Frequently asked questions

See steps to apply.

On your FAFSA, include the MCC school code, #002484, which is the same for all MCC campuses.

The FAFSA process will tell you. Even if you do make too much, you could still be eligible for a loan. It's a good idea to fill out the FAFSA as early as possible each year to keep your financial options open.

The FAFSA is only step one of the financial aid process. When you receive notification it has been completed, visit myMCCKC to view and complete your Student Center "To Do" list items. Financial aid status and updates are posted online in your student center.

Yes. You will have to include parent information, unless you can provide proof of unusual circumstances as defined by the Department of Education. None of these are considered unusual circumstances:

• Parents refuse to contribute to your education.
• Parents are unwilling to provide information required to complete the FAFSA or for verification.
• Parents do not claim you as a dependent for income tax purposes.
• You demonstrate total self-sufficiency.

Unusual circumstances do, however, include an abusive family environment or abandonment by parents. In such cases, an override in dependency status may be warranted. Contact your financial aid office to see if you are eligible.

Requesting loans at MCC requires additional processes. You must

• Request loan intake forms at the campus financial aid office
• Complete online entrance and exit counseling
• Submit that documentation to the financial aid office.

The U.S. Department of Education requires MCC to verify the accuracy of FAFSA data. If you are selected for verification, you'll be notified through your MCC student email and your student center "To Do" list about the documents MCC needs.

Typically, we need an Institutional Verification Form (see Forms page) and tax documents (if you did not use the data retrieval option on your FAFSA).

If you're married or dependent upon your parents, we'll need your spouse/parent tax return transcript as well. You need to submit these documents to your MCC campus financial aid office within 45 days of notification.

If you don't submit the required documents within 45 days, your financial aid will be inactivated until the documents are received.

The Financial Aid Payment Agreement is where you authorize MCC to pay any unpaid balance that includes tuition, fees, MCC bookstore charges and miscellaneous charges with your federal award funds (such as grants and loans).

If you DON'T AGREE, you must pay them out of your pocket; you will not be allowed to charge your books in the bookstore against your financial aid. BE CAREFUL, this choice is for the entire financial aid year (fall, spring and summer), and it can not be changed.

If you don't agree, you pay for books yourself and financial aid refunds will still begin processing two weeks after class starts.

These dates are when the high volume period starts in our Financial Aid offices. We encourage you to complete your student center "To Do" list by the priority dates.

• Fall - May 30
• Spring - November 30
• Summer - May 1

If you are eligible for aid, it will be processed during the next scheduled awarding period. If there is a balance due when you enroll you must choose a payment option for that balance.

• Electronic Tax Filers: Data will usually be available within 2-3 weeks of filing
• Paper Tax Filers: Data will usually be available within 8-11 weeks of filing

 

If you plan to submit your FAFSA before you and/or your parents complete and submit your Federal Tax Return, then be sure to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to update your FAFSA record once the returns have been submitted and the income data is available to be retrieved.

• Applicant or parents who indicate on the FAFSA a tax return has not yet been filed.
• Applicant or parents who filed a Puerto Rican or foreign (non-US) tax return.
• Applicant's parents who are unmarried and living together.
• Applicants whose marital status has changed before filing FAFSA. Applicants who filed a joint return but filed the FAFSA with a marital status of separated, divorced or widowed.
• Married couples who file separate tax returns.
• The applicant or parent is married and filed taxes as head of household.
• If the parent or applicant was not married but is married at the time the FAFSA is filed. (The current spouse's income must be reported on the FAFSA.)
• If the tax filer is married to someone other than who they were married to on the last day of the tax year (for tax returns being used on the FAFSA).
• The first three digits of the Social Security Number are "666," indicating the individual is from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States or Micronesia or Republic of Palau (i.e., Freely Associated States).
• Neither married parent entered a valid Social Security Number.
• An unmarried parent or both married parents, entered incorrect Social Security Number(s)
• Applicants who are neither eligible nor required to file a Federal Tax Return.

Applicants who choose not to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (OR) applicants who use the tool but subsequently change the income information will be informed they must submit a copy of their tax return transcript or W-2's.

No. A+ funds may only be used at a public community college and/or at career-technical schools located in Missouri.

No.

The A+ high school will indicate successful completion of the A+ program with a stamp seal to be used on eligible student's transcripts.

No. A student who has met the requirements for a post-secondary degree using A+ financial incentives shall be notified that his/her eligibility has been exhausted.

No. A+ financial incentives must be used within 48 months of high school graduation.

Students providing service to any branch of the U.S. armed forces can defer their eligibility beyond the 48 months if they return to full-time status within 12 months of the end of their military service. Contact Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) at 800.473.6757, option 4.

A student enrolled in a program of study that requires, as part of the program, the successful completion of an internship or clinical experience remains eligible for A+ incentive funds for this portion of the program.

It is the responsibility of the community college in which the student enrolls to determine whether or not the student's program equates to a full-time load as prescribed.

Initial students must achieve a cumulative 2.0 grade point average at the end of the fall term.

In addition to the fall term GPA, the cumulative GPA may also include the summer GPA; any coursework the school accepts in transfer, as included in the cumulative GPA per institutional policy; and any postsecondary coursework completed prior to high school graduation included in the cumulative GPA per institutional policy.

The student's cumulative GPA at the end of the summer will not affect the student's eligibility for a fall award.

An initial student is one that is eligible for A+ reimbursement and has not received reimbursement in any prior award year (July 1 to June 30).

Renewal students must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA after the first spring term that the A+ scholarship is applied.

A renewal student is one that has received an A+ reimbursement in any prior award year (July 1 to June 30)

Yes, if the [local] scholarship has restrictions those must be honored (i.e., tuition only). If there are not restrictions on local scholarships, those funds may be used for non-A+ eligible expenses such as books, tuition surcharges, and other fees.

Yes, A student transferring from a four-year institution into a two-year institution must meet the institutional Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP) and be at a status other than 'Not Meets'.

By the end of the spring term, the student must meet the cumulative 2.5 GPA requirement and all other parts of the SAP requirements.

No.

Yes, however, both institutions must be A+ eligible. The institution granting the certificate or degree would claim the student for reimbursement purposes.

A program of study is a certificate or degree plan that is offered by the college or career-technical school.

Yes. Coursework that is part of a higher level certificate or degree taken after receipt of a certificate will be reimbursed if it is related to the original certificate.

Yes, provided they meet the requirements of the A+ program.

The scholarship will reimburse the unpaid balance of tuition and general fees after all available, non-loan federal financial assistance, such as the federal Pell grant, has been applied to an account.

This may result in a zero award if the Pell grant is sufficient to cover all tuition and general fee charges. The amount reimbursed may be reduced if there are insufficient state appropriations.

General fees are fees that are charged to all students and do not include fees specific to an individual program or group of students.

• Reimbursement will be made for completed coursework, including remedial coursework, for which a standard grade was assigned and that is required by the institution for the completion of the degree or certificate.
• The amount of reimbursement paid for coursework for which a standard grade was not assigned (dropped coursework - after the 100% refund period) including coursework in a withdrawn status, will be deducted from subsequent reimbursement requests.
• Repeat coursework will not be reimbursed.

No, if a student repeats a course for any reason, the repeated course will not be paid by A+ benefits but will be considered toward credit hour requirements.

Yes. Under current rules Pell must be applied to A+ eligible costs (tuition and fees) before A+ is billed.

Yes, as long as the student enrolls full-time within 48 months of graduation from high school, has not completed a degree or certificate; has not exceeded one hundred and five (105) percent of the hours required for the program of study; whichever occurs first.

A+ students must be graduates of an eligible Missouri A+ designated high school. A+ will reimburse only at in-state tuition rates.

If the eligible A+ student moves out of Missouri but attends a Missouri public community college or a career technical school, any difference in tuition will be the responsibility of the student.

Yes, A+ will pay for additional credit hours if the student elects to be enrolled full time.

There is no maximum number of hours a student may elect to take in a semester.

SAP measures completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require us to monitor your progress.

If you fall behind in coursework, or fail to achieve standards for GPA and completion of classes, you may lose eligibility for federal and state aid.

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
• Maintain a cumulative successful completion rate of a minimum of 67.00% of courses attempted.
• Complete an eligible academic program in no more than 150% of the number of hours to finish the program. For example, if your program requires 60 credit hours, financial aid will not help pay your costs after you have taken 90 credit hours.

 

MCC's complete Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is available on our web page.

If it is determined you are failing to meet the requirements we will notify you in your student email account.

You can reach out to either your assigned Student Success Advisor for more information about your SAP status.

Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from classes they do not plan to complete. Students may drop a class through their myMCCKC student center or by visiting with a Student Success Advisor.

If you stop attending a class but remain on the class roster, you may receive an "F" in the class. If you receive financial aid, you may also be required to repay those benefits.

Dropping a class after the 100% refund period will result in a grade of "W" on the transcript. During the last 40% of a class, students will receive a grade for their academic progress.

Students who stop attending class during this time period could fall below satisfactory academic standards and therefore receive a failing grade.

Examples of what dropping a class may do:

• Dropping a class between the start of enrollment and the end of the 100% refund period may result in your Pell being reduced but this will not happen instantly. If you drop during this time period please visit the financial aid office that day.
• Dropping a class can also affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires you complete a certain percent of your classes to stay in good standing.
• If you are an A+ student, dropping a class might make you ineligible for benefits for the next semester.
• If you are a loan student and dropping a class puts you below half-time enrollment, it might affect your loan disbursement.
• If you withdraw from your current classes, but are enrolled in a future-dated class in the same term, you must complete an Intent to Attend form to advise the school of your intent to return for the future-dated class. Return the form to the financial aid office. Without confirmation of intent to attend, we must assume you will not return for future classes. You will owe money back to the school and the Department of Education, based on when you stopped attending.
• If you accidentally drop a class and want to be reinstated, you need to provide a signed document to the office of registration requesting to be reinstated and your financial aid award to be adjusted back. If you subsequently drop the reinstated class, you will owe money back to the school and the Department of Education, based on your initial request to withdraw from the class.
• If you withdraw from all your classes before 60% of your scheduled classes in the term have passed, you could owe money back to the school and the Department of Education depending on when the drop took place.

Return of Title IV Funds (owing money back)

MCC is required to comply with the U.S. Department of Education's federal regulations

Return of Title IV is a regulation that applies when a student completely withdraws, drops out, is expelled or otherwise fails to complete the period of enrollment for which he or she was charged.

As a recipient of Title IV aid, it is the students' responsibility to earn the aid provided for their period of enrollment. The law specifies how the school must determine the amount of financial aid earned at the time of complete withdrawal.

Here are some example scenarios:

#1 John Doe

John enrolled and attended his fall classes. He received Title IV funds which included Pell grant $1,388, supplemental grant $300, subsidized loan $1,584, and an institutional grant $100.

John's institutional charges include tuition of $618 and books $267.86. This is a total of $885.86. On October 25, John withdrew from all his classes. He earned or completed 57.4% of the semester (66 of 115 calendar days). This is what will happen:

• MCC is required to pay John's lender $377.38, which is 42.6% of the institutional charges. This is the amount that the Department of Education claims were unearned.
• John will need to reimburse MCC for the Title IV money that was paid to John's lender, $377.38.
• John will have to pay back the balance of the loan, per the promissory note agreement.
• The Department of Education allows 50% of the grant funds received to be protected in this calculation. This means that John will not have to pay the Department of Education.
• MCC will notify John's lender of his last day of attendance.

 

#2 Jane Doe

Jane started attending classes in the fall. She received Title IV funds through Pell grant totaling $2,082.

Jane's institutional charges include tuition of $1,206, and books $496.49. This is a total of $1,702.49. On September 4, she completely withdrew from all her classes. She earned or completed 13% of the semester (15 of 115 days). This is what will happen:

• MCC is required to return $1,481.17 of her Pell grant funds (87% of $1,702.49) as these were unearned tuition and fee charges.
• Jane will owe MCC $1,481.17, which is the portion of tuition and fees not paid with Pell.
• Jane will not owe the Department of Education due to the 50% grant protection.

 

#3 Sad Sarah

Sarah enrolled and started classes in the fall. Her Title IV aid included Pell grant $2,082, unsubsidized loan $2,376, and subsidized loan for $1,386.

Sarah's institutional charges include tuition of $1,078, and books $135.94. This is a total of $1213.94. Sarah's last date of attendance was September 8. She completed 16.5% of the semester (19 of 115 days). This is what will happen:

• MCC is required to pay Sarah's lender $1013.64, which is 83.5% of the institutional charges. This is the amount that is calculated for the Department of Education as unearned.
• Sarah will need to reimburse MCC for the Title IV money that was paid to her lender, $1,013.64, on the unsubsidized loan.
• Sarah will have to pay back the balance of the loan per the promissory note agreements.
• Even though some of Sarah's grant funds were protected, she will still owe the Department of Education $76.74 for grant funds that must be returned.
• MCC will notify Sarah's lender of her last day of attendance.

If MCC has the results of your FAFSA, we will try to award you a Pell grant during the enrollment process or tell you why you are not eligible.

Pell grant may be awarded during the enrollment process. If you are eligible at the time of enrollment, you will be able to see if your anticipated Pell grant will cover all of your tuition and fees.

If it does not cover all of the balance or if you have no anticipated Pell grant you must choose a payment option for the balance. You can get an estimate of MCC tuition and aid by using the Cost Calculator.

You may be able to charge bookstore purchases before classes begin if you answered YES on the annual Financial Aid Payment Agreement and you have financial aid disbursed to your student account that exceeds the cost of your tuition and fees.

Bookstore purchases may include used and rental books. Vouchers for financial aid begin 10 days before classes start through the 100% refund period of the start of the semester.

To see if you have funds to charge books click on the FA Bookstore Credit link in your student center through myMCCKC beginning 10 days before classes start.

No, an override or override paperwork will not carry over or one year to the next. The financial aid office must reaffirm the status each year.

You may sign up for the MCC payment plan for a non-refundable fee of $35 to secure your classes. For more information regarding the MCC payment plan review payment options page.

SAP measures completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require us to monitor your progress.

If you fall behind in coursework, or fail to achieve standards for GPA and completion of classes, you may lose eligibility for federal and state aid.

What is required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress?

• Maintain the required grade point average (GPA) for the number of hours you attempted.
• Pass a certain percentage of those hours.
• Complete a degree or certificate program in no more than 90 credit hours, unless your degree requires more than 62 hours.
• Do not completely withdraw from classes, unless there are mitigating (unusual) circumstances. These must be documented and approved by the financial aid office.

 

The SAP regulations list the GPA and required pass percentage. See the Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines.

Some examples of what dropping a class may do:

• Dropping a class between the start of enrollment and the end of the 100% refund period may result in your Pell being reduced but this will not happen instantly. If you drop during this time period please visit the financial aid office that day.
• If you withdraw from all your classes before 60% of your scheduled classes in the term have passed, you could owe money back to the school and the Department of Education depending on when the drop took place.
• Dropping a class can also affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires you complete a certain percent of your classes to stay in good standing.
• If you are an A+ student, dropping a class might make you ineligible for benefits for the next semester.
• If you are a loan student and dropping a class puts you below half-time enrollment, it might affect your loan disbursement.
• If you withdraw from your current classes, but are enrolled in a future-dated class in the same term, you must complete an Intent to Attend form to advise the school of your intent to return for the future-dated class. Return the form to the financial aid office. Without confirmation of intent to attend, we must assume you will not return for future classes. You will owe money back to the school and the Department of Education, based on when you stopped attending.
• If you accidentally drop a class and want to be reinstated, you need to provide a signed document to the office of registration requesting to be reinstated and your financial aid award to be adjusted back. If you subsequently drop the reinstated class, you will owe money back to the school and the Department of Education, based on your initial request to withdraw from the class.

 

Contact the financial aid office prior to withdrawing to see what effect it will have on you.