Federal Financial Aid
Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is available to undergraduate students and is 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 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 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 is the same as Pell Grant amount and is adjusted for less than full-time enrollment.
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. Student must be enrolled to be eligible for SEOG.
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 eAward 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 US Department of Education pays the interest while a student is in school at least half time, 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 of subsidized loans received after July 1, 2013.
- Unsubsidized Direct loans are available for students who do not have financial need and for amounts beyond subsidized loan limit 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. 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 be processed.
If a student’s parents do not qualify for a PLUS loan, the student may be eligible for additional Direct loans.
Federal 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. Information regarding open positions and application process is available from Human Resources at the Columbia, Missouri Campus.
State Financial Aid
Access Missouri
This 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). 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 Satisfactory 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 Scholarship
Through this program, students enrolled in approved teacher education programs receive loans to assist with educational expenses. For students who meet all of the program’s obligations, the loan is forgiven through conversion to a 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 pursue teacher certification. Columbia College provides $1,000 of the award that is given 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.
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. To apply, contact the State of Missouri Department of Higher Education, high school guidance counselors or the Enrollment Service Center at Columbia College. Renewable for four years with full-time 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 Satisfactory Academic Progress).
Scholarships, Grants and Awards
Scholarships, awards and grants are forms of “gift” assistance that do not require repayment. Institutional aid is generally intended for tuition assistance; scholarship amounts vary. Some awards are automatic based on specific criteria. Other scholarships are made available in recognition of performance. Generally scholarships, awards, and grants are non-need forms of financial assistance. Scholarships available vary by campus. Institutional aid is awarded to degree-seeking students working on their first undergraduate degree.
ALMM/PLA Women’s Achievement Scholarship
Criteria: Presented to a day, evening or nursing student who is female, age 25 or over with at least a 2.75 GPA.
ALMM/PLA Women’s Achievement Scholarship for Nursing
The Assistance League of Mid-Missouri/Professional Leaders Auxiliary Scholarship presented to female students who are Mid-Missouri residents, U.S. citizens and 25 years or older with at least a 2.75% GPA who are enrolled in the nursing program.
Associate Degree Transfer Grant
The 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 financial 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.
Boone County Endowed Award
New freshmen who are residents of Boone County with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.1 or a GED score of 280 and a minimum ACT score of 22 or SAT equivalent, may compete for these scholarships. One letter of recommendation is required from a leader of a community organization in which the student participates. Each year $1000 awards are awarded to full-time students, renewable with a 2.5 Columbia College cumulative grade point average.
Centurylink Foundation Scholarship
Presented to students who are residents of Missouri and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Recipients must be incoming freshmen, transfer students or seniors.
Columbia College Nursing Scholarship
Presented to outstanding nursing students with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Evening Campus Scholarship
This award, which was established in 1989, is presented to an outstanding full-time student in the Evening Campus.
Criteria: Awarded to a student in the Evening Campus, 25 years of age or older, with a 3.5 or higher cumulative G.P.A., who has earned at least 42 credit hours from Columbia College. When more than one student qualifies, G.P.A., financial need, and service to the College or community will be considered.
Frank Westling Scholarship
A $750 scholarship awarded to students through an application process. The scholarship is for tuition and books and is non-renewable.
Jackolyn Lois Barnhouse Memorial Scholarship
This award was established in 1999 to honor and memorialize Jackolyn Lois Barnhouse who was “a woman, good without pretense, blessed with plain reason, and with sober sense.” -Alexander Pope
Criteria: Awarded to an Evening Campus student who is a single mother concentrating her studies in Humanities, with a minimum of 24 hours completed at Columbia College and a 2.5 GPA or higher at Columbia College.
Mary Alice Robertson Simon-Merideth Scholarship
Criteria: Presented to a major in either mathematics or science. Student must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Mary Isabel Omer Scholarship
Criteria: Junior or Senior day or evening students majoring in psychology (counseling) or education (with a strong emphasis in psychology). Must have grade point averages of 3.0 or higher and show evidence of need. (Cross-listed with Education and History & Social Sciences).
Metscher Family Scholarship
This award was established in 1983 by several members of the College staff in honor of Lizbeth Brydges Metscher, a valued and respected member of the Evening faculty who has provided encouragement and support to evening students.
Criteria: Awarded to a returning female Evening student 30 years of age or older, who has a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average and who has earned 42 or more credit hours from Columbia College.
Missouri Employers Mutual Scholarship
This award is presented to an evening student with financial need who is a Missouri resident and has a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average with 60 hours completed. They must be a Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or Management Information Systems major.
Skinner Scholarship
Established to honor Patti Skinner. Mrs. Skinner served Columbia College in various academic and administrative roles in the Extended Studies and Adult Higher Education Divisions for over 36 years. She taught courses in the Day program as well as in the Evening campus. In 2000 she became Director of the Evening campus providing leadership until her retirement in November 2012.
Patti was the key force in establishing the Nu Omicron Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter for the Evening Campus, for serving as the chapter’s Councilor, and for facilitating the awards ceremonies since their inception.
Patti’s late husband, Estill H. Skinner, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration through the Evening Campus in 1985 which allowed him to make a life-changing career change into the field of banking.
One or more annual award(s) shall be made to student(s) in the Evening Campus.
Preference will be given to student(s) with a major in Business Administration who are attending the Evening Campus to finish their undergraduate degree or to complete a second undergraduate degree for career advancement purposes.
Military Spouse Tuition Grant
The spouse of an active duty, guard or reserve member of any military service will be granted a 20 percent tuition discount for in-seat classes. The discount 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 documents(s) that confirms marriage to a military member. The discount does not apply to online coursework, nor does it apply to military spouses covered under a tuition-assistance program.
Robert M. McDaniels Scholarship
This award was established in honor of Robert M. McDaniels, class of ‘76, former Director of the Evening Campus, in recognition of his many years of excellent leadership of the program.
Criteria: Awarded to a returning, full-time, non-traditional Evening student who is 25 years of age or older, has a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average and who has earned 42 or more credit hours from Columbia College.
Rose Lamb Accounting Scholarship
This award was established in honor of Rose Lamb, class of ‘98, a former Evening accounting student. Criteria: Awarded to an Evening accounting student who has 12 hours of accounting with a minimum 3.25 G.P.A.; an overall G.P.A. of 3.0; and evidence of financial need. A Letter of Application stating the student’s goals and need for the scholarship must be submitted along with the application.
Silver Citizen Award
A student of 65 years or older is required to pay one half normal tuition. Such a student is required to pay all other charges in connection with enrollment, course work, and graduation.
Spouse’s Opportunity Grant
Awarded to spouses of active service members. It provides tuition for the first in-seat course taken at Columbia College.
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. Apply using the Columbia College institutional aid application. 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.
Veteran’s Grant
Former U.S. military personnel are eligible for the 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.
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 CCAA Lifelong Learning Grant. Eligible students may enroll in one course free of charge if five years have elapsed since the student received the degree, no outstanding fees are owed, and the student is not in default on a Federal Stafford/Direct of Perkins Loan.
Students may enroll for credit or as an auditor in a course being offered during the regularly scheduled sessions 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.
Outside Sources
Alternative Loan Program
Students who do not have federal loan eligibility may apply for an alternative loan. These loans are credit based. Information is available on the Financial Aid website.
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 full-time basis, they may be eligible for educational benefits. Students may contact their regional Veteran’s Administration office or the Veterans Coordinator, Columbia College, (573) 875-7504.
GI Educational Benefits
Columbia College is approved for enrollment certification of students eligible to receive education assistance (GI Bill) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Eligibility requirements vary for veterans education benefit programs. For additional information and application materials, contact the Columbia College Veterans Certifying Official, (573) 875-7504, vacert@ccis.edu.
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 Work Connections Office in your area.
Financial Aid Information
If you have any questions about the College’s financial aid program, call the Enrollment Service Center for assistance at (573) 875-7390.
Additional financial aid is available at Columbia College’s web site: www.ccis.edu
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