Federal & State Regulations Pertaining to Student Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to all qualifying students enrolled in eligible programs based on their expected family contribution as determined by the federal processor. The Financial Aid Office administers the following need-based grant programs:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or FSEOG
- Academic Competitiveness Grant, or ACG
In addition to the above aid, eligible students can receive aid for education-related expenses by participating in the Federal Work Study Program. The Federal Work Study Program provides employment during the academic year to students who demonstrate financial need as indicated on their federal Pell Grant award letter.
To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, each year and maintain satisfactory progress:
- Maintain a minimum quality point average of 2.0;
- Successfully complete 67 percent of all attempted credits;
- Meet the standards of the CTI@HGAC attendance policy.
The Financial Aid Office checks for satisfactory progress at the end of each semester. Courses with a "W"(withdrawal) or an "F" grade will be considered as courses attempted but not successfully completed. Students can apply for financial aid for up to 150 percent of attempted credits for their programs. Students who change majors will be allotted the amount of time needed to complete the new program without regard to time spent in previous course work.
All students in eligible programs are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Information regarding eligible programs, additional qualifications for aid and satisfactory progress requirements are available in the Financial Aid Office.
Financial Aid Appeal Process
Students who are denied financial aid due to a lack of satisfactory progress will be notified in writing and may appeal this decision based on mitigating circumstances. Documentation regarding the mitigating circumstances must be submitted to the HGAC Appeal Committee. The Appeal Committee's decision is final and financial aid will either be resumed or suspended based on that decision.
Refund Policy
Rejection and Starting Date
An applicant rejected by the school shall be entitled to a refund of all money paid. In the unlikely event the schools start date is postponed, alternative plans and start date will be instituted, or, if not practical, full refunds will be issued within 30 days.
Cancellation Policy
An applicant who cancels enrollment within three days of signing an enrollment agreement will be entitled to a full refund of all money paid. This refund policy applies to the stated program price attributable to each term for withdrawal or termination. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the cancellation date. This refund policy applies to the stated program price attributable to each term for withdrawal or termination.
Withdrawal
Refunds are calculated on a pro rata basis from the first day of the term to the last day of attendance. The students last day of actual class attendance is the termination date for tuition refund purposes. Refunds for room and board will be calculated on a pro rata basis from the first day of the term until the last day of residency. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the last day of attendance for tuition, and within 30 days of the last day of residency for room and board.
Title IV Refund and Repayment Policy
Federal regulations require each educational school to have a written policy for the refund and repayment of federal aid received by students who withdraw during a term for which payment has been received. These policies are effective only if a student completely terminates enrollment (i.e., cancels registration, withdraws or is dismissed) or stops attending classes before completing 60 percent or more of the enrollment period.
Students who resign within the add-drop period are eligible to receive 100 percent refund of tuition. Following the add-drop period, adjustments to tuition resulting from official resignation are based on the effective date of resignation and in accordance with the federal mandated calculation as specified in Section 484B of the Higher Education Act. The law also specifies the order of return of Title IV funds to the programs from which they were awarded.
The calculation is based on the period of enrollment completed and the percentage is computed by dividing the total number of calendar days in the term by the number of calendar days completed as of the date of student notification. The percentage of Title IV assistance to which the student is entitled, or has earned, is equal to the percentage of the term completed, up to 60 percent. If the resignation occurs after 60 percent of the term is completed, the percentage is equal to 100 percent.
The amount of Title IV aid that must be returned is based on the percentage of unearned aid. That percentage is computed by subtracting earned aid from 100 percent. The school is required to return the lesser of (1) the unearned aid percentage applied to institutional charges or (2) the unearned aid percentage applied to the total Title IV aid received.
The student is required to return the difference between the amount of unearned aid and the amount returned by the school. The student will be billed for the amount owed the Title IV programs and any amount due to the school resulting from the return of Title IV funds used to cover school charges. Students must return only half the amount of grant funds calculated.
Funds are returned to the following Title IV sources in order of priority:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal SEOG
- Other Title IV assistance for which the return of funds is required
- Other federal, state, private or institutional financial assistance
- Student
The PHEAA grant and other outside aid will be reduced by the unearned percentage but not to create a debit balance on the student's account.
Institutional aid will be reduced by unearned percentage times the aid programs percentage of the aid as compared to total aid but not to create a debit balance.
If less aid is disbursed than was earned, the student may receive a late disbursement for the difference.
Program of Study and Articulation for Advanced Credit Transfer
The Program of Study incorporates secondary and postsecondary education elements including: coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career and technical content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses that align secondary and postsecondary education to adequately prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education.
Programs of Study may include the opportunity for secondary students to participate in dual or concurrent enrollment programs, acquire college-level credit or equivalent clock hours, leading to an industryrecognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
Articulation for advanced credit transfer is possible when Perkins-allocated, postsecondary institutions and Pennsylvania secondary schools offering SOAR Programs of Study agree to the terms and conditions stated in the Perkins Statewide Articulation Agreement. This agreement outlines the conditions between secondary and postsecondary institutions and student qualification measures allowing the student to acquire postsecondary education credits leading to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
CTI@HGAC programs participating in the Program of Study concept are designated as participants in the CTI@HGAC Catalog.