Financial Aid Checklist

• Apply early. Steps in the financial aid process take four to six weeks. Priority deadline is June 1.
• Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available at high schools, public libraries and Gulf Coast Financial Aid offices. The processing center will mail a Student Aid Report (SAR) back to you.
• Submit all pages of the Student Aid Report (SAR) you received to the financial aid office at the campus you plan to attend. You may be required to submit additional information, such as tax returns, to support information presented on the SAR.
• Complete the MGCCC Financial Aid Application, then bring or mail to the campus you plan to attend.
• Complete the appropriate scholarship application forms for the scholarships of your choice.
• When your file is complete, it will be reviewed. You will receive an award letter informing you of your award at Gulf Coast. All financial aid awards are tentative pending the college's receipt of funds from federal, state and local sources.
• Transfer students must request financial aid transcripts from all schools previously attended (including all Gulf Coast campuses), whether or not you received financial aid.
• Request your high school transcript be sent to Gulf Coast if you are applying for a scholarship.
• File a new financial aid application each year you need financial aid.

Eligibility

Eligibility for most financial aid is based on financial need. Students are expected to contribute to their own educational expenses and should not expect financial aid to provide for all living expenses. Financial aid is to be used only for education-related costs. Individuals who are truly in need of assistance will be eligible.

Title IV Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is required by federal regulations to establish minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to determine a student's eligibility for federal financial aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)
• Federal Work Study
• Federal Stafford Loan Program

1. pass a minimum percentage of all courses attempted;
2. maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA); and
3. complete a degree or certificate program within a maximum time frame

Qualitative Standard (Hours Earned and Grade Point Average)

Satisfactory academic progress will be measured according to the chart below:

Academic history is reviewed for all students applying for financial aid, regardless of whether financial aid has been previously received. Hours attempted include all coursework on the transcript, including transfer credit and grades of I, IP, W and AU.

General Information on Application

It's very important to be accurate when completing applications, especially the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form takes four to six weeks to process. If there are corrections to be made, the form must be sent back to the federal processor, which delays your Student Aid Report at least two more weeks.

Be sure to follow the written directions included in the application packet. For information about completing the application, or if you have any other questions about financial assistance, call the Financial Aid Office at the campus of your choice:

• Perkinston Campus, 601-928-6225
• Jefferson Davis Campus, 228-896-2511
• Jackson County Campus, 228-497-7630