Financial Aid and Scholarship Assistance for Clock-Hour Occupational Training Programs

H.P.V.E.C. makes every effort to help students who need financial assistance in order to pursue their education. The assistance available to eligible students includes grants, scholarships and part-time employment opportunities (a student's assistance package may include one, some, or all of these). Grants (based on financial need) and scholarships (awards for academic achievement or due to special talents) do not have to be repaid. For complete information on available Financial Aid Programs, students should visit the Financial Aid Advisor in room 109. A financial Aid Advisor will be on site Tuesdays 11:00AM-7:30PM and Wednesdays 8:30AM-4:30PM.

Financial Need
Financial need is calculated as the difference between the cost of attending H.P.V.E.C. and the amount that a student's family can afford to contribute. This contribution is computed according to family size, documented income, and other related information that the applicant may be requested to provide. Given that H.P.V.E.C. assigns primary financial responsibility to the students, it is up to them to prove that they are not able to meet this responsibility before the Center becomes involved (as a third party) in assisting students with the processing of their financial assistance applications.
Eligibility for Financial Aid will be determined upon submission of the Free Application for Federal Aid. Students may request these forms at the Office for Students Services. To be eligible for financial assistance, students must:

• Demonstrate financial need;
• Be enrolled in eligible programs;
• Be United States citizens or eligible non-citizens;
• Not be in default for a student loan;
• Not owe a refund on a Federal Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant;
• Have signed a statement of registration status indicating that they are registered with the Selective Service (if required)

Ability to Benefit
Students who have not graduated from high school or have not earned a GED certificate must score at or above a federally-designated level on an approved U.S. Department of Education test administered at the City Colleges of Chicago in order to be eligible for financial aid (34 CFR 668.7(b)).

Satisfactory Progress
Financial aid program participants must make progress according to schedule in order to keep their eligibility for financial assistance.

Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility
All students must meet their Academic Standards, in compliance with PART I of the Academic Policy. In addition, and under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, students must also demonstrate Satisfactory Progress. To maintain their Satisfactory Progress status, students must successfully complete a specific percentage of credit hours within each eight-week module of a given program. Each module must also be concluded within a certain time frame. Satisfactory Progress takes into account all registered hours of skills credit courses completed at the City Colleges of Chicago or at other accredited institutions (see PART I of the Academic Policy).

Unsatisfactory Progress (Hold 19)
In order to qualify for financial aid, students must be enrolled in programs that meet financial aid eligibility guidelines. In addition, they must successfully comply with a minimum percentage of credit hours within each eight-week module in their program. Students who do not meet the minimum percentage of credit hours at a given module will be placed on Satisfactory Progress probation status throughout the following module. Students will be notified of their probation status through their final grade reports. Students will keep their financial aid eligibility during probation. However, if a student is not able to complete a required percentage of credit hours in a probation module, such student's record will be placed on Unsatisfactory Progress Hold (19), which will prevent this student from receiving financial aid during the next module.

Appeal Procedure
To appeal their Unsatisfactory Progress status, students must file an official appeal form showing either:

1. Extenuating circumstances, meaning reasons beyond their control for failing to complete a minimum percentage of credit hours in a given eight week module; or

2. Administrative error due to a miscalculation of student's GPA, or of his/her registered or successfully completed credit hours.

If successful, the appeal may preserve a student's financial aid eligibility status for the following module. Otherwise, this student may continue with a program without receiving financial aid if he or she complies with Academic Standards.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility
Students who wish to regain their financial aid eligibility must complete at least one module at their own expense, while registering for a minimum of at least twelve (12) skills credit hours. Upon meeting Satisfactory Progress and Academic Standards and if they have not reached their Maximum Time Frame, these students may then regain their financial aid eligibility status. Credit Hour Limits for Satisfactory Progress towards Program Completion (Hold 20) Maximum Time Frame means the time in which a student must complete a program in order to be eligible for financial aid. When calculating Maximum Time Frame, all registered hours will be counted, including those for which a student did not receive financial aid (see Academic Standards). Students within one module of reaching their Maximum Time Frame will be placed on alert. This Alert status will be indicated on the student's final grade report. While on alert, students may continue to receive financial aid. If students do not complete their program in this period, A Maximum Time Frame Hold (20) will appear on their records and their financial aid eligibility will cease. Students may appeal for an extension of their Credit Hour Limit, which may be granted if they:

1. Enroll in a new program, or

2. Re-enroll in a repeated course, in compliance with Academic Standards.

Students who successfully appeal their Credit Hour Limit Hold status will regain financial aid eligibility. Otherwise, they may re-enroll at their own expense, provided they meet Academic Standards. Transfer Students: Maximum Time Frame Transfer students within the City Colleges of Chicago who enroll in a new skills credit program will have their cumulative registered hours counted towards their Maximum Time Frame. The same will apply to those transferring from outside the system, as long as their cumulative registered hours are in agreement with the City Colleges of Chicago transfer guidelines.

Grants
Federal Pell Grant: Federal money awarded to eligible students to help pay for their college education. These funds can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, living expenses and transportation. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Programs (FSEOG): Federal money which supplements the Pell grant for students with exceptional financial need. The amount of the award is determined by H.P.V.E.C., based on the availability of funds. Federal Work Study Program (FWSP): Part-time jobs either on or off campus, up to a maximum of 20 hours a week during the regular academic year.

Application Procedures
Students should begin the application process for financial aid as early as possible in order to meet pre-established deadlines. Missing such deadlines will preclude them from making deferred payments, which means that they would have to pay cash for their classes. STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID:

1. The first, the most important, is the SAR - all three parts sent to you in response to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

2. Proof of citizenship, or Immigration and Naturalization Service documentation of permanent residency status or any other non-temporary status granted.

3. Verification of income.

I. A signed copy of your Internal Revenue Service (federal) income tax return for the prior year. Students living with their parents or under the age of 24 must provide a signed copy of the parents' income tax return for the prior year. If you are married, a signed copy of your spouse's tax return is required.

II. When no income tax returns have been filed because you or your family only receive non-taxable income, a verification from the agencies or persons providing for your support must be obtained. Examples of non-taxable income sources are Public Aid, Unemployment Compensation, Social Security and Veterans Administration benefits.

4. Financial Aid transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions previously attended must be on file with the Financial Aid Office. Financial Aid transcripts should be requested from all the colleges you have attended prior to enrolling at H.P.V.E.C.

5. Proof of High School Graduation or GED completion must be provided.

Note: If students have misplaced any of the above documents, copies may be obtained from the appropriate agency. However, because it may take an agency several weeks to process a request, applicants are encouraged to begin gathering all necessary documents far in advance.

Veterans' Information
Students who are veterans have access to Federal Educational Benefits. The Center will assist veterans in the preparation of an application for a Certificate of Eligibility that is required by the Veterans Administration (VA). The Center is approved by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. For additional information, please contact the Office of Student Services.