Financial Aid (Applies to Curriculum Students Only)
Financial Aid Philosophy - The U. S. Department of Education and Gaston College maintain the view that the primary responsibility for providing educational expenses rests with the student and the student’s family. However, students who cannot provide the entire cost, and demonstrate financial need, may obtain monetary assistance through the Financial Aid Office.
Financial Aid is distributed at Gaston College without regard to race, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Gaston College is an equal opportunity educational institution.
Types of Financial Aid
All Financial Aid programs fall into one of two categories: gifts and work. Gift assistance includes grants and scholarships, and does not have to be repaid provided that the student receiving financial aid attends classes at least through the 60% point of the semester. Work is a self-help program that enables students to pay part of their expenses through their own earnings. The work-study program gives students the opportunity to work and earn money at or above the current minimum wage. Please note: Gaston College does not participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program.
Application Procedure
Students entering Gaston College in need of financial aid are requested to follow this application procedure:
- After the application for admission has been submitted (see the Office of Admissions), the student should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Students should submit their FAFSA information at www.fafsa.gov using Gaston College school code #002973. Normally, Gaston will have access to your FAFSA within 1-2 weeks, however, it can take 4-6 weeks to process a complete file depending on any additional documents that may be required. It is to the student’s advantage to apply as early as possible for financial assistance several weeks before the student registers for classes.
- In addition, the student should submit other documentation if requested by the Financial Aid Office. Additional documentation includes the Gaston College Financial Aid Application, the Verification Form, and other financial information.
- Students interested in scholarships and/or work-study must submit separate applications. Gaston College Foundation Scholarship Applications must be completed online through the online scholarship system, which is located on the College’s home page each year during January - March. The Work-Study Application is available online in the Financial Aid forms section on the College web page or in the Financial Aid Office.
Applicants may apply for a scholarship, grant, work-study, or any combination of these. The total combined sum of these must not exceed total financial need. The awarding of aid is based on funds available. Students will be notified of their financial aid eligibility via mail, e-mail, and their WebAdvisor account. The award letter will state the type and amount of awards. Students should retain their copy of the award notification letter for their records. If the student does not plan to enroll or use their financial aid award at Gaston College, the student should notify the financial aid office immediately.
In the event that a student receiving federal aid completely withdraws from the institution and stops attending all of their classes prior to the 60% point of the semester, the student could be responsible for repayment of a prorated portion of all financial aid funds. Financial Aid does not pay for audited courses, credit-by-exam, or a certificate in the certified nursing assistant program (CNA). If the student never attends class(es), the student is not eligible to receive financial aid for the class(es) and will be responsible for repayment and billed for the aid in which they became ineligible. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the necessary forms in the Registrar’s Office to drop or withdraw. If the student never attends their class(es) and does not officially drop or withdraw, the student is still responsible for the payment of their tuition, fees, and/or books. In addition, the student may not be entitled to their Gaston College financial aid award(s) if they have received all or part of the awards at another institution prior to enrolling at Gaston College.
The student has the obligation to read, understand and maintain the “Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards” as defined specifically for financial aid recipients. The student’s failure to read and understand the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and Policies does not release the student from their responsibilities. Failure to maintain academic progress will result in the loss of eligibility for financial aid. Eligibility may be regained unless the student has exceeded his or her eligibility to receive federal aid. Student coursework must be restricted to the major that is on file in the Office of Records and Registration. Courses taken outside of the approved major may require adjustment to the financial aid award. Financial aid will pay for repeated courses as long as it falls within the College’s repeat policy guidelines. However, Financial Aid will not pay for excessive repeats beyond this policy nor will it pay for repeated courses that are not necessary to complete the student’s major (i.e., courses that have been repeated twice and successfully passed/completed, or Elective Courses). In addition, Financial Aid will pay for remedial/developmental courses up to a maximum of 30 attempted credit hours.
Student Responsibilities
- Review and consider all information about the College’s programs before enrolling.
- Apply/re-apply for financial assistance EACH year by submitting the FAFSA - preferably by April 30 prior to the upcoming school year.
- Return all required documentation to the Financial Aid Office or School Servicing Center as instructed.
- Read and understand all forms before signing them and keep copies of all forms.
- Notify the lender of previous student loans of changes in name, address, and school status.
- Perform the work that is agreed upon in accepting a College work-study award.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office in writing about additional income not reported on the aid application.
- Submit a thank you note to any scholarship donor for Gaston College Foundation Scholarships awarded.
- Understand and maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards in order to continue to receive financial aid. Students are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress if they do not maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and/or 67% completion rate each semester.
- Contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from school or changing course schedule.
- Officially drop or withdraw from a class(es) that the student registered for but is not attending even if that student applied for and/or received financial aid. Students cannot assume that automatic drops or withdrawals will be performed for them in the event that they do not pay for their registration fees.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office immediately if the student rejects any/all financial aid that his/her have been awarded.
- Make sure that your legal name, as it appears on your Social Security card, is on file with the Office of Records and Registration (via your WebAdvisor Account) and is the name you use on your FAFSA application.
- Make sure that your correct mailing address and current phone number are on file with the Office of Records and Registration (via your WebAdvisor Account) in order to properly receive correspondence and/or refund checks (if applicable) that are mailed to you.
- Use financial aid funds for educationally related expenses.
Unofficial Withdrawals and Financial Aid
Financial aid is awarded to students contingent upon completion of the semester. Federal financial aid recipients who completely withdraw from class, stop attending, drop out, or are dismissed/suspended from class prior to completing 60% of the semester are subject to a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation that will determine if the student is responsible for repayments of any financial aid. Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations are based on the student’s recorded attendance and/or class participation.
Additionally, all attempted courses (excluding developmental coursework) including withdrawals and transfer credit and all periods of attendance at Gaston College are considered towards the 150% maximum time frame requirements regardless of whether financial aid was received for these periods. Once a student reaches the 150% maximum time frame, the student will be considered ineligible for aid.
Consequences of Withdrawals for Students Who Receive Financial Aid
Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw from class or stop attending prior to completing the semester may owe a repayment to the U.S. Government. Calculations are based on the last date of attendance/participation in the class. If a portion of the aid is unearned, the College is required to return the funds to the federal government. If it is determined that a student owes the U.S. Department of Education, failure of the student to repay the debt or make payment arrangements within 45 days of notification will result in the loss of Title IV eligibility at all institutions. In addition, the student will not be allowed to register for future terms at the College.
Scholarships
Gaston College and the Gaston College Foundation offer a variety of scholarships ranging in value from $250 to $2,500 per academic year. Foundation scholarships are donated by civic clubs, foundations, friends of the College, and local businesses. Applicants are considered for all scholarships for which they qualify. Gaston College Foundation scholarship applicants must satisfy all Gaston College admissions requirements, including any required placement tests for their program of study. Applicants must submit the FAFSA using Gaston College’s school code #002973 in addition to completing a Gaston College Foundation Scholarship Application. Scholarship applications are continuously accepted throughout the academic year, with the earliest applicants receiving priority consideration for scholarships. Applications received after the priority deadline, usually early May, will be considered if funds remain after priority applicants are reviewed. Completed applications must be submitted online EACH year by the deadline published online. Information about student financial aid and scholarships may be obtained on the Gaston College web page or from the Financial Aid Office located in the Myers Center on the Dallas Campus, in the Student Affairs Office on the Lincoln Campus and Kimbrell Campus in Belmont. A full listing of Gaston College Foundation Scholarships can be obtained in Financial Aid on the Gaston College web page (www.gaston.edu).
College, State, and Federal Awards
- Federal Pell Grant Program
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
- College Work-Study Program (Federal/Institutional)
- North Carolina Community College Grant
- North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship
- Gaston College Foundation Scholarships
- Gaston College Academic Scholarships (Management Honors & Careers)
- North Carolina Forgivable Education Loan for Service (NCFELS)
- NC Reach Scholarship (Foster Youth)
- Wells Fargo Technical Scholarship
For additional programs or more information regarding financial aid, please refer to the Gaston College catalog, web page, or contact the Financial Aid Office.
Veterans Benefits
Gaston College is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs and NC State Approving Agency to offer VA educational benefits. Eligibility is established by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Eligibility remains in effect until consumed or 10 years from active duty release date for Chapter 30 recipients and 15 years for Chapter 33 recipients. Students serving in the Reserves may also be eligible for benefits. Please contact the Veterans Affairs office located in the Myers Center on Dallas Campus to complete the necessary forms and any other details.
Applicants for educational benefits must fulfill all requirements for general admission. In addition, transfer applicants must submit for evaluation transcripts from ALL other post-secondary institutions attended.
Certain requirements must be met before certifications for payment are sent to the DVA Regional Office for any course or program.
Eligibility may apply to widows or widowers of deceased veterans, spouses of living veterans, and children of either who are between 18 and 26 years of age when the death or permanent disability, resulting from service in the Armed Forces, occurs.
Educational benefits are provided under the provisions of Chapter 30, 31, 33, or 35 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code and Chapter 1606 and 1607 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code.
‘AU’ (Audit), ‘NS’ (No Show), and ‘CE’ (Credit by Examination) are not accepted by the Department of Veterans Affairs for payment purposes. Marks of ‘WA’ (Withdrawal), ‘WI’ (Withdrawal by Instructor), and any course that a student does not complete or stops attending can result in repayment of funds to DVA.
All questions and problems pertaining to eligibility, certification of programs, and payment should be directed to the Veterans Affairs Office.
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