Financial Aid at HCC The primary purpose of the financial aid program at Halifax Community College is to provide assistance to students who, without aid, would be unable to continue their education.  Through a program of grants, scholarships, loans, and employment, students enrolled at Halifax Community College are able to supplement their own resources and those of their family to complete a course of study.  The primary responsibility for financing the student’s education rests with the family.  The family is expected to contribute according to its income and assets, just as the student is expected to contribute to educational costs. Priority Dates           In order to provide adequate time for processing and awarding financial aid prior to class starting, priority dates are identified for each semester.  If you submit your financial aid application after the established priority dates, you must be prepared to pay for tuition, fees, and books.  Your award notification will be mailed in approximately two weeks once your file is complete. Priority Dates Fall Semester – June 1st Spring Semester – October 15th Summer Semester – April 1st   General Student Eligibility Criteria           Students must be accepted for admission to the College before any action can be taken on their application for Federal financial assistance, including grants, scholarships, student employment, or loans.  A student must meet the following eligibility requirements to receive federal assistance. Have a high school diploma or GED Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible program Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen Have a valid social security number Be registered with the Selective Service Administration (males only) Not be in default on a Title IV loan Not owe a repayment on a Title IV grant or loan at any educational institution Maintain satisfactory academic progress Not be enrolled concurrently in an elementary or secondary school A federal or state drug conviction may disqualify a student for Title IV funds Incarcerated students are ineligible for Title IV funding How to Apply / Application Process On an annual basis, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students may apply in one of two ways; using the paper FAFSA or apply electronically via FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.   For faster processing, students applying on the web should first apply for a federal pin number at www.pin.ed.gov, though it is not required.  The federal pin number is used as your signature when applying electronically. The financial aid award year runs from July 1st to June 30th.  Applications for the upcoming school year are available in the Financial Aid Office after January 1st.  Students are required to complete an application for financial aid each year.  If web access is unavailable, one can use the computers in Halifax Community College’s library to complete and transmit your application. Please include Halifax Community College’s Title IV Code #007986 and address on the FAFSA.  The US Department of Education’s number to call concerning application status, requesting a duplicate student aid report, or adding another college is 1.800.4FED.AID.   A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be mailed to the student once the FAFSA is submitted and processed.  Applicants should review the SAR carefully and make all corrections.  If no corrections are necessary, the SAR should be retained and financial aid will be awarded based on this information.  The Financial Aid Office will receive the student’s record electronically from the federal processor. Verification: The Financial Aid Office is required by the U.S. Department of Education to verify files for applicants selected for verification by the Processor.  In addition, the Financial Aid Office reserves the right to request verification of additional applicants with questionable or conflicting information.  The verification process requires the following: a signed copy of the student’s, spouse’s, and or parent’s (whichever is applicable) federal tax returns and wage statements (W-2); a signed Verification Worksheet (obtained from the Financial Aid Office); documentation of Untaxed Income; supplemental forms and documentation. All documentation must be received before awards can be finalized.  Document tracking letters are sent requesting all necessary verification documents be submitted to the Financial Aid Office within two weeks.           Special Circumstances:  If the student and/or family have unusual or extenuating circumstances that are not reflected on the FAFSA, he or she should contact the Financial Aid Office.  Supporting documentation is required. Financial Aid Programs Educational Credits Veteran's Affairs