Financial Aid Consumer Information for Students

Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida

Miami Dade College provides the following information to students, prospective students and their families, to better inform them of the College's services, facilities, and other academically and financial related services available to those who enroll and qualify for Federal Financial Assistance. The College encourages all students who wish to be considered for Financial Assistance to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students eligible to participate in the Federal Student Assistance programs should be aware of the College's and Federal Financial Aid policies, procedures, and other requirements for eligibility and participation.

Consumer Information from the U.S. Department of Education:

Many of the specific eligibility requirements to gain and retain Federal Aid eligibility is found in the publications provided by the U.S. Department of Education, and on their websites at:

www.students.gov

www.studentaid.gov

www.ed.gov

http://studentaid.ed.gov/studentspublications/FYE

Additionally, the College makes many of these booklets, brochures, pamphlets, applications and other consumer information available at the Campus Financial Aid Offices.

Student Right-to-Know Disclosures:

In accordance with the Student-Right-to Know Act, the College provides the following information for its students:

• Students completion and graduation rates- www.MDC.edu website
• Students transfer-out rates- www.MDC.edu website
• Student athletes graduation rates- www.MDC.edu website
• Campus Security Reports (annual)- mailed to students, available at the Campus Security Offices and posted on the College's websites
• Drug and alcohol prevention information pursuant to Public Law 101-226-mailed to students annually and posted on the College's Website
• Student's rights under FERPA-mailed to students annually, available at the Campus Admissions Offices, and available on the MDC website

Financial Aid Information - General:

The following information is provided to students to provide them with a general overview of the Student Financial Assistance available at Miami Dade College .

The College participates in the U.S. Department of Education's Title IV Federal Student Assistance Programs. In addition, the College participates in the State of Florida Scholarship and Grant Programs. Further, the College provides Foundation and Institutional grants and scholarships to students who qualify, which includes:

• Pell Grants-Need Based Entitlement
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant-Need Based
• Federal Work-study-Need Based
• FFEL (Federal Loans)- Need and Non-Need Based
• State Scholarships
• State Grants-Need Based
• Foundation Scholarships
• Institutional Scholarships and Grants-Need and Non-Need Based
• Other Work Programs and Waivers

Students interested in any financial assistance at the College should complete the FAFSA by March 15 each year (for priority consideration), and provide the College with all requested supplemental documentation within two weeks upon request. Eligibility for Financial Assistance varies, based on the type of aid provided. The Federal and State Financial assistance eligibility requirements are regulated by these respective entities, with specifics found on their websites. The requirements and regulations for Federal Financial Aid can be found on the websites shown above under “Consumer Information”. Eligibility requirements to participate in the State of Florida Scholarships can be found at http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/osfahomepg.htm .

The College distributes Financial Assistance to students based on a combination of factors, which may include, (1) student eligibility, (2) availability of funds, (3) not in excess of the student's calculated need, (4) to students in the eligible pool at the time the awarding process begins and (5) to students meeting Academic Progress. Pell Grants (entitlements) and Federal Loans will be awarded on the basis of eligibility, and meeting other Institutional requirements, including the student meeting Academic Progress. See the Campus Financial Aid Office for additional details.

Students have the right to appeal the College's decision to withhold Federal Funds. The student may secure an appeal form from the Campus Financial Aid Office, complete the form, provide supporting documentation, and return to the Financial Aid Office for review by the Campus Financial Aid Appeal Committee. See the Campus Financial Aid Office for additional details.

Financial Aid will be disbursed to students, at the beginning of the term, within two weeks after the published “last date to register or make schedule changes for the term”. Thereafter, the College disburses on a weekly bases, except during periods on non-enrollment, and recess periods. See the Campus Financial Aid Office for additional details.

Students participating in Student Employment must qualify through eligibility to participate in Title IV, Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs. Additionally, as funds remain available, students are required to participate in orientation sessions conducted by the College, is accepted by an approved worksite, is enrolled at least one-half time, meets satisfactory academic progress, and reports timely and performs required duties as assigned. See the Campus Federal Work Study Coordinator for additional details.

Students interested in applying for Federal Loans are required to complete a Loan Acceptance Form at the Campus Financial Aid Office. The student will be required to attend a Loan Entrance Conference session prior to the Loan being processed. Students may apply for loans throughout the year, with the following exceptions: (1) Applications will not be accepted earlier than two months prior to the first day of class for an academic year, nor (2) later than four weeks prior to the end of the academic year. At the Loan Entrance Counseling, the student will be advised of the financial obligation they are making, and that the loan must be repaid, when, the interest rate, and other options they have regarding repayment, deferments, and consequences of defaulted loans. Students who discontinue enrollment for more than six months, or drop below one-half time enrollment status are required to attend a Loan Exit Conference. This conference is designed to assist the student in understanding the consequences of being out of a deferred status, and that repayment will ensue, unless the student return to a deferred status (enrolled at least one-half time in a eligible program). Both the Entrance and Exit Conferences are documented in writing, and requires the student's signature (when available). Further, students may obtain deferments for serving in (a) the Peace Corp, (b) under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act, and (c) as a volunteer for a tax exempt organization of demonstrated effectiveness in the field of community service. Additional information can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website, and at the Campus Financial Aid Office.

Students receiving Title IV, Federal Student Financial Assistance Program funds are required to meet and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. The College's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is in the College's Catalogue, posted on the Miami Dade College Website, and can be reviewed in the Campus Financial Aid Office. Generally, students must complete approximately 67% of the credits attempted, reach a cumulative GPA of 2:00 by the end of the second academic year of study, and not exceed 150% of attempted credits required for the program of study pursued by the student. Students not meeting these requirements will eventually become ineligible for Federal Financial Aid. Students may appeal to regain Federal Aid eligibility by completing a SOAP Appeal form, and providing relevant documentation in support of their appeal. Additionally, students who regain acceptable Academic Standings may also regain Federal Aid eligibility. Please see your Campus Financial Aid Office for additional information on this matter.

Students may be eligible to receive Title IV Financial Assistance for participating in a school sponsored Study Abroad program. Please see your Campus Financial Aid Office for more details.

Return of Title IV Funds.

The Title IV Federal Student Financial Assistance Programs requires the College to Return Federal Funds for students who fail to earn the full amount disbursed, due to early and complete withdrawal, or when students fail to attend classes for which they register. When either of these situations occurs, the College is required to perform calculations to determine the amount of funds earned by the student, and the amount to be returned to the Department of Education, or to the Lender. Once the calculations are made, the College returns a portion of the unearned funds it received on behalf of the student, and also returns the student's portion as well. The order of Title IV Funds returned, calculated by the College is as follows:

•  Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans

•  Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans

•  Perkins Loans

•  Federal PLUS Loans

•  Federal Pell Grants for which a Return of Funds is required

•  Federal SEOE for which a Return of funds is required

The College will notify the student when a Return is performed, and depending on the amount being returned, the student may be billed for any outstanding obligations created by the student for failing to earn Title IV Funds, for which Federal Funds were disbursed. Additional information regarding the Return of Title IV Funds process should be addressed with the Campus Financial Aid Office. The specific amounts calculated for return, under this procedure, should be addressed with the Office of Student Financial Services.

General Information about Miami Dade College :

General Information about the School is available on the College's Website. Additionally, information about the College will be made available to students, upon request, at or will be facilitated by the Office of the Dean of Students on each campus. Institutional information available to students includes, but is not limited to, the following:

•  Accrediting bodies, agencies, and associations the College is affiliated – DOS office

•  Information regarding special facilities available to disabled students – DOS office

•  Cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, books, and other educational costs – Bursar office

•  Degree programs, training, and other educational related programs – Registrar and Academic Advisement offices

•  The availability of the GED program for admissions purposes – DOS office

•  Availability of instructional, labs, and other academically related facilities- Academic Dean office

•  List of faculty and other instructional personnel - Academic Dean office

•  Contact information for financial assistance, and for general information- DOS office

•  Student refund policy – DOS office

•  Requirements and procedures to officially withdraw from the College- Registrar office

For more details regarding the College, its mission, academic programs, and services, please visit the MDC website. Further, the Office of the Dean of Students, on each campus, can also assist you in obtaining the requested information.