Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities
As a participant in the U.S. Department of Education aid programs, WCTC is required to provide a list of students' rights and responsibilities as they pertain to aid programs.
Students have the right to know the following information:
- Types of available financial assistance programs.
- Application deadlines for each financial aid program.
- Attendance costs.
- Policies on refunds for students who withdraw.
- Criteria used to select financial aid recipients.
- How financial need is determined.
- Resources considered in calculating a student's need.
- How much of a student's financial need (as determined by the institution) has been met.
- How and when funds will be disbursed.
- Various programs in a financial aid package. If a student believes he or she has been treated unfairly, he or she may request reconsideration of the award which was made.
- Whether a student meets satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and the consequences for not meeting SAP.
- What portion of financial aid must be repaid, and what amount is grant aid. For loans,
a student must know:
- The interest rate.
- Total amount to be repaid.
- Payback procedures.
- Length of time to repay the loan.
- When repayment begins.
Student responsibilities include:
- Reviewing all college program information prior to enrolling.
- Accurately completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and filing it in a timely manner. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law, considered a criminal offense and subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
- Providing all documentation, corrections and/or new information requested by the Financial Aid office or the agency to which the application was submitted.
- Reading, understanding and keeping copies of all forms.
- Accepting responsibility for all signed agreements.
- Understanding and complying with deadlines for application or reapplication of aid. Students must reapply for aid each academic year.
- Understanding and complying with WCTC's refund procedures.
- Understanding that financial aid awarded is to be used solely for expenses related to attendance at WCTC.
- Notifying the Financial Aid office:
- Of changes in enrollment status, name, address and aid obtained from private sources. A student must inform the office and any lender informed of withdrawal or graduation.
- Of entrance criteria (no high school diploma or equivalent; not having passed an ability to benefit test).
- If you are serving a criminal sentence in a federal, state or local penitentiary, prison, jail or similar correctional institution.
- If you expect to receive any financial assistance not included on your award offer (such as DVR, employer tuition assistance, scholarships, veteran benefits or others).