Students do not have to be admitted to BCTC in order to file the FAFSA. However, a financial offer will not be made until you have been fully admitted into a degree-seeking program. Students applying for aid for the spring and summer semester must be registered for classes in order to be awarded financial aid.
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Online application process: Go to www.pin.ed.gov where student and parent each apply for a PIN number. Then go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and sign it electronically using your PIN numbers.
You are able to charge books at the Cooper and Leestown Campus Bookstores, or at www.whywaitforbooks.com. Book charges are available for a limited time. Contact the Financial Aid for book charge periods. In order to charge books you...
Generally, students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours for undergraduate and graduate students) in required course work to receive most types of aid including Stafford Loans. However, a student may receive a Pell Grant for less than half-time enrollment. Summer enrollment requirements can vary.
Full time enrollment (12 credit hours) is required to receive the full Pell Grant award. Students with a semester course load of 1-11 credit hours may be eligible for a prorated portion of their Pell Grant.
The amount of aid you are eligible to receive is determined by the information reported by your family on the FAFSA. The US Department of Education use a formula to determine each student's EFC (estimated family contribution). The EFC is the amount of money the government has determined that a family can contribute to the student's educational costs. The EFC determines grant and loan eligibility.
After the BCTC Financial Aid Office has processed the file an email with be sent to your KCTCS email account. The e-mail will explain your rights and responsibilities, how to view, accept, or decline awards. The e-mail also includes with instructions on how to complete your Electronic Master Promissory Note (if you choose to process a loan). Award information is also available at https://students.kctcs.edu/.
Refunds are coordinated through Student Billing and are generally sent weekly. KCTCS has contracted with Higher One (an outside company that specialized in student refund payment services) to deliver all residual funds to students. With Higher One you can request either direct deposit of your residual funds to a free Higher One account with a KCTCS debit card, direct deposit to your personal bank account, or request a paper check to be mailed your address in PeopleSoft. Higher One ATMs are located on the Cooper Campus and the Leestown Campus. To learn more about the KCTCS Easy Refund Program and the selection process, visit the BCTC Student Billing or KCTCDEBITCARD.com.
The following information is from the Department of Education's publication 'The Student Guide'.
You must be one of the following to receive federal student aid:
If you're not in one of these categories, you must be an eligible noncitizen and you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing one of the following designations:
Aid does not transfer. You must confirm that BCTC's school code (005244) is on your FAFSA so that we can determine your financial aid eligibility. You will not have to fill out a second FAFSA. Once you have completed your application with the Office of Admissions, we will review your FAFSA. If any additional information is needed we will notify you as soon as possible. To update your FAFSA with BCTC's school code:
Go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov and select Make Corrections to a Processed FAFSA under FAFSA Follow-up.
Approximately 30 percent of the student population that applies for student aid is randomly selected for the verification process. It is the federal government's way of making sure students are correctly reporting their information on the FAFSA. You will need to fill out the verification form and submit a signed copy of your federal tax forms to the Financial Aid Office. If you are having difficulty printing or accessing these forms, please contact us at (855) 246-2477.
The availability of summer aid is dependent upon how much aid a student used during the school year and the student's grade level. Contact the financial office to find out if you have summer aid eligibility.
When you file the FAFSA, you can sign the form by using your US Department of Education PIN or by printing off the signature page and mailing it to the address listed on the printed page. If you (or your parents, if you are a dependent student) failed to sign the FAFSA, you can go back to the FAFSA website and sign the form electronically. Or, if you have a copy of the Student Aid Report, you can sign that form and turn it into our office. If you do not have a SAR, you can call 319-337-5665 to receive a new copy.
Yes. The application is free and some sources of aid (unsubsidized Direct Loan and Parent PLUS loans) are available regardless of need.
The student may contact our office to request an additional unsubsidized Direct Loan, ($4,000 per academic year for freshman/sophomores.)
Grant Programs: Grants are a form of "gift aid" and typically do not have to be repaid. Grants offered at BCTC are federal and state funded.
Federal Pell Grant is based on financial need. Award amounts for the 2012 - 2013 academic year range from $602.00 - $5,550 per year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is based on financial need. Funds are limited to Kentucky residents.
Loan Programs: Loans are a form of "self help" aid and must repaid. Loan programs offered at BCTC are federally funded.
Federal Direct Loan is both need based and non need based (Subsidized and Unsubsidized). Repayment of the loan begins six months after you stop attending school at least half-time.
Maximum annual limit:
Dependent students may borrow an additional $2,000 in an unsubsidized loan. Independent students may borrow an additional $6,000 in an unsubsidized loan.
Federal PLUS Loan is a non need based loan borrowed by the parent on behalf of the student. The yearly loan limit is equal to the cost of attendance less any other financial aid. Repayment generally begins 60 days after the final disbursement for the loan period. Parents may apply at www.KHEAA.com.
Federal Work Study Program is based on financial need. Students work on the BCTC campus in various areas. Students receive a bi-weekly paycheck. Federal Work Student is a great source for networking and training.
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For the need-based subsidized Direct Loan, the federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half-time (six semester hours). However, for the non-need based Unsubsidized Direct Loan, interest does accrue while the student is enrolled and must be paid by the student upon graduation or ceasing enrollment of half time status. Both types of Direct loans have an interest rate that is capped at 8.25%. Repayment begins six months after you graduate or you cease to be enrolled at least half-time (six semester hours).
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES): Kentucky high school students have a great opportunity to make their education pay with the KEES program. It is administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). Students who make good grades (C+ and above) in high school can earn a scholarship to a Kentucky college. Eligible students will receive official notification of the amount of their award from KHEAA or at www.kheaa.com.
The KY KEES is usually received in late September for the fall and mid-February for the spring term. Until disbursement this scholarship is considered anticipated aid towards your bill. Visit KHEAA's KEES FAQs for more information.
The Financial Aid Office generally disburses aid once a week (usually over the weekend) to your student account. This process will begin after the Financial Aid Census date for each semester. Check your student account in PeopleSoft to see if your financial aid has posted. Disbursed financial aid that is more than your tuition/fee charges and any allowable bookstore charges is considered a refund.