Practices Governing Student Financial Assistance
Financial Aid Awards
Recipients of financial assistance are to notify this office of any other educational funding extended to them from sources outside the College as this may impact aid on this award letter. It is not permissible for JSCC or any other institution to pay a student federal funds simultaneously for the same period of enrollment without prior approval from both schools. Unauthorized payments may result in a repayment of federal funds due to the Department of Education.
Adjustments to Awards
The Financial Aid Office reserves the right, on behalf of JSCC, to review, change or cancel an award at any time because of changes in a student's academic or financial status, lack of satisfactory academic progress, or the discovery of errors, clerical or other. Other reasons for adjustment include, but are not limited to: changes in enrollment hours, cancelled classes, additional aid received from other sources, non-attendance, and enrollment in special session classes or programs that differ from the regular academic calendar. Any commitment of funds to a student is tentative and contingent upon subsequent appropriations and actual receipt of funds.
Eligibility for federal funds will be determined based on the number of hours for which a student is enrolled at the close of the registration period prior to the first day of class. No adjustments will be made for Federal Pell Grants for classes added on or after the first day of class. Students who establish eligibility after this point in time will be paid for the actual number of hours for which the student is enrolled at the time the student is awarded.
Disbursement of Federal Funds
You accept responsibility for all tuition and fees assessed at the time you register. Federal funds will be disbursed when all eligibility requirements have been met and an award letter issued.
Students who pre-register for classes must confirm their registration and intent to attend classes through the Business Office by the last day to pay fees/confirm registration. It is very important that your class schedule is finalized by this date and you have removed all holds on your record to allow financial aid funds to be applied to your account. Estimated aid will appear on your tuition statement. If you do not have sufficient aid to cover all tuition and fees, you must contact the Business Office to pay the remaining balance or set up a deferred payment plan. You will be dropped from classes if payment or confirmation is not received by this deadline. If you do not plan to attend classes for which you are registered, you must contact the Financial Aid Office so that your financial aid may be cancelled.
Students who register during regular or late registration must contact this office the same day they register to have their financial aid applied to their account.
Tuition and fees will be deducted from the financial aid applied to your account. Students who have excess financial aid will be paid those funds by check. Checks for students who have registered early will be available on the first day of class in the Student Union. Checks for students who register during regular registration will be available in the Business Services Office. It is your responsibility to keep your address current and return funds if you do not attend class.
Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS)
The lottery scholarships are administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). Jackson State does not determine eligibility for or award the lottery scholarship. Therefore, the TELS award will not appear on your award letter. Students must enroll at least six hours in a degree program to be eligible for the award. The award amount will be based on enrolled hours as of the 14th day of each term. Funds will be applied to student accounts after this date. Students will be expected to read, understand and sign a summary of the TELS policies and procedures before the scholarship is applied to their account.
Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Tennessee Student Assistance Awards are not available until the mid-point of each semester. Semester awards will be adjusted based on hours enrolled at the end of the drop/add period. Students wishing to transfer their award from another school must meet set deadlines to do so.
Federal Work-Study & Institutional Work Awards - FWS
Students on FWS or institutional work should report to the Financial Aid Office for their job assignment and clearance to work. The amount awarded is money you may earn during the academic year. You will be paid twice a month for actual hours worked.
Federal Perkins Loan Awards
Students awarded a Federal Perkins Loan must schedule an appointment in the Business Services Office for an entrance conference and signature of the promissory note prior to loan disbursement, and an exit conference to discuss repayment and deferment options prior to their last term at JSCC.
Class Attendance
Class attendance is monitored. Non-attendance may require you to repay part or all of federal aid. Additionally, courses by cassette and online courses may require proof from your instructor that you have attempted coursework. Each instructor will monitor class attendance and report students who do not attend class. This office will determine if repayment of funds is required.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial aid students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible. Our satisfactory progress policy and information concerning the appeal process can be found on the JSCC website. You may also obtain this information in the Financial Aid Services Office.
Impact of Withdrawal on Eligibility for Federal Funds
The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 stipulate a formula for calculating the amount of federal aid a student and school can retain when a student withdraws from all classes. Students who withdraw from all classes prior to completing 60% of the term will have their eligibility for federal aid recalculated based on the percentage of the term they completed and may be required to return a portion of the federal funds considered to be unearned. Note that this policy shall apply to all Federal Title IV funded students who officially withdraw, as well as students who stop attending ALL classes without officially withdrawing. Federal Title IV funds defined for this policy includes: Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG and a portion of the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Additional information can be found on the JSCC website. You may also obtain this information from the Financial Aid Services Office.
Other Important Information
Details concerning the administration of federal, state and institutional funds are provided in the Financial Aid Consumer Information Handbook available on the JSCC website. Recipients should consult the handbook concerning the impact of withdrawal from school, cancelled classes, non-attendance, or changes to his/her class schedule on federal funds. Any change in the student's name, address or enrollment should be reported to this office immediately.
Renewal of Aid
Financial need will be evaluated on an annual basis, and appropriate increases or decreases in the amount of the assistance offered will be made. A new federal application for financial aid is required each year. The renewal application may be submitted any time after January 1st. Application results must reach our office by our April 1st priority deadline for applicants to be considered for funding beyond the Federal Pell Grant.