Financial Aid Policies & Procedures

2009-2010 Academic Year

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Academic Year
3. Cost of Attendance
4. Ability to Benefit
5. Packaging Policy
6. Verification Policy
7. Eligibility Issues
8. Deadlines
9. Student Rights and Responsibilities
10. Board of Governors Fee Waiver
11. Satisfactory Academic Progress
12. Return to Title IV
13. Financial Aid Resources Available
14. How and When Financial Aid Will be Disbursed
15. Pell Grant Processing
16. Consumer Information
17. Loan Policy
18. Professional Judgment
19. Aid Disbursement Policy
20. Cal Grant Policy

I. Introduction

Sierra College's Financial Aid programs stem from a belief that student aid services should facilitate and foster the successful academic participation of financially needy students. As part of its commitment to students’ positive college experience, the Financial Aid Office provides this information to help students better understand their relationship with financial aid.

State and federal regulations allow community colleges participating in financial aid programs discretion when establishing college specific policies and procedures. This policy represents Sierra College’s current practices whenever state and federal regulations determine that policy decision-making is the responsibility of the college.

It is the goal of the Financial Aid Office to provide students with the most current policy information affecting their financial aid while at Sierra College. Accordingly, as new state or federal regulations take effect or college practices evolve, this policy will be updated.

Sierra College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. A copy of the report may be obtained from the following Sierra College website at http://www.sierracollege.edu/AboutUs/research/accreditation.html

Sierra College offers services for disabled students. You may visit their website at http://www.sierracollege.edu/StudentServices/dsps/services.html or make an appointment by calling (916) 660-7460 for Rocklin and Roseville Gateway Campus and (530) 274-5330 for the Nevada County and Truckee Campus: (530) 274-5330.

II. Academic Year

Minimum Academic Year Definition

Academic programs offered at Sierra College are calculated in units and measured by semesters. Sierra College establishes two 16 week semesters (fall and spring), one 12 week, two 6 week, two 7 week and one 14 week summer sessions per academic year. This meets the federal minimum academic year definition (30 weeks of instruction minimum).

For financial aid purposes, this definition is important because it affects how payment periods are calculated. Sierra College makes financial aid payments based on the college’s semester. A student’s financial aid is calculated by semester, rather than by weeks or classes attended.

To be considered full-time for financial aid for summer, students must be taking 12 or more units.

Programs Offered

Sierra College offers an Associate in Arts degree (AA) and an Associate in Science degree (AS), both which meet the minimum academic year definition. In addition, Sierra College offers certificate programs which also meet the minimum academic year definition. For the most updated list of certificate programs approved for aid at Sierra College, refer to the Sierra College participation agreement with the US Department of Education.

III. Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance (COA) refers to the average amount a full-time student enrolled in classes at Sierra College can expect to spend during the semester. It is different for students living independently off or on campus or at home, or who are residents of California or from another state.

Included in COA

The cost of attendance covers:

• Tuition and Fees
• Books and Supplies
• Room and Board
• Personal Expenses
• Transportation

Determination of Cost of Attendance

Every year, Sierra College’s Financial Aid Office reviews the California Student Aid Commission’s most current Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS). It is a wide survey of students’ budgets and expenses from UCs, CSUs, community colleges, independent, and private career institutions. If the survey is not from the current year, it is adjusted for inflation.

Each year California legislators establish the cost for tuition per unit. The average amount of units enrolled at Sierra College or full-time enrollment units are used along with information about health and transportation fees. This sets the amount for tuition and fees while information from the SEARS is used to establish amounts for books and supplies and personal expenses. Finally, Sierra College’s student budget information about room and board and transportation is used because of the close geographic proximity and shared residential areas. In this way, the Financial Aid Office establishes a reasonable cost of attendance.

The cost of attendance is subject to change depending on legislative activity. It sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive for the year. It represents a modest budget by which a student can live adequately while attending Sierra College.

California Residents

	With Parents/No Dependents	Residence Halls	Off Campus	Less than ½ time Pell
Fees	$600.00	$600.00	$600.00	$600.00
Books/Supplies	$2,222.00	$2,222.00	$2,222.00	$2,222.00
Room	$0.0	$6,700.00	$7,758.00	$0.0
Board	$3,474.00	$3,474.00	$3,474.00	$0.0
Transportation	$2,600.00	$2,600.00	$2,600.00	$2,600.00
Misc./Personal	$1,800.00	$2,664.00	$2,664.00	$0.0
Total	$10,696.00	$18,260.00	$19,318.00	$5,422.00

Non - Residents

	With Parents/No Dependents	Residence Halls	Off Campus	Less than ½ time Pell
Fees	$600.00	$600.00	$600.00	$600.00
Non-Resident Fees	$4,480.00	$4,480.00	$4,480.00	$4,480.00
Books/Supplies	$2,222.00	$2,222.00	$2,222.00	$2,222.00
Room	$0.0	$6,700.00	$7,758.00	$0.0
Board	$3,474.00	$3,474.00	$3,474.00	$0.0
Transportation	$2,600.00	$2,600.00	$2,600.00	$2,600.00
Misc./Personal	$1,800.00	$2,664.00	$2,664.00	$0.0
Total	$15,176.00	$22,740.00	$23,798.00	$9,902.00

IV. Ability to Benefit (ATB)

Funds Subject to ATB

Any student who has not graduated from high school or received a GED and would like to receive federal financial aid (Pell, FSEOG, work-study, federal student and parent loans) must demonstrate an ability to benefit from college enrollment. Sierra College’s Assessment Center will guide students through the process which must be completed before the student can be approved for federal financial aid. By using the Assessment Centers web page you can be sure to stay current on ATB testing dates.. http://www.sierracollege.edu/ApplyRegister/assessment/index.html

V. Packaging Policy

When a student applies for financial aid, the funds will usually come from more than one source. This combination of financial resources is referred to as packaging. State programs are always subject to an approved State budget.

Available Financial Aid Sources

Every institution has the option of which kind of financial aid programs to offer to its students. Sierra College participates in the following financial aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work Study
• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• Federal Stafford Loan Program (subsidized and unsubsidized student loans and parent loans)
• Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver Program (BOGW)
• Cal Grant B and C
• Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) grants
• Scholarships
• Alternative loans

Definition of Financial Need

Students are packaged for financial aid (given financial aid from several of the programs for which a student is eligible) based on the student’s financial need. Financial need is determined by a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as compared to Sierra College Cost of Attendance (COA).

To meet with federal regulations, Sierra College defines the neediest students as those whose EFC = $0.

Resources Included in Award Packaging

Financial aid packages are awarded as follows:

1. The BOGW is awarded to those students who qualify for the program. Sierra College awards the amount listed in Sierra College’s Cost of Attendance for every eligible student even if the student is taking units which differ from the average enrollment information used to calculate the Cost of Attendance.
2. The Pell Grant is awarded to students who meet the federal criteria. The amounts of the award vary as the federal government determines.
3. The FSEOG is first awarded to Pell Grant eligible students with EFC = $0 to help ensure that the neediest students receive these limited financial funds.
4. Federal work-study is awarded at the rate of or maximum of $2160 per semester ($4320 per academic year).

These are the only programs that Sierra College includes as part of a student’s financial aid package.

Resources Not Included in Award Packaging

Sierra College’s financial aid packaging does not include any kind of loan (student, parent, or alternative). Information is provided per student request about loan programs.

However, since Sierra College is a 2-year school, students should note that loans are limited to federal sophomore amounts. Also, for loan amount purposes, Sierra College only considers units completed at Sierra College. Transferable units from other institutions count only if the student requests they be posted by Admissions and Records.

Sierra College does not include Federal Work Study in the initial financial aid package. Eligible students are awarded FWS funds on a first come, first served basis. Sierra College receives a limited amount of this type of fund to award to eligible students.

Sierra College does not include CalWORKS employment in the initial financial aid package. Eligible students are awarded CalWORKS funds through the CalWORKS office which is then communicated to the Financial Aid Office.

Sierra College does not include the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) in the student's initial financial aid package. This is awarded to students on an individual basis after reviewing their eligibility.

VI. Verification Policy

Verification Process

Each year the US Department of Education designates financial aid recipients whose documentation will be verified. Sierra College verifies every file identified by the federal government as part of its own verification process. Financial aid recipients’ files are verified all year using a verification worksheet designed by The Department of Education.

Verification Documentation

A dependent student is required to provide copies of the student’s parent’s tax return as well as the student’s personal tax return. An independent student is required to provide the student’s personal tax return and that of the student’s spouse, if the student is married. In both cases, only complete tax returns signed by the taxpayer or with the tax preparer’s stamp with the EIN number for both cases will be accepted.

When possible, Sierra College will attempt to gather income information from the parents of dependent students who reside out-of-the-county.

Secondary Verification

Sierra College uses a secondary verification process specific to the campus. For example, the College verifies all students who answer yes to “Are you a ward of the court?” If a student is independent only because they answered yes to this question then the College will require documentation to support this.

Eligibility Changes Resulting from Verification

If the verification process results in a change of a student’s financial aid eligibility, Sierra College repackages the student for financial aid based on their new eligibility status and notifies the student with a new award letter via the mySierra account.

Corrections are made in the Financial Aid System and sent to the Central Processing System (CPS) through EDConnect. Students are notified of corrections through receipt of an acknowledgment form from the CPS.

VII. Eligibility Issues

Citizenship Documentation

Sierra College uses any acceptable documentation in the Federal Student Aid Handbook for US citizens or permanent residents.

Conflicting Data

If in the process of reviewing a student’s financial aid file, Sierra College’s Financial Aid Office notices conflicting data, the conflict must be resolved before awarding can take place.

Resolving Conflicting Data

The process of resolving the conflicting data is for the Financial Aid Office to:

1. Send out a form to the student if appropriate via mySierra
2. Have a phone conversation with the student.
3. Request agency certification

Timelines

Sierra College will not award a student financial aid (to include the Board of Governors Fee Waiver) until the student replies and the conflicting data is resolved. Additionally, if conflicting data turns up even after the first disbursement to a student, the conflicting data must be resolved before additional disbursements can be made.

Resolving Student Aid Reports (SAR) Comments

The same process used for resolving the federal SAR comments is used to resolve the college selected comments. Students are contacted by mail or email and asked to provide documentation or submit forms to the Financial Aid Office. This process can happen anytime during the year when a SAR comment is generated that needs resolving.

Monitoring Mid-Year Transfers

When awarding a student within the academic year, sometimes the Financial Aid Office determines that the student was not enrolled at Sierra College during the previous semester, (i.e. awarding for spring and the student was not enrolled in fall). In this case, Sierra College checks NSLDS to calculate what the student was paid in Title IV aid, (Pell Grants, FSEOG, and loans), and determines if any of the student’s scheduled awards need to be changed. These adjustments are made manually to keep the students awards within the federal limits. On occasion NSLDS will not be current and we rely on the student and other schools to assist with this process.

VIII. Deadlines

Financial Aid Deadlines and Priority Dates

Sierra College publishes deadlines and priority dates for various programs in the Financial Aid Handbook, on the Web, and on other public postings.

Late Documents

Sierra College does not accept documents that have passed a hard deadline. If there are extenuating circumstances, the student should talk to a Financial Aid Technician or Specialist and the decision is made on a case by case basis by the Financial Aid Program Manager.

IX. Student Rights and Responsibilities

Rights

Students at Sierra College applying for and receiving financial aid have a right to the following:

1. Information on all financial assistance available, which includes all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
2. Disclosure of deadlines for applications of each financial aid program and for any supporting documentation.
3. Specific information regarding fees, tuition and the refund policy for those who drop out of school (withdraw).
4. An explanation of how students are selected for receipt of financial aid and how financial need is determined. This process includes a consideration of costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc., plus the student’s income and assets, parental contribution, other financial aid (such as scholarships) and so on.
5. Knowledge of what resources are considered in the calculation of student need.
6. Knowledge of how a financial aid package is determined.
7. An explanation of various programs awarded in the student’s financial aid package. If a student feels unfairly treated, a reconsideration of the award may be requested.
8. If a return of Title IV funds needs to be calculated, an explanation of the portion of financial aid the student received that must be repaid and what portion does not need to be repaid.
9. If a return of Title IV funds needs to be calculated for a loan, the student has the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount to be repaid if any, when repayment begins, and the conditions of deferment and cancellation.
10. Knowledge of how Sierra College determines whether students are making “satisfactory academic progress” and the consequences of not meeting this requirement.
11. A student has the right to challenge or appeal the student’s financial aid award or any other decision of the Financial Aid Office pertaining to the student, which does not fall under the jurisdiction of federal or state regulations. The right includes: answers to questions, explanations of policies and decisions and request for reconsideration.

Responsibilities

Students at Sierra College applying for and receiving financial aid are responsible for the following:

1. Reviewing and considering all information about Sierra College’s academic programs before enrolling.
2. Completing all the application forms ACCURATELY AND COMPLETELY and submitting them to the right place on time. If this is not done, financial aid could be delayed. Since errors cause misunderstanding and misrepresentation of information provided, errors must be corrected before any financial aid can be received. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of the law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code, and subjects the student’s application to denial. Additionally, regulations require that all cases of suspected fraud emanating from misrepresentation, be reported to the Office of the Inspector General.
3. Promptly returning all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency or agencies to which an application was submitted.
4. Reading and understanding all forms that the student is asked to sign.
5. Notifying the lender (if the student has a loan) of changes in the name, address or school enrollment status.
6. Performing the work that is agreed upon in accepting a college work-study award.
7. Knowing and complying with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
8. Knowing and complying with the Sierra College Federal Aid Refund Policy.
9. Repaying financial aid funds if it is determined that the student was ineligible to receive the funds.

X. Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGW)

The Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program is available to any California resident who meets the financial eligibility requirements or qualifies through another program. California state law pertaining to the BOG fee waiver allows community colleges discretion in certain areas. These are Sierra College’s practices with regards to the BOGW fee waiver policies outlined in the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program.

1. Sierra College’s Financial Aid Office considers the summer session a “trailer” for the academic year. If a student applies for a BOGW fee waiver for the summer session of 2009, the student is in effect applying for financial aid for the 2008-2009 academic year, not the 2009-2010 academic year.
2. If a student wants to qualify for the BOGW fee waiver under Method A then the student must submit the BOGW fee waiver application with the appropriate supporting documentation. Sierra College does not provide any other supplemental form for use with the FAFSA for BOGW Method A eligibility.
3. If Sierra College Admissions enrolls a student without a social security number, then the student may receive a BOGW fee waiver as long as they are a California resident and otherwise qualify for the program.
4. A student who fails to register with selective service in accordance with the law (50 USC App 451 et seq.) may still receive a BOGW fee waiver at Sierra College as long as they otherwise qualify for the program.
5. If a student signs the BOGW fee waiver application and reports a registered domestic partnership, Sierra College does not require additional documentation to verify the student’s status.
6. If a student is independent only under the BOG fee waiver application criteria, Sierra College accepts the information on the signed application without requiring any additional documentation. Exception to this would be if the student also submitted a FAFSA and conflicting income or dependency status is discovered.
7. In order to qualify under Method A for the BOG fee waiver, Sierra College accepts the following documentation:
   1. TANF cash assistance – the student must provide a current copy of their benefits and a letter from the county confirming that the student receives assistance during the time of application.
   2. SSI/SSP – the student must provide a current or previous month printout clearly stating their monthly benefits.
   3. General Assistance – the student must provide a current print out from the county confirming that the student will receive assistance during the period of time for which the student is requesting financial aid. Evidence of the student receiving food stamps or Medi-Cal is not enough.
8. If a student wants adjustments made to the student’s/family’s income for Method B of the BOGW fee waiver then the student must submit a FAFSA and request special condition consideration. Professional judgment is not used by Sierra College for the BOGW fee waiver application alone. Any consideration will be in the context of a broader determination of a student's eligibility for all types of financial assistance as provided for in Section 4.4.2 of the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Board of Governors Fee Waiver Program.
9. If a student does not qualify for Method A or B and wishes to qualify under Method C then a valid FAFSA must be processed. If the FAFSA has been selected for verification then the BOG C will be awarded but if after verification is completed and discovered that the student is not eligible, then the BOG C will be removed and the student becomes responsible for all fees.
10. Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations requires documentation of those who are eligible for the BOGW fee waiver program under Method B. Sierra College requires all eligible students to self-certify their information and does not collect any additional documents unless conflicting information presents itself upon receipt of a FAFSA.
11. The BOGW fee waiver is considered an award in the package of financial aid to meet the enrollment fee as assessed per the California Code of Education. The amount listed by Sierra College is currently $300 per semester for eligible students. However this could change if the fees are increased by legislative action.
    
    For students who qualify under Method A, the amount to cover the health and 50% of parking is added. The BOGW fee waiver award for students qualifying under Method A is $300.
12. Students must provide documentation demonstrating eligibility for the Dependents of Law Enforcement or Fire Suppression Personnel Fee Waiver. Sierra College requires a letter from the appropriate public agency indicating that the student is the surviving spouse, registered domestic partner or the child, natural or adopted of a deceased person who met all of the requirements of Education Code Section 68120. (5.6.1).
    
    The letter must be on agency letterhead and indicate for the deceased person, that:
    1. He or she was a resident of California;
    2. He or she was employed by a public agency;
    3. His or her principal duties consisted of active law enforcement service or active fire suppression and prevention;
    4. He or she was killed in the performance of active law enforcement or active fire suppression and prevention duties.
13. Sierra College establishes all students’ eligibility for the BOGW fee waiver program the same day the student’s application is complete unless conflicting or incomplete information is provided. The last day to establish eligibility for the BOGW fee waiver for the fall, spring, and summer semesters is the last day of the summer semester.
14. Sierra College will reimburse students for fees if the student establishes BOG fee waiver eligibility after having paid the fees. Students have until the last day of the Summer semester to request reimbursement for fall, spring and summer fees.
    

If Sierra College determines that a student is eligible for the BOGW fee waiver program at the time of application, and we later discover that they are ineligible we will pursue the repayment of fees.

XI. Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that all financial aid recipients make satisfactory academic progress and remain in good academic standing. Academic progress is reviewed each semester, prior to the student’s first disbursement for the following academic year. In addition, students who do not complete any units in the Fall semester will be suspended from financial aid as soon as grades or withdrawals are available.

Determining Enrollment Status:

Prior to each disbursement, the Financial Aid Office will verify the number of units a student is enrolled in. Based on the verified unit enrollment, a determination is made as to whether the student is eligible for additional funds. For purposes of the federal satisfactory academic progress, units attempted mean the number of units the student is enrolled in at the time of the final disbursement for the semester.

In determining whether or not a student is making satisfactory progress, the student’s enrollment status is defined as the number of units the student was enrolled in at the time of the final disbursement for the semester.

If the student is enrolled in 12 or more units when his or her final disbursement for the semester is made, the student is considered to be full-time.

If the student is enrolled in 9 to 11.5 units when his or her final disbursement for the semester is made, the student is considered to be 3/4 time.

If the student is enrolled in 6 to 8.5 units when his or her final disbursement for the semester is made, the student is considered to be ½ time.

If the student is enrolled in .5 to 5.5 units when his or her final disbursement for the semester is made, the cost of attendance will be adjusted and the student is responsible to complete all units enrolled.

Completed units means that credit was received for the units enrolled. Classes in which a student receives a grade of “F”, “I”, “NC”, ”IP”, “MW”, or “W” will not be counted as completed classes for satisfactory academic progress, but will be counted as units attempted.

In all enrollment categories, the student is expected to maintain a 2.0 (C average) cumulative grade point average (GPA).

By the end of each semester, to be considered to be making satisfactory progress toward the educational goal, students must complete the minimum number of units required for their enrollment status, as indicated below:

ENROLLMENT STATUS	UNIT COMPLETION REQUIREMENT
Full-time (12 + units/semester)	9 units
¾ time (9 to 11.5/semester)	8 units
½ time (6 to 8.5 units/semester)	6 units
Less than ½ time (0.5 to 5.5 units/semester)	all units enrolled

Units earned from credit by exam courses are not counted for financial aid purposes.

In the determination of enrollment status, it is permissible for a student to count units being taken concurrently at another college. A consortium agreement must be made between the two schools with one school designated as the primary school (from which the student receives financial aid) and the other school as the secondary school. On rare occasions Sierra College will participate in a consortium agreement only as the primary school.

Maximum Time Length and 90 Unit Limitations:

Federal regulations allow students to receive aid for 150% of the published length of an undergraduate program. Sierra College publishes in its catalog that students can earn the AAS Degree by completing 60 credits. Students at Sierra College, therefore, may receive aid for a maximum of 90 credit hours (60 credit hours X 150%=90 credit hours). Once a student has attempted 90 credit hours at Sierra College (including accepted transfer credits), she/he is no longer eligible to receive financial aid.

A student may receive financial aid until a total of 90 units have been attempted, regardless of how much aid has been received. Up to 30 units of remedial coursework and all ESL courses will be deducted. A student who has been terminated from financial aid due to attempting over 90-units may appeal to the Financial Aid Advisory Committee, provided the student is eligible to enroll at Sierra College.

A student is allowed to transfer approximately 70 units to the four-year colleges and universities. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the number of units they take so that they do not make themselves ineligible for transfer to their preferred college or university.

Repeated Course Work:

There is a limit to the number of times that a student may repeat a course. Credits for repeated courses count only once as credits earned and only once in a student’s GPA; however, these credits are counted as attempted credits for each repeated course and also counts towards maximum time length limitations (90 units). The most recent grade for any repeated course is used in calculating GPA. Refer to the Sierra College Catalog for policy on course repetition.

Non-Degree (including remedial & ESL) Course Work:

Sierra College non-degree courses are considered the same as credit courses for tuition, for full-time academic standing and for SAP with the exception that the grades assigned for non-degree course work are not included in the GPA calculations. Credits for non-degree course work are included in the calculation of the 75%-completion requirement and in the maximum limit of 90 credits attempted.

Financial aid may be paid for a maximum of 30 non-degree credits.

It is the student’s responsibility to request transcripts from previously attended institutions, if the student chooses to apply any of those units toward the current educational objective. Upon the student’s request, transcripts from colleges accredited by one of the regional accrediting associations will be evaluated for use toward the student’s current educational objective. All units applicable toward the current education objective will be counted when calculating the maximum time frame for financial aid. All units attempted, although earned before the student was receiving financial aid, will be considered toward the maximum time frame.

Financial Aid Suspension and/or Termination:

Students who have exceeded their maximum time frame, have not completed the required number of units, or have a cumulative grade point average less than 2.0, will be terminated from financial aid. Students who have been dismissed because of insufficient units completed or a grade point average deficiency will not receive further financial aid until they have made up the deficiency or filed a reinstatement petition.

If a student has been attending Sierra College without the benefit of financial aid, the student has been held to the regular college standards for good standing. Pursuant to Section 55756 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations, students on academic probation shall be subject to dismissal if their cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0 in all units attempted in each of three consecutive semesters, excluding summer, or if their cumulative grade point average is less than 1.0 in each of two consecutive semesters attended, excluding summer. The student must be reinstated by the Sierra College Readmission Committee to be able to continue at Sierra College.

Appeal Procedures

Any student who has been terminated from financial aid may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Advisory Committee (FAAC). Each appeal will be reviewed and approved or denied based on the student’s individual circumstances, and his or her proposed course of action. If the written appeal is denied, the student may appeal that decision in person to the Financial Aid Advisory Committee. This decision of the Financial Aid Advisory Committee is final.

A student who has reached the maximum time frame of units attempted may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Advisory Committee. If approved for additional financial aid, the student will be given a specific length of time to complete his or her goal. If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the Committee, he or she may make an appointment with the Financial Aid Advisory Committee.

If a pre-nursing student has reached the maximum time frame then no appeal will be considered until they have been accepted into the Nursing Program.

Fraud

A student who attempts to obtain financial aid by fraud will be referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action and suspended from financial aid for unsatisfactory conduct. The College will report such instances to local law enforcement agencies, to the California Student Aid Commission and/or to the Federal Government, Office of Inspector General. Restitution of any financial aid received in such a manner will be required.

XII. Return to Title IV (Receiving Federal Funds and Withdrawing)

Federal regulations for financial aid require that students who withdraw from their classes before the 60% point of the semester must return part of their financial aid funds to the U.S. Department of Education because the money is unearned if a student is not enrolled in classes.

Withdrawing from classes can happen in two ways. Sierra College students can withdraw on their own while instructors also have the choice of dropping a student who does not attend class. (Some instructors choose not to drop students even if they do not attend class.)

The Admissions Office publishes the withdrawal date for each semester as part of the school calendar. The Financial Aid Office will determine the amount of federal financial aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG, ACG, Federal Student Loans, Parent Plus Loans) that a student earned as of the withdrawal date using federally approved methods to perform the calculations. The order in which Title IV program funds will be returned will follow the federal regulations as outlined in the Federal Student Aid Handbook.

Students will be notified by mail if they are required to repay any portion of the financial aid they received. Students are given 45 days to repay the amount to Sierra College. After 45 days, the student will owe the U.S. Department of Education directly.

If a student owes money to the U.S. Department of Education, they are ineligible to receive federal financial aid from any college or institution until they clear that debt.

Students will become eligible for federal financial aid only after they have repaid the full amount or made arrangements directly with the U.S. Department of Education. Sierra College does not make repayment agreements directly with students other than allowing students 45 days to repay the full amount owed.

If a student receives an “F” in a course, the instructor will annotate the last date of attendance on the grade sheet and/or indicate that the “F” was an earned grade. If it is discovered that the “F” was due to withdrawal then Sierra College will calculate the return of aid as necessary.

XIII. Financial Aid Resources Available

Sierra College makes several financial aid resources available to its students including state, federal, and local funds. Some funds are need-based, meaning the funds go to the most financially needy students who qualify first. There are also non need-based funds which are available to any students who qualify for the programs regardless of their income or that of their parents. Please refer to the Financial Aid Office’s webpage for detailed information.

Need-based programs include Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), subsidized student loans, work-study, Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver Program (BOGW), Cal Grant, and some scholarships.

Non need-based programs include unsubsidized student loans, parent loans, alternative loans, and some scholarships.

Students who would like to be considered for financial aid must apply using either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the BOGW. Both forms can be found on the Financial Aid Office’s website or by following the hyperlink above. Some financial aid resources require a student to submit additional application materials; scholarships, for example, might have a completely separate form to submit to the funding agency. The Financial Aid Office is not responsible for the application process of outside resources like non-Sierra College scholarships, although all students are encouraged to apply for scholarships that might contribute to their financial resources while attending college.

XIV. How and When Financial Aid Will be Disbursed

All financial aid is disbursed through the business office. Your funds will first reduce any debt you owe Sierra College and depending on the method by which the student selects, a refund will be sent either by the Sallie Mae Debit Card, direct deposit, or by check. Debit Cards and checks will be mailed to the mailing address on file with Admission and Records.

For those students who are Pell Grant eligible – you will have two disbursements per semester. The first disbursement will be 50% of your Pell Grant eligibility and any scholarships you may have been awarded. The remainder of all your financial aid (loans, Cal Grant, SEOG, ACG, etc) as well as the other 50% of your Pell Grant will be disbursed the week following add/drop period. As students become eligible for additional aid, Sierra College will process weekly. The business office will produce refund checks on Friday of each week and all checks will be mailed to the mailing address on file with Admissions and Records.

The U.S. Department of Education requires that for all first-time loan borrowers a 30-day delay from the start of semester be put in place.

For alternative loans: The loan is disbursed one disbursement per semester.

XV. New Federal Policies Impacting Pell Grant Eligibility

Limit on Pell Grant Eligibility

Students who receive their first Pell Grant on or after July 1, 2008, will be eligible to receive a Pell Grant for as many as 18 semesters (full‐time) or its equivalent if attending less than full‐time. Pell Grant usage and remaining percentage available will be documented by the U.S. Department of Education on the Student Aid Report (SAR) that students receive via email after they file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Second Pell Grant Award during the Academic Year

Previously, students were eligible to receive one Pell Grant award during the academic year, usually divided equally between fall and spring semesters. Effective for the summer semester, 2009, and beyond, students may be eligible to receive up to two Pell Grant awards in one academic year in order to accelerate the completion of their program. At Sierra College, students must meet the following criteria in order to qualify to receive a second Pell Grant award within the same academic year:

• Continue to be Pell Grant eligible
• Be enrolled at least six credit hours or more during the summer 2010 semester
• Have received 100% of the first Pell Grant award for the academic year
• Sierra College will assume a student successfully completed at least 24 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters for the purpose of determining acceleration.
• All awards will count toward the lifetime Pell eligibility limit.
• Hours earned during the summer semester will count towards the acceleration calculation in all subsequent semesters.

Example of a Second Pell Grant Award During the Academic Year

A student enrolls in the fall and spring semesters and receives a full‐time Pell Grant Award of $5,350. This award is divided equally between the two semesters and the student receives $2,675 for fall and $2,675 for spring. The student wishes to accelerate their program and enrolls full‐time during the summer semester. Because Sierra College assumes the student successfully completed 24 credit hours during fall and spring, and now enrolls full‐time for summer semester, the student will receive another Pell Grant award in the amount of $2,675 for summer.

Application for a Second Pell Grant Award During the Academic Year

Students interested in accelerating their program and who meet all of the criteria listed above may complete the Financial Aid Summer Application in order to have their eligibility determined. The priority deadline to submit this application is June 1, 2010. This application is available from our office or online under the Financial Aid home page.

Transfer Students

If a student received 100% of the first Scheduled Award at another school, Sierra College will assume that the student completed an academic year. If a student received less than 100% of their first Scheduled Award, we will assume that the student completed the same ratio of the academic year as the percentage of the first Scheduled Award utilized at the other school.

Impact on Future Summer Aid Awards

Beginning in the summer semester, 2011, we will review student FAFSA results for both the 2010‐2011 and 2011‐2012 academic years in order to determine which year will result in the highest Pell Grant award for the summer. This means that currently enrolled students who are interested in accelerating their program by taking summer courses should always submit their FAFSAs before the priority application deadline.

XVI. Consumer Information

As a service to students and in order to comply with federal regulations, several campus offices coordinate and track consumer information.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources

Sierra College’s Health Services Clinic provides alcohol and drug abuse resources. This includes educational programming, peer health education programs, resources and counseling, as well as referrals to community service agency counseling and rehabilitation programs. You may receive additional information at their website. http://www.sierracollege.edu/StudentServices/healthServCtr/index.html

Student Right to Know Act

Admissions and Records coordinates disseminating the information for the Student Right to Know Act based on data obtained from Institutional Research. In accordance with the Student Right to Know Act, Sierra College includes information regarding completion, graduation, and applicable transfer out rates. This information is maintained at the Chancellor’s California Community Data Mart. http://www.cccco.edu/...

Campus Security Report

Campus Security prepares the annual security report and posts the results on their website at www.sierracollege.edu/StudentServices/campusSecurity/. In addition to the annual report you will find an updated Police Blotter that reports larceny-theft, simple assault, intimidation and vandalism.

Whistleblower Protection and Anti-Retaliation Law – nothing in the law shall be construed to permit an institution to take retaliatory action against anyone with respect to the implementation of any provision of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act is prepared by the Athletics Department. The college is required to provide disclosure of athletic program participation rates and financial support data as part of the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA). This information is available to the student online by accessing a Department of Education website at http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 ensure students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 15 days of the day the college receives a request for access.
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Sierra College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Each time staff gives information about a student to anyone, staff must:

• Have a record of the request for access and each disclosure of student information.
• Make sure the record identifies the parties who requested the information and their basis for such request.
• Make sure the record disclosures must remain in the file for as long as the educational records are maintained.

XVII. Loan Policy

Each educational institution decides which loan programs it will make available to its students. Sierra College offers several loans to students who qualify. However, Sierra College will not process any request for loans without first completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We wish to make sure that students first qualify for grants before loans are processed.

Private loans are not guaranteed by the federal government. Private loans may cost more than federal loans.

Sierra College is a low-cost community college that grants certificates, two-year associate degrees, and prepares for transfer to four-year universities for bachelors degrees. Students who default on their student loans affect Sierra College’s ability to participate in the financial aid programs once the institution’s default rate reaches certain levels. Sierra College will suspend processing loans if a student’s debt reaches $22,000 until they complete a new Student Education Plan and the EdWise test. A student should have remaining loan eligibility to obtain their academic goals for transferring to 4 year colleges.

Effective July 1, 2008 the aggregate loan limits for undergraduate dependent students is $31,000 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized) and undergraduate independent student is $57,000 (no more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized).

Federal Stafford loans are available to students regardless of income. Financially needy students can apply for Stafford subsidized student loans. Non need-based loans are also available to students who are interested in borrowing. These include unsubsidized Stafford loans, Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, and alternative loans (educational or private loans).

A student interested in loans while attending Sierra College is considered a “first-time borrower” even if they have borrowed from previous schools.

Sierra College defines the loan period based on the semester a student requests the loan. The loan period can either be an academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) or a single semester Fall Spring or Summer. If a student should receive loans from a prior school within the same loan period then we must consider all loans a student has received and certify only any remaining loan eligibility.

Students taking out a loan are required to participate in entrance and exit interviews regardless if they attended this same interview at a previous school. Entrance interviews take place on line or if needed by appointment. Even if a student is not a first-time borrower, if the student is borrowing for the first time at Sierra College they are required to take the on-line entrance interview. As part of Sierra College default prevention program, we ask that all students complete a new on-line entrance loan interview each academic year.

Every student loan borrower is required to complete an exit interview at the conclusion of their academic stay with Sierra College. Students will be required to complete the exit counseling on-line.

Sierra College is required to document students on-line entrance interviews and exit interviews to demonstrate that Sierra College has complied with the U.S. Department of Education's requirement for attendance.

XVIII. Professional Judgment

Financial Eligibility

In cases of extenuating circumstances affecting a student’s financial eligibility, the student or the student’s parent can request special consideration by submitting the Special Conditions Appeal form. The forms can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or by downloading it from the financial aid website.

A student or a student’s parent should consider requesting review of the student’s eligibility if either experience:

1. Loss of employment
2. Loss of income due to divorce or legal separation
3. Loss of income due to death of a spouse
4. One-time income
5. Loss or hardship due to natural disaster.

The documentation required in each case is listed on the Special Conditions Appeal form.

Dependency Override

A student can request to be considered independent if the student does not meet the federal requirement by submitting the Dependency Override Request form. The form is available from the Financial Aid Office or by downloading it from the financial aid website. The required documentation is listed on the Dependency Override Request form.

Issues of professional judgment are reviewed by the Financial Aid Manager for final determination.

XIX Aid Disbursement Policy

All financial aid is disbursed through the business office. Your funds will first reduce any debt you owe Sierra College and then a refund check will be mailed to the mailing address on file with Admission and Records.

For those students who are Pell Grant eligible – you will have two disbursements per semester. The first disbursement will be 50% of your Pell Grant eligibility. The remainder of all your financial aid (loans, Cal Grant, SEOG, ACG etc) as well as the other 50% of your Pell Grant will be disbursed the week following add/drop period. As students become eligible for additional aid, Sierra College will process weekly. The business office will produce refund checks on Friday of each week and all checks will be mailed to the mailing address on file with Admissions and Records.

XX Cal Grant Policy

Cal Grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). There are three different Cal Grants.

Cal Grant A is awarded to students who are attending one of the 4-year colleges or universities in California based on financial need and GPA. Should a student win a Cal Grant A while attending Sierra College, that award will be held on reserve until the student transfers.

The Cal Grant B Program is intended to help students from low-income families. At Sierra College, Cal Grant B awards are up to $1,551 per academic year for students enrolled in12 or more units. The award is less for students enrolled in 6 to 11.5 units.

The Cal Grant C Program is for students in vocational/technical programs only and may not be used to pursue a four-year degree. The Cal Grant C is $576 at a community college for students enrolled in 12 or more units. The award is less for students enrolled in 6 to 11.5 units.

Each category of Cal Grants may be renewed but each has a different renewable policy:

• Cal Grant C is for a maximum of 2 years
• Cal B is determined by CSAC based on where the student is in their college career at the time of the Cal Grant award.
  • Can be awarded for 4, 3, 2, or 1 year.
  • Depends on how many units a student takes per semester.
  • Example: A student taking 6 units for Fall and Spring will extend the years of eligibility because they end up using only 50% of their eligibility per year if they are half-time.

Cal Grants are automatically renewed until eligibility is exhausted or the student is no longer eligible based on the results of a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

To apply for a Cal Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and turn in any additional documentation needed to complete the file. In addition, students must submit a Grade Point Average Verification form, as follows:

• Students who have completed at least 16 units through Fall for March 2nd and through Summer for Sept 2nd at Sierra College and who have attended no other colleges need do nothing. Sierra College will send the GPA's of all such students to CSAC.
• Students who have completed at least 16 total units through Fall for March 2nd and through Summer for Sept 2nd but who have attended other colleges must take the GPA Verification form (available in the Financial Aid Office) to Admissions and Records. Be sure to plan ahead. Transcripts must be on file and it takes some time to calculate the GPA and certify the form.
• Students who have not yet completed 16 units of college coursework, must have the GPA Verification form filled out by their high school. In this case, too, the student is advised to plan ahead.
• For complete instructions on submitting your GPA or appropriate test scores, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Both the FAFSA and the GPA Verification form must be mailed by March 2nd, to meet the Cal Grant deadline. If you miss that deadline, there is still a chance (although much less of one) to qualify for a Cal Grant provided that both forms are submitted by September 2nd.