Financial Aid

1400.400 FINANCIAL AID PROCEDURE

The college offers financial assistance through scholarships, loans, grants, and employment. Nearly all assistance available is based on demonstrated need, however some scholarships are available based on merit. Students with demonstrated need are considered for all forms of available assistance with priority given to those with highest need. All students are responsible for their tuition, the purchase of their own books and supplies until funding is available. Most programs listed below require proof of need. Scholarships, described in the next section, often do not require proof of financial need.

A. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

To be considered an “on-time” applicant for financial aid for the coming academic year, students must have the following information on file in the WVC financial aid office:

1. The FAFSA postmarked by March 1 or complete FAFSA on the Web and mail the signature page by March 1.
2. Application for admission to Wenatchee Valley College by May 15.
3. By May 15, any follow-up information the financial aid office has requested.

B. ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for federal and state-funded programs, you must:

1. Be a citizen of the U.S. or an eligible non-citizen.
2. Demonstrate “financial need” for assistance as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA) and by Wenatchee Valley College.
3. Not owe a refund on a previous grant or be in default on a Perkins or Stafford Loan.
4. Enroll for at least six credits (unless receiving Pell Grant only).
5. Demonstrate a history of satisfactory academic progress that must be maintained while receiving assistance at Wenatchee Valley College. Refer to the current WVC financial aid brochure, “Satisfactory Progress Requirements.”
6. Have a high school diploma, GED certificate or equivalent.
7. Not have a BA degree (unless seeking an additional degree offered by WVC), and then eligibility will be for student loans only.

C. AID

Types of financial aid programs offered at Wenatchee Valley College include Federal Pell Grant*, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant*, Washington State Need Grant, Federal and State Work-Study Programs*, Wenatchee Valley College Tuition and Fee Waivers, and Wenatchee Valley College Need Grants. Awarding of grants, except the Pell Grant, is also based on funds available. An additional application is required for Federal Stafford Loans* and Federal Plus Loans*.

*Information about these programs is available in the U.S. Department of Education Student Guide available in financial aid offices around the country or online at www.ed.gov/prog-info/sfa/studentguide.

D. WASHINGTON STATE NEED GRANT

The state of Washington offers grants to needy Washington undergraduate students based on eligibility guidelines established by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. There is no special application to complete and students applying for financial aid at WVC will be given automatic consideration for this program on a first-come, first-served basis.

E. STATE TUITION AND FEE WAIVER

These are only valid if tuition is not paid by any other agency.

F. WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE NEED GRANT

These grants may be awarded to “on-time” resident applicants enrolled at least half time.

G. WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS

Work-study is awarded to needy students on a first-come, first-served basis and is earned only when the student works. College officials assist students in locating employment both on and off campus. However, a work-study award is not a guarantee of employment. Wenatchee Valley College participates in the America Reads Program so students may be able to help a child or family learn to read as part of the work-study program. Additional information is available in the WVC Work-Study brochure.

H. EMERGENCY SHORT-TERM LOANS

Several private donors provide funds for interest-free loans with a service charge for unanticipated emergencies. Short-term loans, usually for a maximum of $200.00, must be repaid within the quarter. Loans are usually available to students who have completed at least one quarter satisfactorily. Applications are available at the WVC financial aid office.

I. WORK-BASED LEARNING TUITION ASSISTANCE

This funding is available for tuition and books for a variety of credit and continuing education classes that improve work skills. This program is supported and funded through caseload savings from the implementation of welfare reform in Washington; the WorkFirst Program. To qualify for this assistance students must 1) be currently working, 2) have dependent children, 3) not be receiving other financial aid to attend college, and 4) meet certain financial guidelines.

J. WVC SCHOLARSHIPS

Amounts vary up to full tuition. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States. Graduates of Chelan, Douglas or Okanogan county high schools or permanent residents of these counties for the previous two years receive priority. Students need not apply for specific scholarships, as the selection committee will match applicants with scholarship selection criteria. Scholarships are awarded for one academic year; therefore, students must re-apply each year. Generally scholarship recipients must complete a minimum of 12 credits at a 2.0 GPA each quarter to maintain eligibility during the school year. Selection of the recipients is made by the Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee, which is comprised of faculty and WVC staff. Additional information is available in the WVC Scholarship brochure. The athletic department awards athletic awards to students who participate in one of WVC’s intercollegiate athletic teams. Inquiries regarding athletic scholarships should be directed to the athletic director or head coach of the individual sport.

K. CHILDCARE GRANTS

State funds received for the purpose of providing limited childcare services to students will be implemented through modest childcare grants.

1. Awards will be made to students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  
2. To be eligible for a childcare grant, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Grade rosters will be examined to verify student progress.
3. To be considered for a childcare grant, a student must submit to the financial aid office an accurate, completed Child Care Expense Verification form and receipts for day care payments made during the previous academic quarter.
4. Grants will be issued in an amount matching that expended by the student for qualified child care, not to exceed $200, provided the grant does not exceed the total child care costs for the academic quarter and was not funded by an outside agency.
5. Childcare grants will be disbursed to students on a first-come, first-served basis and as long as funds are available.
6. In order to qualify for this grant funding, the student's childcare provider must be licensed through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. The financial aid office will verify the licensure.

L. VETERANS

Veterans seeking their educational benefits at WVC should contact the veteran’s coordinator. Veterans are responsible for providing the veteran’s coordinator with their class schedules each quarter. Any schedule changes during the quarter must also be reported in order to prevent overpayment of benefits.

1. Wenatchee Valley College offers approved programs of study for students entitled to benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31), Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP – Chapter 32), Educational Assistance Test Program (Section 901), and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35).
2. Veterans may be able to receive credit for their military experience. Credit is given only for experiences which have equivalent courses taught at WVC; the amount of credit cannot exceed the amount that could be earned by taking the courses at WVC. At least 15 credits must be earned at WVC before military credit is awarded. A fee is charged for each military credit added to the veteran’s WVC transcript. Wenatchee Valley College follows the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services when awarding credit for military experiences.
3. Eligible persons are invited to make application for these benefits through the college's financial aid office. Application forms and veteran advising as well as other information and services are available on both Wenatchee and Omak Campuses.

 

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More education about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Supersedes: 7.A.21
Approved by the president’s cabinet: 8/23/05
Presented to the board of trustees: 9/21/05
Last reviewed: __/__/__
Procedure contact: Student Services

Related policies and procedures
400.400 Financial Aid Policy