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Financial Aid Information (Financial Aid Website)
The purpose of financial aid is to provide financial assistance to students who would otherwise be unable to attend college. Three Rivers offers financial aid to students who have been determined to have financial need according to federal need analysis. The financial aid award depends on the student’s financial need, the availability of funds at the College, and any other aid the student is receiving. The financial aid package may include grants, low interest loans, and ceases half-time attendance, and work-study jobs. Federal programs provide most financial aid at Three Rivers Community College.

Applying for Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available on-line at (www.fafsa.ed.gov), 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 below, the applicant will have applied for all sources of aid available through the Financial Aid Office.

Applications should be submitted to the Federal Government by May 1 for students enrolling in August (fall semester) or January 1 for students enrolling in January (spring semester). Adhering to these deadlines will assure students of an answer concerning eligibility before the semester begins.

However, applications are accepted throughout the academic year since financial aid is awarded to students until funds are depleted.

To be considered, the applicant must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the process for admission to a degree or certificate program at Three Rivers. See the Admissions section of this catalog for detailed instructions.

2. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We encourage students to use the on-line website, www.fafsa.ed.gov.

3. Provide any additional documentation required by the Financial Aid Office.

Determination of Need
Financial aid is granted on the basis of need. A student’s financial need is the difference between the total cost of one academic year of study at the College and the total resources available to the student, based on information supplied on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The amount of aid awarded to a particular student is determined by the Financial Aid Office and depends on the student’s financial need and the availability of funds. The cost of education includes the direct costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies, and indirect costs including personal expenses, transportation, meals, and housing costs.

Requirements for Financial Aid Recipients
Students receiving financial aid must:

• Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program by having completed all necessary admissions steps.

• Be in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress. This is defined as a progression toward successful academic completion of course requirements for a degree or certificate by maintaining a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) and successfully completing at least 67% of the credits attempted on a cumulative basis. See the next section “Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy” for complete details.

• Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the U.S. or Trust Territories.

• Not be in default in the repayment of any educational loans or owe a refund on any Title IV grant program at any institution.

• Be registered with the Selective Service if you are a male.

• Never have been convicted of an illegal drug offense.

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 the time when unsatisfactory academic progress occurred and 3) how (s)he will be capable of overcoming 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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Financial Aid Programs
Programs of Financial Aid described herein are subject to change due to Federal, State and local regulations or funding fluctuations.

Federal Academic Competitive Grant
To be eligible for this grant, students must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Students self certify their eligibility on their FAFSA application.

Federal Pell Grant Program
This grant, based on need, is intended to be the "base" of a financial aid package, and may be combined with other forms of aid to meet the direct cost of education.

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 (CAPS)
State of Connecticut grants are awarded to Connecticut resident students who have serious financial need. Grants range up to the direct cost of education (tuition, fees, books) per academic year and are based on satisfactory academic progress, financial need and the availability of funds.

Community College Grant Program
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 (Formerly Stafford Loan)
Lending institutions and the federal government jointly sponsor this loan program. To borrow through this program, the student must complete an application from a participating local lending institution (banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations). 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 for students who need money. Students 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 their financial need and the availability of funds. Hours can be arranged to suit a student’s academic schedule. Any student seeking work-study campus employment should contact the Financial Aid Office.

*State work-study funds are also available.

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Contact: Web Administrator
Three Rivers Community College
7 Mahan Drive, Norwich, CT 06360
(860) 886-0177
Updated: 4/25/2008