Statement of Philosophy
AACC’s financial aid office provides services to students to pursue their educational goals by providing financial resources, advising on aid programs, and determining eligibility. The office is committed to ensuring no student will be denied an opportunity for an education due to limited financial resources. Grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs are available to eligible students who are enrolled in eligible degree or certificate programs. Payment plans are also available to all students.
General Guidelines and Policy
The financial aid office (FAO) uses the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for all need-based funds. Gift aid is awarded to students with financial need according to the restrictions of the award and availability of funds.
Federal Pell Grants and Federal SEOG are awarded prior to any Federal Work-Study (FWS) entitlement or Direct Loan eligibility.
State awards are posted from a roster provided by Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). Foundation, institutional, outside scholarships and private loans are incorporated into aid packages as offers become available. This incorporation must comply with regulations and guidelines of all funds, which may include revision of the aid package as necessary.
Offer notifications are sent out to students year-round. The FAO starts sending notifications of the first round of offers for the upcoming school year after Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is run for the spring term.
In the notification process, students receive an email to view their financial aid offer on Financial Aid Self Services on the MyAACC portal. A link to our Financial Aid: What You Need To Know guide and the appropriate consumer information and disclosures are also available to the student when they view their awards on MyAACC.
Financial aid offers are valid for that award year. Students must be marked as attending classes and meet all other eligibility criteria to receive a financial aid disbursement. Students who want a Direct Loan must complete and submit a Direct Loan Request Form to the FAO for processing. Students must be taking at least 6 eligible credit hours to receive a Federal Direct Student Loan disbursement.
Awards are made after verification and all eligibility requirements are met. Award amounts are based on each student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Payment amounts also vary based on each student's level of enrollment (quarter time, half time, three quarters time and full time).
Packaging priority is given to students who:
Additionally, students with a baccalaureate degree are not eligible for an SEOG award. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. When the SEOG is spent during the first phases of awarding, we remove SEOG from packaging. We then try to find candidates as money frees up through the disbursement process.
The maximum SEOG offered is $1,600 for the year, with amounts prorated based on attended classes.
Students are notified of an SEOG offer on the offer letter. Funds are released to the student’s account at the conclusion of the drop period for the term, based on their enrollment status.
AACC awards FWS to students demonstrating financial need. The maximum FWS offered is approximately $6,000 for the year. Students are paid an hourly rate as determined by their employer and minimum wage regulations. The Supervisor’s Handbook outlines the process at AACC.
AACC packages an estimated direct loan on the offer letter, per federal regulations and loan limits. Students must complete an AACC Direct Loan Request Form to request a specific loan amount. First-time borrowers must complete on-line entrance counseling. All borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note as required by federal law.