Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grant awards are based on financial need as determined by the Federal Student Aid Programs. A student may apply for Federal Pell Grant by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.
A student must apply for Federal Pell Grant each award year. The FAFSA application opens each year beginning October 1. This application should be completed using income from a previous year. (examples: 2016 income should be used for the 2018-2019 Academic Year [Fall 2018, Spring 2019 and Summer 2019], 2017 income should be used for the 2019-2020 Academic Year [Fall 2019, Spring 2020 and Summer 2020], 2018 income should be used for the 2020-2021 Academic Year [Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021] and so on), Students and parents should use the IRS Data Link where possible to import their US Federal Income Tax information directly into the FAFSA. This should be done as soon after October 1 as possible. Award amounts vary depending on student’s eligibility.
If a student has applied for Federal Financial Aid, the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) from the Department of Education, along with any verification documents required from the student and all transcripts, must be received by the Financial Aid Office by the published priority date each term in order to apply financial aid by the deadline date for tuition and fee payment. If the required information is not received by the financial aid office, the student will be required to pay all tuition and fees. Any student who has not paid by this time will be purged from classes and will no longer be eligible to attend.
In order for a student to receive the full Pell Grant award calculated, the student must attend all classes. Attendance will be verified by the instructors each term before financial aid refunds checks will be mailed. If the student does not attend all classes, the award will be recalculated based on the lower enrollment status. Attendance will be verified at the beginning of each semester.
Return in Compliance with Federal Regulations
In accordance with Federal regulations, those students who receive a disbursement of Title IV funds, Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, and/or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) officially withdraws or ceases attendance prior to the 60% point in the payment period, LBWCC will determine whether the student must repay a portion of the net disbursement. Federal Work-Study is excluded from the calculation. This process is called a Return of Title IV Calculation. LBWCC will implement the new regulations for R2T4 on July 1, 2021 for the Summer 2021 semester.
Title IV funds must be disbursed within 14 days of the aid being posted on the students financial account, however aid is earned as student attends throughout the semester.
If the student does not complete 60% of the semester, LBWCC is required to perform a calculation to determine if funds must be returned to the Department of Education. This date of withdrawal is determined in two different ways for official and unofficial withdrawals.
Official Withdrawal: The official withdrawal date is determined by the date the student started the withdrawal process or the date of the last academic related activity.
Unofficial Withdrawal: The unofficial withdrawal date is determined by the date the instructors report as the last documented academic related activity when a grade of “F” is posted at the end of the semester or payment period. The return of funds calculation shall be based on the midpoint of the term for students who unofficially withdraw and cease attending before completing 60% of the term, unless it can be determined that the last documented academic related activity/engagement is after the 50% date, at which time that date will be used to the benefit of the student.
The percentage formula is as follows: total number of calendar days completed in the payment period divided by the total number of calendar days in the payment period equals the percentage of Title IV funds earned. Scheduled break days of 5 or more are excluded from the calculation. Funds shall be returned in the following order:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
- FSEOG
Any remaining credit, (post-withdrawal disbursements), shall be posted to the student’s account within 45 days of the date it was determined that the student withdrew. If there is a remaining credit after all expenses are paid, the balance shall be refunded to the student within 14 days.
Calculations and returns must be made 45 days from the date of determination for official withdrawals and 30 days from the end of the semester (or payment period) for unofficial withdrawals.
The student may be required to return or repay the remaining unearned Title IV funds to the Department of Education. LBWCC will notify the student in writing of the amount they owe, the procedure for repayment and consequences of non-payment within 30 days.
Any student who does not return or repay unearned Title IV funds as required by law will be reported to the Department of Education and will not be eligible to receive Title IV funds at LBWCC or any other college participating in the Title IV Program until overpayment is paid in full.
LBWCC requires the student to repay any funds that the school was required to return to the Department of Ed as a result of the students’ failure to complete 60% of the term. LBWCC will notify the student in writing informing them of the amount due to the school and why the amount is owed giving the student a day for the amount to be repaid. The student’s account will be placed on hold and the student will not be able to register or receive an official transcript until said amount is paid in full.
If the student owes LBWCC funds and fails to pay by the demanded date, their record will be turned over to Williams & Fudge, Inc. for collection, then if not paid will be sent to SSS Recovery for further collections.
A STUDENT IS NOT OFFICIALLY WITHDRAWN UNTIL A COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FORM IS SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS OR IS ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN BY THEIR INSTRUCTOR.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is a grant and repayment is not required. To qualify, a student must have exceptional financial need. A student must be enrolled, be in good standing, and must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to establish eligibility. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. Funds are limited. FSEOG is subject to the same Return of Title IV Requirements as Federal Pell grant.
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for students who have financial need. Students work in a variety of offices and departments with their work schedules built around their academic schedules. To qualify, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, available from the Financial Aid Office. Students earn minimum wages, payable once per month. These funds are limited and available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)
To be eligible for these funds, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The student must be an Alabama resident and have established financial need. These funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
LBWCC complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability that might require special materials, services, or assistance or if you have nay questions please contact Latrece Hall at 334-881-2271 for the Andalusia Campus, Shana Burke at ext. 334-382-2133 ext. 3102 for the Greenville Campus, Mrs. Wendy Johnson at 334-493-5333 for the MacArthur Campus or Laura Elliott at (334) 335-2817 for the Luverne Center.
It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and LBWCC, a postsecondary institution under its control, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.
