STUDENT SERVICES: FINANCIAL AID
Many students who want to attend CCS need financial assistance to meet college costs. Grant assistance for eligible students is available through the Federal Pell Grant, Washington State Need Grant and State Institutional Grant programs. A number of tuition waiver programs exist for individuals meeting specific criteria. There are employment opportunities through federal, state and institutional work-study employment programs. Students may apply for Ford Federal Direct Loans (need or non-need based) and the Parent Loan (PLUS) through the Financial Aid Office.
To be considered for federal, state or institutional student financial aid, individuals must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must reapply each year. Application may be filed after January 1 of each year for the following academic year. Students are encouraged to complete the application at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Applicants seeking further information and deadline dates should contact the Financial Aid Office at one of the colleges or visit the college financial aid web site: www.scc.spokane.edu, www.spokanefalls.edu or www.iel.spokane.edu.
Many sources of financial aid are available from public and private agencies, including the Veterans Administration, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Indian Affairs/Tribal Education Offices, and Department of Labor and Industries. Contact these agencies directly for eligibility requirements.
Financial aid recipients must enroll in an eligible program that leads toward a degree or certificate and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to continue receiving financial assistance. The SAP policy has two parts: Satisfactory Progress and Progress Toward Degree.
Satisfactory Progress is defined as completing a minimum of 12 credit hours in any given quarter in which the student is registered for 12 or more credit hours. A student registered for 9-11 credits (3/4 time) or 6-8 credits (1/2 time) must pass at least 9 and 6 credits respectively to be considered making satisfactory progress. A student receiving a Pell Grant based on less than 6 credits must complete all credits to meet SAP requirements. In addition, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better at the end of each quarter of enrollment.
Progress Toward Degree limits the number of quarters or credits for which a student will be considered for financial aid. Students must complete their degrees or certificates within 125 percent of the normal number of quarters or credits required to complete the degree or certificate. In addition, students must complete a set minimum percentage of their program coursework each year.
For complete financial aid regulations, call the SCC Financial Aid Office, 509-533-7017; SFCC, 509-533-3550; or IEL, 509-279-6031.
WORK-STUDY EMPLOYMENT
Work-study is a financial aid program that allows a student to work on-campus or with approved off-campus employers to earn money to pay for college expenses. By participating in the work-study programs, students gain practical experience in the workplace while having a chance to see if the program of study they have chosen matches their expectations.
For more information, call the SCC Work-Study Placement Office, 509-533-8007; or SFCC, 509-533-3540.
WORKER RETRAINING PROGRAM
The Worker Retraining Program is designed to help eligible unemployed workers receive funding, if it is available, for retraining through SCC, SFCC or IEL. See the Continuing Education section for more details or call SCC, 509-533-8056; SFCC, 509-533-3042; IEL, 509-532-3172; or Colville, 509-279-6711.
WORKFIRST FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM
The WorkFirst Financial Aid Program may pay for tuition, books and fees while eligible parents work and attend job training at CCS. WorkFirst work-study also may be available.
For more information about this program, call SCC, 509-533-8210; SFCC, 509-533-3042; IEL, 509-279-6063; or Colville, 509-279-6711.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The CCS Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships each year. Interested students should call the Foundation Office, 509-434-5122 or visit www.ccs.spokane.edu/Foundation/scholarships.aspx for a scholarship application and information. Applications are due March 15 for awards to be utilized the following academic year. A student only needs to complete one application to be eligible for all Foundation scholarships for which they qualify. Information regarding other scholarships and scholarship search is available through high schools, college career centers and the public library. Organizations, clubs and/or companies with whom students or their parents have some relationship occasionally offer scholarships. It is extremely important to start early. Scholarships usually are awarded on an annual basis with the year beginning in September.
SCC community, career and employment services and the SFCC career and student employment center maintain comprehensive, up-to-date scholarship resources. Both centers offer software programs, web sites, books, pamphlets and databases containing current local and national scholarship information.
For more scholarship information, call SCC, 509-533-8009; SFCC, 509-533-3545; or IEL, 509-279-6031.