7-Week Format

Students enrolled in the Adult Education 7-Week Program must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to qualify for Federal Student Aid Programs. The FAFSA application becomes available on January 1, every year. The 2011-2012 FAFSA Award year will begin with Fall I 2011 and will end with Summer II 2012. 

Students in the 7-Week Program must take a minimum of 2 credit hours per seven-week term to be eligible for Direct Loans. Students enrolled in 4 credit hours per accelerated term are considered full-time for financial aid purposes (this enrollment status may not apply to other departments or constituents). Students may not enroll in more than 8 credits per accelerated term. If you are planning on using financial aid to cover all of your tuition expenses it is strongly encouraged that you do not enroll in more than 4 credits per seven-week term. If you are not enrolled or drop below four credits during a seven-week term you need to contact the Office of Student Financial Planning as soon as your enrollment plans change, as this will affect your financial aid eligibility and disbursement dates.

Undergraduate Bachelor Degree-Seeking Students

Students that are enrolled in a 7-week degree-seeking program leading to their first bachelors degree may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loan, or Federal Work-Study Program. Students that are pursuing a degree in Teacher Education may also qualify for the TEACH grant.

• William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program

• Undergraduate degree-seeking students can borrow up to $3,500-$5,500 (with an additional $6,000-$7,000 for independent students) each year depending on their class level. Because you can't borrow more than your cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you'll get, you may receive less than the annual maximum amounts. Disbursements will be made two times per academic year, depending on the date a student enrolls. One award year consists of seven terms (49 weeks of attendance and 28 credits earned). The first loan disbursement will cover the first half of a student’s program year (weeks 1-25 and credits 1-14) and will occur in the fourth term of attendance. The second loan disbursement will cover the student’s second half of their academic program year (weeks 26-49 and credits 15-28) and will occur in the seventh term. Weeks of attendance and credits earned are based on your initial entrance term and year and may run through multiple FAFSA award years. No late fees will be applied to your student account for terms that will be covered by your future financial aid disbursement.
  

• Federal Work-Study (FWS)

• FWS provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient's course of study.

• Federal Pell Grant

• Pell is awarded each of the seven-week terms, depending on eligibility. A student must be enrolled to be eligible to receive Pell during a seven-week term.

• TEACH Grant

• The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from high needs areas. Visit the  Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant) Web Site to learn more about this program. Students interested in applying for the TEACH Grant Program must complete the Carthage Teach Grant Consideration form.

Teacher Certification Coursework

Students may be eligible for Federal Work-Study, Direct Loans, or PLUS loans if s/he is enrolled at least half-time in required teacher certification coursework. To qualify, the coursework must be required for elementary or secondary teacher certification or re-certification in the state where the student plans to teach. Students that already have their first bachelors degree and are enrolled in a Teacher Certification Program or coursework are eligible to borrow up to $5,500 in Direct Loans, with up to $7,000 more in unsubsidized funds for independent students and dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS loan. Certain students may also qualify for the Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for Teachers.

Preparatory Coursework

A student not enrolled in a degree or certificate program is eligible for Direct Stafford and PLUS loans for up to one year if s/he is taking coursework necessary for enrollment in an eligible program. If enrolled at least half-time in these prerequisite courses, s/he is eligible for loans for one consecutive 12-month period (not per program) beginning on the first day of the loan period. If the period of preparatory courses spans more than one academic year, the student may receive multiple loans.

Students seeking to enter an undergraduate degree or certification program may borrow up to $2,625 of Direct Loans (with up to $6,000 more in unsubsidized funds for independent students and dependent students whose parents were declined a PLUS loan). Students trying to enroll in a graduate or professional program may borrow as much as $5,500 (and up to $7,000 of additional unsubsidized funds).

Non Degree-Seeking Students

Students that are attending Carthage College and are NOT degree-seeking DO NOT qualify for federal aid. However, there are additional resources that we may be able to help you with, such as alternative loans or payment plan options.

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