Financial Aid
Applying for student aid?
Click this link to reach FAFSA on the web. North Central Michigan's College Code is 002299
Contact Us:
North Central Michigan College
Financial Aid Department
1515 Howard Street
Petoskey, MI 49770
Fax 231-348-6672
Virginia Panoff, Director of Financial Aid
vpanoff@ncmich.edu
231-348-6698
Jane Bowe , Financial Aid Advisor
jbowe@ncmich.edu
231-348-6627
Robin Goldsmith, Financial Aid Advisor
rgoldsmith@ncmich.edu
231-348-6685
Financial Aid
One of the most important investments anyone can make is a college education. North Central Michigan College is committed to providing qualified students with financial aid programs to assist them in achieving their educational goals.
Eligibility for Financial Aid
Eligibility requirements vary from program to program. Financial aid awards are determined and disbursed in compliance with established federal, state and
institutional requirements and guidelines. Students must also adhere to all College policies and procedures. Students must apply for aid each academic year they wish to receive consideration. All criteria, funding and program availability are subject to change without notice. Funding Education Beyond High School published by the U.S. Department of Education is available in the Student Services office and provides an excellent resource on basic eligibility requirements and federal aid programs. Students may also access the Department of Education’s web site, www.studentaid.ed.gov, and the College’s website, www.ncmich.edu, for information.
Selection of Recipients
Students are selected to receive financial aid based on eligibility, deadlines and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. North Central Michigan College awards financial aid in the following order: 1) grants; 2) scholarships; 3) work-study; 4) loans. The Financial Aid office determines the type and amount of each award. The type and amount of award are based on a variety of factors including financial need, academic progress, outside resources, class attendance,
enrollment status, dependency status, program limitations and the availability of funds. When funds are limited, awards may be granted to applicants who meet all requirements and have a complete financial aid file by May 1.
Financial Need
Financial aid programs are designed to supplement student and family resources. The student and family have the primary responsibility for financing a college education.
There are two basic categories of financial aid: need-based and non-need based. Need-based aid uses a federal needs analysis formula to determine a family’s financial strength or family contribution and eligibility for a program. The formula uses the information from the student and the parent, if required, from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The formula calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which is used to calculate the amount of each student’s aid package. Each student application is reviewed and aid is awarded based on the student’s eligibility, funding availability and program regulations. Need-based aid programs include federal and state grants, loans and work-study programs and some scholarship programs. Most aid awarded is need-based. Some students are not eligible for need-based assistance. Non-need based aid programs do not use a family contribution as an eligibility criterion. These programs use other criteria such as grade point average or a specific program of study. Non-need based programs are usually private scholarships.
Cost of Attendance for Financial Aid
The College sets cost of attendance allowances using rules established by the federal government. The cost figures on Page 20 reflect reasonable book, travel, room, board and personal allowances, as well as average tuition and fee charges for a student enrolled in courses totaling 26 credits over two semesters.
| |
Emmett County Resident |
Other Michigan County Resident |
| Tuition & Fees |
$2040 |
$3,200 |
| Books & Supplies |
$1,500 |
$1,050 |
| Transportation |
$1,400 |
$1,400 |
| Personal |
$650 |
$650 |
| Room & Board |
$6,200 |
$6,200 |
| Total |
$11,340 |
$12,500 |
Academic Qualifications
To receive federal and state aid, a student must be qualified to study at the post-secondary level. A student qualifies academically if he/she has the following:
- A high school diploma; or
- A recognized equivalent of a high school diploma,
typically a general education development (GED)
certificate; or
- Completed home schooling; or
- Passed a Department of Education-approved Ability to Benefit test.
The College administers the COMPASS test to determine ability to benefit and course placement. Passing scores are determined by the Department of Education. The GED is offered through the Petoskey and Charlevoix Michigan Works! offices. A student enrolled in a secondary school is not eligible for aid even if simultaneously enrolled in an eligible post-secondary program.
Enrollment Status and Frequency of Award Payments
Each semester, eligibility and award amounts are finalized by reviewing enrollment status and other program requirements. Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours and above; three-quarter time enrollment is 9 to 11 credit hours; half-time enrollment is 6 to 8 credit hours; and less-than half-time enrollment is 5 or fewer credits. Program eligibility requirements and payments can vary depending on enrollment status. Financial aid payments are applied each semester of enrollment during the academic year. The final aid award is based on enrollment after the schedule adjustment (refund) period is over. Financial aid balance checks for aid that exceeded tuition, fees and books are issued once a semester and mailed to the student.
Attendance at Multiple Institutions
Students may not receive financial aid from two institutions concurrently. Students are responsible for any over-awards and will not be eligible for further aid until any funds are repaid.
Guest Students
Students who are enrolled at North Central Michigan College as guest students are not eligible for federal financial aid or North Central Michigan College Foundation Scholarships. A guest student is defined as someone with a home institution other than North Central where the student is pursuing his/her education credentials.
Study Abroad
Students may be eligible for federal assistance for attending a study-abroad program that is approved for credit by North Central Michigan College. Contact the Financial Aid office.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students have the right to obtain information pertaining to financial aid programs available through the College and to discuss information with a financial aid staff member regarding the student’s application, record, award or extenuating circumstances regarding policies that may affect the student’s eligibility. Students have the right to appeal in writing any decisions made regarding the award application or package. All student information is confidential and is subject to FERPA guidelines.
Financial aid applicants and recipients are expected to review financial aid requirements and follow the policies and procedures established by the College, the Financial Aid Office and the financial aid programs. Financial aid guidelines, rules, requirements and consumer disclosures are found on the federal website at www.studentaid.ed.gov, the College website, www.ncmich.edu, in the College catalog and in materials sent to student aid applicants and recipients. Materials sent to students from the Financial Aid Office or its service providers may contain information regarding requirements. Students must respond immediately to all requests for information. It is the student’s responsibility to read and become familiar with policies and procedures and respond to all mailings concerning financial aid. Failure to do so does not excuse a student from the requirements or policies necessary in administering aid programs. All award and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notice.
Withdrawals and Refunds
The refund schedule dates and percentages are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. A student’s financial aid award is based on enrollment after the schedule adjustment period is over. Withdrawing from courses can affect a student’s academic progress and eligibility for financial aid. Refund and withdrawal procedures are described in the Registration and Payment section in this catalog.
Complete Withdrawals and Return of Title IV Funds
Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw or walk away from all of their classes before completing 60 percent of a semester are subject to the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy.
This federal policy determines the amount of federal aid a student earned based on the amount of days the student attended during the semester. If the calculation determines a repayment is due, the student’s federal aid must be reduced and the student is required to repay both the federal Title IV financial aid programs and the College for the amounts returned to the federal programs. Title IV programs include
Federal Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Stafford Loans. The requirements for the Federal Student Aid programs when a student withdraws are separate from the College’s refund policy. Therefore, the student may also owe funds to the College to cover unpaid institutional charges.
Students will be ineligible for future financial aid at any college or university if unearned funds are not repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Financial Aid office for current Federal Return of Title IV Funds schedules and examples before completely withdrawing from classes.
Application Process
Students must apply for financial aid each academic year to be considered for aid. Although applications are processed year-round, students are advised to apply for financial aid as early as possible to receive notification of eligibility before tuition payments are due. File in the early spring for the next academic year. The FAFSA is available after January 1 for the next academic year. The academic year consists of summer, fall and winter semesters.
