Federal Financial Aid
Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students based on the student’s financial need. Pell Grants are awarded based on full-time enrollment. A student may be eligible for the Pell Grant with less than full-time enrollment, depending on the student’s award amount. Students may not receive Pell at more than one school at a time. Pell Grant recipients are limited to six scheduled awards (maximum amount for full-time enrollment for a full academic year).
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
This is a grant for students who are not eligible for a Pell Grant and whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/01. Students must be, at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death, less than 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education. The amount varies and is determined annually by the federal government.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is a grant for undergraduate students based on financial need. To be eligible, students must be receiving Pell. Columbia College is provided with a limited amount of SEOG funding. Awards are no longer made after funds have been expended. Students must be enrolled to be eligible for SEOG.
Direct Loan Program
This program provides students with subsidized and/or unsubsidized loans; this aid must be repaid with interest. Loan award amounts depend on various factors (see Determination of Federal Financial Aid Award ). Students must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling, Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and submit the Electronic Award Letter for loans to be certified. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for loan disbursement.
- Subsidized Direct loans are need-based. The US Department of Education pays the interest while a student is attending school at least half-time and during periods of deferment.
- Unsubsidized Direct loans are available for students who do not have financial need and for amounts beyond subsidized loan limits for some students. The US Department of Education does not pay interest on unsubsidized loans.
Direct PLUS Loan Program
This is an unsubsidized loan made to parents (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, step-parent of a dependent student) and must be repaid. This loan is a credit-based loan. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for PLUS loan disbursement. PLUS loans may be available up to unmet cost (see Determination of Federal Financial Aid Award ). The parent must complete a PLUS Loan Data Sheet and the PLUS Master Promissory Note for a loan to be certified. The parent must also be approved through a credit check to process the loan.
If a student’s parents do not qualify for a PLUS loan, the student may be eligible for additional Direct loans (see Determination of Federal Financial Aid Award ).
Federal Work-Study Program
This federal program provides funding for employment for students who demonstrate financial need according to the results of their FAFSA. Students work either on or off campus, earning minimum wage or above. Work-study-eligible students are not guaranteed employment. Students must meet all federal aid eligibility. Students cannot exceed their student employment award. Information regarding open positions and the application process is available from Human Resources.
State Financial Aid
Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
This grant is available to residents of Missouri based on financial need. Application for the grant is made by completing the FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1st or the final deadline of April 1st (the spring before the academic year begins). Eligible students who apply between February 1st and April 1st will be awarded based on funding availability. Students must be enrolled full-time at Columbia College to be eligible. Enrollment at other institutions may not be used to determine full-time enrollment for state aid. Amounts vary. Awards are made in an estimated status; awards become official after the add/drop period has ended, full-time enrollment is verified, and Columbia College receives the funding from the state.
Renewal students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and satisfactory academic progress based on quantitative measures and maximum time frame (see Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress ). Renewal is not automatic; renewal is based on financial need, and the FAFSA must be completed by the priority deadline of February 1st or the final deadline of April 1st (the spring before the academic year begins). Eligible students who apply between February 1st and April 1st will be awarded based on funding availability. A student may not receive Access for more than 10 semesters. More information can be found with the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (see Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program).
Bright Flight Scholarship
Missouri high school graduates who scored in the top 3 to 5 percent of Missouri students on the ACT or SAT are eligible for this scholarship. The Missouri Department of Higher Education awards the scholarship; more information can be found with them (see Bright Flight Scholarship). To apply, students should contact the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, high school guidance counselors, or the Center for Student Success at Columbia College.
This scholarship is renewable for four years with full-time enrollment, a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and meeting satisfactory academic progress based on quantitative measures and maximum time frame (see Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress ).
Scholarships, Grants, and Awards
Scholarships, awards, and grants are forms of “gift” assistance that do not require repayment. These types of assistance usually come in one of two forms: institutional aid or endowed aid. Some awards are automatic based on specific criteria. Other scholarships, awards, and grants are made available in recognition of performance. Endowed scholarships and awards are made available through the generous gifts of alumni and friends of Columbia College.
Generally, scholarships, awards, and grants are non-need forms of financial assistance. Institutional aid is intended to be applied to the cost of tuition only, and institutional awards may be reduced by other institutional aid, external aid, federal grants, and state grants. Institutional aid is only awarded to degree-seeking students working on their first undergraduate degree. A student who completes an associate’s degree and continues to pursue their bachelor’s degree is considered to be still working on their first degree.
For more information regarding scholarship opportunities, students can work with their advisor and location for location-specific information. Additionally, students can view a complete listing of scholarships and their criteria via the Scholarship Finder.
Associate Degree Transfer Grant
Associate Degree Transfer Grants are available to undergraduate students when they have completed an Associate Degree. The degree must consist of 60 credit hours or its equivalent. The student must not have received the Associate Degree from Columbia College, and they must not have attended another college (other than the college that awarded the associate’s degree) since the award of the Associate Degree. The student must apply for the Associate Degree Transfer Grant before or during their first semester of enrollment at Columbia College after they complete their associate degree.
Students wishing to apply for the Associate Degree Transfer Grant must complete the Application for Institutional Aid on myPortal. The Associate Degree Transfer Grant provides a reduction in tuition for each eligible student at a maximum of 10 percent. This award is available for up to six consecutive semesters (including summer). To receive and remain eligible for the grant, the student must maintain good academic standing according to established institutional policy.
Brigadier General Charles McGee Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to Veterans and/or their dependents who wish to attend Columbia College. It is a competitive scholarship that is awarded annually. The scholarship will be available to the general population only if no veterans and/or dependents qualify for the award. For more information, visit the following website: www.ccis.edu/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/online-evening.
Colonel Mike Randerson Scholarship
Established in 2014, the Colonel Mike Randerson Scholarship is an annual endowed scholarship created to help qualified veteran students, including active duty military, Guard, Reserve, and/or their dependents, who wish to attend the college. The Colonel Mike Randerson Scholarship recognizes the efforts of outstanding military students who exemplify Randerson’s dedication to service and education. For more information, visit the following website: www.ccis.edu/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/online-evening.
Colonel (Ret) Frank S. Westling Scholarship
To be considered for the scholarship, students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA, be degree-seeking, and have completed 15 credit hours with Columbia College. To apply, students must submit a completed Colonel (Ret) Frank S. Westling Scholarship application and provide supporting materials; the application can be found on the Scholarship Finder. This scholarship is for tuition only and is non-renewable.
Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA) Lifelong Learning Grant
This grant is available to students who completed the highest undergraduate degree available at the time of graduation; for graduates of Christian Female College, this would be an associate’s degree, and for graduates of Columbia College, it is the bachelor’s degree. Eligible students may enroll in one course free of charge if five years have elapsed since receiving their degree, they owe no fees, and they are not in default on federal loans.
Students may enroll for credit or as auditors in courses being offered during the regularly scheduled semesters or sessions, provided space is available and course prerequisites are met. This grant cannot be used for graduate-level or online courses.
Students are permitted to enroll in one free course in each subsequent five-year period but may not accumulate free courses.
Students must apply for admission to be eligible to register for a course. Students must apply for the grant by completing the Application for Institutional Aid (available on myPortal).
eScholarship
The eScholarship is a one-time award designed to reward outstanding achievement in an online study at Columbia College. The award will be given to undergraduate students who, in addition to meeting the minimum criteria, demonstrate a history of academic excellence and personal growth while as a student at Columbia College. At the time of application, the student must meet the following criteria:
• Be a degree-seeking undergraduate student working on a first baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree.
• Have a minimum cumulative Columbia College GPA of 3.5.
• Have successfully completed at least nine credit hours of online courses during the past or current academic year.
• Have at least 21 hours of coursework with Columbia College (in-seat or online).
George H. Ousley, Jr. & Gayleen Ousley Veterans Service Center Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to veterans attending Columbia College, with first preference given to veterans of the United States Navy. Recipients must be veteran students who have exhausted their federal funding but have not yet attained their degree. For more information, visit the following website: www.ccis.edu/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/online-evening.
MACC Associate Transfer Scholarship
MACC Associate Transfer Scholarships are available to undergraduate students who have completed an Associate Degree from MACC with a minimum 2.75 GPA and are enrolled with Columbia College. The Associate Degree must consist of 60 credit hours or more. The student must not have attended another college (other than MACC) since the awarding of the Associate Degree. The student must apply for the MACC Associate Transfer Scholarship before or during their first semester of enrollment at Columbia College after they have completed their associate degree.
Students wishing to apply for the MACC Associate Transfer Scholarship must complete the Application for Institutional Aid on myPortal. The MACC Associate Transfer Scholarship provides a reduction in tuition for each eligible student at a maximum of 10 percent. This award is available for up to six consecutive semesters (including summer). The scholarship cannot be stacked with any other institutional aid and cannot be applied retroactively. The scholarship will not be awarded until Columbia College has received a final official transcript. To be awarded the grant for a second year, students must maintain a minimum cumulative Columbia College GPA of 2.5.
Silver Citizen Award
Students 65 years of age or older are eligible for the Silver Citizen Grant, which is a 50 percent tuition-only grant. Students must be at least 65 years of age before the start of the term in order for the grant to be applied. The grant can only be applied to in-seat courses. To apply, a student must complete the Application for Institutional Aid on myPortal.
Two-in-Family Grant
Undergraduate students with an immediate family member (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister) enrolled at Columbia College in the same semester are eligible. The Two-in-Family Grant provides a tuition reduction of 5 percent per credit hour for each family member who is enrolled. According to established institutional policy, the Two-in-Family Grant is repeatable in succeeding semesters as long as both family members remain students and the student continues to maintain good academic standing. Students must apply for the grant each year using the Columbia College Application for Institutional Aid available on myPortal.
Outside Sources
Private Loan Program
Students who do not have federal loan eligibility or are looking for additional loan options may apply for a private loan. These loans are credit-based. Additional information is available on the financial aid website.
Veteran Readiness and Employment Benefits
Students with physical or mental disabilities may be eligible to receive benefits from the Department of Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E). Assistance may include counseling, vocational, technical, or professional employment, and funding for books, supplies, maintenance, medical services, and transportation. To apply, students should apply online at https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/how-to-apply/.
War Orphans or Armed Services Benefits
If students are dependents of veterans who died or were permanently disabled due to military duty, are between the ages of 18 and 26, and are enrolled full-time, they may be eligible for educational benefits. Students may contact their regional Veteran’s Administration office or the Ousley Family Veterans Service Center (573) 875-7504 or vacert@ccis.edu.
GI Bill® Educational Benefits
Columbia College is approved for enrollment certification of students eligible to receive educational assistance (GI Bill®) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Eligibility requirements vary for veterans’ education benefits programs. For additional information and application materials, contact the Ousley Family Veterans Service Center at (573) 875-7504 or vacert@ccis.edu. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
Students may be eligible to receive benefits from JTPA. Assistance may include counseling, training for vocational, technical, or professional employment, and funding for tuition and books. To apply, contact the local Work Connections Office.
Financial Aid Information
If you have any questions about the College’s financial aid program, call the Center for Student Success for assistance at (573) 875-7252.
Additional financial aid information is available at Columbia College’s website: https://www.ccis.edu/tuition-financial-aid/financial-aid.
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