Financial - Northwest Mississippi Community College

financial
2012-2013aid
NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

your guide to
financial aid
Although tuition at Northwest ranks among the lowest in Mississippi, scholarships,
loans, grants and work-study are available to qualified students through the college’s
financial aid program.
This booklet is designed to make your application for financial aid an easy step.
We will answer any questions you have whether you are beginning the financial
aid process or are a returning student. The major responsibility of the Northwest
Financial Aid Department is to inform students of financial opportunities in order
to meet post-secondary costs through a program of grants, loans, work-study and
scholarships.
The secret to an easy financial aid application process is meeting deadlines and
taking care of paperwork in a timely fashion. So, let’s get started!
Northwest Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate of
Arts degree, the Associate of Applied Science degree, and certificates in career education. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA,
30033-4097, or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Northwest Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or status as a veteran or disabled
veteran in employment, programs, or provision of services. Compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act is
coordinated by Mr. Michael Dottorey, Disability Support Services Coordinator, McLendon Student Center, P.O. Box 5555, Highway 51 North, Senatobia, Mississippi
38668, telephone number 662-562-3309, e-mail address mldottorey@northwestms.edu. Compliance with Title II of the Age Discrimination Act and Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972 is coordinated by Mr. Gary Mosley, Vice President for Fiscal Affairs, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7017, 4975
Highway 51 North, Senatobia, Mississippi, 38668, telephone number 662-562-3216, e-mail address gtmosley@northwestms.edu.
The safety and security of students, faculty, and staff are very important to Northwest Mississippi Community College. A copy of “Preventing Campus Crime,” published
annually by the Campus Police Department, details Northwest policies and procedures regarding campus safety. A copy of the brochure, which contains the annual crime
statistics report, is available upon request from the Campus Police Office (662-562-3214) in printed form. “Preventing Campus Crime” is published in compliance with all
applicable federal laws regarding campus safety and security.
Success starts at
Northwest Mississippi Community College . 4975 Hwy. 51 N., Senatobia . 662-562-3200

scholarships
A number of students who attend Northwest Mississippi Community College every year
receive aid whether it be through scholarships, grants, loans, etc. Below are listed a
number of the scholarships available to students.
Each scholarship applicant must have the following on file at NWCC:
• Application for Admission
• ACT score report
traditional students
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA - www.fafsa.gov)
• Complete High School transcript after graduation
Presidential Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to students who make a 20 or above on the ACT.
Recipients must be full-time fall-entering freshmen and must maintain the required
cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Awards will be made as long as funds
are available.
Leadership Scholarships
These scholarships are limited in number and are awarded to students who exhibit
leadership abilities, have special skills or talents, have an ACT score of 15-19 and a
B average, and/or have strong academic qualities. Recipients must be full-time fallentering
freshmen and must maintain the required cumulative GPA of 2.5.
June S. Gardner Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to in-state high school valedictorians and salutatorians.
Recipients must be full-time fall-entering freshmen and must maintain the required
cumulative GPA of 2.5. Awards will be made as long as funds are available.
Department Scholarships
Other scholarships are available through
chosen majors and other departments
such as Cheerleader, Athletic, Band, Art,
Speech/Theatre, Music Performance,
Student Publications, and Scholarships for
Children of Employees. Refer to the latest
Northwest Bulletin for a detailed list of
these scholarships and their requirements.
non-traditional students
Adult Student Scholarships
These scholarships are limited in number and are awarded to Mississippi residents.
Applicants must be 25 years of age and a full-time student. Scholarship applications are
reviewed by a committee and awarded based on financial need, credit hours previously
earned and academic achievement. Scholarships are awarded each semester.
Howard Carpenter GED Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to the residents of the Northwest district who have
scored 500 or above on the GED test. Awards are for full-time entering freshmen.
Recipients must maintain the required GPA of 2.0 during their enrollment. Application
information must be completed prior to the start of a semester.
Foundation Scholarships
Through the generosity of individuals, corporations,
and civic organizations, scholarships are available
through the Northwest Mississippi Community College
Foundation. You must submit a Foundation Scholarship
Application Form, available from either the Recruiting
or Foundation Office. Criteria vary by each scholarship.
Look in the current Northwest Bulletin for more
information, or contact the Foundation Office.
application deadline april 1
www.northwestms.edu/academicscholarships | www.northwestms.edu/foundationscholarships

how
do I
apply
federal
for
student
aid?
step one
• GET ORGANIZED! It is recommended that you have a folder to collect all of your college information
in one place.
step two
• Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov using the above information.
• It is strongly recommended that you utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool within the FAFSA to
retrieve your 2011 income tax data directly from the IRS. If you do not utilize this tool, the
Department of Education may require an official IRS transcript of your 2011 tax return which
could delay processing of your financial aid by 10-14 days. Incomplete or inaccurate information
creates delays in processing your financial aid.
step three
• Create a PIN and electronically sign the FAFSA.
• If you are a dependent student, a parent must also create a PIN and electronically sign the FAFSA.
step four
• Just because you have submitted the FAFSA does not mean that your financial aid has been
awarded. The Financial Aid Office may need additional documentation in order to finish your file.
*If your file is flagged for verification by the government, you will receive a letter from the college Financial Aid
Office requesting copies of documentation. Please provide the requested documents ASAP to avoid any delays on
receiving your award. Award letters are sent out weekly beginning in the spring each year.
don’t forget!
• List NWCC school code: 002427
• Answer all questions; don’t leave anything blank!
• File your FAFSA as soon as you file your taxes and before April 1, 2012.
FAFSA
What do
I need?
What is a
“dependent”
student?
Every student must complete
the FAFSA form online to be
eligible for any type of federal
aid such as loans, grants, work-
study, etc.
• Copy of your 2011 Federal 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.
• Copy of your parents’ 2011 Federal 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.
• Your W2 forms.
• Your parents’ W2 forms.
• If you are under the age of 24, unmarried and do not have a child that you are
actively supporting, you are typically considered “dependent”.
• If you believe you have extenuating circumstances that would warrant a review
of this, you can visit the Financial Aid Office to discuss your situation.

Apply for admission to Northwest
Before you can be awarded Financial Aid, you must apply for admission.
Apply for the 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Apply online using the steps on the previous page. Be sure to electronically sign with your PIN or
the form will not be sent to the schools you want. Northwest’s school code is 002427.
Waiting Period
Your Student Aid Report, or SAR, will be sent to the school and to you within 2-3 weeks. If you
haven’t received your SAR in six weeks, contact the Central Processing System at
1-800-433-3243 to check the status of your application.
Respond immediately to the Northwest Financial Aid Office
If the Financial Aid Office needs more information, respond immediately to avoid delays in
receiving your financial aid.
Determine if your file is complete
You will receive an award letter telling you the amount offered. You must sign and return the color
copy to the Financial Aid Office accepting or declining the award.
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
NWCC timeline
checklist
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward your degree objective. Your class attendance
and performance will be monitored.
priority deadline april 1

what is
workstudy?
The
You must complete the FAFSA and indicate
that you are interested in work-study to be
considered. Unfortunately, you cannot work as
many hours as you want. The amount of money
you earn cannot exceed your total work-study
award, which ranges from 30-40 hours per
month. If a student has remaining eligibility,
work-study will be awarded.
NWCC Work-Study: www.northwestms.edu/workstudy
Personal Identification Number (PIN): www.pin.ed.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.gov
Pre-Application Worksheet for the FAFSA: www.studentaid.gov
State Grants (MTAG, MESG): www.mississippi.edu
work-study program provides on-campus jobs for
students with financial need, allowing them to earn
money to help pay for educational expenses. Positions
are available in many locations on campus.
Wages are $7.25 an hour. You will be paid by the
school directly once a month. It is your responsibility
to pick up your check from the Business Office or
endorse it to the school to credit to your account.
For more information, such as how to apply and what
jobs are available, visit our Work-Study tab on our
website (under the Future Students tab then click
on Financial Aid) where you will find the printable
documents needed to start your new on-campus job.
helpful websites

what
types ofLOANS are
available?
Direct Stafford loans are a major form of self-help aid. These funds are to be used
for education purposes, which include tuition, books, supplies, room, board, and
transportation. Unlike scholarships and grants, these funds do have to be paid back.
There are several repayment schedules, but most begin six months after graduation
or withdrawal from school or when the student becomes less than half-time, falling
below six credit hours. Interest rates also vary.
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
Loans through the U.S. Department of Education are available to undergraduate students who
demonstrate financial need. Borrowing limits vary according to classification and dependency status. The
federal government pays the interest for the student until repayment begins. The interest rate is fixed at
5.6 percent.
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Loans through the U.S. Department of Education are available to students without regard to financial
need. Borrowing limits vary according to classification and dependency status. Annual eligibility
is limited to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid the student receives. Even though
repayment does not begin immediately, the student is responsible for interest charges that begin to
accrue immediately. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8 percent.
Direct Parent Loan (PLUS)
Parent loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay the education expenses of their
dependent undergraduate children. Annual eligibility is limited to the cost of attendance minus other
financial aid the student receives. Financial need is not a requirement for this program. Repayment and
accrual of interest begins immediately. Students must file the FAFSA to establish eligibility for the loan.
The interest rate is fixed at 8.5 percent.

what are
grants?
Grants are federal aid that, unlike loans, do not have to be paid back as
long as you are enrolled in more than 60 percent of the semester. They are
given based on financial need determined by questions you answer on the
FAFSA. Below are listed some of the types of grants you can receive while
attending Northwest.
Pell Grant
This grant is available to any student working on his or her first undergraduate degree.
Amount awarded is determined by information provided on the FAFSA and is based on the
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of hours the student is enrolled. The
maximum award for the 2011-2012 school year was $5,550.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is awarded to the student with exceptional financial need or the lowest EFC. Priority
is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. There is no application for this grant.
Grant size varies, but it typically ranges from $100-$400.
For more information
Visit www.northwestms.edu/grants

whattypes ofBENEFITS
areavailablefor MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS ?
There are a few grants specifically for residents of Mississippi. These are grants
awarded by the state and do not have to be paid back. It’s a good idea to apply well
in advance of the listed deadline.
Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG): Sept. 15 deadline
• Freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior
• Resident of Mississippi
• Enrolled full time
• Attend an eligible Mississippi college or university
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and ACT of 15 or SAT of 720
• This grant covers up to $500 per year for freshmen and sophomores.
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG): Sept. 15 deadline
• Resident of Mississippi
• Achieved a GPA of 3.5 after a minimum of seven semesters in high school
• Scored 29 on the ACT or 1280 on the SAT, or is a National Merit/National Achievement Scholar
• Enrolled full time at an eligible Misissippi college or university
• This grant covers up to $1,950 per year.
Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP): March 31 deadline
• Freshman or sophomore who graduated from high school within the immediate past two years
• Resident of Mississippi
• Demonstrates need as determined by the results of the FAFSA
• Documents an average family adjusted gross income of $36,500 or less over the prior two years
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a 20 ACT score
• Meets a specific high school core curriculum
• HELP covers tuition and requirements for no more than 10 semesters. The requirements listed
should not be considered as the only requirements for participation in these programs. All dates
are subject to change.
IMPORTANT
DEADLINES
MTAG..............sept.15
MESG.............sept.15
HELP............march 31
For more information, contact the Mississippi Office of
Student Financial Aid at 601-432-6997 or 800-327-2980.

September
timeline
Apply for admission for the upcoming school year. If you have
taken the ACT, send your scores along with your application for
admission to the Registrar’s Office. If you have not, prepare for
and take the ACT this fall. Look into what NWCC scholarships
you are eligible for, as well as search online for scholarships
from outside sources.
January
January 1 is the first day to apply for the FAFSA online. Do not
sign or submit the form before this date! Gather all of the forms
necessary to complete the FAFSA form. If you are a Mississippi
resident, January 1 is also the first date to apply for MTAG and
MESG. Also, take this time to get a head start on applying for
scholarships and grants, whose deadlines are coming in early
spring.
March
The time of deadlines has arrived! If you are a Mississippi resident,
apply for the HELP grant by March 31. Deadlines for scholarships
and early deadlines for FAFSA submission are coming up in April,
so complete application forms and start submitting!
April
Deadlines!
April 1 - Scholarship application submission deadline
April 1 - FAFSA priority deadline
May
Make sure that the Registrar’s Office has all necessary
documents such as your application for admission, official
transcripts with final grades from your high school and all
colleges/universities attended. Check the progress of your
financial aid on the FAFSA Web site.
July
Attend a Summer Orientation session to complete any
necessary forms, attend information sessions, finalize financial
aid, meet with your adviser, register for classes, and take care
of any other necessities for the upcoming school year.
September
September 15 of your fall semester of college is the deadline
to apply for MTAG and MESG.

so how
much
will it
cost?
With all this talk of aid to help pay for college, you are probably
wondering how much it will actually cost. Fortunately, we’ve created a
table of the average cost of attending Northwest Mississippi Community
College for a semester. Costs and fees vary from student to student, so
be sure to check with the current Northwest Bulletin for the most upto-date
information. When planning for college, be sure to include costs
such as travel, food outside the meal plan and other personal expenses.
Expenses In-State Out-of-State
General Fees/Tuition
(Full-time per semester)
Housing & Meal Plan (avg.)
Books & Supplies
Total
$975 $1,975
$1,450 $1,450
$600
$3,025
$600
$4,025
*This is only an estimate of an average semester. Costs are subject to change. In
addition to these costs, many classes require specific fees. Be sure to check the
Bulletin for exact prices.

contacts
Financial Aid Office
Suite 103 Yalobusha Hall
fin_aid@northwestms.edu
662.562.3271
Foundation Office (Foundation Scholarships)
srcanon@northwestms.edu
662.560.1103
Recruiting Office (Academic Scholarships)
recruiting@northwestms.edu
662.562.3222
Registrar’s Office (Admissions)
P.O. Box 7047
4975 Hwy. 51 N.
Senatobia, MS 38668
662.562.3219
662.562.3220
Main NWCC Telephone Number
662.562.3200
school code
002427