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 QUICK LINKS
Types Of Financial Aid
Instructions
For Completing
First Time Financial Aid Recipients (click here) Academic
Competitiveness Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (for Fin-Aid students)
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Financial Aid
Information Most financial aid at Three Rivers is provided by federal programs. Grants are considered "gift" aid and do not need to be repaid. Low interest loans are to be repaid over an extended period once a student ceases half-time attendance. Part-time employment is another form of assistance; the student is paid an hourly wage. Any information provided to the Financial Aid Office is treated confidentially and used only to determine need and award of aid. The Financial Aid Office supplies information about the various forms of financial aid to students including loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. This information is also fully described in the College catalog. Students must reapply each academic year for financial aid. Getting StartedThree Rivers Community College strongly encourages students to electronically apply for student financial aid. Our effort supports the activities of the U.S. Department of Education in making electronic delivery of student financial aid a reality for all students. We hope to improve our services to students and assist you in completing the financial aid process. Important - You do not have to own a personal computer to participate in this project or to apply for financial aid from Three Rivers Community College. However, you do need to have use of a computer with Internet access. Many public libraries, high schools, adult education centers and community centers offer FREE access to students. Also, you have access to many of the computers available for student use at Three Rivers Community College. If you need assistance in completing your electronic application, please contact us at the Three Rivers Community College Financial Aid Office, Mohegan Campus at 860-823-2870. It is essential that you possess an email address to participate fully in this, endeavor. If you do not already have a, personal e-mail address, you can, obtain one for FREE at many web, sites on the Internet. For example, both Yahoo! (www.mail.yahoo.com) and MSN Hotmail (www.hotmail.com) provides e-mail services for free. You will provide your e-mail address to both the U.S. Department of Education and Three Rivers Community College. Both of us will communicate with you about your financial aid application by sending information to your e-mail address. By the way, you can get an e-mail address in just a few minutes. Just follow the above step. Step 2 Applying
for a PIN (Personal It is important that you apply for a PIN. You can obtain a PIN electronically by going to the government’s PIN site (www.pin.ed.gov). If you are not sure whether or not you have a PIN already, you can go to the same web site to check. Now that you have an e-mail address, the Department of Education will e-mail you directions as to how to obtain your PIN from a secure web site. Allow 3 days to secure your PIN from them. Your PIN serves as your password to access private information on the U.S. Department of Education’s web site. You can also use your PIN as an electronic signature when completing your FAFSA on the Web. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 24 AND ARE NOT:
ONE OF YOUR PARENTS MUST APPLY FOR A PIN NUMBER ALSO Step 3To apply for financial aid from Three Rivers Community College you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to visit the FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) site for the application. You will need personal information documents to complete the electronic application. What do I need to fill out the You will need records for income earned in the year
prior to when you will start school. You may also need records of your
parent(s)’ income information. You will need to refer to:
On the FAFSA form in step six, you must
enter Three Rivers Community College’s School Code Number 009765 Step 4 Using Online (The Student Information System ) Now that you’ve applied for financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education and Three Rivers Community College, you can track your financial aid application and award information on the Internet by using Three Rivers Community College’s Online student information system (www.online.commnet.edu). To use this system, you need to know your Banner ID number and Banner PIN (This PIN is different from your U.S. Department of Education PIN mentioned earlier). You must apply for admission to Three Rivers Community College to obtain these numbers. Your User ID is the “@” sign followed by your 8-digit student number (for example: @ 12345678.) Your initial PIN is your date of birth in the format mmddyy (for example: 010482). You will be asked to change your PIN when you first login. If you don’t remember your Banner ID student number, you must contact the Registrar’s Office at Three Rivers Community College to get this information. In addition to being able to track your financial aid application online, you will be able to download any documents you may need to complete your application requirements. You can then print out these documents and either mail or drop them off at the financial aid office. To inform you of your application status, we will periodically e-mail you and direct you to visit the Online system to check your list of missing documents. You should make sure you log into the Online student information system weekly to stay current with your financial aid information and news. Step 5 When we complete our review of your financial aid application we will notify you at your e-mail address and direct you to the Online student information system. You will be able to view your Financial Aid Award and make decisions about your awards over the Internet. We will assume that you want to accept any grants (free money) that you are eligible for, but there may be additional awards (like student loans or work-study jobs) that you have the option to accept or decline. By using Online, you can review and adjust your financial aid awards, complete award requirements, and e-mail the financial aid office with your questions and concerns. Your use of the student information system allows you 24 hours/day, 7days/week access to the Financial Aid Office of Three Rivers Community College. What are the academic requirements for financial aid Students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program by having completed all necessary admissions steps. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. This is defined as a progression toward successful completion of course requirements for a degree or certificate. Students must also maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) and successfully complete at least 67% of the credits attempted on a cumulative basis. Refer to Three Rivers Community College Catalog for Academic Standards Policy. Priority
Timetable All applications should be submitted to the Federal Government by May 1 for students enrolling in September (fall semester) and November 1 for students enrolling in January (spring semester). Adhering to these deadlines will assure students of an answer concerning eligibility before the semester begins. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year since financial aid is awarded to students until funds are depleted. Student’s
Responsibility Three Rivers Community College expects the student
to initiate the application process in a timely manner, and
considers it the student’s responsibility to complete the application on
time. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Students and their
families should be aware that they are completing applications for
federal, state, and college funds. Students are also expected to be
familiar with the general provisions of financial aid. Information on
financial aid programs, regulations, and procedures are found in the
College catalog. Deliberately misreporting can result in criminal and
civil liabilities. Late applicants will be awarded on a funds available
basis. Application materials cannot be accepted after the student’s last
date of attendance. What types of
financial aid programs are available to students who attend Three
Rivers Community College? Grants, federal loans, work-study opportunities, scholarships and awards are available. A grant is a gift to an individual for the particular purpose of pursuing higher education. A grant does not have to be repaid. Federal loans are funds that are furnished for the borrower’s temporary use to pay for the cost of education. Federal loans, which include principal plus interest, must be repaid. Work-study enables students to earn money through part-time employment on campus. A Scholarship is money given to a student to help pay for the cost of education. An Award is money given to a student in recognition of merit or achievement. Scholarships and Awards do not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grant
Program Pell Grants are based on need and are intended to be the “base” of a financial aid package. Pell Grants can be combined with other forms of aid to meet the direct cost of education. Every student attending who may need financial assistance must apply for this grant. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) This program provides grants to
eligible students demonstrating financial need. Preference is given to
students with exceptional need. Connecticut Aid for
Public College Students State of Connecticut Grants are awarded to
Connecticut resident students who have serious financial need. Grants
range up to the direct cost of education per academic year and are awarded
based on satisfactory academic progress, financial need and the
availability of funds. Community
College Grant Program (CCGP) This state program allows for the remission of
tax-supported tuition, fees and cost of books for resident students who
demonstrate substantial financial need. Federal Family
Education Loan Program (Stafford loan) This loan program is jointly sponsored by lending institutions and the federal government. To borrow through this program, you must complete an application from a participating local lending institution (banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations). The interest rate is variable for new borrowers. Repayment begins six months after the recipient leaves college. Federal College Work-Study
Program (FCWSP) This program provides college jobs with an hourly
wage. You can work up to a maximum of twenty hours per week during
academic periods and up to thirty-five hours per week during vacation
periods (depending on financial need and the availability of funds). Hours
can be arranged to suit your academic schedule. If you are interested in
seeking out work-study campus employment, you should contact the Financial
Aid Office. Scholarships Scholarships and awards are presented each year to continuing or graduating students whose academic achievements and/or service to the College merits special recognition. There are numerous competitive scholarships awarded each year. Applications are available early in the spring semester. Funding for these scholarships is provided by community members, organizations, student organizations, the Three Rivers College Foundation and the College. In April, a College Scholarship Committee or the individual scholarship sponsor reviews and selects the scholarship recipients. Consult the Student Development Center at the Mohegan Campus for current information about scholarships and awards since availability and eligibility criteria change from year to year. Academic Competitiveness Grant Program On February 8, 2006 President Bush signed into law the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA). Among many provisions, the law establishes a new grant program effective July1, 2006 for first and second year college students. All colleges participating in the Federal Pell Grant program must also participate in the Academic Competitiveness Grant (AC Grant) program. An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (AC Grant) of up to $750 for the First academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:
If you wish to apply for the Academic Competitiveness Grant you must fill out the FAFSA Application on www.fafsa.ed.gov Awards (Academic Board of Trustees) Academic departments present awards to Three Rivers students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance. Funding for these awards is provided by community organizations, the Foundation, the Alumni Association and community members. Recipients are selected by College Faculty in May of each year. Alumni Association Department Awards There are four awards sponsored by the Alumni Association. Students sponsored by a faculty member submit entries in February for writing award consideration. Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty and alumni. The other awards are based on student applications to the Alumni Association which determines the recipients. The Board of Trustees of Community Colleges
recognizes academic excellence with the presentation of medallions to
graduates who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 4.0, completed all degree
requirements for an Associate Degree Program, and complete at least 50% of
the degree requirements in residence at the Community College. Remember If you apply, Three Rivers Community College will very likely be able to assist you with your college expenses. Do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions. We realize that, especially for the new student, the financial aid process can be complicated and even intimidating. We’re here to make that process a smooth one. Instructions for Obtaining the FAFSA Click on the icon below to view the U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA page, and follow the directions contained on the page.
U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA enables the student to apply for all sources of financial assistance awarded by the College as well as the Federal Pell Grant. Upon completion of the application procedures outlined above, the applicant will have applied for all sources of aid available through the Financial Aid Office. The FAFSA is also available at the Financial Aid Office, or by mail by calling (860) 823-2870.
Satisfactory Academic Progress policy:
The
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is available at:
http://www.commnet.edu/finaid/Documents/FinAid_Academic_Progress_Policy.pdf
If you are currently suspended you can appeal your status by completing the following form:
http://www.commnet.edu/finaid/download/K/SAPappeal.pdf
The SAP
appeals policy is: Students
may appeal any decision under the SAP Policy. A student must complete
the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form which one can obtain from
the financial aid office. Appeals will be considered for emergency
circumstances including illness, death of a family member or other
unusual situation. All students will be expected to provide clear
evidence in their appeal form of the following issues: 1) state the
reason for appeal 2) what has changed from that time in with
unsatisfactory academic progress occurred and 3) how (s)he will be
capable of overcome past academic difficulties. In addition students
must provide third party documentation to support their claims (i.e.
medical evidence of illness, death certificate, etc). |
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