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Student Financial Aid Rights & Responsibilities

Student Financial Aid Rights & Responsibilities

 

STUDENT RIGHTS

You have the right to: 

  • Know what financial aid programs are available to you, including all federal, state, and institutional financial aid. 
  • Know the deadlines for submitting applications for each of the programs available. 
  • Know how your financial need was determined. This includes the Cost of Attendance/Student Budget 
  • Know what resources are considered in the calculation of your financial need, and how much of your need has been met.  
  • Request an explanation of the various programs in your student aid package. 
  • Request a review of your or your parents’ current financial situation if there has been a significant decrease in income compared to the previous year, or if there have been other substantial financial changes due to circumstances beyond your or your parents’ control. 
  • Know how financial aid will be disbursed and SCC’s disbursement policy. 
  • Know that financial aid funds will be used to cover any unpaid enrollment fees and student fees for the semester funds are being received.  
  • Know how the SCC evaluates your academic progress and the consequences if you do not meet the required standards. 
  • Understand the breakdown of your aid package, including which portions are grants or loans, and which amounts require repayment. For loans, you also have the right to know the interest rates, the total amount to be repaid, repayment procedures, when repayment begins, and the duration of the repayment period. 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

As a financial aid recipient, you have the responsibility to the following (but are not limited to): 

  • Ensure your contact information in Self-Service is correct and up to date. 
  • Check your email and Self Service often since information and requests are sent via email. 
  • Complete all application forms accurately and submit them prior to deadlines. 
  • Reapply for financial aid each year and submit all required documents to the Financial Aid Office. Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year. 
  • Provide correct information. Intentionally misreporting information on financial aid applications is a violation of the law and may be considered a criminal offense. 
  • Provide all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office. 
  • Read and understand all forms before signing. If you have any questions, ask the Financial Aid Office for clarification.  
  • Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work Study award. 
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. 
  • Review and understand the terms and conditions of your financial aid award. 
  • Understand the Disbursement Schedule and Policy. 
  • Know the implications that dropping a course or withdrawing from classes will have on your student financial aid. 
  • Use financial aid funds solely for educational purposes. 
  • Enroll only in classes required for your academic program, as financial aid cannot cover courses outside of your program.  
  • If borrowing a student loan, complete the SCC Loan Request Form, Entrance Counseling, and Master Promissory Note (MPN). Exit Counseling is required upon graduation, if you drop below 6 units, or cease enrollment.  
  • Must comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign. 
  • Must comply with SCC’s Student Discipline & Code of Conduct 

​All information in a student's financial aid application and file is confidential, as governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. Submitted documentation becomes part of the student's file and will not be returned. Due to FERPA, we cannot provide specific details about a student’s file over the phone or by email. In most cases, students must be present to discuss their file in person. For more information, visit: College Policies