| Federal Financial Aid Programs |  |
The federal government places primary responsibility of educational costs on the student and the student's family. The student and the student's family are expected to contribute financially toward the student's costs of attendance. The expected family contribution is based on the family's income and assets, and it is not uncommon for an expected family contribution to be zero. Costs in excess of the expected contribution are considered financial need.
Central Arizona College presently offers the following federal financial aid programs:
- Grants
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant
- Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant
- Academic Competitiveness Grant
- Work-Study
- Federal Work-Study
- Loans
- Federal Stafford Student Loan
- Federal PLUS Loan
Student Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid Programs
To be eligible for federal financial aid, the student must:
- have financial need, (except for some loan programs)
- have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) Certificate, or pass a test approved by the US. Department of Education, (see the Financial Aid Office for details on current tests)
- be admitted as a "regular" student according to the admission requirements listed in the college catalog
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- have a valid Social Security number
- make satisfactory academic progress
- sign a statement of educational purpose and a certification of statement on overpayment and default (on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA)
- register with the Selective Service, if required
How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid
The first step in applying for federal financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who applied in the previous year should receive the Renewal Application in the mail. This application may be ussed in lieu of the FAFSA. Be sure your application is complete and accurate. Incomplete or incorrect information will delay your application and your financial aid. List Central Arizona College in Section G of the application. Our Title IV School Code is 007283. Students must apply each academic year.
Academic Progress Required for Federal Financial Aid Eligibility
In accordance with federal regulations, Central Arizona College must develop and apply a consistent and reasonable standard of academic progress. The satisfactory progress policy is established to carry out the statutory requirement that a student must be making satisfactory progress to be eligible for funding under the Federal Student Financial Assistance (SFA) programs.
- Measurement of Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Qualitative Measure: Cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average). Students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Quantitative Measure: Maximum Time Frame. Attempted credit hours may not exceed 150 percent of the published educational program.
- Incremental Assessment
- Satisfactory academic progress is determined at least once a year. For programs one year or less in length, satisfactory academic progress is determine each semester. Earned credit hours must be at least 67 percent of attempted credit hours each academic year or semester, as applicable.
Federal Student Aid Information
The Student Guide is available through the Federal Student Aid Information Center or the Financial Aid Office.
For more information on Federal financial aid programs, visit Student Aid on the Web or get additional information from the U.S. Department of Education or visit FinAid, The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid.
For additional information, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), TCC Number 1-800-730-8913.