|
|
|
Tuition and Aid
(Includes basic tuition and applicable surcharge)
1. General. The 2008-2009 tuition rate listed below is effective Fall 2008. Current tuition rates will be published in class schedules. Subject to change by the State Board of Community College
Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour 2008-2009
Virginia Resident
............
$ 87.15
Out-of-State Resident .......
$262.30
Upon paying tuition, students are eligible to obtain a student identification
card that can be used in the VHCC Library, Bookstore, and other campus
facilities.
Unless otherwise notified, students must meet
all published payment deadlines each semester. Students who do not meet the
deadline will be removed from the official class roster. Only paid students will
be allowed to attend class.
2. Reduced Tuition
Charges. The Virginia General
Assembly in 1984 enacted legislation clarifying the state code regarding
eligibility for in-state tuition. To
be eligible for the in-state tuition rates, students must live in Virginia for a
minimum of one year before the first official day of classes.
If a student’s parent or parents are employed full-time in Virginia but
live out of state, special provisions for determining eligibility for reduced
tuition rates exist. Spouses and
dependents of active duty military personnel are entitled to show eligibility
for in-state tuition rates in the same manner as nonmilitary personnel, except
that the one year durational period may be
waived for active duty military personnel (and their
dependent children) who voluntarily elect
Virginia as their permanent residence for domiciliary purposes.
The General Assembly enacted legislation in 1995 that authorized the State Board
for Community Colleges to charge a contract tuition rate to students enrolled in
Virginia community colleges who live within 30-miles of campus and are eligible
for in-state tuition in a state contiguous to Virginia, provided that state has
a reciprocal agreement for Virginia residents.
Please check with the Admissions Office for more specific guidelines concerning
changes in the domicile law.
3.
Waived Tuition.
Section 23.7.1 of the Code of Virginia provides that free tuition shall be
granted to children of persons killed, disabled, missing in action or prisoners
in any armed conflict.
Eligibility of such children shall be determined by the Division of War
Veterans’ Claims who shall certify in
writing to the admitting institution that tuition should be waived in
accordance with the provisions of Section 23-7.1.
Applications are available in Admissions Office.
4.
Waived Tuition. In
accordance with Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia, all students are
eligible for in-state tuition for courses taken through the College’s dual
enrollment program.
5.
Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974 as Amended, 1976, 1977,
and 1982.
A.
To be eligible for free tuition and fees for credit courses, part-time or
full time, a person must meet the following criteria:
1. Be 60 years of age or older.
2. Be a legal resident
of Virginia.
3. Report a taxable
income not exceeding $15,000 for Federal Income Tax purposes for the year prior
to enrollment.
4. Be admitted to a
course after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated.
5. Be admitted to the
College as a student.
B.
To be eligible for free tuition when auditing a credit course or taking a
non-credit course, a person must meet the following criteria:
1. Be 60 years of age or
older.
2. Be a legal resident
of Virginia.
3. Be admitted to a
course after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated.
4. Be admitted to the
College as a student.
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board for Community
Colleges, the College has established the following fees:
1.
Student Testing Fees -
Students shall not be charged for credit by exam.
2.
Community Education/Public Service.
Fees shall be established for Community Education and Community Service
offerings equal to or greater than the direct cost of such offerings plus 30%
for administrative overhead support.
3.
Technology Fee.
The State Board for Community Colleges approved the technology
fee to $3.50 per credit hour.
The funds will be used to finance major improvements in information
technology at Virginia’s community colleges.
4.
Other Fees and Charges.
A Student Activity fee ($1 per credit hour) is required for all students
registered for credit classes. The
fee subsidizes student activities and cultural events, including the Arts
Array/Film Series. VHCC students
receive free admission to all of these events.
5.
General.
Certain other fees, such as a fee for parking, may be authorized on an
individual basis by special action of the VHCC Board.
Students who damage or lose school property (laboratory or shop equipment,
supplies, library materials, etc.) are expected to pay for such losses.
In addition students may be expected to pay fines for overdue library
books, improper parking or other infractions as determined by the College
administration with approval of the Virginia Community College Systems Offices.
Transcripts, certificates, diplomas or degrees will not be issued nor will a
student be permitted to enroll until payments due to the business office,
bookstore, or library have been paid in full.
6. Books and
Materials.
Students are expected to purchase all books, supplies, consumable
materials that they will use in their classes and studies.
The estimated cost of these items will usually average between $200 to
$250 per semester for a full-time student.
Visually impaired and learning disabled students can arrange for
textbooks on tape through Project EXCEL.
7. Student Field
Trips.
All students participating in field trips will be responsible for related
expenses, including transportation charges. Student activity funds will cover
costs associated with official student activity trips.
8. Purchase of Tools
All students pursuing a curriculum requiring the use of hand tools are required
to furnish their tools. The College
will furnish specialized tools that an employer normally would provide for a
mechanic or technician.
The one exception to this policy is students who are required to take a course
in Machine Shop Practices as a minor part of their total program and are not
pursuing a course for ultimate employment as a machinist.
These students are required to furnish the less expensive hand tools.
The College tool room has available the other hand tools such as
micrometers, combination sets, etc., in sufficient quantity to meet their needs.
The fact that these tools are available in the tool room does not in any
way relieve the student in the regular machine shop programs from the
responsibility of furnishing his/her own hand tools.
The institution uses the refund policy established by the Virginia Community
College System (VCCS) for all Community Colleges in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
1. Students will be eligible for a refund for credit hours dropped
during the add/drop period (first 10 class days or 15% of class days for short
sessions).
A.
Refunds will be on a
per-credit hour rate.
B.
Refunds will not exceed
tuition charges.
C.
Funds will be restored to the
appropriate account
from which payment was made.
D.
Refunds are subject to proper
bookstore clearance
for returned/re-saleable or paid items (if applicable).
2. Exceptions to the refund policy are granted only with
documented extenuating circumstances for the following: (1) Administrative error
of VHCC or the VCCS, extreme financial hardship, or, in some extraordinary
circumstances, a major medical
emergency; (2) A national emergency or mobilization declared by the President of
the United States and in accordance with Section 23-9.6.2 of the
Code of Virginia.
Refunds must be approved in writing by the president or his designee.
3. After the add/drop
period has passed, return of Title IV funds only will be processed on a
percentage based upon the time of withdrawal and the amount of Title IV aid
earned as of that date. When a recipient of Title IV grant (Pell or FSEOG)
assistance withdraws from the College during a semester in which the recipient
began attendance, the College must determine the amount of Title IV grant
assistance that the student earned as of the student’s withdrawal date in
accordance with federal regulations (34 CFR, Part 668, Section 668.22, November
1, 1999). Students should contact the financial aid office regarding the
financial consequences prior to withdrawing.
Refunds, Credits, Reinstatement as a Result of a National Emergency
Pursuant to 23-9.6:2 of the Code of Virginia, and corresponding SCHEV
Guidelines, VHCC provides for the tuition relief, refund, and reinstatement of
students whose active military duty during a time of national emergency has
required their sudden withdrawal or prolonged absence from their enrollment.
Suspension of Students for Non-Payment of Tuition and Fees, College
Loans, College Fines, or Other Debts Owed the College
A student’s continued attendance at the College is dependent upon proper
settlement of all debts owed the institution.
Should the student fail to satisfy all due and payable amounts for
tuition and fees, college loans, college fines, or other debts owed the College,
the student may be suspended. No
student will be allowed to enroll in any succeeding semester until all current
debts owed to the College have been satisfied.
VHCC strives to assure that no one be denied the opportunity of attending the
College for financial reasons.
Toward this end, a variety of financial aid programs are available for qualified
students. Students wishing to apply
for financial aid may secure application forms and information from the Office
of Financial Aid or by visiting the VHCC Financial Aid Web site at
www.vhcc.edu/finaid1 .
All applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to
determine their eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs.
Who is Eligible for Financial Aid?
To be eligible for most federal and state aid programs, students must:
1. Be a U.S.
citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
2. Have a
financial need;
3. Be admitted to,
and pursuing, an eligible degree or certificate program; have a high school
diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or pass an
ability-to-benefit test;
4. Have a valid
Social Security number;
5. Make
satisfactory academic progress;
6. Sign a
statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) certifying
that federal student aid will be used only for educational purposes;
7. Sign a
statement on the FAFSA certifying they are not in default on a federal student
loan and do not owe money on a federal grant;
8. Register with
the Selective Service if required; and
9. Be enrolled in
credit courses. No financial aid is available for noncredit or audited courses.
Students admitted as non-curricular or as pending acceptance into a curriculum,
are ineligible for financial aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make
satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards set by the
College. The Office of Financial Aid
will monitor the student’s academic standing before receipt of any financial aid
and thereafter on a semester basis.
To receive aid the student’s cumulative grade point average must be in
accordance with the following schedule:
Credits
Attempted
Cumulative GPA
0-15
1.0
16-30
1.5
31-48
1.75
over 48
2.0
The Office of Financial Aid will determine if students have completed at least
67 percent of the courses attempted each year. A required timeframe for
completing an academic program is established and students generally have 150%
of that time to complete the degree, diploma, or certificate. For example,
students enrolled in the two-year Education degree program would be allowed to
attempt 93 credit hours (150%) to complete the 62 credit hours required for
graduation. After attempting 93 credit hours, financial aid eligibility would be
terminated for this program. All credit hours attempted at VHCC or transferred
from another college, regardless of whether the course is completed or passed,
are counted toward the maximum time frame. Transfer students are required to
meet the same eligibility standards to receive financial aid at VHCC. A full
explanation of SAP requirements can be found on the VHCC Financial Aid website
and in information provided to financial aid recipients.
Appeal Process
Any student whose right to receive financial aid has been suspended may appeal
to the Financial Aid Office for reinstatement.
The appeal must be in writing and should include a statement of
mitigating circumstances. The
Financial Aid Officer must approve these mitigating circumstances (e.g.,
illness, employment, time interval since last enrollment, change of educational
objective, etc.) to justify a decision to reinstate aid or a determination that
the student is making satisfactory progress.
Excluded Credits from Enrollment Status
Under the following conditions, certain course credits will not be included when
calculating the current enrollment status used to determine eligibility for aid:
1. A course is
registered as audit;
2. A developmental
course if the student has attempted at least 30 semester hours of developmental
course work.
Credit may also be denied for courses which do not apply toward graduation in
the student’s current curriculum.
Repayment of Title IV Aid when a Student Withdraws
If a student withdraws on or before 60% of the class has been completed, federal
financial aid regulations established by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998
require that a portion of the total Title IV funds awarded to that student (Pell
Grant, FSEOG, HETAP, CSAP, or
ACG) must be returned. The determination is based on calendar days.
Withdrawal Date for a Student Receiving Title IV Aid
To determine the withdrawal date, the Office of Financial Aid will consider:
1. The date that the
student began the withdrawal process by submitting a completed withdrawal form
to the Admissions Office;
2. The date the student
officially notified the Admissions Office of intent to withdraw;
3. The midpoint of the
semester if the student ceases attendance without providing official withdrawal
notification to the Admissions Office.
4. The date that the
College determines that a student stopped attending class because of an illness,
accident, grievous personal loss, or other circumstances beyond the student’s
control.
5. The date the student
last attended an academically-related activity
such as an exam, a tutoring session, a computer-assisted instructional
session, an academic counseling session, an academic advisement session, or
study session assigned by the College.
The College must document a student’s withdrawal date and maintain the
documentation.
Aid Programs Available
VHCC does not participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Programs,
however, the College does participate in the following grant and work programs:
PELL Grant – Students may apply for this federally-funded program by
completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
This non-repayable grant is available to eligible students enrolled in an
eligible certificate or degree program.
Maximum award for the 2007-2008 award year was $4,310 for full-time
students.
Academic Competitiveness Grant - The
Academic Competitiveness Grant was made available for the first time for the
2006-2007 school year to students who are PELL eligible and have a recognized
rigorous secondary school program of study. An eligible student may receive an
additional $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the
second academic year of study.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
– VHCC participates in this federal program which provides direct awards to a
limited number of students. Grants
may range from $100 to $4000 depending on the student’s need, financial
resources, and cost of attending the College.
Federal Work-Study Program – Numerous
jobs on campus and off campus are available each year under the Federal
Work-Study Program. Students who
have financial need may qualify for participation in this program.
Community service jobs are also available to students.
Foreign students who are in this country on temporary visas are
ineligible to participate in the work-study program.
College Scholarship Assistance Program
– This program is a needs-based program of grants to eligible students at VHCC
who are permanent residents of Virginia.
Awards range from $400 to $1000.
Commonwealth Grant Program – The COMA
Grant Program is a needs-based program of grants to students at VHCC who are
permanent residents of Virginia enrolled in 6 or more credit hours.
Funding is provided solely by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Individual awards vary dependent upon need and funding level.
Awards range from $200 to $1,800 and are for tuition and fees.
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program
– The VGAP Grant Program is a needs-based program to students at VHCC who are
permanent residents of Virginia, graduated from a Virginia high school, have a
2.5 high school grade point average and enroll full time.
Awards vary from $400 to $1,900 for tuition and fees.
Renewal students must maintain a 2.0 and continuous full-time enrollment.
Higher Education Teacher Assistance Program (HETAP) -
The HETAP scholarship was established by the State Council of Higher Education
to address the teacher shortage in Virginia by assisting undergraduate full-time
students enrolled in a K-12 teacher preparation program.
Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program
(PTAP) – This VCCS funded grant provides tuition assistance only to students
in an eligible degree or certificate program who enroll for at least 1 but less
than 7 credits. Students must
demonstrate need and be domiciled in Virginia.
Aims Higher Scholarship -
The Aims
Higher Scholarship encourages Virginia-resident students in Washington County,
Smyth County, and the City of Bristol to complete a challenging curriculum and
to pursue higher education. Students who graduate from high school in 2007 and
meet the requirements of their high school and the requirements of the
scholarship may attend up to two years of college without paying any tuition or
fees. This program will fill the financial aid gaps for the 2007 graduates who
receive financial aid that is less than the cost of their tuition and fees, or
who fail to qualify for any financial aid (this is a gap program for tuition
only). Renewal students must maintain a 2.75 and continuous full-time
enrollment.
Transfer Grants -
The Transfer Grant makes a four-year college degree more affordable for Virginia
Highlands Community College graduates who have financial need (determined by the
FAFSA). It provides a $1,000 grant
for all eligible students, with an extra $1,000 for students who pursue
undergraduate work in engineering, math, nursing, teaching or science.
For more information, contact the Student Success Center (276-739-2438)
or Financial Aid (276-739-2555).
Virginia Tobacco Settlement Program - This
program assists eligible Virginia resident tobacco growers, quota holders, their
immediate dependent family members and tobacco workers with up to the full cost
of tuition to attend credit classes at VHCC, after all other financial aid and
scholarships have been exhausted. Students receiving tobacco scholarships to
attend credit classes must meet the requirement of ‘satisfactory academic
progress’ as defined in the VHCC College catalog. More information may be
obtained online www.vhcc.edu/tobaccoprogram
.
Alternative Student Loan Program
- Alternative
loans, also called private loans, are offered by lending institutions as an
additional source of funds for higher education. These funds are not part of the
federal government loan programs; VHCC does not participate in the Stafford or
Plus student loan programs. More information may be obtained online
www.vhcc.edu/financialaid/loans .
At the local level, scholarships and grants-in-aid are made available and
awarded on the basis of the student’s scholastic achievement, financial need,
character or occupational goal. The
VHCC Educational Foundation, Inc. offers a number of scholarships provided by
interested citizens and civic organizations.
All inquiries concerning financial aid and scholarship programs should be
made to the Office of Financial Aid.
The VHCC Educational Foundation, Inc. is a separately incorporated non-profit
corporation which secures voluntary support and manages, invests, and expends
such funds solely for the benefit of Virginia Highlands Community College and
its students. The Foundation Board of Directors volunteer their expertise and
service on behalf of the College and community.
The Foundation assists Virginia Highlands Community College in a variety of
ways: through the endowment and distribution of scholarship funds, the purchase
of equipment and furnishings, and financial support of academic and community
enrichment programs. For additional information, call (276) 739-2473.
Information concerning veterans’ educational programs and benefits may be
obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records.
It is the responsibility of students eligible for Veterans Administration
benefits to secure the necessary forms from this office.
Assistance in completing and submitting these forms is also provided.
If you have questions regarding your qualifications of veteran’s benefits or to
explore your options, please call the Buffalo, NY toll-free number at
888-442-4551.
All academic policies as included in this catalog apply equally to all students
at Virginia Highlands. However,
there are a few guidelines specifically applicable to the administration of
veterans certified for benefits through the Veterans Administration.
1. Veterans Affairs Office will consult with veterans who
fail to attend classes regularly.
2. Veterans Affairs Office will report to the Veterans
Administration as soon as possible any change in the status of veterans, whether
that be a change of curriculum, reduction or increase in course-load or
withdrawal.
3. Veterans Administration will de-obligate benefits of
veterans placed on suspension or dismissal.
4. Veterans who fail to maintain good academic standing must
be counseled by a Counselor at the College prior to Veterans’ benefits being
reinstated.
5. Virginia Highlands Community College grading policies
will be used to determine whether veterans are maintaining satisfactory
progress.
6. The physical education requirements for the degree,
diploma and certificate programs may be waived for veterans (please see Veterans
Officer), and the College may substitute other credits to satisfy the total
credit requirements of the veteran’s curriculum.
Additional information and forms are available on the VHCC website at
www.vhcc.edu/financialaid/veterans .