Keeping Your Financial Aid On Track
Financial Aid comes with a few important requirements.
These help ensure that your aid is accurate, that you receive the funding for which you are eligible, and that you understand what may affect your award.
Keep your information up to date.
Please notify the appropriate office if any of the following change:
- You receive additional educational funding from another source, such as scholarships, tuition waivers, agency benefits, or third-party payments. Please notify the Financial Aid Office.
- Your name, address, enrollment status, or major/program of study changes. Please notify the SEARK Registrar/Data Entry Office in writing.
Changes to your circumstances or information may affect your financial aid eligibility or award.
Know that your financial aid award can change.
Financial aid awards are based on the information available at the time the award is made. The Financial Aid Office may review or adjust an award if your circumstances change, information in your records is found to be inaccurate, or available funding changes. Financial aid is offered in good faith, but an award may need to be reduced or canceled if funds become unavailable.
If you attend more than one college, check with Financial Aid first.
Federal regulations generally limit students to receiving financial aid at one institution at a time. In some circumstances, you may be able to enroll concurrently at two or more institutions, but you may receive aid at only one institution.
If you plan to attend more than one college at the same time, please contact the Financial Aid Office before enrolling. A Consortium Agreement and Concurrent Enrollment form signed by both institutions, along with proof of registration and grade reports, may be required.
Stay enrolled in an eligible program.
To receive financial aid, you must be enrolled in an eligible degree, diploma, or certificate program offered by the college. You also need to meet the minimum enrollment requirements for the type and amount of aid you receive. Your financial aid may be reduced if you enroll in fewer credits.
Make satisfactory academic progress.
To remain eligible for financial aid, you must meet the requirements outlined in the college's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
Understand what happens if your enrollment changes.
If you withdraw, drop classes, or stop attending, you may have to repay some of the financial aid you received. The amount you may need to repay depends on your circumstances and the applicable federal and institutional requirements.
If you received federal financial aid, a portion of your tuition refund may be returned to the appropriate financial aid program. If you received funds through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program, funds may be returned to the lender.
Please review the college's Policy on Return of Title IV Funds so you understand how changes to your enrollment can affect your financial aid.
Stay on top of any balance you owe.
If financial aid funds are overpaid or you have a repayment obligation, it's important to address the balance promptly. The college may withhold grade reports and transcripts while an unpaid repayment remains outstanding.
We're here to help.
Financial aid rules can be complicated, and changes in your enrollment or circumstances can sometimes affect your award. If you're unsure how a change might affect your financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office before making the change. We'd rather help you understand your options ahead of time than have you discover an unexpected change later.