AR 5130: Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid programs offered at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) include:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Federal Direct Loan Program
• Federal Work Study Program

Rights and Responsibilities
If a student believes a mistake has been made or if their enrollment or financial situation changes, they may ask to have their financial aid package reviewed.
It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and complete any outstanding documents or requests from the Financial Aid office.

Return of Title IV (Federal Aid) Funds Policy
This policy is applicable to all MHCC students who receive Title IV aid and who resign (either "officially" through the Registrar's Office - OR - "unofficially" by no longer attending classes) from MHCC before completing 60% of the term.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
The federal government requires all schools participating in federal financial aid programs (e.g., Pell grant, direct loans, etc.) to have an SAP policy that meets the minimum federal requirements. This policy defines SAP, the process by which financial aid is revoked for failure to meet SAP minimum requirements, and the process by which students may appeal their SAP status. This policy applies to all financial aid recipients.

The purpose of SAP standards is to ensure students are progressing toward their degree program in a timely manner. A student’s SAP status affects their ability to receive aid. All students will be evaluated for SAP status at the conclusion of each term. SAP is measured by three federal standards:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA – all students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Minimum Pace of Completion – students must successfully complete at least two-thirds, or 66.67%, of their total attempted MHCC credits.
• Maximum Timeframe – Students may receive financial aid for a limited time frame, up to 150% of their program length. For example, an associate degree with a program length of 90 credits must be completed within 135 credits (90 x 150% = 135).

Students who are successful (or unsuccessful) at meeting the standards above will be placed in the appropriate SAP status of good standing, warning, aid denied, or probation status.

Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility
Students placed in the aid denied status may reestablish financial aid eligibility by submitting an SAP appeal. The appeal must describe the extenuating circumstances that led to suspension (including any supporting documentation) and explain what they will do differently to ensure success in future terms.

Appeal
The Financial Aid Office will review appeals and notify the student in writing of the decision.

Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation is defined as any false, erroneous, or misleading statement that MHCC, a representative of the MHCC, or a service provider with which MHCC has contracted to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, recruiting, or admissions services, makes directly or indirectly to a student, prospective student, a member of the public, an accrediting agency, a state agency, or the United States Department of Education.

A misleading statement includes any statement that has the likelihood or tendency to deceive or confuse.  If a person to whom the misrepresentation was made could reasonably be expected to rely, or has reasonably relied, on the misrepresentation, the misrepresentation would be substantial.

This regulation does not apply to statements by students through social media outlets or by vendors that are not providing covered services, as reflected herein.

• 20 U.S. Code Sections 1070 et seq.
• 34 Code of Federal Regulations Part 668 (U.S. Department of Education regulations on the Integrity of Federal Student Financial Aid Programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended)
• NWCCU Standards 2.G.2, 2.G.4, 2.G.5
• ORS 348.015 and ORS 348.017 (Third party financial firms)