Contact NFC
Office of Financial Aid
(850) 973-1621
(850) 973-9468
financialaid@nfc.edu
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
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 Parents | All 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 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
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
- 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).
- Standards of academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester.
- 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 hours | 8 semesters |
¾ time (9-11 load hours) | 6 hours | 12 semesters |
½ time (6-8 load hours) | 4 hours | 16 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.
- 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.
- Successful completion means receiving grades of A, B, C, D or S. Grades of F, N, W or I are not successful completions.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
Bright Futures Program
The Bright Futures Scholarship provides four scholarship awards to students:
- Academic Scholars Award
- Top Scholars Award
- Medallion Scholars Award
- Gold Seal Vocational Award
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
WIA (Workforce Investment Act)
Work-Study - Federal College Work-Study Program (FCWSP)
Scholarships
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
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
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
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
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 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
Professional Judgment
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
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
Private Loans
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
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
Prior Year Payment
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
Academic Year
Year Round Pell
Payment Plan
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.