Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much Financial Aid is available at NPCC?
2. What is Student Financial Aid?
3. When do I apply for Federal Financial Aid?
4. What is the process for applying for Federal Financial Aid?
5. How do I apply to be a student worker (or for the work-study program)?
6. How do I apply for a Student Loan?
7. What does Financial Aid pay for?
8. What are the conditions for reinstatement of Financial Aid?
9. What kinds of grades must I make to keep my Financial Aid?

Availability of Financial Assistance

NPCC is committed to providing access to higher education programs to all students who qualify. The cost of attending NPCC depends on students' residency, program of study and other factors. Financial assistance may help students with tuition, books, fees, and in some cases uniforms. (See a table of estimated costs for tuition, books, supplies, and fees as a suggested guide for calculating college expenses.)

We also offer a wide variety of Scholarship assistance. (See our Scholarships page.)

Student Financial Aid

The bulk of assistance available to students in financial aid is provided by the U. S. Department of Education. The Federal Financial Aid programs offered through NPCC include Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work Study, and Stafford Federal Loans.

The College also has financial aid programs available through the state of Arkansas, the institution, local agencies and transfer institutions. NPCC's Financial Aid Office will make every effort to meet the college related costs of each qualified student based on eligibility criteria, satisfactory academic progress, and availability of funds.

When to Apply for Federal Financial Aid

Priority is given to students who apply for financial aid by April 1. Applications received after this date will be considered on a first-come basis and according to available funds. Students may apply at any time

during the academic year for the PELL Grant. However, the student should allow at least six weeks for complete processing of the application. Students wishing to charge tuition and books to the PELL Grant should sign an award letter prior to the last date to pay or be dropped from classes.

Many other programs and scholarships have different deadlines. Check with the Office of Financial Aid for exact dates.

Process for Applying for Federal Financial Aid

1. Complete the application via the internet at www. fafsa.ed.gov. On-line access is available in the Career Center on the 2nd floor of the Gerald Fisher Campus Center.
2. If students prefer to file a paper application (processing time is greatly extended using this method) they may obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from their high school counselor or from the Financial Aid Office at NPCC.
3. Approximately four to six weeks after mailing the application, you will receive the results in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR). If you submit the application via the internet, you will receive a SAR in approximately two weeks.
4. Financial Aid personnel at NPCC will work with you through correspondence and/or individual counseling to complete your financial aid file. Your financial aid file must be complete with all necessary documentation prior to receiving your financial aid award.

Process for Applying for Federal or Institutional Work Study

1. Applications for all work-study positions are available in the Financial Aid and Student Services offices or online at http://npcc.edu/Admission/FinancialAid/Documents/federal_work_study_app_07.pdf
2. Each department within the institution is responsible for hiring their own student workers. Therefore, students interested in work-study positions should actively seek out and contact the various college departments.
3. Financial need, class schedule and academic progress is the criteria considered by college departments when employing work-study students.

Process for Applying for Student Loans (Federal Stafford and/or PLUS Loans)

1. Students interested in applying for a student loan must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is available via the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov or a paper copy through the Financial Aid Office at NPCC or through your high school counselor.
2. After the Student's Financial Aid package is complete, the student's eligibility for a student loan can be determined.
3. Once the loan eligibility has been determined, the student must
   1. Complete entrance loan counseling via the internet at www.mapping-your-future.org. Electronic confirmation will be sent to the college
   2. Complete a loan application.
4. The financial aid application and certification form must be completed and submitted to the loan officer. This form may be obtained from the loan officer in Financial Aid or online at http://npcc.edu/Admission/FinancialAid/Documents/federal_work_study_app_07.pdf
5. All student loans have to be in two disbursements. Each disbursements will have the Origination Fee and the Guarantee Fee deducted automatically by the lender unless the fee(s) are paid by the lender.
6. Students will be instructed by email to go to s secured website to sign their master promissory note. The lender will electronically forward the funds to the College on by the disbursement dates.
7. Students who have never attended college are considered to be “first-time borrowers” and must wait thirty (30) days after the start of classes to receive their first loan disbursement. Students who have previously attended college may pick up their loan checks on Friday following the twenty-first (21st) class day. Absolutely no loans will be disbursed prior to the end of the waiting periods or prior to classes starting.
8. Students who receive a student loan must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue to be eligible to receive the loan funds and meet the additional student loan eligibility criteria listed on the loan application.

Financial Aid and the Payment of Tuition, Fees, and Books

Financial aid will be applied toward the enrollment costs of tuition, fees, and books first. Any remaining funds will be refunded. If the amount of the financial aid awarded is not enough to cover the enrollment costs, you are responsible for payment of the balance of your account.

You will be responsible for payment of the balance on your account if you do not receive official written notification by NPCC's Financial Aid office awarding your financial aid. Financial assistance may still be awarded after your tuition, fees, and books have been paid and reimbursement obtained. (See Tuition and Fees for more details.)

Conditions for Reinstatement

(See Conditions to Financial Aid for more details.)

Keeping Financial Aid

(See Conditions to Financial Aid for more details.)