Financial Aid FAQ’s
What is the FAFSA and how does it work?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application you will need to complete if you are seeking financial assistance to pay for college. Eligibility is based on several factors including family income reported to the IRS, household size/number in college and family assets. Your results are sent to the school and award letter will be available to you on your my.hinds account once the school processes your information. (The FAFSA should be completed annually through the Federal Student Aid website.)
Can I receive Federal financial aid as a part-time student?
Yes, you can receive federal financial aid as a part-time student. Your eligibility is based on Student Aid Index (SAI), Cost of Attendance (COA), and the number of credit hours you’re enrolled.
How is Student Aid Index (SAI) determined?
Using information you entered on the FAFSA form – Income, household size, the number of household members attending college, etc. – a standardized formula calculates what a family should be able to contribute to the student’s education.
Can I receive Financial Aid to take courses until I decide what my program of study will be?
No, you must select a program of study and complete classes which apply to a degree in that program of study. If you are planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, your program of study should lead to an AA Degree. You may also pursue any of our numerous career and technical programs and receive an AAS degree(s) or certificates.
I’m in default because of a student loan, can I receive financial aid?
Yes, but you should first resolve the default. Please contact the loan holder or service to plan to repay the loan. Your servicer will need to send Hinds CC a letter stating you are eligible to apply for additional loans.
Do I need a certain grade point average to receive financial aid?
Yes, to receive financial aid you must comply with the Hinds Community College Financial Aid Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress. See Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress.
If I have already earned a bachelors degree, am I still eligible to receive financial aid?
Yes, you may be eligible to receive a student loan. You are not eligible for Pell Grant funds once you have received a bachelor’s degree. You must still complete the FAFSA. Once the Hind CC office of Financial Aid receives the results of your FAFSA, your loan eligibility will be calculated and can be found on your my.hinds account.
I have an associate degree from Hinds Community College. Can I receive Financial Aid at Hinds CC to study another program of study?
Yes, you may receive financial aid to pursue an additional program of study. (Review the Hinds Community College Financial Aid Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress for additional instructions.)
If I’m on financial aid warning, can I receive financial aid?
Yes, if you are placed on financial aid warning you may contribute to receiving financial aid. You must improve your overall GPA and/or Pace to avoid being placed on financial aid suspension. Please refer to the Hinds Community College Financial Aid Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress for GPA and Pace requirements.
If my satisfactory academic progress status is unsatisfactory, can I receive financial aid?
No, you cannot receive any type of financial aid (including Student Loans). If your status is unsatisfactory, you may submit a financial aid appeal. The financial aid office will review your appeal to determine whether you may continue receiving financial aid. If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on financial aid probation.
If your appeal is denied, you will not be eligible to receive financial aid (including student loans). However, you may continue attending Hinds CC provided you are making academic progress, and you pay out of pocket. You can pay in full or set up a payment plan for tuition/fees using cash/credit/check for your classes.
Any aid that was initially awarded will be cancelled once the student’s status becomes satisfactory. Students may monitor their status on their My. Hinds account.
Do I have to be full-time to receive institutional or state aid?
Yes, for certain types of aid, such as scholarships and state grants, you do have to be a full-time student enrolled in fifteen (15) hours or more.
I probably don’t qualify for aid. Should I apply for aid anyway?
Yes. Many families mistakenly assume they will not qualify for financial aid. There is no cost to apply for financial aid, so it is best to submit the FAFSA to determine your eligibility. Go to the Federal Student Aid Website to complete the application and see what types of financial aid you may qualify to receive.
What expenses can I expect financial aid to cover?
Depending on your financial award, it may cover all or part of the following expenses: tuition/fees, books/supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and miscellaneous cost.
How much will my family be expected to contribute towards my yearly college costs?
Your Student Aid Index (SAI) formula calculates the total financial resources of you and your parents (or spouse in some cases) then deducts the minimum amount needed for your family’s normal annual living expenses. The resulting SAI is used by colleges to determine your financial eligibility. The SAI will be the same at any college you attend.
Do I have to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to receive student loans?
Yes. To receive any Federal Financial Aid you must submit the FAFSA. Be sure to include Hinds Community College as one of your college choices, using School Code 002407.
How do I apply for a Loan?
Student loans are automatically included in your award packages as estimated. Log in to your My.Hinds account for eligibility and actions needed.
Do I need to complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling/Loan Agreement each year?
In most cases, no, the Loan Agreement (MPN) is active for 10 years unless there is a break in enrollment, you enroll at a new school, the loan agreement expires, or a request for a new Loan Agreement (MPN) is made by the U.S. Department of Education.
Do my parents have to complete the student loan process for me?
No. You must log in using your FSA ID and password. If parents are interested in a loan for your educational funding, they must complete a Parent Plus Loan using their own FSA ID.
What happens when my hours drop below full-time and I have already received your financial aid? How is this handled?
Pell Grant is awarded based on the number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled and attending and whether they are full semester or shorter-term classes. To remain eligible for a student loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time [six (6) credit hours] at the time funds are disbursed to the school. Students who drop below half-time are no longer eligible for loans. At the time of disbursements, Pell Grants will be adjusted according to number of credit hours enrolled.
When are student loans refunded?
Dates are located on the Financial Aid Refunds page.
Does disbursement mean the same as refund?
No. Disbursements occurs when financial aid funds are first disbursed to the College from the Department of Education to pay any balances owed to the college. A refund is the credit balance that remains after all charges have been paid to the college. (Usually 10-14 business days after disbursement).
Do I need to complete FAFSA for the Spring semester?
No. Financial Aid is awarded for the full Academic school year in which a student is applying (Fall/Spring/Summer). If a student only enrolls for one semester, financial aid will be adjusted for the one semester. Any financial aid for the other semesters will be cancelled.
How do I find out if any documents are missing to complete my Financial Aid?
You can log in to your My.Hinds account . Go to the Financial Aid tab on self-service. Here you can access financial aid data, forms, etc.
Did you receive my fax?
Once you send a fax please check your fax confirmation for “sent” status first. Once a fax is successfully sent please allow 24-48 hours for the office to update your file. Please continue to check your My.Hinds account for updates.
I’m a parent and I have a question about my son/daughter’s account.
Students must manage their privacy settings in Navigator (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) to authorize the college to discuss their account with parents or other individuals. The student will need to designate these permissions In Navigator by designating a third -party user and granting permission to an individual for specific access to information. Students can see steps on how to complete a FERPA on the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act page.