Higher education is a great value; however meeting the cost can be a challenge. At Cabarrus College of Health Sciences approximately 86% of our students receive financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, student employment, and/or scholarships. I hope the information provided on our website will answer your questions about financial aid. If you click on the tab “How to apply for financial aid” this information walks you through the process of applying and provides all of the direct links you will need to use to apply as well as a list of the documents our office requires from each student.

Remember the sooner you start the process of applying for financial aid the better.

If you have questions regarding the financial aid application process or regarding financial aid eligibility, you can contact the Financial Aid Office at 704-403-3507.


Sincerely,

Valerie Richard
Director of Financial Aid

The goal of student financial assistance is to provide resources to students who without such funding would be unable to attend Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. The College begins with the assumption that the parents and students have the primary responsibility for meeting education costs to the extent that they are able, which often includes sacrifices. A clear understanding of college costs, resources and related issues may eliminate unnecessary concerns throughout the student’s college experience.

All students who plan to apply for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. In order to receive maximum consideration for all available financial aid programs, the FAFSA should be filed by April 15 prior to each academic year for which a student wishes to be considered for financial aid. Awards are made and students are notified by June 30.

Most financial aid is awarded on the basis of need. The amount of an award varies depending upon the student ’s demonstrated and verified financial need. Financial aid will only be awarded to students who are in compliance with federal and state regulations for receiving financial aid.

Information provided on the FAFSA and the amount of funds available for distribution determine the award amount.

• Need is determined by subtracting the resources of the student and the family's contribution from the total student expenses.
• The total financial aid awarded will never exceed the costs of attending Cabarrus College of Health Sciences.
• The award may include a combination of funds from scholarships, grants, loans and student employment.

Financial aid awards from scholarships, grants and loans may be applied to the cost of attending Cabarrus College of Health Sciences and are generally credited directly to the student's account. Earnings from Federal Work Study jobs are paid directly to the student.

Policy
Students must comply with the satisfactory academic progress policy to continue to qualify for financial aid at CCHS. The CCHS policy meets the minimum statutory and regulatory federal requirements for qualitative and quantitative measures.

Procedure
At the end of each semester, the Financial Aid Director will review students who are eligible to receive financial aid for the next semester and determine their eligibility to continue to receive financial aid based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria.

Qualitative Measure

• Based on the cumulative GPA
• Cumulative GPA: Students must maintain a 2.0
• Only the grade obtained for repeating the course will be used in determining GPA and is considered the final grade.

Quantitative Measure

• Based on hours attempted and maximum time frame
• Hours Attempted: 67% of the total credit hours attempted must be successfully completed. Hours attempted include transfer hours accepted, hours for courses that are repeated, hours from course withdrawal, etc.
• Maximum Time Frame: Federal regulations limit the maximum time frame to no more than150% of the length of the program as measured in credit hours. Hours attempted include transfer hours accepted, hours for courses that are repeated, hours from course withdrawal, etc.
• Examples of the 150% rule are:
  
  Associate degree programs:
  Example for ADN: 71 credit hours x 150% = 107 credit hours attempted
  
  Diploma programs:
  Example for ST-D: 39 credit hours x 150% = 59 credit hours attempted
  
  Baccalaureate degree completion programs:
  Example BSN: 59 credit hours x 150% = 89 credit hours attempted

The quantitative and qualitative standards used include all periods of enrollment even periods in which students did not receive Financial Aid. For students who change majors, only the credits attempted and accepted by the registrar toward the new major will be included in the calculation of the SAP.

Appeals

Satisfactory academic decisions (except the 150% rule) may be appealed in writing to the Dean for Administrative Services. The appeal must be in writing and must include:

• student's name
• social security number
• facts upon which the appeal is based
• resolution sought

Appeals generally given consideration involve the following:

      1. extended illness or hospitalization of the student
      2. an accident which incapacitates the student for an extended period of time
      3. death or extended illness of an immediate family member
      4. unusual financial/work related situations

Students will be notified of the appeal decision within two weeks of receipt of the written appeal request.

NOTE: Students not meeting both qualitative and quantitative measures will not be eligible for financial aid until they are able to re-establish satisfactory academic progress or their appeal is approved.