Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains policies that our office follows when processing financial aid files. and the questions that we get from students. If you have a question that is not addressed on this page, please email us at finaid@coconino.edu.

General Financial Aid Questions

Independent vs. Dependent

• Q: Am I dependent or independent?

  
  A: You are considered an Independent student if at least one of the following situations describes you:

  • You were born before January 1, 1991.
  • You’re married as of the date you complete the FAFSA.
  • You have children who receive more than half their support from you.
  • You have dependents other than your spouse or children who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you.
  • You had no living parent (biological or adoptive) when you were age 13, even if you are now adopted.
  • You are or were in foster care or were a ward or dependent of the court at any time when you were 13 or older (even if you aren’t anymore).
  • You’re a legally emancipated minor or are in legal guardianship as determined by the court in your state of legal residence.
  • You are a self-supporting unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness.
  • You're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (or will be a veteran as of June 30, 2012, or you attended a service academy and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.
  • You’re currently serving on active duty (other than training) in the U.S. Armed Forces.

  You may also visit StudentAid.gov for more information on how to determine your status.

  With the exception of your birthdate, we typically ask for documentation to validate that any of the above statements are true. We will notify you of any documents necessary to determine if you are dependent or independent. You can see these required documents by logging in to Self Service> click on Financial Aid> Financial Aid Status> Select Current Aid Year > view Unsatisfied Student Requirements.
  

• Q: I’ve answered NO to all of the independency questions, but I think I should be considered independent.

  
  A: If you cannot answer yes to any of the independency questions but have extenuating circumstances you may submit a Request for Independent Status Appeal, click on the appropriate year Financial Aid Forms page for this document. If you do not meet the criteria for this appeal, you will be required to provide parental information on the FAFSA.
  

• Q: I live on my own and my parents do not support me at all. Am I an “Independent” student for Financial Aid?

  
  A: Not living with your parents and parents not supporting you does not classify you as an independent student. Per federal regulations, the FAFSA has criteria that determine if you are dependent or independent for financial aid purposes. These regulations are not the same as tax law or health care law. The determination on the FAFSA of your dependency status may not concur with what you think it should be. To be considered independent for financial aid purposes you must be able to answer yes to at least 1 of 13 questions in Step 3 on the FAFSA. Use the Dependency status work sheet to assist you in determining if you are dependent or independent. If your answers to the all of the questions is no, then you are dependent and must report your parents' information. If you are independent, our office may be required to collect supporting documentation from you proving your status.You may also visit StudentAid.gov for more information to determine your status.
  

• Q: If I get married after I completed the FAFSA, should I complete a new one with my spouse’s information?

  
  A: No. You complete the FAFSA with your marital status as of that day you are filling out your FAFSA. There are circumstances where we can correct your marital status on the FAFSA if you get married at a later date. Please contact our office so that we can better understand your situation.
  

Back to Top

Financial Aid Eligibility

• Q: What is an EFC? And what is it for?

  
  A: EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. An EFC is calculated when you submit a FAFSA. Based on the information you reported on the FAFSA, the Department of Education uses a formula to calculate how much you and your family are expected to be able to pay towards your education. Your eligibility for federal and institutional aid is based on your EFC.
  

• Q: What is the maximum amount I can make and still receive financial aid?

  
  A: That is dependent on how the Department of Education classifies you.  If you are independent your eligibility is determined from your income and/or your spouse's income from the previous tax year. If you are dependent your eligibility is determined from your income and your parent’s income from the previous tax year. Fill out the FAFSA to find out.
  

• Q: Can I receive financial aid at CCC and another school?

  
  A: You may not receive Pell Grant or loans at two schools at the same time. You may be able to enter into a consortium agreement, which allows you to count the credits taken at both schools towards the school that is providing the financial aid. Visit Consortium Agreements for more information on Consortium Agreements.
  

• Q: How many credit hours must I be registered in to receive financial aid?

  
  A: You can take as few as 1 credit hour per semester and still receive financial aid if you have been determined to be eligible by the Department of Education and CCC. If you are approved for a loan you must be enrolled and attending for at least 6 credit hours per semester.
  

• Q: How will I know if my classes count towards my degree or certificate?

  
  A: Students can: 

  1. Meet with an academic advisor by visiting the Lone Tree campus or calling 928-226-4323. OR 
  2. Sign-in to myCCC > Click on Degreeworks > On your Degreeworks worksheet, look at the classes you have registered for. If your classes do not apply to your degree, they will fall into the section that reads “Not Degree Applicable.” If a class shows up under the “Not Degree Applicable” section, then financial aid cannot be used to pay for it with the exception of any developmental/ remedial coursework (coursework below 100 as well as MAT 111, 121, 122) which is fundable with financial aid.

• Q: I want to take a couple of classes at CCC so that I can transfer them somewhere else. I don't want to get a degree from CCC. Can I get financial aid at CCC?

  
  A: No, not from CCC, but possibly from the other College. Per federal regulations, in order to receive financial aid, you must be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate from the college you are receiving financial aid from. If you are at CCC taking a few classes to transfer to another college, but are not seeking a degree, you are not eligible for financial aid. If you are in this situation, we recommend that you contact the financial aid office at the college that you are pursuing a degree at and ask about your options for being funded financial aid using a consortium agreement from that school in partnership with CCC. You must be seeking a degree or certificate at CCC in order to receive financial aid.
  

• Q: What is a Cost of Attendance and Financial Need?

  
  A: A standard Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of your educational expenses for the period of enrollment. The COA includes tuition & fees, allowance for books & supplies, housing & food, transportation and personal expenses. Financial need is then calculated by taking your COA minus your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) to total your financial need (COA - EFC = NEED). We use your "need" to determine your eligibility for need based aid such as grants, Federal Work Study and Federal Subsidized loans. Click here to see CCC’s Cost of Attendance.

• Q: How many times may I repeat a course and still receive financial aid?

  
  A: Students who fail or withdraw from a class may repeat the class and receive financial funding again if, and only if they have not been suspended due to Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students who pass a course (A,B,C,D or S) and wish to take it again may do so one time with financial aid funding.  If a student attempts to take a passed class for the third time, they will be denied financial aid funding for it. For example, a student earns a grade of D, then repeats the course and earns a grade of F, the student is not eligible to receive financial aid funding a third time in an attempt to improve their grade.
  

• Q: What is the Pell Grant Eligibility limit (Pell LEU)?

  
  A: Beginning in Fall 2012, students are now limited to 600% Lifetime Eligibility of Pell Grant or 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent). Students that are currently receiving Pell Grant and would have reached or exceeded their Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU of 600%) will no longer be eligible to receive Pell Grant. This change affects all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant.
  
  The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%. Each full-time semester equates to 50% of your total LEU which yields a maximum percentage of 600% for 12 semesters. This means that:
  
  If you received a full-time federal PELL award for both the fall and spring semesters, you have used 100% of your 600% lifetime maximum;
  
  If you received a half-time award in the fall semester and a full-time award in the spring semester, you have used 75% of your 600% lifetime maximum;
  
  If you received a half-time award in the fall semester and a half-time award in the spring semester, you have used 50% of your 600% lifetime maximum;
  
  The Department of Education keeps track of your LEU by adding together the percentages of the Pell Grant awards that you received for each award year.
  
  To view your LEU, log on to the NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System) Student Access Web Site using your Federal Student Aid PIN. The LEU will be found on the Financial Aid Review page.
  
  For more information about Pell Lifetime Eligibility visit the Financial Aid website.
  

• Q. I am separated from my spouse (parents are separated if you are a dependent student) so do I have to count my spouse’s information on the FAFSA?

  
  A. It depends. In most cases, documentation of a legal separation is required.  A document from the court that the separation was filed will suffice, it must show the submission date and have court signatures. In situations where divorce paperwork has been filed with the court but not finalized, our office requires a copy of the paperwork showing the submission date to the court.  This documentation will be accepted for one academic year, the following academic year the student must submit final divorce paperwork that includes the court signature(s).
  
  In extenuating circumstances, when a legal separation is not possible, a documented informal separation may be accepted. To prove informal separation our office requires evidence that the you and your spouse (parents for dependent students) were living apart continuously for the last 6 months of the last calendar year by requesting at least two forms of documentation, such as: rent checks, copies of leases from both parties, copies of utility bills, photocopies of driver's licenses showing different addresses, a letter from a third party certifying that the spouse was living with them, etc. The proof of maintenance of separate households is a key concept in determining informal separation. Students submitting documentation for an informal separation must resubmit current documentation each year.
  

Back to Top

SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progess)

For additional SAP information, please visit our Satisfactory Academic Progress page.

• Q: What does it mean to have to 'maintain SAP' to remain financial aid eligible?

  
  A: Per Federal regulations, a student receiving Title IV Federal funds (financial aid) must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is checked at the completion of every semester by monitoring grade point average (GPA), total credit hours earned and total credit hours attempted (150% rule).
  
  Financial aid recipients must:

  1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or better
  2. Complete credit hours at a cumulative rate of 66.66% and,
  3. Not exceed 150% beyond the total credit hours required to complete their program/major.

• Q: What does 'SAP Check Pending' in my Web4 status mean?

  
  A: This means Financial Aid will be checking your academic progress at the end of the current semester to determine your eligibility for the upcoming semester.  Semesters that haven’t occurred yet will usually have this status listed. Pay special attention to the current semester to ensure you’re aware of your status.
  

• Q: If I'm on 'Warning' or 'Probation' am I still eligible to receive Financial Aid?

  A: Yes. but you will need to meet certain criteria to be removed from Warning or Probation and placed into Good standing. Visit our Satisfactory Academic Progress page on how to maintain Good financial aid status.

• Q: What is 'Academic Plan'?

  
  A: You are allowed to receive financial aid, but we have placed restrictions and terms that you are required to follow to receive it. We work with academic advisors to ensure your success. As part of an academic plan we may require you to take certain courses, a reduced courseload or require you to meet with advisors throughout the year. You are placed on academic plan so that we can assist you in being successful.
  

• Q: What is 'Suspension'?

  
  A: Students on financial aid suspension are not eligible to receive Title IV aid, which includes grants, loans, federal work study and some scholarships. To return to Good standing you must complete the suspension requirements listed in our Satisfactory Academic Progress. If you have extenuating circumstances that led to your suspension status, you may submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal.
  

• Q: Why am I on suspension and what can I do to get my financial aid back?

  
  A: Financial aid suspension results when a student does not satisfy the financial aid requirements. Students who meet all the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards will be eligible for financial aid. Please visit out Satisfactory Academic Progress page to read about financial aid SAP standards. To resolve your suspension status, please read “Resolving Financial Aid SAP suspension” to begin the process for completing the suspension requirements. If you have extenuating circumstances that led to your suspension status, you may submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal.

Back to Top

Loan FAQs:

• Q: What are Direct Loans?

  
  A: Loans made through a program called the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program are referred to as Direct Loans. These loans are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Direct Loans include subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans and Direct PLUS Loans.
  

• Q: How do I get a loan?

  
  A: Please visit our Student Loan Information Page for the steps you must take to apply for a loan.
  

• Q: How much can I request for loans?

  
  A:

   

  Direct Loan Annual Loan Limits at Coconino Community College		CCC's loan limits may be lower than other colleges.
  Grade Level	Dependent Students	Independent Students
  Freshman (0 - 29 credits)	*$3,500 per Academic Year	*$7,500 per Academic Year - $3500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
  Sophomore (30+ credits)	*$4,500 per Academic Year	*$8,500 per Academic Year - $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

  
  * These amounts are for an academic year (Fall + Spring + Summer).
  Loans requested for one semester only must be prorated (or reduced) and will be awarded in two equal disbursements: one at the beginning of the semester, and one at the mid-point of the semester, per Federal Regulations. If you borrow the maximum academic year amounts for which you are eligible in the fall and spring semesters, you will not have any eligibility left for the summer semester. If you are considering summer attendance, budget accordingly.
  

• Q: What are the interest rates for Direct Loans and Direct PLUS Loans?

  
  A:

  Fixed Rate Loans
  Borrower	Loan Type	Date of First Disbursement	Fixed Interest Rate
  Undergraduate Students	Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans	7/1/14 - 6/30/15	4.66%
  		7/1/13 - 6/30/14	3.86%
  	Direct Unsubsidized Loans	7/1/06 - 6/30/13	6.80%
  	Direct Subsidized Loans	7/1/11 - 6/30/13	3.40%
  		7/1/10 - 6/30/11	4.50%
  		7/1/09 - 6/30/10	5.60%
  		7/1/08 - 6/30/09	6.00%
  		7/1/06 - 6/30/08	6.80%
  Parents and Graduate and Professional Students	Direct PLUS Loans	7/1/14 - 6/30/15	7.21%
  		7/13/13 - 6/30/14	6.41%
  		7/1/06 - 6/30/13	7.90%

• Q: What is a subsidized and unsubsidized loan?

  
  A: A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest until your enrollment drops below 6 credits or you graduate or leave school. The federal government “subsidizes” the interest while you are enrolled in school in at least 6 credit hours. Currently the interest rate on subsidized loans is 3.4%.
  
  An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of financial need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized; which means the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher (capitalized) amount. You do have an option to pay the interest only while you are enrolled in school which will then lessen the amount you will have to repay. Currently the interest rate on unsubsidized loans is 6.8%
  

• Q: What is the “150% Direct Subsidized Loan Limit”?

  
  A: Effective for new Direct Loans for which the first disbursement is made on or after July 1, 2013, Direct Subsidized Loan eligibility is limited to a maximum of 150% of the student’s current academic program. Read for more information on the 150% Federal Direct Subsidized Loan Limit.
  

• Q: My parent was denied a PLUS loan. What do I do now?

  
  A: If a parent is denied a PLUS loan due to credit, the parent borrower may want to reapply with an endorser who would be willing to cosign. If this is not an option, the student may request to be considered for additional unsubsidized loan.
  

• Q: If I had a FFELP loan before how will changes to Direct Loans affect me?

  
  A: Your loans may be serviced by different entities, which means you once you leave school you may be paying off two or more servicers. If this happens to you we recommend you contact your loan servicers to see if they can be consolidated with one servicer.
  

• Q: Are there additional requirements I have to complete to receive my Direct loans?

  
  A: Yes, please go to our Student Loan Information Page for those requirements
  

• Q: I received Direct Loans at NAU and signed an MPN (Master Promissory Note), do I have to sign another MPN?

  
  A: If your MPN has not expired, no, you do not have to sign a new MPN. Direct Loan MPN’s expire 10 years from the day you sign it online. If you are unsure about if your MPN will work, we recommend that you complete a new one. Please visit our Student Loan Information Page.
  

• Q: I have now completed the loan requirements, when will I receive my loan check?

  
  A: If you are a first-time, freshman borrower CCC must wait at least 30 days from the first day of class to disburse loan funds, per Federal Regulations. First loan disbursement of funds is based on confirmed enrollment, attendance and participation in your classes which is about three weeks from the first day of class. Checks take a few more days to arrive in the mail. We recommend you sign up for direct deposit so that you do not have to wait for your check to arrive in the mail. Please visit our Disbursement page for more information.
  

• Q: If I borrowed FFELP loans in the past and then receive a Direct Loan, will my FFELP loan still be deferred?

  
  A: Yes. As long as you are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in college your loan repayment will continue to be deferred.
  

• Q: How will loan repayment work if I’ve borrowed FFELP and Direct Loans?

  
  A: When you go into repayment, you will have to make two separate payments to both your FFELP lender and U.S. Department of Education unless your FFELP loan has been sold to the Department of Education. You do have the option to consolidate with the Direct Loan program so that you will have only one monthly payment.  You can begin the process of consolidating your loans here.
  

• Q: I’ve received my loan check but I don’t need that much. Can I return some?

  
  A: Yes, you have 14 days to return all or part of your loan. Within the 14 days you are able to return the amount directly to CCC and financial aid will then send that amount back to the Department of Education. The amount that you return will be deducted from the total amount of your loan you have borrowed.
  

• Q: Why does my loan come in two disbursements? When will I get the second disbursement?

  
  A: Fall and Spring loans must be awarded in two equal disbursements: one at the beginning of fall semester and one at the beginning of spring semester. Single semester loans (fall only, spring only or summer only) will be awarded in two equal disbursements: one at the beginning of the semester, and one at the mid-point of the semester. We do this per federal regulations.
  

• Q: If I want to start repaying my loan while I’m still in school, do I pay the school?

  
  A: No, once your loan has been disbursed to you it is now in the hands of the Department of Education. You need to contact the Direct Loan Servicing at the Department of Education if you would like to start making payments towards your loans.
  

• Q: My FFELP loan (from a bank) just got sold. Now what do I do?

  
  A: Due to economic conditions, the Department of Education has been buying loans from FFELP lenders. If your loan was sold to Department of Education, you will receive notice from your original lender and from the Department of Education. Your loan debt is now with the Department of Education, but the terms of your loan remain unchanged. Some lenders refer to this as the “PUT” program. If you hear that your loan has been “put,” that means it has been sold to the Department of Education. You can see your loans by going to the National Student Loan Data System, or NSLDS,
  

• Q: I just started going to school again, how do I defer loan repayment?

  
  A: In order to delay having to start repaying your loan, your lender needs to verify that you are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at a post-secondary institution. To complete the enrollment verification process, you must login to Self Service> Student Services> Student Records> Enrollment Verification> choose the current Aid Year and continue to read the instructions.
  

• Q: What is a Lifetime (or Aggregate) limit?

  
  A: An Aggregate is a limit of the total amount, or total sum, of Stafford loans a student can borrow throughout their entire college experience. The total that an independent undergraduate student can borrow while enrolled in college is $57,500 ($23,000 of that may be in a subsidized loan). A dependent undergraduate student can borrow a total of $31,000 ($23,000 of that may be in a subsidized loan).
  

• Q: How do I keep track of my loan history?

  
  A:  It is a good idea to keep track of the amount of loans you have borrowed throughout college. The National Student Loan Data System, or NSLDS, is the U.S. Department of Education’s database for student financial aid records. NSLDS allows students to manage their student loans and grants online.
  

• Q: What is loan default and how will it affect me?

  
  A: Loan default occurs when you fail to repay a student loan according to the terms you agreed to when you signed the Master Promissory Note (MPN). You will go into default on your loan if you do not make a monthly payment for 270 days. If you default on your student loan:

  • You lose eligibility to defer payments
  • You could be charged collection costs
  • You may lose federal and state income tax refunds
  • You lose other federal or state payments
  • Your Social Security benefits could be garnished
  • Your wages could be garnished
  • You lose eligibility for other student aid and assistance under most federal benefit programs
  • The Department of Education could take legal action
  • You may lose a professional license
  • Your credit rating will suffer- anybody who pulls your credit score will see the default
  • You interest rates may increase

• Q: What is loan consolidation?

  A: The combining of a number of loans into a single new loan. Consolidation may lower your monthly payment with different interest rates and typically extends your repayment period. However, there could also be some disadvantages. To consolidate, you must be in your six-month grace period or in repayment of your loans. Please visit Direct Consolidation Loans for more information.

Back to Top