Financial Aid Policies
Satisfactory Progress Policy
Students receiving financial aid at Montcalm Community College (MCC) must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with the guidelines listed below. The federal and state governments mandate the establishment and enforcement of a SAP policy for all institutions disbursing financial aid funds to students. A student is in good standing for financial aid if he/she meets the following standards and is accepted for continued enrollment under the academic policy. All withdrawals, incompletes, repetitions, academic amnesty, and E or U grades are evaluated into the percentage completion section of the SAP policy.
This policy will be applied after a student has been enrolled at Montcalm Community College. Each spring, a review of all financial aid recipients will be conducted. Transfer credits from other institutions will be included toward the successful completion of all attempted credits and maximum timeframe allowed.
When measuring SAP, all credit hours for which the student has incurred a financial obligation are considered, including the hours for which the student has personally paid for educational costs. Accountability starts with the student’s entry date at MCC. Your academic G.P.A. (grade point average) may differ from your financial aid G.P.A.
In order to continue to receive financial aid funding, a student must:
Maintain a minimum required grade point average (see chart below).
Successfully complete a percentage of all credit hours attempted (see chart below).
Credit Hours Attempted | Must Successfully Complete |
|---|---|
1-12 | 50% |
Above 12 | 70% |
Cumulative Semester Hours | Grade Point Average |
|---|---|
1-12 | 1.70 |
Above 12 | 2.00 |
Be progressing at a rate that would allow completion of the certificate or associate degree which the student is pursuing within a time frame which, by federal regulation, is 150 percent of the published credit hour requirements of the program. For example, if an associate degree program requires 60 credits, the degree must be completed in a maximum of 150% of 60 credits, including both attempted and completed credits. (Consult the MCC catalog to find the number of credits required in each certificate or associate degree program, and then multiply that number by 1.5 to determine the maximum number of credits.)
A student may earn no more than two certificates or degrees regardless of total accumulated credit hours. If a student has already earned two degrees or certificates and wishes to pursue another program of study, they may complete a Satisfactory Academic Appeal. The student will need to explain any extenuating circumstances warranting another degree or certificate.
A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree must complete a Satisfactory Academic Appeal indicating their educational intent at Montcalm Community College.
Appeal Process
Students denied financial aid because of failure to make SAP may appeal the denial in writing to the Financial Aid Office, if there are mitigating circumstances. The appeal must describe in detail all circumstances, which the student believes relevant to his or her inability to meet the SAP requirements. It must also include steps the student will take to correct the policy violation. Students must submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form plus any other supporting documents to the Financial Aid office.
A SAP Review Committee will assess the appeal and supporting documentation to determine if the appeal will be approved. The student will be advised in writing of the committee’s decision via email. A student who appeals and is reinstated on a probationary status must be able to meet the SAP guidelines within one semester of enrollment. If one semester’s enrollment will not be long enough for the student to meet the SAP policy, they will be placed on an academic plan. An academic plan is an individualized plan designed to allow the student to meet the SAP policy in a reasonable timeframe. At the end of the probationary or academic plan semester, grades and other requirements will be reviewed to determine if the student has met the SAP guidelines. If a student becomes ineligible for financial aid due to a lack of meeting SAP guidelines and no appeal is submitted or the appeal is denied, he or she may regain eligibility by meeting the SAP policy without the benefit of financial aid at MCC. To do this, the student must enroll and complete the courses that are applicable to his or her program of study using their own finances. The student must achieve the necessary completion rate along with the necessary grade point average to meet the SAP policy.
Frequency of Review
This policy will be applied after a student has been enrolled at Montcalm Community College. After completion of the spring semester each academic year, the Financial Aid Office will run a list of all students enrolled and receiving aid during the current academic year. The list will show the number of hours attempted/completed and percentage of completion, the grade point average, and the course progression rate. Students enrolled in certificate programs will be reviewed at the end of each semester. Those not making SAP at that time will be sent a letter through their student email that they are no longer eligible for financial aid. Transfer credits from other institutions will be included toward the successful completion of all attempted credits and maximum timeframe allowed.
Additional Policies
MCC attempts to assist students with their expenses by constructing a package of grants, loans, scholarships and work opportunities. The amount awarded through each program depends greatly upon an analysis of the applicant’s financial situation. For this reason, students wishing to participate are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Entering freshmen are encouraged to complete an admission application as early as possible in their senior year of high school. For maximum award consideration, the FAFSA should be submitted for first-time freshmen by March 1. The application will be available October 1 each year.
Students are not eligible to receive financial aid until the following documents are on file in the Admissions or Financial Aid Office.
Application for Admission
Proof of high school graduation or equivalent
Student Aid Report and necessary documentation to complete verification
Financial Aid authorization form
Financial Aid award letter
Students found in default of Title IV loans or owing a Title IV refund to any college will not be eligible to receive financial aid. Academic transcripts will not be released to students who are found in default on Title IV federal loans or who owe any Title IV refund to MCC.
To participate in financial aid programs, students must enroll for a minimum of six semester hours in an eligible degree program. An exception to this requirement is the Pell Grant.
You are urged to complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) well in advance of the semester for which you plan to register.
Your award(s) may be based on the number of credit hours you are enrolled, so the amount credited to your account may be adjusted to reflect actual enrollment status.
If your financial aid has been awarded prior to the payment deadline (check online at MyMontcalm for the actual payment deadline each semester), your aid will be electronically credited toward your tuition charges. If your financial aid award does not cover full tuition and fees, you must be prepared to pay the difference. If your financial aid award has not been approved by the payment deadline, you must pay your own tuition.
Federal Direct Stafford Loans that have been certified by MCC and approved by the Department of Education will be considered as pending aid. If your loan was not certified or approved by the Department of Education prior to the payment due date, be prepared to pay your own tuition.
Participation is verified from your instructors for aid to be paid to your account. If you are in a class with a late start date, you must be participating in at least six credits prior to loans being disbursed to your account. Grant funds will not be disbursed until after the late start class has begun and all other class participation has been verified.
Grant, scholarship and loan refunds will be issued by check when there is a credit balance on your account. One semester loans will be paid in two separate disbursements. For more information on actual disbursement dates, visit the Finances tab after logging into MyMontcalm.
PLEASE NOTE: The actual disbursement of grant, scholarship and loan money will be transferred to student accounts no earlier than one week after the drop/add period ends.
Federal aid recipients who withdraw or stop attending ALL classes before completing 60 percent of the semester may be required to repay a prorated portion of the federal aid received. Also, if a student is enrolled in a class that does not run the entire semester and withdraws or stops attending, a return of funds may be required.
MCC refunds Title IV funds first to the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program, then to the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and then to the Pell Grant program.