Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office at QVCC is committed to reducing economic barriers to higher education. Financial assistance is provided primarily through federal grants, state grants, scholarships, and work-study. Most aid is awarded based upon the student’s financial need as assessed by the federal formula.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for financial aid:

1. Be citizens or eligible non-citizens
2. Be matriculated in an eligible program of study
3. Have received their high school diploma or GED
4. Be registered with selective service if required
5. Not be convicted of a drug-related crime within the last year
6. Not be in default from previous student loans
7. Maintain attendance as well as satisfactory academic progress

Eligible programs include all associate degrees and certain certificate programs which lead to employment.

Financial Aid Programs

Programs of Financial Aid described herein are subject to change due to Federal, State and local regulations or funding fluctuations.

Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL)

These grants, based upon financial need, are intended to be the “foundation” of a financial aid package, and may be combined with other forms of aid to meet the direct cost of education. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This program provides grants to eligible students demonstrating financial need. Preference is given to students with exceptional need. Students must be enrolled with a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Community College Grant Program (CCG)

This State program allows for the remission of tax-supported tuition, fees and cost of textbooks for resident students who demonstrate substantial financial need. Students must be enrolled with a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Roberta B. Willis Scholarship Program (RWSP)

The Office of Higher Education established this scholarship program to make need-based financial aid and need-based merit aid available annually to eligible Connecticut residents enrolled as undergraduates at Connecticut’s public and nonprofit independent institutions of higher education.

Federal College Work-Study Program (FCWS)

This program provides college jobs for students with financial need. Students must be enrolled with a minimum of 6 credits each semester. Hours can be arranged to suit a student’s academic schedule. Any student seeking work-study campus employment should contact the Financial Aid Office.

Stafford Loans

Quinebaug Valley Community College does not participate in loan programs. Please visit the Financial Aid Office to learn more about education tax credits, QVCC Foundation scholarships, and the convenient payment plan offered by the College’s Business Office.

Competitive Scholarships and Awards

Thanks to the generous support of many, the QVCC Foundation is able to provide new and returning QVCC students over $135,000 in annual scholarships. The online application opens in February; applications are due in early March. An impartial committee of Foundation Members chooses recipients. Awards are presented at the annual Scholarship Night in early May.

For more information about the scholarship process, including a complete listing of current scholarships, go to http://qvcc.edu/scholarships.

Emergency Scholarships

Quinebaug Valley has two sources of emergency scholarships to aid current students who are experiencing a crisis situation. These scholarships require a written letter outlining the situation from a College faculty or staff member who is aware of the circumstances. Letters should be directed to the Financial Aid Office. All letters and circumstances will remain confidential. Funding is limited for these awards. Funding is provided by the QVCC Foundation.

Financial Aid Application Procedure

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. This is the only application necessary to apply for financial aid at QVCC. The financial aid application process must be completed each academic year. The application will remain in effect for both the fall and spring semesters. Students who did not apply for the fall semester may still apply for the spring.

1. New students must complete an application for enrollment to QVCC and be matriculated in an eligible program of study.
2. All financial aid applicants must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application can be completed online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov
3. The Financial Aid Office will receive the application electronically, provided the school code is listed, within two weeks. School Code: 010530.
4. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA each year after October 1.
5. Priority deadlines are August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Preface

Federal regulations require that a student receiving financial aid under the Title IV programs make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in accordance with the standards set by the Board of Regents, and the US Department of Education pursuant to 34 CFR 668.34. The contents of this policy were approved by the Board of Regents on April 7, 2016 and are effective for periods of enrollment subsequent to the Spring 2017 semester. Questions concerning this Policy  should be addressed to the Director of Financial Aid Services at the attending Connecticut Community College.

Return of Title IV Funds

Students who receive federal financial aid and withdraw or stop attending all classes are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds calculation. Those students who have completely withdrawn prior to the 60% point in the semester and have received federal funds from loans, Pell grant or FSEOG are subject to a recalculation of their federal awards. QVCC will calculate the earned portion of such awards based upon the number of calendar days completed vs. the number of calendar days in the semester. Any unearned portion will be returned to the Department of Education.

In addition, the student must repay the difference, if any, between the amount of unearned assistance and the amount that the school must return. In most cases, when a student receives Title IV assistance greater than the amount of institutional charges, (s)he will most likely be subject to return some of those funds. However, students who must return grant funds are given an additional consideration: the student’s grant repayment is reduced by half.

Students are urged to work closely with an advisor in selecting courses and should consider the demands of work and family when deciding how many credits to take. Regular attendance is required of all financial aid recipients. Students who never attend their classes will not receive financial aid, even if their application is complete and eligibility was determined.