Fall 2017 Financial Aid Guide

FINANCIAL AID

PER YEAR

$3,000

$7,500

$15,000

NWCC

Avg. 4-year MS University

Local Technical College

Although tuition at Northwest ranks among the lowest in Mississippi, scholarships, loans, grants and workstudy are available to qualified students through the college’s financial aid program.

This booklet is designed to make your application for financial aid an easy step. We will answer any questions you have, whether you are beginning the financial aid process or are a returning student. The major responsibility of the Northwest Financial Aid Office is to inform students of financial opportunities in order to meet post-secondary costs through a program of grants, loans, work-study and scholarships.

The secret to an easy financial aid application process is meeting deadlines and taking care of paperwork in a timely fashion. Waiting until Registration to apply will only cause you frustration and stress. File early and check for emails from the Financial Aid Office for what is needed to complete your financial aid process.

But if you ever need assistance with your FAFSA, have questions about the verification process, or have any other concern with Financial Aid, please feel free to come by our office and our counselors will be happy to assist you.

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Scholarships

Each scholarship applicant must have the following on file at Northwest: • • •

Application for Admission ACT score report High school transcript after graduation or High School Equivalency scores

• All previously attended college transcripts • Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA—complete online at www.fafsa.gov)

TRADITIONAL STUDENTS Presidential Scholarships These scholarships are awarded to students based on ACT. Recipients must be entering freshmen and must enroll in and maintain 15 semester hours as well as the required cumulative grade point average. These scholarships will be awarded in the amount of one fourth per semester. Awards will be made as long as funds are available.

Leadership Scholarships These scholarships are limited in number and are awarded to in-state students who exhibit leadership abilities, have special skills or talents, a specific ACT score, and/or have strong academic qualities. Recipients must be fall entering freshmen and must enroll in and maintain 15 semester hours as well as the required cumulative grade point average.

June S. Gardner Scholarships These scholarships are awarded to in-state high school valedictorians and salutatorians. Recipients must be fall entering freshmen and must enroll in and maintain 15 semester hours as well as the required cumulative grade point average. Awards will be made as long as funds are available.

NOTE: Presidential, Leadership and June S. Gardner scholarships do not cover the cost of books, so please plan accordingly.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1

NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS Adult Student Scholarships These scholarships are limited in number and awarded to Mississippi residents. Applicants must be 25 years of age and must enroll in and maintain 15 semester hours. Scholarship applications are reviewed by a committee and awarded based on financial need, credit hours previously earned and academic achievement.

Howard Carpenter High School Equivalency Scholarship These scholarships are awarded to the residents of the Northwest district who have scored 600 or above on the GED test or 75 or above on the HiSet. Awards are for entering freshmen. Recipients must enroll in and maintain 15 semester hours as well as the required grade point average of 2.0 during their enrollment. Application information must be completed prior to the start of a semester.

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DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Other scholarships are available through chosen programs/pathways and other departments such as Cheerleader, Athletic, Band, Art, Speech/Theatre, Music Performance, Student Publications, and Scholarships for Children of Employees. Refer to the latest Northwest Bulletin for a detailed list of these scholarships and their requirements.

Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and civic organizations, scholarships are available through the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation. You must submit a Foundation Scholarship Application Form, available from either the Recruiting or Foundation Office. Criteria vary by each scholarship. Look in the current Northwest Bulletin for more information, or contact the Foundation Office.

NOTE: Federal Financial Aid is awarded prior to any scholarship the student may earn.

www.northwestms.edu/academicscholarships | www.northwestms.edu/foundationscholarships

WWW.FAFSA.GOV

BEFORE YOU START • GET ORGANIZED! It is recommended that you have a folder to collect all of your college information in one place. You will need the following information for both student and parent: Social Security number, birthdate, email address, 2016 Federal tax forms (for 2018-19 FAFSA).

STEP ONE • Create an FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid online system and electronically sign the FAFSA. • If you are a dependent student (typically under 24 years of age), a parent must also create an FSA ID and electronically sign the FAFSA.

STEP TWO • Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov using the above information.

• It is strongly recommended that you utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool within the FAFSA to retrieve your income tax data directly from the IRS. If you do not utilize this tool, the Department of Education may require an official IRS transcript of your tax return which could delay processing of your financial aid by 2-4 weeks. Incomplete or inaccurate information creates delays in processing your financial aid.

STEP THREE • Create a Verification Account.

• Since the U.S. Department of Education randomly selects FAFSAs for a mandatory review process called “Verification,” you must create an online Verification Account at Northwest Mississippi Community College: go to www.northwestms.edu/financialaid and then click on 6, Verification. *If your file is flagged for verification by the government please provide the requested documents ASAP to avoid any delays in receiving your award. Check for emails from the Financial Aid Office for what is needed to complete the financial aid process.

DON’T FORGET! • List NWCC school code: 002427 • Answer all questions; don’t leave anything blank!

• File your FAFSA as soon as possible. YOU MUST FILE THE FAFSA EVERY YEAR!

FAFSA What do I need?

• • • •

Copy of your 2016 Federal 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. Copy of your parents’ 2016 Federal 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. Your W2 forms.

Your parents’ W2 forms.

What is a dependent student?

• If you are under the age of 24, unmarried and do not have a child that you are actively supporting, you are typically considered “dependent.”

• If you believe you have extenuating circumstances that would warrant a review of this, you can visit the Financial Aid Office to discuss your situation.

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NWCC CHECKLIST Apply for admission to Northwest Before you can be awarded Financial Aid, you must complete the admissions process and be accepted to Northwest.

Apply for the FAFSA Apply online using the steps on the previous page. Be sure to electronically sign with your FSA ID or the form will not be sent to the schools you want. Northwest’s school code is 002427.

Waiting Period Your Student Aid Report, or SAR, will be sent to the school and to you within 2-3 weeks. If you haven’t received your SAR in six weeks, contact Federal Student Aid at 1-800-433-3243 to check the status of your application.

Respond immediately to the Financial Aid Office & Student Verification Respond to emails from Northwest’s awarding Financial Aid Counselor and complete requested tasks in Student Verification to help speed up the awarding process. In your myNWCC portal on the Northwest website, choose the Financial Aid Requirements option under Financial Information. If the Financial Aid Office needs more information, respond immediately to avoid delays in receiving your Financial Aid. It is your responsibility to check your myNWCC. You will not be notified by mail.

Determine if your file is complete In your myNWCC portal, choose the Financial Aid Status option under Financial Information to check your status. Your Application Status will indicate your current status in the Financial Aid Office. Once you have been awarded, the Awards block under Financial Aid Status will show your financial aid award. You will not receive an award letter.

Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) You must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward your degree objective. Your class attendance and performance will be monitored.

WWW.FAFSA.GOV

The work-study program provides on-campus jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses.

Positions are available in many locations on campus.

You must complete the FAFSA and indicate that you are interested in work-study to be considered.

Unfortunately, you cannot work as many hours as you want. The amount of money you earn cannot exceed your total work-study award, which ranges from 30-40 hours per month. If a student has remaining eligibility, work-study will be awarded.

Wages are $7.25 an hour. You will be paid by the school once a month. It is your responsibility to pick up your check from the Business Office or endorse it to the school to credit to your account.

For more information, such as how to apply and what jobs are available, visit the Northwest website under Apply, then Financial Aid, then click on Work-Study where you will find at the bottom of the page the application if you are interested.

HELPFUL WEBSITES NWCC Work-Study: www.northwestms.edu/workstudy Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID): www.fsaid.ed.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.gov Pre-Application Worksheet for the FAFSA: www.studentaid.gov State Grants (MTAG, MESG): www.riseupms.com

WHAT TYPES OF LOANS ARE AVAILABLE? William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loans are a major form of self-help aid. These funds are to be used for education purposes, which include tuition, books, supplies, room, board, and transportation. Unlike scholarships and grants, these funds do have to be paid back. There are several repayment schedules, but most begin six months after graduation or withdrawal from school or when the student becomes less than half-time, falling below six credit hours. Interest rates also vary and are set annually by the federal government.

WILLIAM D. FORD DIRECT STUDENT LOANS-SUBSIDIZED LOAN Loans through the U.S. Department of Education are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Borrowing limits vary according to classification and dependency status. The federal government pays the interest for the student until repayment begins. The current interest rate (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018) is fixed at 4.45 percent.

WILLIAM D. FORD DIRECT STUDENT LOANS-UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN Loans through the U.S. Department of Education are available to students without regard to financial need.

Borrowing limits vary according to classification and dependency status. Annual eligibility is limited to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid the student receives. Even though repayment does not begin immediately, the student is responsible for interest charges that begin to accrue immediately. The current interest rate (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018) is fixed at 4.45 percent.

DIRECT PARENT LOAN (PLUS) Parent loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay the education expenses of their dependent undergraduate children. Annual eligibility is limited to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid the student receives. Financial need is not a requirement for this program. Repayment and accrual of interest begins immediately. Students must file the FAFSA to establish eligibility for the loan.

The current interest rate (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018) is fixed at 7 percent.

Grants are federal aid that, unlike loans, do not have to be paid back as long as you are enrolled more than 60 percent of the semester. They are given based on financial need determined by questions you answer on the FAFSA. Below are listed some of the types of grants you can receive while attending Northwest.

Pell Grant This grant is available to any student working on his or her first undergraduate degree. Amount awarded is determined by information provided on the FAFSA and is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of hours the student is enrolled. The maximum award for the 2018-2019 school year is $5,920.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) FSEOG is awarded to the student with exceptional financial need or the lowest EFC. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. There is no application for this grant. Grant size varies, but it typically ranges from $400-$800 per year.

For more information Visit www.northwestms.edu/financialaid

WHAT TYPES OF BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS? There are a few grants specifically for residents of Mississippi. These are grants awarded by the state and do not have to be paid back. It’s a good idea to apply well in advance of the listed deadline. The requirements listed should not be considered as the only requirements for participation in these programs. All dates are subject to change.

Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG): Sept. 15 deadline • Freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior • Resident of Mississippi • Enrolled in and successfully complete 15 hours • Attend an eligible Mississippi college or university • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and ACT of 15 or SAT of 720 • This grant covers up to $500 per year for freshmen and sophomores.

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG): Sept. 15 deadline • Resident of Mississippi • Achieved a GPA of 3.5 after a minimum of seven semesters in high school • Scored 29 on the ACT or 1280 on the SAT, or is a National Merit/Achievement Scholar • Enrolled in and successfully complete 15 hours at an eligible Mississippi college or university • This grant covers up to $2,500 per year.

Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP): March 31 deadline • Freshman or sophomore who graduated from high school within the immediate past two years • Resident of Mississippi • Demonstrates need as determined by the results of the FAFSA • Documents an average family adjusted gross income of $39,500 or less over the prior two years • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a 20 ACT score • Meets a specific high school core curriculum • Enrolled full time (enrolled in and successfully complete 15 hours) • HELP covers tuition and requirements for no more than 10 semesters.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES MTAG ........... Sept. 15 MESG............ Sept. 15 HELP ......... March 31 For more information, contact the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid at 601-432-6997 or 800-327-2980.

FINANCIAL

AID

Timeline

SEPTEMBER Apply for admission for the upcoming school year. If you have taken the ACT, send your scores along with your application for admission to the Office of Admissions and Records. If you have not, prepare for and take the ACT this fall. Look into what NWCC scholarships you are eligible for, as well as search online for scholarships from outside sources.

OCTOBER October 1 is the first day to apply for the FAFSA online. Do not sign or submit the form before this date! Gather all of the forms necessary to complete the FAFSA form. If you are a Mississippi resident, October 1 is also the first date to apply for MTAG and MESG. Also, take this time to get a head start on applying for scholarships and grants, with deadlines coming in early spring.

MARCH The time of deadlines has arrived! If you are a Mississippi resident, apply for the HELP grant by March 31.

Deadlines for scholarships and early deadlines for FAFSA submission are coming up in April, so complete application forms and start submitting!

APRIL April 1 - Academic & Foundation Scholarship application submission deadline

MAY Make sure that the Office of Admissions and Records has all necessary documents such as your application for admission, official transcripts with final grades from your high school and all colleges/ universities attended. Check the progress of your financial aid on your myNWCC portal.

JULY Attend a Summer Orientation session to complete any necessary forms, attend information sessions, finalize financial aid, meet with your adviser, register for classes, and take care of any other necessities for the upcoming school year. While attending Orientation, determine if you need to apply for work-study or student loans. Also, check the status of your financial aid.

SEPTEMBER September 15 of your fall semester of college is the deadline to apply for MTAG and MESG.

SO HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? With all this talk of aid to help pay for college, you are probably wondering how much it will actually cost. Fortunately, we’ve created a table of the average cost of attending Northwest Mississippi Community College for a semester. Costs and fees vary from student to student, so be sure to check with the current Northwest Bulletin for the most up-to-date information. When planning for college, be sure to include costs such as travel, food outside the meal plan and other personal expenses.

Expenses

In-State

Out-of-State

Tuition (Full-time per semester)

$1,500

$2,700

Housing & Meal Plan

$1,400

$1,400

$700

$700

Books & Supplies

Total

$3,600

$4,800

*This is only an estimate of an average semester. Costs are subject to change. In addition to these costs, many classes require specific fees. Be sure to check the Bulletin for exact prices. Some courses may require a mandatory eBook fee payable at the time of registration. Fee amounts will vary depending on the cost of each book.

CONTACTS FINANCIAL AID OFFICE First Floor, Yalobusha Hall (Senatobia Campus) 662.562.3271 Suite 233 (DeSoto Center) 662.996.1939 Suite 114 (Oxford Center) 662.238.7944

Foundation Office (Foundation Scholarships) srcanon@northwestms.edu 662.560.1103

Recruiting Office (Academic Scholarships) recruiting@northwestms.edu 662.562.3222

Office of Admissions and Records P.O. Box 7047 4975 Hwy. 51 N. Senatobia, MS 38668 662.562.3219 or 662.562.3220

Main NWCC Telephone Number 662.562.3200

School Code: 002427 Annual Security Report: www.northwestms.edu/safety

Affirmative Action: www.northwestms.edu/affirmativeaction

Accreditation: www.northwestms.edu/accreditation