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This page provides answers to a wide range of questions organized in the following sections:
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Q. How do I apply for financial assistance?
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A. The first step in applying for financial assistance is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. If you have filed a FAFSA for the previous academic year, you may file a Renewal FAFSA online at the same web site.
We strongly encourage you to complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA as soon as possible after Jan. 1 each year. Be sure to list St. Petersburg College and the SPC School Code 001528 in Step 6 of the FAFSA application so that we will receive your application from the federal processor.
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Q. What are the financial assistance application deadlines?
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A. FAFSA applications are available starting in January for the upcoming year. The priority deadlines are posted each year in our Steering to Success guide. In order to receive maximum consideration for financial assistance, we recommended that you complete the FAFSA and submit it to the federal processor by April 15.
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Q. Am I required to be in a specific academic program in order to receive financial assistance? |
| A. Yes. In order to receive any financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, work study or loans, you must be in an eligible associate's degree, bachelor's degree program or certificate program that is at least 24 credit hours in length. |
Q. Do I need to come in to apply for financial assistance? |
| A. No, you do not need to come in to the office to apply for financial assistance. However, you may bring your completed FAFSA on the Web worksheet and federal income tax return to our office for review or help with completing the application before submitting it. |
Q. May I make an appointment to see a financial assistance counselor? |
| A. Yes. you may, however appointments are not required. Students are generally seen on a walk-in basis. |
Q. What are your hours of operation? |
| A. Our hours of operation are as follows: |
Monday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
Tuesday and Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Friday
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
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Q. How can I better understand the terminology used by the Financial Assistance Office? |
A. Financial assistance has its own vocabulary. Please access the FinAid Web site to help you understand the most commonly used terms and acronyms. |
Q. What are the campus locations of the Scholarships & Student Financial Assistance Office? |
A. There are four main SPC Financial Assistance Services Office locations:
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St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
Financial Assistance Services
6605 Fifth Avenue North
AD Building
St. Petersburg, Fl 33710
(727) 791-2485 |
Clearwater Campus
Financial Assistance Services
2465 Drew Street
AD Building
Clearwater, Fl 33765
(727) 791-2485 |
Tarpon Springs Campus
Financial Assistance Services
600 Klosterman Road
AD Building, Room 126
Palm Harbor, Fl 34683
(727) 791-2485 |
Seminole Campus
Financial Assistance Services
9200 113th Street North
UPC Building, Room 134
Seminole, Fl 33772
(727) 791-2485 |
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Q. What will happen after I have completed and submitted my FAFSA? |
| A. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) , which is a multi-page document that confirms that your application has been received by the federal processor and reports back to you the information you supplied on the application. You will receive an electronic SAR at the e-mail address you listed on your application, review the data and make any corrections needed. |
Q. It has been a while since I filed my FAFSA application, but I still have not received my SAR. What can I do? |
| A. Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) or go to the FAFSA Web site and select "Check Status of a Submitted FAFSA". A PIN is not required to check the status of an application. |
Q. Do I need to send a copy of my SAR to the Financial Assistance Services office? |
| A. No, provided that you have applied for admission and have listed St. Petersburg College and the SPC school code (001528) as one of the schools in Step 6 of the FAFSA application, we will receive the information electronically from the federal processor. |
Q. SPC is not listed on my SAR, but I called the federal processor and they said you could request my record if I give you the DRN number on my SAR? |
| A. We strongly recommend that you call 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) and request that St. Petersburg College be electronically added to your SAR by the federal processor. You will need to provide the federal processor with your DRN number (located in the lower left corner of your SAR). Our Federal School Code is 001528. |
Q. Do I need to reapply for financial assistance each year? |
| A. Yes. You must submit a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA each year. The FAFSA applications are available beginning Jan. 1 for the upcoming academic year. The Financial Assistance Services Office's priority deadlines are listed in the Steering to Success guide each year. These deadlines are the dates that your financial assistance file needs to be completed at our office in order to ensure that any financial assistance you may be receiving will be available during the beginning of the term. |
Q. What determines whether or not I will receive financial assistance? |
| A. The primary factor that determines whether or not you are eligible for financial assistance is "financial need." Financial need is computed by determining the educational costs (tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other personal allowances) less your family contribution, based on federal formulas. The difference between the two numbers is your need for financial assistance. A student that has no "financial need" may apply for an unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. |
Q. When are award letters mailed out? |
| A. We no longer mail out award letters. Information is posted on MySPC. After your financial assistance file is complete and you have registered for classes, you can check the status of your financial assistance file and access your award information online. Log into MySPC and choose "My Financial Assistance" on the left. Then choose "Awards" to view your award letter online. |
Q. What are some of the common mistakes students make when filing for financial assistance? |
A. The most common mistakes include:
- Not filing the FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA application early enough.
- Not reading instructions completely.
- Not fully completing the applications.
- Not using the correct social security number.
- Not using your correct name as it appears on your social security card.
- Not submitting information exactly as reported on your federal income tax returns. If the tax return differs from the SAR, corrections must be made.
- Reporting taxes withheld as opposed to taxes paid.
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| Q. What is the maximum income my family can make and still receive financial assistance? |
| A. There is no maximum income level. Your need for financial assistance is determined by many different factors, such as the number of people in your family and how many of those people are in college. Additionally, there are many different financial assistance programs to assist students at all income levels. The best way to find out what you might qualify for is to complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA. |
Q. If my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial data should be used when I'm completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? |
| A. If your natural parents are separated or divorced, use the natural parent with whom you lived with the most during the last 12 months. If you lived with neither parent, or lived with each parent an equal number of days, use the parent that provided the most financial support to you over the last 12 months. If that parent has remarried, you must also include the stepparent's financial information on the application, and the parent and stepparent should report themselves as married on the FAFSA application. |
Q. I am under age 24 and my parents do not give me any money towards my education nor do they claim me on their income taxes. How can I be declared "independent" in order to receive financial assistance? |
A. The Higher Education Act of 1992 set requirements for establishing independence. There are six questions on the FAFSA form that are used to determine whether a student is considered a "dependent" or "independent" student.
If you can answer "YES" to any of the six questions, you are an "independent" student. If you answer "NO" to all of the questions, you are a "dependent" student. If you have extenuating circumstances, or the relationship between you and your parents has dissolved, you may be eligible for a Dependency Override. Please make an appointment with a financial assistance counselor to see if you qualify for a Dependency Override. |
Q. I am going to be married during the school year for which I am applying for financial assistance. Can I file as married? |
| A. No. You must indicate your marital status as of the date you are completing the FAFSA application. You cannot update your FAFSA due to a change in your marital status. You may wait until you are married to file as married on your FAFSA. |
Q. What if I have unusual circumstances? |
A. If any of the following circumstances apply to you and/or your family, check with your financial assistance counselor immediately to see if this may affect your financial assistance eligibility:
- Divorce of parents, or divorce of you and your spouse.
- Death of parent or spouse.
- Loss of employment.
- Loss of other income or benefits (such as social security or child support) by you, your parents or your spouse.
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| Q. If I am not eligible for financial assistance based on financial need, is there any other financial assistance available? |
| A. Many scholarships are not based on financial need, but rather on academic ability or other achievements. Go to the scholarships or grants section on our Web site for information. Also, loans are another resource that is available to you. Go to our loans section on our Web site for more information. |
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Q. What is verification and why was my file selected for verification? |
| A. Many students' files are selected by the federal processor for a process called verification. This process is a federal requirement of confirming data supplied by you and/or your parents on your FAFSA application. We no longer provide a written request for documentation. These documents may include signed copies of federal income tax returns and a completed verification worksheet. The verification process may delay the awarding of financial assistance if corrections need to be submitted to the federal processor. |
Q. What can I do to ensure that my file will clear the verification process? |
| A. Before completing the FAFSA, we encourage all students to make sure you have all the appropriate documents needed to accurately complete the application, such as a copy of your federal income tax return. It is also helpful to have your application reviewed by a financial assistance counselor before submitting the application to the federal processor. We strongly encourage students to file their FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA application early. |
Q. How long will the verification process take? |
| A. Verification may take 10 to 20 working days depending on various situations. However, during busy periods, the verification process may take longer due to the increased number of student files being verified. We encourage you to complete your FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA application early and to use our assistance in helping you fill out your forms accurately the FIRST time. |
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Q. What loan programs are offered at SPC? |
| A. We participate in the Federal Family Educational Loan Program which includes: Federal Stafford subsidized, Federal Stafford unsubsidized and the Federal PLUS Loan. Here at SPC, we do not offer the Federal Perkins Loan or the Federal Direct Student Loan program. |
Q. What is the difference between a federal subsidized and unsubsidized loan? |
A. A federal subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferments. The federal government pays the interest until the end of the six month grace period or after you graduate or drop to less than half-time enrollment. For additional information, please refer to their online student guide.
A federal unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of financial need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. You may choose to make your interest payments now or defer them. For additional information, please refer to their online student guide. |
Q. When will I receive the balance of my grant money awarded to me? |
A. SPC will deliver the balance of funds directly to your SPC OneCard. The OneCard is a MasterCard debit card and will be mailed to your current mailing address on file. Students can verify their address online at www.spcollege.edu and choose the MYSPC link or they can visit their campus admissions office. To receive a refund, students must activate their SPC OneCard. During card activation, students will choose how to receive their refund. For faster access to their funds, students can choose to have their refunds deposited directly into their SPC OneAccount, their personal bank account or have a check mailed to their home. Students can activate their SPC OneCard and made their refund selection online at www.SPCOneCard.com.
Students should expect to receive their balances at the end of the fourth week of classes for the regular term. |
Q. How do I apply for a federal subsidized and unsubsidized loan? |
| A. You must file your FAFSA in order to be considered for a Federal Stafford subsidized and unsubsidized loan, even if you do not expect to receive Pell Grant funds. You may access information by clicking on forms in the Loans section of our Web site. You must complete the Loan Request Form to notify SPC of your desire to apply for the loan programs. |
Q. What loan programs are not offered at SPC? |
| A. We do not offer the Federal Perkins Loan or the Federal Direct Student Loan program. |
Q. What is an entrance and exit interview? |
| A. Federal regulations require that all first time borrowers complete an entrance interview, which explains your rights and responsibilities as a loan borrower. THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE FIRST LOAN DISBURSEMENT CAN BE MADE. The exit interview is also a federal requirement that a student must complete prior to graduating from SPC. or if you drop below half time attendance or completely withdraw from classes. YOUR ACADEMIC RECORDS WILL BE ON HOLD UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETED. |
Q. How much money can I borrow? |
A. The following chart indicates the maximum amounts you may request. It is to your advantage to request one loan for all semesters in the academic year you plan to attend. Any additional loan(s) requested will not be processed until the first loan has been disbursed.
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DEPENDENT (as determined by your FAFSA) |
Academic Year |
Total amount of subsidized and unsubsidized loans you may request |
Freshman
(less than 24 credit hours earned) |
$3,500 |
Sophomore
(24-60 credit hours earned) |
$4,500 |
Junior*
(61-89 credit hours earned) |
$5,500 |
Senior*
(90+ credit hours earned) |
$5,500 |
*MUST BE ADMITTED IN THE 4-YEAR PROGRAM
(Loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized or a combination of both. Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need as determined by your FAFSA.)
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INDEPENDENT (as determined by your FAFSA) |
Academic Year |
Total amount of subsidized and unsubsidized loans you may request |
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subsidized/unsubsidized |
unsubsidized |
Freshman
(less than 24 credit hours earned) |
$3,500 |
$4,000 |
Sophomore
(24-60 credit hours earned) |
$4,500 |
$4,000 |
Junior*
(61-89 credit hours earned) |
$5,500 |
$5,000 |
Senior*
(90+ credit hours earned) |
$5,500 |
$5,000 |
*MUST BE ADMITTED IN THE 4-YEAR PROGRAM
(Loans may be Subsidized or Unsubsidized or a combination of both. Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need as determined by FAFSA.) |
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Q. How many credit hours do I need to be in to apply for a Stafford loan? |
A. Federal regulations require you to be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours.
NOTE: THE MIMIMUM HOURS MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE COLLEGE LEVEL CREDIT HOUR. |
Q. How many credit hours do I need to be in to receive my Stafford loan? |
A. You must be in a minimum of six credit hours.
NOTE: THE MINIMUM HOURS MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE COLLEGE LEVEL CREDIT HOUR. |
Q. How long will it take to process my loan? |
| A. The normal processing time for a Stafford Loan is four to six weeks. |
Q. How do I know if I need to sign a promissory note? |
| A. If you have completed a master promissory note at SPC you will not need to complete another promissory note for the duration of your studies here. However, if you change lenders, schools or are not enrolled for a consecutive academic year, a new promissory note will be required. |
Q. When will my loan funds be disbursed to me? |
| A.SPC will deliver the balance of funds directly to your SPC OneCard. The OneCard is a MasterCard debit card and will be mailed to your current mailing address on file. Students can verify their address online at www.spcollege.edu and choose the MYSPC link or they can visit their campus admissions office. To receive a refund, students must activate their SPC OneCard. During card activation, students will choose how to receive their refund. For faster access to their funds, students can choose to have their refunds deposited directly into their SPC OneAccount, their personal bank account or have a check mailed to their home. Students can activate their SPC OneCard and made their refund selection online at www.SPCOneCard.com.
Students should expect to receive their balances beginning at the end of the fourth week of classes for the regular term as long as you are enrolled in at least one class for the regular term.
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Q. What happens if I don't pay back my loans? |
A. Not paying back your student loans can have serious consequences including:
- If you go into default your lender can require you to repay the entire amount immediately, including all interest plus collection and late payment charges.
- The lender can sue you and can ask the federal government for help in collecting from you.
- The Internal Revenue Service may withhold your income tax refund and apply it toward your loan.
- You cannot get any additional federal student aid until you make satisfactory arrangements to repay your loan.
- Also the lender may notify credit bureaus of your default. This may affect your credit rating, which will make it difficult to obtain credit cards, car and home loans in the future.
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Q. Are my parents able to borrow on my behalf? |
| A. The Federal Government has a PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) loan that enables parents who do not have an adverse credit history to borrow to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student who is enrolled at least half-time. For additional information, such as requirements and interest rates, please refer to their online student guide. |
Q. How much can my parents borrow? |
A. The yearly limit on the PLUS loan is equal to your cost of attendance minus any other financial assistance you receive.
For example, if your cost of attendance is $6,800 and you receive $4,000 in other financial assistance, your parent(s) could borrow up to, but no more than, $2,800. |
Q. How will my parents receive their PLUS funds? |
A. The loan funds will be sent to SPC, the funds will be disbursed to your SPC OneCard after your tuition/fees are deducted.
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Q. When do my parents begin repaying a PLUS Loan? |
| A. Generally, repayment must begin within 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the period of enrollment for which you borrowed. There is no grace period for these loans. This means that interest begins to accumulate at the time the first disbursement is made. Your parent(s) must begin repaying both principal and interest while you are in school. |
Q. What alternative loans are available for me and how do I apply? |
| A. Alternative loans have different interest rates based on the borrower's credit score. |
Satisfactory Academic
Progress Questions |
Q. What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)? |
| A. SAP is a set of federal regulations that requires students to demonstrate they are moving through their academic program at a reasonable rate or are "making progress" toward their degree. For more information please read the SPC catalog or go to the Satisfactory Academic Progress link. |
Q. Will I lose my financial assistance if I fail to maintain SAP? |
| A. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is determined at the end of the every term for students who are enrolled in certificate programs and at the end of summer for all other students regardless of whether the student is receiving financial assistance. A student who fails to maintain SAP is ineligible for financial assistance. Special exceptions to the standards may be granted for extenuating circumstances, provided the student documents the facts for the year in question. The "Process for a Waiver of Satisfactory Progress" document and the "Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals" form can be found online. |
Q. Can I appeal if I am ineligible for financial assistance for failing to maintain SAP? |
| A. Yes, you can appeal if you have extenuating circumstances that have contributed to your failure to maintain good standing. Documented medical reasons are one example that may be considered in an appeal. If you have attempted over 90 credit hours and are not admitted into our bachelors program, you will need to see an academic advisor/counselor to have your academic history documented indicating what credit hours you have remaining for your program. |
Q. What happens to my financial assistance status if I drop or completely withdraw from school? |
A. If you have already received your grant monies and drop class(es), which change your enrollment status, you will be required to repay certain grants. If you completely withdraw from SPC before the 61st percentile of the term, you will be required to repay a percentage of the financial assistance that you have received for the semester to the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, you may owe the college additional funds that were initially credited to your account but have now been returned to the federal government by the institution.
CAUTION: If you are a financial assistance recipient and are thinking about dropping your classes or completely withdrawing from the college, please consult with a financial assistance counselor. |
Student Employment Questions |
Q. What is Federal Work-Study (FWS) and how do I apply for it? |
A. Federal Work-Study is a need-based financial assistance program that allows a student to work and earn money. The student receives a bi-weekly payroll check for hours worked.
To apply for FWS you need to complete the FAFSA, meet with a financial assistance counselor at the beginning of each semester regarding the availability of employment opportunities and complete an employment application through the FAS website. After your application is approved you will be able to submit a pool card for student employment positions within the college. |
Q. What other work-study opportunities are available? |
A. America Reads and America Counts are components of the Federal Work-Study Program. The America Reads Program allows students to serve as reading tutors in elementary schools. The America Counts Program allows students to serve as math tutors in middle schools.
Both programs also serve as excellent opportunities for students who are considering teaching as a career. For further information, contact the Community Service Learning Coordinator at 727-791-2723, or the Assistant Director or Financial Assistance Counselor at your home campus. |
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Q. What is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and how do I apply for it? |
| A. The FSEOG is a federal grant program that is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need - that is, students with the lowest EFC's. Priority is given to students who receive the maximum Federal Pell Grant. You must be enrolled in at least six credit hours to be considered. These funds are limited so those that apply the earliest are more likely to receive them. |
Q. What is the Student Incentive Grant (SIG) and how do I apply for it? |
| A. The SIG is an institutional grant fund that is for undergraduates with financial need. Priority is given to students who have need however they do not qualify for the Federal Pell Grant program. You must be enrolled in at least six credit hours to be considered. These funds are limited so those that apply the earliest are more likely to receive them. |
Q. What is the Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) and am I eligible for it? |
A. FSAG comes from state funds that are awarded to students on the basis of their need.
- Must be a Florida resident.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Student must complete the FAFSA before the state deadline of May 15 to be considered for the grant, allowing 30 days for processing.
- List SPC as a school in Step 6 of the FAFSA, using Federal Code 001528.
- Must be eligible for Pell Grant, and have an EFC within the state guidelines.
- Must be enrolled in 12 credit hours by the end of the drop/add period to receive the maximum award.
- When funds are received from the state, the Financial Assistance Services Office will verify eligibility of individual students and notify them of the award.
- Must be enrolled in a degree program and not have previously received a bachelor's degree.
- Must not be in repayment of a previously awarded grant or scholarship.
- Must not be in default on a Federal Stafford Loan.
- Must meet Standards of Academic Progress.
- Funds are generally disbursed approximately 30 days after the term starts.
- Renewal criteria of a 2.0 GPA and 12 earned credits per term are required.
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Q. Do I need to reapply each year for the FSAG? |
| A. Yes, you must reapply each year. The priority deadlines are posted each year. The FAFSA applications are available starting in January for the upcoming year. Also, you must meet the renewal criteria of 2.0 GPA and earned 12 credit hours per term awarded. Prorated hours earned are required for renewal criteria if funds were prorated. |
Q. When will I receive the balance of my grant money awarded to me? |
| A. SPC will deliver the balance of funds via your SPC OneCard. |
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| Q. How do I apply for and receive scholarships through the College? |
| A. Many scholarships require you to complete the FAFSA. In order to apply for scholarships that are offered by the SPC Foundation, you must complete the Scholarships and Financial Grants Student Application available online. We strongly encourage you to subscribe to our monthly scholarship newsletter "In the Money", which publishes helpful information on how to apply for various scholarships. If a student is awarded a scholarship, the student will receive notification specifying the amount of the scholarship, the terms of the award, and what the scholarship may be used for. Students may also utilize the scholarship search on our web site. |
| Q. What should I do if I am awarded a private scholarship? |
| A. If you are awarded a private scholarship, it is imperative that the college receives the funds from the donor in ample time to credit it towards your tuition and fees in order to avoid your classes from being cancelled. When mailing the scholarship check to the college, the donor must specify your name and student ID or SSN, the term in which the funds are to be applied, what the funds are to be used for (Ex. tuition and fees), and if there are remaining funds available whether these funds may be awarded to the student. |
| Q. What is the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (FBFS)? |
A. The FBFS is the umbrella program for three Florida scholarships that are based on academic achievement in high school. These three scholarships are: the Florida Academic Scholars Award (pays 100% of tuition and fees), the Florida Vocational Gold Seal Award (pays 75% tuition and fees), and the Florida Medallion Scholars Award (pays 100% tuition and fees for an AA degree at SPC and 75% for a Bachelor's degree at SPC.
These programs are funded by the state lottery to reward all Florida high school graduates who merit recognition of high academic achievement and enroll in an eligible public or private post secondary educational institution within three years of high school graduation. Each scholarship has specific criteria that must be met.
For further information go to our scholarships page and click on the Florida Bright Futures link. If this is your first time receiving the FBFS, you must notify the Florida Bright Futures Office that you are attending SPC to ensure that your scholarship money is coming to SPC. Our state school code is 522. |
Q. When will I get my FBFS money? |
| A. The monies will be credited to your SPC OneCard. |
Q. What do I do if I am receiving Florida Prepaid? |
| A. The benefits are automatically activated in your projected year of high school graduation. You will receive an ID card, which must be taken to your home campus Business Office. You must do this process each term to activate your prepaid to pay towards your tuition and fees. For further information, go the Florida Prepaid College Plan Web site or call 1-800-522-4723 and select option 2. |
Q. May I use the Johnnie Ruth Clarke or the Presidential Scholarship for summer term classes? |
| A. The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship is used during the fall and spring semesters for two years. The Presidential Scholarship is used during the fall immediately after high school graduation, as well as in the following spring semester. |
Q. If I do not come in the fall after high school graduation, can I still use the Johnnie Ruth Clarke or the Presidential Scholarship for the next term? |
| A. No, the scholarship must be used the first fall semester after high school graduation or it becomes invalid. |
Q. Are the Johnnie Ruth Clarke or Presidential Scholarships renewable? |
| A. No, these scholarships are not renewable. |
Q. What are the requirements for the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship and/or the Presidential Scholarship? |
| A. For both the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship, you must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete at least 67% of the credit hours attempted. |
Q. If I do not use all of the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship or the Presidential Scholarship awarded to me, may I receive the difference in a check or use the remaining funds for books? |
| A. No, the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship pays tuition and fees for 12 credit hours only. You must be enrolled in 12 credit hours in order for the scholarship to be valid. The Presidential Scholarship pays up to 15 credit hours toward tuition and fees. If you take less than 15 credit hours the balance is forfeited. |
Q. How does a student receive the Johnnie Ruth Clarke or the Presidential Scholarship? |
A. To be eligible for the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Scholarship, you must be an African American, Hispanic, Asian, or disadvantaged student receiving a regular high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the end of seventh semester.
For the Presidential Scholarship, you must be a graduating high school senior receiving a regular high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the seventh semester. |
Veterans Benefits Questions |
Q. I just left the military, how can I start using my educational benefits? |
| A. Go to your home campus Financial Assistance Services Office and file an application for benefits (VA Form 22-1990) along with your copy of DD214 member 4. |
Q. I am the child or spouse of a veteran, can I receive VA benefits? |
| A. Yes, you may receive benefits as a dependent if the veteran is 100% service-connected disabled or deceased. Go to your home campus Financial Assistance Services Office to pick up the appropriate application. |
Q. What if I used my benefits at another school? |
| A. Go to your home campus Financial Assistance Services Office to file a "Change of Place of Training" form to begin the processing of your benefits at SPC. |
Q. What if I want to supplement my income? |
| A. The VA has a program called Work-Study. With this program you can find employment at any location that services the veteran population. The pay is whatever the minimum wage is. Go to your home campus Financial Assistance Services Office to inquire what positions are available. |
Q. Where can I get more information on the VA Educational Program? |
| A. For further information on VA educational benefits, please visit the GI Bill web site. |
Q. How much will I get in VA benefits? |
| A. The amount you receive is based on your length of service and your credit hours enrolled. After you have completed the Application for Educational Benefits, VA will notify you via mail regarding eligibility and entitlement. For further information, go to GI Bill Web site. |
