Financial Aid Students’ Rights and Responsibilities

Your Mesalands Community College financial aid award is based on the following:

1. Information you submit to the Financial Aid Office via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Mesalands Community College Scholarship Application, or On-Campus Employment Application.
2. Timely submission of applications named above, and other required documentation.
3. Eligibility for available funds.
4. Enrollment Status

Students seeking financial aid in order to meet educational expenses have specific Rights and Responsibilities accompanying their offer. These Rights and Responsibilities are identified as follows:

Rights:

As a financial aid applicant, you have the right to:

1. Be informed of financial aid deadlines for submitting the necessary applications and supporting documents.
2. Expect equitable treatment under the College’s policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed, age, sex, handicap, or national origin.
3. Expect that all information reported by you and/ or your family will remain confidential and cannot be released without your written consent according to FERPA.
4. Examine records in the Financial Aid Office, which relate to your financial aid file according to FERPA, within two weeks of request.
5. Know on what basis your financial need was determined such as the elements considered in estimating your cost of attendance and expected family contribution.
6. Request a review of any decision you feel warrants consideration due to circumstances beyond your control.
7. Know the cost of attendance.
8. Know how much aid you are eligible for by semester and when/how it will be disbursed.
9. Be informed of financial aid programs that are available to you.
10. Be informed of the financial aid awarding procedure.
11. Know the terms of any employment programs you are offered.
12. Be informed of the College’s refund policy.
13. Know Mesalands’ definition and determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
14. Know Mesalands’ appeals process.

Responsibilities:

As a financial aid applicant, you have the responsibility to:

1. Acquire the necessary forms.
2. Acquire the necessary information to apply for aid, Mesalands’ aid policies, and important dates by reviewing Mesalands’ Financial Aid Office publications.
3. Submit all forms by the advertised deadline.
4. Read materials sent to you thoroughly.
5. Keep copies of all relevant documentation for financial aid consideration.
6. Comply with all rules governing the aid received.
7. Apply annually for each year you wish to receive financial aid.
8. Notify the Financial Aid Office of changes of information you supplied on application materials.
9. Notify the Financial Aid Office of any outside scholarship awards or other extended tuition aid the student expects to receive or has been awarded.
10. Notify the Student Affairs Office of any name and/or address changes.
11. Acquire and complete job application for on-campus student employment positions.
12. Contact the Financial Aid Office for changes in enrollment status (withdrawal from the College, dropping below half time, or transferring to another college).
13. Return all missing and incomplete documentation to the Financial Aid Office upon receiving a letter requesting the information.
14. Read and understand Mesalands’ Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.