- It is important that you select a degree or certificate program that is eligible for federal financial aid funding (programs that are less than six months in duration, and/or do not lead to a certificate or degree are not eligible programs.)
- Students are not permitted to receive financial aid resources for courses that are not required for their declared major at Chesapeake College.
- Enrollment status is important, too. All federal financial aid requires a student to be enrolled in six or more credit/load hours, with the exception of the Federal Pell Grant. You may receive Federal Pell Grant enrolling in three to five credit/load hours based on your eligibility. There are numerous institutional scholarships that allow for less than half-time status also. The credit/load hours defines enrollment status as follows:
- Full-time: 12 or more semester hours
- Three-quarter time: 9 to 11 semester hours
- Half-time: 6 to 8 semester hours
- Less than half-time: 3 to 5 semester hours
- If you do not have a high school diploma or GED certificate, you are not eligible for federal, state, and institutional aid. Once you complete your high school diploma or GED you can apply for aid.
- You may be required to provide federal tax transcripts and other documentation to complete your file. If additional documentation is required, you will be sent a status email regarding outstanding documents. . You will also need to keep updated on your financial aid file in Self-Service through your MyCampus portal. Your financial aid file will not be considered for any aid programs until all documentation is received.
- All award offers are based on full-time enrollment, however you are not required to enroll full-time for financial aid resources. You are encouraged to enroll in courses that you will have success in. Contact the Academic Advising Office to make an appointment to meet with one of our academic advisors at advising@chesapeake.edu.
Conditions of Awards
ACADEMIC STANDING
Students must make satisfactory academic progress in order to receive funds from the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loan, College Work-Study Programs, and the state and institutional aid programs. Awards will be withdrawn from students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress. Institutional scholarship programs require a student to maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average unless noted otherwise.
ACADEMIC YEAR
An academic year is defined as 29 credit hours. Remedial credits can be included.
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL STATUS
Students must report changes in financial status (decreases in income, benefits, etc.) to the Office of Financial Aid. The student’s financial need may be recalculated based on the change(s), and adjustments to financial aid packages will be made if necessary.
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT
Students may only be degree-seeking and receiving financial aid resources at one college. The United States Department of Education will notify Chesapeake College if a student is enrolled at two colleges within the same semester and awarded financial aid at both colleges. Once notified, we will rescind ALL aid awarded and the student will be responsible for their semester charges.
DURATION OF PELL GRANT ELIGIBILITY
Students will not be eligible for Federal Pell Grants beyond 12 semesters or equivalent as determined by federal regulation. Federal regulations will provide fractional equivalents for terms in which a student is enrolled less than full-time.
ENROLLMENT STATUS
Financial aid awards may be adjusted when students change their enrollment status (e.g. from full-time to three-quarter or half time). In some instances, these students may be required to repay a portion of the aid received. Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of all changes in enrollment status. Students reported as never attending class will have their aid rescinded. Students must register for all sessions within a term such as “Fall Interim” during the normal registration process prior to the start of the regular term.
ACCEPTING AWARDS
Students receiving financial aid are required to accept awards to pay their term bills. They are required to do so in Self Service through their MyCampus portal. Failure to properly accept your awards will result in the student’s course schedule deletion and aid package being rescinded.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
All students should understand how to manage money and credit to make informed decisions now and in the future. For more information, visit our Web page at https://www.chesapeake.edu/financial-aid/financial-literacy.
OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
Students awarded scholarships from outside the institution must report these awards to the Financial Aid Office. If a student’s direct costs have been met, the award package may be reduced.
OVER-AWARDS
Students who receive funds in excess of their financial need are over-awarded. The amount of the over-award must be repaid, regardless of the origin of the error, before further federal financial assistance may be received.
REPEAT CLASS
Students are only eligible for Financial Aid resources for courses previously dropped or failed twice and courses passed with a D grade or better only once.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Students who do not have a high school diploma, or an equivalent such as a GED, and who did not complete secondary school in a homeschool setting are not eligible for Title IV funds.
STUDENT ID
Students who are receiving financial aid must use their student identification number when making inquiries to the Financial Aid office and when purchasing books from the College’s Bookstore.
TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS
In the event that a student receives multiple tuition scholarships, the institutional tuition scholarship will be re-awarded to another student. This is to ensure that a maximum number of Chesapeake students are being considered for such scholarships. Tuition scholarships will only be paid at the in-county rate. In the event a student's residency is determined to be out-out county/state, we reserve the right to reduce or rescind the scholarship.
UNOFFICIAL WITHDRAWAL
Students receiving financial aid MUST attend class regularly. Once notified of non-attendance in one or more classes, the Financial Aid Office will RESCIND ALL aid offered/accepted until the student provides proof of attendance.
VERIFICATION
Students selected for verification by the United States Department of Education or Chesapeake College, must provide all necessary financial documents before any financial aid will be disbursed. Failure to comply may result in the student being responsible for all institutional charges incurred for the term.
WITHDRAWALS
Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw completely from the term will be subject to regulations governing the return of federal funds. Federal funds will be prorated using software provided by the United States Department of Education. Students owing a refund will not be permitted to register for future terms until the balance is paid in full. Attendance will be monitored and unofficial withdrawals will be subject to the same federal regulations. Students reported as never attending class will have their entire aid package rescinded. Students will be responsible for all institutional charges incurred for the term.