44 Financial Aid and Scholarships

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Ozone is the official mode of communication between the College and students.

This comprehensive Internet portal for students, faculty and staff provides users access to e-mail services and the Blackboard Course Management System and enables them to access their own class schedules, academic standing, financial information and online class registration.

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commons, findlay-area campus • (567) 429-3540

Applying for financial aid works best when initiated several months prior to the desired semester of enrollment. Once the application has been processed, if the student is eligible to receive financial aid, a letter from the Owens Community College Office of Financial Aid is sent to the student explaining how to view the award information via Ozone. There are a variety of financial aid programs available at Owens Community College, including several grant programs that do not require repayment and low interest loan programs with deferred repayment schedules. Many scholarships and on-campus employment opportunities also are available. With the exception of scholarships, the financial aid programs are administered by the Office of Financial Aid under policies established by federal and state governmental guidelines.

Application Procedures

Students must submit new financial aid applications for each academic year. An academic year starts with the beginning of summer semester and carries through to the end of spring semester. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov beginning January 1 of every year. The Parent Plus loan online application is located in the loans section of the Owens Financial Aid Web site www.owens.edu. Applications are available beginning January 1 for the upcoming year and should be submitted as soon as possible. Federal Work Study and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants have a priority application deadline of March 31 previous to the academic year.

Financial Aid Check Sheet

___ Apply for Financial Aid (if necessary)

Type of Assistance:

How to Apply:

___ federal Pell Grant www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ Federal Academic

competitiveness Grant www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ federal Supplemental Education

Opportunity Grant www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ federal Work Study www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ Ohio college Opportunity Grant www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ Ohio instructional Grant (08/09 only) www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ federal Stafford Loans www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ federal Parent Plus Loan www.fafsa.ed.gov &

www.owens.edu

___ Owens community college Grant www.fafsa.ed.gov

___ Scholarships (On-campus) www.owens.edu or

Financial Aid Office

___ Military Benefits See Military Unit

___ Veterans Benefits See Veterans’

Representative

Do I meet Ability to Benefit?

One of the following criteria must be met:

___ Official high School transcript showing date of graduation submitted to the Office of the Registrar

___ Official GED Transcript turned in to the Office of the Registrar ___ COmpAss scores of 32-writing, 62-reading, and 25-pre-algebra

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to apply for financial aid, students must:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as January 1. You can apply electronically using “FAFSA on the Web” at www.fafsa.gov.

• If a loan is desired, when completing the FAFSA answer “yes” to the question asking if you are interested in a student loan and the answer to your expected enrollment status should be at least half time. • Apply for admission and provide an official transcript to the Office of

the Registrar verifying that you have earned a high school diploma or GED. The certificate of completion does not meet the high school diploma requirement.

• Students who do not have a high school diploma or GED should complete the COMPASS test and meet the minimum required scores: 32 – writing, 62 – reading and 25 – pre-algebra. To meet Ability to Benefit criteria it is important to note that all three portions of the COMPASS test must be passed in the same sitting in which the test is taken.

it is important to respond quickly to all requests for additional information.

Enrollment

Owens Community College uses a “freeze” date each semester to determine a student’s enrollment status for awarding financial aid. The credit hours for which a student is enrolled in on the freeze date are used to calculate the amount of federal financial aid the student will receive. This means that if a student adds or drops classes before the freeze date, the amount of financial aid for which the student is eligible will be affected. If classes are added or dropped after the freeze date, the financial aid will not change. Exceptions to this policy are students receiving Federal Direct Stafford loans who must be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours at the time of loan disbursement and students who withdraw and/or stop attending all of their classes. These students will have their financial aid recalculated based on their withdrawal date or last day of attendance.

If a student totally withdraws or stops attending classes during the semester, the student could owe a refund to a grant program, to the

information about the recalculation policy is available in the Office of Financial Aid.

Attendance Verification

To be eligible for federal financial aid, attendance in class must be verified. Instructors will provide attendance information directly to the Office of Financial Aid via their Ozone account. Once attendance has been verified, any refund checks to which a student is entitled will be distributed through the option that the student has in place with their Higher One Account. Contact the Bursar’s Office for more information.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Eligibility for most financial aid programs is based on demonstrated financial need of the student and/or the student’s family and on registered credit hours.

For federal and state financial aid programs and the Owens Community College grant, a student must:

• Be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States. Certain persons in process of becoming citizens or permanent residents also may be eligible.

To be eligible for federal financial aid programs (Federal Pell, Federal ACG*, FSEOG, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan), a student also must:

• Be accepted by the College for admission and demonstrate the ability to benefit from the selected program of study. Students enrolled in high school, post secondary option students and early admit students are not eligible for aid.

• Be enrolled in a financial aid eligible degree or certificate program. • Meet the enrollment and attendance requirements for each program. • Demonstrate the Ability to Benefit. To receive federal financial aid, a

student must demonstrate the Ability to Benefit from the education offered. Students must provide an official transcript to the Office of the Registrar verifying they have earned a high school diploma or GED or taken the COMPASS test and scored above the required cut-off scores of pre-algebra-25, reading-62, writing-32.

• Comply with requirements concerning selective service registration. • Comply with requirements concerning submission of a Statement of

Educational Purpose. This is included on the financial aid application (FAFSA).

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• Certify that you are not in default on any federal loan.

• Certify that you do not owe a refund to any federal aid program. This includes grant overpayments resulting from withdrawals.

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as set forth in the Owens Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

• Accumulate no more than 30 hours of developmental courses. * In addition to federal aid program requirements, ACG recipients must be U.S. Citizens and meet certain academic requirements.

For Ohio programs (Ohio National Guard Tuition Assistance and Ohio War Orphans Scholarship), the student must:

• Be a resident of Ohio (according to Ohio Law) for 12 consecutive months, except for ONG recipients.

• Be enrolled full-time (12 hours) in credit courses, except for ONG. • Be enrolled in a degree program.

Detailed information on determining need, eligibility requirements and selection of aid recipients is available through the Office of Financial Aid.

Grants

No repayment required – Students who have a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for any of the grant programs listed.

Federal Pell Grant (PELL) – A federal program for undergraduate students. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the federal government. A minimum of 12 credit hours is required to receive full eligibility with pro-rated awards given to students with less than 12 hours. federal academic competitiveness Grant (acG) - A federal program for undergraduate students who completed a rigorous secondary program of study who meet all eligibility criteria. Enrollment of 6 credit hours r more is required. Award amounts are prorated for students who are enrolled in less than 12 credits (full-time).

federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (fSEOG) – A federal government supported grant for students with exceptional financial need. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal government guidelines. Funds are awarded on a come, first-served basis.

Loans

Must be repaid – Applicants, except parents applying for Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans, are required to file a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

federal Direct Stafford Loan – Many banks and credit unions provide educational loans under this federal direct loan program. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours and meet minimum Ability to Benefit criteria. New borrowers must complete entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note online.

Federal Direct Stafford loans have a fixed interest rate based on when the loan is first disbursed. For current rates, refer to the loans section of the Owens Financial Aid Web site at www.owens.edu. Repayment begins six months after graduation or when a student becomes enrolled for less than six credit hours. Payments are based on the amount borrowed.

Dependent students can borrow up to $5,500 for the first year (up to $3,500 can be subsidized) and $6,500 the second year (up to $4,500 can be subsidized). Dependent students can borrow up to a cumulative maximum of $31,000, of which no more than $23,000 may be subsidized. Independent students can borrow up to $9,500 the first year (up to $3,500 can be subsidized) and $10,500 the second year (up to $4,500 can be subsidized). Independent students can borrow a cumulative maximum of $57,500, of which no more than $23,000 may be subsidized. Students attending only one semester of the academic year prior to graduation will receive a prorated loan amount. Students enrolled in certificate programs are restricted to first year borrowing limits. Only non-developmental credit hours earned can be used in determining a student’s status as a first year or second year student. The amount of loan funds a student can borrow during an academic year is also based on their enrollment status as of the semester “freeze” date. (See Enrollment section on page 46.)

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Two Federal Direct Stafford Loan types:

• The Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is a need-based loan for which the interest is paid by the government while the student is in school at least half-time. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal government guidelines.

• The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a loan that does not require financial need. However, total financial aid, which includes the unsubsidized loan, cannot exceed the cost of education. Unlike the subsidized Stafford loan, interest accrues while the student is attending school and can be paid monthly or capitalized (added to the principal) until the student leaves school. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal government guidelines. Federal Direct Parent Plus Loan (PLUS) – Parents can borrow funds to cover educational costs for their dependent students. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours and meet minimum Ability to Benefit criteria. Interest is fixed at 7.9% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2009. Repayment begins when the loan is fully disbursed, with the first payment generally due within 60 days, or can choose to begin repayment six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half time. There is no financial need required to be eligible. However, the total financial aid cannot exceed the cost of education. The applicant’s credit history will be evaluated in determining loan eligibility. Apply online for the Federal Direct Parent Plus loan at the Loans section of the Owens Financial Aid Web page at www.owens.edu/financial_aid.

Nurse Education assistance Loan Program (NEaLP) – This is a state program for nursing students who, upon completion of their education, plan to practice nursing in the state of Ohio. The loan is based on financial need. A student may receive a maximum of $3,000 per year, which may be renewed for a maximum of four years or total loan balance of $12,000.

After graduation, recipients wishing to qualify for 100 percent loan cancellation must serve as a full-time nurse in Ohio for five years. Information and applications are available on the Ohio Board of Regents Web site at http://www.regents.ohio.gov/sgs/nealp. Students may apply for NEALP funding between January 1st and June 15th each year. All applications must be submitted and completed by July 15th. Call the Ohio Board of Regents Grants and Scholarships Office at 1-888-833-1133 for more information. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of the application.

Employment

Federal Work Study (fWS) – FWS is a federally-funded program of part-time employment for students with financial need. Students may be eligible to work up to 35 hours per week, however, the number of hours per week is determined by the student’s financial need and their GPA. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal government guidelines. The rate of pay is $7.30 per hour. Various employment opportunities are available, including secretarial and clerical office work, accounting, marketing, childcare assistance and social work. Receipt of FWS is dependent upon securing a student employee position on or off campus. Eligible students must complete a student employee application at https:// jobs.owens.edu, select Federal Work Study Employee in the Job Type field. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Student Employment – Some part-time positions are available on campus. The rate of pay is $7.30 per hour. Interested students should apply for employment at https://jobs.owens.edu, select Study Employee in the Job Type field.

Other Employment – Many other positions also are available off-campus. Information about these positions may be obtained from Career Services. america Reads/america counts Program – This program is funded by Federal Work Study funds and was designed to promote literacy and math competency in our nation’s young students. Program participants work as tutors at various off-campus educational sites such as after-school programs and area elementary schools. Participants are paid and must show eligibility for financial aid. For more information, contact Career Services. (See page 61.)

Scholarships

A number of scholarships are available to Owens Community College students through the Board of Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship fund, the College’s Foundation and from outside contributors. To apply for a Board of Trustees’ Academic Excellence Scholarship, contact your high school counselor or Enrollment Services at Owens Community College. Applications for the College Foundation Scholarships are available from November to February in the Office of Financial Aid and online from the Scholarship section of the Owens Financial Aid Web site at www.owens.edu. Other information on outside scholarship opportunities is available in the Office of Financial Aid and online.

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Owens Community College Foundation Scholarships

The Owens Community College Foundation offers a variety of scholarships through the generosity of businesses and individuals in the community. Applications are available in the College’s Financial Aid Offices in November. Applications for scholarships are due in February. For scholarships based on financial need, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be on file in the Office of Financial Aid by the end of February. Scholarship award notification begins in May and continues until all awards have been made. Recipients must be registered for Fall Semester classes by July 1.

(567) 661-7575 - Toledo-area Campus (567) 429-3586 - Findlay-area Campus stuDent resOurCe Center (567) 661-2007 - Toledo-area Campus Scholarships Available for Fall 2010/Spring 2011 - Award Amounts Vary

• Alumni Legacy Scholarship

• American Society for Industrial Security International, Toledo Chapter, Charles W. North Scholarship

• American Society for Industrial Security International, Toledo Chapter, Fred C. Heck Scholarship

• The Andersons Scholarship • Bill Buck Memorial Scholarship* • Bud Weaver Memorial Scholarship* • Caterpillar Foundation Scholarship* • Central West Area Council Scholarship*

• Charles Carr Rotary Club of Maumee Scholarship* • Christo and Jeanne Claude Scholarship

• Chuck Holsclaw Memorial Scholarship* • Cristoforo Colombo Scholarship*

• Detective Keith Dressel Memorial Scholarship • Don Brondes Memorial Scholarship

• Donald Leonhardt Welding Scholarship* • Edward and Linda Reiter Scholarship* • Findlay Leadership Scholarship* • Ford Scholarship

• George D. Allesee Memorial Scholarship* • Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative Scholarship • Home Savings Business Scholarship

• Howard Robinson Memorial Scholarship • James A. Adams Memorial Scholarship* • John Deere Agricultural Equipment Scholarship • John & Margaret Kurfess Scholarship* • Jones-Hamilton Co. Scholarship*

• Margaret “Margy” Matthews Scholarship* • Mary’s Scholarship

• Matthew D. Winckowski Scholarship • Maumee Rotary STRIVE Scholarship • Mosser Construction Inc. Scholarship • National City Diamante Latino Scholarship* • Ohio Space Grant Consortium Scholarship • Owens Community College Bookstore Scholarship

• Owens Community College Foundation Diamante Latino Scholarship* • Owens Community College Foundation Scholarship*

• Owens Community College Marketing and Sales Scholarship • Owens Corning Diamante Latino Scholarship*

• Owens Faculty Association Scholarship • Owens Honors Scholarship

• Pauline Schmidt Memorial Scholarship* • Perrysburg Rotary STRIVE Scholarship • Post-Secondary Option Book Scholarship* • President Daniel H. Brown Scholarship* • Private Industry Collaborative Scholarship* • Rich Harmon Memorial Scholarship • Rudy Aschenbrener Memorial Scholarship

• Sandra L. Smith Norwalk Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary Scholarship • Scott Simpson Memorial Scholarship*

• Seeger Consulting Service Scholarship* • Spanish American Organization Scholarship* • Tall Timbers Foundation Scholarship*

• Toledo Automobile Dealers Association Scholarship*

• Toledo Community Foundation - George and Luelle Shoemaker Fund Scholarship*

• Toledo Community Foundation - Marsh Family Fund Scholarship* • Toledo Mobile Radio Association Scholarship*

• UPS Scholarship

• William A. Miscannon Scholarship

All scholarship awards are based upon available funding.

* For scholarships based on financial need, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be on file in the Owens Office of Financial Aid by the end of February for the academic year in which the student is applying for the scholarship.

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Other Scholarship Opportunities

army ROtc army Reserve Officer training corps Scholarship (rOtC) – Army ROTC offers four, three and two-year scholarships to eligible candidates. Each scholarship pays for tuition and on-campus educational expenses, a flat rate for textbooks, supplies and equipment, on top of a monthly allowance of $150. Contact the Military Science Department at (419) 530-2681 or (419) 530-2682.

army ROtc: Guaranteed Reserve forces Duty Scholarship – Army ROTC offers scholarships to students who are currently members of the Army Reserves or National Guard. The scholarships carry absolutely no active duty obligation. Contact the Military Science Department at (419) 530-2681 or (419) 530-2682.

army ROtc: Professor of Military Science incentive Scholarship – This two-year scholarship is awarded to students with strong leadership qualities and outstanding academic achievements. Academic sophomores seeking a bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply. Contact the Military Science Department at (419) 530-2681 or (419) 530-2682.

caterpillar Excellence Scholarships – This four-semester scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in the Owens Community College Caterpillar Construction Equipment Technician Program. Award amounts vary and are based on GPA. No application is needed. For more information, contact Transportation Technologies, in the School of Technology, Owens Community College, at (567) 661-7388 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7388.

Owens community college foundation Success Program – This grant is available to graduates of Toledo Public Schools, Whitmer High School and Findlay High School. The grant is awarded for up to three years following the student’s high school graduation date, contingent upon the student 1) completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and being declared eligible for some Federal Pell Grant funding; 2) enrolling for at least 12 credit hours in the fall following their high school graduation. For more information, contact the Owens Community College Office of Financial Aid at (567) 661-7343.

Owens community college trustees’ academic Excellence

scholarship – This two-year scholarship award is presented to outstanding high school graduating seniors who have been recommended/nominated by the school principal. Recommendation/nomination materials are sent to high school principals in January of each year. For more information, contact the Owens Community College Office of Student Services at (567) 661-7364 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7364.

tech prep scholarship - This two-year scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors who have participated in a Tech Prep career pathway through an Ohio Board of Regents-recognized Tech Prep Consortium. The maximum award is $2,000 for two academic years or $500 per semester for four semesters to cover tuition and fees, less the total of other financial aid received, as long as the student maintains eligibility. For more information, contact the Owens Community College Office of Financial Aid at (567) 661-7343 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7343.

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Veterans’ Benefits

armed Services Programs – The United States armed services, both active duty and reserves, have developed very attractive programs to assist enlistees in obtaining a college education. Students should contact their area recruiter to learn about the numerous opportunities available. Veterans’ Benefits – Veterans attending Owens may be eligible to receive benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs when pursuing most associate degree programs. Benefits are available under the following programs:

• Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty) – For veterans who served under active duty and contributed to the GI Bill Fund. • Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation – For veterans with a

service-connected disability.

• Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill – Provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with service connected disability after 30 days. You must receive an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

• Chapter 35 Survivor and Dependent Educational Assistance – For children and spouses of veterans whose death or disability is service-connected.

• Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve – For members of Selected Reserve or Ready Reserve

• Chapter 1607 – Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve or Ready Reserve – For members who have been called or ordered to Active Duty Service.

Each veterans program has individual requirements for eligibility. Interested applicants should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (1-888-GIBILL-1) for details. All veterans who wish to use veterans’ educational benefits are required to meet with the Owens’ Veterans Representative before first using benefits.

Ohio National Guard tuition assistance – Students who have enlisted, re-enlisted or extended their obligation for six years in the Ohio National Guard are eligible to receive a grant for tuition. Interested students should contact their local guard unit for details and application procedures.

Ohio War Orphans Scholarship – Children, up to age 21, of deceased or disabled war veterans may be eligible for this scholarship, which provides payment of a portion of tuition. Applications are available through high school guidance counselor offices and the Ohio Board of Regents. Students must attend full-time (12 credit hours or more).

Additional Resources

AmeriCorps – A national service program that provides tuition assistance in exchange for community service. Interested students should contact the AmeriCorps National Service Office at 1-800-942-2677 for

more information.

hope Scholarship tax credit, Lifetime Learning tax credit, Student Loan interest Deduction and tuition and fees Deduction – These may be available for certain college expenses. For information, consult your tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service.

Ohio Rehabilitation Services commission – The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission may provide tuition assistance for physically and/ or emotionally disabled or visually impaired students based on individual circumstances. Lab fees and supplies also may be provided depending on the availability of funds. Contact your local rehabilitation office for additional information. Rehabilitation clients are usually required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).