PVCC - Financial Aid - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements to receive financial aid?
How do I apply for a Pell Grant?
What happens after I file my FAFSA?
How can I pay for books?
When does my money come in?

What forms do I need to complete to apply for financial aid?
What is a PIN?
What is PVCC's school code?
What other sources of aid are available?
Who has access to the information on the financial aid application forms?

If my parents are divorced or separated, do they both have to contribute to my education?
How do I become an independent student for federal aid purposes?
What is verification?
How do I complete verification?
What is my Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?

What is my Data Release Number (DRN)?
What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)?
I haven't received my financial aid award letter yet. Do I have to pay when I register?
What if my financial aid does not cover all my tuition and fees?

Will I have to pay back financial aid money if I drop out or withdraw from school?
I received financial aid this year. Do I need to reapply to receive aid again next year?
Why did my financial need change from last year?
What is Federal Work Study?
How do I obtain a work study position?

What if I am not interested in the Federal Work Study program, but received an award?
How do I apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan?
What is the difference between a Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan?
What is a Federal Direct PLUS Loan?
How do I apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan?

What is the difference between a student loan and a parent PLUS loan?
How many credits do I need to take to be eligible for financial aid?
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
What is the SAP Appeal Process?
What is a Consortium Agreement?

What happens if I have financial aid and I withdraw after the add/drop date?
I am a veteran. Am I eligible to use veteran's education benefits and financial aid?
Do I have to wait to apply for financial aid after I've been accepted to PVCC?

What are the Eligibility Requirements to Receive Financial Aid?
To receive Financial Aid, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen or registered permanent resident.
Have a valid Social Security number.
Have a high school diploma, GED, or have completed Home School.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Be enrolled in an approved degree or certificate program at PVCC.
Not be in default on a federal student loan.
Not owe an overpayment for a federal student grant.
Have registered with Selective Services if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25.
Have settled any outstanding account balances with PVCC.
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Complete verification, if required.
Have completed all items on your "to do" list in MyPVCC.
If you do not meet eligibility requirements, you still may be able to receive other forms of financial assistance.

How do I apply for a Pell Grant?
You can apply for a Pell Grant by completing the FAFSA for the current academic award year.

What happens after I file my FAFSA?
The Department of Education has up to five days to process and send your FAFSA information to the schools you have listed. Within two days of PVCC receiving your FAFSA information we will mail you an award letter discussing your eligibility or a letter requesting additional information needed before eligibility can be determined. You will also be able to view the status of your application on your student account.

How can I pay for books?
You may pay for books out-of-pocket or with financial aid. To use financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA application at least 3 weeks before you purchase your books. You can charge books to the Bookstore with financial aid two weeks before 14 week classes begin through the end of the second week of the semester. Students starting in late classes must also adhere to this period of time. Only books and materials listed on your syllabus may be charged to your financial aid account in the Bookstore.

When does my money come in?
Funds are first paid to PVCC to cover the cost of tuition, fees and books. If there are funds left over in your account, a check will be mailed to you around the middle of the semester. Please make sure your address in current with PVCC. No funds are available at the beginning of the semester.

What forms do I need to complete to apply for financial aid?
Students must complete the FAFSA application to apply for financial aid at PVCC. A supplemental one-page form is also required if you plan to take classes during PVCC's summer session. This form is available in the PVCC Financial Aid Office or online.

What is a PIN?
A Federal Student Aid PIN is a four-digit number you need in order to:

Electronically sign your FAFSA.
Retrieve FAFSA renewal information over the Internet.
File a FAFSA renewal on line.
Access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
View information about federal student aid you receive.
Complete Entrance Counseling.
Electronically sign the Federal Direct Stafford and PLUS Loan Master Promissory Notes.

Keep your PIN confidential in order to protect your privacy.

To apply for a new or replacement PIN click here.

What is PVCC's School Code?
PVCC's Title IV School Code is 009928. You will need to indicate the school code on the FAFSA application so that the U.S. Department of Education knows you want PVCC to receive your information.

What other sources of aid are available?
There are many local, state and national organizations that offer scholarships. Visit the following links to conduct a search:

Who has access to the information on the financial aid application forms?
Only the PVCC Financial Aid Office has access to this confidential information.

If my parents are divorced or separated, do they both have to contribute to my education?
For federal student aid (Pell Grant, SEOG, Work-Study and student loans), only the custodial parent and his or her current spouse, if any, must complete the FAFSA. The non-custodial parent is not required to report information for federal student aid purposes.

How do I become an independent student for federal aid purposes?
If you meet one of the following criteria, you are considered independent:

You are 24 years old by the last day of the previous year
You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
You are married
You are a ward of the court
Your parents are deceased
You provide more than 50 percent financial support for a legal dependent

Learn more about independent student status here.

What is verification?
Verification is a process to confirm the information you provided on the FAFSA application. The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects students. PVCC Financial Aid Office may also select students for verification if data on your FAFSA is inconsistent, incomplete or estimated. If you are selected for the verification process you will receive a letter in the mail and it will be on your "to do" list in MyPVCC.

How do I complete verification?
To complete verification you must submit a verification worksheet, along with your federal tax transcript for the income year that you provided information for on your FAFSA. If your parents were required to enter their information on the FAFSA they will also be required to submit their federal tax transcript(s).

Independent student verification 2012-13 worksheet
Independent student verification 2013-14 worksheet

Dependent student verification 2012-13 worksheet
Depedent student verification 2013-14 worksheet

Parent paid child support 2012-13 worksheet
Parent paid child support 2013-14 worksheet

SNAP benefit 2013-14 worksheet
High School verification 2013-14 worksheet
How to obtain a Federal Tax Transcript contact

What is my Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?
When you apply for federal student aid, the information you report on the FAFSA form is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount the federal government believes that you and your family can contribute toward your education.

What is my Data Release Number (DRN)?
Your DRN is a four-digit number assigned by the U.S. Department of Education to your financial aid application. Your DRN is printed on the upper right corner of your Student Aid Report (SAR). In order to make changes to your FAFSA information, you must know your DRN. Do not share your DRN with anyone you have not authorized to access your FAFSA information.

What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)?
A Student Aid Report (SAR) is a summary of the information you submitted on your FAFSA. You can choose to receive your SAR by email or postal mail. When you receive your SAR please review it for accuracy. If errors are found, make corrections and return to the federal processor. If your SAR report was received electronically, visit the FAFSA website to make corrections there. A new SAR will be sent to you with the correction updates.

I haven't received my financial aid award letter. Do I have to pay tuition and fees when I register?
If the payment due date has passed, you may need to pay tuition and fees when you register. Check online at MyPVCC or contact the PVCC Financial Aid Office to check the status of your application. Please apply for financial aid eight weeks prior to the beginning of classes to avoid this issue.

What if my financial aid does not cover all of my tuition and fees?
You are responsible for tuition and fees not covered by your financial aid package. Payment should be made at the PVCC Cashier's Office, located in room M245 in the Main Building. To view the Cashier hours click here.

Will I have to pay back financial aid money if I drop out or withdraw from school?
If you receive federal student financial aid and drop out or withdraw from school during the first 60 percent of the semester, you may be required to repay a percentage of the aid that has already been paid out, depending upon how much aid you received and what type. For more details, see If You Withdraw from PVCC.

I received financial aid this year. Do I need to reapply to receive aid again next year?
Yes! Your financial aid covers only one academic year (fall, spring and summer). You must submit a new FAFSA for every academic year you plan to attend and receive financial aid.

Why did my financial need change from last year?
Any change to your family's financial situation or in PVCC's tuition and fees can affect your level of need. The difference between the total cost of attending PVCC and the ability of you and your family to contribute financially to your education can change in your financial need.

What is Federal Work-Study?
The Federal Work-Study Program creates part-time job and skills training opportunities for students with financial need, while helping them to earn money toward educational and personal expenses.

How do I obtain a work-study position?
First, indicate your interest in the work-study program on your FAFSA application. If you are eligible, you will receive a PVCC financial aid award letter indicating your eligibility. Once you have received an eligibility award letter for work-study, you may contact PVCC's Career Services for assistance at 434.961.5264 or you may visit JobNet.

What if I am not interested in the Federal Work Study program, but received an award?
If you are NOT interested in work-study, email or visit the PVCC Financial Aid Office, room M136 in the main building.

How do I apply for a Federal Direct Stafford Loan?

Complete and submit the FAFSA application for the current award year.
Enroll and remain in a minimum of six credit hours per semester in an accredited degree or certificate program at PVCC.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Complete a PVCC Loan Request Form available from the PVCC Financial Aid Office or online on the PVCC website.
Complete online Entrance Counseling and electronically sign a Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov.

What is the difference between a Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Stafford loan?
Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized Loans will not accumulate interest while you are enrolled in school at least part time - six credit hours. Interest will begin to accrue once you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment.

Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loans begin accumulating interest the first day the loan is disbursed, until the loan is paid in full. Subsidized loans are also based on financial need determined by information reported on your FAFSA, while the unsubsidized loan is not based on financial need.

What is a Federal Direct PLUS Loan?
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan program is designed to assist parent(s) of dependent students with tuition and expenses. The parent must agree to a credit check and be pre-approved before they may borrow a PLUS Loan. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other forms of financial aid, including grants, scholarships and student Federal Direct Stafford Loans. Repayment begins 60 days after the last disbursement is made unless the parent borrower is approved for forbearance (deferment of payment) with the lender.

How do I apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan?

Parent borrower will need to complete a PVCC PLUS Loan request form available from the Financial Aid Office or online at the PVCC website.
Parent borrower will need to electronically sign a Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov.

Students of parent borrowers need to enroll and remains in six credit hours per semester, be in an accredited degree or certificate program and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

What is the difference between student loans and a parent PLUS loan?
The Federal Direct Loan Programs are subsidized and unsubsidized loans students may borrow in their name and are responsible for paying back. While the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program is designed for parent(s) to take out in their name for their dependent student and the parent is responsible for paying back. Parent borrowers are required to have a credit check performed, while student borrowers are not. Repayment for Federal Direct Loans are not required until six months after a student graduates, withdraws from college or is enrolled in less than six credit hours. Parent PLUS Loans begin repayment 60 days after the last disbursement.

How many credits do I have to take to be eligible for financial aid?
You may take as little as one credit hour per semester toward a program. If you would like to receive financial aid assistance, classes need to be a part of an approved degree or certificate program. If you would like to borrow a student loan you will need to register and maintain six credit hours throughout the semester.

1 - 5 credits is less than half-time enrollment.
6 - 8 credits is half-time enrollment.
9 -11 credits is three-quarter time enrollment.
12+ credits is full-time enrollment.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is a policy designed to define successful completion of class work toward an approved degree or certificate program to maintain eligibility for student financial aid. If you are unable to meet these standards, you will be placed on financial aid warning or suspension. For further information, review SAP policy requirements here.

What is the SAP Appeal Process?
If a student is failing the 67% Rule (completion rate) or GPA requirement the student is given one warning semester. If a student continues not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for completion rate or GPA requirements the following semester, financial aid is suspended. A student who had special circumstances may appeal the decision, but may need to provide documentation. Special considerations are illness, injury, family death or other academic performance concerns beyond the student's control. Appeals are submitted through the PVCC Financial Aid Office.

What is a consortium agreement?
A student may only receive financial aid from one college at a time. A consortium agreement allows a student to include classes from another college with their financial aid package at the college from which they plan to graduate. Classes must be part of their degree program and be approved by both PVCC and the other college prior to aid disbursement. Students must also pay for tuition, fees and books at the other college out-of-pocket until they can be reimbursed by PVCC Financial Aid Office. A new consortium agreement will need to be completed each semester the student attends more than one college.

What happens if I have financial aid and I withdraw after the add/drop date?
Withdrawing from classes before completing 60 percent of the semester means that you have not earned your full financial aid award. The PVCC Financial Aid Office will calculate the percentage of time you did attend during the semester and determine your eligibility. This may result in you owing the balance no longer covered by financial aid funds. If you complete over 60 percent of the semester, you will have earned 100 percent of your aid. If you are considering withdrawing from a class we encourage you to contact the PVCC Financial Aid Office first.

I'm a veteran. Am I eligible to use veteran's education benefits and financial aid?
Yes, you can. Please schedule an appointment to meet with a PVCC Veterans Affairs Advisor and visit the PVCC Financial Aid Office.

Do I have to wait to apply for financial aid after I have been accepted to PVCC?
No. Once you have applied to PVCC through the Admissions and Advising Center, we encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some grant awards are based on a first-come, first-serve so it is important to apply as soon as possible. Completing the FAFSA application cuts down on the waiting time for class registration.