1, 1998, are eligible for the Lifetime Learning
Credit.
Eligibility is determined by adjusted gross income. Taxpayers
cannot use both credits for the same student in a single year
nor may they combine these credits with tax-free withdrawals from
education IRAs. Consult your tax advisor or see IRS Publication
970 for more information.
JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT AND ECONOMIC DISLOCATED WORKER ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANT ACT
Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and Economic Dislocated
Worker Adjustment Assistant Act (EDWAA) are federally funded programs
administered through Polk Community College and the Polk Workforce
Development Board. These programs assist individuals who are economically
disadvantaged, are dislocated workers or are homemakers with the
cost of attending college. The benefits cover the cost of tuition,
books and other associated costs of learning for PCC's A.S. and
Certificate programs.
Students will receive career counseling, academic assistance,
as well as job counseling, job seeking skills and job placement
services. Additional information can be obtained by contacting
the JPTA Academic Advisors on either campus.
LOANS
PCC administers a Short-Term Loan Fund supported by various
agencies and individuals in our community. Eligible students may
secure short-term, no interest loans toward tuition and fees.
Apply for these loans at the Financial Aid Office no later than
eighteen days before Central Registration to registration. Failure
to repay the short-term loan within sixty days of the first day
of early registration will negate issuance of any additional loans.
Please make gifts to the Loan Fund payable to the "PCC Foundation,
Inc."
To be considered for federal loan programs, complete the FAFSA.
Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.
COLLEGE WORK-STUDY PROGRAM
The College participates in the need-based, federally-sponsored College Work-Study Program (CWSP). Participating students may work on campus, or in non-profit organizations in our community. Students may work up to a maximum of 15 hours weekly. Income earned through the CWSP does not require repayment.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Many academic merit, special skills, public service, and financial
need scholarships are available to students at Polk Community
College. We also encourage you to seek scholarships opportunities
from resources and organizations with which you are already affiliated.
These scholarship opportunities often are the best source of financial
assistance since the likelihood of acceptance is much higher than
open competition.
The Polk Community College Foundation also provides scholarships
for students. Foundation scholarship announcements are made in
late December each year. Applications are by the Financial Aid
Office.
HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Polk Community College awards scholarships to academically
outstanding students from each of the accredited high schools
in Polk County. High School Academic Scholarships pay matriculation
fees for two years provided you maintain satisfactory academic
progress. Certain maximum dollar amounts apply.
The second year awards are made possible through the John Carlton
Nydegger Memorial Trust, the Ray and Anna Martin Memorial Trust,
and College scholarship funds. Further information about these
scholarships is available from high school counselors. The application
deadline is February 15.
MATURE STUDENT ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Each year PCC seeks four academically talented students who graduated from high school with honors at least two years ago. To encourage their attendance at PCC, Mature Student Academic Scholarships pay matriculation fees for four terms (maximum dollar amounts per term apply) provided satisfactory academic progress is maintained. Deadline to apply for the scholarship is February 15 of the year preceding your Term I (Fall semester) enrollment. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional application information.
HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE SCHOLARSHIPS
Polk Community College awards scholarships to students who
commit to providing services to their high school classmates during
their senior year. High school juniors maintaining a minimum 2.75
GPA and a good record of activities also may apply.
High School Service Scholarships pay matriculation fees for two
years provided satisfactory academic progress is maintained. Maximum
dollar amounts per term apply.
Additional information about these scholarships is available from
high school counselors in the spring of your junior year.
CULTURAL ARTS AND OTHER EXTRACURRICULAR SCHOLARSHIPS
A number of scholarships are awarded each year to students
displaying special skills in one of a number of areas including
music, art, journalism, and drama.
These scholarships pay matriculation fees (maximum dollar amounts
per term apply) and are renewable provided performance and academic
progress are satisfactory. For additional information, contact
the Financial Aid Office or the area of the college appropriate
to your special skill.
ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Athlete scholars are invited to apply for scholarships available to those qualifying for participation in PCC's varsity sports program. Scholarships are awarded in accordance with the rules published by the Florida Community College Activities Association and the appropriate Board of Trustees rule. Participating varsity sports include baseball and basketball for men, and volleyball and softball for women. Interested individuals may contact the PCC Athletic Office for information about tryouts.
FINANCIAL NEED SCHOLARSHIPS
Students applying for financial aid at PCC may be selected to receive a financial need scholarship. Financial need scholarships are reserved for students demonstrating the highest level of financial need. All students submitting FAFSAs are considered for an award.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE DISABLED
The Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security offers scholarships through the Vocational Rehabilitation Division for those with physical or emotional handicaps. Information and referral is available from the Special Needs Advisor on each campus.
FINANCIAL AID STANDARDS OF PROGRESS
In addition to other requirements, you are required to maintain
at least a 66 2/3% (2/3) cumulative completion of all attempted
student semester hours (SSH) at Polk Community College to retain
your financial aid. Attempted SSH includes all college preparatory
courses, as well as courses for which a grade of "W"
is received. No federal aid is awarded to students after attempting
90 SSH in a 60 SSH major.
For additional information concerning Financial Aid Standards,
please consult the booklet "Financial Aid Information"
available in the Financial Aid Office.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students transferring from other post-secondary institutions also are required to insure financial aid information is received from each school attended by the Polk Community College Financial Aid Office. Financial aid transcripts must be reviewed by PCC prior to the awarding of any aid.
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