1. Eligibility to Apply

In order to be considered for financial aid you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree-seeking or qualified certificate program.
• Make satisfactory academic progress.
• Not be in default on a federal student loan.
• Not owe a refund on any federal financial aid.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Be registered with the Selective Service (if required).

2. How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid at Wharton County Junior College

IMPORTANT: Students must be in good academic standing consistent with the WCJC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for financial aid eligibility.  The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is available in the WCJC College Catalog, on the WCJC website (www.wcjc.edu) and in the Financial Aid Office.  Students are responsible for checking their academic progress status using online services.

Students must reapply for financial aid every year.  The general application is the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA).  Apply online at FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov or fill out a paper application.  Be certain to include the school code of the college you will be attending on your application.  The code for Wharton County Junior College is 003668.

WCJC Financial Aid must have copies of all academic transcripts from any postsecondary institution you have attended.  This is a federal requirement, regardless if you applied for or received aid at any other institution.

When you apply online and provide an email address, you will receive an email indicating how to access your Student Aid Report (SAR) online once your FAFSA has been processed.  If you complete the paper application you will receive a paper copy of your SAR in the mail.  This can take up to 4 weeks.  If any information is incorrect you will need to make corrections.  WCJC will receive SAR information electronically for students who include the WCJC school code (003668).  All students requesting loans must attend Entrance Loan Counseling.  Loan Counseling Schedules are available in the Financial Aid Office and on the WCJC website.

WCJC Financial Aid will send you additional forms to complete once your SAR has been received by the school.  You will need to submit the requested forms as soon as possible as they are required to continue processing your request for aid.  You do not have financial aid until you receive an Award Letter from WCJC or see an award posted on your account through online services.

All students requesting financial aid (grants, work-study and loans) must complete a FAFSA and submit all requested information to the financial aid office.  Financial Aid may be available for use in charging tuition and fees if the financial aid file is completed by the priority deadline and an award letter stating estimated financial award amounts has been sent to the applicant (student).  Bookstore vouchers are issued by the Business Office the week prior to and the first week of the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer book vouchers are issued the week prior to class through the third class day.

Priority Deadlines:

Fall Semester                    June 1
Spring Semester                 November 1
Summer Semester              April 1 

3. Maintain My Eligibility

To maintain your eligibility for financial aid, you must meet certain general eligibility requirements.  Also your individual awards may have specific requirements.  For example, the value of some grants is dependent on the number of hours for which you are enrolled by a certain date. 

You must also meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.  Failure to do so will result-according to federal regulations-in your no longer being eligible for financial aid.  So, be sure you know and meet the SAP requirements.  To review the SAP requirements go to http://www.wcjc.edu/admin_offices_n/Financial_Aid/satisfactory.asp

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are my chances of receiving financial aid?
A: The only way to determine your eligibility for financial aid is to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The likelihood of receiving some form of financial assistance is probably better than most students and their families anticipate.

Q: What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
A: To receive maximum consideration for aid, the FAFSA must be processed by the Department of Education and received by Wharton County Junior College along with all other documents that might be needed by June 1^st for the following academic year.

Q: Is there a maximum income level that will disqualify me from receiving financial aid?
A: Most people have the misconception that income is the only factor in determining need for financial aid assistance.  However, other variables are considered such as: family size, number of family members in college, age of older parent, savings, investments, and various other allowances to the family’s income and assets.

Q: In order to receive financial aid do I have to apply every year?
A: Yes.  In order to receive consideration for eligible programs you must file Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.  File the FAFSA as close to January as possible.  For speedy processing you can apply over the Internet at:  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov instead of using the paper form.

Q: If my parents are divorced, which parent do I put on the FAFSA?
A: You should provide information from the parent that provided you with the most support in the past year.  If the parent who provided you with the most support has remarried, your step-parent’s information must also be provided on the FAFSA.

Q: Will the financial aid transfer from one school to another?
A: No. Financial aid does not transfer from school to school.  Students planning to transfer to another school should contact the Financial Aid Office at both schools to find out what is required.

Q: What is verification?  And why was I chosen?
A: Verification is a process by which the college reviews the student and parental information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students are selected for verification randomly by the federal processor.  Selection for verification does not imply that you have made an error or made false statements.  If you are selected for verification you will be notified.

Q: For financial aid purposes, how do I determine whether I am an independent or dependent student?
A: To be considered an independent student for financial aid purposes, you must be able to answer “yes?to one of the following questions.  If you cannot answer “yes?to one of the following questions, you are considered a dependent student.

• Were you born before January 1, 1983?

• At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MS, MD, JD, PhD, EdD or graduate certificate, etc.)?

• As of today, are you married?  (Answer “yes?if you are separated but not divorced.)

• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2007?

• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?

• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? 

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