Policy Title: Financial Aid and Scholarships

Policy Number:                5.1

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Definitions:

  • Title IV – A term that refers to federal financial aid funds.
  • Program Participation Agreement (PPA) – An agreement between the college and the U.S. Department of Education stating that the college will comply with the laws, regulations, and policies governing Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs.

 

Eastern Wyoming College (EWC), a state-approved public institution of higher education, is approved by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to participate in the federal student financial aid programs. EWC shall maintain its eligibility by:

 

  • Filing a current program participation agreement (PPA), that is signed by the College President and an authorized representative of the Secretary of Education on a form approved by the Secretary of Education.
  • Administering the Federal Student Aid (FSA) program funds in a prudent and responsible manner to maintain eligibility.
  • Allow an independent auditor to conduct an audit of the school’s compliance with the laws and regulations that are applicable to the FSA programs in which the school participates (a compliance audit) and an audit of the school’s financial statements (a financial statement audit).
  • Protecting personally identifiable information (PII), preventing data breaches, and providing robust methods to ensure proper cybersecurity is in place.
  • Compliance with GLBA requirements outlined in Board Policy 7.1.
  • Providing federal financial aid to students who are eligible for Title IV aid for coursework that is required or applied to the student’s Title IV degree/certificate programs. This includes pre and co requisites and remedial credit.

 

The College shall provide financial aid programs based upon (1) assessed financial need and/or (2) major, special population or interest, academic performance or special abilities. All financial aid programs will adhere to guidelines, procedures and standards issued by federal and state laws and other applicable regulatory, institutional and EWC Foundation requirements.

 

The College as per federal regulations shall:

  • Have an established Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and procedure that all students are monitored, even those not receiving Title IV funds to determine Title IV eligibility.
  • Adhere to the state complaint process, provide acceptable resolution to EWC complaints and maintain a student complaint log;
  • Maintain the Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) to include all certificates/degrees eligible for Title IV funding;
  • Have a published Return of Title IV policy and interoffice procedures;
  • Adhere to all federal rules and regulations published annually by ED.

EWC students may use Title IV funds for the following allowable charges:

  • Tuition
  • Mandatory Fees
  • Room & Board
  • Books and Supplies
  • Other educationally-related charges, as allowable.

 

Federal Title IV funds received by EWC to distribute to its eligible students shall include:

  • Grant Programs:
    • Pell Grant
    • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
    • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)
    • Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship (CFHS)
  • Federal Work Study
  • Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan
  • Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Student (PLUS) Loan

 

Note: EWC students are also eligible to receive state and institutional scholarships and grants, as well as, foundation grants and awards.  The institution shall have written procedures that identify communication of these available funds, eligibility requirements and disbursement of such to all eligible new or existing students.

 

In order to be eligible to receive Title IV funds, EWC students must:

  • Have met the admissions and eligibility requirements;
  • Reapply for financial aid for each academic year;
  • Be enrolled in a Title IV eligible program of study;
  • Be enrolled in the required number of credits for the Title IV program and in credits that are a part of that eligible program of study;
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP); and
  • Meet citizenship status requirements.

The College shall establish a Financial Aid Review Committee consisting of the Vice President for Student Services, two faculty representatives appointed by the Faculty Senate, one staff representative appointed by the Staff Alliance, and the Financial Aid Director to:

 

  • Advise the Financial Aid Office concerning financial aid policy and procedures; and
  • Address other appeals concerns, outside professional judgement, for students whose aid may be discontinued for academic deficiencies or other reasons.
  • The Financial Aid Director has sole discretion to approve/deny appeals for special and unusual circumstances.

 

References:  Federal Student Aid Handbook; Vol. 1 – Student Eligibility; Vol. 2 – Institutional Eligibility and Participation; Vol. 4 – Processing Aid and Managing FSA Funds; Vol. 5  – Withdrawal and Return to Title IV; 34 CFR 99.31, 34 CFR 668.14, 34 CFR 668.41, 34 CFR 668.42, 34 CFR 668.43, 34 CFR 668.44, 34 CFR 668.45, 34 CFR 668.46, & 34 CFR 668.47; 34 CFR 668.164; 34 CRF 668.165; Public Law 101-226, Public Law 107-56 and Higher Education Opportunity Act, Public Law 110-315, (HEOA), Sec. 479A(a); Section 480(d)(7).  Wyoming Statute: § 9-4-204(u)(vii); 21-16-1301 – § 21-16-1312: Hathaway Scholarship Requirements.

 

Original Adoption Date: 5/11/04

Revision Date(s): 11/8/05 (RF)

Date Reviewed but No Change: 5/11/21