PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
There are four main types of financial aid: grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. The money comes from many sources. We have listed just a few for your information.
FEDERAL GRANTS
Federal Pell Grants: The Pell grant program is funded by the federal government and provides financial assistance (gift aid) to students otherwise unable to afford an education. The award is based on the student’s financial resources and the schools' actual cost of education according to a federally established formula.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): Federally funded gift aid to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need with Pell Grant recipients given first consideration as set by federal law.
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (FACG): Federally funded need base grant; for criteria see the Financial Aid Office.
FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIPS
The Legislature has mandated the following changes to the Bright Futures Scholarship Programs beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.
Beginning with the 2009-2010 high school graduates, the Bright Futures Scholarship only allows restoration after the first year of funding and only for GPA deficiency.
The Florida Academic Scholar and the Florida Medallion Scholarship are for 120 hours. The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship is for 90 hours.
The Florida Academic Scholars book allowance has been eliminated.
The Florida Department of Education requires that students reimburse to Chipola College the Bright Future Award amount received for courses withdrawn from after the last day of late registration and drop add. This amount must be repaid before the student will be allowed to register for the following semester. The student's record will be placed on hold if the repayment is not made by the deadline.
Students are now required to earn at least 24 semester hours per year, or a prorated number of hours if the student was previously enrolled less than full time. (3/4 time - 18 hours; 1/2 time - 12 hours).
Renewal criteria requires a 3.0 GPA for the Florida Academic Scholar and a 2.75 for the Florida Medallion and Florida Gold Seal Scholarships.
The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars will NOT renew as a Florida Medallion Scholar after the first year.
The Bright Futures scholarship will no longer pay for any lab costs, processing fees or book allowances.
Florida Academic Scholars: A merit scholarship program for students with outstanding high school academic achievement. At Chipola, this scholarship will pay $77 per credit hour for the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees and $86 per credit hour for the Baccalaureate program. It will pay $2.57 an hour for an eligible certificate or vocational program.
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars: A scholarship awarded to high school graduates who have earned the Vocational Gold Seal endorsement and will enroll in a post secondary degree or certificate program. At Chipola, this scholarship will pay $58 per credit hour for an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree and $64 per credit hour for the Baccalaureate program. It will pay $1.93 an hour for an eligible certificate or vocational program.
Florida Medallion Scholars: A merit scholarship for students with outstanding high school academic achievement. At Chipola, this scholarship will pay $77 per credit hour for the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, $64 per credit hour for the Baccalaureate program and $1.93 per hour for an eligible certificate or vocational program.
The Florida Top Scholar will be awarded at $53 per credit hour for an eligible program.
STATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Children of Deceased or Disabled Veterans Scholarship: For dependent students of deceased or 100% disabled veterans. Scholarship will pay 100% of tuition and fees.
Robert C. Byrd Scholarship: A merit scholarship awarded to outstanding high school graduates. Nominations are made by high school principals.
Additional state programs are described in the State of Florida brochure available in the Office of Financial Aid. For applications and further information, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Department of Education, Florida Education Center, Tallahassee, FL 32399 or call 1-888-827-2004.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
The following program enables students to earn part of their financial aid through employment. Federal funds pay part of the student’s wages and the College pays the balance.
Federal Work-Study (FWS): Funded by the federal government, with a matching institutional share unless exempt. Employment must be on campus or in a college related assignment. An attempt is made, if possible, to place students in an area relating to their major field of study, and in a job related to his/her skills. Students must have applied using the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. Students may work up to 20 hours per week depending on need and class schedule.
FEDERAL DIRECT STAFFORD STUDENT LOANS
(formerly GSL) Applications may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid for both federal direct subsidized and federal direct unsubsidized loans.
FEDERAL DIRECT PLUS LOANS
Federal DIRECT PLUS Loans (PLUS Loans) enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time.
VETERANS BENEFITS
As a veteran you may be entitled to certain benefits, and be eligible to participate in certain programs. For information, please contact the Office of Veterans Affairs in Building A, Room 159.