General Requirements for State and Federal Programs

Federal and state laws require a student receiving financial aid to:

• be a U.S. citizen, national, or an eligible non-citizen with appropriate documentation.
• be registered with Selective Service if required, and either confirm that registration or file a statement of registration status.
• be a regular student enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• demonstrate financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
• maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress according to Southwestern financial aid standards.
• have a high school diploma, GED or acceptable Asset or Compass scores.
• provide a verified Social Security Number.
• not owe a refund or be in default on any Title IV funds, nor have borrowed in excess of the loan limits, and sign a certification to that effect.
• not receive financial aid from two schools at the same time.
• not be enrolled in an elementary or secondary school and be beyond the compulsory age of attendance.
• not have property subject to a judgment lien for a debt owed to the United States.
• provide verification of any information given on any financial aid application and/or forms if requested.

• Enrollment levels (semester hours) for financial aid purposes for all semesters are as follows:
  12 or more hrs. = full-time, 6 to 11 hrs. = part-time, and 0.5 to 5.5 hrs. = less than half-time.
• Students with a Bachelor's degree have exceeded the maximum time frame for financial aid eligibility at Southwestern (see Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements).
• Eligible courses for financial aid purposes are those that are required for your program of study.
• Money received from Title IV financial aid programs is only to be used for expenses related to study at SWIC.
• Financial aid funds awarded will be applied first to tuition and fees owed Southwestern Illinois College.
• All financial aid correspondence and checks will be mailed to the address filed with Admissions and Records. The student is responsible to provide an accurate current address.
• Southwestern Illinois College has a responsibility to cancel all financial aid if irregularities or discrepancies are found, investigate all cases of suspected fraud and/or abuse, and to refer such fraud or abuse to the Office of Inspector General.

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