Lord Fairfax Community College - Your Future. Our Focus

What happens after I apply?

  1. How is financial need calculated?
    • One of the first steps in the financial aid process is to determine from the FAFSA how much a family can realistically afford to pay toward the costs of college.
    • Applications are reviewed and analyzed on an individual basis to determine financial need. Financial need is the difference between the “cost of attending college” (COA) and the family’s ability to pay (EFC; expected family contribution). Students with the greatest demonstrated need are awarded the most aid. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Late applications are considered as funds become available.
    • Approximately 30 percent of the financial aid students are randomly selected for verification before receiving an award. This means that after the student submits the FAFSA he/she is requested by the college to submit signed copies of their federal tax forms and W2s to the Financial Aid Office.
    • Applicants are entitled a review of their records in the Financial Aid Office and may receive an explanation of how their awards, or rejection of aid, were determined. Criteria for awards are established by federal and state agencies.
    • The financial aid officer computes what a typical student will spend at LFCC (Cost of Attendance) subtracts what the family can pay (EFC) and this equals the amount of remaining need.
    • Listed below is the cost of attendance (budget) for students at LFCC.

    LFCC Student Budget for Financial Aid 2007-08

    Tuition $2,300
    Fees $168
    Living $5,632
    Books/Supplies $1,500
    Miscellaneous $1,400
    Transportation $3,000
    Total Pell Budget $14,000
  2. What information will the Award letter from LFCC contain?

    Lord Fairfax Community College Financial Aid Award Letter

    Lord Fairfax Community College is pleased to offer you the financial aid listed below. The amount of the award is based on your need, as it was determined from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other documents. All awards are contingent upon receipt of funds from the federal and state agencies through which they are provided and are therefore subject to change.

    AWARD Annual Award 1st Semester 2nd Semester
    PELL*  
    FSEOG*  
    CSAP  
    COMA  

    *Federal Aid Programs

    Conditions for Receipt of Aid After First Semester

    • Continue to demonstrate financial need.
    • Must be admitted to a degree, diploma or certificate program.
    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
    • You will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance during the period covered by your award.

    Special Notes On Aid Programs

    Federal College Work Study (FCWS), College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP), and the Commonwealth Award (COMA) recipients must be enrolled at least half-time for the semester. The amount listed on your award letter is what you will receive if you enroll as a full-time student (12 or more credits). If you are not enrolled full-time, your actual award for each semester will be adjusted according to the number of credit hours you are enrolled. Students are not eligible to receive Federal and State Financial Aid from more than one college each term. To receive any of these aid funds you cannot have previously received an associate’s degree.

    Payment of Funds

    The Business Office will establish a credit account for tuition and books for FSEOG, CSAP, PELL, VGAP and COMA recipients. Initial remainder checks will be issued approximately eight weeks after the first day of class. For late filers, remainder checks will be issued approximately a month after completing their file. If your semester award does not cover tuition, you will be expected to pay the difference at the time you register. All awards are subject to adjustment and possible repayment due to changes in enrollment status or financial need.

    Acceptance of Awards

    I understand that registering for classes indicates acceptance of awards. Your signature is not necessary for acceptance.

    I will notify the office of Financial Aid:

    • of any other scholarships, grants, loans, or educational assistance that I receive;
    • of any changes in the information I have submitted on the Lord Fairfax Community College Application for Federal Student Aid and/or the Financial Aid Forms and;
    • of any changes in my class schedule after registration, including withdrawals from classes or from the college.

    The information I have submitted to the Office of Financial Aid is true and correct and I fully understand my obligation relating to the financial aid awarded to me. I understand that I may be required to repay a prorated amount of any grant award I received if I decrease my course load below the enrollment status (full time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time) at which I was paid or if I withdraw from the College.

  3. How is Financial Aid Disbursed?
    • After your financial aid award is made and you have registered for classes, tuition is charged to your financial aid.
    • Books may be charged to the grant at the on-campus bookstore approximately one week before classes begin and for one week after.
    • If additional funds remain in your account, checks will be mailed to you approximately eight weeks after classes begin. You are responsible for seeing that all funds received are used for educational expenses to attend college.
    • Please cash or deposit your check within 60 days of the date of the check, or it may be cancelled. Once an award is cancelled, we may not have funds to reissue an award.

    What is Satisfactory Progress?

    Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Students:

    Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a series of standards including academic performance and classroom attendance established by the U.S. Department of Education. In order to receive Federal Title IV Financial Aid, a student must meet these standards.

    The Financial Aid Office evaluates students for SAP after grades are posted at the end of each semester. Students are reviewed for SAP after attempting 12 credits.

    Maintaining Satisfactory Progress

    1. Make the grade.

      Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) of 2.0. If you are placed on academic suspension or dismissal, you will be ineligible to receive financial aid.

    2. Know the difference between dropping and withdrawing from a class.

      Within the refund period, as published in the schedule, you may DROP a class by completing the proper paperwork or using PeopleSoft.

      Dropped classes will not appear on your academic record. After the refund period, it is considered a WITHDRAWAL from a class. The withdrawal stays on your record, and we count it towards your enrollment status and can affect your financial aid status.

      We do not immediately reduce aid for students who withdraw from classes they attended. However, students who withdraw frequently run the risk of losing their eligibility in the future.

    3. Avoid excessive withdrawals.

      A student must complete 67% of the total credits attempted, both on a term and cumulative basis. During your academic career at LFCC, you may consider withdrawing from a class. You should consider all options before withdrawing because it may have serious implications for your financial aid eligibility.

      Satisfactory Grades
      A, B, C, D, R, S

      Unsatisfactory Grades
      F, I, U, W, X

      Federal law requires us to return part of your financial aid if you withdraw from ALL classes. You will have to REPAY part of your financial aid that is deemed “unearned” by the U.S. Department of Education. The percentage of funds that students are financially liable to return is based on the last date of attendance for that particular semester. If a student does not repay the portion of financial aid funds for which he/she is responsible, then that student will be reported to the federal government, thus becoming ineligible for future financial assistance until the debt is paid in full

    4. Attend classes.

      You must attend the classes for which you enroll. Financial Aid will not pay for classes that you have never attended. If a student does not ever attend a class, the Financial Aid Office must reduce the award and the student will be obligated to pay the tuition for the class(es). If you decide that you do not want to take a class, you must drop it during the add/drop period by completing the appropriate paperwork with the Admissions Office.

    5. Don’t “max out.”

      Students have a maximum of 150% of their program length to complete their associate degree/certificate program.

      Once a student has exceeded 150% of coursework for his/her individual degree/certificate program, their eligibility for aid at LFCC will be exhausted. Changes in curriculums do not constitute extended time limits for eligibility. In addition, per FEDERAL Regulations, all enrollments at VCCS will be considered whether or not aid was awarded or received.

      Example: John Jones must complete 60 credit hours to graduate. 150% of his program equals 90 credit hours. If John has not graduated after 90 credit hours of coursework, his financial aid will be cancelled.

    6. Avoid repeat courses.

      Students who register for developmental courses are limited to a maximum of 30 semester hours. Financial Aid cannot provide assistance for classes that have been attempted more than twice or for a Developmental course attempted more than three times.

    S.A.P Alert

    Students with less than 13 credit hours attempted who are receiving financial aid will receive a reminder concerning Satisfactory Academic Progress.

    S.A.P. Appeals…

    Students who do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress will lose their financial aid eligibility. Students may appeal the loss of their aid, in writing, to the Financial Aid Office within 10 working days from the date the denial was mailed. Only appeals that document mitigating circumstances will be considered.

    Remember to…
    • Plan your class schedule carefully.
    • Maintain excellent attendance.
    • Meet with your counselor/advisor.
    • Maintain strong study habits