EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID

1658 Kings Road. Jacksonville, FL 32209

Emgerging Emenince

Your estimated award package is based on the information you submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and your degree-seeking status. Actual awards may be decreased or cancelled if your eligibil-ity or need changes or if legislative action changes the funding level of any aid program. This financial aid package is based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours) each semester. If you enroll in less than full-time, your aid may be reduced. If you drop or withdraw from courses, your aid may be adjusted and you may be required to repay any aid disbursed. Please review the Return of Title IV Regulations explained on page 6. Your award is developed according to federal, state and institutional regula-tions to help meet your financial obligation for the given academic period. The amounts offered are based on financial need, determined by the cost of attendance (COA) at EWC minus your estimated family contribution (EFC) as calculated by the Department of Education. The cost of attendance in-cludes both direct costs and indirect costs. Direct costs are those that you are charged to attend EWC. Indirect costs includes off campus housing, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. Your financial aid funds are applied to your direct costs first. If any funds remain, they are issued to you as a refund to cover your indirect costs.

Your financial aid package may contain a combination of federal, state and institutional aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work programs. The following is a listing of those programs. Before you accept any funds, be sure to review and understand the requirements for each program.

Federal Pell Grant This is a federal need-based program for undergraduate students seeking their first baccalaureate degree. The total amount may not exceed the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Federal grant program for undergraduates with exceptional financial need; priority must be given to Pell Grant recipient; funds depend on availability at EWC. Students MUST have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Federal grant for undergraduates, post baccalaureate, and graduate students who are or will be taking course work necessary to become elementary or secondary teachers; recipients must sign Agreement to Serve saying he or she will teach full-time in desig-nated teacher shortage area for four complete years (within eight years of completing academic program) at elementary or sec-ondary school serving children from low-income families; must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA at EWC. Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Federal loan for undergraduate students; this loan does not accrue interest while student is enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours); must be an eligible U.S. citizen; need based loan which is only awarded to those students who show financial need on the FAFSA. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Federal loan for undergraduate and graduate students; borrower is responsible for all funds borrowed plus interest while in school; student must be at least half-time (6 credit hours); must be an eligible U.S. citizen; financial need is not required. Federal Direct PLUS Loan Parents are allowed to borrower money to assist their dependent undergraduate students; student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours); financial need is not required; parent must go through credit check to qualify; borrower (parent) is respon-sible for all funds borrowed plus interest. Federal Work Study Available to students that wish to earn wages in a degree-related job to help assist with college living expenses. Students are paid monthly and may obtain employment either on-campus or off-campus. Students interested in seeking Federal College WorkStudy must indicate an interest by completing the WorkStudy question on the FAFSA. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students MUST have a cumulative 2.0 gpa.

2

Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) State funded program for undergraduate students who have provided appropriate documentation to certify the parent or student is a resident of Florida; must complete a Florida Residency Affidavit; must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours); must meet renewal criteria each year; based on available funding; must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered. Renewal criteria is a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a student must have earned 24 hours in fall and spring terms.

Florida Student Assistant Grant (FSAG) State funded grant for Pell Grant eligible undergraduate Florida resident who demonstrate need; must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours), must complete a Florida Residency Affidavit; must meet renewal criteria each year; based on available funding; must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered. Renewal criteria is a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a student must have earned 24 hours in fall and spring terms.

Other State Programs There are a number of other state programs with specific criteria to be considered for the program. Some of the pro-grams include the Florida Bright Futures, the Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship, Children of Deceased or Disable Vets, etc. For more information, please go to the Florida Department of Education website at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

EWC provides limited scholarships to entering freshmen and transfer students based on specific academic criteria. The Admissions Office offers the scholarships to students based on available funds. Grant-in-Aid awards are issued to stu-dents based on special abilities (band, choir, athletic, and cheerleading). If you have been offered one of these scholarships and it is not included on your award, please notify our office. (Please refer to the Financial Aid section of the EWC Catalog for more information)

Your package has been prepared based on federal, state and institutional policies. In order to finalize the programs listed on the award notice, you must complete and submit the EWC Financial Aid Authorization Form to the Office of Financial Aid prior to beginning enrollment in the college. Forms not received by August 1st will be voided. If you have questions, please contact us at 904-470-8190. Prior to completing the EWC Financial Aid Authorization form, please review all items in this document in order to make an in-formed decision concerning your aid.

3

4

Federal direct loans are the most common source of college loan funds. You should evaluate the aid offer carefully. In the case of loans, keep in mind that whatever amount you borrow must be paid back with interest. If your living expenses are not as high as the standard allowance projected by your school, you may not have to borrow as much as the amount in the award letter. To get an idea of your month-ly loan payments after you graduate, complete the Financial Awareness Counseling at https://studentloans.gov. To get an idea of your col-lege expenses, use the enclosed Cost of Attendance sheet. You have the right to decline the loan or to request a lower loan amount. If the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are a part of your award, you must complete the following steps:

Accept, decline, or adjust the amounts by completing the EWC Financial Aid Authorization Form

If you are a new borrower at EWC, you will need to complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the Entrance Counseling located at https://studentloans.gov To complete the MPN, you will be required to use your FSA ID username / password.

Once EWC can confirm you have successfully completed the requirements, we will request the authorization from the Department of Education to disburse the funds.

Once confirmation of your current enrollment (minimum of 6 credit hours) and other eligibility requirements are completed, your disbursement will be authorized and sent to student accounts for placing the payment on your student account.

First time Loan borrowers are required to wait a full 30 days after add/droop period prior to any processing of loans.

Federal government limits the amount a student can borrow each year as well as a maximum aggregate amount that can be borrowed for undergraduate degrees. Below is a chart addressing these amounts.

Master Promissory Note (MPN)

If you accept the direct loan program, you must sign a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Edward Waters College. The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). It will serve as a multi-year note, for up to 10 years from the date it is signed. Future loans at EWC can be processed year to year on one MPN. If there are no disbursements within 12 months of signing the MPN, it will no longer be valid and you will be required to submit a new MPN to borrow again.

Entrance Counseling

You must complete entrance counseling before your school can make the first disbursement of your loan. This helps you to understand

your responsibilities regarding your loan. You can complete the entrance counseling online at https://studentloans.gov.

Annual Loan Limits for Direct Stafford Loans Loan limits are for the full academic year (fall, spring and summer).

Year Dependent Students Independent Students

Freshman (0-29 credit hours) $5,500 (maximum $3,500 subsidized) $9,500 (maximum $3,500 subsidized)

Sophomore (30-59 credit hours) $6,500 (maximum $4,500 subsidized) $10,500 (maximum $4,500 subsidized)

Junior and beyond (60+ credit hours) $7,500 (maximum $5,500 subsidized) $12,500 (maximum $5,500 subsidized)

Teacher Certification (after Bachelor’s degree) $5,500 $12,500 (maximum $5,500 subsidized)

Aggregate Loan Limits for Direct Stafford Loans Aggregate limits are the maximum total outstanding loan debt a

student may have.

Undergraduate $31, 000 (maximum $23,000 subsidized) $57,500 (maximum $23,000 subsidized

5

Because of the rising default rate, all returning students are encouraged to complete the Financial Awareness Counseling online at https://studentloans.gov . The Financial Awareness Counseling provides tools and information to help you un-derstand your financial aid and assist you in managing your finances.

Federal Parent Plus Loan

The PLUS is an unsubsidized loan for the parents of dependent students. PLUS Loans help pay for education expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods. The parent is allowed to borrower money to assist their dependent child with their educational expenses. When the parent applies for the Direct PLUS Loan, the Department will check the parent credit history. To be eligible to receive a PLUS Loan, the parent must not have an adverse credit history. If the parent is determined to have an adverse credit history, the parent can still receive a Direct PLUS Loan if they obtain an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. An endorser is someone who agrees to repay the Direct PLUS Loan if you do not repay the loan. If you are a parent borrowing on behalf of your depend-ent student, the endorser may not be the student on whose behalf you (the parent) obtain a Direct PLUS Loan. In some cases, you may also be able to obtain a Direct PLUS Loan if you document to our satisfaction that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history. If the parent is eligible for the loan, they will need to complete the PLUS Master Promissory Note. If the parent is unable to borrower, the student can borrower an additional unsubsidized loan up to the maximum allowed for independent students. Once the Plus loan application has been completed, remem-ber to notify our office of your results.

Financial Aid Disbursements

The financial aid included on your award will be disbursed to your student account in two disbursements (Fall and Spring). All requirements have to be met before funds can be applied on your account. Please review the section on Student Loans to ensure that you have complied with all regulations. If you are only enrolled in one term, your loan funds must be paid in two disbursements with the second disbursement occurring after one-half of the term is over. Once the funds are authorized, the awards will be placed on your student account. Tuition, fees, housing expenses, meal plan, and other minor institutional charges owed to EWC will be deducted from the first available aid. If funds remain after all institutional charges have been deducted, student accounts will issue the refund within 14 days of the date that the funds were applied on your account. Please check self-service to see when funds have been applied. You will also receive an email to your EWC email address notifying you that a refund has been issued and when to pick up the check.

Withdrawals or Non-attendance

Official Withdrawals

Students who go through the formal process of withdrawing from all courses and providing the documentation to the reg-istrar are considered as official withdrawal. The date of withdrawal is the date the process was begun.

Unofficial Withdrawals

Students who stop attending all classes are considered unofficial withdrawals. If you receive a combination of F, W and/or I, your professor will be asked to report your last date of attendance. Based on this information, you may be required to repay the “unearned” portion of the federal aid. If you received all F’s, W’s or I’s and you never attended, you are required to repay the full amount disbursed to you.

6

Return of Title IV

Federal student aid recipients that officially or unofficially with-

drawal or cease attending all of their classes prior to 60% of the

enrollment period may be subject to repayment of all or a por-

tion of the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Student Loans and/or oth-

er Federal aid received. Below are questions and answers on how

the Return of Title IV Refund is determined.

How do I avoid paying back my Federal Financial Aid?

Keep attending your classes. If you receive a Federal Pell Grant ,

Federal SEOG or Federal Direct Loans and then withdraw from

ALL your classes or stop attending ALL your classes, you may

have to repay all or a portion of that aid received. Once you have

completed more than 60% of the semester, you have earned all

of your assistance. If you withdraw from EWC before completing

60% of the semester, you will have to repay any unearned finan-

cial aid funds that were already disbursed to you.

What if I stop attending or withdraw from all my classes?

The College will calculate how much you must repay based on

how many days you attended. You will be notified by the Finan-

cial Aid Office of how much you must repay. EWC must report

any student that does not repay to the federal government at the

end of 45 days. You will be ineligible to receive financial aid at

ANY school until the funds are repaid in full.

How can I repay the funds I owe?

Students are responsible for the repayment. Payment must be

made to the Student Accounts Office at (904)470-8247.

What if I never attended?

Students who never attended are considered "No Shows." These

students are considered ineligible for financial aid, and 100% of

the financial aid received must be repaid. In addition, if a student

does not withdraw prior to the published drop date, they may

owe 100% of their tuition and fee charges.

Official withdrawals must be processed through the Registrar’s

Office. Students who fail to formally withdraw from classes pri-

or to the published drop date (census date) will be held responsi-

ble for any tuition/fee charges and repayment of all financial aid

for the term even if they did not attend.

Where does the repayment go?

For a return of Title IV refund, repayment returns back to the

Federal Financial Aid program(s) that you received the aid from.

Federal regulations require the college to return Federal funds in

the following order:

Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan

Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan

Direct PLUS Loan

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant -

FSEOG

Federal TEACH Grant

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

7

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial aid recipients at Edward Waters College are required to be making satisfactory academic progress toward their degree program in order to continue to receive financial aid. Below is the EWC Satisfactory Aca-demic Progress Policy.

Qualitative and Quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress & Eligibility for Financial Assistance Title IV of the 1992 Higher Education Amendments requires that institutions establish a minimum standard of "Satisfactory Progress" for students. A minimum standard for "Satisfactory Academic Progress" (SAP) is defined as follows: SAP is a measure of whether a student is progressing adequately toward completion of his or her course of study. It is determined in terms of grade point average and course completions. For a student to be eligible for Federal student aid, they must meet the below qualitative and quantitative academic requirements. Current law requires a student to maintain satisfactory academic progress in the course of study he or she is pursuing according to the standards and practices of the institution. EWC’s Financial Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy complies with all Federal requirements and is as strict or may be stricter than the college’s Academic Progress Policy. Students that receive federal financial assistance at EWC must demonstrate both qualitative and quantitative satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. At the end of the spring semester of each academic year, the Financial Aid Office evaluates the qualitative and quantitative academic progress of each student receiving financial assistance. This evaluation determines a student’s eligibility to receive financial assistance in the next semester. A course withdrawal, a course repetition, a course incomplete, and a noncredit course are counted in the total credits hours attempted; however, a remedial course for which no credit is awarded but that is successfully passed is not counted as credit hours completed/earned for financial assistance eligibility purposes. For financial aid purposes, EWC must always include courses applicable toward a student’s degree and academic progress. Frequency of Monitoring and Evaluation Edward Waters College will review a student's progress at the end of each academic year. For this purpose, the Edward Waters College academic year is defined as the following: Two traditional semesters of 15-16 weeks of course work occurring between August 1 and May 31. At the end of the Spring semester (end of academic year), the Financial Aid Office will determine whether or not a financial aid recipient is making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degree and is thus qualified to receive financial aid for the next semester. A student's progress is measured both qualitatively and quantitatively. Non– Standard Term programs are evaluated at the completion of the second term.

Qualitative Progress Qualitative progress is measured based on cumulative grade point average. Edward Waters College standards for maintaining qualitative progress are as follows: Students who have attempted between 1 – 29 credit hours must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.75 or will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students who have attempted 30 or more credit hours must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher or they will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Quantitative Progress Quantitative progress is measured in terms of attempted hours against earned hours. Financial aid recipients must successfully complete 67 percent or higher of their attempted cumulative hours to be in good standing. Students below 67 percent are placed on financial aid suspension and must appeal in order to continue to receive financial aid. Students are allowed a maximum of 150 percent of their degree credit hour requirements to complete their degree. Students that do not obtain a degree prior to reaching 150 percent of attempted coursework will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students on suspension may appeal their status by completing the appeal procedures. Transfer credits accepted toward the student’s degree requirements will be considered in the students’ quantitative measurement.

8

Satisfactory Academic Progress Notification

Financial aid recipients placed on SAP suspension will be notified in writing at the end of the academic year (Spring Se-mester) once all grades are posted. Students will receive a letter explaining the reason(s) for their suspension and will be provided instructions on the SAP appeal process.

SAP Appeal Process

Students who have been suspended and want to continue to receive financial aid must complete an appeal to the Office of Financial Aid for review. If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed on probation. During the probation term, the student must complete all coursework attempted with a 2.0 term GPA and complete 67% of the courses attempted for the term in order to continue to receive financial aid for subsequent terms. The following are some examples of acceptable reasons for an appeal:

Death in the family that must be documented

Student’s illness or accident with medical documentation

Other unusual circumstances beyond the control of the student.

Academic Plan provided by academic advisor

Your Responsibilities

Read and understand all materials sent to you by EWC and other financial aid agencies.

Submit all requested forms and documentation accurately in a timely manner.

Keep copies of all forms and materials you submit to EWC Office of Financial Aid.

Register for the hours required for disbursement and monitor your hours throughout the term.

Notify financial aid of all resources not listed in your EWC financial aid award.

Use financial aid only for expenses related to attending EWC.

Understand and comply with the rules and policies governing each of your aid programs.

Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Keep local and permanent mailing addresses up to date with EWC and other financial aid agencies.

Your Rights

Be informed of correct procedures to apply for aid, how financial need is determined, criteria for awarding aid, cost of attendance, how Satisfactory Academic Progress is determined, and what you must do to continue receiving aid.

Know how changes in enrollment might affect your financial aid disbursements.

View your financial aid information on file, in accordance with FERPA on the federal website

http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Know the condition of any loan you accept.

Know the job description and pay rate for any work-study job you hold or for which you may apply

9

Financial Aid Staff Director of Financial Aid - Mrs. Nowak

Assistant Director of Financial Aid—Mrs. Lipede Financial Aid Counselor— Mr. Russell Financial aid Counselor—Kyshae Biggs

Office Number : (904) 470-8190 Office Fax : (904) 470-8042

Office Email: FinAid@ewc.edu Office Location: Tiger One Stop

Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/edward.waters.904

Important Campus Numbers Office of Admissions — (904) 470-8200

Office of Registrar—(904) 470-8100 Student Affairs— (904) 470-8210

Student Accounts— (904) 470-8247/ 470-8199 Campus Housing— (904) 470-8300

Health Services—(904) 470-8128 Security— (904) 470-8888

Edward Waters College Office of Financial Aid 1658 Kings Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32209

Review all information provided in this booklet

Return signed Authorization Form to Financial Aid Office

Check with Financial Aid Office to ensure all documents Have been received

Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan

Entrance Counseling (EC) at https://studentloans.gov) Take your Financial Aid Award Letter to Student Accounts Office to be cleared

Register for Classes Smile for your Student ID Photo

Welcome to Tiger Country! TIGER PRIDE!!!!