Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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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 noncitizen 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 SWIC financial aid standards.
  • have a high school diploma or GED.
  • 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 SWIC (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 Enrollment Services. 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.