Financial Aid
Procedures
Payment Voucher | Refund Process | Adjustments/Revisions
Academic Standards Policy | Appeals Procedure
Students who have received notification that they are eligible for financial aid must request and sign a payment voucher from Financial Aid. If funds are sufficient to cover the cost of books and supplies, a book voucher will be issued.
In order to receive a payment voucher, students must adhere to the following procedure:
- The student must have previously contacted and been approved by Financial Aid. Approvals are based on the submission and review of one or more of the following eligibility documents:
- A Student Aid Report (SAR) or the Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) -- which are created from the processed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid);
- N.J. Student Eligibility Notice (SEN) received from the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority; and
- Written approval from an eligible employer, agency or sponsor (private scholarship, vocational rehabilitation), verifying that tuition payment will be provided directly to SCC.
- The student must have completed registration and must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student. Any changes in the student's registration, such as adding or dropping courses, will require that the student notify the Financial Aid Office of the change, including courses cancelled by the College. Failure to notify the office may result in the reduction or loss of previously awarded funds.
Financial aid students must ensure that their tuition charges are credited to their account on or before the deadline date for their tuition payments.
Financial Aid Refund Process
All aid is credited to a student's account. After all institutional charges are deducted, reimbursement monies for miscellaneous educational expenses are disbursed to students after midterm and after attendance has been verified. Federal law requires Salem Community College to refund unearned tuition, fees and other charges to the federal government if students totally withdraw, drop out or otherwise fail to complete the program. This policy relates to students receiving Pell, SEOG or Stafford Loans. The written policy is available from Student Accounts or Financial Aid.
Adjustments/Revisions
Consideration for unusual circumstances and budget adjustments may be made by the Coordinator of Financial Aid only if sufficient itemized documentation is provided. Students who receive institutional aid -- especially "no-need" awards -- and who later receive "need" awards from a state and/or federal or private agency, may receive an adjustment reducing the amount of support to the legal limit. SCC may require that a financial aid application be filed for a student to continue receiving institutional funds.
Financial Aid Academic Standards Policy
All students must be making satisfactory academic progress towards a degree or certificate to be eligible for aid under federal and state programs. Progress is evaluated each semester and is determined using established standards and timeframe in compliance with federal and state guidelines. Charts are available in Financial Aid.
Satisfactory academic progress to maintain financial aid is determined by the establishment of a cumulative grade point average that meets the required standards and the accumulation of the number of credits required for program completion within a specified time frame.
Failure to accomplish the standards of progress can lead to a student being placed on:
- Financial Aid Academic Probation - Indicates that the student has not attained the required credits and cumulative grade point average appropriate for the number of credits attempted.
- Financial Aid Suspension - Ends the student's eligibility for financial aid.
Appeals Procedure
Appeals of lack-of-progress notices can be made in writing to the Coordinator of Financial Aid by June 30 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. The student must include a detailed description of the circumstances which he or she believes warrant further action by the College's Academic Standing and Progress Committee. Before the next semester, the committee will review the written request and the student will be notified of the decision. A written procedure is available in Financial Aid.
An appeal of the committee's decision must be directed in writing to the Provost – Chief Academic Officer within 10 days of notification. Upon reviewing the case, the Provost or designee will forward a decision to the student within 10 days. The Provost's or designee’s recommendation stands as the final decision in the appeals process.
