Eligibility

Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid is determined for students who annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Award packages are determined as early as March of each calendar year for the upcoming academic year for early applicants. Awarding continues as Financial Aid applications are processed. A student is eligible only for those Federal programs that have funds available at the time your file is fully processed and the student meets eligibility guidelines. To be considered for Federal Aid, you must meet basic financial aid requirements:

Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
Be registered with the Selective Service if required by law
Be admitted and enrolled in a program leading to a degree*
Be making satisfactory academic progress
Not be in default on a federal educational loan and not owe a refund on a federal grant
Be qualified to receive federal financial aid if you were ever convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs while receiving financial aid

Be enrolled at HutchCC in a degree-seeking major and meet enrollment requirements.
Make satisfactory academic progress as stated in HutchCC policy.
Complete and meet FAFSA eligibility.

Enrollment

Financial Aid is awarded on the bases of full-time enrollment in a degree-seeking major every semester. To be aid eligible, students must meet certain enrollment requirements pertaining to their course load.
- Enrollment Requirements
  Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of full-time enrollment in a degree-seeking major every semester. Enrollment is verified each semester prior to the disbursement of aid to the students account. A change in enrollment status could result in a revision of the financial aid package. If you plan to take a course load below the full-time status, please contact your Financial Aid Advisor so you are aware of projected changes to your aid package.
  
  Full-time Enrollment Status=12 or more credit hours in a single semester
  
  Three Quarters Time Enrollment Status=9-11 credit hours in a single semester
  
  Half-Time Enrollment Status=6-8 credit hours in a single semester
  
  Less Than Half-Time Enrollment Status= <6 credit hours in a single semester
  
  Minimum Enrollment Status to be considered for Direct Student Loans, Federal College Workstudy, and SEOG is at least 6 credit hours.
  
  These definitions apply to ALL semesters, including summer.
  
  Repeat Course Work
  
  When a student repeats a previously passed course (any grade higher than an "F"), that course may be included in the enrollment status for financial aid purposes for the first repeat only (i.e. one repetition per class). After that, if a student enrolls for the same course again, the student's enrollment level and eligibility for financial aid will be calculated in a way that excludes the credit hours of the repeated course.
- Changes & Withdrawal
  
  Enrollment Changes
  
  Changes in your enrollment status may result in your financial aid package being revised. It is recommend you discuss any enrollment status changes with your financial aid advisor so you may better understand any resulting changes in your aid package.
  
  Withdrawal
  
  If you withdraw from classes during a semester, you may have to repay the aid you received. Using a federal formula, the Student Financial Aid Office determines whether the aid you received exceeds reasonable allowances for the educational and living expenses incurred. If you received more than necessary for the time enrolled, a refund to your aid program will be made. If your withdrawal is back-dated to the beginning of the semester, all aid will be refunded to the aid program, and you will receive a bill from the Business Office for the total amount of aid you received. It is recommended you check with your financial aid adviser before withdrawing to determine how your financial aid eligibility will be affected. Recipients of federal grants and loans who withdraw from HCC or stop attending classes before 60 percent of the semester has passed are required to return any unearned portion of federal aid received.
  
  The calculation of the return of these funds may result in the student owing a balance to the institution and/or the federal government.
Satisfactory Academic Progress

Student should be meet basic academic standings in three categories: Completion Rate, Cumulative GPA and Maximum Attendance Time Frame as outline in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Reference Number: 1023 Effective Date: 01/01/2021
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY
The U.S. Department of Education requires that colleges monitor the academic progress of federal financial aid recipients to ensure that only those students demonstrating satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of their educational programs continue to receive financial aid. Hutchinson Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy monitors student progress in three areas: completion rate, GPA, and maximum time frame. Students receiving any federal financial aid including Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Work Study, Direct Loans, and/or any other federal or state aid must meet the following standards:
- Students must earn credit for 67% of the cumulative hours they attempt
- Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Students must complete their program of study within a reasonable time frame not to exceed 150% of their published program length
Each requirement is discussed in greater detail below.
Satisfactory academic progress is measured at the end of each semester and the student will be notified if they are not in compliance with the policy at that time.
COMPLETION RATE
Cumulative completion rate is calculated by dividing the number of cumulative credit hours earned by the number of cumulative credit hours attempted. Students must earn 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted. A student failing to complete 67% of their attempted hours will be placed on financial aid warning for the following semester for which the student is enrolled. A student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress standards during their warning semester will be placed on financial aid suspension at the end of that semester. A student may appeal their financial aid suspension. Instructions for appeal are found below.
Attempted hours include any course the student remained enrolled in past the refund period. Earned hours include any hours for which the student earned an A, B, C, D, P, or CR. Failures, withdrawals, audits, and incompletes are considered as attempted hours, but not earned hours. Failing grades in pass/fail courses are considered attempted, but not earned. Repeated and remedial courses are included in the calculation of attempted and earned hours.
A student must contact the Financial Aid Office to resolve any discrepancies related to classes with grades posting after the review period.
CUMULATIVE GPA
A student must also maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA). A student failing to meet the cumulative GPA standard will be placed on financial aid warning for the following semester of enrollment. A student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress standards during their warning semester will be placed on financial aid suspension at the end of that semester. A student may appeal their financial aid suspension. Instructions for appeal are found below.
MAXIMUM TIME FRAME
Federal regulations require that a student complete their degree or certificate in a reasonable time frame not to exceed 150% of the published program length. All program-applicable credit hours attempted at HutchCC and program-applicable transfer credit hours posted to the HutchCC transcript are counted towards the maximum time frame regardless of whether or not aid was received for those credit hours. A student will be placed on financial aid suspension as soon as it is determined that they cannot complete their stated degree or certificate within the 150% maximum time frame. A student may appeal their financial aid suspension. Instructions for appeal are found below.
Transfer Hours
All program-applicable transfer hours accepted by HutchCC and posted to the student’s HutchCC transcript are included when determining Satisfactory Academic Progress status of transfer students. Transfer hours will be evaluated for SAP at the next evaluation period after which they were received. Students will be notified of their SAP status at that time.
Financial Aid Warning
At the conclusion of each semester, all students receiving Title IV aid will be evaluated to determine whether or not they are maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP). If a student is failing to meet SAP standards, they will be placed on financial aid warning for the following semester for which they are enrolled. Warning status will not prevent the student from receiving financial aid. If the student fails to meet SAP standards while on financial aid warning, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension.
Financial Aid Suspension
A student not meeting SAP standards for two consecutive semesters will be suspended from receiving any federal financial aid until they reach the required completion rate or grade point average to meet SAP policy requirements. Students on financial aid suspension are not eligible for financial aid of any kind, including Federal Direct student loans.
Reinstatement
A student who has been placed on financial aid warning or suspension may request that their status be adjusted if a subsequent semester brings them into compliance with SAP policy. Students may request a re-evaluation of their SAP status in writing to the Financial Aid Office.
Appeal
A student on financial aid suspension may also appeal to have their eligibility reinstated. Appeal forms are assigned to students who are placed on financial aid suspension in the student aid portal. Paper appeals are available upon request. Appeals will be accepted through November 1 for the fall term, April 1 for the spring term, and July 1 for the summer term. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to review appeals after the deadline dates, if warranted. Complete appeals will be reviewed within 10 business days of the date they were received by the Financial Aid Office.
The Financial Aid Office will consider each petition individually. Only extenuating circumstances will be considered for appeal. Extenuating circumstances must be unexpected circumstances that are beyond the student’s control. Typical adjustments to college life such as underestimating the time required for studying, failing to manage one’s time wisely, or failing to attend class on a regular basis without documented hardship will not be considered as extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances must be adequately documented and the documentation must be included with the appeal. Documentation may include supporting statements from doctors, teachers, counselors, etc. The student will be notified of the decision within ten days of the appeal review.
A student whose appeal has been denied who wishes to appeal the decision further may file another appeal if they can provide additional information or documentation that was not included in their initial appeal.
FAFSA Eligibility

The Federal government regulates the disbursement of aid based on the availability of funds, a definition of need, and your expected family contribution. (described below)

FAFSA Elgibility
- Definition of Need
  
  Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) and the expected family contribution (EFC).
  
  The cost of attendance (COA) refers to the total amount of education expenses. COA includes tuition and fees, housing and food, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.
  
  The EFC is the number used to determine your eligibility for federal, state and institutional need-based aid programs. This number results from the financial information provided in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Expected Family Contribution
  The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a number schools use to evaluate your eligibility to receive federal, state and institutional financial aid.
  
  EFC is determined by the Government as part of their analysis of your FAFSA Information. ( Link to free application for federal student aid (FAFSA)). You will receive your official EFC number as part of your award letter. The financial aid office uses the EFC to determine financial need, which is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance at HCC and your EFC.
  
  How the EFC is calculated:
  
  Determined by Federal Government based on an established formula.
  
  Primary factors of the formula are family income, assets, household size and the number of family members attending college.
  
  How the EFC is used:
  
  Determines eligibility for federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants, federal loans and federal Work Study programs
  
  Used by institutions and the state to determine a student's eligibility for other aid programs
  
  The EFC is not:
  
  The amount of money your family will have to pay for college
  
  The amount of student aid you will receive

Types of Aid Elgibility Applying for Aid Receiving Aid Paying For College Consumer Info

Contact Details

Financial Aid
finaid@hutchcc.edu
620-665-3568
1-888-GO-HUTCH

Contact Information

Financial Aid
finaid@hutchcc.edu
620-665-3568
1-888-GO-HUTCH

Staff Directory

Eligibility

Enrollment

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

FAFSA Eligibility

Contact Details

Contact Information