Priority Deadlines

To ensure funds for tuition and fees, your file should be completed in the Admissions Office and Financial Aid Office by the dates listed below:

  • Fall – July 1
  • Spring – November 1
  • Summer – April 1
The financial aid philosophy at North Florida College maintains that the student, the student’s parents and/or spouse have the primary responsibility of financing the student’s education. Where there is financial need, every consideration is given to assist the student.

Financial Aid at North Florida College is available in the form of grants, scholarships and part-time employment. Information about financial aid, application forms and assistance in completing the forms may be obtained in the NFC Financial Aid Office located in Administrative Services (Bldg. 2).

Assessing Financial Need

The amount of money that a student’s family can contribute toward the student’s education is determined by a need analysis performed when the student applies for federal financial aid. In determining how much the student and the student’s family can contribute, the need analysis takes into account family income, assets, family size, number in household in college and various other factors.

The end result of the need analysis is the expected family contribution. The expected family contribution is the amount that the student’s family can reasonably expect to pay toward the student’s college education. Need analysis measures the family’s ability to contribute to the student’s education, not the family’s willingness to contribute.

The student’s exact amount of financial need is determined by subtracting the expected family contribution from the cost of attending college.

How to Apply

  • Complete an Application for Admission to North Florida College
  • Be accepted as a degree seeking student.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply over the internet with FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov Apply for a personal ID number at https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
  • Be sure to list North Florida College as one of your choices to receive a need analysis report. Title IV Code Number is 001508.

Financial Aid Eligibility Criteria

This application can be submitted on the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. When applications are filed electronically you must either sign electronically with a PIN (Personal Identification Number) or print a signature page which must be signed and submitted to the Department of Education. Dependent students must also submit their parent’s signature. Electronic SAR’s are usually available within two weeks. You should bring SAR’s received by mail to the NFC Financial Aid Office.

If you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, an award will be offered provided that:

  • You have been formally accepted for admission to the College as a degree seeking student (in an eligible program) and your Admissions file is complete.
  • You submit your Student Aid Report (SAR) or one is received electronically.
  • You have submitted all required forms and documents to verify your application.
  • You are not in default on a student loan or owe a refund on a scholarship or grant.
  • You are making satisfactory academic progress.
  • You enroll in classes.

Foreign students, who are attending North Florida College on a Student Visa, have already declared financial independence and are not eligible for federal financial aid programs.

All students who qualify for financial aid can seek notification of their awards using the NFC Information Network at mynfc.edu.

Disbursement of Aid

A student’s financial aid award may be used for the student’s registration fees and book charges for the specified term(s). Students are responsible for notifying the Office of Financial Aid when they register for courses. At the close of registration, any balance in the account will be credited to the student. A check will be mailed to the student approximately four to six weeks after registration ends.

Students who are employed in the Federal Work Study Program will be paid monthly for hours worked. Time sheets must be submitted for payroll by the specified deadline each month.

Estimated College Costs

Estimated expenses are based on a two-semester academic year. All expenses outlined below are general estimates based on 15 credit hours per term.

Students Living with ParentsAll Other Students
Tuition and Fees$3,084$3,084
Books and Supplies$1,400$1,400
Transportation$1,800$1,800
Room and Board$1,500$5,400
Personal Expenses$1,100$1,100
Total:$8,884$12,784

Non-residents add $227.80 per credit hour.

Refund and Repayment Policy

Refunds

Refund of tuition and fees is made under the following schedule. A student who has registered must officially drop a course or officially withdraw from the College to receive any refund of fees. Students who officially withdraw no later than the date listed in the College Calendar are eligible for refunds of fees as follows:
  • Refund of 100 percent of tuition fees will be made when classes are cancelled.
  • Refunds of 100 percent of tuition fees will be made when a student withdraws from or drops a course before the last date to add classes. After this date no refunds will be made for courses dropped.
  • Before refunds are dispersed, any outstanding indebtedness to the College must be paid.
  • In cases of extreme personal or family hardship, or in cases involving extenuating circumstances, the Dean of Enrollment and Student Services has the authority to waive the above regulations regarding refunds.
  • Title IV Programs: Regulations (P.L. 105-244), enacted October 7, 1998. Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as annotated.

Repayment of Federal Grant Funds

A pro-rata repayment will be due for Title IV funds provided to students attending NFC if withdrawal from classes occurs during the first sixty percent (60%) of the enrollment period. Federal regulations require repayment of a portion of funds received by students, unless certain conditions are met.
A student who withdraws from or stops attending all courses prior to completion of at least 60% of an enrollment period (i.e. a semester/term) WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPAY the “unearned portion” of the funds received.

This applies to all federal grant funds received by a student. For example, a student receiving a PELL Grant disbursement check could be required to repay the federal program as much as one-half the amount of the disbursement unless the student attends school for more than 60% of the enrollment period. IN ADDITION TO REPAYING A PORTION OF A DISBURSEMENT CHECK, a student will be required to repay a portion of the award used to pay the cost of books and/or supplies paid from grant funds.

This federal regulation applies to students who withdraw from or stop attending ALL COURSES. The rule does not apply to students who successfully complete AT LEAST ONE COURSE in an enrollment period. Students are requested to make every effort to complete at least one course within the enrollment period to avoid repayment of Title IV funds awarded within that period.

Students will not be allowed to receive further Title IV funding until full repayment has been made.

Standards of Academic Progress

North Florida College must enforce standards of satisfactory progress for students receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid. The following requirements are the standards of satisfactory academic progress at North Florida College:
  1. The maximum time allowed to achieve a degree will be four years (eight semesters) at full-time attendance (this represents 150 percent of normal completion time of five semesters). Less than full-time attendance will allow more years prorated proportionally (see #3).
  2. Standards of academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester.
  3. A student must successfully complete the minimum number of hours to progress towards a degree as follows:

Enrollment Status

Minimum Number of Load Hours To Earn Each Semester (75%) Maximum Semesters of Eligibility

Full-time (12 or more load hours)9 hours8 semesters
¾ time (9-11 load hours)6 hours12 semesters
½ time (6-8 load hours)4 hours16 semesters

Hours of completion must accumulate toward a degree. For example, by the end of one semester, a full-time student must have completed 9 load hours. By the end of two semesters, a full-time student must have completed 18 load hours.

  1. Failure to complete the above required hours will place a student on financial aid probation for one term. Hours counted will include all hours included in the student’s program of study at NFC, or accepted in transfer toward the current program of study. By the end of a probation term the cumulative hours required must be completed or the student will be terminated from financial aid. Termination is effective until the student completes the minimum cumulative hours required.
  2. Successful completion means receiving grades of A, B, C, D or S. Grades of F, N, W or I are not successful completions.
  3. A student must maintain a grade point average of 1.8 on the first 14 semester hours completed at NFC and accepted in transfer in the current program of study and a grade point average of 2.0 thereafter on all work accepted by NFC. Students may reestablish eligibility for financial aid by achieving a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.
  4. A student may appeal financial aid termination in writing if extenuating circumstances exist. The appeal must document why the student did not achieve the required academic standards and why these standards should be waived, or why the student feels he or she has mitigating circumstances that might make the student eligible for financial aid. This written appeal must be submitted to the Director of Financial Aid. A student receiving aid after an appeal may continue to receive aid on a probationary status while making at least a ‘C’ average each semester and completing courses.
  5. Load hours for non-credit college preparatory courses will be counted toward financial aid eligibility. Grades received in these courses will not be used in calculating a grade point average.
  6. All periods of enrollment with or without financial aid at NFC will be used in determining a student’s satisfactory progress.

Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are considered “Gift Aid”. Financial aid awarded in the form of grants and scholarships does not have to be repaid.

Grants

Federal PELL Grant (Basic Educational Opportunity Grant)

The PELL Grant Program is a Federal aid program designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students needing assistance to attend post-high school educational institutions. PELL Grants are intended to be the “floor” of a financial aid package and may be combined with other forms of aid in order to meet the full costs of education. The amount of the PELL Grant is determined on the basis of the student’s and his/her family’s resources. Additional information and application forms are available from NFC and in the counselors’ offices of area high schools.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The SEOG is a Federal program of grants through which the student receives funds based on exceptional financial need and evidence of academic or creative promise. Applicants must submit the Application for Federal Student Aid.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)

The Office of Student Financial Assistance, Tallahassee, Florida, administers a program of student assistance which provides grants to qualified students who have exceptional financial need and attend accredited colleges, universities and state/community colleges. A student enrolled as a degree-seeking student in a credit program at an eligible institution in Florida and who has been a legal resident of Florida for twelve consecutive months prior to the beginning of the academic year is eligible for the FSAC grant. Eligibility is determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information: www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

Bright Futures Program

The Florida Department of Education, Tallahassee, Florida, administers a program to encourage outstanding high school graduates to enroll in post-secondary Vocational or Technical programs in the state. Students enrolled in a full-time certificate or degree program are eligible for this award. Applications must be filed by April 1 of the student’s last year in high school, and the student must receive a standard high school diploma. For more information: www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.

The Bright Futures Scholarship provides four scholarship awards to students:
  • Academic Scholars Award
  • Top Scholars Award
  • Medallion Scholars Award
  • Gold Seal Vocational Award
The amount of the scholarship award must be calculated each semester at the end of the drop-add period. A description of the calculation of each award is as follows:
  1. Academic Scholars Award:
    • Provides a flat amount per credit hour of enrollment, determined annually through the legislative process.
    • Requires maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 in postsecondary work and completion of at least twelve credit hours in the academic year for renewal.
  2. Top Scholars Award: Formerly known as the Challenger Award, this is awarded to the top student in each county who received an Academic Scholars Award.
    • Provides a flat amount per credit hour of enrollment, determined annually through the legislative process.
  3. Medallion Scholars Award:
    • Provides a flat amount per credit hour of enrollment, determined annually through the legislative process.
    • Requires maintaining a 2.75 grade point average in postsecondary work and completion of at least twelve credit hours in the academic year for renewal.
  4. Gold Seal Vocational Award:
    • Provides a flat amount per credit hour of enrollment, determined annually through the legislative process.
    • Students must maintain a 2.75 grade point average in postsecondary work and complete at least twelve credit hours in the academic year for renewal.

Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance Program

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Education, State of Florida, provides limited assistance to persons with disabilities that cause a vocational handicap. The applicant must be at least sixteen years old, must have a major disability, must have a good scholastic record, and must take courses that will prepare him/her for a vocation at which he/she can earn a living. If interested in learning more about Vocational Rehabilitation, interested parties should contact the Office of Student Disability Services or visit www.rehabworks.org or call toll free at 1-800-451-4327.

WIA (Workforce Investment Act)

WIA is a Federal program designed to provide financial assistance to qualified applicants to attend postsecondary vocational programs. Eligibility for WIA is determined by one of the following criteria: (1) economically disadvantaged, (2) disabled, or (3) food stamp or AFDC recipient. Additional information and application forms are available at the local One-Stop Service Center.

Work-Study - Federal College Work-Study Program (FCWSP)

The Federal College Work-Study Program is a federally funded employment program designed to provide a student the opportunity to pay part of his/her educational expenses by working at a part-time job. Students who qualify may work up to fifteen (15) hours per week, pending availability of funds. Applicants must submit an Application for Federal Student Aid. Additional information about the work program is available in the NFC Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships

Other scholarships made available include the Presidential Scholarship, Activity Scholarships, and Individual or Organizational Scholarships. Local scholarships such as Academic Scholarships, Vocational Scholarships, and Need Based Scholarships are available. Students interested in local aid which has not been awarded based on academic merit or activity, must first submit the Federal Application for Financial Assistance as well as contact the Office of Financial Aid. Scholarships are also available by making application to the NFC Foundation, Inc.

Payment Plan

NFC now offers a payment plan approved by the District Board of Trustees. Students wishing to utilize this plan must make a down payment of at least 25% of fees assessed at registration. A processing fee will be charged. Interested students should visit the Office of Financial Aid to complete the necessary paperwork.

Disbursement of Aid

The electronic data management system utilized by NFC automates the award and disbursement of aid, utilizing parameters set locally and programmatically as required by the US Department of Education’s award eligibility and defined levels. Student aid is initially ‘authorized’ to their student account prior to the finalization of the registration process. This process is not considered ‘completed’ until the end of the drop/add period and the process of attendance verification is completed by the Office of Enrollment Services.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Office of Financial Aid at NFC gains access to individual student information regarding grades, credit hours completed each term, as well as term and current grade point averages by utilizing the electronic data management system, as shared by all departments. Input of individual grades are the responsibility of each instructor, and maintenance of the student record system is the responsibility of the Office of Enrollment Services. Rules for satisfactory progress have been coded in this data management system utilizing the parameters as outlined in the US Department of Education’s Handbook.

An electronic process which programmatically determines a student’s SAP status is run at the end of each term. Students are notified in writing when ‘Suspense’ status is reached.

Appeal Process

The electronic process utilized to determine student status is run at the end of every term. All students not coded as ‘new’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘warning’ or ‘probation’ will be coded ‘suspense’ and required to have an approved appeal prior to aid disbursement. There is no deadline for a student to request an appeal, however, fees must be paid in some other manner than a financial aid award by the posted deadline or the student will be dropped for non-payment.

Students are required to complete the standard request form generated by the Office of Financial Aid, or submit a letter of appeal, each term for which an appeal is requested. They are further required to attach any relevant documentation of their extenuating circumstances, based upon availability.

Appeals may only be granted by the Director of Financial Aid. Should a student wish to protest this decision, the Financial Aid Committee will be activated and the student will be given hearing before this group. Their decision is final.

Valid reasons for appeal may include, but are not limited to, the following: Illness, accident, illness or death of a close relative or friend, courses dropped or failed as a younger student (by a returning mature student), family and life stress, transportation or babysitting problems or changes of program emphasis which cause excess hours. Consideration will also be given to subsequent appeals if a student has shown progress but still does not meet the requirements as previously described. Further, a student may be allowed to appeal the payment of PELL funds for hours or specific courses necessary for completion of a degree when the maximum number of hours awarded has been met.

Care will be taken not to allow continued payment for remedial courses repeated more than two times. An appeal may be granted for a student who has exceeded the maximum numbers of hours allowed for receipt of a degree or certificate under certain circumstances. However, a graduation check will be required and only courses necessary for the completion of the desired degree/certificate will be utilized in calculating the amount of aid disbursement.

College Complaint Procedure Information

Federal regulations and State laws require that public colleges in The Florida College System have processes for students, employees, and applicants to file complaints against any respective college. All persons are encouraged to work through the internal complaint and appeal processes at their respective institutions as the first step in filing a complaint.

If you believe that your complaint has not been addressed satisfactorily at your local institution after exhausting the college's complaint or grievance procedures, you may contact the following personnel at the Division of Florida Colleges for additional information:

For complaints related to financial aid, please contact:

Office of Student Financial Assistance
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1314
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
Telephone: 1-800-366-3475
Website: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/
E-mail: OSFA@fldoe.org

Or

Federal Student Aid Ombudsman
U.S. Department of Education
830 NE First Street, Fourth Floor
Washington, DC 20202-5144
Telephone: 1-877-557-2575
Fax: 202-275-0549

For additional information on the State Division of Florida Colleges' College Complaint Procedure Information, visit
http://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/about-us/complaints.stml

For information on NFC's internal complaint or grievance procedures related to Financial Aid, contact Financial Aid at 850-973-1621 or financialaid@nfc.edu.

Verification

The NFC Office of Financial Aid verifies all applicants selected by the US Department of Education. Additionally, the internal data management system has been coded to locally select applicants who report, when filing their FASFA, that they, or their parents, have zero income or that have not yet filed their Form 1040.

The verification process begins when the electronic ISIR is received. Again, the data management system has been coded to create a letter for all selected applicants. This letter is mailed on the same day that the ISIR is received, with a copy of the relevant ED produced verification worksheet. No disbursements are made until verification is complete.

Items which must be verified include: Household size, Number enrolled in college, Adjusted Gross Income, U.S. income tax paid, and Untaxed income and benefits. Additionally, the Office of Financial Aid may select verification of additional information.

Acceptable forms of verification include, but are not limited to:
Household Size: Signed Verification Worksheet or signed statement
Number Enrolled:Signed Verification Worksheet or signed statement
AGI & Taxes Paid:Tax Return, signed statement or institutional certification
Untaxed Income & Benefits:Signed statement or official agency documentation

FAXED forms are accepted, but must be signed by the student and parent (If applicable). Tax forms must be signed by at least one applicable tax filer or documented by stamp or signature of prepare AND the tax preparers SSN, Taxpayer ID, or Employer ID. No signature is necessary if the tax and income documentation comes directly to the school from the IRS.

Conflicting Information

In situations where the Office of Financial Aid has knowledge of information which appears to be inconsistent with that provided on the FASFA or verification worksheet, all possible effort will be made to investigate and correct errors.

Professional Judgment

The US Department of Education authorizes Financial Aid Administrators at individual schools to utilize the process of professional judgment to aid students in seeking and receiving Federal Title IV aid within their special circumstances. The following elements may be adjusted during this process: Cost of Attendance, Expected Family Contributions, Dependency status, and Loan Certification Requirements (N/A at NFC). Applicants wishing to apply for a professional judgment based on their circumstances must complete apply for such to the Office of Financial Aid. There is no deadline for this request, and aid will be adjusted based upon approved requests as long as the student is still enrolled for the academic year for which the adjustment is requested.

Valid reasons for requesting Professional Judgment may include, but are not limited to: Loss of job, one time income or assets listed on form 1040, but unavailable during academic year, excessive medical cost, natural disaster, illness or disability, change in marital status, excessive educational related cost, and elective loss of job by students in certain concentrated programs or with home situations not conducive to working while in school (i.e. single parents of young children). Dependency overrides may be granted for situations involving abuse, abandonment or estrangement, death of parent, or when a student is unaware of the location of their parents.

The following reasons are not valid for requesting a change from dependent to independent status: Parent’s refusal to contribute funds for education, Parent’s refusal to provide information needed to complete a FASFA or the verification process, Parents not claiming the student as a dependent for income tax purposes, and a demonstration of self-sufficiency by a student.

Return of Title IV Funds

The office of financial aid at NFC is committed to complying with the US Department of Education’s requirements regarding this process. The Office of Enrollment Services is requested to monitor withdrawals and to require from instructors a last date of attendance for input in the electronic data management system. They are further requested to informing the Office of Financial Aid when a student’s incremental withdrawal process constitutes a full withdrawal. Student requesting a full withdrawal will be required to complete a sign-off form for Enrollment Services, with a copy being given to the Office of Financial Aid. Within 30 days of knowledge of full withdrawals prior to the 60% point each term, the US Department of Education’s automated process will be utilized to calculate the repayment due, with that amount credited to the local fund as an integral part of the process.

Additionally, instructors are requested to input into the electronic data management system with final grades, a last date of attendance for all students who are not successful completing their course. An automated list is then requested by the Office of Financial Aid and the process as describe above is followed for all students who stopped attending prior to completing 60% of the term.

Overaward/Overpayment

When the Office of Financial Aid has knowledge of overpayments and/or overawards, repayment will be immediately be credited to the relevant internal Title IV fund the student will be invoiced.

Private Loans

It is the goal of the Office of Financial Aid at NFC to assist students in securing enough grant or scholarship aid to cover their cost of attendance without the use of loan funds. Because NFC does not participate in Federal and State loan programs, only private loans are available to students. A private loan is offered solely by a private lender such as a bank or credit union. Unlike Federal loans, a private loan comes with a variable interest rate that is not set by the federal government. Private loans can become expensive and should only be used as a last funding option.

To apply for a private loan, you will be required to have a credit check. Your credit rating may influence your interest rate, therefore it is beneficial, and sometimes necessary, to utilize a co-signer. Repayment typically begins six months after you leave school, although some private loans require repayment to begin sooner, possibly while the student is in school.

Private loans are certified by the school, which means that cost of attendance, enrollment status and other aid received. This process helps to determine how much a student can borrow.

The Office of Financial Aid will maintain a list of entities who will potentially make these loans available as an information item for students. In the case of student in receipt of Title IV aid, the loan amount will become an integral part of their package. However, when calculating need for private loans, the PELL Grant award will not be included.

Residency

Responsibility for establishing the residency of students is the responsibility of the Office of Enrollment Services. The Office of Financial Aid will accept the residency status as documented in the electronic data management system by that office.

High School Diploma - Responsibility for establishing the high school graduation status of students is the responsibility of the Office of Enrollment Services. The Office of Financial Aid will accept the graduation status as documented in the electronic data management system by that office. A hold has been created which will block disbursement of Title IV Funds until satisfactory status has been established.

Citizenship

This status is set by the US Department of Education during the FASFA approval/disapproval process. Student for whom this process does not verify citizenship will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid in writing. Status will be adjusted and awards made only after that student has produced adequate documentation of acceptable status.

Prior Year Payment

Students wishing to have delinquent fees from a prior year with current year Title IV Funds must make written request to the Office of Financial Aid. The amount of this prior year payment will be limited to $200.

Annual set-up of the Electronic Data Management System – It is necessary on an annual basis that current parameters, fund definition, and rules be ‘rolled’ from one academic year to the next. This is accomplished by the Director of Financial Aid utilizing the documentation as provided for that purpose by SunGard Banner. Should technical assistance be needed, the services of RTS Services, Inc. will be utilized, as they are under contract for professional database analyst services.

Financial Aid Awarding Process

Financial aid award priorities and need will be determined on an individual case by case basis at NFC within the parameters of each individual fund awarded. Students receiving Federal Title IV aid will be awarded within the limit as set by their Cost of Attendance, with the exception of private awards made through the NFC Foundation, Inc. Need will be assessed for students receiving private loans, however, the established Expected Family Contribution shall not be a factor. For non-Federal Title IV aid recipients, need shall not be a factor.

Academic Year

The definition of Academic Year utilized at NFC will be 24 credit hours and 30 week. A student is considered to have freshmen status until completion of 24 credit hours, at which time sophomore status is granted. Full time is defined as 12 or more credit hours, three-quarter time is defined as 9 through 11 credit hours, one-half time is defined as 6 through 8 hours, and less than half time is defined as less than 6 hours.

Year Round Pell

The Office of Financial Aid will begin granting year round PELL Grants to students enrolled in term 3A of the 2010-2011 academic year. PELL recipients who have been disbursed their annual award in its entirety by the end of the spring semester, and who have completed at least 24 credit hours, enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in one summer term, will be granted a second annual award, with the disbursement(s) based on enrollment status within each given summer term. For transfer students, the assumption method, which utilizes the awards and disbursements previously made to determine hours completed, will be used to determine eligibility for a second award.

Payment Plan

The Office of Financial Aid makes available to students a term based payment plan, approved by the District Board of Trustees. This payment plan is not considered a student loan and is not available for the shorter summer terms.

Students wishing to participate in this plan must complete paperwork in the Office of Financial Aid, documenting their intent to make full payment, the deadline for this payment in full, and their knowledge of the penalty for non-compliance. Students who default in this process will not be granted access to the payment plan in subsequent terms.

NSLDS - National Student Loan Data System

The Office of Financial Aid has access to the National Student Loan Data System through their internet based system. A secure logon id and password has been obtained for this purpose. This system is utilized for reporting over awards and overpayments, updating enrollment rosters as requested by the US Department of Education, and for obtaining data regarding student’s information as available. Examples include the status of repayment for previous loans, individual overpayments, and enrollment status for potential, current or previous students.

Student Drug Violations

Students will be warned regarding penalties for illegal drug violations while receiving Federal Title IV Aid through the NFC Student Handbook and by the US Department of Education during the FASFA application process. The NFC Office of Financial Aid will assist students in determining their individual status and timeline for regaining aid eligibility as requested by the student on a case by case basis.