1. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.  If preferred, a paper FAFSA may be submitted instead. You may obtain the paper FAFSA by contacting the Financial Aid Office or high school guidance office. The FAFSA gathers financial information about students and their families. The information is analyzed and the student receives a student aid report (SAR) by mail or electronically. The FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA must be completed each year. The priority deadline for mailing these forms is April 15 for the upcoming Fall Semester. You can apply for financial aid over the internet at: www.fafsa.ed.gov instead of using the paper form. Rappahannock Community College's Federal Title IV School Code is 009160.  For more information on tax credits, the FAFSA, and the U. S. Department of Education's student aid programs, call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. eastern time or look on the internet at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. If you are hearing impaired, call TDD 1-800-730-8913.
2. After completing the FAFSA, the processor will send you the results, which are called a Student Aid Report. The results are also sent electronically to the school if the Title IV Federal school code is indicated on the application. These results are called an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR).
3. A RCC Office Application for Financial Aid must be completed and returned to the Financial Aid Office.
4. The prospective student must not be in default on a student loan or owe an overpayment to the Department of Education as per NSLDS.
5. Additional information or forms may be requested to complete the application process. Students who are selected for verification will be required to submit signed copies of the family's federal income tax return(s), verification of other forms of income, and a verification statement.
6. Applications are processed, if complete, only after all admissions requirements are met and confirmed.
7. The financial aid application priority deadline for the upcoming academic year is April 15 of each year. Applications received after that date will be processed as time permits. Only students with complete admissions and financial aid files can be awarded financial aid. Financial Aid applicants whose application files are complete before established deadlines may charge tuition against their grant or scholarships during registration. Book charges may be made during the first two weeks of classes.

Financial Aid Eligibility

The following conditions of eligibility must be met and maintained by students receiving financial aid:

1. complete admissions requirements and be accepted for admission to the college;
2. prove United States citizenship or eligibility as a non-citizen;
3. make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the RCC Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid Students (more detail on academic progress is available through Financial Aid Office);
4. not owe a refund on financial aid received from any post-secondary institution;
5. not be in default on a student loan received at any post-secondary institution;
6. complete placement testing, if required by the college through the Counseling Center;
7. submit high school and college transcripts and/or GED certificate to the Admissions Office;
8. show the ability to benefit from a college curriculum through placement testing, if you have not graduated from high school or received a GED;
9. enroll in a one-year certificate or two-year degree program (non-curricular and career studies students are ineligible for aid); and
10. register with Selective Service (males).

Students who have questions about eligibility decisions should contact the financial aid staff for details. Students may appeal financial aid eligibility decisions through the student grievance procedure.

How Financial Need Is Determined

To qualify for financial aid, students must demonstrate financial need which is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution. The expected family contribution (EFC) is determined by information provided on the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid). Every student budget is based on the cost of attendance for students who meet specific domicile or program criteria. The cost of attendance is determined as follows:

* This cost of attendance is based on 2007-2008 figures. The cost of attendance changes annually. The illustration above is for an independent, in-state student. Cost of attendance for dependent instate students is $10,800.00. Average cost of attendance figures for each year may be obtained from the financial aid office. Individuals with questions about cost of attendance used in calculation of their aid award should contact the financial aid office.

Application Deadlines

Applications for financial aid should be completed and mailed to the Office of Federal Student Financial Aid Programs from January 1 until April 15 for priority deadline.

Students must submit separate applications for scholarships. Students who wish to be considered for the work-study program must check the appropriate box on the RCC Office Application for Financial Aid and inform Financial Aid staff.

Deadlines are established each semester for the first day to charge and the last day to charge against financial aid award in the bookstore, and for submission of other necessary information. These dates will be posted in the Financial Aid Office, on bulletin boards, and in the Business Office, Bookstore, Student Lounge, Plasma TV Screens, and on the RCC Website.

Students who wish to take advantage of Veterans' Administration educational benefits for which they may be entitled should plan well in advance to ensure that the necessary VA approvals can be obtained prior to registration.

Student Loan Program Notice

Rappahannock Community College does not participate in Federal Family Education Loans due to federal regulations which were enacted in 1996-97. The federal government will suspend institutional eligibility for PELL grants and other forms of Title IV financial aid at U.S. colleges and universities where student loan default rates are 25 percent or higher. Since the number of borrowers at RCC who had no other source of financial aid was small and the number of students defaulting on their student loans was high, the college ended participation in student loan programs in April 1996.