Federal Supplemental Educational Grant (FSEOG) Program

Description: The FSEOG program is designed to provide assistance for the student with the exceptional need in the form of a grant to help pay for their post-secondary education. Students must meet all applicable deadlines and eligibility criteria in order to be considered. All necessary documentation must be submitted to the PTC financial aid office.

Application Procedure: All students interested in obtaining financial aid must complete a financial aid application. Students (including part-time and independent) who have enrolled and completed their application at PTC will be considered for an FSEOG award based on their need. PTC distributes the funds equally, 50% in the Fall Semester and 50% in the Spring Semester. PTC evaluates this process on an annual basis. Awards will be granted until all FSEOG funds have been exhausted.

Criteria for Selection of FSEOG Recipients: PTC defines exceptional need for FSEOG program as those students with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) who will also receive Federal Pell Grants in that award year. This will be considered the first selection group.

If any FESOG funds remain after the first selection group, PTC will award FSEOG funds to those eligible students with lowest EFCs who will not receive Federal Pell Grants in that award year.

Any student who is selected to be a recipient of financial aid will receive an award letter showing the amount of aid offered. The student will be expected to sign, date and return the award letter to the PTC financial aid office signifying their acceptance of the aid.

Criteria for Determining Amount of Student Aid: Students that are eligible for a FSEOG will receive an amount determined by the number of eligible students with a maximum of up to $500 for the award year or the amount of their remaining need whichever is less.

Method and Frequency of Distribution: A student who has been awarded a FSEOG will receive one check in the amount of his/her FSEOG award, during the first semester of the program.

As indicated in PTC's award notification policy, the financial aid office awards and authorizes the amount of the student's FSEOG. PTC's business office draws down all federal funds and disburses it when notified by the financial aid office.

FSEOG Records: PTC maintains student records in a hard copy format in the financial aid office. Only authorized personnel may have access to student records. Authorized personnel include financial aid staff, independent auditors, accreditation officials and representatives from the U.S. Department of Education or the Comptroller General of the United States . Records are kept for a period of three years after the end of an award year that is audited, unless there is a question in the audit related to program expenditures.

Basic eligibility requirements for Grants are:

• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be a registered with Selective Service, (if required)
• Have financial need
• Attend a participating school
• Make satisfactory academic progress; in quantative and qualitative
• Are not in default or do not owe a refund on a Federal Grant or Federal Education Loan

In addition

• Graduate students are not eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants
• Undergraduate students who have a Bachelor's degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants
• Conviction of drug distribution for possession may make a student ineligible

In order to receive Federal Financial Aid at Pontotoc Technology Center a student must be:

Enrolled and admitted as a post-secondary student in an *accredited program. (An *accredited program has met the standards essential to qualify under federal financial aid guidelines. See the financial aid office for more specific details)

• Make satisfactory progress. Progress must be made according to quantitative (completion of program hours) and qualitative (academic progress).
• Meet the program's attendance policy as stated according to the printed policy approved by the PTC School Board.
• Have a certificate of graduation from a secondary school (high school diploma); or have the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (GED); or show the ability to benefit from the education or training offered by the institution. (ABILITY TO BENEFIT at Pontotoc Technology Center is measured by the Accuplaccer Test Scores.)