Financial Aid

News

2018-2019 News

Starting with the 2018–19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the following changes have been put in place: 

  • Students are now able to submit a FAFSA® earlier.  Students have been able to file a 2018–19 FAFSA since Oct. 1, 2017, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2018. The earlier submission date is a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2018–19 schedule. The FAFSA became available Jan. 1 as in previous years.)
  • Students now report earlier income information. Beginning with the 2018–19 FAFSA, students are required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2018–19 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) must report their 2016 income information, rather than their 2017 income information.  

If you would like to research the information you can do so yourself.  Please visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes .

Notice to Students

“An individual may contact the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education for review of a complaint.  The Bureau may be contacted at 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95833, http://www.bppe.ca.gov,Telephone (916) 431-6924 Fax (916) 263-1897.”

Computer Budget Increase Update

Computer Budget Increase

Computer budget increases are meant to allow a student to increase their financial aid budget in the event they have a need to purchase a new computer for the current academic year.  This increase will only be approved within the first 30 days of each semester.  Students will need to provide an itemized statement listing the planned computer equipment to be purchased, and/or a receipt that details the type and specifications of the computer already purchased.  The student must submit the budget increase request along with the supporting documentation to the Chief Information Officer for approval before submitting to Financial Aid.

In the event a computer budget increase is needed after the 30 days, in addition to the itemized statement and receipt, a written statement from your instructor must be submitted.  The Instructor letter must indicate that a new computer is necessary for the student to successfully complete the semester.   

In all cases, a copy of the actual receipt showing that the student purchased computer equipment is required to be submitted to the financial aid office. 

2017-2018 Direct Loan Information

SCI-Arc provides loans to students and parents via Federal Direct Stafford and Parent PLUS programs. Alternative student loans are also available through private sources.

To be offered a federal student loan, including non-need based loans, you must first complete the 2017-2018 FAFSA.  

For more information about federal loan opportunities, go to the federal aid website at http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans.

Loan Rights and Responsibilities

 Student Federal Direct Stafford Loan

 The Federal Direct loan was created by the federal government to help finance educational costs. The loans are certified by SCI-Arc and funded directly by the US Department of Education.

  • For undergraduate level loans received in 2017-2018 (loans disbursed between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018) the interest rate for the subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans will be 4.45%.
  • For graduate level loans (students in Master's degrees) loans received in 2017-2018 (has a loan start date between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018) are unsubsidized only and fixed at 6%.
  • A 1.066% loan origination fee is charged and taken off the top of the loan. If you borrow $1,000, the amount disbursed is $990 (For example, $1,000 less the $10 loan origination fee).
  • Repayments begin six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time, graduates, or leaves school
All students need to carefully consider potential debt before accepting loans.

Student Stafford Direct Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized

For undergraduate and credential students there are two types of Stafford Direct loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Students in graduate programs are only eligible for the unsubsidized student loan.

  • Subsidized loans are based on financial need, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and the Cost of Attendance (COA) at SCI-Arc. The federal government pays the interest on these loans while the student is in school. There is a 6 month grace period where payment is not due, though interest will begin to accrue. After this 6-month grace period, the student is required to make payments on the loan including interest.
  • Unsubsidized loans have no interest subsidy, and therefore they accrue interest while the student is in school and during the 6-month grace period. The student may pay the interest while in school or may choose to postpone interest payments. Any accrued interest will be added to the original loan amount (capitalization).

Direct PLUS Loan:

The Federal Direct PLUS helps students(domestic) pay college expenses. Current Undergrad-Dependent/Graduate students may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any financial aid received by the student. The interest rate is fixed at 7%.

There will be a 4.264% origination fee on this loan. This fee will be taken from each disbursement of the loan.
 

Federal Financial Aid Changes for Undergraduates in 2016-17

 FEDERAL PELL GRANT CHANGES

How much money can I get?

Amounts can change yearly. For the 2017–18 award year (July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018), the maximum award is $5,920.

 
Effective July 1, 2012, a Lifetime Limit will be assessed for all recipients of the Pell Grant. - The maximum number of semesters a student can receive a Pell Grant is now 12 (twelve) regardless of when you received your first Pell Grant:
  • The number of years receiving Pell will be tracked as a percentage with a maximum Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) of 600%.  For example, a full time student receives 2 semesters of Pell Grant will use 100% for the year.  A part time student receives 2 semesters of Pell Grant will use 50% for the year.
  • Students who have submitted a 2012-13 FAFSA and are in excess of 450% Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU), will receive an e-mail message from the Department of Education in mid-June.
  • Students will be able to view their Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) on their Student Aid Reports (SAR) beginning July 2012 or can go to www.NSLDS.ed.gov to find their LED from 1993 to present. 

It is important that students use their Pell grant eligibility wisely, especially prior to transferring to SCI-Arc.  NOTE: Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 which included these changes.  SCI-Arc is required to follow all federal Title IV laws in order to maintain the financial aid program.