Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office provides financial assistance to students who need aid to attend college. Financial aid provides students with supplementary funds to help offset expenses. Several types of aid are available:  grants, loans, work-study programs, scholarships, and military benefits.

Grants

Three grants are available to students demonstrating financial need:  the Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Alabama Student Assistance Program Grant. Grants do not have to be repaid. A student who has demonstrated financial need and is enrolled in a postsecondary institution may be eligible to receive a grant.

Pell Grants are a primary source of student financial aid and are part of the Title IV Federal Financial Aid Program. To apply, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov with CVCC’s federal school code 012182. The FAFSA must be renewed each year to determine aid eligibility for the next academic year. CVCC's priority deadline is May 1 of each year.

For students who have been selected by the federal processor for verification, additional documents must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office in Wilson Hall. The primary source of communication for students from the Financial Aid Office will be their Pirate Web at www.cv.edu, where they can view their financial aid status, pending documents, offer letters, and access additional information.

Pell Grants are prorated based on the student’s semester registration status. The course load will include only courses required for the student’s degree plan.

The Pell Recalculation Date will be the day after the last published day for schedule adjustment. Each term will have a separate Pell Recalculation Date. These dates are posted in Financial Aid Important Dates at www.cv.edu/financial-aid-important-dates/.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is another federal grant. There is a limited amount of funding for this grant. Students must be enrolled for at least half-time to be eligible for this program. Students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and complete their FAFSA before the priority deadline of May 1 are given preference. Grant amounts will vary depending on the funding available.

Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) is a state grant for Alabama residents. There is a limited amount of funding for this grant. Students must be enrolled for at least half-time to qualify for this grant. Students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and complete their FAFSA before the priority deadline of May 1 are given preference. Grant amounts will vary depending on the funding available.

Loans

Three types of loans are available at CVCC:  Direct loans, Parent PLUS loans, and Private Loans. Direct loans are low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education and do not require a credit check or cosigner. These loans are for students only. Parent PLUS Loans are for the parent(s) with a dependent student enrolled and attending college. Parent PLUS Loans will require a credit check. Private loans are loans through outside lenders that require a credit check and a cosigner in some instances.

All loans must be repaid by the student (or parent) to the lender (or agency). The appeal process for Direct Loans and Parent PLUS Loans is the same as that for other Title IV aid. See Financial Aid Suspension and Appeal Process. Private loans do not require an appeal process as they are not subject to Financial Aid Suspension.

Loans must be certified by the Financial Aid Office. Per federal guidelines, loans for more than the student’s Cost of Attendance cannot be granted. Dependency status is determined by the FAFSA, and residency is determined by the Admissions Office.

Direct Loans can be subsidized and/or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are for students who have demonstrated financial need. With these loans, the government pays the interest while students attend school at least half-time. Unsubsidized loans, which are not need-based, are loans where the interest begins accruing from the beginning date of the loan. The student is responsible for the interest on unsubsidized loans from the date the loan is disbursed.

To apply for Direct Loans, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be awarded direct loans, students must have completed Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. Loan offers will allow students to accept their OneACCS Pirate Web accounts. Students may request different loan amounts using the OneACCS Pirate Web.

To qualify for direct loans, students must be enrolled and attending at least half-time, with a minimum of six (6) credit hours or more. Students must maintain the exact eligibility requirements as described for federal aid in the Grants section. Students who graduate, stop attending, or drop below six credit hours must complete Exit Counseling online. Students have a six-month repayment grace period once enrollment drops below half-time status.

Parent PLUS loans require the same minimum requirements, standards, and conditions as Direct loans. However, the loan is in the parents’ name, not the student’s. PLUS, loans may be disbursed directly to the student or parent. Parents may apply for a PLUS Loan online. Please note that students who are not meeting SAP requirements can not have a Parent Plus loan disbursed on their student account. 

Private loans are through outside lenders of the student’s choosing. The Financial Aid Office does not distribute private loan applications. These loans can be found through the lending agency or its online website. These loans are not subject to the same standards as federal aid, but rather to the conditions and requirements set by the lending agency. These applications can be found on the lending agency’s website. The Cost of Attendance is subject to the same standards for all loans.

Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment on campus. Students work up to 18 hours weekly, and their schedules are coordinated around their class schedules. To be considered for a position, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Chattahoochee Valley Community College Work-Study application and have unmet need for the academic year.

Scholarships

Scholarships vary greatly and range from institutional to outside agencies. This section will describe institutional, CVCC Foundation, and Senior Adult scholarships. Depending on the type of scholarship, applications may be completed online or available on campus. Go to our website for applicable deadlines.

Institutional scholarships are equivalent to Presidential scholarships, covering general in-state tuition and fees. Students must complete the general admission application to CVCC, the FAFSA with CVCC's federal school code 012182, and complete the scholarship application located on the college's website under Scholarships.

Institutional scholarship warning status will be placed on a student after a semester review demonstrates that the student is not meeting the scholarship requirements for GPA, credit hour completion, and, if applicable, duty hours. Students can continue to receive scholarship funding while on warning with the understanding that all the scholarship requirements will be met at the end of the warning term, or the scholarship will be suspended.

Institutional scholarship appeals must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The Committee will notify students of the outcome of the appeal.

Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional information about specific scholarships.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requires that all students receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress toward completing a degree. Academic progress must be monitored for all terms of enrollment, regardless of whether financial aid was received. A student’s academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester. Students must view their Pirate Web for Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Suspension status.

The elements of the Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress Policy must be successfully maintained and are as follows:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards

• Qualitative Standard - Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Quantitative Standard - Successful Completion Rate - (PACE)
• Quantitative Standard - Maximum Timeframe -150% of the published credit hours required to graduate (MAX)
• Warning Semester: SAP is measured at the end of each term for all enrolled students

Qualitative - Grade Point Average (GPA)

• If the student has attempted 0-21 hours, he/she must maintain a 1.5 GPA
• If the student has attempted 22-32 hours, he/she must maintain a 1.75 GPA
• If the student has attempted 33 or more hours, he/she must maintain a 2.0 GPA

GPA requirements for short-term certificate (24-29 credit hours) students

• If the student has attempted 0-12 hours, he/she must maintain a 1.5 GPA.
• If the student has attempted 13 or more hours, he/she must maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Quantitative - Pace of Progression (PACE)

Completion rate (attempted class hours) required by long-term certificate and degree-seeking students

• If the student has attempted 0-21 hours, he/she must maintain a 58% completion rate.
• If the student has attempted 22-32 hours, he/she must maintain a 62% completion rate.
• If the student has attempted 33 or more hours, he/she must maintain a 67% completion rate.

Completion rate (attempted class hours) required for short-term certificate (24-29 credit hours) students

• If the student has attempted 0-12 hours, he/she must maintain a 58% completion rate.
• If the student has attempted 13 or more hours, he/she must maintain a 67% completion rate.

Grades for Developmental Courses

Incomplete courses and periods where Academic Bankruptcy was applied must be factored into the GPA calculation. Special Satisfactory Academic Progress standards have been established for students enrolled in institutional credit courses carrying optional grades and those wishing to remain eligible to receive Title IV federal financial aid.

Repeated Courses

The first repeat shall not be factored into the GPA calculations; however, all additional attempts shall be factored into the GPA calculation.

Transfer Courses Accepted by the Institution

Developmental courses, incompletes periods where Academic Bankruptcy was applied, and forgiven courses must be factored into the completion rate calculation.

Quantitative - Maximum Time Frame (MAX)

• The maximum timeframe for completing an undergraduate degree program is defined as no more than 150 percent of the normal timeframe required to complete the degree program. Example: For degree programs that require 64 credit hours to graduate, the maximum time frame is 96 attempted credit hours. Students failing to complete their degree programs within this time frame will lose financial aid eligibility.
• All attempted courses, including transfer credits accepted by the institution, incompletes, periods where Academic Bankruptcy was applied, forgiven courses, and developmental courses, must be factored into the calculation for Maximum Time Frame. The maximum timeframe will not reset when a program is changed. However, students may appeal if mitigating circumstances or circumstances beyond a student’s control exist. Students should be aware that appeals may require supporting documentation.
• Students who have previously graduated with a degree (associate or bachelor's) will be reviewed for the maximum timeframe based on the hours attempted in the current program of study. Students who earn three (3) or more degrees from CVCC within the maximum timeframe will lose financial aid eligibility and may appeal.

Warning Semester

• If a student fails to meet the Qualitative Standard - Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or the Quantitative Standard - Pace of Progression (PACE) for Satisfactory Academic Progress, he/she should be placed on a one-semester warning in which he/she can still receive financial aid.
• During this warning semester, the student will receive financial aid; however, the student must meet both the Qualitative Standard - Grade Point Average (GPA) and the Quantitative Standard - Completion Rate/PACE requirements at the end of the warning semester to continue to receive financial aid.
• If a student fails to regain good standing by satisfying both the Qualitative Standard  - Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or the Quantitative Standard - Successful Completion Rate (PACE) during his/her warning semester, he/she will be placed into a Failing SAP Status and will be ineligible for continued aid. Students must follow the institution’s financial aid appeal policy if they wish to be reconsidered for possible continued eligibility.
• There is no warning semester for the Maximum Timeframe.

SAP Calculation

The following information explains how repeated courses, incomplete courses, withdrawals, academic bankruptcies, course forgiveness, developmental courses, transfer credits, and grade changes are treated in a student’s SAP calculation.

• Repeated courses are factored into the GPA, Completion Rate/PACE, and Maximum Timeframe calculations. The first repeat course will not be calculated into the GOA requirement. Students can only repeat a successfully passed course using federal aid one additional time. Repeats may affect a student’s Completion Rate/PACE.
• Incomplete grades (I) are factored into the Completion Rate/PACE and Maximum Timeframe Requirements. When an “I” is updated to a final grade, the final grade received will be factored into the SAP calculation at the time of the next scheduled evaluation. SAP calculations for all other grade changes instituted for prior terms will be recalculated at the time of the grade change. For all other grade changes instituted for prior terms, SAP is recalculated at the time of the grade change.
• Withdrawals are not factored into the GPA calculation; however, withdrawals are included in the Completion Rate/PACE and Maximum Timeframe Calculations.
• Transfer credits accepted by the College will not be factored into the GPA calculation, but all accepted credits are included in Completion Rate/PACE and Maximum Timeframe Calculations. Following acceptance of transfer credits, an official review of these transfer credits will be completed at the end of the next semester of enrollment at CVCC.
• Course Forgiveness and Academic Bankruptcy are factored into the GPA, Completion Rate/PACE, and maximum Timeframe Calculations.
• Developmental courses are factored into the GPA, Completion Rate/PACE, and Maximum Timeframe Calculations. A student may receive federal aid for up to 30 developmental hours.
• Courses dropped during the add/drop period are not factored into GPA, Completion Rate/PACE, or Maximum Timeframe Calculations.
• Audit courses are not considered credits attempted or earned; therefore, students cannot receive federal aid for audited courses.     

Additional conditions that each student must meet to maintain Eligibility at CVCC

• Students must be enrolled in an eligible program of study that leads to a degree or certificate to qualify for financial assistance. Only courses required for completion will be eligible for federal aid.
• Students may not enroll in a developmental or remedial course more than three times and continue to receive federal aid for that course. Students cannot be paid for more than 30 credit hours of college preparatory coursework.

Beginning July 1, 2015, students enrolled in both Adult Education and Career Pathway Programs can receive Pell Grants and other federal funding. These students must maintain enrollment in both the Adult Education for General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program and one or more Career Pathway collegiate class(es) to remain eligible for federal funding. Once a GED is obtained, a student will no longer be classified as an Ability to Benefit student.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

Financial Aid Appeal Forms are located at www.cv.edu/student-forms/ under Student Resources Student Forms. Students may submit the appeal form with supporting documentation of extenuating circumstances during their semester(s) that caused them not to maintain satisfactory progress to the Financial Aid Office. If approved, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation or an academic plan.

In some cases, a student’s failure to comply with one or more areas of SAP may be due to a mitigating circumstance. A mitigating circumstance is defined as a situation beyond the student’s control, an undue hardship due to special circumstances, or other circumstances. Some examples of mitigating circumstances may include serious illness or injury to the student that required extended recovery time; death or serious illness of an immediate family member; significant trauma in the student’s life that impaired the student’s emotional and/or physical health; or other documented circumstances.

A student who experiences a mitigating circumstance may submit a financial aid appeal. If a student files an appeal due to the maximum timeframe, they must also meet the other two components (GPA and Completion Rate/PACE). An appeal cannot be approved for a prior term.

Financial aid appeals must be received in the Financial Aid Office before the cutoff period for the semester, typically the week before classes begin. The dates are posted on the CVCC website on the student forms page. Submitting a financial aid appeal is NOT an automatic approval. The decision of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee will be electronically delivered via CVCC email to the student. The decision of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee is final. Students may also view their Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status in the OneACCS Self-Service Banner (SSB) account.

Financial Aid Probation or Academic Plan status is placed on the student whose Financial Aid Appeal has been approved or for a student who has been flagged by a federal processor for Unusual Enrollment History (UEH). The student may be eligible for federal aid for one semester. Student progress will be reviewed at the end of the probationary term. At the end of the probationary term, if the student has completed all his/her courses for that term successfully with Cs or better, the student’s federal aid may be awarded for subsequent semesters.

Re-establishing eligibility is another way for the student to receive federal aid after a Financial Aid Suspension. To re-establish eligibility, the student must complete additional coursework at CVCC using non-Title IV monetary resources and achieve a grade of C or better. Once the student meets the Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress, they may have their federal aid awarded for subsequent semesters. The student would be responsible for the funding of the semester(s) he/she chooses to re-establish.

The Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success Program (CEVSS) 

The Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) is the direct link for Veteran student support, resources, and referral assistance. Services are open to veterans, active duty, reservists, or National Guard students. CEVSS fosters a veteran-friendly culture by providing programs designed to increase student veterans’ sense of belonging on campus. Veteran students will have access to academic success services, mental health referral assistance, and a space that promotes social, emotional, and mental well-being. CEVSS provides:

• A veteran quiet room as a temporary sanctuary where Veteran students can decompress and escape the fast pace of the work environment;
• A veterans lounge that will provide Veteran students with a comfortable space for student veterans to connect, unwind, and locate resources.
• A veteran's study room equipped with computer stations, a printer, and office supplies,  and
• A veteran student organization.

Veteran students may register online to become members of CEVSS. For more information, including location, hours of operation, and resources, please visit this link. Students may also contact Diwana Patterson, Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid Operations & VA School Certifying Official, at diwana.patterson@cv.edu or (334) 291-4947 for assistance.

Military Educational Benefits

Students wishing to use VA educational benefits must submit their letter of eligibility from the VA to the School Certifying Official (SCO) in the Financial Aid Office in Wilson Hall. Students may have federal and/or state VA benefits. Federal VA educational benefits include the GI Bill®, which has several chapters that cover either the school, the student, or both. Refer to www.gibill.va.gov for a more detailed explanation of the difference in benefits. Tuition assistance is also available. For applicable programs, a certification of enrollment is reported electronically to the VA, which determines the payment rate for the College and/or student.

To be eligible for Veterans Administration benefits, students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements applicable to all students at the College. The Financial Aid Office recommends that all students complete the FAFSA because they may be eligible for more than one type of financial aid.

For students receiving VA educational benefits, any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill® Feedback System. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate and resolve the complaint in a satisfactory manner.

Students utilizing VA education benefits shall not be charged a penalty, including assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet their financial obligations due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

GI Bill® (Federal VA Educational Benefits)

Post 9/11, or Chapter 33, is the primary educational benefit used by students at CVCC. Students must apply to use this benefit. For the service member, the application for educational benefits can be made online at www.va.gov or by completing VA Form 22-1990 and submitting it to the VA Regional Processing Office. For the dependent of a service member, the veteran/service member must transfer benefits to their dependent. Then, like the application process for the veteran, the dependent student can apply online at www.va.gov or by completing VA Form 21-990e. Once the VA office has processed the application, a letter of eligibility is mailed to the student, who should then present it to the college.

Students are responsible for any tuition and fees not covered by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. The letter of eligibility from the VA Regional Processing Office will detail the percentage covered and the number of months of eligibility available to the student. In general, the VA pays the percentage of tuition and fees outlined in the certificate of eligibility to the school. The VA also pays book stipends and living allowances to the student.

Montgomery GI Bill® or Chapter 30; Montgomery GI Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) or Chapter 1606; and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) or Chapter 1607 are federal VA educational benefits paid directly to the student who is a veteran or current service member. The student must apply to use this benefit online or with VA Form 22-1990. Once the VA office has processed the application, a letter of eligibility is mailed to the student to present to the College.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Education (VR&E), also known as Chapter 31, is designed for veteran students with a service-connected disability. Application information can be found here or by calling 1-800-827-1000. An authorization form from the student’s VA case manager is required to be submitted to the college. This authorization form outlines the terms and conditions applicable to the student. In general, tuition, fees, and books are paid for by the VA, and the student also receives a living allowance.

Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) or Chapter 35 and Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) are for students who are dependents of a veteran. The student may apply online or use the VA Form 22-5490. Once the VA office has processed the application, a certificate of eligibility is mailed to the student to present to the College. DEA/Chapter 35 benefits are paid to the student. The Fry Scholarship benefits will be paid the same as the Post 9/11 or Chapter 33 benefits referred to previously.

State Benefits

The State of Alabama offers financial assistance for many students. You can visit the website for a more comprehensive list. The ASAP grant was discussed in the Grants section, and the Senior Adult Program is described in the Scholarships section. Two additional types of state benefits will be discussed below. Students must also apply for the FAFSA.

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP) provides financial assistance beyond tuition and fees to Alabama National Guard members. Application forms are available online at www.ache.edu. The student must complete the forms and submit them to the SCO in the Financial Aid Office for any reimbursement.

Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to eligible dependents of Alabama residents who have a service-connected disability. This program may pay for the student’s basic in-state tuition, instructional fees, and required books for collegiate coursework. The student is responsible for any remedial coursework, facility, and building fees, as the program does not cover these expenses. Applications may be obtained from any county veterans’ service officer (usually located in the local courthouse) or by contacting the Alabama State Department of Veterans Affairs at 334-242-5077.

Beginning July 31, 2017, new requirements were established stating that this program may only be applied for after all federal, state, institutional, and third-party grants and scholarships have been received. The new requirements include undergraduate courses for students at the in-state rate, plus a $1000 maximum limit on instructional fees and books per semester. Students should refer to their award letter or certificate received from the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to determine which requirements apply to them.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance is a benefit paid to eligible Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard members. The approved tuition assistance form must be submitted to the Business Office in Wallace Hall. For more information regarding eligibility, amounts, and application procedures for the different military branches, see www.military.com in the Education section.

Veterans Certification of Enrollment Process

Students utilizing VA educational benefits under the GI Bill® program will have their enrollment certified electronically each semester by a School Certifying Official (SCO) in the Veterans Resource Center, located in the basement of Owen Hall. Students will receive email notifications regarding any changes to their enrollment status.

This certification, also known as VA Form 22-1999, is essential for processing VA educational benefits. To ensure timely submission, students should complete the VA Certification Request—available on the cv.edu website under Student Forms > Financial Aid Office Forms—any time there is a change to their class schedule.

Please note:

• Only courses that are required for a student’s declared program of study can be certified.
• Audited courses and those classified as Out of Degree Plan (ODP) are not eligible for certification.
• Repeated courses may be certified only if the course is still required for the program and has not been successfully completed in the past.

Students are encouraged to pay close attention to the start and end dates listed on their class schedules, as these dates will be reported to the VA for enrollment certification purposes.