Students approved to receive financial assistance will receive (1) an award letter detailing the type(s) and amount(s) of aid to be received and (2) a financial aid calendar that lists actual aid disbursement dates and deadlines. Awards are made for the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Students approved to receive a Federal Pell Grant must follow the aid disbursement procedures as indicated on the student award letter. Only students approved for aid can make changes in the bookstore during registration days.

Refund Policy

All Students Receiving Federal Student Aid
The college must return a portion of Title IV funds received for aid recipients withdrawing from the college prior to the 60% point of the semester. The amount refunded shall be the amount defined by the federal statutes or the state refund policy, whichever is larger. Return of Title IV funds, as calculated by the Financial Aid Office, will be credited back in the following order:

1. Federal Pell Grant Program	4. NCCCG Program
2. Federal SEOG Program	5. Scholarship Program, and
3. NCSIG Program	6. Student

Pell Grant Repayment Policy
Students who change enrollment status during the regular "drop/add" period will have the amount of their federal Pell Grant adjusted by the Financial Aid Office and any unearned aid will go back to the Pell Grant account. For students who drop after the "drop/add" period but during the refund period, the Pell Grant is not adjusted but any unearned aid is returned to the Pell Grant account. If this represents a withdrawal, students may lose eligibility to receive federal Pell Grant funds for the next semester of enrollment. Students would owe a return of Title IV funds to the Pell Grant account, other than the refunded amount, if the students did not attend classes and/or did not officially withdraw from the college through the Registrar's Office and the Financial Aid Office.
Students who withdraw from the college will owe a return of Title IV funds back to the federal Pell Grant. The procedure to calculate the refund amount, if any, will be used as outlined in the Federal Student Financial Aid Handbook.

Students Who Register But Do Not Attend
If students use Title IV funds to register for a course(s) but do not attend, the college is required by federal law to return all tuition and fees to the appropriate financial aid program.

Students Who Owe A Return of Title IV Funds
Students who owe a return to any Title IV program will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office. Students who fail to repay as directed by the Financial Aid Office, will not be allowed to register until the account has been settled. Students not making repayment by the end of the academic year (June 30), will be referred to the U.S. Department of Education (if Title IV funds are involved) or to the N.C. Department of Revenue.

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Academic Progress

Every recipient of Federal financial aid is required to meet measures of satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The following is a guide to help students understand how SAP is determined.

SAP Requirements

A student must be progressing both qualitatively toward graduation. The qualitative measure is based on the cumulative grade point average earned at Wilkes Community College . The qualitative measure is more complex and is assessed by comparing the number of semester hours in which a student enrolls to those semester hours that are successfully completed.

Students who enroll in excess hours each semester and subsequently withdraw are significantly disadvantaged in meeting the qualitative component. If a student enrolls and receives a withdrawal grade (W), the course work is considered as attempted for credit. In this example, this student, while at Wilkes Community College, may be meeting the qualitatively requirements with an excellent grade point average (GPA), but after withdrawing from several courses, may no longer satisfy the quantitative requirements, thus not eligible for Federal financial aid.

The following table provides a guideline in determining the progress expected for a student to remain eligible for Federal financial aid assistance. Academic progress is determined for every student applying for, or receiving any type of Federal financial aid at least once a year, typically at the end of Spring semester. The result of that determination may be a product that on the table will fall between semesters.

As required by federal regulations, no student can exceed 150% (6 Semesters at full-time enrollment) of the normal time required to complete a two-year degree. This allows, somewhat, for consideration of double majors and possibly one change of major from one program of study to another. All transfer hours accepted for credit by the Registrar are used in the determination of terms completed. The cumulative GPA for transfer credits cannot be considered in the qualitative determination of meeting SAP.

We encourage students with questions, or those who require further clarification, to contact the Financial Aid Office to prevent any misunderstanding of the academic progress policy for Federal financial aid applicants and recipients.

SAP Appeal Procedure

If, for some reason, a student does not agree with the Financial Aid Office determination of SAP, the student has the right to appeal. After the Financial Aid Office has denied a student Federal financial aid and the student does not agree with the decision made, the student must follow the appeal procedure listed below:

1. Have the case reviewed again by the Director of Financial Aid.
2. Appeal and have a final case hearing with the Vice-President of Student Services. The decision made by the Vice-President is final.

Financial aid recipients must notify the Financial Aid Office of any change in enrollment status or program of study that occurs after registration day each semester.

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Financial Aid Calender
Fall Semester 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007	Registration Day for Fall Semester (Students please review payment instructions included in award letter notification)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007	Registration Day for Fall Semester (Students please review payment instructions included in award letter notification)
Thursday, August 16, 2007	FIRST DAY OF CLASSES FALL SEMESTER
Monday, August 20, 2007	Late registration ends
Friday, August x , 2007	Federal Stafford Loan Payment Day (prior year borrowers)
Thursday, August x, 2007	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Wednesday, September x, 2007	Federal Pell Grant, NC Community College Grant, NCSIG Grant, and Federal Stafford Loan (first time borrowers) Payment Day
Friday, September x, 2007	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Wednesday, October x, 2007	Federal SEOG Payment Day
Tuesday, October x, 2007	Federal Work-Study Payment Day Last day to apply for a fall semester Federal Stafford Loan
Thursday, November 01, 2007	Last day to withdraw from a class
Thursday, November x, 2007	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Tuesday, December 18, 2007	LAST DAY OF CLASSES - FALL SEMESTER Last Payment Day for any type of financial aid assistance
Spring Semester 2008
Tuesday, January 01, 2008	Federal Student Aid Applications and WCC Scholarship Applications Available for the 2008-2009 Academic Year
Thursday, January 03, 2008	Registration Day (Students please review payment instructions includeded in award letter notification)
Monday, January 07, 2008	FIRST DAY OF CLASSES SPRING SEMESTER
Wednesday, January 9, 2008	Late Registration Ends
Friday, January x, 2008	Federal Stafford Loan payment date (prior year borrowers)
Wednesday, January x, 2008	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Wednesday, February x, 2008	Federal Pell Grant, NC Community College Grant, and NCSIG, and Federal Stafford Loan (first-time borrowers) Payment Day
Tuesday, February x, 2008	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Wednesday, March x, 2008	Federal SEOG Payment Day
Tuesday, March 25, 2008	Last day to withdraw from a class
Friday, March x, 2008	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Friday, April x, 2008	Last day to apply for a spring semester Federal Stafford Loan
Friday, April 05, 2008	2008-2009 WCC Scholarship Application Deadline Last day to submit a valid 2007-2008 (ISIR) for processing and payment
Monday, April x, 2008	Federal Work-Study Payment Day
Friday, May 09, 2008	LAST DAY OF CLASSES - SPRING SEMESTER Last Payment Day for any type of financial aid assistance
Tuesday, May 13, 2008	GRADUATION - 5:00 p.m. - WATSON STAGE
Thursday, May x, 2008	Federal Work-Study Final Payment Day

• This award is contingent upon the actual receipt of appropriate funds from federal and/or state governments or organizations by Wilkes Community College. All funds awarded are to be used solely for expenses related to your enrollment at Wilkes Community College.
  
• The financial aid office reserves the right to review and cancel your financial aid package at any time because of changes in enrollment, academic, or financial status. Students receiving financial aid must notify the financial aid office immediately upon changing their class schedule (to drop or add classes). Recipients of financial assistance who, for any reason, decide to discontinue class attendance must officially withdraw from the class(es) by officially notifying the Registrar and the Financial Aid Office. Discontinuance of class attendance may require a return of unearned portions of aid disbursed to the recipient for the semester in question as determined by the College's Refund/Repayment Policy. All financial aid recipients are expected to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and carry the course load required for the financial assistance listed in this information booklet. Failure to complete classes will result in the cancellation of this award package. All aid disbursement(s) for the next semester or term will be cancelled .
  
• Recipients of financial assistance are to notify the Financial Aid Office of any other scholarships, loans, or employment extended to them from sources outside the college.
  
• No financial aid will be paid for any audited classes. If you audit a class for which you have received financial aid, you may have to repay a prorated amount back to the financial aid office.
  
• Federal Student Financial Aid, Scholarships, and all other types of aid are awarded to degree seeking students who enroll during Fall Semester and Spring Semester. There may be limited funding for students who desire to enroll Summer Term. Therefore, if you plan to enroll during Summer Term and will need some type of financial assistance, see us prior to May 1 and we will try to assist you with some type of financial assistance if funding is available.
  
• Financial Aid awards will be disbursed each semester as follows: Scholarship awards will be available to students on Registration Day each semester. Scholarship(s) will be available at the Business Office, 2nd floor, Thompson Hall (Wilkesboro campus); Federal Pell Grant payments will be made during Registration each semester. If you are approved for a Federal Pell Grant, please follow the disbursement procedure as outlined on the attached sheet; NCSIG (Incentive Grant) check disbursements will be made on the 12th class day (approximately) each semester; NCCC Grant checks will be disbursed in September and February; Stafford (LOAN) check disbursements will be made and set up on an individual basis; and SEOG (Supplemental Grant) payments will be made at mid-term each semester. PLEASE NOTE : Students approved to receive a Federal Pell Grant and SEOG must complete a "Student Acknowledgement/Confirmation Form" at the beginning of each semester that aid is received. This form verifies student enrollment and informs the recipient of their rights and responsibilities and class attendance policy.
  
• If you are approved for employment under the provision of our Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, it must be understood that the amount shown is the amount of money you may expect to earn during the academic year as a result of work performed and the hours necessary to perform such work. This amount cannot be exceeded . FWS students should report to the Financial Aid Office to receive a job assignment during the first week of classes. Payment under this program will be made to student workers on the last work day of each month. FWS students will be paid $6.00 per hour and may be paid $6.25 per hour after their first semester of working. FWS rate of hourly pay may change without notice. FWS employees will be notified of any pay increases during the academic year.
  
• Recipients of financial assistance must notify the Financial Aid Office in writing of any change in name, address, academic curriculum, academic status, financial and marital status, home or work telephone, and family financial circumstances that could effect your enrollment.
  
• Continuation of financial aid is not automatic. If you plan to be enrolled in college next year, you must re-apply for financial aid. We suggest you apply early ! To apply for federal student aid, use "The Free Application for Federal Student Aid". This application will be available on or after January 2 each year. The WCC Scholarship Application may be submitted online or by printed version (New students: November 1 - March 1) & (Returning students: November 1 - May 1).
  
• As a recipient of financial aid you must understand that any funds received by you will be used solely for expenses related to attendance at Wilkes Community College. You are responsible for repayment of any funds you have received that cannot reasonably be attributed to meeting educational expenses related to attendance at Wilkes Community College.
  
• Federal regulations do not require you to sign the attached award letter. However, by enrolling and accepting financial aid assistance as listed on the attached Award Notification Form you, the student, are certifying that: (1) I do not currently owe a refund or repayment on any of the Federal grants nor am I in default on any of the Federal Loans that I may have received for attendance at any postsecondary educational institution, if attended; & (2) I will read the information outlined on the Student Financial Aid Information Booklet included in this packet of information, and other additional information that may be sent to your current address during the school year.

   
• Finally, by enrolling at Wilkes Community College and accepting Federal Student Aid Funds, this action authorizes the Wilkes Community College Business Office to disburse financial aid fund(s), as listed on your award letter, to you, as approved by the Director of Financial Aid. It then becomes your responsibility (you, the student) to attend the classes you register for each semester. Also, it is your responsibility to know when financial aid funds are ready for you to receive. Please review the attached Financial Aid Calendar.

Loan Information

Please click on the link below for information about the types of loans available, how to apply, annual loan limit, when to repay your loan, etc.
The Student Guide

Please click on the links below for information or to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan and/or Alternative Student Loan from WCC's preferred lender list:

College Foundation of North Carolina	Bank of America
Educaid/Wachovia	**Undergraduate
National Education	**Continuing Education Loan
Paying for College (CFNC)
Please click on the link below for loan information about how to apply for a student loan and how to complete the Loan Request Form
Loan Information
Loan Request Form

Forms

Verification Form for Dependent Students

Verification Form for Independent Students

Special Conditions (Unusual Circumstances) for Dependent Students

Special Conditions (Unusual Circumstances) for Independent Students

FAFSA Worksheet for Untaxed Income

Monthly Living Expenses worksheet

Financial Aid Authorization Form

Request for Copy of Tax Form

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For more information on Financial Aid, click here.