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To assist you in your financial planning, the following is provided to give estimated tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year. Because tuition and fees are based on the extent of financial support provided by the state and the county in which the student lives, exact fees may not be determined until July prior to the beginning of the new academic year. Piedmont Technical College is anticipating that fees will not exceed the maximum amount indicated; however, a reduction of state financial support may force tuition to exceed the projected maximum. In-county students are those students who live in one of the following counties: Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry or Saluda.

Registration Fee: Non-refundable......................................................$25
Technology Fee: Non-refundable...............................$5 - Max. Fee $50
Graduation Fee:................................................................................$25
Late Fee: Non-refundable.................................................................$50 
Facility Fee: Non-refundable....................................$25 - Max. Fee $50
Audit Courses.............................................................$55 Per Credit Hr.
Credit By Examination......................................................................$60

Additional special fees will be charged for Health Science, Nursing, Funeral Services and Human Services programs. Special fees may be charged to cover instructional expenses for various courses. Please contact the Business Office for more information.

Fees will be posted on the college Web site at www.ptc.edu, all student services offices and county centers as soon as established. When registering for each semester, please inquire about the college fee schedule.

Full payment of tuition and fees is expected before the term begins. For your convenience, the college accepts cash, personal checks, Mastercard, Visa and Discover for payment of tuition and fees. A late fee of $50 will be charged to all students who pay once the term begins. Registration on accounts not paid in full by the payment deadline will be deleted. Fees can be paid by mailing a check or money order, calling the Piedmont Technical College Business Office at 864-941-8322, using the online payment form at www.ptc.edu/tuition, or by visiting a Piedmont Technical College campus. Once you are registered for classes, you are responsible for the tuition charged. Please notify the Student Records Office if you are not able to attend; otherwise, you could owe the college for those classes.

Future registrations will be blocked, and all grades will be held for any debt to the college. If a student fails to meet financial obligations to the college and the account is turned over to a collection agency or the S.C. Tax Commission, the student will be responsible for paying all collection fees involved. Students have 30 days from written notification to dispute any outstanding balances.

PAYMENT PLAN

Piedmont Technical College wants to make college as affordable as possible for you. To assist you in achieving your educational goals, a deferred payment plan administered by Nelnet is available.

This is a payment plan and not a loan – interest charges, finance charges and credit checks do not apply. View more information on the Payment Plan at http://www.ptc.edu/admissions/427-payment-plan.

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Returned Checks

Returned checks will be assessed a $30 service charge. Registration will be canceled for any returned checks. The college will allow no more than two returned checks per student. After two returned checks, the college will accept only cash or credit card. Maximum penalty by state statute will be imposed at all times.

Students or appropriate parties may receive refunds of tuition upon withdrawal or reduction of course loads for the portion of the reduction that is below 12 credit hours. To receive refunds, students must submit Change of Class Schedule forms (Drop/Add Period) or the Withdrawal from Class form (after Drop/Add period). The date the form is submitted to college personnel is the date on which the refund is based. Students are considered to be enrolled unless a Change of Class Schedule form is submitted noting which classes are being dropped.  Please see PTC Pathway, the college Web site at www.ptc.edu or the Business Office for refund schedules. Refunds for student initiated withdrawals will be processed as they occur and mailed on Friday of the following week.

Refer to the Change of Class Schedule/Student Information section for additional information.

This refund policy applies to all students. Students receiving financial assistance should consult the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing to determine the impact of withdrawals on current term financial aid awards and eligibility in receiving future financial aid.

If you have any questions concerning this policy, please contact the Business Office at (864) 941-8322.

Veteran’s Refunds

For certificate and diploma programs, the Veteran’s Administration requires a refund of advance payments of tuition, fees and other charges paid under Title 38 when an eligible veteran fails to attend class, withdraws or drops before the completion of a course, subject to limitations set in VA Regulation 14254 (c) (13). This policy applies only to certificate and diploma programs.

RESIDENCY CLASSIFICATIONS
Following are the student residency classifications for tuition and fees at Piedmont Technical College:

• In-County (7 county service area)
• Out-of-County (Outside 7 county service area)
• Out-of-State
• Foreign

SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENCY
Regulations regarding the establishment of legal residency in South Carolina for tuition and fee purposes at South Carolina institutions of higher education are governed by the South Carolina Code of Laws, Sections 59-112 to 59-112-100.  Residency classification is an essential part of fee determination, admission regulations, and other relevant policies of Piedmont Technical College.  The initial determination of residency is made at the time an admission application is submitted.  That determination and any determination made at a later time prevails for each subsequent semester until a request for certification of South Carolina residency is found to be valid.

APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF RESIDENCY STATUS
An applicant/student applying for a change of residency classification from out of state to in-state must complete a Residency Certification form (available from Business Office and all County Centers) and provide supporting documentation to the Residency Officer prior to the last day of late registration of the term for which change of state residency is requested.  Documents received after that date will be reviewed for the following semester.  There is no provision for retroactive non-resident fee adjustment except in instances of error by the College.

The burden of proof resides with the applicant/student applying for a change of residency to provide required evidence to document the change in residency status.

ESTABLISHING INTENT FOR RESIDENCY
Residency status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in South Carolina for the sole purpose of enrollment in an institution of higher education or for access to state-supported programs designed to serve South Carolina residents.

In order to be considered a resident of South Carolina for tuition and fee purposes at a South Carolina institution of higher education, the applicant/student has the burden of proof of residency and must provide any evidence he/she believes will satisfy that intent.  The twelve month residency period does not start until the independent person begins to take steps to establish a permanent home in the state.

For independent persons, examples of intent may include:

• Verification of full-time employment in South Carolina;
• Possession of a valid South Carolina voter registration card and voting in South Carolina elections;
• Designating South Carolina as state of legal residence on military records;
• Possession of a valid South Carolina driver's license, or, if a non-driver, a South Carolina identification card;
• Possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card;
• Paying South Carolina income taxes as a resident during the past tax year, including income earned outside of South Carolina from the date South Carolina domicile was claimed;
• Ownership of a principal residence in South Carolina;
• Licensing for professional practice in South Carolina, if applicable.
  The absence of these circumstances in other states (or countries) is also required before an applicant/student is eligible for South Carolina residency classification.

DEFINITIONS
A resident student for tuition and fee purposes is an independent person who has abandoned all prior domiciles and has been living in South Carolina continuously for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which residency classification is sought.  The 12-month residency period does not start until the independent person begins to take steps to establish a permanent home in the state.  (See "Establishing Intent for Residency" section.)  There must also be an absence of such evidence in other states (or countries) during this same period.  For dependent students and their families, the domicile of the provider (spouse, parent, or guardian) for the same time period is considered in determining residency status.

Reside is considered to be continuous and permanent physical presence within the state.  Absences of more than 30 days may affect the establishment or maintenance of residence.  Excluded are absences for military training/service and educational pursuits.  For dependents, the state where the spouse, parent, or guardian "resides" will be considered in determining residency status.

A person's domicile is the true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation, indicating where a person intends to remain, or to where one expects to return, when away.

An independent person is a person aged 18 years or older who has provided more than half of his/her own support during the 12 months immediately prior to the date that classes begin for the term for which residency classification is requested.  An independent person also cannot be claimed as a dependent or exemption on the federal income tax return of his/her parent, spouse, or guardian for the year in which in-state residency classification is requested.

A dependent person is one whose predominant source of income or support is from a parent, spouse, or guardian and who qualifies for and is claimed as a dependent or exemption on the federal income tax return of that provider.  In the case of divorced or separated parents, the resident status of the dependent person may be based on the resident status of the parent who:

• supports and/or claims the dependent person as a dependent for tax purposes or
• has legal custody of the dependent person or
• is ordered by the court to pay child support and the cost of the dependent’s college education.

EFFECT OF MARRIAGE
If a non-resident marries a South Carolina resident, the non-resident does not automatically acquire South Carolina residency status.  The non-resident may acquire residency status if the South Carolina resident is an independent person and the non-resident is a dependent of the South Carolina resident.  Marriage to a person who is a legal resident of a state other than South Carolina does not automatically preclude a person from establishing or maintaining domicile in South Carolina and attaining residency status.

EFFECT OF CHANGE OF RESIDENCY
Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, any dependent person, except as otherwise excluded, who has been domiciled with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years and whose family’s departure does not occur more than 90 days immediately prior to initial enrollment at State supported college/university may enroll in those institutions at tin-state rates and may continue to be enrolled at such rates even if the person upon whom he/she is dependent moves his/her domicile from the state.  If the dependent or independent person had been domiciled in South Carolina for less than three years, eligibility for in-state rates shall end on the last day of the academic session during which domicile is lost.

EXCLUSIONS
Persons in the following categories may qualify to pay in-state fees without having to establish a permanent home in the state for 12 months.  Persons who qualify under any of these categories must meet the conditions of the specific category on or before the first day of classes of the term for which payment of in-state tuition and fees is requested:

1. Military Personnel and their Dependents: Members of the United States Armed Forces (and their dependents) who are stationed in South Carolina on active duty may be considered eligible to pay in-state fees. "Armed Forces" shall mean the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.  When such personnel are ordered away from the state, their dependents may continue to pay in-state fees for an additional 12 months.  Such persons (and their dependents) may also be eligible to pay in-state fees for a period of 12 months after their discharge from the military, provided they have demonstrated an intent to establish a permanent home in South Carolina, and they have resided in South Carolina for a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding their discharge.  Military personnel who are not stationed in South Carolina and/or former military personnel who intend to establish South Carolina residency must fulfill the 12-month physical presence requirement for them or their dependents to qualify to pay in-state fees.
   
2. Faculty and Administrative Employees and their Dependents: Full-time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state-supported colleges and universities are eligible to pay in-state fees.  Their dependents are also eligible.
   
3. Residents with Full-time Employment and their Dependents: Persons who reside, are domiciled, and are employed on a full-time basis in South Carolina and will continue to work full-time until they meet the 12-month physical presence requirement are eligible to pay in-state fees, provided that they have taken steps to establish a permanent home in the State. (See "Establishing Intent for Residency" section.)  The dependents of such persons are also eligible.
   
   Full-time employment is defined as employment which consists of at least 37.5 hours a week on a single job in a full-time status.  However, a person who works less than 37.5 hours a week but receives or is entitled to receive full-time employee benefits shall be considered to be employed full-time.  
   
4. Retired Persons: A retired person who is receiving a pension or annuity and who has been domiciled in South Carolina for less than 12 months may be eligible for in-state tuition and fee rates if he/she maintains residence and domicile in this state.  The dependents of such persons are also eligible.
   
   A person on terminal leave who has established residency in South Carolina may be eligible for in-state tuition and fee rates even if domiciled in the state for less than 12 months, if he/she presents documentary evidence from his/her employer showing he/she is on terminal leave.  The evidence should show beginning and ending dates for the terminal leave period and that the person will receive a pension or annuity when he/she retires.
   
5. Southern Regional Education Board-Sponsored Programs: Persons participating in Southern Regional Education Board-sponsored programs, including the Contract for Services and the Academic Common Market programs, must have continuously resided in the State for other than educational purposes for the two years immediately preceding application for consideration and must meet all residency requirements during this two-year period.

APPLICATION FOR AN EXCLUSION FOR TUITION AND FEE PURPOSES
Those persons who have not been a legal resident of South Carolina for 12 consecutive months but who are seeking in-state tuition and fees based on an exclusion must complete the Application for Reclassification of Residency Status for Tuition and Fee Purposes.  This completed application must be returned to the Residency Officer prior to the last day of late registration of the term for which the exclusion is requested.  Included with the application must be all supporting documentation as indicated on the application.

A person wishing to appeal a residency decision may petition a further review by requesting an appeal in writing to the Vice President for Business and Finance.
All residency officials at Piedmont Technical College are guided by Sections 59-112 to 59-112-100, South Carolina Code of Laws, and College policy and procedures when reviewing residency requests for reclassifications and appeals to residency decisions.

NON-RESIDENT ALIENS, NON-CITIZENS, AND NON-PERMANENT RESIDENTS
Except as otherwise specified in this section, all non-citizens and non-permanent residents of the United States will be assessed tuition and fees at the non-resident, out-of-state rate.  Independent aliens including refugees, asylees, and parolees and their dependents may be entitled to in-state residency classification once they have been awarded permanent resident status by the U.S. Department of Justice and meet all the statutory residency requirements, provided that all other domiciliary requirements are met.  Time spent living in South Carolina immediately prior to the awarding of permanent resident status may not be counted towards the 12-month residency period.  Certain non-resident aliens present in the United States on specific visa classifications may be granted in-state residency for tuition and fee purposes. The Adviser's Manual of Federal Regulations Affecting Foreign Students and Scholars will serve as the primary resource reference for defining visa categories.

Inquiries and Appeals
Inquiries regarding residency requirements should be directed to:

Crystal Pittman, Residency Officer

Piedmont Technical College
Post Office Box 1467
Greenwood, SC  29648
Phone: 864-941-8328    
FAX:  864-941-8555
E-Mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Financial Aid staff at Piedmont Technical College is here to help you in obtaining financial aid. Applying for financial aid can be as easy as completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as the FAFSA) online and submitting it via the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Some types of aid have application deadlines. The college has computers available for this service. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on this service, application deadlines and for further information on the available programs. Additional information can be found on the college’s Web site at www.ptc.edu.

All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA. When completing the FAFSA, make sure to include Piedmont Technical College’s Title IV School Code (003992).

Eligibility requirements for the federal and state programs are:

• have financial need as determined through the completion of the FAFSA

• have a high school diploma or a GED certificate on file with the college or meet ability to benefit standards

• be enrolled in an approved program of study

• be a US Citizen or an eligible non-citizen

• have a valid social security number and if male, register with Selective Service

• sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that federal student aid will be used for educational purposes only

• certify no default on a federal student loan and that you have no debt on a federal student grant

• answer all required questions on the FAFSA

• meet all standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy

After registering, if you are unable to attend, you must notify the Student Records Office within the Drop/Add period. Otherwise, you could be held responsible for the tuition costs.

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) may be available to S.C. residents who meet the required eligibility criteria. The first step to participate in this program is to complete the FAFSA unless you are a high school student or a student with a bachelor’s degree. The FAFSA requirement has been waived for these students; however, a Lottery Certification form will be required. In addition, a Piedmont Technical College State/ Federal Certification form will be required. The LTA award may vary and is dependent upon funding sources. Students who receive LTA are required to maintain academic standards required by law. There is an application deadline.

LIFE Scholarship is the state scholarship program for S.C. residents who have graduated from S.C. high schools with a 3.0 GPA and meet all LIFE eligibility requirements. Second-year students can earn or retain the LIFE Scholarship by meeting all required criteria. One criteria to retain the LIFE scholarship is to earn a cumulative LIFE GPA of at least a 3.0. The LIFE GPA includes the GPA for all college courses earned at any college attended, including dual enrollment. The Financial Aid Office will provide students with their LIFE GPA upon request. The Piedmont Technical College LIFE Certification form will be used to determine LIFE Scholarship recipients. The LIFE program criteria and funding is dependent upon pending legislation. Please direct all questions regarding the LIFE program to the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Pell Grant – Grants can range from $400 to $4,310 per year for undergraduate students.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Awarded to students with exceptional financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Grants can range from $100 to $1,000 per year to students who maintain 2.0 GPAs.

Federal Work-Study Program – Students work for $7.25 per hour in a variety of jobs. The number of hours worked can vary from five to 20 hours per week. The America Reads Tutoring Program is available through the Work-Study Program. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant - ACG – The Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant is a new federal grant program which was signed into law in February 2006. The grants are to encourage students to take challenging courses in high school and to pursue college majors in high demand in the global economy. The student must meet federally established criteria to receive a grant. The amount of the Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant in combination with Federal Pell Grant and other financial aid cannot exceed demonstrated financial need.

S.C. Needs-Based Grant – This is a state grant provided to assist South Carolina resident students in meeting college costs. This grant ranges from $100 to $1,650 per year (fall and spring semesters only). In addition to the FAFSA, the PTC SC Needs Based/Federal Certification form will be required.

General Scholarships – Many scholarships are available to current students who have completed 12 credit hours in their majors with an acceptable GPA (Grade Point Average). Most scholarships are based on academic achievement and financial need.

A few scholarships are also available to high school seniors. Information regarding these scholarships, as well as the application deadline, is provided to every high school guidance counselor in Piedmont Technical College’s seven-county region.

Federal Stafford Student Loan Program – Loans for educational expenses must be repaid with interest. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. This is a long-term, variable interest loan. Loan request forms are available at the Financial Aid Office and at the county centers.

Veteran’s Educational Benefits – Piedmont Technical College is approved for all college-related veteran’s educational programs for veterans, disabled veterans, dependents of deceased or totally disabled veterans, as well as active duty, active reservists and national guardsmen. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further information on these programs.

Other Funding Sources – The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a Federal workforce development program. The cornerstone of WIA is the One-Stop Workforce Center. The Workforce Center is a self-help computer lab where job seekers can research careers, search Internet job listings, type a resume and fax job applications. The center is open to all people of the community seeking employment.

Through the Workforce Investment Act, job seekers who need additional help to get jobs may also receive individualized career planning and employment search assistance at the Workforce Center. A limited number of job seekers may qualify for scholarships or on-the-job training through the Workforce Investment Act.

Educational Tax Credits – The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 included the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits that may be used to reduce federal taxes. The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit is available to degree seeking students in the first two years of postsecondary education. If you are not eligible for the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit, you may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. This tax credit is available to those who take at least one course to acquire or improve job skills. The actual amount of the tax credit depends upon family income and the amount of qualified tuition and fees paid. More information regarding these tax credits can be found at www.irs.ustreas.gov. In addition to these federal tax credits, a South Carolina tax credit is available. More information on the state tax credit can be found at www.dor.state.sc.us.

All students receiving federal and state student financial aid must adhere to the college’s policy on satisfactory progress. The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal and state financial aid are making measurable progress toward completion of degree, diploma or certificate programs in a reasonable period of time. Federal and state regulations restrict the awarding of financial assistance beyond 150 percent of the published program length. The student’s total academic record will be evaluated to make this determination.

As a recipient of federal or state financial aid, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Failure to fulfill your part of the agreement, as described, may result in the cancellation of your award, and you may have to repay any funds already received.

Financial Aid Programs under the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy:

• Federal Pell Grant

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

• Federal Stafford Student Loan

• Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

• South Carolina Needs-Based Grant (SCNB)

To Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must:

• Complete at least 67 percent of all hours attempted

• meet the required GPA outlined under the Cumulative Grade Point Average section of this policy, and

• complete a program of study within the 150 percent of the allotted time frame. (i.e., a 32-hour program must be completed within 48 hours).

Course Repetitions, Withdrawals, Incomplete Courses, Carry forwards and grades of NC and F

Students who receive federal or state financial aid must be aware that repeated courses and courses with grades of W, WF, I, CF, NC and F will be considered in assessing progress toward completion. Courses with these grades are considered not completed. When a ‘CF’ or ‘I’ is changed to a grade, the student will need to notify the Financial Aid Office for reevaluation of status if the student is on probation or suspension. Students who do not satisfactorily complete at least 67 percent of attempted hours will no longer be eligible for federal or state assistance. Courses in which the student received a passing grade may not be covered by financial assistance when repeated.

Developmental Studies

Financial Aid recipients may take a maximum of 30 credit hours in Developmental Studies course work, which consists of English, math and reading courses of 100 level or lower. These courses count toward hours attempted and will be considered in determining SAP.

Change of Major(s)

A student who changes majors is still responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic progress. A student changing from one program into a another program with fewer total required credit hours may lose federal and state eligibility immediately upon making this change. While considering a change in major, a student should consult the Financial Aid Office to discuss the effect of a change on satisfactory academic progress. Federal and state regulations restrict the awarding of financial assistance beyond 150 percent of the published program length.

Returning Students’ Academic Records

The federal government requires the Financial Aid Office to track students’ academic progress from the first date of enrollment, whether or not financial aid was received. Students returning to the college after a break in enrollment should consult the Financial Aid Office on how their college histories will affect their eligibility for financial aid. Any student not meeting a standard will be subject to suspension of all financial aid.

Fresh Start Program

Students approved for the Fresh Start Program (see page 20) should be aware that financial aid requirements regarding prior attendance and cumulative eligibility must be considered from the first date of enrollment. Federal regulations restrict the awarding of financial assistance beyond 150 percent of the published program length.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Financial Aid Office monitors the satisfactory academic progress of all financial aid recipients by reviewing a student’s total academic record after grades are posted at the end of each semester. To meet eligibility requirements, students enrolled in regular curriculum classes pursuing degrees, diplomas or certificates are monitored in each of the three standards. Failure to meet any one of these standards may result in the loss of aid for subsequent semester.

1. Cumulative Completion Rate
   Financial aid recipients are required to earn at least 67 percent of credit hours attempted. The completion rate is derived by dividing the cumulative hours earned by the cumulative hours attempted. Courses with grades of F, W, WF, NC, CF and I are counted in the hours attempted. Hours earned are hours that are completed for which a student receives a passing grade. Hours attempted are hours for which a student registers at the beginning of the semester, withdraws from or does not receive a passing grade.

2. Cumulative Grade Point Average
   All Piedmont Technical College students must maintain a 2.0 semester/term and cumulative grade point average (GPA) to be considered in satisfactory academic standing. It is the policy of Piedmont Technical College to require that grade point standards be maintained for continued enrollment. The grade point standards for the federal Pell Grant are as follows:
   
   1 - 12 credit hours earned minimum 1.50 GPA
   13 - 24 credit hours earned minimum 1.75 GPA
   25+ credit hours earned minimum 2.00 GPA
   All other federal and state programs require a 2.0 GPA.
   
   Probation
   Following a review of the student’s academic record, if a student does not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student will be placed on probation during the next term in which he/she enrolls at the college. Students will be notified by mail that their financial aid eligibility is in a probationary status. Students who are placed on probation will be reviewed at the end of the probationary term enrolled. Students who fail to meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the probationary term enrolled will be placed on suspension and will lose federal and state aid eligibility.
   
   Suspension - Declaration of Ineligibility
   Following a review of students on probation, students who still are not meeting the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be placed on suspension. A letter will be sent notifying the student of ineligibility for federal or state funds, along with an appeal form. Awards will be canceled upon being placed on suspension.
   
   Returning students who did not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress in their previous enrollment with Piedmont Technical College may be placed on suspension upon their return to the college.
   
   To request consideration for receiving federal or state assistance during the next term of enrollment, a student must submit an appeal form to the Financial Aid Office by the deadline. Only non-campus-based aid may be considered for reinstatement should an appeal be approved. Non-campus-based aid includes the Pell Grant and the Stafford Student Loan. SEOG, Federal Work-Study and the SCNB grant will be canceled for all students placed on suspension. Because of limited funding in these programs, once aid is canceled, the Financial Aid Office cannot guarantee that funds will be available in the following semester if students are removed from suspension.
   
   Once a student in suspended status meets all Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student will be removed from suspension; however, if any one of the standards is not met in subsequent terms, the student will be placed on suspension again.
   
   Appeal of Financial Aid Ineligibility
   
   1. A student on financial aid suspension may appeal by completion of the appeal form indicating reasons why he/she did not achieve minimum academic standards. Each appeal will be considered on its merit and will not set precedent for future appeals. Acceptable reasons are: personal illness, death or serious illness of an immediate family member, employment changes, divorce or separation in the student’s immediate family, poor judgment or immaturity (limited to one appeal). Previous medical history cannot be used for more than one semester. The student must provide documentation supporting the appeal.
   
   2. All appeals received for an upcoming semester must be received by the published deadline. Appeals received after that date will be held until the end of the semester.
   
   3. The student will be advised in writing of the decision. Appeals must be complete and all supporting documentation attached. Incomplete appeals will be placed in the student’s file and will not be reviewed. It is the student’s responsibility to submit all documentation by the published deadline.
   
   4. Any student who is reinstated with “stipulations” is required to meet all criteria in order to have continued eligibility for federal or state financial aid. Should the student fail to meet these stipulations, he or she will remain on suspension, and aid may not be reinstated. The student may request to meet with the Director of Financial Aid to request review of the stipulations set.

3. Length of Eligibility
   Pell Grant recipients may be eligible for assistance until they have attempted up to 150 percent of the semester hours required for the programs of study in which they are enrolled. At the beginning of the first term of enrollment for the current award year, financial aid recipients’ program length of eligibility is reviewed. If the student has reached or is approaching the 150 percent maximum, a Program Assessment form must be completed by the recipients’ program advisors. The form is maintained in the student’s file and reviewed prior to the beginning of subsequent terms of enrollment. Financial Aid may not be awarded for an additional program of study until the requirements for the current program of study are complete.
   
   Students will not be eligible for the Pell Grant once they have attempted a total of 180 credit hours. (150 percent of what is required to earn a bachelor’s degree at most four-year institutions).
   
   Reestablishing Eligibility for Financial Aid
   A student will remain on suspension until all three Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress are met. Once on suspension, a student must appeal each semester in order to reestablish eligibility for federal student aid.
   Students will not receive reminders that they are on suspension. It is the student’s responsibility to appeal each semester by the published deadline. At the time the student meets all Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress, he or she should contact the Financial Aid Office for reinstatement of aid.

Based on the Reauthorization Act of 1998, if a recipient of Title IV aid completely withdraws during a payment period (or a period of enrollment), the institution must calculate the amount of Title IV aid that was not earned. Aid considered to be unearned must be returned to the Title IV programs. This return of aid may result in the student’s debt to the college and the Department of Education. A student must be enrolled in at least 60 percent of the term to be considered to have earned the aid awarded. Please see the Financial Aid Office for details.

RETURNED CHECKS