Policies & Procedures Manual

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online application must be completed by the program deadline and additional information may be required; therefore, students should read the information and instructions provided on the MOSFA website. Contact MOSFA at 1-800-327-2980 or at the following website: www.riseupms.com/state-aid.

Conditions for Receiving Financial Aid

1. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right on behalf of ECCC to review and revise or cancel an award at any time because of changes in the student’s financial or academic status. Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office regarding any changes in their financial or academic status while attending ECCC. 2. Any commitment of Federal, State, or local funds is contingent upon subsequent Congressional or Legislative appropriation and actual receipt of the funds by ECCC. 3. Recipients of financial assistance from ECCC must notify the Financial Aid Office concerning any scholarships or other funds from any outside source. 4. Student eligibility criteria for Federal Aid require that in order to receive financial aid, a student must be making satisfactory academic progress in their course of study. See the Satisfactory Progress section in this publication for further details on the ECCC Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy. 5. Generally, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of six hours each semester and must be enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate to receive financial aid. Students receiving loans must maintain at least half-time attendance (6 hours) each semester. MTAG, MESG and HELP require full-time enrollment each semester. Additionally, students may not receive aid from more than one college at the same time. 6. To be eligible for financial aid a student must be a high school graduate or have a GED. Students who receive a high school certificate or occupational diploma do not meet the high school graduation requirement. Students who do not meet this requirement who are enrolled in approved career pathway programs must meet the minimum requirements on an ability-to benefit test or have passed at least 6 college credit hours as set forth by the Department of Education. 7. Financial aid funds may be used toward educational expenses which include matriculation, fees, books, supplies, transportation, room, board and miscellaneous expenses. 8. Financial aid funds are disbursed on a semester-by-semester basis. Aid is credited to a student’s account at the College and the balance of the award, after the account is cleared, will be disbursed to eligible students at the 55% point of the semester. The 55% point is affected by the beginning date for classes that do not span the entire semester. Adjustments to a student’s financial aid may be required for a student who withdraws from school or drops out (cuts out) of school within a semester prior to the 60% point because of refund calculations required by federal regulations. Students who do not complete 60% of the semester will be required to return funds for which the calculation shows they are not eligible to receive. 9. MTAG, MESG and HELP will be disbursed when funds are received from the State of Mississippi. MTAG, MESG, and HELP recipients must be enrolled full time to be eligible to receive the funds. 10. Students withdrawing during the semester who have received financial assistance will be required to abide by the refund policy governing the programs. It is advised that the student contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing (especially loan recipients who must attend an exit interview prior to leaving school). 11. Work-Study students: a. Must meet with their supervisor to establish a work schedule. (Students awarded prior to the beginning of the semester must do this the first week of school; all others immediately after receiving the award.)