FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid programs are available for eligible students attending Labette Community College, which is approximately two-thirds of our students. The programs include scholarships, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Grants, Workstudy and Federal Family Educational Loans. Call 421-6700 x1219 or x1246 for more information.
Students must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. before they can receive federal funds. Students with a correspondence diploma or from a home schooling program must do one of the following: (1) complete and pass the G.E.D. examination; (2) take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), Forms 5 and 6, Level A. Required scores are: Reading-768; Mathematics Computation-804; Mathematics Concepts and Applications-759; language-714; spelling-749; (3) pass the Compass Placement tests and be placed in the appropriate courses according to the scores established by the institution.
Students should contact the Financial Aid Office (FAO) on the second floor of the Student Union for more information about all of the programs and respective applications by calling the above numbers or via our website: http://www.labette.edu/stusvcs/finaid/finaid.htm#fafsa or our email address at: financialaid@labette.edu.
It is important that all required forms should be completed and turned into the Financial Aid Office at least 2 weeks prior to the first day of classes.
STEPS FOR APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
1. File a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by May 1 for priority consideration. There are two ways to file:
a. Using Internet (1 week to process & return). Call x1246 or x1143 for personal, friendly assistance.
b. Paper Method (6-12 week process). Forms available in our office or contact your local high school counselor.
2. The schools listed on your application will receive a copy of your information electronically. They will be reviewing it for accuracy. Upon receiving notification from the processing center contact the Financial Aid Office (FAO) immediately. (It is the responsibility of the student to be sure that all information is accurate and respective paperwork is submitted in a timely manner.)
3. The Financial Assistance Office (FAO) will contact you:
a. By sending a checklist of items needed to complete the file.
b. If selected for verification, to bring in documents verifying income.
c. An Award Letter
4. If enrolled and aid processed, go to the Business Office and credit tuition to any grants or scholarships.
5. If not enrolled, come to the FAO for assistance.
6. Pell Grant checks are issued between the 6th-8th week each semester. Thereafter, normal processing time for a check will be 2-3 weeks after properly completing paperwork and receiving the award letter.
7. To receive a loan come by the FAO for an application and some simple but important directions (more loan info below).
8. Students not receiving an award letter at least ten business days prior to the first day of courses must contact the Business Office or go to www.labette.edu and click “Payments Online” to set up payment arrangements. Call the Business Office, x1231, for additional information.
9. Should it be initially determined that you are not eligible for aid contact the Chair of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee to submit an appeal (x1034), or Kathy Johnston, Director of Financial Aid/Registrar. Many appeals are approved if complete properly.
The Labette Community College website now has links to the Free Application For Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). By filing from the website, applicants will receive their Student Aid Report in less than two weeks, compared to the current six to ten weeks for paper applications. Website applications also enable the FAO staff to devote more time to the individual needs of students.
To access the FAFSA, go to http://www.labette.edu and select Financila Aid/Scholarships. Students also have the option of mailing the regular paper applications of the FAFSA and coming by the office to have the form reviewed prior to mailing. FAFSA worksheets are available in Student Affairs. Students need assistance in completing the FAFSA online may call the FAO for an appointment . The FAO will advise students how to get their PIN number and what paperwork will be necessary to complete the FAFSA as well as make an appointment for assistance in completing the FAFSA online.
Loans
Help is also available for those who want to apply for federal loans.
1. Individuals wanting to apply should go to the LCC website, www.labette.edu. Select financial Aid/Scholarships, Loan Applications-Entrance Counseling and complete the Entrance Exam. Answering the questions should take approximately 20 minutes.
2. At the site, answers to a series of questions will determine eligibility. Answering the questions should take approximately 20 minutes.
3. Immediately upon completing the questionnaire, a pop-up screen will tell users whether they are eligible to apply.
4. Eligible persons who want to apply must complete a paper application for a federal loan, sign it, and bring or mail it to the LCC Financial Aid Office. Individuals must complete a FAFSA before submitting a loan application.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
(see also http://www.labette.edu./stusvcs/finaid/finaid.htm )
Scholarship awards are subject to availability of funds. Students are encouraged to apply early. Applications are available in Student Services. Preference will be given to applications received prior to April 1, but will be accepted until funds are expended. GPA and the number of hours enrolled are considerations, but not always deciding factors.
FEES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER MOST SCHOLARSHIPS
LCC academic scholarships are normally limited to one per student. Many application are valid for one semester, and must be resubmitted each semester.
NOTE: all applicants must process a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior is issuance of any financial assistance, including scholarships, except High School students.
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
High school seniors may apply for an academic scholarship to be used the fall semester following high school graduation.
Grade Point Average Scholarship Amount
(Based on seven semesters) (Up to 16 credit hours)
3.75-4.00……Tuition/plus $100 books per semester = Presidential Award
3.50-3.74….…Tuition/plus $50 books per semester = Dean’s Award
2.50-3.49…….Tuition only (Labette County Residents) = Merit Award
Applications received prior to April 1 receive preference. Students must be enrolled full time (12 credit hours or more) by June 15 prior to the fall semester and December 15 for spring semester to validate acceptance. Allied Health students should check with their appropriate director. Students who withdraw to less than 12 credit hours will be ineligible for the following semester.
Reapplication: (assistance may be renewed as long as funds are available):
Must submit application by April 1 of freshman year;
Must be enrolled for the fall semester of sophomore year by May 1;
Must maintain the required grade point average and semester hours.
JumpStart/Dual Enrollment Assistance: High school students who are eligible to enroll may receive assistance with properly completed scholarship application. Students attending Labette County high schools are eligible to receive full tuition up to 16 hours per semester if they have met the 2.0 GPA requirement. Cherokee and Crawford County students will receive up to 9 hours of paid tuition per semester, provided they meet the 2.5 GPA requirement. Students attending high schools in other Kansas counties may receive a scholarship of one-half tuition for up to 6 hours per semester w/GPA of 2.5 or above. A high school official must approve attendance and student must be enrolled at LCC. Fees and books are not covered by this assistance.
General Assistance: All full-time students who have a grade point average of 2.00 or better and demonstrate financial need. may apply. Awards will be for tuition and based on financial need as long as funds are available.
Activity Assistance This assistance is awarded for performance (i.e. Recording Art Technology, baseball, basketball, art, wrestling, choir, leadership, volleyball, softball, cheerleading and music). The coaches and/or instructors of each activity establish criteria.
Part-Time Assistance Students meeting the following characteristics will be considered for aid, if funds are available: enrolled in less that 12 credit hours, have a minimum 2.0 LCC grade point average and demonstrate financial need.
Nontraditional Assistance: A nontraditional student: (1) Is 25 years of age or older; (2) Has an educational objective of a degree, certificate or employment training; and (3) Has not attended Labette Community College within the last three years. Nontraditional students who are not eligible for other College need-based scholarship programs may be awarded assistance not to exceed the amount of tuition for 9 credit hours; can be renewed for 2nd semester, if GPA exceeds 2.0.
International Assistance Awarded to international students (funds permitting) who have and maintain a cumulative LCC GPA of 3.0and maintain enrollment in 12 semester hours of coursework that can be applied toward a specific degree(6 credit hours for the summer). Failure to complete 12 semester hours with a cumulative 3.0 GPA will disqualify the student for this assistance. The assistance shall not exceed the instate rate of tuition and cannot be used for incidental fees unless approved by the Director of Financial Aid. This scholarship will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
GED Assistance Students receiving their GED through the Adult Basic Education program offered by the Student Success Center at Labette Community College are eligible for the GED Assistance. The student will receive up to 12 credit hours of paid tuition if they enroll with 6 months of successfully completing their GED, funds permitting. Students must also complete the FAFSA. The Assistance is awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, pending available funds.
Foundation Scholarships: Individuals and groups to the Labette Community College Foundation have endowed a number of scholarships. Many of the scholarships are designated to specific areas or groups. Currently the Foundation gives approximately $100,000 a year to assist LCC students to improve their lives and that of their families.
Work-study: Some job vacancies are posted on the bulletin board in the Student Union, just as you enter the building. You are advised to initiate the job search as soon as possible, as there are often positions at the college in immediate need of help. First, you will need to check with financial aid in the student affairs office to be cleared for eligibility and to receive the necessary form. This form must be returned immediately upon being hired but before your work assignment begins.
FINANCIAL
TOPICS FOR STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The College expects student organizations to be fiscally responsible. All organizations should practice sound management procedures to insure the fulfillment of these responsibilities. Each organization should anticipate its financial needs and plan ways to properly meet these needs. Officers and the advisor should establish a budget, and the commitments of the organization should never exceed the funds which it has available. Each organization should have all financial commitments approved by a majority of their group and receive the signature of their advisor prior to the commitments being made. College organizations are to deposit their funds with the Business Office.
A. Student organizations must follow certain fundamental procedures of fiscal accountability. These procedures include:
1. Issuance of a purchase order, based on an approved requisition with the signatures of the organization’s President or Treasurer, adviser and Vice President of Student Affairs, and the assurance that before payment is made the purchaser has received the goods or services.
2. Signed ‘receiver’ (green copy) denoting that the goods or services have been received in good condition prior to issuing payments.
3. Requests must have at least two signatures, one of which is to be that of the adviser. No one person, whether student officer or a faculty/staff adviser, should withdraw money from a student organization account.
4. Bills should be paid promptly. Student organizations have a responsibility to settle their accounts when due.
5. The financial aspects of all events sponsored by a recognized organization must have the approval of the respective organization's faculty adviser.
B. Student organizations should conduct a yearly review of their financial status with their adviser, and whenever there is a change of officers. The Office of Student Retention and Activities (OSRA) is also available for assistance.
C. In the event of disbanding or inactivation of an organization, the primary responsibility of properly providing for the close out of the account and the disposition of remaining funds rests with the College. If an organization is suspended by the College, a hold may be placed on an organization's account until disposition is determined by the College and the organization's representatives. Organizations, which have accounts that are inactive or suspended, will have the funds in their accounts transferred to SGA.
D. In the event of changing advisers, the Office of Student Retention and Activities (OSRA) is to be contacted first and it will contact the Office of Finance & Operations with the appropriate information. Failure to do so will delay processing of your purchases.
E. RECEIPT OF CASH BY DEPARTMENTS/ORGANIZATIONS: All money is to be received/transacted through the Business Office. The College is not responsible for the payment of any debts or other obligations made by student organizations.
F. Student allocations: Unused funds in these accounts are subject to being transferred back to SGA and may or may not be reimbursed.
G. Upon recommendation of recent federal litigation direct funding of political and religious organizations will be avoided.