The purpose of Financial Aid at Polk Community College (PCC) is to assist students in obtaining funds to meet their educational objectives in accordance with State, Federal and PCC regulations. Our goal is to provide personalized service in a courteous and professional manner. 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:

financial need demonstrated on the FAFSA submission of an Application for Admission to Polk Community College citizenship or Resident Alien status satisfactory academic progress compliance with repayment of Stafford Loan(s) or any other financial aid program requiring repayment.

Applying for Pell
Follow these steps to apply for the Pell Grant:

complete the FAFSA list our school code (001514) as one of your code choices file FAFSA with the federal processor (after approximately four weeks you will receive a Federal Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processor) check all information on the SAR for accuracy determine if the Financial Aid Office has received electronic financial information from the federal processor.

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.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal awards are made annually to students with the greatest financial need.
Florida Student Assistance Grant
An annual grant 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. Tax-payers 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.
Workforce Investment Act
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a federally funded program administered through Polk Community College and the Polk Workforce Development Board. This program assists 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 WIA 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 twenty one days before Central 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." For a list of donors, see Appendix B.
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 20 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. See Appendix B for a list of Foundation donors, as well as additional scholarship information.
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.

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.