Financial Aid and Scholarships

College of the Redwoods 2007-2008 College Catalog

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Each year, over $9,000,000 in financial assistance is made available to students attending College of the Redwoods. These funds are provided from federal, state, and local programs.

Eligibility
Most forms of financial aid are available only to students who are enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree, certificate, or transfer to a four-year college or university. Students who do not have a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. a GED certificate or qualifying score on the ATB exam), may not be eligible for federal financial aid at College of the Redwoods, but may be eligible for state and locally funded aid programs.

Estimated Costs of Attending During the 2007-2008 Academic Year
Although College of the Redwoods charges relatively low fees, many students need assistance with the expenses related to attending college. The following is an example: Student living Student living with parents off-campus

Fees (12 units per term)	$ 504	$ 504
Books & Supplies	1,330	1,330
Food & Housing	3,348	8,270
Transportation	1138	1380
Personal	2,014	2,066
Total	$8,334	$13,550

Non-resident students must pay an additional $213/unit for out-of-state tuition. The costs are subject to change.

How to Apply for Financial Aid
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it for processing, following the instructions on the form. This application must be filed annually and students are encouraged to file the application online as soon after January 1 of each year as possible. For example, students should apply as soon after January 1, 2007 when applying for financial aid for the 2007-2008 school year.

FAFSA on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov) is an Internet application developed by the U.S. Department of Education that students may use to complete an electronic Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After transmitting an application over the Internet, students must mail their signed signature page to the Department, or sign electronically, using a USDE supplied PIN number.

Residents of California should also apply for a Cal Grant by completing the GPA Verification Form provided by the California Student Aid Commission. The deadline to apply for a Cal Grant is March 2 of each year. Students who have completed 24 or more degree applicable units at College of the Redwoods will have their GPA submitted electronically by the College.

A complete packet of College of the Redwoods financial aid information may be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Application Deadlines
Students may apply for financial aid at any time during the school year, but it is recommended that students complete the application process prior to March 2 each year to assure full consideration for all programs. Some funds are very limited and run out well before the school year begins. Refer to the chart on p. 18 or read the information below for more information on deadlines for specific programs.

How to Maintain Eligibility for Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
College of the Redwoods is dedicated to providing financial aid to eligible students. the College complies with federal requirements to monitor financial aid recipients’ satisfactory academic progress toward a declared, approved educational objective of an Associate Degree, certificate, or transfer to baccalaureate degree granting institution. The student is responsible for achieving adequate grades and completing the courses required for this objective.

Even if you have never applied for or received financial aid, your overall history in college will be reviewed before you are awarded financial aid to make sure you are meeting these standards. Transcripts are required from all previously attended institutions. Once you have been awarded financial aid, your progress will be monitored at least once per year (in some cases it may be monitored more often). There are several components to satisfactory academic progress (SAP):

Qualitative - This is a measure of the quality of your progress; in other words, your grades. You are required to maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Quantitative - This is a measure of the quantity of your progress. You are required to complete at least 67% of your attempted units. “Units Completed” includes only the units for which you receive passing grades. “Attempted Units” includes the units that you complete as well as the units that you drop or otherwise fail to complete If you do not meet the minimum SAP standards of 67% completion rate and achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA your aid will be placed in suspended status and you will be ineligible to receive financial aid. If you had extenuating circumstances that affected your ability to make progress, you may file an Appeal for Reinstatement. In most cases you must provide documentation of your circumstances. Your overall progress toward your goal and past academic performance will be evaluated. If approved, you will be placed on financial aid probation for the following term. While on probation, you will be eligible to receive financial aid, as long as you continue to meet the terms of your probation. If you fail to meet the minimum standards while on probation, further aid will be suspended and additional petitions are not likely to be approved.

If your petition is not approved, you may be able to regain eligibility by bringing your completion rate up to 67% as well as achieving a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. 150% ru l e (un i t caP) - Federal regulations require schools to limit financial aid to 150% of the number of units normally needed to complete your goal. For example, if your goal is a 60-unit degree, you may receive financial aid for up to 90 units (Units Attempted). If you still have required classes needed to complete your goal, you may file an Appeal for Extension. Your request must include a current copy of your Student Education Plan, completed by a counselor. These extensions are normally granted only if you have adequate justification for continued time to complete your current goal. If approved, you will be paid only for those courses required for your current goal. Up to 30 units of remedial and ESL courses will be excluded from the 150% calculation.

Effects of Withdrawing (officially or unofficially) on Federal Finacial Aid Eligibility

Who is Affected?
Financial Aid recipients who withdraw completely (or stop attending) before completing 60% of the semester are subject to repayment of some of the federal aid they received. Federal aid includes the Pell grant, SEOG grant, AC grant, and FFEL student loans.

Definition of Withdrawl
Official withdrawal occurs when the student completes a request in Admissions & Records to drop all classes. Unofficial withdrawal occurs when a student simply stops attending all classes, but fails to officially withdraw. Both types of withdrawal are subject to repayment. The repayment calculation is called R2T4 (Return to Title IV).

Amount of Payment
The amount to be repaid is based on a comparison of the amount the student actually received in federal aid to the length of time the student actually attended classes. If a student stays in class for at least 60% of the semester, they are deemed to have earned 100% of the aid received.

Repaying the Debt
Students who are required to repay a portion of their federal aid will be notified by the school of the debt and will have 45 days to repay it in full. If it is not repaid within that time, or if the student contacts the financial aid office to say that they cannot repay the debt, the school will refer the debt to the U.S. Department of Education for collection. After that, the school cannot accept payments toward the debt.

Suspension of Eligibility
Students who owe debts to federal aid cannot receive additional federal financial aid at any school until they have repaid the debt, or have made satisfactory payment arrangements with the U.S. Department of Education. There is no appeal of this type of debt.