Financial Aid

Nevada State College has several types of financial assistance available to students. All prospective students are encouraged to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the NSC Scholarship and Grant-in-Aid Application by March 1st. Students who complete their application by the priority file date have a better opportunity of receiving a more advantageous award package. Students must apply for financial aid each year by the designated file dates.

Financial aid at Nevada State College consists of grants, scholarships, and loans. Learn about the different types of financial aid and the application process by visiting the NSC Student Financial Services & Scholarships website at www.nsc.nevada.edu/finaid/. Financial Aid related questions can also be answered by calling Student Financial Services & Scholarships at (702) 992-2150 between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Federal Aid Programs

The following types of financial assistance are awarded to students based on their financial need and ability to pay for college. Some types of assistance are grants that do not require repayment and other types of assistance, such as loans, require students to repay the aid once they graduate, withdraw from courses, or drop below half-time (6 credits).

Federal Pell Grant

Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. You must demonstrate high financial need to be eligible for this aid program.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

This federal grant is awarded to students who are a Pell Grant recipient, U.S. Citizen, enrolled full-time, graduated from high-school during 2006 or later, meets the rigorous high-school program requirements, earned 47 or less credits, and have a 3.0 NSC cumulative GPA (or be a newly admitted freshman). Eligible students can receive this grant for up to 2 years within the parameters specified by the U.S. Department of Education.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)

This federal grant is awarded to students who are a Pell Grant recipient, U.S. Citizen, enrolled full-time, earned more than 48 credits (including transfer work), have a 3.0 cumulative NSC GPA for continuing students or a 3.0 GPA if a transfer student, and admitted into an eligible math or science degree program. Eligible students can receive this grant for up to 4 years within the parameters specified by the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Stafford Loans

The Federal Stafford Loan is an affordable, low interest loan designed for undergraduate students as means to supplement their educational expenses. To be eligible for Stafford Loans you must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) and complete the FAFSA.

The two types of Stafford Loans are:

Subsidized Stafford: This loan is interest free while you are attending school in at least 6 credits or more. You begin to repay this loan 6 months after you graduate, withdraw from school, or drop below 6 credits. Once you begin repayment the interest on your loan will begin to accrue. The interest rate for this loan will never exceed 8.25%.
Unsubsidized Stafford: This loan accrues interest throughout the lifetime of the loan, even while you are in school. You begin to repay this loan 6 months after you graduate, withdraw from school, or drop below 6 credits. You do have the option of making ‘interest only’ payments while you are in school to provide additional savings. The interest rate for this loan will never exceed 8.25%.

NOTE: The amounts you can borrow depend on your grade level in school and on the type of student you are: dependent undergraduate, independent undergraduate (or a dependent undergraduate whose parents are unable to get a PLUS – Parent Loan).

Federal Plus Loans – Loans to Parents

These are loans your parents can get to assist you with paying for educational expenses if you are a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). This loan accrues interest throughout the lifetime of the loan, even while you are in school and your parents begin repaying the loan 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. The interest rate on this loan will never exceed 9.00%.

To find more about these three Federal Programs offered at NSC please visit the U.S. Department of Education website to view The Student Guide – 2007-2008 at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html.

State Assistance Programs

Nevada State Access Grant

This grant is awarded to Nevada Residents who need assistance in paying for their education and demonstrate financial need. This is a grant and does not require repayment. Early applicants receive priority consideration.

Nevada Grant-In-Aid (NGIA)

Out-of-State Grant-In-Aid (OGIA)

This grant is awarded to Out-of-State Residents who need assistance in paying for their education and demonstrate financial need. This is a grant and does not require repayment. Early applicants receive priority consideration.

NOTE: Please complete the NSC Scholarship and Grant-In-Aid Application to be considered for GIA awards.

Native American Grant-In-Aid (TGIA)

This grant is awarded to members of a federally recognized Native American tribe, who currently reside on tribal lands located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the State of Nevada. Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester and have a 2.0 cumulative NSC GPA (or be a newly admitted student) to be eligible for consideration. This is a grant and does not require repayment. Early applicants receive priority consideration.

NSC Grant (NSCG)

NSC Student Success Grants

These are grants awarded to students based on grade level (i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) who need assistance in paying for the education and demonstrate financial need. Students who are Nevada or Out-of-State residents, enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester, and have a 2.75 or higher NSC cumulative GPA (or newly admitted students) are eligible for consideration. This is a grant and does not require repayment. Early applicants receive priority consideration.

NSC Support Grant (NSSG)

These are grants awarded to students pursuing their first or second baccalaureate degree who need assistance in paying for their education and demonstrate financial need. Students who are Nevada or Out-of-State residents, enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester, and have a 2.75 or higher NSC cumulative GPA (or newly admitted students) are eligible for consideration. This is a grant and does not require repayment. Early applicants receive priority consideration.

NOTE: Please complete the NSC Scholarship and Grant-In-Aid Application to be considered for GIA awards and some of the other state assistance programs listed above. Increase your opportunity for grants by completing both the FAFSA and NSC Scholarship and Grant-In-Aid applications. State grants require students to have a 2.0 or higher NSC cumulative GPA (or be a newly admitted student) and be enrolled in 6 or more credits per semester to be eligible for consideration unless otherwise indicated within the descriptions above.

Nevada State Millennium Scholarship Program

This scholarship opportunity is awarded to Nevada High School students who graduated in 2000 or later and meet the program requirements. At NSC the award to eligible students is $60 per credit and requires enrollment in 12 credits if enrolled in the fall or spring semester.

Millennium Scholarship Guidelines for Summer Classes

Millennium scholars must pay for all summer classes in accordance with NSC deadlines for payment. In late September, Millennium Scholars will be reimbursed for classes successfully completed during the summer. NSC Millennium scholars who take summer courses at other eligible institutions (NSHE) must complete the Summer Reimbursement Request Form and return it to NSC Student Financial Services and Scholarships by the designated September deadline.

NSC Millennium Scholars taking NSC summer courses do not need to complete the above form. Reimbursement for summer courses taken at NSC will occur automatically in late September of each year.

For more information you can visit the Nevada State Treasurer website at http://nevadatreasurer.gov/millennium/Documents.asp.

Regent Service Program (formerly Regents’ Award Program)

This program offers the opportunity for community service jobs to be awarded to students who meet one of the following criteria:

Head of Household
Single parent
Age 22 or over and have never attended college or a break in enrollment of two or more years
No support from parents or family
Unusual family or financial circumstances
First generation college-bound

Programs offering this opportunity will be advertised periodically throughout the year by NSC Student Financial Services and Scholarships and/or the academic departments participating in this program.

Nevada Pre-paid Tuition

The State of Nevada offers families with the opportunity to purchase the Nevada Pre-Paid Tuition plan for students who are enrolled in K-12. For more information please visit the Nevada State Treasurer website at
http://nevadatreasurer.gov/College/prepaid.asp.

Scholarships

NSC Scholarships: Nevada State College scholarship funds are awarded to students based on merit and/or need depending on the source of the funds. The student is required to have a specific GPA to receive and keep scholarship awards. In order for you to be considered for NSC scholarships it is recommended you complete the NSC Scholarship and Grant-In-Aid Application by March 1st of each year. You are also advised to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as some scholarships require students to have some level of financial need. Nevada State College uses the FAFSA to determine financial need.
Outside Agency Scholarships: Outside agencies offer various opportunities to college students if they meet the eligibility requirements identified for each scholarship. The best source for locating outside agency scholarships is through ‘free’ scholarships searches, checking with organizations you are affiliated with, your church, your employer, your parent’s employer, your high-school, trade unions you parent(s) may be affiliated with, and postings within the NSC Student Financial Services & Scholarships office. Although NSC does not endorse any outside agency scholarships, we will continue to identify and advertise outside agency scholarships that will benefit NSC students. NSC advises you to never pay for any service that guarantees you financial assistance just for using their service.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress means a student who receives federal assistance (i.e. Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, Parent Loans, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, and Veteran Benefits) must fulfill certain minimum standards in regard to academic progress and performance. Most State Assistance follow the same rules unless otherwise noted within the Award Letter provided to students. These minimum standards are demonstrated in three areas: grade point average, completion of credits, and completion of the student’s degree objective (maximum credits). Scholarship recipients may or may not be subject to these requirements. NSC Scholarship recipients will receive criteria for maintaining the scholarship, as applicable. Recipients should contact the awarding agency, their donor, or Student Financial Services and Scholarships if clarification is needed.

Grade Point Average

Undergraduate students are required to have a 2.0 cumulative NSC GPA for all programs except Nevada Grant-in-Aid or Access grants. Both programs require a 2.0 NSC cumulative GPA (or new student status) for awarding and the Nevada Grant-in-Aid program requires a 2.0 NSC cumulative GPA to continue eligibility for the spring semester. Be sure to read your Award/Notification Letter to identify specific requirements pertaining to your financial assistance.

Completion of Credits

If a student receives financial assistance for the academic year, which includes the fall and spring semesters, the student must complete the minimum number of credits outlined below:

Minimum Credits Required

FT (12 + credits per semester) 24 per year (at least 12 credits per semester)
TT (9-11 credits per semester) 18 per year (at least 9 credits per semester)
HT (6-8 credits per semester) 12 per year (at least 6 credits per semester)
LT (1 – 5 credits per semester) # credits funded per semester

If you were enrolled for only one semester, your required credits would be calculated by half of the above-required credits for the year. If you have mixed enrollment such as full-time fall and half-time spring, the requirement would be calculated as half of the year requirement for each enrollment added together (i.e., FT/HT = 12+ 6 = 18).

If you receive a failing grade, incomplete, audit, or withdraw from a class, these credits cannot be counted toward your credit requirements. Repeat classes are included in total credits completed; however, repeat classes are also counted toward the maximum number of credits allowed to complete your degree.

Less-than-half-time enrollment

If Federal Pell Grant funds are received when enrolled for less than half-time all credits must be completed. That is, if you enroll for 4 credits for the semester, you must complete all four credits at the end of the semester.

Withdrawing from Class

If you completely withdraw or stop attending courses, resulting in receiving all “F”, “W”, and/or “I” grades, you may have to return a portion or all financial aid funds you received for the semester. Be sure to seek advising from your instructor and a Financial Aid Advisor before dropping courses. Please read the Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid Funds guidance included in this section of the NSC Catalog – Financial Aid.

Maintaining continued eligibility for the Spring Semester

In order for a fall/spring student to receive their aid for the spring semester they must complete at least one credit during the fall semester to be eligible for the spring semester funding. The student should identify a plan to ensure that they will have the proper number of credits needed for the academic year by the end of the spring semester or they will be placed on probation for the summer semester, at which time they must successfully complete the required number of credits for which they were funded during the fall and spring semester.

Maximum Credits

Students are required by federal regulation to complete their degree within a reasonable time frame and within a reasonable number of credits. Undergraduate students are allowed a maximum of 150% of the required number of credits to earn their degree. At 175 credits students will be notified to provide an explanation, via a Maximum Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal, for earning a larger than normal number of credits. These maximums include all accepted transfer credits and all credits completed at NSC. You are required to have Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved by Student Financial Services & Scholarships for any aid received for credit totals greater than those listed above.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

You are required to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal approved by Student Financial Services and Scholarships to receive financial assistance while working on a second baccalaureate. Please note that funding to students who have already earned a degree is limited to Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. In some instances, state aid may be available to students depending on fund availability.

Assigned Grades and Repeat Courses

Only courses and credits which are assigned a grade of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “X”, and “S” are valid to meet the satisfactory credit requirement. Assigned grades or designations of “F”, “AD” (for audit), “I”, and “W” are not counted toward course and credit requirements and are not satisfactory marks for satisfactory progress requirements. See Completion of Credits section above.
Repeated courses are included in the total credits completed. You are cautioned that the repeated course is also counted in the maximum number of credits allowed to complete a degree as described in the Maximum Credits section above.

Notification of Probation and Suspension

You will be automatically suspended from receiving financial assistance if you begin an academic year in any of the following circumstances: below standard GPA, deficient credits, maximum credits or 2nd undergraduate, unless you have submitted and documented your circumstances using the appeal option described below. When a student’s cumulative NSC GPA falls below a 2.0 or a credit deficiency occurs for which you received financial assistance, you will be notified after spring grades are available. At this point, you will be placed on financial assistance probation and will have the summer semester to raise your GPA or complete the required credits. Nevada State College will begin notifying students of ‘pending’ probation during the spring semester of each year. This ‘pending’ probation notification will assist you with planning your summer attendance to make up your deficiency.

It is recommended that if you are placed on probation you should attempt to make up your deficiencies during the first two summer sessions; this will ensure your grades are posted and reviewed before the fall semester begins. It is your responsibility to notify Student Financial Services and Scholarships upon your successfully removal of deficiencies. If you do not remove the deficiencies by the end of the summer semester, you will be placed on financial assistance suspension and will be ineligible for any further financial assistance until the deficiencies are cleared. Recipients of state funds through the Grant-in-Aid program will be notified after the fall semester if their GPA is not at least 2.0 and the Nevada Grant-in-Aid for spring will be cancelled.

Reinstatement of Financial Assistance Eligibility

You can raise your NSC GPA and/or satisfy credit deficiencies by taking additional course work at NSC without receiving aid. You can eliminate credit deficiencies, but not GPA deficiencies, by successfully completing course work at another institution. Course work must be transferable to NSC. Check for details with a Student Financial Services and Scholarships Financial Aid Advisor on using transferred course work for completing deficiencies. You can also submit a copy of your NSC transcript to verify grade changes including the removal of incompletes if this will result in the removal of your deficiencies.

Financial Assistance Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

f you cannot reinstate your eligibility by any of the above options or if you have reached your credit maximum or you are working toward a 2nd undergraduate degree, you have the right to appeal. Please contact Student Financial Services and Scholarships for information regarding the appeal procedure. As part of the appeal process you will be required to document an extenuating circumstance that had an impact on your academic performance (i.e. including but not limited to: illness, death, etc.) You will also need to outline how you will remove the deficiencies during the next academic year, providing a tentative Plan of Study and a Degree Audit Report (when available from the Registrar). The Student Financial Services Appeal Committee will review this form along with a letter of explanation from you (and copies of any supporting documentation regarding unusual or extenuating circumstances). You will be notified of the outcome in writing.

Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid Funds

If you completely withdraw during any semester at NSC, you will be subject to the Federal Return of Title IV Funds calculation. Federal law requires the amount of student assistance you have earned up to the point of withdrawal be determined by a specific calculation. In some instances you may owe funds back to NSC and/or the federal programs from which you received financial assistance.

The amount of assistance you have earned is determined on a pro-rata basis. That is, if you completed 30% of the payment period or period of enrollment, you earned 30% of the assistance you were originally scheduled to receive. Once you have completed at least 61% of the payment period or period of enrollment, you earn all of your assistance. The federal government has mandated a policy of aid recalculation where recipients of Title IV funding fail to complete a minimum of 61% semester attendance. Title IV programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 include Federal Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant), Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Loans and PLUS Loans.

For the purpose of determining your point of withdrawal during a semester, your student separation date is:

(1) The date the student began NSC’s official withdrawal procedure; or
(2) The date determined by the school as the last date of academically
related activity; or
(3) The date established by a survey of your class instructors.

You are responsible for any assistance awarded to you for which you do not qualify or earn. You will be notified of the overpayment that you must repay in a timely manner. Upon notification you will have 45 days to resolve your outstanding balance owed. After the 45 day period your account may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education for collection. You will be ineligible for future federal and state financial assistance at NSC or other institutions until you repay the amount due. NOTE: Even if you repay the overpayment amount, you are still subject to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.