1. Trinidad State Junior College complies with the policies, guidelines and regulations as set down by the State and Federal governments as they apply to the existing students financial aid program
2. Students will receive funds through one or more of the financial aid programs on a semester basis.
Example: A student receiving $900 for two semester period would have his/her award divided by two and would generally receive $450 per semester. However, the first semester of attendance is usually the most costly; therefore, the first semester’s portion of the total award could be greater than those of subsequent semesters of attendance.
3. FINANCIAL AID AWARDS CANNOT BE MADE TO COVER EXPENSES INCURRED IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
4. Financial Aid funds from student’s award for a forthcoming semester cannot be to advanced to him/her to be used during a current semester. Example: An advance of funds from the Spring Semester portion of an award cannot be made available for use during the Fall Semester.
5. Students applying for financial aid must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each year of college attendance. Eligibility is based on the income information for the tax year preceding the fiscal year of college attendance along with other factors such as number of people in the household and number attend college, state of residency, etc.
6. In all cases, financial aid is awarded to the students with the greatest need first, less needy next, etc. The need of eligible students will be met with grant funds, work-study money, loan and scholarships, up to the maximum amount of the students demonstrated need. General policy is that awards usually include a combination of gift aid (grant or scholarship) and self help (loan or work-study). Exceptional cases and fund levels of programs will have a direct bearing on the financial aid award. Every effort will be made to fulfill the request of the student. Additionally, the following factors are considered in the awarding of financial aid to individuals who qualify for financial aid:
a. Individual aid program maximums or minimums.
b. Those complete applications received on or before the published applications deadlines will receive first consideration. Those complete applications received after the published applications deadline will be processed in a date received order and the availability of funds.
c. The individual’s eligibility for a specific kind(s) of student aid.
7. Awards are made as early as possible and fund availability. Awards are made to cover the entire period of attendance, normally fall and spring. Special program will also get summer awards. All awards are contingent on state and federal funding levels. Awards may be reduced to reflect these levels and students will be notified as soon as possible.
8. Recipients of financial aid may also be recipients of other kinds of financial assistance, (G.I. Bill, Rehabilitation Grants, private scholarships, etc.) However, the dollar total of the non-college assistance and the college assistance may not exceed the recipients’ total documented need during a given period of attendance.
9. The deadline for early consideration for financial aid is May 1st preceding the college year for which assistance is being requested. The final application deadlines required of students applying for assistance is thirty (30) days prior to the registration date for the next semester. Late applications are processed in a date received order.
10. The financial aid funds received by Trinidad State Junior College are committed to students’ applications as early as possible in order that these applicants can make the necessary plans for their forthcoming education.
11. Neither state nor federal regulations permit the transfer of Student Financial Aid funds from one institution to another. A student transferring to another college cannot have his/her financial aid transferred to that college.
12. The costs of attendance budgets follow parameters set by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. In addition the college uses those costs that are most reasonable. Example: Double room as opposed to private room in the dormitory.
13. Any financial aid recipient, past or present, who has a past due National Defense/Direct Student Loan, or Perkins loan and/or owes a refund of any financial aid , must satisfy the debt(s) before a grade transcript or other pertinent information will be released by the college or further consideration given for financial aid.
14. The Trinidad State Junior College financial aid programs are administered without regard to race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, handicap, political affiliation or other non-merit factors.
15. No priority is given to any group of students based on entering or continuing status, since the neediest students is awarded aid first, regardless of year in school.
16. Awards are based on full time attendance. Students attending less then full time will be awarded proportionately, 75%, 50% or 25% based on enrollment. Cost of Attendance for students less than half time will be based on direct cost only.