Federal Financial Aid
Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students based on the financial need of the student. 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 student’s award. Students may not receive Pell at more than one school at a time. Pell Grants recipients are limited to six Scheduled Awards (maximum amount for full-time enrollment for a full academic year).
All other financial aid eligibility requirements such as making satisfactory progress, need to be met to qualify.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
This is a grant for students who are not eligible for a Pell Grant whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/01. Student who, at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death, was less than 24 years old or was enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education is eligible. The amount is the same as the Pell Grant and is adjusted for less than full-time enrollment.
Direct PLUS Loan Program
This is an unsubsidized loan made to parents (biological, adoptive, or in some cases, stepparent) and must be repaid. This loan is a credit-based loan. Student 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). Parent must complete PLUS loan data sheet and PLUS master promissory note for loan to be certified. Parent also must be approved through a credit check for loan to guarantee.
The parent borrower determines how excess funds are disbursed when completing the PLUS loan data sheet.
If a student’s parents do not qualify for a PLUS loan, the student may be eligible for additional Direct Loans (see Direct Loan Annual Limits).
Direct Loan Program
This program provides to students 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 loan counseling, Direct Loan master promissory note, and submission of Electronic Award Letter for loan to be certified. Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for loan disbursement.
- Subsidized Direct Loan is need based. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while a student is in school at least half time and during a period of deferment. Effective July 1, 2013 new borrowers are limited to 150% of their academic program to receive subsidized loans. Students who lose eligibility for additional subsidized loans and who subsequently enroll in the same program or another program of equal or shorter duration lose interest subsidy on subsidized loans received after July 1, 2013.
- Unsubsidized Direct Loan is available for students who do not have financial need and for amounts beyond subsidized loan limit for some students. The U.S. Department of Education does not pay interest on unsubsidized loans.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
SEOG is a grant available for undergraduates, based on the financial need of the student. To be eligible students must be receiving Pell. Columbia College is only given a limited amount of funding for SEOG. Awards are no longer made after funds have been expended. To increase possibility of being awarded SEOG, student must submit their FAFSA with Columbia College’s school code prior to March 1 (the spring before the academic year begins). Student must be enrolled to be eligible for SEOG. Any unexpended SEOG funds will be allocated to various students with exceptional need at the end of the academic year. SEOG awards range from $100 to $4,000; the average award is $1,000.
Alternative Loan Program
Students who have exceeded all their federal loan eligibility may apply for an alternative loan. These loans are credit based and information can be accessed at the Columbia College website, www.ccis.edu.
Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study program offers the opportunity for students who demonstrate financial need based on the results of the FAFSA to work on campus.
State Financial Aid
Access Missouri Grant
his grant is available to residents of Missouri, based on financial need. Application is made by completing the FAFSA before April 1 (the spring before the academic year begins). For information access: http://dhe.mo.gov/ppc/grants/accessmo.php. 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 as well as satisfactory academic progress based on quantitative measure and maximum time frame (see financial aid standards of academic progress). Renewal is not automatic; renewal is based on financial need and FAFSA application being completed before April 1 (the spring before the academic year begins). A student may not receive Access for more than 10 semesters.
Missouri Minority Teacher Education Scholarship
This scholarship is available to minority students who rank in the top 25% of their class or on the ACT/SAT and intend to major in education. Columbia College matches the $1,000 awarded by the State of Missouri. Applications are available from high school counselors or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Scholarship applications may be obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s website: http://www.dhe.mo.gov./ppc/grants. Application deadline is June 1, 2014.
Bright Flight Scholarship
Students who are Missouri high school graduates who scored in the top 3 percent of Missouri students on the ACT or SAT are eligible for this scholarship. The Missouri Department of Higher Education awards the scholarship. Renewable for four years with fulltime enrollment and must maintain a cumulative gpa of at least 2.5 as well as satisfactory academic progress based on quantitative measure and maximum time frame (see financial aid standards of academic progress). To apply, contact the State of Missouri Department of Higher Education, high school guidance counselors or the Registration and Financial Services Office at Columbia College.
ABLE Grant
Florida ABLE (Access to Better Learning and Education) grant is available to full-time (12 SH) students over 16 week semesters (2 sessions). Students must be working on a bachelor’s degree and meet Florida residency requirements. Residency requirements are determined through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Awards are packaged in an estimated status until funds are received from the state. Full time eligibility is determined after the add/drop of October and March sessions. Students may not be in default or owe an overpayment on state or federal aid. The ABLE grant eligibility is based on budgetary constraints. For additional requirements please see www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org.
Scholarships, Grants and Awards
Scholarships
Institutional aid is awarded to degreeseeking students working on their first baccalaureate degree. See http://www.ccis.edu/offices/financialaid/scholarshipfinder/ for available scholarships. Institutional aid is generally intended for tuition assistance; scholarship amounts vary. Some awards are automatic based on specific criteria. Many scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students of high academic ability. Generally, scholarships, awards and grants are non-need forms of financial assistance. Scholarship availability varies by campus.
The Associate Transfer Grant
Eligibility for the Associate Transfer Grant includes the following criteria:
- The Associate Degree must have been earned within the past twelve months and must consist of 60 credit hours or its equivalent.
- The student must not have received the Associate Degree from Columbia College.
- The student may not have completed additional college work since the award of the Associate Degree.
- The student must have financial need. For example, he or she must not be eligible for VA Benefits or for Tuition Assistance. Students wishing to apply for the Associate Degree Transfer Grant must complete the Application for Institutional Aid. The Associate Transfer Grant provides a reduction in tuition for each eligible student at a maximum of $12.50 per credit hour attempted. This award is for five sessions only, for a maximum total award of $375. To receive and remain eligible for the grant, the student must maintain satisfactory academic progress according to established institutional policy and must be continuously enrolled as a full-time student.
The Two-in-Family Grant
Two-in-Family Grants are available to eligible students when an immediate family member (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister) is enrolled as a full-time student at Columbia College. Students must apply for the grant using the Columbia College Institutional Aid Application available online. The student must have financial need. For example, he or she must not be eligible for VA Benefits or for Tuition Assistance. The Two-in-Family Grant will provide a tuition reduction of $75.00 per session for each family member who is enrolled on a full-time basis. The Two-in-Family Grant is renewable in succeeding sessions as long as both family members remain full-time students and continue to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to established institutional policy. Renewal of the Two-in-Family Grant requires completion of a Columbia College institutional aid application for financial aid each year.
Colonel Charles McGee Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is given 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 there are no veterans and/or dependents who qualify for the award. For more information, visit the following website at http//www.ccis.edu/mcgee-scholarship.
eScholarship
The eScholarship is a one-time award designed to reward outstanding achievement in 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 a student with Columbia College. At the time of application, the student must meet the following criteria:
- Be a degree-seeking, undergraduate student working on first baccalaureate (bachelors) degree.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 with Columbia College. Have successfully completed at least three online courses during the current academic year.
- Have at least 21 hours of coursework with Columbia College (in-seat or online). Nine of the hours should have been taken during the previous academic year.
Military Spouse Tuition Grant
The spouse of an active duty, guard or reserve member of any U.S. military service will be granted a 20 percent tuition discount for in-seat classes. The grant recognizes the service and sacrifice of military members and the spouses who support them. To be eligible, a student must be able to show a valid military spouse I.D. or other documentation that confirms marriage to a military member and not be eligible for tuition-assistance under another program. Application must occur prior to or at the time of registration. Eligibility must be renewed each academic year.
Military Spouse Opportunity Grant
Awarded to spouses of active servicemembers. It provides tuition for the first inseat course taken at Columbia College.
Military Family Member’s Opportunity Grant
Award amount is tuition for one in-seat course. Awarded to family members (dependents) of military members currently serving on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves. Student must be seeking first undergraduate degree and be enrolled in first course at Columbia College. Student must also complete the Military Grant Application and Military Status Form before registering.
The Columbia College Coast Guard Spouse Grant
Offers a 50% tuition grant for all courses, for a lifetime maximum of $4,000, for degree seeking students.
Silver Citizens Award
Students 65 years of age or older are eligible for the Silver Citizens Award which is a 50% tuition scholarship. Students are required to pay all other charges in connection with enrollment, coursework and graduation. Students must be at least 65 years of age before the start of the term in order for the scholarship to be applied.
Columbia College Alumni Association (CCAA) Lifelong Learning Grant
A student who has an associate or baccalaureate degree from Columbia College may be eligible to participate in the Lifelong Learning Grant. Eligible students may enroll in one course free of charge if five years have elapsed since the student received the degree and the student has been academically inactive, no outstanding fees are owed, and the student is not in default on a Federal Stafford/Direct or Perkins Loan.
Students may enroll for credit or as an auditor in a course being offered during the regularly scheduled session provided space is available and course prerequisites are met. The CCAA Lifelong Learning Grant cannot be used for graduate-level or online education courses. Students are required to pay for any lab fees or textbooks associated with the course.
Students are permitted to enroll in one free course in each subsequent five-year period, but may not accumulate free courses.
Application for the CCAA Lifelong Learning Grant is to be forwarded through the campus of desired attendance to the Admissions Office and no application fee is required. CCAA Lifelong Learning Grant applicant must submit a Columbia College institutional aid application. Other aid may be available from the local campus.
Veteran’s Grant
Former U.S. military personnel are eligible for this need-based, non-renewable grant. The award provides $200 for every six months of active service and is worth a maximum of $800. This is a one-time grant and is not renewable.
Frank S. Westling Scholarship
A $750 scholarship awarded to students through an application process. The scholarship is for tuition and books and is non-renewable.
Outside Sources
State Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Students with physical or mental disabilities may be eligible to receive benefits from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Assistance may include counseling; training for vocational, technical or professional employment; and funding for books, supplies, maintenance, medical services and transportation. To apply, students should contact the regional Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Missouri residents may write to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
War Orphans or Armed Services Benefits
If students are dependents of veterans who died or were permanently disabled as a result of military duty, are between the ages of 18 and 26, and are enrolled on a fulltime basis, they may be eligible for educational benefits. Students may contact their regional Veteran’s Administration office or contact the local campus Veterans Certifying Official.
GI 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 local campus Veterans Certifying Official.
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