Financial Aid

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Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

The four basic types of financial aid are grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study (student employment).

Financial aid is available for eligible students who are seeking a two-year degree or one-year certificate, have a high school diploma or GED, and who need assistance paying for their education. Students planning to receive financial aid need to verify that their application and verification requirements are complete with the Financial Aid Office. Students wishing to receive veterans education benefits need to provide a copy of their certificate of eligibility to Veterans Services. The certificate of eligibility is sent to the student by the Department of Veterans Affairs after the student’s application has been processed. Recipients of vocational rehabilitation funds, tribal aid, or any other third-party aid need to check with the Business Office and Financial Aid Office to be sure all paperwork relative to their aid has been received.

Qualifications

• File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Paper FAFSA applications are available in the Financial Aid office or by calling 800-433-3243.
• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Not be in default or owe a refund to a Title IV financial aid program.
• Use the money you receive to meet the costs of attending KCC.
• Be enrolled in a KCC two-year degree or one-year certificate program.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress by making academic progress toward your declared degree or certificate.

Application Information

Submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 the year preceding enrollment in courses. A FAFSA can be filed throughout the year. A FAFSA form must be filed for each school year between July 1 and June 30. This process takes time, and students must pay careful attention to each detail. To ensure adequate time to complete the financial aid requirements, KCC recommends applying at least three months before planning to enroll at KCC.

FAFSA applications are processed in the order they are received at the Department of Education and then sent electronically to the KCC Financial Aid Office. Please note the amount of financial aid offered depends on a student’s financial need (determined by the Department of Education from the information the student provides) and the availability of funds. Students are advised to apply early to maximize their financial aid award.

To file an application electronically go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and click on “Start a New FAFSA.” Applying electronically is the preferred method and will reduce application processing time by as much as 50%. Corrections are also processed quicker when done electronically. When students file a FAFSA electronically, they will sign it with a username and password. Students and parents must use different personal emails when completing the FAFSA and the student must not use their student email.

Checking Financial Aid Status

Log in to your student account at www.klamathcc.edu using your MyKCC user name (student ID number) and password. Newly registered students must create a new account. Click “Student” at the top, scroll down to Financial Hub and choose “My Financial Aid awards,” on the next page, click the link “View My Financial Aid awards”. Students will see their current status including: available awards, transactions, and documents still required before financial aid can be awarded or disbursed.

Late starting Classes

The amount of financial aid you receive depends on the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled in as of the published add/drop deadline and may be different from your offer amount.

• Offered amounts default to full-time (12 or more credit hours) but will be adjusted during the second week of the term based on your enrollment.
• Late starting or short-term classes in which you are enrolled in are included in your enrollment for financial aid. Financial aid may not disburse until your classes begin.
• Dropping a late starting class within the first week of the term, not attending or having a class cancelled may result in a reduction of financial aid.
• Increasing financial aid awards for added enrollment can be made only if you are waitlisted in a late starting class, AND add the class within the first week of the term, AND notify the Financial Aid Office after adding the class.
• Classes must be taken for credit, this does not include community ed or audit courses to count toward financial aid.

Post Withdraw Disbursement

A Post Withdraw Disbursement is offered to you - or your parent in the case of a Parent PLUS loan - if, prior to withdrawing, you earned more federal financial aid than was disbursed for the payment period. The amount earned is determined as part of the required federal Return of Title IV Funds calculation. You will be notified upon withdrawal if you are eligible for “post-withdrawal disbursement” of any aid funds. You may be required to confirm that you want to accept the disbursement.

Grants

Grants are considered to be “gift aid” because there is no requirement to repay the funds. The student has the responsibility to maintain satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant Program was established by the federal government to provide a basic core of aid for eligible undergraduate students. Eligibility is determined by the Department of Education.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students must not have a bachelor’s degree.

Available Amounts:

• Amounts are based on federal funding.
• The maximum award for 2023-2024 is $7,395.
• This amount can be changed annually by the federal government.

Other Information:

• The federal financial aid processor will send the student a student aid report (SAR), which indicates eligibility.
• Eligibility may be transferred to any post-secondary school participating in federal programs.

Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant

This grant is federally funded and awarded to the school in lump sums. The Department of Education will use the information collected in the FAFSA application to identify eligible students and notify the College.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students must not have a bachelor’s degree.
• Students must be Pell Grant eligible.
• Students must have unmet need in their package.
• Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Available Amounts:

• Federal limits range from $100 to $4000 (tentative) per year for 2023-2024.

Other Information:

• The U.S. Department of Education will use the information collected in the FAFSA application to identify eligible students and to notify the College.

Oregon Opportunity Grant

Students who met the filing deadline for 2023-2024 will be considered for this grant.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for the Oregon Opportunity Grant. Eligibility and award amounts are based on the financial and demographic information the student provides on the FAFSA. Students must complete a new FAFSA annually to be considered for the Oregon Opportunity Grant as well as for other federal student aid, including Federal Pell Grants and Federal Stafford Loans. Award amounts are determined by the state.

Award Priority: Effective for the 2016-17 academic year, Oregon Opportunity Grants will be awarded first to students with the greatest financial need. OSAC will use the federally calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine the financial need of a student. This is a change in policy resulting from Oregon’s Legislative Assembly’s passage of House Bill 2407 during the 2015 regular legislative session.

2022-23 Award Amounts: A fixed amount of $3,900 is available for full-time, full-year attendance at any eligible Oregon-based post-secondary institution. Students’ EFCs must have been at or below $8,000 to be considered for OOG. OSAC releases a portion of the award to the student’s school account at the start of each academic term (quarter or semester) and prorates awards for students enrolled at least half-time. Students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States.
• Be a resident of Oregon.
• Be an undergraduate student with no prior bachelor’s degree.
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree-granting program at a participating Oregon community college or four-year public, or private/non-profit Oregon post-secondary institution.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Have no defaults on federal student loans or owe refunds of federal student grants.
• Meet federal Selective Service System registration and illegal drug conviction requirements.
• Not be incarcerated.
• Not be enrolled in a program leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education.

All amounts are tentative at this time, amounts for the new academic year will be available August 2023.

Oregon Promise Grant

Oregon Promise is a state grant program that covers most tuition at an Oregon community college. Oregon Promise is for recent Oregon high school graduates and GED recipients who enroll in an Oregon community college within six months of graduation. You must meet all the following criteria:

• Complete an Oregon Promise grant application by the appropriate deadline.
• Be a recent Oregon high school graduate or GED recipient.
• Document a 2.0 or higher cumulative high school GPA or a GED score of 145 or higher on each test.
• Plan to attend at least half-time at an Oregon community college within six months of high school graduation or GED completion.
• Be an Oregon resident for at least 12 months prior to attendance.
• Have filed a FAFSA or ORSAA application and listed at least one Oregon community college.
• Must not have more than 90 college credits completed or attempted.

How do I apply?

• Create an account in the OSAC Student Portal.
• Complete Oregon Promise application in OSAC Student Portal by the deadline (see above).
• Verify your GPA or GED score. Follow instructions in OSAC Student Portal.
• Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA, which was available starting on October 1.
  • List at least one Oregon community college.
  • Determine if you should complete the ORSAA by using the ORSAA Pre-Filter.

How will I be notified if I’m awarded?

You should frequently check your award status in the OSAC Student Portal. OSAC will also notify you by email once you have been awarded.

Award size is determined by these factors:

• Federal Pell Grant and Oregon Opportunity Grant award amounts: Oregon Promise pays remaining tuition amount (up to 12 credits per term) after all need-based federal and state grants have been applied.
• Number of credits taken: Oregon Promise is prorated based on standard enrollment ranges. Student must attend at least half time (6 to 8 credits) to be awarded. Those who attend 9 to 11 credits are considered 3/4-time, while those who attend for 12 or more credits are considered full time. Note: Oregon Promise covers up to 12 credits per term. Students are financially responsible for any additional credits past 12 per term.
• Tuition of Oregon community college: Oregon Promise will cover up to the average tuition charged by Oregon community colleges. Some community colleges have a higher or lower tuition cost than this average. If the tuition cost is above the average, the student is responsible for the difference. If the tuition cost is below this average, Oregon Promise pays up to that college’s tuition cost and not more.
• 90-credit limit: Once a student has attempted a total of 90 college credits, the student is no longer eligible to receive Oregon Promise. If a student is close to the 90-credit limit (81 or more total credits), then the award amount may be reduced during the final term of Oregon Promise eligibility. Courses taken while enrolled in high school count toward the 90-credit limit.

How much money will I receive?

Oregon Promise award amounts will vary per student. Each award is completely dependent on the FAFSA or ORSAA information submitted by the student. The award range is not released to the intitution until close to mid-year (approx April - May).

How do I remain eligible for Oregon Promise?

• Comply with any other requirements or requests from the community college related to the award.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the community college.
• Maintain at least half-time continuous enrollment (i.e., six or more credits) during Fall, Winter, and Spring Term each year.
• Accept all state and federal grant aid offered through the community college financial aid office.
• Have attempted or completed no more than 90 credits.
• Attend college each Fall Term during renewal years.
• File the FAFSA or ORSAA each year and list your Oregon community college.

Scholarships

Scholarships are considered to be gift because there is no requirement to repay the funds. The student has the responsibility to maintain satisfactory academic progress and fulfill all other requirements set forth by the individual scholarship program to maintain eligibility.

The following scholarships are available but not necessarily each year. The amount and eligibility requirements are published at the time of application, which is usually September.

• KCC Foundation Scholarships
• Betty Gray ECE Scholarship
• Erin Andrews Endowment Scholarship
• DeArmond Foundation Scholarship
• KCC General Scholarship
• Charles F. Henderson II Culinary Scholarship
• Rogue Valley Corvette Club Scholarship
• Oregon State Sheriff’s Association Scholarship
• Soroptimist International of Klamath Falls Endowment Scholarship

Federal Loans

Loans are considered to be self-help and require repayment. There are several different types of loan programs available to students including federal Stafford subsidized loans, federal Stafford unsubsidized loans, and federal PLUS loans.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans

• The subsidized Stafford loan is a fixed interest loan awarded based on financial need. If a student qualifies, the federal government will pay the interest on the loan while the student is in school or during any period of authorized deferment.
• If a student is a first-time borrower, loan funds will not disburse until 30 days after the term begins.
• If a student accepts loan funds, he or she will be required to attend entrance counseling and submit a MPN prior to disbursement.
• The interest rate for 2022-23 is fixed at 4.99%.
• The origination fee for 2020-23 is fixed at 1.0579%.
• New borrowers can only receive subsidy on their subsidized loans for 150% of the published length of their declared program.​

Updated award amounts for 2023-2024 will be available July 2022.

Annual Loan Limits:

• First-year undergraduate students may borrow up to $3,500 if eligible.
• Second-year undergraduate students may borrow up to $4,500 if eligible.

Updated award amounts for 2023-2024 will be available July 2023.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (Direct Loan)

• The unsubsidized Stafford loan is not based on financial need. Interest begins to accrue as soon as the loan is disbursed. The federal government does not pay the interest on this type of loan. Students may pay the interest while in school, or the interest can be capitalized and included in the repayment amount. To set up interest payments, please contact the servicer.
• If a student is a first-time borrower, loan funds will not disburse until 30 days after the term begins.
• If a student accepts loan funds, they will be required to attend entrance counseling and submit a MPN prior to disbursement.
• The interest rate for 2022-23 is fixed at 4.99%.
• The origination fee for 2020-23 is fixed at 1.057%.

Updated award amounts for 2023-2024 will be available July 2023.

The following chart shows the annual and aggregate limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

Available Amounts:

Students may borrow the cost of attendance minus the amount of financial aid and scholarships awarded up to the annual loan limits. An independent student’s annual loan limit is $6,000. A dependent student’s annual loan limit is between $2,000 and $5,500 depending on subsidized loan eligibility.

All borrowers must complete a master promissory note and in-person entrance counseling before loans can be disbursed. Students must complete an exit interview when they graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment. Otherwise final official transcripts will not be released.

Federal PLUS Loans

PLUS loans are loans taken out by parents, stepparents, or legal guardians of dependent undergraduates to assist them with educational expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

To receive a Direct PLUS Loan, you must:

• Be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate, or be the parent (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, stepparent) of a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school;
• Not have an adverse credit history; and
• Meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid. If you are borrowing on behalf of your child, your child must also meet these requirements.

Financial need is not a requirement to qualify for this loan. However, this loan is based on the borrower’s credit history. Each applicant is subject to a credit check.

Available Amounts:

• The federal PLUS loan may not exceed the annual cost of education at KCC, less any financial aid awarded to the student.
• The interest rate for 2022-23 is fixed at 7.54%.
• The origination fee for 2020-23 is 4.228%.
• The parents, stepparents, or legal guardians are responsible for the repayment of the loan including the interest that accrues on the loan during any period.
  • Updated award amounts for 2023-2024 will be available July 2023.

Other Information:

These loans may require repayment to begin before the student has graduated. Specific repayment information should be obtained from the lender. Interest begins to accrue as soon as the loan is disbursed.

Cohort Default Rate

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school’s borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) and default on the loan prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. Please refer to the Department of Education’s Cohort Default Rate Guide for more in-depth description of cohort default rates and how the rates are calculated.

The latest CDR will always remain public on the KCC website when made available to us by The Department of Education as stated in our handbook. In the event the CDR of Klamath Community College is above the threshold of 30, the President of KCC will release a statement notifying the public.

Federal law requires that all registered students and employees be notified about specific items related to financial aid, federal privacy laws, and related topics. This includes information on cohort default rates.

Federal Work-Study

• Work-study is considered self-help aid in the form of part-time employment as a means of financial assistance.
• Work-study provides part-time employment on campus for students who meet eligibility requirements. If eligible, students may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year to earn the amount listed on their award notification.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must demonstrate financial need.

Available Amount

The awarded amount will vary each year depending on available funds. Wages for work-study are $12.50 per hour for the 2022-2023 academic year. This is subject to change each year (wages are announced July 1st each year).

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

To receive federal financial aid at KCC, a student must meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress. Failure to meet any of the standard requirements will result in warning or disqualification from receiving federal financial aid. Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress may result in warning, probation, or academic suspensions from attending KCC.

Klamath Community College, in compliance with Federal Regulation 668.34, requires students to maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue eligibility to enroll in classes and receive federal financial aid (grants and loans). Satisfactory academic progress means maintaining a minimum term GPA of 2.00 and a 66.67% or higher completion rate. The completion rate is based on the number of credits that the student is enrolled in as of the published add/drop deadline. Grades of W, I or F do not count as successful completion of a class. Klamath Community College will apply the satisfactory academic progress standards at the completion of the term after grades are posted. Listed below are the completion requirements:

The US Department of Education and KCC have defined the following terms associated with satisfactory academic progress:

Academic and Financial Aid Warning

The status assigned to a student the first term the student fails to make satisfactory academic progress. The student is eligible to enroll in classes and receive federal financial aid unless the student received a zero GPA where a financial aid appeal will be required. The student must meet the satisfactory academic standards for this term to continue financial aid eligibility. Student must complete a student success plan with their advisor or Student Services.

Financial Aid Disqualification

The status assigned to a student who has failed to make the standards of satisfactory progress more than one term. The student is not eligible to receive federal financial aid unless an appeal is filed according to the school’s guidelines and the appeal is granted. If the appeal is granted, the student’s status changes to financial aid probation.

Academic and Financial Aid Appeal

The process a student completes who has not met the satisfactory academic progress standards by petitioning for reconsideration of eligibility of federal financial aid and/or eligibility to enroll in classes. The appeal must include why the student failed to meet the standards, the resolution of the issue, and the student’s plan for success. 

If a student wishes to appeal for a late drop they must do so within the first three weeks of the term or the appeal will not be considered.

For an appeal to be fully processed a student must submit a completed appeal cover sheet, and signed personal letter describing what occurred, their resolution and their plan for success. Also, the student must attach any appropriate documentation that supports their personal letter (e.g. medical bills, statement from physician, court documents, newspaper articles, purchase agreements, notarized witness statements). Documentation is required for all appeals. Appeals will be denied without supporting documents.

Academic and Financial Aid Probation

The status assigned by the school to a student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress for a second term and has had eligibility for financial aid reinstated through the appeal process. KCC can enforce enrollment restrictions (i.e., half-time enrollment, submission of an academic plan, etc.) if it appears these restrictions will aid in the student’s success. A student on probation may receive aid and must meet the satisfactory academic standards to continue to be eligible to enroll in classes and receive federal financial aid.

Academic Suspension

The status assigned by the school to a student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress for a third term. The student is not eligible to enroll in classes unless an appeal is filed according to the school’s guidelines and the appeal is granted. The student is not eligible to receive federal financial aid. Degree-seeking students will be placed on suspension after completing 36 credits if their cumulative GPA is below 1.75.

• Federal financial aid eligibility is limited to 150% of a program’s credit length (135 credits for a 90-credit two-year degree and 68 credits for a 45-credit one-year certificate). Credits transferred from other colleges that are accepted at KCC toward your program of study and credits attempted using your own resources are included in the calculation of the maximum credit length. When it becomes apparent that a student cannot graduate within this period, the student becomes ineligible for federal financial aid. If this occurs, the Financial Aid Office will notify the student in writing.
• Enrollment for financial aid purposes will be set based on enrollment as of 5:00 pm on the last day to add or drop classes for a term. For a course to be counted toward financial aid enrollment it must count toward the two-year degree or one-year certificate the student is pursuing. Elective credits above what is required to receive the two-year degree or one-year certificate will not be eligible to be included for financial aid enrollment.
• Developmental courses (courses below the 100-level) are eligible for federal financial aid up to 45 attempted credits. No additional developmental courses will be funded after 45 credits have been attempted.
• Only developmental courses and courses that apply to a degree or certificate are eligible for federal financial aid. Courses that are not eligible for federal financial aid include adult basic education, GED, high school completion, extended studies courses, challenge courses, one-credit workshops, and special topic courses that exceed the degree requirements per the KCC catalog. Students cannot receive federal financial aid while enrolled in high school or a GED program.
• A student may receive financial aid for a repeated class under these conditions:
  • Until student receives a passing grade (D or better)
  • Once for a previously passed class
    • However, all attempts will be counted as attempted credits toward the program credit limit.
• Programs with fewer than 45 credits or one academic year (i.e., career pathways) are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Klamath Community College is not responsible for any actions taken by a student in anticipation of receiving federal financial aid. Students are advised to verify their financial aid status and eligibility each term.

Failure to meet eligibility standards will at least result in the following action:

Zero GPA definition: A student who receives all F’s, all W’s, or a combination of both for the term and will result in the Financial Aid office recalculating the amount of aid a student qualifies for. A portion of financial aid may be required to be repaid.

If you are required to file an appeal, federal regulation requires that you include the following:

Appeal Results

Students will be notified by email of the decision of the appeal committee.

• If the appeal is granted, the email notification will include required conditions of continued financial aid and/or enrollment eligibility. Failure to comply with these required conditions will result in actions by the college up to and including administrative drop from classes or suspending receipt of financial aid until the required conditions have been met.
• If the appeal is denied, Financial Aid will identify to the student the actions necessary to regain eligibility for financial aid and/or enrollment. If a student feels that their appeal included all required elements (what occurred, resolution, plan for success and documentation) and the appeals committee did not apply the federal regulations appropriately, the student can speak to the Registrar to request a review of the outcome of the appeal by the vice president.

NOTE: Students who have a 0.00 GPA or who withdraw from all courses in a term may be required to return a portion of the federal financial aid funds they received. Students with an outstanding debt to the College will not be allowed to register for subsequent terms, remain enrolled in classes, or receive official transcripts until the debt has been paid in full.

Refund/Repayment Policy

If you withdraw or stop attending classes, you may be subject to repayment of financial aid funds per the following policy:

• If a student withdraws from all classes or earns a zero GPA for the term, the Financial Aid office will recalculate the account to determine if the student must repay a portion of the financial aid received. If repayment is required, the student will receive an email notification from the Financial Aid office, and notification will be mailed from the Business Office. Because the student has failed to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress, the student will either be placed in warning or disqualified from receiving additional financial aid. If the student is disqualified a completed financial aid eligibility appeal form must be submitted for the appeals committee to consider.
• The student’s account will be charged with any portion of unearned aid that the school is responsible for returning to the Department of Education. This charge will result in both a financial hold and transcript hold being placed on the student’s account.
• If the student has received a Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized) loan, the student is responsible for paying back any unearned amount of the loan funds that they received under the terms of the loan.
• Students will have up to 45 calendar days to make acceptable financial arrangements for repaying the over award to the Business Office or the account will be sent to collections.
• In accordance with Board Policy 720.0110, a student must meet all financial obligations to the College in order to qualify for continued enrollment.

Veterans Benefits

Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) School Compliance Policy

A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Klamath Community College permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Klamath Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

The Covered Individual must:

1. Submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance no later than the first day of a course of education.
2. Provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution.
3. Make and comply with payment arrangements for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement.