Financial Aid
Financial Aid Policy
Students and their families have the primary responsibility for financing their higher education. Students who need additional resources to pay the costs associated with their attendance at Pensacola State College should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Filing a FAFSA annually is the first step in determining student eligibility for federal, state, institutional aid, and part-time work study employment. Pensacola State College’s school code required on the FAFSA is 001513.
General Eligibility Requirements
All financial aid is dependent upon the availability of federal, state, local, and institutional resources. To be eligible for financial aid, a student must
1. Be accepted as a Pensacola State College degree-seeking student enrolled in required developmental level courses, or enrolled in required degree courses and elective courses that are used toward their baccalaureate or associate degree program;
2. Be accepted as a Pensacola State College certificate-seeking student in an eligible college credit certificate program, career certificate (vocational certificate) program, or other eligible program of study, taking required courses;
3. Be making satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes (FASAP);
4. Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or an eligible noncitizen;
5. Enroll at least half time (six credit hours) for most aid programs;
6. Not be in default on a prior student loan;
7. Not owe a repayment or overpayment of a federal grant;
8. Not have an existing financial obligation to Pensacola State College;
9. Have a standard high school diploma from a valid high school, GED (General Education Development) certificate, or other approved high school equivalent;
10. If a college transfer student, an official transcript from each previously attended institution should be submitted to and evaluated by the Pensacola State College Office of the Registrar; and
11. Complete verification and submit any other required documents.
General Financial Aid Policies
Financial Aid Application Process
Students begin the financial aid process by applying for admission to Pensacola State College, declaring a major or program of study and, when necessary, completing placement testing, orientation, and academic advising. Students must submit all official final transcripts directly to the Pensacola State College Office of the Registrar for review and evaluation, to include the final high school transcript, official GED scores, or scores from another approved high school equivalent, plus all prior college and technical school transcripts.
Transcript evaluation will assist students to determine all necessary courses needed to complete their program of study at Pensacola State College. Federal and State financial aid is awarded to students for the credits required to complete their degree or certificate.
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA is available annually on October 1 for each new award year with the exception of the award year 2024-2025. The FAFSA will be available in December 2023. Students apply electronically using their FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID and receive email notification of processing within five (5) to seven (7) days. Parents must apply for and receive a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to use to input their information and sign the student's FAFSA. A student must input Pensacola State College’s school code 001513 on their FAFSA in order for the College to receive their Student Aid Report.
FAFSA online processing allows the student or parent to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to ensure accuracy of data. Changes to the uploaded IRS data could result in the student being selected by the federal processor for school verification. Contact the Financial Aid, Veteran Services, and Scholarships office for assistance if you are unsure as to whether or not you or your family can successfully complete the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
The initial letter the student receives from the federal processor of the FAFSA, the Student Aid Report (SAR), is a confirmation that the student submitted the FAFSA, not an award of funds. The listed aid in the letter is general information concerning all potential federal aid and federal loans available through the FAFSA process. The student’s actual eligibility for aid is not determined until the student’s enrollment, program of study, and academic progress are evaluated by the College. In some cases, the federal processor selects a student's data for verification by the College and additional documents and forms are then requested from the student, the parents and/or spouses as needed. Only students whose FAFSA information has been determined to be accurate will be awarded federal and state aid. Changes to the FAFSA will be completed by the Financial Aid Staff if corrections are necessary.
Determination of Financial Need
Financial need is the basis for awarding federal and most state aid. Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is calculated based on the answers provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Types of Financial Aid
Federal Grants and Loans
Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
PELL Grants are available to undergraduate students only. Students with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible, including a foreign bachelor’s degree. Each year Congress establishes the maximum PELL Grant award based on a student's enrollment level and Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The following chart shows how PELL Grant awards are adjusted based on enrollment:
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Number of Credit Hours
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Enrollment Level
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Percentage of Award
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6 to 8
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Half-time
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50%
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9 to 11
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Three-quarter-time
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75%
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12 or more
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Full-time
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100%
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Some students may be eligible to receive a PELL grant for enrollment in fewer than six credit hours. Aid recipients receive tentative award letters after eligibility has been determined for a particular award year via Workday dashboard.
Lifetime Eligibility Used
The amount of Federal PELL Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by federal law. The limit is the equivalent of six (6) years of PELL Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of PELL Grant funding students may receive each year is equal to 100%, a six-year equivalent is 600%; less than full time enrollment will result in a longer period of eligibility. There is no appeal for this federal limit. Current students and those who have previously attended college may view their personal PELL and federal loan information at www.studentaid.ed.gov by using their FSA ID (previously the Personal Identification Number PIN).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a federal grant for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Since these funds are limited, only Pensacola State College PELL Grant recipients with a zero EFC will be awarded FSEOG funds. The award amount will vary per academic year based on federal funding levels.
To be eligible, a student must be seeking a Title IV eligible undergraduate degree or certificate, have not previously received a baccalaureate degree, and enroll in at least six credit hours per term in the student's primary program of study. Due to limited availability of FSEOG funds, not all students who meet eligibility and renewal requirements will be awarded. To remain eligible, the student must not drop, withdraw, or stop attending their courses, as these actions may require the student to repay all or a portion of the grant.
Federal Student Loans
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (FDLP)
Students who have exhausted all other resources may request a federal student loan through their Workday account by Creating a Request for Direct Loan. Direct Loans are limited to educational expenses and are either subsidized and/or unsubsidized. Additional student eligibility criteria apply. The student must accurately complete all required steps prior to the awarding of a loan. Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online and complete verification if selected as their first step. Once the loan request is processed by the Financial Aid Office, an action item will be assigned if the student needs to complete the Entrance Loan Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov. As part of the college default prevention program, a student must complete both steps for a Direct Loan. Enrollment in at least six credits in required courses for the student’s primary program of study at the College is required.
Direct loan disbursements are subject to a 30-day delay prior to disbursement for the first-time borrowers.
Note: On a case-by-case basis, the school may refuse to certify a loan or certify a loan for an amount less than the student requests. All students including transfer students are required to have a cumulative completion rate of 67% and a grade point average based on the number of attempted credits in the Required Standards chart in this College Catalog to apply for a Direct Loan. As part of default prevention, loan limits apply and are based on the level of earned credits in the student's program of study at this College and the total amount of funds previously borrowed. Loans are funds that must be repaid.
Parent PLUS Direct Loans
This is a loan program which enables credit worthy parents to borrow money for their dependent student's educational costs directly associated with their student’s education at Pensacola State College. The dependent must be degree-seeking and enrolled in a minimum of six credits in courses required for the primary degree program. PLUS loans are limited in amount to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received by the student. The USDOE requires the student to complete the FAFSA and any required verification processes before the school may process a PLUS loan. Parents who are denied a Direct Loan after their credit has been checked by the USDOE may appeal directly to the USDOE and/or may request to have credit worthy endorsers added to the loan.
State Grants
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
FSAG is a State of Florida need-based grant program awarded for Fall and Spring terms to a Florida resident student who is working on an undergraduate degree. A student must submit an error-free FAFSA and have an expected family contribution (EFC) of o-9984 as determined by the Department of Education, be enrolled in an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or Bachelor of Applied Science degree program, have not previously received a baccalaureate degree, be enrolled in a minimum of six credits in the declared program of study each term, have remaining need, maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP), satisfy the annual award renewal requirements, and meet other eligibility criterion as established by the State of Florida. Students who have attempted and completed more than 110% of their degree program requirements are not eligible for FSAG funds. Due to limited availability of FSAG funds, not all students who meet eligibility and renewal requirements will be awarded. To remain eligible, the student must not drop, withdraw, or stop attending courses, as these actions may require the student to repay all or a portion of the grant.
Florida Student Assistance Grant – Certificate Education (FSAG-CE)
FSAG-CE is a State of Florida need-based grant program awarded for Fall and Spring terms to a Florida resident student who is working on a workforce certificate. A student must submit an error-free FAFSA and have an expected family contribution (EFC) of o-9984 as determined by the Department of Education, have not previously received a baccalaureate degree, be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours or the equivalent clock hours in the certificated program of study each term, have remaining need, maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP), satisfy the annual award renewal requirements, and meet other eligibility criterion as established by the State of Florida. Students who have attempted and completed more than 110% of their degree program requirements are not eligible for FSAG-CE funds. Due to limited availability of FSAG-CE funds, not all students who meet eligibility and renewal requirements will be awarded. To remain eligible, the student must not drop, withdraw, or stop attending courses, as these actions may require repaying all or a portion of the grant.
Florida First Generation Grant (FGMG)
FGMG is a State of Florida need-based grant program for the Fall and Spring terms for an undergraduate student whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree or higher. A student must submit an error-free FAFSA and have a PELL-eligible expected family contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA, have remaining need, be enrolled in an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or Bachelor of Applied Science degree program, not previously received a baccalaureate degree, be enrolled in a minimum of six credits in the declared program of study each term, satisfy the annual award renewal requirements, and meet other eligibility criterion as established by the State of Florida. Students who have attempted and completed more than 110% of their degree program requirements are not eligible for FGMG funds. Due to limited availability of FGMG funds, not all students who meet eligibility and renewal requirements will be awarded. To remain eligible, the student must not drop, withdraw, or stop attending courses, as these actions may require repaying all or a portion of the grant.
Florida Bright Futures (FBF)
To access a Florida Bright Futures award, the student must apply for the scholarship by submitting the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31 after high school graduation. The State of Florida Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) will process the application only at www.floridastudentfinancialaids.org.
The Pensacola State College Financial Aid, Veterans Services, and Scholarships Office automatically awards this merit aid each term to eligible students enrolled in a minimum of six credits in their declared program of study at the College and identified by the State of Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to select the College where they wish to receive their award.
Bright Futures scholarships do not pay 100% of tuition and related expenses at any college. The award amount per credit hour is determined annually by the State of Florida Legislature and is published on the OSFA website. The State of Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance (OFSA) notifies the student of the per credit hour amount in an email message to the address the student provides on the application.
A student who withdraws or is withdrawn from courses after the end of the schedule adjustment period will be billed by the College for those hours and will be unable to register for any future term until the debt to the College is paid. All cost of collection, including reasonable attorney fees, will be the responsibility of the student.
Repayment to Pensacola State College for the cost of withdrawn course(s) is required to renew the Bright Futures scholarship for the subsequent academic year. Renewal and reinstatement details and changes are listed on the Bright Future website at Florida Student Scholarship and Grant Programs.
Scholarships
The Pensacola State College Scholarship Program recognizes both academic performance and financial need when awarding scholarships. Many criteria are used to select scholarship recipients. Among these criteria are grade point average, leadership qualities, contributions to school or community, visual and performing arts achievement, athletic ability, and other academic activities. This information is provided by new students during the application process and updated by returning students who apply on their annual application. See the Scholarship Application Form section.
The Florida Legislature requires all students receiving a need-based scholarship to also have their financial need assessed by a nationally recognized needs analysis. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the approved needs determination process in Florida. The FAFSA is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov. Students must submit an error-free FAFSA application and complete verification, if selected. The student must input Pensacola State College's school code 001513 as one of the college choices on the FAFSA. (See Financial Aid.) For detailed information regarding eligibility, selection criteria, and application procedures, refer to the link on the College website.
Online Scholarship Application
To be considered for scholarships, students must
1. Complete a Pensacola State College application for admission;
2. Submit a completed online Pensacola State College scholarship application or by use the Workday App (Scholarship Application Log In) each academic year, by the deadlines listed on the webpage at Financial Aid & Student Financial Services; and
3. Check PirateMail regularly for information related to scholarship awarding.
Additional Information
For additional information about scholarship availability, specific eligibility requirements, or transfer scholarships, contact the Financial Aid, Veteran Services, Scholarships Office at (850) 484-1680 or review the information on the Financial Aid, Veteran Services, and Scholarships webpage at Financial Aid & Student Financial Services.
Student Employment
Federal Work Study (FWS)
FWS awards are made to eligible students that indicate on their FAFSA or contact the Office of Financial Aid that they desire employment from this program. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed error-free by the student, though they do not have to be eligible for the PELL Grant to receive FWS. Awards are based on the date the financial aid file is completed and on available positions. Eligible students are paid the current Florida minimum wage rate. Students are scheduled to work up to twenty-five hours (25) per week based on the average award. Students must enroll for a minimum of six (6) credits, all of which must be required for their primary degree program, and demonstrate financial need. Students must maintain a 2.0 program grade point average with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Priority is given to returning FWS students who remain eligible. If you are in the FWS program and drop below six credit hours of enrollment, your employment is immediately terminated.
Florida Work Experience Program (FWEP)
FWEP is a need-based State of Florida program providing Florida resident eligible students work experiences to complement and reinforce their education and career goals. Eligible students are paid the current Florida minimum wage rate. Students selected are scheduled to work up to twenty-five (25) hours per week based on the average award. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed error-free by the student, though the student does not have to be eligible for the PELL Grant. Awards are based on the date the financial aid file is completed and on available positions. Students must enroll for a minimum of six (6) credits, all of which must be required for the primary degree program, and demonstrate financial need. Eligible students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and not previously received a baccalaureate degree. Renewal eligibility is determined at the end of the award year by the Florida State Office of Student Financial Assistance and the College. The State of Florida limits the allocation of FWEP funding for each college. If you are in the FWEP program and drop below six (6) credit hours of enrollment, your employment is immediately terminated.
Financial Aid Awards
Financial aid recipients can view their awards offered in Workday (click on Finances, Financial Aid information on the right side of the screen). All financial aid awards are based on information provided by the students, availability of funds, and eligibility requirements for the sources of aid. Any award may be revised based on changes in enrollment, changes resulting from verification, cost of attendance, family contribution, or failure to meet satisfactory academic progress. Withdrawals, changes in enrollment, or changes in remaining need may affect current awards and any future awards.
Regulatory Changes
Federal regulations and procedures for financial aid change frequently. All financial aid information is subject to change without prior notice. If a student has questions regarding the ramifications of a change in eligibility or enrollment status, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (850) 484-1680.
Federal Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (FASAP) And Required Standards
College Credit Hour Programs
Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.34 requires Pensacola State College to establish and apply reasonable standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for the purpose of administration of financial assistance under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The programs subject to this rule include, but are not limited to Federal PELL Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Loans, and some State and Institutional aid. Failure to meet the requirements listed below will result in the suspension of financial aid eligibility. This policy is separate and independent from the Academic SAP policy at this College.
FASAP is program specific and is evaluated at the end of each term. Students must meet ALL of the following minimum standards:
Pensacola State College uses the student's program specific grade point average (GPA) to measure qualitative progress. Developmental Education hours are included in this measure. A student must maintain a grade point average dependent upon the total number of hours attempted for their program as indicated below:
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Total Credit Hours Attempted
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Required Minimum Cumulative GPA
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1 to 14
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1.50
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15 to 29
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1.75
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30 or more
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2.00
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AND
Pensacola State College is required to establish and evaluate the maximum time frame in which students must complete their educational programs and the pace of completion that ensures completion of the programs within that time frame. Pensacola State College requires that all financial aid recipients successfully complete a cumulative minimum of 67% of the credit hours attempted (total hours earned divided by total hours attempted). Financial aid recipients must also complete their program within 150% of the credits required to do so. Developmental Education hours are excluded for these calculations. For example, an associate degree of 60 credit hours must be completed within 90 credit hours.
Credits Used
The Office of the Registrar reviews and evaluates submitted postsecondary transcripts from a student’s prior colleges. All successfully completed and accepted transfer courses and courses taken at Pensacola State College that meet or could have met the student’s declared program of study requirements will be included in the calculation for cumulative primary program GPA, completion rate, and maximum timeframe measurements. If a transcript is provided and evaluated after financial aid is awarded, those credits will be included in the next SAP evaluation at the end of the current term after grades posts.
Course Incompletes/Withdrawals
Successful completion of coursework is defined at Pensacola State College as earning a grade of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D or P. When an incomplete grade is confirmed, it is factored in the next FASAP evaluation for cumulative primary program GPA, completion rate, and maximum timeframe of the student’s primary program of study. The College will not retroactively change the student's FASAP status when the grade of "I" becomes a final grade since, at the time of the FASAP evaluation, the grade of "I" was a valid grade.
Course Repetitions
Under HEA regulations, a Title IV recipient is permitted to repeat a course in which a failing grade was previously earned without limit, except as imposed by the FASAP standards. Once a student has earned a grade of A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D or P, one repeat of the course is permitted to be counted toward calculating Title IV aid eligibility enrollment for the term. All subsequent attempts of that course are ineligible for Title IV funding. Completion Rate and Maximum Timeframe: If a course that is applicable to the student’s primary program of study or certificate program of study is repeated, each attempt is included in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations. However, developmental education coursework is not included in the completion rate and maximum time frame calculations measurements; it is included in the cumulative GPA calculation. Note: Only the most recent grade earned is used in the cumulative primary program GPA calculation.
Financial Aid Warning Term
Students must meet all of the FASAP required standards to be considered in passing status of FASAP. Students who are found to not be in passing status of Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic standing at the end of any term are automatically placed on warning for their subsequent term of enrollment, except when the student reaches or exceeds the 150% maximum time frame allowed for his or her program or the student’s PELL Grant disbursements meet the lifetime eligibility limit (600% of a full time PELL Grant award). Students who are enrolled during the financial aid warning term may receive Title IV aid as long as they are otherwise eligible. Students are notified via Workday notifications of the warning status after grades have posted.
During the warning term, the student must successfully work to regain FASAP by meeting the required completion rate standard (67%) and the graduated grade point average required for the number of credits attempted (see chart). If the student does not meet the required standards during the term of warning, he or she will no longer be eligible for Title IV aid.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students who do not regain passing status in FASAP after a term of warning will have Title IV aid suspended because they are no longer eligible. Students who reach or exceed maximum time frame for their program of study (150% of the required credits) will have their Title IV aid eligibility suspended. Students who no longer have sufficient credits of potential eligibility remaining to complete their declared program of study will have their Title IV aid suspended.
Financial Aid Probation Term
Students who fail to meet all of the FASAP standards after the warning term are eligible to receive further Title IV aid only if they successfully appeal for federal aid reinstatement. A student who does not have an approved appeal will be unable to receive any Title IV aid (PELL Grant, SEOG, Direct Loans, Plus Loans, and College Work Study). Students must agree to and follow an approved academic plan, which is developed with an academic advisor and submitted with the appeal documentation for review and approval of the College’s Appeal Committee. Students are notified via PirateMail of the probation status. Conditions of an approved appeal are determined by the Appeal Committee and provided via PirateMail to the student. Students who follow their approved academic plans and meet the conditions of their approved appeals will continue to receive aid for which they are eligible until their status changes or they complete their program of study.
Financial Aid Appeal Policy and Process
Title IV applicants and recipients who are not in passing FASAP status due to circumstances beyond their control may appeal their statuses by accessing the College’s FASAP appeal process. Extenuating circumstances* beyond the student’s control that directly impacted progress must be explained and documented.
*Documented extenuating circumstances might include, but are not limited to:
1. Serious illness or injury to the student;
2. Serious illness, injury, or death of a student's immediate family member (parent, sibling, spouse, children); or
3. Special documented circumstances of a unique and substantial nature.
A Financial Aid Appeal starts as a Workday Request by the student (Create a Request Financial Aid: Satisfactory Appeal Progress). The request is a questionnaire, and all students who are eligible to submit an appeal must also submit a completed academic plan. To develop the academic plan, the student must meet with an academic advisor and comply with all associated requirements. The student must indicate clearly and in detail the circumstances of his/her failure to meet FASAP standards. Specific dates and events must be identified, and documentation to support the appeal must be attached to the form. Failure to submit all required attachments and documentation will result in a denied appeal.
The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review and make a decision concerning the appeal. When an appeal is granted, additional conditions may be established which the student will be required to meet in order to continue with financial aid eligibility. The student will be notified via PirateMail of the decision. If the student does not agree with the denial and has substantive additional information and documentation not previously submitted, the student may submit a written letter of disagreement and the additional documentation to the Director, Financial Aid, within 14 days with a new appeal packet and the additional documentation. The Director's decision is the final authorized decision.
When an appeal is approved, the student must adhere to the associated academic plan and the conditions listed in the approved appeal letter. Pensacola State College reviews FASAP progress at the end of each term of enrollment for all students, including those on financial aid probation. Students who follow their approved academic plans and meet the conditions of their approved appeals will continue to receive aid for which they are eligible until their status changes, or they complete their program of study. Students meeting the conditions of their approved appeal must submit a continuing appeal each new academic year.
Monitoring Financial Aid Progress
Each financial aid recipient will have progress monitored at the end of the term, beginning with the first credit hour attempted as a degree-seeking student. If, at the end of a term, the student has not met the required standards, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one term. (See Required Standards) If the student does not achieve FASAP at the end of the Warning term, eligibility for federal and state financial assistance will be suspended until the student returns to satisfactory FASAP status of good.
Note: A transfer student's eligibility for all federal aid including Direct Loans is based on their successfully completed transfer courses accepted and courses taken at Pensacola State College that meet or could have met the student's currently declared program of study requirements. These credits are used to establish their cumulative grade point average and completion rate as documented in the student's record in the College Student Record System.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress for Career Certificate (Clock Hour) Programs
In order for students in clock hour certificate programs to receive financial aid, they must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP) toward completion of their program. Satisfactory progress is evaluated at the end of each payment period after grades are posted and also at the time the student completes both the required hours and weeks in a payment period if not concurrent with the end of a standard term. If satisfactory progress is not achieved at the end of that payment period, financial aid assistance will be suspended or delayed until such time as the student regains satisfactory academic progress. FASAP is measured in terms of pace and grade point average (GPA). Pace progression is defined as the ratio of clock hours completed to clock hours scheduled and weeks scheduled to weeks completed as defined for the program payment periods.
Minimum Requirements (Qualitative and Quantitative)
GPA
Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0.*
Progression
Students must successfully complete at least 67% of the clock hours attempted.
*Minimum may be higher than 2.0 GPA based on clock hour program requirements.
Maximum Time Frame
Pensacola State College students may continue to receive their federal financial aid as long as they maintain the ability to complete their program mathematically within 150% of the scheduled weeks of the program and they meet the quantitative and qualitative minimums. Example: A 44 week program has a maximum time frame of 66 weeks (44 weeks x 150%).
Students not meeting minimum requirements for their clock hour program will have their financial aid assistance delayed or suspended.
All payment periods or terms of attendance will be included in the evaluation, regardless of what year the student first enrolled or first received federal aid.
All transfer clock hours that are used to complete the clock hours required for the program will impact the number of clock hours required for which the student may be awarded aid. These hours will also be used to measure qualitative and quantitative eligibility.
Transfer Credits
Courses accepted as transfer credit by Pensacola State College that meet the declared program of study requirements will be used in evaluation of progress.
Course Incompletes / Withdrawals
Successful completion of coursework is defined at Pensacola State College as earning a grade of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D or P in most programs.
Required Maximum Time Frame and Credit Limits for Federal Aid
Baccalaureate Degree Program Students
A student otherwise eligible for federal or state financial aid and enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program who has attempted more than 150% of the number of credit hours required in that program is not progressing at the required pace to complete the program within the required standard. The student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is not eligible for aid. Once the student can no longer mathematically complete the degree within the 150% time frame, the student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is not eligible for aid.
Associate Degree Program Students
A student otherwise eligible for federal or state financial aid and enrolled in an associate degree program who has attempted more than 150% of the number of credit hours required in that program is not progressing at the required pace to complete the program within the required standard and therefore is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is not considered for aid. Once the student can no longer mathematically complete the degree within the 150% time frame, the student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is not eligible for aid.
Technical Certificate Program Students
A student otherwise eligible for federal or state financial aid and enrolled in an approved certificate program who has attempted more than 150% of the number of credit hours required in that program is not progressing at the required pace to complete the program within the required standard. The student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is not eligible for aid. Once the student can no longer mathematically complete the degree within the 150% time frame, the student is considered to be making unsatisfactory academic progress and is not eligible for aid.
Developmental Education Courses
Required developmental education coursework is counted in determining a student’s level of enrollment for federal financial aid awarding purposes. Federal regulations limit financial aid recipients to a maximum of thirty (30) term hours of federally funded developmental education coursework plus prerequisite coursework, and not counted as electives.
Financial Aid for Career Certificate (Clock Hour) Programs
The following list of programs are designated career certificates by the State of Florida Department of Education and therefore federal Title IV Aid must be awarded and disbursed based on clock hour policies and procedures.
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Advanced Welding Technology (AWELD-VC)
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750 hours
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|
Barbering (BARB-VC)
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900 hours
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|
Carpentry (CARP-VC)
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1200 hours
|
|
Commercial Vehicle Driving (CVD-VC)
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320 hours
|
|
Cosmetology (COSM-VC)
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1200 hours
|
|
Electricity (ELECT-VC)
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1200 hours
|
|
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC-VC)
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1350 hours
|
|
Massage Therapy (MT-VC)
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750 hours
|
|
Medical Assisting (MEDAS-VC)
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1300 hours
|
|
Patient Care Technician (PCT-VC)
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600 hours
|
|
Plumbing Technology (PLUMB-VC)
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1080 hours
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|
Practical Nursing (LPN-VC)
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1350 hours
|
|
Welding Technology (WELD-VC)
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1050 hours
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Additional programs may be added by the College with USDOE approval.
Available Aid for Career Certificate (Clock Hour) Programs
A student in a clock hour certificate program may qualify for Title IV federal aid including PELL Grant, SEOG, Direct Loan, PLUS Parent Direct Loan, and Federal Work Study. Florida residents may be eligible for Florida State aid including Florida Bright Futures, FSAG-CE, and Florida Work Experience Program. The College provides institutional grants and scholarships, as funding is available. To be considered for most scholarships, a student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate financial aid award year and complete verification if selected. Students must apply for the scholarship by submitting the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31 after high school graduation. A student anticipating the use of Florida Bright Futures must meet with his or her high school counselor and submit the required online application. An early high school graduate must meet with their high school guidance counselor for assistance.
Not all Career Certificate (vocational certificate) programs at the College are Title IV eligible. Only the Career Certificate (vocational certificate) programs listed as eligible in this College Catalog have been approved by the College, the State of Florida, and the USDOE. An eligible student may receive federal financial aid while enrolled and making satisfactory academic progress.
A student who is enrolled in Career Certificate (vocational certificate) programs that are less than the Pensacola State College defined academic year of 900 clock hours and 32 weeks will receive an initial full-time disbursement in the first payment period. After successful completion of half of the defined program clock hours within half of the weeks of instruction, the student will receive their second prorated scheduled payment.
A student who has earned clock hours from a previously attempted Career Certificate (vocational certificate) program which are being used toward the completion of his or her current clock hour program will have their remaining required number of clock hours calculated prior to the determination of their federal and state aid eligibility.
A student who is enrolled in a Career Certificate (vocational certificate) program that exceeds the Pensacola State College defined academic year will receive an initial payment of half of their full-time scheduled award. After the student successfully completes the initial payment period defined as 450 program clock hours and the required weeks in the payment period, additional payment periods will be funded based on continued eligibility. A student may be eligible to receive a second year aid amount per federal guidelines when the number of clock hours required extends to a second year. The student must be determined eligible academically and by filing an accurate FAFSA for the new award year.
Payment Periods and Disbursement Procedure for Career Certificate (Clock Hour) Programs
The College has defined the clock hour academic year for awarding and disbursement purposes as 900 clock hours and 32 weeks. Federal PELL Grant funds may be used to pay the balance of fees. Federal PELL Grants may also be used to purchase required books and supplies or equipment through the bookstore. Any credit balance remaining will be refunded to the student via his or her student account (via Bank Mobile) in two (2) or more payments, depending on the number of academic years defined in the program. The first payment period begins at the start of the program and ends at the halfway point of the defined academic year.
Prior to the second and all subsequent payments, the student’s hours completed and satisfactory academic progress will be verified. Direct loan disbursements are subject to a 30-day delay prior to disbursement for first time borrowers. A student whose program of study is a one (1) year certificate have a maximum loan eligibility of 1 1/2 years of subsidized loan eligibility.
Program instructors are responsible for documenting the number of hours of participation, excused and unexcused hours of absence, and the student's satisfactory academic progress during their weeks of attendance. Aid disbursements are based on this reported information.
Federal PELL Grant credit balances are normally disbursed within the first fourteen (14) days of each payment period after student participation in the clock hour program has been documented by the instructors. Depending on the program, there are two or more payment periods. Programs with one academic year will have two payment periods, while programs that have a second academic year will have more than two payment periods. The student may access his or her Fee Details and Financial Aid Summary screen via Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.
Title IV Federal Student Aid Repayment Policy Effective Fall 2000
The Higher Education Act of 1998 resulted in the policy for Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4). Federal financial aid recipients who completely withdraw, officially or unofficially, or fails to earn any passing grades for the semester, or a combination of withdrawals and failures to all courses, may be required to repay unearned portions of their federal financial aid received. Federal law states that federal student aid is to be awarded under the assumption students will attend school for the entire term (payment period).
Types of Withdrawals
For official withdrawals, the withdrawal date is the date that the student begins the official withdrawal process or provides notification to the designated office of his, her, or their intent to withdraw. The College will return unearned portions of the Title IV program funds within 45 days of the date of determination.
For unofficial withdrawals, the withdrawal date is the midpoint of the student’s payment period or the last day of active participation (LDA) reported by the instructor and recorded in the student information system. The College will return unearned portions of the Title IV program funds thirty (30) days from the end of the payment period. Students who withdraw from all current courses but have future starting courses within the same term (payment period) for which they have not begun attendance must affirm in writing to the Financial Aid Office that they plan on beginning attendance in later starting course(s) within fourteen (14) days of stopping all current attendance.
Students who withdraw from all courses prior to completing more than 60% of the payment period or stop attending must have their aid eligibility recalculated based on the percent of the payment period completed. The R2T4 calculation is based on the total number of enrolled days divided by the total days in the payment period in which the student is enrolled. This recalculation may result in the student having to repay the federal government a percentage of the federal aid received. If the R2T4 calculation results in an amount to be returned that exceeds the school’s portion, the student must repay the calculated amount to the Department of Education (ED).
Pensacola State College is required to share in this repayment responsibility for the courses that the student began attending. The student will have to repay Pensacola State College the debt resulting from the student’s failure to earn the aid awarded by the due date. Unpaid debts will result in an overpayment of aid being reported to ED. Until both the debt to the College and the debt to the ED are repaid by the student no College transcript will be released, no additional enrollment will be processed, and no institutional, federal or state aid may be awarded or disbursed to the student. Students must pay the debt in full prior to future enrollment at Pensacola State College. Students will also lose their federal aid eligibility until they either repay the portion owed to the federal government or make repayment arrangements with the ED. All costs of collection including reasonable attorney fees will be the responsibility of the student.
The College will return unearned Title IV Aid within forty-five (45) days from the date of determination for official withdrawals and thirty (30) days from the end of the payment period for unofficial withdrawals. The College must return in the following order the percentage of unearned aid to the Title IV programs:
• Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan
• Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan
• Direct PLUS Loan
• Federal Pell Grant
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
In cases where the student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement due to a R2T4 recalculation, any earned portions that have not been disbursed to the student will be disbursed within forty-five (45) days for Federal Grants. Federal Loans if deemed eligible will be offered to the student within thirty (30) days and allowing the student to accept or decline within 14 days. A credit balances on the student’s account will be disbursed to the student within fourteen (14) days of the funds being posted on the account.
Title IV recalculation is the law, there are no appeals.
Questions concerning this federal law, contact the Office of Financial Aid, Veteran Services and Scholarships Office at 850-484-1680 or email fava@pensacolastate.edu.
Helpful Definitions for Students
Federal Student Aid Glossary
Release of Student Financial Aid Information
The disclosure of student information is governed by the policies of the Board of Trustees of Pensacola State College and the Florida Department of Education within the parameters established by state and federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
The written consent of the financial aid recipient is required for any disclosure or publication of any financial aid information that is personally identifiable. Parents and legal guardians of dependent financial aid recipients may have access to financial aid information only with the written consent of their dependent student. The appropriate form is available from the Office of Financial Aid, Veteran Services, and Scholarships, and on the college website at Financial Aid/General Financial Aid Forms/Release of Information Authorization.
Official Correspondence and Communication
Official communication between Pensacola State College and all College students is through PirateMail and Workday notifications. A student email address is issued to each student one day after his or her application for admission to Pensacola State College is processed. It is a student's responsibility to regularly monitor this official PirateMail email site. Failure to do so may result in a delay in the awarding of any and all aid or the loss of aid due to limited funding. See PirateMail webpage for PirateMail assistance and frequently asked questions.