FINANCIAL AID

Mandy Schaufler, Financial Aid Officer - (814) 505-1257

Student Eligibility
To be eligible to receive federal financial aid available through the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, a student must:
    --have financial need
    --be enrolled in an approved course of study
    --have a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate
    --be a U. S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
    --make satisfactory academic progress
    --register with Selective Service if required
    --not be in default on a Title IV loan
    --not owe a refund on a Title IV grant

Satisfactory Academic Progress and
Attendance Requirements
In order to maintain Title IV assistance (grants and loans), a student must maintain regular attendance and make satisfactory progress, as described in the Student Handbook.  Failure to do so will result in termination of financial assistance.  (Read full policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress.)

Student Aid Reports
In order for a student to actually receive the financial aid awarded, students must have a valid Student Aid Report.  The Student Aid Report is received by the student about 2 to 4 weeks after filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  The Title IV School Code and college name for the application are:  015272 - Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.

Verification
Your financial aid award is made based on the financial information provided by you and your family.  In accepting your awards, you agree to provide any additional documentation requested by the Financial Aid Officer to verify the accuracy of the information given on your applications.  Information must be obtained and presented to the Financial Aid Officer in a timely manner after it is requested.  The GACTC reserves the right to reduce or cancel an award in cases where there is conflicting or missing information.

Applying your Financial Aid to Tuition Charges
Upon acceptance to one of our programs, you will receive an invoice for full tuition payment and books for the first payment period.  You are responsible for paying the balance due on your bill by the due date(s).

If you are applying for a Stafford loan, Pell Grant, or PLUS loan for your tuition, you should allow 60-90 days processing time.  Therefore, you should complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by June1 to be certain your loan or grant will be approved in time for a Fall term due date.  Applications may be filed after this date; however, the school reserves the right to ask for a tuition payment if all paperwork is not completed by the start of school.

All loan checks are sent by your lender directly to the GACTC Financial Aid Office.  You will be notified when your loan check has arrived and will be asked to come in to the Financial Aid Office to sign it.  Loans are disbursed in two payments.  No loans are disbursed until the student has completed 30 calendar days of class.  Loan amounts will then be applied to your tuition and book account and any refundable amounts will be processed through the Career & Technology Center Business Office and made payable directly to you.  These amounts are to be used for expenses related to attending school -- such as books, supplies, transportation, child care expenses, etc.

Grant monies are transmitted directly to the Financial Aid Office and disbursed in two payments.  Amounts due are credited toward your account, and any refundable amounts are processed through our Business Office and made payable directly to you.

If you withdraw early or are terminated form the program, you will be responsible for paying back grant amounts for which you are not entitled.

Refund Policy
Refunds are based on payment period costs and are calculated on a prorata basis.  One hundred percent (100%) of tuition will be refunded if a student withdraws prior to the first day of class.  After classes begin, refunds will be prorata.  Tuition amount retained is rounded up to the nearest 10 percent of completed hours.  After 60 percent of the payment period is completed, no refund is given.  Textbook payments are not subject to the prorata refund policy.

The student should officially terminate or withdraw from the program in writing.  Upon completion of the withdrawal/termination form, any refund due will be calculated according to the last date of attendance.

NOTE:  Students who withdraw before program completion may owe tuition or book costs based on the difference between federal aid required to be returned and the school's refund policy.

Refund Distribution Policy
All refunds will be made within thirty (30) days of withdrawal or termination.  If a refund is due a student under the institution's refund policy and the student has received any Title IV aid as part of the student's aid package, the refund will be distributed in a specified order of priority.

Refunds will be first made to the lender of a Title IV Loan to reduce the loan principal.  Second, (if applicable) the refund will be applied to reduce any Title IV grant amounts received.  Third, (if applicable) the refund will be made to the sponsoring agency, student, or parent.

All information on Program Costs and Refund Policies is made available to all applicants and is distributed prior to day one of enrollment.

Student Status - Dependent or Independent
Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the idea that students' parents have the primary responsibility of paying for their children's education.  Students who have access to parental support should not receive federal funds at the expense of students who do not have that access.

If you think you may have unusual circumstances that would make you independent, even though your normally would be considered a dependent, talk to your Financial Aid Officer.  Also, if you and your family have other unusual circumstances, such as unusually high medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance, a family member who is a dislocated worker, or other unusual circumstances that might affect your eligibility for financial aid, check with the Financial Aid Administrator before filing your application.

REFER TO "THE STUDENT GUIDE" AND CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER STUDENT HANDBOOKS FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOOL POLICIES.

Pell Grant
A federal PELL grant is an award to help undergraduates pay for their education after high school.  An "undergraduate" is one who has not previously earned a bachelor's degree.  A "grant" is financial assistance that does not have to be paid back.  How much grant assistance you are eligible for will depend upon your own personal financial conditions.  Pell Grant applications (Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or "FAFSA") can be obtained from our Financial Aid Officer or from a high school guidance counselor.  Title IV Institution Code:  015272

Stafford Loan
This low interest loan is made by private lending institutions such as banks, savings & loans, or credit unions, and PHEAA.  "Subsidized" loans are loans based on need.  The government pays the interest on your loan while you are in school.  "Unsubsidized" loans are not based on need.  This means that you will be responsible for paying the interest on the loan while you are in school.  A student may borrow up to a maximum of $2,625, less the lender's fees, through this loan program for the academic year.  An independent student may be eligible for an additional unsubsidized amount.  Generally, the borrower is entitled to a six-month grace period following graduation before the repayment period begins.  Since these loans take some time for processing, students should apply by mid-July so that funds are available when tuition and fees are due.  Applications may be obtained from your bank or PHEAA.  Before a student's loan application can be certified by the school, the student must have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Federal PLUS Loans
Federal PLUS loans are for parents who want to borrow to help pay for their dependent children's education.  It is also a low-interest loan that provides additional funds for education expenses, and like Stafford loans, must be paid back.  These loans are not subsidized by the government, which means that the borrower is responsible for paying all interest that accrues on these loans.

National Guard and Reserve Benefits
For more information contact the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs or your reserve unit.

S.P.O.C.
The S.P.O.C. program serves:

TRA/AA
Funding through the Trade Act is provided to dislocated workers who have lost factory employment due to foreign competition.  This funding generally pays for tuition, fees, and required supplied.  Normally, individuals are notified at their place of work who to contact.

Veterans
Most adult programs are state approved for VA educational benefits.  The veteran or other eligible persons must be accepted in a program as an adult student.  The veteran must complete the proper VA forms through the continuing Education Office.  Upon approval, the veteran will receive proper notification from the Veterans Affairs Office.  It should be noted that it is the veteran's responsibility to pay all tuition charges according to the regular schedule.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Individuals who are physically, mentally, and/or emotionally handicapped may make application to their nearest Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for help with vocational training or retraining.  If accepted as rehabilitation clients, fees and/or materials may be paid by this agency.  Applicants must be accepted by Vocational Rehabilitation before being officially accepted for enrollment to the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center.  A letter of approval must be sent to the school by OVR.

WIA (Workforce Investment Act)
Individuals who meet the Workforce Investment Act eligibility requirements may participate in classroom training at no cost.  Not all full-time training at the GACTC is approved for WIA eligible individuals.  All applications are taken at the Workforce Investment Act Office located in the county of residence.  For more information, interested individuals should call their local WIA office.

Welfare to Work
Individuals may qualify for educational assistance through the Welfare to Work program.  Eligible individuals include:  long term welfare recipients, hard to employ; non-custodial parents, hard to employ; those at risk of long term welfare dependence; or non-custodial parents, at risk of long term welfare dependence.  Other detailed requirements must be met in each category.  For more information, interested individuals should call their local public assistance office.Top of Page