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Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Overview
The colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) offer a complement of student financial aid, including local scholarships that are specific to an individual college or program. There is no charge to apply for student aid. Among the U.S. Department of Education Title IV programs offered are Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Academic Competitive Grant, Federal Work Study, and federally supported Federal Direct Loan Program. The colleges also participate in state supported aid programs. Detailed information regarding student financial aid can be found on KCTCS' website.
Student Eligibility and Application
To receive student financial aid from any program in which KCTCS participates requires meeting established eligibility criteria. A listing of specific criteria can be found on KCTCS' website. In general, you must have a demonstrated need as supported by an application, by a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate, and/or passed an approved test by the U.S. Department of Education as a demonstration of your ability to benefit. If you are admitted "conditionally," you may receive student aid for one semester only before your admission file must be complete.
You can apply for student aid electronically by using the U.S. Department of Education's Web site, www.fafsa.ed.gov or by using the paper form (FAFSA). Paper forms are available at your local college. Applying for student financial aid is free. You will need the latest income tax forms for you and your spouse or you and your parents (1040, 1040 A, 1040EZ, or 1040 Telefile). If you did not file a tax return you will need documentation of all sources of income, taxed or untaxed.
It is recommended that all records and materials used in completing the application be saved. A percentage of all applicants are randomly selected for verification. If selected for verification, documentation must be provided in order to receive aid. Applying early insures consideration of your information for maximum funding and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon AFTER January 1 as possible.
You may call a toll-free number for questions concerning the U.S. Department of Education Title IV programs by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 TDD for hearing impaired.
Dual Enrollment/Consortium Agreements
In some instances, a student may take classes at different KCTCS colleges and wish the different enrollments to count toward total enrollment. In such instances, specific eligibility requirements apply. Please consult your local student financial aid office for criteria.
Federal Student Loans
KCTCS colleges participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program. You do not have to be eligible for other federal student aid to participate in this program. However, application using the FAFSA is required. Each of KCTCS' colleges has established local criteria for processing loans. Please contact your local college for specific information about its requirements.
State Programs
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) administers a number of state supported student financial aid programs. Among those offered are: College Access Program (CAP), Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), KHEAA Teacher Scholarship Program, and KHEAA Early Childhood Development Scholarship. For the complete listing of aid program offerings, please see KHEAA's website: www.kheaa.com.
Statutory Scholarships (Waivers) for Kentucky Residents
KCTCS by virtue of state statute offers a number of tuition scholarships for Kentucky residents who meet specific eligibility criteria. Included in these are scholarships for: KCTCS Faculty and Staff; Kentucky residents age 65 or older; survivors of police officers and firefighters killed in duty; dependents of disabled police officers and firefighters; teachers; foster and adopted children; veterans; and children, step-children, and/or orphans of veterans killed or disabled in action.
A less detailed overview and eligibility requirements can be found on the KCTCS Website.
KCTCS and College Scholarships for Kentucky Residents
KCTCS also offers a number of tuition scholarships for Kentucky residents. These include: KCTCS Presidential Scholarship; John T. Smith Scholarship; Commonwealth Scholarship; Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship; Martha C. Johnson Tuition Scholarship; Charles E. Cranmer-Liquid Transport, Inc. Scholarship; William Foster Tichenor Nursing Scholarship; and the Robert Stephen Weimann Tuition Scholarship for Non-Traditional Harlan County Residents. For details and application information, please contact your local college's student financial aid office.
Additionally, each year, a number of individuals, organizations and companies make funding available for scholarships to various KCTCS colleges. The amount and criteria for these awards will vary. These scholarships are advertised when available, and eligible students may apply at that time. Information is available through your local college's student financial aid office.
College Tuition Scholarships
Each local college offers tuition scholarships. Among these scholarships are: foundation scholarships to support enrollment management; need-based; program-specific; KCTCS Employee Spouse/Dependents; and Securing Educational Excellence in Kentucky Scholarship (SEEK). Please contact your local college for specifics.
Third Party Assistance Programs
There are a wide number of outside agencies who offer educational assistance and other services to students. Included among them are Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Kentucky Office for the Blind. A more detailed listing and brief description of the programs they offer and contacts for each can be found on the KCTCS Website. Additionally, local social service agencies offer a variety of programs to assist students including: Kentucky Works (JOBS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and AmeriCorps.
Tax Credits
The U.S. Government grants a tax credit for eligible persons and/or their dependent attending college filing a federal tax return. The tax credits are referred to as the HOPE Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credit. Please contact your personal tax advisor regarding your eligibility.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations mandate that a student receiving Federal Student Aid under Title IV programs must maintain satisfactory academic progress in his/her course of study regardless of whether or not student aid is awarded each semester. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is measured with the following standards: Qualitative (cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 per semester), Quantitative (Maximum Time Frame of 150 percent of the credits for completion of their program), and Quantitative Percentage (Earned hours/Attempted must equal at least 67 percent).
Suspension Due to Poor Grades
If a student is suspended from Student Aid because his/her cumulative grade point average does not meet the minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) he/she may take additional classes without Student Aid(unless the student is academically suspended) to raise his/her GPA and, if successful, may be reinstated. If a student is on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension, he/she will automatically be on Student Aid Probation or Student Aid Suspension. If a student is reinstated from Academic Suspension by appeal or any means, he/she must appeal his/her Student Aid status separately to be considered for Student Aid reinstatement eligibility.
Appeal Process
Students placed on student aid suspension and having unusual circumstances (illness, death in the family, accidents, etc.) and not making satisfactory academic progress have the right to appeal. However, during the appeal process persons are responsible for their own expenses, i.e., tuition, books, supplies, etc.
Personal Financial Liability - Withdrawing or All "E"s
Students who withdraw from college before the 60 percent point in the semester or who stop attending and therefore receive all "E"s may be financially liable to repay the student aid received. Persons desiring to withdraw from college must do so in writing to the registrar's office at your local college / home campus. A copy of the worksheet and examples used for this calculation can be requested from each KCTCS College's Office of Student Aid.