Financial Aid

Financial aid helps students by covering higher education expenses, such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. Different types of aid are provided through various sources, such as federal and state agencies, colleges, high schools, foundations, and corporations, to name a few. The amount of aid a student receives depends on federal, state, and institutional guidelines.

All students seeking financial aid should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). When students submit the FAFSA, they automatically apply for aid from the federal government, the state, and the college(s) they listed on the FAFSA form. Students should contact their college’s financial aid office to confirm that the FAFSA form has been received and what other aid they may be eligible to obtain.

Sources of Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid

Financial aid is available from the federal government via grants, loans, and work-study funds. Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need and several other factors such as U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizenship, enrollment in an eligible program, satisfactory academic progress in college, and more.

Return to Title IV

Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) authorizes programs that provide financial assistance to students in obtaining a postsecondary education at certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). Under the HEA Title IV, all students receiving Title IV federal grant or loan assistance who withdraw from the institution in the first 60% of the term are subject to the Return of Title IV Fund policy. This regulation affects the calculation of aid to be returned as well as repayment procedures. The percentage of aid earned by a Title IV student is determined by calculating the percentage of the period the student completed.

If the student completes up to 60% of the term, the aid earned percentage equals the completed period. If the student completes 60.01% or more, the student earns 100% of the aid. A portion of the Title IV funds (Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Loan, Unsubsidized Direct Loan) awarded to the student must be returned if the student completes less than 60% of the term.

The calculation of the return of these funds may result in the student owing a balance to the college or the United States Department of Education.

It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from all classes officially.

All students should complete the FAFSA
Types of Federal Aid Programs
Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant

State Scholarships & Grants

The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) can help students attain information and apply for state financial aid. In addition, according to Florida statute, students may also be eligible for tuition and fee waivers and exemptions.

All students should complete the FAFSA
Florida Student Scholarship & Grant Programs
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
State of Florida Tuition & Fee Waivers

Institutional Financial Aid

Many colleges offer financial aid from their own funds. Each Florida College System institution has its own unique procedure for awarding financial aid. Working with the individual college is the best way to understand how financial aid works at your intended college.

Here are some helpful tips:

All students should complete the FAFSA.
Visit the college’s financial aid website.
Contact the college to ask about any available scholarships in your particular area of study or department.
Be aware of any financial aid deadlines the school may have.