Financial Aid at Bishop State

Application Process Each Year Student must complete FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov Apply for FSA ID for self and parent, if a dependent student. Will be used to sign the FAFSA electronically. College code is 001030. Without this code, the College will not receive the student’s FAFSA information.

Financial Aid Available Federal Pell Grant. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Alabama State Assistance Program (ASAP) Grant. Federal Work-Study Program Scholarships. No Student Loans at Bishop State College The FSEOG is awarded on a first come first served basis to students who are eligible for the federal Pell grant. The ASAP is awarded on a first come first served basis to students who are residents of Alabama.

The Award Process Received FAFSA information are processed by assigned Financial Aid Advisors. Advisors may request for additional documents to complete the award process. Award letters are sent by either hardcopy or e-mail to students. Award letters list the award types and the award amounts by semester.

The Award Process Continued Awards are for fall and spring semesters. Awards can also be for one term, spring or summer. Students receive 50% of the yearly award by semester. Students only receive a percentage for terms attended. The one term are awards are for students who did not attend Bishop State during the fall semester and only attends spring semester or the summer term. Fall and spring constitute 100%. Therefore, awards divided equally be the terms the student attends.

Disbursement Process Prior to start of the semester, students can charge tuition, fees and purchase books from the bookstore using financial aid credited to their account. 14 days after classes start, the Business Office will send checks via Direct Deposits or hardcopy checks to students with credit balance, contingent upon attendance roll verification. Credit balance checks are sent to the address the student listed on their admissions application.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Students are required to comply with the SAP policy listed in the College catalog. There are two components to the SAP policy, Quantitative and Qualitative. Quantitative = Students must complete at least 67% of all classes they register for. Qualitative = GPA requirements. Grades are reviewed at least once in the academic year.

SAP Quantitative Component Students must complete at least 67% of all courses attempted as follows: 12 credit hours attempted, must complete at least 8 credit hours satisfactorily. 24 credit hours attempted, must complete at least 16 credit hours satisfactorily. 36 credit hours attempted, must complete at least 24 credit hours satisfactorily.

SAP Qualitative Component Semester Hours Attempted and Minimum Required GPA. 12 -21 Semester Hours Attempted 1.50 GPA 22 - 32 Semester Hours Attempted 1.75 GPA 33 or more Semester Hours Attempted 2.00 GPA

Appeal Process Students not meeting the SAP Policy will be denied financial aid for continuing at the College. Students have a right to appeal the denial of financial aid in writing. Appeal must be supported with adequate documentation. Appeal must be based on life changing experience that caused none SAP compliance.

Appeal Process Continued. A student whose appeal is approved will be placed on “Probation” for the term approved. Grades will be rechecked at the end of the probationary period. Student will receive financial aid while on probationary status. A student who does not meet the conditions of the probation will be placed on financial aid suspension. No financial aid will be awarded.

Withdrawal Process Do not just stop attending classes. Follow the published official withdrawal process. Students can withdraw by completing withdrawal forms with the Admissions Office, or e-mail the Admissions Office. Students who just stops attending classes are assigned grades of “F” at the end of the semester. It is critical that students are informed about the importance of officially withdrawing from any course they register for. Grades of “F” assigned to unofficial withdrawals negatively impacts the students GPA

Re-Applying for Financial Aid Students must re-apply for financial aid every year. Apply after January 1, 2016 for the 2016- 2017 academic year. Ensure that IRS tax return has been completed by you and your parents (if a dependent student). Use the IRS data retrieval process to download tax data to the FAFSA.

Communicating with Financial Aid Office Bishop State Financial Aid has a group on FACEBOOK. Join the group to receive important financial aid updates, or you can share information with the group. Send e-mail to the office at financialaid@bishop.edu Office Phone 251.405.7015 Best wishes for the semester!!!