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FINANCIAL AID
Student Financial Aid
Okaloosa-Walton Community College's mission is to serve everyone who can
benefit from a college education. No one should hesitate to apply for admission
because of financial need. OWCC offers a variety of financial assistance for
students. The chart within this section gives a brief description of all of the
programs that are available for students at OWCC and the Financial Aid Office
has hand-outs available that offer more detail on the three basic types of
financial aid - Grants, Loans and Work Programs. These handouts, along with the
Application for State and Federal Financial Aid, are available either by mail,
at the guidance office of any Okaloosa or Walton county high school, or at any
of the OWCC locations throughout the two-county area.
Purpose of OWCC's
Financial Aid Program
The purpose of financial aid is to make up the difference between what you can
afford to pay and the actual cost of your education. This difference is what we
call a student's financial need. The amount of financial assistance a student
receives is generally determined by the results of the application process and
the availability of funds from federal, state, institutional and private
sources. The final decision as to the types of aid received rests with the
Director of Financial Aid.
Financial assistance administered by OWCC does not discriminate on the basis of
race, sex, age, national origin, religion, marital status or handicap. Specific
additional non-discriminatory criteria and academic standing status may be
required for particular assistance or scholarships.
College Costs
Okaloosa-Walton Community College's fees are designed to make college
affordable for most students. Allowance should be added to these figures for
room and board, personal expenses, medical insurance, transportation and
supplies. Dependent students (living at home) usually have parental support,
reducing direct education costs. Students should refer to the college schedule
of classes each semester for offerings which involve special fees.
Steps in Applying for Financial Aid
Entering students seeking financial assistance should contact the Student
Financial Aid Office which is located in the Student Services Center on the
Niceville campus. The following procedures need to be followed when applying
for financial aid at OWCC:
- Complete the OWCC Application for Admission and return it to the
Office of Enrollment Services.
- Request appropriate supporting documents for Admission (i.e. high
school transcript, GED, college transcripts) as specified by the Enrollment
Services personnel. If you have previously attended any other postsecondary
institutions during the 1998/99 school year, a Financial Aid Transcript must be
requested and received by OWCC before the college can determine your
eligibility for aid.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
packet. Packets are available in area high schools or at any OWCC location.
- Complete the OWCC application for financial aid form.
- After mailing the FASFA, the student will receive a Student Aid
Report (SAR) in approximately four weeks. The SAR must be reviewed by the
student for accuracy.
- Additional information/forms might be requested by the Financial
Aid Office (i.e. Income Tax forms) if the student is selected for a process
called Verification.
- If a student's financial aid file has been considered to be
"complete" then an award letter will be mailed to the student by OWCC's
Financial Aid Office. Awards listed on a student's award letter are tentative
and are not final. Awards can be either adjusted or cancelled at any time due
to enrollment, academic standing or availability of funds.
Students needing assistance in completing application forms should contact the
Financial Aid Office. Students have a right to understand how their financial
aid award is determined. OWCC's Financial Aid Office is always willing to
discuss financial aid decisions with students and parents to promote a better
understanding of financial aid opportunities.
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