Financial Aid
Financial Aid
East Central College participates in many types of federal and state student financial aid programs. The goal of the College’s financial aid program is to help individuals who meet a demonstrated financial need to acquire funds to enter and succeed in college.
The primary responsibility for meeting college costs is that of the student and the family; however, a student in need of financial assistance is urged to contact the Financial Aid Office.
Students who wish to be considered for financial assistance must apply for admission to East Central College. Students may submit their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to the Federal Processing Center by mail or online at https://studentaid.gov/
Students will need to indicate that East Central College is to receive the electronic report from the processing center. The East Central College Title IV School Code is 008862. Financial assistance is available at East Central College through scholarships, grants, and loans.
Several scholarships sponsored by area civic clubs, businesses, and individuals are available for qualified students. Some provide funds for only one year, while others are renewable for the second year. Eligibility for many scholarships is determined by information provided on the East Central College scholarship application. Applications are available online on the East Central College website https://www.eastcentral.edu/finaid/scholarship-opportunities/
Financial Aid Programs
East Central College is authorized to participate in the Federal Pell Grant program, Federal SEOG program, Federal Direct Loan program (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Federal PLUS Loan program, and Federal College Work-Study program.
Only courses applicable to the degree or program a student is seeking will be calculated in the financial aid package. For example, if a student is enrolled in nine credit hours of degree/program applicable coursework and three credit hours of non-applicable coursework, financial aid package calculations will be based on nine credit hours rather than twelve credit hours.
Grants
Grants, which generally do not have to be repaid, are awarded to students based on financial need. East Central College participates in three such programs.
- Federal Pell Grant - The largest federally funded grant program, the Pell Grant, provides a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added and for which a student may apply for assistance. The current maximum Pell Grant amount is $7,395 for an academic year. Pell Grants are adjusted based on the number of credit hours in which a student enrolls. The award amount may be determined each year by the U.S. Congress. Students who have earned a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, one must:
• Be enrolled as a degree or certificate-seeking student;
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
• Have valid social security number;
• Be making satisfactory academic progress;
• Not be in default on a student loan;
• Not owe a refund on any Title IV aid at any institution; and
• Have a High School Diploma or GED/HiSet Certificate
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - This grant provides aid for students with exceptional unmet need. Students must qualify for a Pell Grant to be eligible for SEOG, but unlike Pell Grants, SEOG awards are not automatic. SEOG award priority is given to students with the lowest expected family contribution (SAI -1500) and highest unmet need. Thes funds are limited.
3. Access Missouri - This grant provides educational assistance to residents of the State of Missouri. Eligibility is determined by the student’s student index number (SAI) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). SAI replaced the previous EFC. Recipients must demonstrate unmet financial need, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and be enrolled as a full-time student. To be considered, applicants must file the FAFSA prior to February 1 and list Missouri as their state of legal residence. Award amounts vary by aid year and school. Specific information about the program may be found at https://dhewd.mo.gov
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Both need and non-need based loans are available to students enrolled in at least six credit hours. Due to the low cost of education at East Central College, students are encouraged to carefully review their need to borrow to finance their college education. Borrowing limits for student loans are determined by a student’s credit hour accumulation and whether a student is dependent or independent. Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling are required of all loan applicants. Check with the Financial Aid Office for current information regarding the application process. A student should first complete a FAFSA before submitting a student loan data sheet. Visit the East Central website for specific borrowing limits and other important loan information.
Federal Work-Study
This program provides on-campus jobs for qualified students. Students obtain jobs in various campus offices, which typically pay minimum wage. To learn more about work study opportunities, visit East Central College website https://www.eastcentral.edu/finaid/work-study/
Missouri A+ Program
Missouri A+ Program funds may be used at East Central college. Funds are awarded to graduating high school seniors who participated in and met all qualifications for the Missouri A+ Program during high school. In addition, the A+ Program has many unique rules for post-secondary A+ students. To review A+ Program regulations, visit the East Central College website or visit the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development website at https://dhewd.mo.gov
Military Benefits
Veterans may be eligible for educational benefits under one or more of the following programs:
- Chapter 30 - Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty
- Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Chapter 1606 - Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve
- Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program
- Chapter 35 - Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- Chapter 31 - Veterans’ Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act
- The Missouri Returning Heroes Act, Section 173.900, RSMo, established August 28, 2008, as amended effective August 28, 2019, provides reduced tuition for certain combat veterans attending public institutions of higher education. For more information, please visit the website below: https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/returningheroesact.php
Federal Financial Aid - Verification of Attendance
Federal regulations require that students earn their financial aid funds by attending and actively participating in courses. Attendance information is collected from faculty to verify financial aid eligibility. If a student fails to begin attendance in a course, East Central College is required to reduce the student’s financial aid enrollment level and eligibility. If a student is not attending classes, the student is expected to complete the official withdrawal process of the College. To complete the withdrawal process contact the Student Services Center in Buescher Hall or the Registration staff at your satellite location.
Federal Financial Aid - Overpayment Policy
Students who have been paid federal financial aid funds are required to earn these funds by attending classes through at least 60% of the period of enrollment. Students who quit attending or withdraw from all courses prior to the 60% point in the semester but have already received their federal financial aid disbursement for the semester, may have been overpaid. If an overpayment occurs, the student is required to repay a portion of the funds to the school and to the U.S. Department of Education. This Overpayment Policy, established by the U.S. Department of Education, affects students who have received assistance through the following federal financial aid programs: Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Pell Grant Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. The repayment amount for an overpayment is based upon the number of days in the semester the student has completed and the student’s last date of an academically-related activity. The more days the student has been in attendance and actively participating in classes, the less the overpayment. A federally mandated formula is used to calculate the amount of overpayment. When determining a last date of attendance and calculating the portion of funds earned by the student, East Central College must always use the student’s last date of an academically-related activity as indicated in official attendance records of the College and reported by faculty. In addition, a documented last date of attendance based on an academically-related activity must also be used to determine the portion of aid earned by those students who officially withdraw from courses. If an overpayment of federal financial aid occurs, the student may be required to return a portion of the overpayment to the school and to the U.S. Department of Education. The College will bill the student for the total overpayment and allow 45 days for repayment. Any unpaid balance of a required overpayment due to the U.S. Department of Education may be reported to them after 45 days. Any unpaid balance due to the school will be subject to collection action, which may include referral to a collection agency and/or interception of a tax return. This policy only applies to students who withdraw from all classes prior to the 60% point of the semester and to students who fail all their classes and cease attendance prior to the 60% point of the semester. This policy does not apply to a student who has withdrawn from selected courses. Financial aid awards count as an anticipated payment. IF A STUDENT IS NOT PLANNING TO ATTEND EAST CENTRAL COLLEGE, HE/SHE MUST OFFICIALLY DROP HIS/HER CLASSES. If he/she does not drop within the refund period, financial aid may be applied to his/her account to pay for the courses, resulting in an eventual overpayment. Financial aid may be cancelled for students who fail to begin to attend classes. In this circumstance, the student would then be responsible for all charges.
Minimum Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid
Federal and state regulations require financial assistance recipients who receive funds from federal or state sources to maintain satisfactory academic progress. At minimum, federal aid recipients are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average, complete a cumulative total of 67% of all coursework attempted, and complete his/her specified degree program within 150% of the published length of the program. Students completing their first 12 credit hours are required to maintain a 1.8 cumulative GPA and students who have completed 24 credit hours must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. For further details, review Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) information on the East Central College website https://www.eastcentral.edu/finaid/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2016/11/Minimum-Standards-Brochure.pdf.
Financial aid is awarded on a one-year basis with renewal each semester dependent on satisfactory academic performance. Failure to meet all parts of the satisfactory academic progress policy will result in financial aid warning. Students may continue to receive assistance for one semester but must meet satisfactory academic progress by the end of the semester. If a student does not meet the requirements, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension. Financial aid suspension means the termination of all federal, state, and institutional aid. Students can re-establish eligibility by bringing themselves back into compliance with the required cumulative GPA, and the required 67% completed hours out of all hours attempted within their degree program.
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