The following information is provided to you in a question and answer format in an effort to help you make a more informed decision about financing your education at Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS). Feel free to direct any further questions to your Admissions Representative or the Office of Financial Aid.

Q. What Federal financial aid programs are available to me at JCHS?

A. Jefferson College of Health Sciences currently participates in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work- Study (FWS) and Federal Family Stafford and Plus Loan programs. Detailed information about each of these programs can be found in the U. S. Department of Education publication entitled ?The Student Guide?.

Q. What state and local aid programs, school aid programs and other private aid programs are available?

A. State aid programs that are available at JCHS are the College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP), and the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAGP). Recipients of state aid must be residents of Virginia. Students with a bachelor?s degree are not eligible to receive state grants. The CSAP is awarded based on need with $400 being awarded each semester. The recipient must be attending at least half time. Students with a bachelor?s degree are not eligible for CSAP. The TAG application deadline is July 31 of each year. Students are encouraged to reapply each year. A student must be enrolled full time (12 credits) to receive TAG. Preference is given to returning students who continue to be eligible. A student is allowed 12 units for an associate?s degree and 24 units for a bachelor?s degree. Each full or partial payment is considered 3 units. Students with a bachelor?s degree are not eligible for TAG. Jefferson College of Health Sciences receives information for private scholarship programs available to students meeting specific eligibility criteria. This information is posted in the Office of Financial Aid and on the bulletin board located on the 4th floor. Qualified applicants have also received assistance through certain agencies such as the Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Virginia Employment Commission and the Workforce Investment Act - 5th District. Your eligibility for such assistance must be determined by the sponsoring agency. Additional information can be obtained through the Office of Financial Aid.

Q. How do I apply for assistance and what standards does JCHS use to determine my eligibility?

A. To apply for financial assistance you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (FASFA). The FASFA data can be submitted via the Internet, paper mail, or by electronic transmission from the Office of Financial Aid to the U.S. Department of Education?s Central Processor. The central processor calculates the student?s eligibility and issues the student?s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. This number is used in accordance with federal regulations to determine your aid package. All students, who are enrolled in an approved program of study at JCHS who apply for aid, and are not otherwise ineligible, will receive a financial aid award.

Q. How does the school distribute aid among students?

A. All eligible students receive Pell Grant and federal loan aid in the amounts dictated by program regulations. Campus-based aid, namely FSEOG and FWS aid, is awarded by Financial Aid Representatives in accordance with the school's awarding philosophies. The philosophies are detailed in the student handbook and college catalog. FWS is awarded based on eligibility, ability and availability of work. CSAP is awarded according to need on a first-come, first-serve basis and TAG is awarded by application process.

Q. What are the rights and responsibilities of students who receive financial assistance?

A. As a recipient of Title IV federal financial aid, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Your rights include the right to certain information about the type, amount and terms of your aid award. Your responsibilities include keeping your lender informed of changes in your name or address, repayment of any student loan amount, etc. A more complete listing can be found on page 27 of ?The Student Guide?.

Q. How and when will financial aid be disbursed?

A. After the census date of each semester, any aid received is credited to the student's account. The frequency and amount of each disbursement is specified in your award letter. Once the student?s account is credited, any credit balance that exists in a student?s account will be delivered to the student by check once all institutional charges are paid.

Q. What are the terms and conditions of any employment that might be a part of my financial aid package?

A. The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides funds to employ students with a demonstrated financial need. Students are paid an hourly rate at least equal to the federal minimum wage and may be awarded up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Applications for Work-Study should be completed via the JCHS website. To be eligible for Work-Study, have a complete financial aid file and be registered to attend classes. A student must also complete the employment screening process before beginning to work. A student must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States to participate in the federal work-study program.

Q. What will be the terms of, and schedules for, repayment of my student loan(s)?

A. General information on federal loan terms and typical payment schedules can be found in ?The Student Guide?. Other loan program publications are available from the Office of Financial Aid.

Q. Are there any fees associated with student loans?

A. The Federal Family Educational Loan Program charges an origination fee. The Federal Family Educational Plus Loan Program charges a 4 percent loan origination fee.

Q. What are the interest rates for the different loan programs?

A. The interest rate on Federal Family Educational Stafford and Plus loans is a variable rate. The FFEL Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loans have an interest cap of 8.25 percent. The FFEL Plus loan has an interest cap of 9 percent.

Q. Can I consolidate my loans?

A. Yes. The FFEL program allows borrowers to consolidate all of their Federal student loans in one loan. There is no minimum or maximum amount required for consolidation and consolidated loans do not increase a student?s aggregate loan limit. The interest rate on consolidated loans is variable and there are no loan fees.

Q. What criteria are used for determining whether a student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress, how does such criteria affect my aid and how can a student who has failed to maintain progress re-establish eligibility for federal financial aid?

A. Jefferson College of Health Sciences has a Satisfactory Progress Policy that spells out what is required of a student in order to continue to receive Title IV Federal aid. The policy is published in the college catalog and on the JCHS website. A student must maintain satisfactory progress in order to continue to receive financial aid. A student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress will lose eligibility for federal aid. In order to re-establish eligibility, he/she must either win an appeal or re-establish satisfactory progress academically. Further details can be found in the college catalog. In summary, students must maintain satisfactory progress toward completing their educational programs. This means they must not only get good grades, but also complete their programs within specified time limits. Questions regarding the specifics of the policy should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.

Q. What are the names of association, agencies or governmental bodies that accredit, approve or license the College and its programs? What are the procedures for students to review the schools? accreditation, licensure or approval?

A. A complete list of associations, agencies and governmental bodies that accredit, approve or license the College and its programs is published in the college catalog, the college handbook and the administrative office.

Q. What is the College?s policy on refunds, should I have to withdraw from school? How are those refunds distributed between the student financial aid programs?

A. If you should have to withdraw from school the refund is returned to the Title IV financial aid programs based on the period of attendance. Any refund amount allocated to Title IV aid will be returned in the order specified by current Title IV regulations. Money is refunded to the student only when all funds have been repaid to the Title IV programs, as well as to any other aid source.

Q. How does the college's standard of conduct apply to financial aid?

A. Students are reminded that the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 provides for the permanent loss of Title IV aid eligibility due to a conviction of engaging ?in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance?. In addition, the act, as amended in 1998, may prohibit any applicant or student from receiving federal financial aid who has been convicted of a drug-related felony.