Financial Aid

How to Apply

A student can apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. The student and one parent (if the student is under the age of 24) will need to create an FSA ID. The FSA ID is used to electronically sign the FAFSA. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is a feature that allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to the complete the FAFSA and transfer the data directly into the FAFSA. The student should indicate Mitchell Community College’s federal school code (002947) on the FAFSA. Once the FAFSA is submitted online, Mitchell will receive a copy of the FAFSA electronically and will contact the student requesting additional information if a Mitchell Community College Admissions Application is on file. If no additional documentation is needed, the student will be notified of their eligibility by email or can be viewed on Self-Service. Students who are not eligible for financial aid will receive a letter with information on special circumstances and a payment plan option.

Deadlines

To guarantee the use of financial aid during early registration each semester, a student must submit all documentation as requested to the Financial Aid Office by the following dates:

• 2023 Fall Semester —June 16
• 2024 Spring Semester—November 3
• 2024 Summer Semester—April 5

Types of Financial Aid

Following is a list of financial aid available to students. A student may receive several different awards.

• Federal Pell Grant (FPELL)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
• North Carolina Scholarship (NCNBG)
• North Carolina Longleaf Commitment Grant (NCLCG)
• Scholarships
• Veterans Education Benefit
• Child Care Grant
• Alternative Loan Program(s)

Scholarships

Mitchell awards financial aid scholarships without regard to race, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. To be considered for a scholarship and retain a scholarship, a student should:

• Complete the FAFSA
• Complete a Mitchell Community College Scholarship Application
• Have a 2.0 or higher GPA
• Be enrolled for nine or more credit hours

Donors may provide specific criteria for awarding their scholarships. Mitchell may release information on scholarship recipients to the press.

Distribution

Recipients of FPELL, FSEOG, FWS, NCNBG, NCLCG, and Scholarships may charge their tuition, fees, books, and supplies against their financial aid eligibility for the semester for which they are registering, if the student received an award letter for the current academic year. In order to charge, Mitchell’s Financial Aid Office will apply applicable financial aid proceeds to the student’s account for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Mitchell will mail a check to the student if their financial aid is greater than the expenses charged to the address listed on the Mitchell Admissions Application.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• Award amounts may be subject to change based on enrollment status, available funding and/or regulatory changes.
• The duration of eligibility to receive Federal Pell Grant is limited to 12 semesters (or its equivalent) under the new Pell lifetime eligibility used (LEU) regulation.
• Financial aid students may not receive financial aid from more than one institution during the same semester within the same academic year. Students must notify their FA Specialist if they have attended any other college, this school year, using financial aid prior to the College finalizing award for Mitchell.
• Students may charge books and school supplies in the Mitchell Bookstore against financial aid prior to the beginning of each semester. This service is provided as a convenience to financial aid students. Students are not required to purchase books this way. Financial aid students wanting to purchase books from another vendor will need to pay for those purchases on their own and those costs will not be deducted from their financial aid.
• Financial aid will not pay for a class a student audits or receives credit by examination.
• Financial aid will only pay for one retake of any previously passed course.
• Awards are conditional upon enrollment in an eligible program for financial aid.
• Awards are conditional upon receipt of an official high school transcript or high school equivalency by the Admissions Office.
• A student may only receive financial aid for courses that count toward graduation requirements in the declared major as listed by the Admissions Office.
• The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to review, revise or cancel an award due to professional judgment decisions, or change of academic program.
• Awards are based on students continued satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• Students are responsible for paying any tuition, fees, books and other outstanding charges not covered by financial aid if ‘Ineligible’ under Mitchell’s financial aid SAP standards.
• Federal, state and scholarship funds committed in an award letter are contingent upon actual receipt of the funds by Mitchell.
• The FA Award Notification is divided equally into two academic semesters. The award, based on full-time enrollment, will be prorated each semester according to the actual number of hours enrolled.
• Any remainder of a semester’s award will be disbursed, by check, and mailed from Financial Services after enrollment is confirmed for the semester.
• If a student withdraws from all courses during a semester, the student will be subject to the Return of Title IV funds policy and may have to repay funds to Mitchell and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
• Students who complete mini session classes and withdraw from all other classes that span an entire semester are subject to the Return of Title IV funds policy.
• The Financial Aid Office may release information pertaining to financial aid to any government agency that requires such information as allowed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Financial aid will no longer provide financial aid information to outside agencies.
• If a student has a payment plan and was awarded financial aid, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the cashier’s office of their award.
• Financial aid will only pay for course work required in a student’s program of study.

Repeated Coursework

Repeated coursework may count towards enrollment status, one-time only, _-if course was previously passed.

No Show

If a student is a “No Show,” the student’s financial aid will be calculated based on the actual number of hours enrolled and attended. Students may also be subject to being responsible for the tuition and fee charges for the class(es) reported as “No Show.”

Census Date Enrollment

Financial Aid payment is based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled in, at the 10% census date for a standard 16-week semester. An adjustment to the student’s schedule may affect financial aid. Be sure to speak with a Financial Aid Specialist to determine if aid is affected.

Transfer Students

If a student transfers to Mitchell from another school, Mitchell’s federal school code (002947) must be listed on the FAFSA.

Mini Sessions

If a student registers for a mini session that has a later start date during the semester than the first day of the semester, award funds will not be available until enrollment is confirmed in class(es).

Exclusions

Financial Aid does not pay for audited courses, credit by exams and courses not in current program of study. If a student receives Title IV funds and then decides to audit a class or receive a credit by exam, the student may be liable for repayment of those funds.

Degree Audit

Federal and State regulations mandate, for financial aid purposes, all students enroll only in courses that are required for admission and enrollment in an eligible program of study. Any coursework not required in a program of study will be excluded from a student’s enrollment status and the student’s financial aid will be prorated or canceled.

12 Semester Lifetime Limit

The consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 enacted changes that reduce the duration of a student’s eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant to 12 semesters (or its equivalent). This change applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students and to all N.C. State Grant eligible students.

Eligible Programs

Not all certificate programs qualify as eligible programs to award financial aid. See the Financial Aid Office.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial aid applicants must comply with the 2011 U.S. Department of Education’s statutory requirement guidelines (34 CFR 668.34) on maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for financial aid. Mitchell’s policy applies SAP standards to all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. To accurately measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress, the policy requires a qualitative measure of progress and a quantitative measure of progress.

Qualitative Measure (Grade point requirement)—Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) as calculated by the Financial Aid Office. This GPA may be different than what appears on a student’s transcript. For example, reinforced instruction courses are not included in a transcript’s GPA but are included for financial aid. Students must have a “C” average at the end of two academic years to graduate. A student must not be suspended according to the College’s academic satisfactory academic progress policy.

Quantitative Measure (Completion requirement)—Students must successfully progress through their educational programs at a specific pace to ensure program completion within maximum timeframe. Pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of hours the student has successfully completed by the cumulative number of hours the student has attempted, regardless of enrollment status. Transfer credits are included in both the attempted and completed hours. If a student successfully earns 67 percent of the total cumulative credits hours attempted in their program of study, the student should complete their program within maximum timeframe. Pace is measured at the end of each semester by the Financial Aid Office. Pace calculation example: Student attempts 12 credits in the fall semester and successfully completes 12 credits. The student has earned 100 percent of the credits attempted. In the spring, the student attempts 18 credits and successfully completes 15. Student has a cumulative total of 27 credits completed. The cumulative total of attempted credits is 30. Pace: 27÷30=90 percent.

Maximum Timeframe (MTF)—A financial aid student’s maximum timeframe to complete a program cannot exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program. For example, if an academic program requires 68 credit hours to complete a degree, the student may attempt a maximum of 102 credit hours before the student exceeds their eligibility for financial aid. A student’s entire academic history, including transfer hours accepted from other institutions is considered when evaluating academic progress within the established timeframe. Reinforced instruction education courses are excluded from this calculation. If a student changes majors, the total hours continue to accrue regardless of program completion. Students who decide to change majors are advised to do this early in their academic program. Students who double major must also adhere to the 150% maximum timeframe requirement. The maximum attempted credit hours allowable for financial aid will be based on the degree that requires the most credit hours.

Grades and SAP

Withdrawal—Students who receive a “W” or have previously received a “WF” will have those credits included in the number of attempted hours and will not count as successful completed hours. A “WF” will be counted in the GPA as an “F” grade.

Incomplete—Students who receive an “I” will have those credit hours included in the number of attempted hours. If the “I” becomes an actual grade, the credit hours attempted and earned will be used in the computation to determine satisfactory academic progress.

Repeated Course—The highest grade is recorded as the final grade for a repeated course. The grade points and credit hours earned will be used in the computation of satisfactory academic progress. A student may receive financial aid for a previous passed course, once.

Reinforced Instruction Courses—Reinforced Instruction courses are included in the computation of satisfactory academic progress. However, only up to one academic year’s worth, equivalent to 30 semester hours, can be counted in the student’s enrollment status for federal aid. Reinforced instruction credit hours earned in excess of 30 semester hours cannot be counted towards enrollment status for federal and state grants.

Evaluation of Satisfactory Academic Progress

To ensure financial aid applicants and recipients of financial aid are making sufficient progress both quantitative and qualitative, students’ progress will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Office at the end of each semester.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Statuses

Satisfactory—Students are placed on satisfactory who meet the qualitative and quantitative measure and MTF requirements.

Financial Aid Warning—Students are placed on Financial Aid Warning the first time the student fails to meet SAP standards. Students may continue to receive financial aid for one semester on this status. No appeal is necessary. Students not meeting SAP standards by the end of the warning period will be placed on suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension—Students who fail to regain SAP during their next semester of enrollment are placed on financial aid suspension, and not eligible for Financial Aid. Students on financial aid suspension may appeal. See “Reinstating Eligibility” for additional information regarding appeal.

Financial Aid Probation—Students are placed on Financial Aid Probation when his or her financial aid is reinstated as result of an approved appeal. Students must follow and meet the conditions of their Academic Plan developed during the appeal process to remain on continued probation. See “Academic Plan” requirements for more information.

Maximum Timeframe—Students are placed on Maximum Timeframe when the 150 percent of the published length of the educational program is exceeded.

Nearing Maximum Timeframe—Students are placed in this category when 80% of the published length of the educational program is exceeded.

Notification—Students will be notified by the Financial Aid Office of his/her SAP status for financial aid by letter and/or email.

Reinstating Eligibility—Financial aid assistance can be regained when the student:

1. Attends college and pays on his or her own without receiving federal or state aid and meets the qualitative and quantitative components of the SAP policy. Once SAP is met by the student, financial aid, depending upon eligibility and availability of funds, will be reinstated for the beginning of the next semester of attendance. OR
2. Through the Financial Aid Appeal Process. Students may appeal ‘financial aid suspension’ or ‘maximum timeframe’ by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form, available in the Financial Aid Office and online on Mitchell’s website, explaining why the student did not meet SAP standards and explain what has changed in his or her situation that will allow SAP to be met by the next SAP evaluation period. Appeals must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office with supporting documentation to verify mitigating or extenuating circumstances surrounding the appeal. Examples of mitigating or extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to the death of a family member, separation or divorce, an accident or an illness. Appeals submitted without supporting documentation will not be reviewed. The Financial Aid Committee will review appeal requests and the student will be notified by letter of the committee’s decision, prior to the start of each semester. Decisions of the Financial Aid Committee are final. Students should be prepared to pay tuition and fees by the Financial Services published tuition and fees deadline. If the appeal is approved after tuition and fees are paid, students may be reimbursed based on their eligibility and credit hours enrolled.

 Academic Plan—Students who appeal will be given an academic plan to follow that will put the student on track to successful program completion. Academic Plans may be individualized   and may, for example, require the student to earn and maintain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA and to have a 100 percent completion rate. (Example: A student who attempts 12 credit hours   and successfully completes 12 has a 100 percent completion rate (12 divided by 12 = 100 percent)). It may be as complicated as a course-by-course plan toward degree completion. There   may be other conditions included in the academic plan depending on the student’s individual situation. Students are eligible to receive financial aid as long as they continue to meet the   conditions specified in their Academic Plan. Students who do not meet their conditions will be terminated and no longer be eligible for financial aid.

Questions regarding meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) should be directed to a Financial Aid Specialist.

Return of Title IV Funds

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Public Law 105-244 require colleges to calculate the Return of Title IV Funds policy when a recipient of Title IV aid completely withdraws from the college through the 60 percent point during a payment period. The institution must calculate the amount(s) of Title IV aid the student earned and return the unearned portion(s) of the Title IV fund(s) to the Title IV program(s). The institution and student may be required to return unearned Title IV funds to the Title IV programs.

A student’s withdrawal date is based:

1. on the last date of academic attendance as determined by the school from its attendance records in class(es), when a student begins the institution’s withdrawal process; or notifies the institution of their intent to withdraw.
2. on the last date of academic attendance as determined by the attendance records in class(es), when a student is unofficially withdrawn by instruction.

Under the new regulations effective July 1, 2021, for all programs offered in modules, a student is considered withdrawn for Title IV purposes if the student ceases attendance and is not scheduled to begin another course within a payment period or period of enrollment for more than 45 calendar days after the end of the module the student ceased attending, unless the school obtains written confirmation from the student that he or she will attend a later module in the same payment period or period of enrollment. If a school obtains a written confirmation of future attendance but the student does not return as scheduled, the student is considered to have withdrawn.

In addition, a student is not considered to have withdrawn, if the student successfully completes:

1. All requirements for graduation from his or her program before completing the days or hours in the period that the student was scheduled to complete
2. One module that includes 49% or more of the number of days in the payment period
3. A combination of modules that when combined contain 49% or more of the number of payment period; or
4. Coursework equal to or greater than the coursework required for the institution’s definition of a half-time student.

The Financial Aid Office determines if the student was a recipient of Title IV funds who withdrew prior to the 60 percent point and performs the Return of Tile IV Funds calculation. Under this policy, the school determines the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned and returns the unearned portion. The Financial Aid Office sends written notification to the student informing the student of the amount owed no later than thirty calendar days after the date of the school’s determination that the student withdrew. The school must return any unearned Title IV funds it is responsible for within 45 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew.

If the Return of Title IV funds calculation determines the student received less Title IV funds than the amount earned, the institution must make a post-withdrawal disbursement to the student of the earned aid that was not received within 180 days of the date the institution determines the student withdrew. In order to make a post-withdrawal disbursement, the school must have a processed Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) with an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC). To be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement, the student must also meet all Federal Guidelines outlined by the Department of Education. For a student who withdraws after the 60% point in time, a R2T4 calculation will be performed to determine whether the student is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement.

A school must return Title IV funds to the programs from which the student received aid, in the following order:

• FPELL
• FSEOG

If applicable, funds must also be returned to the State Grant Funds.

NOTE: The Return to Title IV Funds policy is separate from Mitchell Community College’s institutional refund policy.