Hỗ trợ tài chính Ngày giải ngân 2022 2023 RCC

Announcements

• Important Tax Information. 1098-T forms have been mailed for tax year 2022. To download a copy please visit https. //tra. maximus. com and follow the first-time user instructions. If you had no out-of-pocket expenses for 2022 then you will not receive a 1098-T form. Please contact Michelle Hornbeck at [804]758-6729 or email mhornbeck@rappahannock. edu
• Financial Resources. There are resources available to help you pay for school. The first step is to complete a FAFSA. Why should you do this? The FAFSA can determine eligibility for many federal and state funding opportunities. In fact, the new Virginia G3 scholarship program is available to many students who classify as middle and lower income. The 2022-23 FAFSA covers you for the upcoming spring and summer semester, and the 2023-24 FAFSA will cover fall 2023, spring and summer 2024. FAFSA is a confidential process that uses your tax information from the previous two years so you don’t need to wait to file your taxes to complete a FAFSA
• You can also access Single Stop–a quick and easy online screening tool that identifies benefits you might be eligible to receive, including government benefits [SNAP, WIC, etc. ], educational resources, community support, health insurance options, and more. These resources can help you with other expenses besides that your financial aid and scholarships don’t cover. Access Single Stop by clicking on the following link. Single Stop
• RCC also gives out more than $400,000 annually in scholarships to help students cover their educational costs. Students who receive a scholarship receive an average of $1,500. The scholarship deadline is February 25  and you can apply here
• If you need assistance that doesn’t fall into these categories, please click here and fill out the Emergency Aid Request Form.  
• Apply for Financial Aid today.   Visit studentaid. gov to complete the 2022-23 FAFSA or 2023-24 FAFSA.   RCC’s FAFSA Priority Filing Date for 2023-24 is April 15 which means the FAFSA should be processed by the government no later than that date to be considered “on-time” at RCC.   The RCC School Code is.  009160 We encourage all students to apply for financial aid. To learn about the application process, start by watching Getting Started with FAFSA
• Stay Informed – Check your Student Center and To-Do List in SIS regularly for important updates from the Financial Aid Office
• Estimate your Cost of Attendance at RCC or Compare the Cost of Attending a Virginia Community College to a Four-Year University? To learn how much money you can save by attending a community college check out the Net Price Calculator

Using Financial Aid in the Bookstore

For more information about the bookstore, please click here

Summer 2023

10-Week and 5-Week [1st session]

• Textbook order dates. May 9 through June 1
• Last day to return and receive a refund. June 1
• Computer Order Dates. ASAP and no later than May 25

8-Week

• Textbook order dates. June 5 through June 13
• Last day to return and receive a refund. June 13
• Computer Order Dates. No computer orders

5-Week [2nd session]

• Textbook order dates. June 27 through July 3
• Last day to return and receive a refund. July 3
• Computer Order Dates. No computer orders

Click here for Bookstore Hours

How To Order Books Online

1. Go to https. //www. rappahannockshop. com
2. Fastest Delivery is direct home delivery
3. May have orders shipped to campus
4. MUST indicate the preferred campus location pick-up in the Customer Comment section of your online order.  NOTE.  If preferred campus pick-up location is not listed in customer comment ALL items will be shipped to the Glenns Campus

Once your order has been placed, please allow 48 hours for processing and wait for confirmation that your order is ready for pickup before coming to the campus

Warsaw Students. Please call [804]333-6794 before coming to pick up your order

Refunds

Refunds are available only through the last date to drop classes and receive a refund from the College. Consult your packing slip included in your order for more details about the return policy

Nursing Students

Place web orders for Kaplan when they are ready for purchasing. Instructors/advisors will let you know when available. Please make sure you are ordering the correct Kaplan.  www. rappahannockshop. com

Please contact Robin Charnick, Bookstore Manager, at [804]758-2099, with any questions regarding web orders

Tuition and Fees

Veterans Services Updates

Effective August 1, 2021 – The VA has implemented a  Monthly Enrollment Verification  requirement for students who are using Post-9/11 GI Bill® [Chapter 33] benefits.

If you do not submit the monthly verification, you will not receive your monthly stipend or housing allowance [MHA]

For details on how to submit your enrollment verification it is recommended you read the Frequently Asked Questions document provided by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs

For questions about the monthly verification requirement and how it pertains to you, please contact a VA Education Representative at 1-888-GIBILL-1 [1-888-442-4551] and/or click here to learn more

Note.  This new requirement comes from the Isakson and Roe Act of 2020

Financial Aid Resources

Applying for Financial Aid [Step by Step Instructions]

Before you apply. Before you apply for financial aid, you should apply for admission to RCC as a degree/certificate student

Step 1. Complete the FAFSA – Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] as early as possible prior to the semester you plan to start classes. Students are required to submit a FAFSA annually

There are 3 Ways to Apply

• Apply online at www. studentaid. gov. [Recommended]
• Download a PDF version of the FAFSA to complete and mail or fax in for processing by visiting  FAFSA Filing Options
• Call 1-800-4-FED-AID [1-800-433-3243] to request a paper application be mailed to you

Things to Keep in Mind

• The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st the year before a student plans on attending college. The school year begins in the fall each year and includes fall, spring, summer semesters. For example, the 2022-2023 school year includes the fall 2022 semester, spring 2023 semester and summer 2023 semester. The FAFSA became available on October 1, 2021, for the 2022-2023 school year
• Priority deadline is April 15
• Include RCC’s school code – 009160 – on your application
• If you need assistance completing the FAFSA or need technical support call the FAFSA Call Center at 1-800-433-3243

Step 2. Check Your RCC Message Center, To-Do List and Student Email Often – The Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services sends financial aid notifications to the students via their SIS Student Center, To-Do List, and/or school/personal email. It is the students’ responsibility to check these regularly and respond promptly if action is required on your part in order for us to process your financial aid

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to access your Message Center and To-Do List

Step 3. Respond to Financial Aid Requests for Additional Information – Be sure to complete and submit any additional requested materials as soon as you can. Note. If you fail to complete any of your to-do items or provide the information requested your financial aid will not be processed

Step 4. Apply for Scholarships – Rappahannock Community College Educational Foundation – Over 100 scholarships have been established exclusively for RCC students through generous donations from individuals, organizations and corporations.   All full-time and part-time RCC post-secondary students are eligible to apply for RCC Educational Foundation scholarships, which total approximately $500,000 in awards

The application for the 2023-2024 academic year opens on October 1, 2022 and closes on February 18, 2023.   One easy, on-line application matches you to all of the scholarships for which you qualify.   Click here https. //www. rappahannock. edu/foundation/scholarships/  to learn more about applying for RCC Educational Foundation scholarships

Step 5. Schedule an Appointment with an Advisor to Register for Classes – Register for your classes. We highly recommend every student meet with an advisor to get assistance with signing up for classes. This is to ensure you select classes that are requirements of your program so that, if eligible for financial aid, the classes will be covered by financial aid. To schedule an appointment with an advisor, click

Step 6. Pay for Classes – Log into MyRCC and check your account balance and your pending financial aid award.  For instructions on how to check your account balance and pending financial aid, click [scroll down to SIS Tutorials and it’s the first one on the list – How to Check my Pending Financial Aid]. If your financial aid award is less than your total account balance, you will need to make arrangements to pay the balance

1. Go to www. rappahannock. edu
2. Log into myRCC and click on SIS [Student Information Services]
3. Click on Self Service, then Student Center
4. Under Finances, click the Make a Payment link
5. From SIS, you will be taken to the Enterprise landing page. Click on the green “Make a Payment” button
6. Each term that has an outstanding balance will display with the amount due for that term. You will enter the amount you want to pay for each term. After the amount is entered, click “Next – Payment Method”

Payment Method
The first time you make a payment in Enterprise, you will need to enter credit card or bank account information for
the payment. You can choose to save that information for future use. Once you have entered/confirmed the billing information, you will click the button “Pay – $XXX. XX Now” The amount will populate with the payment amount

Receipt
When the payment is processed, you will be taken to the Receipt page where a confirmation of your transaction
will be displayed

If you need to pay tuition costs, either partly or in full, we have a payment plan agreement with Tuition Management Systems [TMS] that you may be interested in.   You can find more information on the TMS payment plan by following this link.   https. //www. rappahannock. edu/admissions/tuition-fees/tms-payment-plan/ 

Option 3 – On Campus Payments

To learn about the various in person payment methods available at each campus, click

Contact Us

How can I contact Financial Aid?

If you are a new or returning student or have a general question you can contact the financial aid team in the following ways

Financial Aid Email. financialaid@rappahannock. edu

Veteran Services Email. veterans@rappahannock. edu

Appointment. Call 804-758-6735 to schedule an appointment or use Navigate [see instructions below]

Staff Contact Information

How would an appointment work in today’s environment with the Coronavirus? Could it be online?

All appointments are strongly encouraged to be scheduled virtually as opposed to in person. You can schedule a Zoom appointment with a financial aid staff member via Navigate. You will receive an appointment confirmation email with a link to the Zoom meeting. Please be prepared to send your specific questions to the financial aid team member you schedule an appointment with in advance, so you can make the best use of your time during the meeting. You will go to the meeting link at your appointment time to attend your appointment

How do I schedule an appointment to meet with a financial aid team member?

Log on to Navigate in MyRCC or from the Navigate app. Click on appointments, schedule an appointment and then select your reason, location, staff member, time and confirm

Can I schedule my appointment from my smartphone?

Yes. Download the Navigate app to your smartphone to have access to appointment scheduling

What happens when I schedule an appointment with financial aid in Navigate?

Once your appointment is scheduled, you will get an appointment confirmation email from the financial aid team member you requested to meet with that includes a link to their Zoom meeting room

How do I join the Zoom meeting?

Go to the Zoom meeting link that was sent to you in your appointment confirmation email. Log on to Zoom in MyRCC or from the Zoom app. Download the Zoom app if you would like to join your appointment from your smart phone

Important Parent Notice.  If you are a parent calling to inquire about specific account information for your son or daughter, please have them on the line with you. If this is not possible, we will be able to speak about general information or processes only. Since educational records are protected from third-party disclosure by federal law, if it becomes necessary to get into account specific details we will be pleased to refer you to a specialist that can determine if information can be released. Referrals are typically responded to within 1 – 3 business days

Financial Aid Eligible Programs

Students who in the following programs at Rappahannock Community College are eligible to apply for Financial Aid

To qualify for financial aid, students must demonstrate financial need which is defined as the difference between the Cost of attendance and the expected family contribution. The expected family contribution is determined by information provided on the FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid]

Every student budget is based on the cost of attendance for students who meet specific domicile or program criteria. The cost of attendance is determined as follows

* This cost of attendance is based on 2017-18 figures. The COA changes annually. The illustration above is for an in-state student. The average COA figures for each year may be obtained from the Financial Aid office. Individuals with questions about COA used in the calculation of their aid award should contact the Financial Aid office

Forms Library

 Financial Aid Forms

 
 Verification Forms. 2023-2024 [Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024]

Click here to learn. How to Submit Verification Documents in SIS in 5 Easy Steps

The verification process is a federally mandated process which confirms the accuracy of data provided by randomly selected FAFSA applicants. If selected for verification the student, their parent[s], or spouse, if applicable, are required to provide certain documents to the school for review. If the documentation provided to the Financial Aid Office does not match what was reported on the FAFSA, this can result in changes to the student’s financial aid eligibility, and/or financial aid offers

Note. If you have been selected for verification you will have To-Do items on your Student Center To-Do List and will receive a notification in your SIS Message Center. It is important that you check your SIS Message Center and To-Do List on a regular basis and reply to all requests in a timely manner. An official financial aid award notice cannot be generated until the required documents are received and the review process has been marked complete

 Veterans’ Forms

  Form TitleFormatCertification Request for VA Education Benefits

 – Submit to RCC VA Coordinator or School Certifying Official

 – Submit to VA Regional Processing Office; see form instructions for details

 – Submit to VA Regional Processing Office; see form instructions for details

Work Study Forms

  Form TitleFormatFederal Work-Study Handbook [for new hires]PDFFederal Work-Study Confidentiality Agreement [for new hires]PDF  

Policies

A. SELECTION OF AWARD RECIPIENTS AND DETERMINATION OF FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
Applicants for financial aid are evaluated on the basis of demonstrated financial need and Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP]. A student must be enrolled in a program leading to a degree or eligible certificate to qualify for financial aid. Financial need is defined as the difference between the amount you and your parents/spouse can contribute from income and assets and the cost of attending Rappahannock Community College [RCC]. A student’s Cost of Attendance [COA] is determined based on full-time enrollment, dependency status, and residency status. Standard student expense budgets have been established which include average charges for tuition and fees and estimated allowances for books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal/miscellaneous expenses. The Expected Family Contribution [EFC] toward educational costs is determined using the results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA].  

At the time your application was evaluated, you were automatically considered for all Federal and State grants available. The College does not participate in the Direct Loan Program which includes the Federal Family Educational Loan Program and the Federal Stafford and Federal Plus Loans. The College Financial Aid Office determined your eligibility for each type of aid and assigned a combination of assistance to meet your need. Awards are initially based upon full-time [12 semester credits or more] enrollment unless the student received his/her award retroactively after classes began. The type of grants included in your aid package is dependent upon the availability of funds and your demonstrated financial need. All awards are contingent upon federal, state and local appropriations for student aid programs and receipt by the College of these funds. Adjustments may be made if you change your enrollment, fail to attend classes for which you are enrolled or fail to continue to meet standards of satisfactory progress

The College Financial Aid Office reserves the right to request documentation to verify any information used to determine eligibility for financial assistance

B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FINANCIAL AID RECIPIENTS AND RENEWAL APPLICANTS
Financial aid recipients are required to notify the College Financial Aid Office of any additional financial aid [church or community scholarships, etc. ] you receive from sources outside RCC. Receipt of additional financial aid may result in an adjustment of the financial aid offered

Students receiving financial aid who find it necessary to add, drop or audit classes, who have classes canceled, or who do not begin attendance in any classes for which they are enrolled must notify the College Financial Aid Office of such action immediately. Financial Aid students cannot audit courses as financial aid will not cover an audited course. Financial aid will not pay for classes you have never attended. Instructors will report to the registrar prior to the “Last Day to Drop with Refund” date any student who never attended class. Students will be dropped [DELETED] from any unattended class or classes. Necessary adjustments and/or possible refunds will be handled at that time and there may be an effect on your ability to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid

Financial aid recipients are required to notify the College Financial Aid Office of any change in name, state residency classification or other changes related to attendance at RCC

C. ENROLLMENT
When a student receives an official financial aid award notice from the College Financial Aid Office, tuition and fees for the semester are paid in full if the award is greater than or equal to the total tuition and fee charges.  If it is not, the student must pay the additional amount to avoid being dropped. Please remember the financial aid award must be prorated if enrollment is less than full-time [9-11 credits eligible for 75% of semester aid, 6-8 credits eligible for 50% of semester aid, and 1-5 credits must contact the financial aid office for eligibility]. If an aid recipient decides to drop a class, he/she must drop using the RCC Student Information System, see his/her advisor, or go to the RCC Counseling Office. If the aid recipient does not take proper action to drop a class, he/she may be held financially liable for tuition and fees

D. DISBURSEMENT PROCEDURES
The total dollar amounts listed on the Financial Aid Award Letter are yearly awards that are divided in equal amounts [unless specified otherwise] between the fall and spring semesters. Students can charge tuition, fees, books, and required educational supplies against most grant or scholarship awards. If the amount of financial aid is greater than tuition, fees and book charges, a balance remaining check will be issued. Fall remaining balance checks are distributed to students in October and Spring remaining balance checks are distributed in March. Please see the RCC financial aid office or monitor our website on actual disbursement dates during the semester. These disbursement date[s] are dependent on the receipt of funds from the funding agency. A message will be sent to students via College website, student e-mail, on-campus Plasma TV screens, and sign postage alerting students as to when checks are available

E. RCC SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS [SAP] Policy
All recipients of Federal and/or State aid are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP] in their course of study. Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards set by the College and the Federal Government. These regulations apply to all semesters in which a student has been or will be enrolled whether or not aid was awarded or received. Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP] standards also apply to State aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress is measured in two ways

1. By the student’s cumulative grade point average [see Qualitative Progress Standards/ GPA Rule in Section II] in their academic program; and,
2. By the percentage of course credits completed successfully; student must achieve at least a 67% rate of satisfactory completion. By credits earned as a percentage of those attempted. This is the Completion Rate [see Quantitative Progress Standards/67% Rule in Section II]

In addition, students must complete their programs of study before attempting 150% of the credits required to complete the program. This is the Maximum Time Frame. Financial aid will cover a maximum of 30 credits of developmental coursework; this is the Developmental Maximum

Some career studies certificate programs [i. e. , shorter than 16 credits in total length] are ineligible for student financial aid, but those credits will be counted toward all SAP requirements [GPA, Completion Rate, Maximum Timeframe, and Developmental Maximum] if the student later enrolls in an eligible program

The College Financial Aid Office will evaluate satisfactory academic progress before aid is awarded and after grades are posted for every term, starting with the first term of enrollment

I. STUDENT FINANCIAL AID STATUS

A. Financial Aid Good Standing [GS] – Students who are meeting all aspects of the satisfactory academic progress policy or successfully following a designated academic progress plan

B. Financial Aid Warning Status [WS] – Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress for the first time [excluding students who have already attempted 150% of the credits required for their programs of study] will be automatically placed in a Warning Status for one [1] term and are expected to meet SAP requirements by the end of that term. Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the warning status term will be placed on financial aid suspension. However, with a successful SAP appeal, those students will be placed on financial aid probation and will retain financial aid eligibility

C. Financial Aid Probation Status [PS] – Students who have successfully appealed financial aid suspension are placed in Probation Status [PS]. Students in Probation Status [PS] are eligible to receive financial aid for one [1] semester, after which they MUST be in Good Standing [GS] or meeting the requirements of an academic progress plan that was pre-approved by the Student Affairs Committee. [See “IV. Reinstatement and Appeals” for additional information. ]

D. Financial Aid Suspension Status [SS] – Students who do not meet the credit progression schedule and/or cumulative grade point average standard, or who fail to meet the requirements of their pre-approved academic progress plan, will be placed in Suspension Status [SS]. Students in Suspension Status [SS] are not eligible to receive financial aid. To become eligible for future terms, you should reach a 2. 0 gpa and 67% or higher completion rate and then contact the Financial Aid office for an appeal form

Important.  Academic Status [Good standing, Academic Warning, Academic Program, Academic Suspension] differs from financial aid requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Academic status will be noted on the student’s academic record; financial aid status will be noted on financial aid pages in SIS.  Any student suspended from the College for academic or behavioral reasons is automatically ineligible for financial aid

II. EVALUATING ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS

1.  Minimum Qualitative Progress Standards [GPA Rule]
Cumulative GPA Requirements [GPA Rule]. In order to remain eligible for financial aid consideration, students must meet minimum cumulative grade point average requirements based on a progressive scale. Only credit courses with grades of A, B, C, D, and F are included in this calculation. Dual enrollment grades are included in this calculation. Transfer credits are not included.  In order to graduate, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2. 0 is required

2. Minimum Quantitative Progress Standards [67% Rule] or Pace of Completion-Financial aid recipients must satisfactorily complete 67 percent [%] of all course work attempted
Completion Rate [67% Rule]. Students must, at a minimum, receive satisfactory grades in 67% of cumulative credits attempted. This calculation is performed by dividing the cumulative total number of successfully completed credits by the cumulative total number of credits attempted. All credits attempted at the College [except audits, which must be entered as such by the class census date] are included. All credits attempted in transfer count as both attempted and successfully completed credits. All credits accepted in transfer count as both attempted and successfully completed credits. Developmental coursework is also included in this calculation. Credits with satisfactory grades at the College are those for which a grade of A, B, C, D, S, or P is earned

This evaluation will be made prior to aid being awarded and after grades are posted at the end of each semester a student is enrolled at the College

Additional Considerations for Quantitative or Pace of Completion Standards

• Withdrawals [W grades] that are recorded on the student’s permanent academic transcript will be included as credits attempted and will have an adverse effect on the student’s ability to meet the requirements of the completion rate for financial aid
• Incomplete Grades. Courses that are assigned an incomplete grade [grade of I] are included in cumulative credits attempted. These cannot be used as credits earned in the progress standard until a successful grade is assigned
• Repeated courses enable the student to achieve a higher cumulative grade point average. Students can repeat courses with financial aid until successfully completed but repeating courses adversely affects the student’s ability to meet completion rate requirements. Financial aid can be considered for successfully completed classes that are repeated to achieve a higher grade but for only one additional attempt. Only the latest attempt will count toward the cumulative grade point average

3. Maximum Timeframe [150% Rule]
In order to continue receiving financial aid, a student must complete his/her program of study before attempting 150% of the credits required for that program. Developmental and ESL coursework are excluded from this calculation. Attempted credits from all enrollment periods at the College plus all accepted transfer credits are counted; whether or not the student received financial aid for those terms is of no consequence. All terms of enrollment at the College are included whether or not the student received financial aid and regardless of the age of the coursework

Additional Standards

1. Developmental Coursework. Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 30 semester hours of Developmental Studies courses as long as the courses are required as a result of placement testing, the student is in an eligible program of study, and SAP requirements continue to be met
2. English as a Second Language [ESL]. Credits are unlimited in number as long as they are taken as part of an eligible program and SAP requirements continue to be met
3. Audit Coursework. A student cannot receive financial aid for an audited course. Changing from credit to audit will reduce financial aid eligible courses by the number of credits changed to audit
4. Repeated Coursework. Students can repeat courses with financial aid until successfully completed. There is no limit assuming all other SAP requirements are met. Repeated coursework will be included in the evaluation of completion rate and maximum timeframe. Students may only repeat a passed course once as long as it is in order to meet an academic standard [i. e. , a higher grade is required for graduation or their program of study]
5. Transfer Students. Credits officially accepted in transfer will be counted in determining the maximum number of allowable semester credit hours for financial aid eligibility
6. Second Degree Students. Credits earned from a first degree or certificate must be counted if the student changes programs or attempts a second degree or certificate. Depending on the circumstances, an appeal might be warranted
7. Students who drop classes or audit classes are highly advised to schedule a meeting with the financial aid office to determine the impact of the changes on their financial aid
8. Students should schedule a meeting with the financial aid office prior to requesting a curriculum/program/plan change
9. New financial aid recipients who have previously been enrolled at the college and returning students will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress based on prior performance at RCC regardless if they received financial aid previously or not
10. A student cannot receive financial aid for noncredit and credit courses in ineligible curricula

III.  REGAINING ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID
Students who do not meet the credit progression requirements [Quantitative or Pace of Completion] and/or cumulative grade point average requirements [Qualitative] will be immediately ineligible for financial aid. Removal from financial aid does not prevent students from enrolling without financial aid if they are otherwise eligible to continue their enrollment

If extenuating circumstances exist that caused the student to be placed on Financial Aid Suspension, the student may file an appeal and document the circumstances. If an appeal is granted, a student in financial aid suspension should expect to continue classes at his or her own expense until satisfactory academic progress requirements are again met

Students who fail to meet these Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and who choose to enroll without benefit of student financial aid may submit an appeal requesting a review of their academic records after any term in which they are enrolled without the receipt of financial aid to determine whether they have again met satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, eligibility is regained for subsequent terms of enrollment in the academic year. Students should consult their campus financial aid advisors for assistance in appealing any element of this policy or to determine how to regain eligibility for financial aid

IV.  REINSTATEMENT AND APPEALS
Under certain circumstances, students who fail to meet SAP standards and lose eligibility for financial aid can appeal the financial aid suspension. Students must clearly state what caused the suspension and must also clearly indicate what has changed that will now allow the student to succeed. Appeals are encouraged if

• Extenuating circumstances exist [i. e. , student’s serious illness or accident; death, accident or serious illness in the immediate family; other mitigating circumstances], or
• The student has successfully completed one degree and is attempting another

Students appealing a suspension must

• Complete the College’s SAP Appeal Form in entirety [contact RCC Financial Aid Office for the form],
• Attach documentation in support of the appeal
• Submit all items and the appeal form to the College Financial Aid Office

Only complete appeal submissions, with documentation, will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Officer and Student Affairs Committee. Students whose appeals have been denied by the financial aid office have the right to pursue final appeal through the Student Affairs Committee. The decision is final. Depending on the circumstances, the student could be required to complete additional requirements [i. e. , see a career counselor or another type of counselor, meet with an advisor to develop an academic progress plan for completion, limit enrollment, etc. ] before an appeal is granted. The goal is to help the student get back on track for graduation. The reasonableness of the student’s ability for improvement to again meet SAP standards and complete the student’s program of study will be carefully considered. Appeals will be approved or denied. Students who have appeals approved will be in probationary status for the coming term.  During probationary status, the student must meet the conditions of the appeal as communicated to him or her in the notification letter, or the student will return to suspension.  If an academic progress plan has been pre-approved by the committee, continuing to meet the requirements of that plan will put the student back into good standing

F. CONSEQUENCES FOR OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL WITHDRAW FROM ALL CLASSES
Financial aid is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend college for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws [officially or unofficially] from ALL classes after beginning attendance, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of aid that the student was originally scheduled to receive. The College is required to determine the earned and unearned portions of Federal [Title IV] and/or State aid as of the date the student ceased attendance based on the amount of time the student spent in attendance. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, the student will be responsible for repaying the unearned funds. If the amount disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, he or she is eligible to receive a post-withdraw disbursement of the earned aid that was received.  RECOMMENDED. For the complete policy please go to our site and read the information concerning Withdrawing from courses and the Return of Title IV Financial Aid Funds Policy

G. CHARGING FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS IN THE RCC BOOKSTORE
Students may charge against those funds in the RCC Follett Bookstore. Students are only allowed to charge books and required educational supplies. The student will be personally responsible for any unpaid books/supplies not covered by financial aid

Financial aid and scholarship students should go directly to the RCC Follett Bookstore at either campus during the specified book charge period, and the bookstore staff will be able to assist you, the student, in charging financial aid for your books and/or supplies

Students must know their RCC Student ID number, present any form of picture identification along with a copy of their class schedule [these items are a requirement] to the Bookstore staff

Note. Picture identification could include, for example, driver’s license, passport, and/or military ID

Note. Be sure to check with the RCC Follett Bookstore on Bookstore Hours of Operation

1. How to print a class schedule. Go to www. rappahannock. edu
2. Click on MyRCC and Log In
3. Click on VCCS SIS. Student Information System
4. Under “Enrollment” click on “My Class Schedule”
5. Make sure you select the correct term and click continue
6. You will be viewing the selected term Class Schedule
7. Print

During the book charge period, Financial Aid students will have the flexibility of ordering their textbooks online through the RCC Bookstore www. rappahannock. edu/bookstore/.  Please note this process incurs additional shipping charges that will be charged to your financial aid. Of importance, be sure your address is accurate on the RCC Student Information System [MyRCC] as your mailing address must match the shipping address you give to the RCC Follett Bookstore or your order will be cancelled. Please review the RCC Follett Bookstore site for details.  To make an address change/update, follow the directions below by logging into MyRCC and click VCCS SIS – Student Information System. Self Service>Student Center>Personal Information>Mailing Address

Return of Title IV Funds

Students receiving financial aid who withdraw or stop attending will, in most cases, be required to return a portion of financial aid received. Procedures involving award recoveries from financial aid recipients are based on federal and state legislation. The regulations require that in instances of overpayment of scholarship, grant, or loan assistance, students must repay the overpayment. More detailed information on eligibility requirements, services, application procedures and deadlines, and repayment schedules appears in the Financial Aid Handbook available through the Financial Aid Office

The Higher Education Act, as reauthorized and signed into law on October 7, 1998, established the Return of Title IV Funds Policy. This revised Rappahannock Community College policy reflects new regulations published October 29, 2010 that became effective July 1, 2011. The concept behind the policy is that the college and the student are allowed to retain only the amount of Title IV [federal] aid that is earned. If a student withdraws or stops attending classes, whether any credits have been earned for the term or not, a portion of the aid received is considered to be unearned and must be returned to the Title IV programs from which it was received. For Title IV purposes, the last date of attendance is one of the following. the date the formal withdrawal process begins, the date the student otherwise gives official notice of intent to withdraw [i. e. , letter, phone call, e-mail, in-person], the mid-point of the term, or the last documented date of attendance in an academically-related activity [i. e. , documented attendance in a class or lab or submission of an assignment in a distance learning course]. If a student attends through 60 percent of the term, all Title IV aid is considered earned

New R2T4 Waiver Guidance

“For any student who begins attendance in a payment period or period of enrollment that begins on or includes March 13, 2020, and subsequently withdraws from the period as a result of COVID-19-related circumstances, an institution is not required to return Title IV funds

The R2T4 waiver may now be applied to a payment period or a period of enrollment that includes March 13, 2020, or begins between March 13, 2020 and the later of December 31, 2020 or the last day that the national emergency is in effect [“covered period”]. The previous guidance had indicated that the payment period or period of enrollment had to begin on or include March 13, 2020. Thus, ED has broadened the scope of this relief

If a student feels they need to request for a R2T4 waiver due to COVID-19, please send the financial aid office a typed letter indicating the nature of your circumstances. The R2T4 waiver does not guaranteed you will not be subject to returning funds to the Department of Ed. The final waiver decision will be determined by the financial aid office staff. All letters can be sent to financialaid@rappahannock. edu

Definitions

Return to Title IV [R2T4] calculation – A required calculation to determine the amount of aid earned by the student when the student does not attend all days scheduled to complete within a payment period or term [Student is considered to be a withdrawal, whether any credits were completed or not. ]

Overaward [not the same as Return to Title IV calculation] – A required recalculation of Pell Grant and other aid types due to student dropping or not attending credits required for the status awarded [full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less than half-time]; required at any point information received that changes student status. Reductions in aid will always be required for students whose status changes due to dropped classes or classes not attended beyond the course census date

Clarification of New Regulations

• A student who attends and completes at least one course that spans the entire term will have earned the aid for that term [as adjusted for dropped classes or classes not attended]
• School must be able to demonstrate that student actually attended each class, including any class with a failing grade. Attendance must be ―academic attendance or ―attendance at an academically-related activity. Documentation of Attendance must be made by the school. A student’s self-certification of attendance is NOT acceptable unless supported by school’s documentation. Examples of attendance include
• Physical class attendance where there is direct interaction between instructor and student
• Submission of an academic assignment
• Examination, interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction
• Study group assigned by school
• Participation in on-line discussion about academic matters
• Initiation of contact with instructor to ask question about academic subject

[Logging in to an on-line class does NOT count as attendance. ]

• A student who withdraws from a module or dynamic class within the term must still be attending another class or is considered to be a withdrawal, even if registered for future classes starting within the term. The student must— at the time of withdrawal from a module or dynamic class– provide a written statement to the College Financial Aid Office indicating intent to attend [within 45 days] a future class within the term, or the student is considered to be a withdrawal; and a Return to Title IV calculation must be completed. [If student doesn’t actually attend that future class, a Return to Title IV calculation is still required; withdrawal date/last date of attendance dates back to originally confirmed withdrawal date. ]

Questions to ask

• Did the student cease to attend a course that he/she was scheduled to attend? [If yes, ask the next question. ]
• At the time the student stopped attending this course, was he/she continuing to attend other courses? [If no, ask the next question. If yes, student is not a withdrawal. ]

• At the time of withdrawal, did the student provide written confirmation of anticipated attendance in a later starting, registered course within the term? [If no, student is considered a withdrawal, and a Return to Title IV calculation must be completed. If yes, no Return to Title IV calculation is required unless the student doesn’t attend or quits the future dynamic class. ]

Remember. Recalculation of aid for enrollment-status changes due to dropped or never attended classes is required before any Return to Title IV calculation is completed

Step 1] The first step is a series of formulas to determine the amount of aid which must be returned. Following the determination of the last date of attendance, the school must calculate the number of days attended and the total number of days the student was scheduled to complete within the term; weekends count and any period of no classes which is five days in length or greater is excluded. Days attended are then divided by days in the term the student was scheduled to complete to calculate percentage completed. That percentage is multiplied by total aid for which the student is eligible to determine the amount of aid earned [% completed x total aid = earned aid].  Total aid – earned aid = unearned aid [aid to be returned]

Step 2] The next step is for the school to determine total institutional charges and multiply that figure by the percentage of unearned aid [100% – % completed = % unearned]. It makes no difference which type of resource actually paid the school bill; the law assumes that Title IV aid goes first to pay institutional charges.  Institutional charges x % unearned = amount returned by school

The school must then return the amount of unearned aid, up to the maximum received, to each of the Title IV programs in the following order

1. Federal Pell Grant
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant [FSEOG]

Step 3] The school then calculates the amount for which the student is responsible by subtracting the amount returned by the school from the total amount which is unearned. That remaining amount is the student’s share and is allocated in the same order as stated above
Total amount unearned – amount returned by school = $$ for which student is responsible

Once the school determines dollar amounts and which individual programs must be repaid, the student will be notified of any amounts he or she owes. For grant dollars that must be repaid, the amount due from a student is limited to the amount by which the original grant overpayment amount due from the student exceeds half of the total Title IV grant funds received by the student. A student has 45 days to make repayment and does not have to repay a grant overpayment of $50 or less. Unpaid balances will be reported on NSLDS, the National Student Loan Data System, and turned over to the Department of Education for collection. Until overpayments are repaid or satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made, students will be ineligible for further Title IV aid at any institution

Effective 7/1/2009, state law requires that state aid of the VSFAP funds [which includes the Commonwealth grant – COMA and the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program grant-VGAP] must also be returned proportionally based on the percentage of unearned aid used in the Return of Title IV calculations when a student receiving those grants withdraws or unofficially withdraws completely from the institution

This policy is totally separate from the institutional refund policy. Unpaid balances due to RCC that result from amounts returned to Title IV programs and other sources of aid will be charged back to the student. If a student does not begin attendance in all classes or ceases attendance during the 100% refund period, aid may have to be reduced to reflect appropriate status prior to calculating Return of Title IV Funds

Before withdrawing or stopping attendance in classes, the student should be aware of the proper procedure for withdrawing from classes and the consequences of either withdrawing or stopping attendance. Official withdrawal is always the responsibility of the student

Any questions on Return of Title IV Funds may be addressed to the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Officer. Questions regarding withdrawal should be addressed to the student’s advisor or the Registrar’s Office

Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP]

Satisfactory Academic Progress is measured in two ways.  

1. By the student’s cumulative grade point average [see Qualitative Progress Standards/ GPA Rule in Section II] in their academic program; and,
2. By the percentage of course credits completed successfully; student must achieve at least a 67% rate of satisfactory completion. By credits earned as a percentage of those attempted. This is the Completion Rate [see Quantitative Progress Standards/67% Rule in Section II]

In addition, students must complete their programs of study before attempting 150% of the credits required to complete the program. This is the Maximum Time Frame. Financial aid will cover a maximum of 30 credits of developmental coursework; this is the Developmental Maximum

Some career studies certificate programs [i. e. , shorter than 16 credits in total length] are ineligible for student financial aid, but those credits will be counted toward all SAP requirements [GPA, Completion Rate, Maximum Timeframe, and Developmental Maximum] if the student later enrolls in an eligible program

The College Financial Aid Office will evaluate satisfactory academic progress before aid is awarded and after grades are posted for every term, starting with the first term of enrollment

A.  Financial Aid Good Standing [GS] – Students who are meeting all aspects of the satisfactory academic progress policy or successfully following a designated academic progress plan

B.  Financial Aid Warning Status [WS] – Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress for the first time [excluding students who have already attempted 150% of the credits required for their programs of study] will be automatically placed in a Warning Status for one [1] term and are expected to meet SAP requirements by the end of that term. Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the warning status term will be placed on financial aid suspension. However, with a successful SAP appeal, those students will be placed on financial aid probation and will retain financial aid eligibility

C.  Financial Aid Probation Status [PS] – Students who have successfully appealed financial aid suspension are placed in Probation Status [PS]. Students in Probation Status [PS] are eligible to receive financial aid for one [1] semester, after which they MUST be in Good Standing [GS] or meeting the requirements of an academic progress plan that was pre-approved by the Student Affairs Committee. [See “IV. Reinstatement and Appeals” for additional information. ]

D.  Financial Aid Suspension Status [SS] – Students who do not meet the credit progression schedule and/or cumulative grade point average standard, or who fail to meet the requirements of their pre-approved academic progress plan, will be placed in Suspension Status [SS]. Students in Suspension Status [SS] are not eligible to receive financial aid. To become eligible for future terms, you should reach a 2. 0 GPA and 67% or higher completion rate and then contact the Financial Aid office for an appeal form

Important.  Academic Status [Good standing, Academic Warning, Academic Program, Academic Suspension] differs from financial aid requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Academic status will be noted on the student’s academic record; financial aid status will be noted on financial aid pages in SIS.  Any student suspended from the College for academic or behavioral reasons is automatically ineligible for financial aid

1.  Minimum Qualitative Progress Standards [GPA Rule]

Cumulative GPA Requirements [GPA Rule]. In order to remain eligible for financial aid consideration, students must meet minimum cumulative grade point average requirements based on a progressive scale. Only credit courses with grades of A, B, C, D, and F are included in this calculation. Dual enrollment grades are included in this calculation. Transfer credits are not included.  In order to graduate, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2. 0 is required

2. Minimum Quantitative Progress Standards [67% Rule] or Pace of Completion-Financial aid recipients must satisfactorily complete 67 percent [%] of all course work attempted

Completion Rate [67% Rule]. Students must, at a minimum, receive satisfactory grades in 67% of cumulative credits attempted. This calculation is performed by dividing the cumulative total number of successfully completed credits by the cumulative total number of credits attempted. All credits attempted at the College [except audits, which must be entered as such by the class census date] are included. All credits attempted in transfer count as both attempted and successfully completed credits. All credits accepted in transfer count as both attempted and successfully completed credits. Developmental coursework is also included in this calculation. Credits with satisfactory grades at the College are those for which a grade of A, B, C, D, S, or P is earned

This evaluation will be made prior to aid being awarded and after grades are posted at the end of each semester a student is enrolled at the College

Additional Considerations for Quantitative or Pace of Completion Standards

• Withdrawals [W grades] that are recorded on the student’s permanent academic transcript will be included as credits attempted and will have an adverse effect on the student’s ability to meet the requirements of the completion rate for financial aid
• Incomplete Grades. Courses that are assigned an incomplete grade [grade of I] are included in cumulative credits attempted. These cannot be used as credits earned in the progress standard until a successful grade is assigned
• Repeated courses enable the student to achieve a higher cumulative grade point average. Students can repeat courses with financial aid until successfully completed but repeating courses adversely affects the student’s ability to meet completion rate requirements. Financial aid can be considered for successfully completed classes that are repeated to achieve a higher grade but for only one additional attempt. Only the latest attempt will count toward the cumulative grade point average

3. Maximum Timeframe [150% Rule]

In order to continue receiving financial aid, a student must complete his/her program of study before attempting 150% of the credits required for that program. Developmental and ESL coursework are excluded from this calculation. Attempted credits from all enrollment periods at the College plus all accepted transfer credits are counted; whether or not the student received financial aid for those terms is of no consequence. All terms of enrollment at the College are included whether or not the student received financial aid and regardless of the age of the coursework

Additional Standards

1. Developmental Coursework. Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 30 semester hours of Developmental Studies courses as long as the courses are required as a result of placement testing, the student is in an eligible program of study, and SAP requirements continue to be met
2. English as a Second Language [ESL]. Credits are unlimited in number as long as they are taken as part of an eligible program and SAP requirements continue to be met
3. Audit Coursework. A student cannot receive financial aid for an audited course. Changing from credit to audit will reduce financial aid eligible courses by the number of credits changed to audit
4. Repeated Coursework. Students can repeat courses with financial aid until successfully completed. There is no limit assuming all other SAP requirements are met. Repeated coursework will be included in the evaluation of completion rate and maximum timeframe. Students may only repeat a passed course once as long as it is in order to meet an academic standard [i. e. , a higher grade is required for graduation or their program of study]
5. Transfer Students. Credits officially accepted in transfer will be counted in determining the maximum number of allowable semester credit hours for financial aid eligibility
6. Second Degree Students. Credits earned from a first degree or certificate must be counted if the student changes programs or attempts a second degree or certificate. Depending on the circumstances, an appeal might be warranted
7. Students who drop classes or audit classes are highly advised to schedule a meeting with the financial aid office to determine the impact of the changes on their financial aid
8. Students should schedule a meeting with the financial aid office prior to requesting a curriculum/program/plan change
9. New financial aid recipients who have previously been enrolled at the college and returning students will be evaluated for satisfactory academic progress based on prior performance at RCC regardless if they received financial aid previously or not
10. A student cannot receive financial aid for noncredit and credit courses in ineligible curricula

Students who do not meet the credit progression requirements [Quantitative or Pace of Completion] and/or cumulative grade point average requirements [Qualitative] will be immediately ineligible for financial aid. Removal from financial aid does not prevent students from enrolling without financial aid if they are otherwise eligible to continue their enrollment

If extenuating circumstances exist that caused the student to be placed on Financial Aid Suspension, the student may file an appeal and document the circumstances. If an appeal is granted, a student in financial aid suspension should expect to continue classes at his or her own expense until satisfactory academic progress requirements are again met

Students who fail to meet these Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and who choose to enroll without benefit of student financial aid may submit an appeal requesting a review of their academic records after any term in which they are enrolled without the receipt of financial aid to determine whether they have again met satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, eligibility is regained for subsequent terms of enrollment in the academic year. Students should consult their campus financial aid advisors for assistance in appealing any element of this policy or to determine how to regain eligibility for financial aid

Under certain circumstances, students who fail to meet SAP standards and lose eligibility for financial aid can appeal the financial aid suspension. Students must clearly state what caused the suspension and must also clearly indicate what has changed that will now allow the student to succeed. Appeals are encouraged if

• Extenuating circumstances exist [i. e. , student’s serious illness or accident; death, accident or serious illness in the immediate family; other mitigating circumstances], or
• The student has successfully completed one degree and is attempting another

Students appealing a suspension must

• Complete the College’s SAP Appeal Form in entirety [contact RCC Financial Aid Office for the form],
• Attach documentation in support of the appeal
• Submit all items and the appeal form to the College Financial Aid Office

Only complete appeal submissions, with documentation, will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Officer and Student Affairs Committee. Students whose appeals have been denied by the Financial Aid office have the right to pursue final appeal through the Student Affairs Committee. The decision is final. Depending on the circumstances, the student could be required to complete additional requirements [i. e. , see a career counselor or another type of counselor, meet with an advisor to develop an academic progress plan for completion, limit enrollment, etc. ] before an appeal is granted. The goal is to help the student get back on track for graduation. The reasonableness of the student’s ability for improvement to again meet SAP standards and complete the student’s program of study will be carefully considered. Appeals will be approved or denied. Students who have appeals approved will be in probationary status for the coming term.  During probationary status, the student must meet the conditions of the appeal as communicated to him or her in the notification letter, or the student will return to suspension.  If an academic progress plan has been pre-approved by the committee, continuing to meet the requirements of that plan will put the student back into good standing

NOTICE

Effective with the Fall 2011 term, a revised Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy was initiated. The policy became effective with the Fall 2011 semester which meant that it was first applied when Fall 2011 grades were posted in December 2011. All recipients of Federal and/or State aid are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP] in their course of study. Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards set by the College and the federal government. These regulations apply to all semesters in which a student has been or will be enrolled whether or not aid was awarded or received. Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP] standards also apply to state aid

SIS Tutorials

How to Check My Pending Financial Aid

• Log into MyRCC

• Click on Student Center

• Scroll down to Finances and click on Account Inquiry

• Most important step.  Click on the yellow box below the table that shows your tuition/fee charges and pending financial aid to see your actual financial aid based on the number of credits you’re enrolled in

How do I access my Message Center?

• Visit rappahannock. edu
• Log into MyRCC from the homepage
• Click on the SIS. Student Information System
• Click on Student Center in the upper left-hand corner
• The Message Center is at the top of this page

How do I access my To-Do List?

• Visit rappahannock. edu
• Log into MyRCC
• Click on Student Center in the upper left-hand corner
• The To-Do List is located on the left-hand side of the page

For best results use Internet Explorer or Firefox Mozilla when accessing MyRCC. Google Chrome is not compatible

How do I find my student ID#?

To locate your student ID#

• Visit www. rappahannock. edu
• Log into MyRCC
• Click on View my Information in the upper left-hand corner
• The number listed under Emplid is your student ID#.  

Students are encouraged to memorize their student ID#. The student ID# will be required when contacting faculty and staff for assistance and on Rappahannock Community College forms that may be required during your time as a student at RCC

Types of Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Federal and State Grants
Need-based awards which do not require repayments, such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, College Scholarship Assistance Program, Virginia Student Financial Assistance Program which consists of the Commonwealth of Virginia Grant and Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, Higher Education Teacher Assistance Program, Part-time Assistance Program, and Supplemental Grant

Federal Pell Grant [Pell]
Pell Grants are federally funded grants which provide financial assistance to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. A student must establish financial need, be a U. S. citizen, and be accepted in an eligible curriculum

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant [SEOG]
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are available to a limited number of undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Students completing the FAFSA and qualifying for the Pell grant will be considered for SEOG while funds are available

Get Skilled, Get a Job, and Get Ahead [G3]
G3 is a last-dollar scholarship that, with other financial aid, could bring tuition costs down to $0. Full-time students who receive the maximum Pell Grant could be eligible for additional benefits that are designed to help off-set your cost of living so you can continue to take care of your family while going back to school. G3 is available for programs in five of Virginia’s most in-demand industries, including Early Childhood Education, Healthcare, Information Technology, Public Safety, and Skilled Trades

College Scholarship Assistance Program [CSAP]
This need-based program provides grants to a limited number of students who are residents of Virginia, who demonstrate sufficient financial need, and are enrolled in at least a half-time basis. This grant may be funded by the Federal Government and/or the state

Commonwealth of Virginia Grant [COMA]
The COMA state grant is available for students who enroll in at least half-time, demonstrate financial need, be domiciliary residents of Virginia, and meet all other eligibility criteria

Part-Time Tuition Assistance [PTAP]
PTAP grants are available for students who enroll for 1 to 8 credits only, are residents of Virginia, and demonstrate financial need. The maximum award is the cost of tuition and fees

Supplemental VCCS Grant [SUPP]
SUPP grants are available for students from tuition set-aside funds. Students, eligible must demonstrate financial need preferred Expected Family Contribution [EFC] under 8000, are residents of Virginia meet the College Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, be degree or certificate seeking, and can maintain any enrollment level

Virginia Alternative State Aid [VASA]
Beginning with the 2022-2023 aid year, students who are unable to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFS] can be considered for state financial aid by submitting the Virginia Alternative State Aid [VASA] application

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program [VGAP]
The VGAP state grant is available to Virginia residents who graduated from a Virginia high school with a 2. 5 GPA or higher. Students must be first-time freshmen enrolled at RCC full-time. Awards may be renewed for a second year for students who have maintained full-time enrollment, a minimum 2. 0 GPA or higher at RCC, and continue to demonstrate financial need

Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study [FWS] is a program that provides part-time jobs for students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at least half-time [6 credits] during the Fall and Spring semesters at RCC. Awards are based on a need for which the student must work. Money is earned hourly and paid on a bi-weekly basis through the Federal Work-Study Program. Student class schedules, curriculum, and job skills are considered in assessing jobs

Scholarships

Scholarships have been established through the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to recognize outstanding performances and to assist students in pursuing quality higher education.   Over 100 scholarships totaling approximately $400,000 are available to RCC students.    Scholarships can be combined with federal and state financial aid or used alone to cover the cost of RCC tuition and fees

Please contact RCC College Scholarship Specialist Beth Robins at 804-333-6708 or by email.  brobins@rappahannock. edu, if you would like to sponsor a scholarship or have any questions about applying

Apply for a RCC Scholarship

Other Sources of Aid
The college offers several programs for special populations

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Certain disabled persons may qualify for services and/or financial aid from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. Consult the financial aid staff or a counselor for referral assistance

Virginia Foster Care Tuition Grant
The Tuition Grant program provides tuition and fees at any Virginia community college for high school graduates or general education development [GED] completers in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption. Awards will be provided to eligible applicants who are not already receiving sufficient grant funds to pay for their tuition and fees. The awards may not exceed tuition and required fees. Students who are already receiving grant funds that cover tuition and fees are not eligible for these awards.   Inquire with the financial aid office for further eligibility criteria

HOPE Scholarship
The Tax Relief Act of 1997 offers tax credits for tuition and fee payments under certain conditions. Effective January 1, 1998, those paying tuition and fees may be eligible for up to $1,500 in tax credit under the HOPE Scholarship Credit. Only students who are taking at least a half-time load, who are in their first two years of postsecondary education, and who do not have their tuition pay an employer or through grant aid are eligible

Students should contact a tax expert to find out whether they qualify for this credit

Web Resources
We offer these other websites for informational purposes only. Students should be aware that the information found at links to other sites “outside” of the RCC website is not within our control, and we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Information can change at any time in the world of financial aid. Remember, applying for financial aid and/or scholarships is FREE. Never pay to apply for Financial Aid and beware of scholarship scams

• www. studentaid. gov [First step to applying for Financial Aid at RCC]
• www. FederalStudentAid. ed. gov
• www. finaid. org
• www. studentaid. ed. gov
• www. fastweb. com [Scholarship Search Website]
• www. gibill. va. gov

Virginia’s Two-Year College Transfer Grant
The Two-Year College Transfer Grant Program makes it easier for eligible RCC students to pay for completing a bachelor’s degree. Students who enter RCC as first-time freshmen in Fall 2007 or later may receive up to $1000 per year when they transfer to a four-year public or private non-profit college or university in Virginia. An additional $1000 per year may be awarded to students enrolled in certain engineering, mathematics, nursing, teaching, or science programs 1

To be eligible for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant Program, a student must

• Be a domiciliary resident of Virginia
• Enter a Virginia community college as a first-time freshman in Fall 2007 or later 2
• Earn an associate degree at a Virginia two-year public institution with a final cumulative GPA of at least 3. 0
• Enroll full-time [12 or more credits] in an accredited Virginia four-year public or private non-profit college or university by the fall following completion of the associate degree
• Enroll in an eligible degree program at the senior institution 3
• Apply for financial aid and have a maximum Expected Family Contribution [EFC] of $8,000 as calculated from the FAFSA
• Meet Selective Service requirements

The grant may be renewed as long as students continue to meet domiciliary, academic, and financial need requirements while enrolled at the four-year school. Students are limited to a maximum of three award years or 70 credits at the senior institution whichever comes first

1 Programs eligible for the additional funding will be identified by SCHEV
2 This includes students attending college for the first time who enter in the immediately preceding summer term and students who earn college credit prior to graduating from high school
3 Programs in the 39. xxx series, as classified by the National Center for Education Statistics Classification of Instructional Programs [CIP], provide religious training or theological education and are not approved courses of study

Video Tutorials

Click here to view additional videos about applying for financial aid

Work Study Program

Students interested in applying for a work-study position
should contact the Financial Aid Office at 804-758-6744

The Federal Work-Study Program at Rappahannock Community College is a financial aid program that provides part-time employment opportunities on campus for students who meet the following criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Enrolled in at least 6 credits
• Demonstrate financial need
• Completed a FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid]
• Students are encouraged to apply for work-study positions that align with their program of study

Work-Study Employment Opportunities

Please contact Jill Quinlan at jquinlan@rappahannock. edu to learn about current work-study employment opportunities

Additional Information

• Maximum of 20 hours per week
• Hourly pay rate of $15
• Paid bi-weekly [direct deposit is available]
• Your total work-study award depends on when you apply, your level of financial need, and the availability of funds

Federal Work-Study Benefits

• Save gas money and time by working on campus before or after classes
• Supervisors try to be as flexible as possible in scheduling work hours around your academic obligations
• Opportunities to establish relationships with college faculty/staff. Your supervisor may become an excellent reference for future job and/or scholarship opportunities
• Become more involved and aware of upcoming RCC events
• The Federal Work-Study Program gives you an opportunity to earn money to help pay for your educational expenses
• Because the Federal Work-Study Program is a financial aid need-based program, work-study income [although taxable] does not affect your future financial aid eligibility
• Federal Work-Study experience helps students develop communication, interpersonal, time management, and critical thinking skills as well as learn more about the career field they are interested in

Students interested in applying for a work-study position
Contact the Financial Aid Office at 804-758-6744

Veterans Services

Getting Started

Veterans Services – How to Access Your Benefits

We support our military veterans who are returning to school after service to our nation. This institution is approved to offer GI Bill® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency. Jill Quinlan is RCC’s School Certifying Official who works directly with incoming veterans. To access your veterans benefits at RCC, complete the steps below

Step 1.   Apply to RCC

• Fill out our online application to get admitted to RCC and choose your program and curriculum

Step 2.   Get Placed

• Complete the Virginia Community College Enrollment Survey to find out where to start in Math and English

Step 3.   Submit Transcripts and Test Scores

• Submit transcripts and test scores to Records@rappahannock. edu
• Transcripts include. college, high school, GED, police academy, and Joint services transcripts
• Test scores include. AP, CLEP, GED, and IB

Step 4.   Apply for VA Education Benefits

• Apply online for veterans educational benefits at the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site
• If you are a spouse or child of a military service member who was killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as totally and permanently disabled or at least 90 percent permanently disabled as a result of military service, it is recommended you apply for the Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program

Step 5.   Submit Military documents that apply to you, to Veterans@rappahannock. edu

• DD214 if separated
• Current orders if on active duty
• Certificate of Eligibility [COE]
• Purchase Order [In Tungsten] 
• NOBE
• VMSDEP- Add your enrollment information to your VMSEP portal https. //myvmsdep. dvs. virginia. gov/

Step 6.   Schedule an appointment with RCC’s VA School Certifying Official

Jill Quinlan, VA School Certifying Official and Lead Financial Aid Technician
Glenns Campus, Student Development Suite 105B
804-758-6744 or jquinlan@rappahannock. edu

Students. Need an appointment? https. //rcc. campus. eab. com/pal/BMwygmvzlb 

Step 7.   Meet with your College Navigator

• Navigators can assist you with selecting a program of study, choosing classes and more. Email Advisors@rappahannock. edu to schedule an appointment
• Complete Certification Request Form for VA Education Benefits; navigator signature required

Step 8.   Apply for Financial Aid at https. //studentaid. gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and enter RCC’s school code 009160 to ensure your FAFSA is sent to RCC’s Financial Aid Office. Completing the FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] determines your eligibility for financial aid and grants. Once you complete the FAFSA you will be able to check your Financial Aid status in your Student Center found in SIS

Important to Know

• Personal Wellness.   If you are the service-member, a copy of your DD-214 waives credit for the personal wellness requirement. The VA will not pay for the personal wellness classes for service-members
• Developmental classes.   Online developmental classes cannot be certified
• Repeats.   Students who wish to retake a class after receiving a grade other than “W” or F, cannot be certified unless the college catalog requires a specific grade as a prerequisite

Maintain your eligibility

• Do not register in courses for which you have previously received a passing grade/credit [even if taken at another institution]
• Be advised, VA benefits do not cover any courses that are taken on an audit basis and the credits will not be counted in the course load for the purpose of certifying your enrollment. For example, if a student enrolls in 12 credits, three credits of which are taken for audit, it will be considered enrollment in 9 credits for the purpose of VA status
• Notify the Veterans’ Affairs Certifying Officer if you
  • change programs,
  • alter course load
  • withdraw from classes
  • add/drop classes
  • do not enroll for a term that has been certified
  • have exhausted your VA educational benefits
  • or change addresses. [An address change must also be reported directly to VA]

FRAUD ALERT NOTICE.  The Department of Veterans Affairs has issued a fraud alert about a marketing scam that is targeting veterans who misdial the VA National Call Center [800-827-1000] or the GI Bill Call Center [888-442-4551] phone numbers. A marketing company created two phone numbers that differ from the real VA numbers by one digit. If a veteran misdials and calls the bogus number, the answering party will offer a gift card and try to obtain sensitive personal data, to include credit card information. Please note that the VA will never ask for credit card or banking information over the phone. The two bogus numbers are 800-872-1000 and 888-442-4511

RCC Veteran Services is dedicated to helping veterans and their families use their benefits to support their college expenses. We recognize and appreciate the sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, and are most honored to assist you in using your benefits to your best advantage

Eligible Programs at RCC

Coming soon

Program Costs

For a list of the average costs of attendance, including tuition and fees, books, living expenses, and transportation, please click here

Grievance Procedures

The Virginia State Approving Agency [SAA] is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia.   Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries.   While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email saa@dvs. virginia. gov

Montgomery G. I. Bill® [Chapter 30, 33 and 1606]

The Montgomery GI Bill® [MGIB] is available for those who enlist in the U. S. Armed Forces. MGIB® encompasses both the Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty [Chapter 30] and The Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve [Chapter 1606]. A veteran of at least 181 days continuous active duty who was released from active duty within the past ten years or who was released from active duty for a service-connected disability may be entitled to Veterans Administration Educational Assistance. [The period of active military service must have terminated under conditions other than dishonorable. ] The veteran must have enlisted before January 1, 1977. Veterans entering after that date come under a different program.   NOTE.  In order for the college to certify enrollment, a veteran must be officially accepted into a curriculum and should provide a copy of the registration form to the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Officer each term of enrollment. The processing of enrollment certifications usually occurs after the add/drop period each semester. The student is responsible for advising the college and Veterans Administration of any change in enrollment status or curriculum/program. This is an important responsibility and one which has direct bearing on the level of payment

1. What is the Montgomery GI Bill® also known as Chapter 30?

2. Who is eligible for Chapter 30, MGIB® benefits?

3. What type of payment can I expect from Chapter 30, MGIB®?

4. What is the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VetSuccess Program [Chapter 31]?

5. Who is eligible for the VetSuccess [Chapter 31] services?

6. What services are provided by the VR&E VetSuccess [Chapter 31] Program?

7. What is the Survivors and Dependents Program [Chapter 35 program] and who qualifies for it?

8. How do I apply for Chapter 35 benefits?

9. What is the Montgomery GI Bill® Selected Reserve MGIB®-SR Chapter 1606? Who is eligible for benefits under the program?

10. What is the Montgomery GI Bill® – Reserves Educational Assistance Program [REAP] Chapter 1607 program?

11. Who is eligible for REAP [Chapter 1607] benefits?

12. Do I need to certify my enrollment each month? If so, how and when?

Post 9/11 G. I. Bill® [Chapter 33]

Go to www. gibill. va. gov for instructions and guidance. If you are a veteran, make sure to complete the VA Form 22-1990 application online at www. gibill. va. gov if you are applying for benefits for yourself, your spouse, and/or child[ren]. Once the VA Form 22-1990 is completed those veterans wishing to “transfer” their “entitlement” to spouse or child will then be directed for their spouse and/or child to complete the VA FORM 22-1990E [transfer of entitlement]. Once the veteran, spouse, and/or child receives a “Certificate of Eligibility” letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office that letter should be submitted immediately to the RCC Veterans Affairs Office

1. How many months of assistance can I receive?

2. If I am eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, how much will I receive?

3. What are the percentages of maximum benefits available?

4. Can you show me a sample of how the Post 9/11 GI Bill® could work?

5. What type of education and training does the Post 9/11 GI Bill® cover?

Monthly Verification Requirement

Effective August 1, 2021 – The VA has implemented a  Monthly Enrollment Verification requirement for students who are using  Post-9/11 GI Bill® [Chapter 33]  benefits.

If you do not submit the monthly verification, you will not receive your monthly stipend or housing allowance [MHA]

For details on how to submit your enrollment verification it is recommended you read the Frequently Asked Questions document provided by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs

For questions about the monthly verification requirement and how it pertains to you, please contact a VA Education Representative at 1-888-GIBILL-1 [1-888-442-4551] and/or click here to learn more

Note.  This new requirement comes from the Isakson and Roe Act of 2020

Refunds, Credits, and Reinstatement

Refunds, Credits, and Reinstatement as a Result of Military Service

Pursuant to 23-9. 6. 2 of the Code of Virginia, and corresponding SCHEV Guidelines, Rappahannock Community College provides for the tuition relief, refund, and reinstatement of students whose service in the uniformed services has required their sudden withdrawal or prolonged absence from their enrollment. Service in the uniformed services is defined as service [whether voluntary or involuntary] on active duty in the Armed Forces, including such service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve, for a period of more than 30 days under call or order to active duty of more than 30 days

A. Tuition and Required Fees
Should a student be ordered to active duty [for reservists] or be mobilized [active military] as described in the Code of Virginia, Section 23-9. 6. 2 and the State Council’s Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines, and he/she requests to be withdrawn from the college after the census date, the student may elect either to be deleted from the registration file and be awarded a full refund or to be administratively withdrawn with no refund and assigned a grade of “W”

The student must provide written notice to the college Registrar within 30 days of the call to active duty or mobilization requesting either refund or administrative withdrawal. A copy of the student’s military orders is required as documentation. The request may be submitted by mail or by fax. Should the student elect to receive a refund, RCC provides, at the request of the student, for such refunds to be retained and to be applicable to tuition and fees charged for the semester or term in which the student returns to study

B. Deposits
The college currently has no programs or services requiring deposits from students

C. Textbooks
The process for refunds for textbooks is available on the 

D. Academic Credits and Grades
Students who are called to active duty or are mobilized, meaning serving in the uniformed services, as described in Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines have the opportunity to receive an incomplete grade [“I”] until released from active duty [for reservists] or mobilization [for active military personnel]. All course requirements shall be completed within one year from the date of release from active duty or mobilization. Students may be given the option of taking their examinations prior to regularly scheduled times as an exception to VCCS policy 5. 6. 1 in accordance with the Virginia Tuition Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement Guidelines. Students receiving financial aid or Veteran’s benefits will have their active duty or mobilization status considered when Satisfactory Academic Progress [SAP] evaluations are conducted, and appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis

E. Reinstatement
Students who are in good academic standing who are called to active duty or are mobilized are assured a reasonable opportunity to be reinstated in the same programs of study without having to re-apply for admission if they return to the same community college after a cumulative absence of not more than five years so long as the student provides notice of intent to return to the institution not later than three years after the completion of the period of service. Notice of intent to return must be provided in writing to the college Registrar prior to the last day to add/drop for any given semester in which the student wishes to return. Notice may be provided by mail or fax, and must include a copy of the student’s military orders

F. Dissemination of Information
Students will be notified annually of this policy by way of RCC student email. Additionally, this policy will appear in the online catalog and the online RCC Student Handbook. The office of the dean of student development is responsible for dissemination of this policy

Resources

Financial Aid TV is available to help answer many questions you may have about your education benefits. There is a lot of content which relates to the Montgomery GI Bill® and Post 9/11 GI Bill® to assist as you navigate the various programs available to you.  

The Virginia Wizard’s Veteran’s Career Finder allows Veteran users the opportunity to browse occupations based upon their prior military service. In addition to occupations, users have the opportunity to see information on the Troops to Energy initiative, which is designed to accelerate the employability of Veterans into promising energy occupations. There are also links to Veteran’s resources and service programs that provide support across the state

RCC On-Campus Resources

•  – Students with disabilities who need accommodations to fully participate in the programs and services offered by RCC are encouraged to register with the RCC Counselor at the Glenns or Warsaw Campus
• Student Support Services – [SSS] is a federally-funded program offered by RCC to help students succeed. SSS offers academic/career/personal counseling, assistance with financial aid and scholarship access, tutoring, college success skills development, financial literacy workshops, assistance for students with disabilities, and cultural exposure activities
• Workforce and Community Development – provides the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck with high quality, cost effective, flexible, comprehensive and responsive workforce and community development programs designed around business, industry and education needs

Community Resources for Veterans

• Make the Connection – No matter what you may be experiencing, there is support for getting your life on a better track. Many, many Veterans have found the strength to reach out and make the connection
• Vet Center – The Veterans Administration’s readjustment counseling is provided at community-based Vet Centers located near veterans and their families. All Vet Center services are prepaid through military service. 800-WAR-VETS
• DAV – Fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. We are dedicated to a single purpose. empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life
• afterdeployment. org – Online wellness resources that provide self-care solutions targeting post-traumatic stress, depression, and other behavioral health challenges commonly faced after a deployment
• VFW Post 7167 – Warsaw/Northern Neck Post. The Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars has a rich tradition of serving veterans, military families, and their local communities. We invite you to explore their Facebook page and our entire VFW Virginia network of sites to learn more about our organization
• Service to School is a nonprofit that provides free application counseling to military veterans so they can win admission to the best universities possible and maximize their education benefits. To get started, sign-up to be paired with a Service to School Ambassador or download the free Application Guides

• National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans [NCHV] — a 501[c][3] nonprofit organization governed by a 17-member board of directors — is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year
• Virginia Department of Veterans Services [DVS] – Services for our Veterans across the Commonwealth – DVS offers a range of services for veterans and their family members—everything from assistance with filing for claims to certifying educational programs

• Virginia Workforce Employment Commission – Veterans from all periods of military service are eligible for job referral, job training, and job placement assistance through the Virginia Employment Commission [VEC], with an emphasis on those veterans who are disabled, minority, female, homeless, and/or culturally or economically disadvantaged. The VEC assists between 13,000 and 15,000 veterans annually in securing unsubsidized employment, depending on the economy and employer demand
• HireVeterans. com – For U. S. Veteran Job Seekers, we offer the very best and relevant jobs offered by world class companies in the USA and abroad. Through our alliances with many veterans organizations, networks, and other military agencies, HireVeterans. com has established its brand as a top e-recruiting site for the veterans of our armed forces
• Jobs4Vets. com offers a job seeker numerous tools to manage their career
• USA Jobs Welcomes Veterans – The Federal Government has a long and outstanding record of employing veterans. There are laws providing Veterans’ preference and special appointing authorities for veterans, as well as the fact that agencies recognize that hiring veterans are just good business. Federal service provides a means for veterans to continue their noble service to this country
• VetJobs – is available to assist ALL members of “The United States Military Family. ” This includes Officer and Enlisted, Active Duty, Transitioning Military, Reservists, Veterans, Retirees, of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Merchant Marine, National Guard, Navy, NOAA and Public Health Service along with Trailing Spouses, Eligible Former Spouses, Widows, Widowers and Dependents and DOD civilians. Anyone may apply to the jobs on this site, but to post a resume you must have served in the United States military or been a member of the United States military family

Scholarship Opportunities

Applying for Scholarships and Financial Aid is FREE. Never pay to complete any application. Be aware of Scholarship scams.  

RCC scholarships
There are many scholarship opportunities available for RCC students thanks to the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations who recognize outstanding performances and strive to assist students in pursuing a quality higher education. View the list of scholarships available at RCC

Additional scholarship resources

• military. com – Find millions of dollars in scholarships and grants exclusively for the military community
• The American Legion – The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. There are opportunities for everyone, including kin of wartime veterans and participants in Legion programs
• Veterans of Foreign Wars – Each year, nearly 40,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2. 2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition
• Virginia Advisory Council on Military Education – A group of educational professionals from the military education community, military personnel, and universities and colleges have made a commitment to provide the very best educational opportunities to those serving in uniform and for their family members as well

HONORARY DIPLOMAS

Veteran Honorary High School Diplomas recognize the life experiences of veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Since the first honorary diplomas were issued in 2001, more than 1,000 have been awarded to veterans of these three wars

To obtain an honorary diploma, a veteran may submit a statement to the Veterans Education Unit of the Virginia Department of Education describing his or her service, the location of the last school attended, and affirming that he or she was unable to complete high school upon return to civilian life. The guidelines also allow family members and veterans’ organizations to submit this information on behalf of the veteran

Veterans Honorary High School Diploma Program
Virginia Department of Education
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120

Find out more at the Virginia Department of Education

• For more information, contact Margaret Roberts at 804-225-2924

Tuition Assistance Program

How To Request Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance [TA] is the term used for financial aid given by military branches to active duty and reserve service members for college courses. Service members should speak with their Educational Services Officer [ESO] or counselor within their military service prior to enrolling at the college

TA only covers the cost of tuition, regardless of which military branch you serve in. Students are responsible for paying for  all associated fees [Institutional Fee, Student Activity Fee, and Auxiliary Capital Fee]. TA must be approved by your command 14 days prior to the first day of class

Steps for Using Tuition Assistance at RCC

1. Service members should speak with their Educational Services Officer [ESO] or counselor within the military service prior to enrolling at the college
2. Apply for Tuition Assistance [TA] based on your military branch specific process. Note Tuition Assistance pays tuition only; students are responsible to pay fees by tuition deadline
3. Apply for Financial Aid at www. fafsa. gov using school code 009160 [Financial Aid can be used to charge your books and/or pay fees. ]
4. Consult with a College Navigator [Academic Advisor] for curriculum and/or class schedule. Bring unofficial transcripts for unofficial evaluation OR consult a VA School Certifying Official at veterans@rappahannock. edu

Dropping or Withdrawing with Tuition Assistance

When a student using TA drops a course, they receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees. Please see the college academic calendar for add/drop dates for each semester and session. When a student officially withdraws from a course, the date of withdrawal will be used as the last date of attendance in order to calculate the amount of TA the student is eligible to receive. An unofficial withdrawal occurs when a student never attends, stops attending, or stops participating in a course

When using TA, students must maintain a grade-level of C or higher for undergraduate courses, a pass for pass/fail courses. If a student is not able to maintain the required grade, they are responsible to pay back the amount of the class

Veterans Benefits and Standards of Progress
Students using veteran’s educational benefits must enroll only in Veterans’ Administration approved curricula and may only take required prerequisites and courses for the curriculum in which they are officially enrolled. All courses must be taken for credit. Audited courses cannot be taken using VA benefits. Students who take courses which are not required by the curriculum in which they are enrolled must reimburse the Veteran’s Administration for benefits received for those courses. Students inquiring about using Veterans Benefits should contact the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Officer at RCC to ensure appropriate paperwork has been received

A curriculum change can be made so long as no significant loss of credit occurs

To remain eligible for VA educational benefits, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. A student who is placed on academic suspension or dismissal will be reported to the VA as making unsatisfactory progress. Rappahannock Community College grading policies will be used to determine whether veterans are maintaining satisfactory progress. The Veterans Affairs Office will also report to the Veterans Administration as soon as possible any change in the status of veterans, whether that be a change of curriculum, reduction or increase in course load or withdrawal

Veterans Honorary High School Diploma Program

Veteran Honorary High School Diplomas recognize the life experiences of veterans who were unable to complete their high school education because of service in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Since the first honorary diplomas were issued in 2001, more than 1,000 have been awarded to veterans of these three wars

To obtain an honorary diploma, a veteran may submit a statement to the Veterans Education Unit of the Virginia Department of Education describing his or her service, the location of the last school attended, and affirming that he or she was unable to complete high school upon return to civilian life. The guidelines also allow family members and veterans’ organizations to submit this information on behalf of the veteran

Veterans Honorary High School Diploma Program
Virginia Department of Education
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120

Find out more at the Virginia Department of Education

• For more information, contact Margaret Roberts at 804-225-2924

Virginia Military Survivors Dependents Education Program [VMSDEP]

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program [VMSDEP] provides education benefits to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. Military service includes service in the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, the Virginia National Guard, or the Virginia National Guard Reserves. Armed conflict includes military operations against terrorism or as the result of a terrorist act, a peace-keeping mission, or any armed conflict after December 6, 1941. This program may pay for tuition and fees at any state-supported college or university. This program waives tuition and fees in Virginia. Benefits are available for up to four years.  

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, children and spouses of qualifying military service members must meet the following requirements

• The child must be between ages 16 and 29; There are no age restrictions for spouses
• The military service member is and must have been a Virginia citizen at the time he or she entered active duty or must have been a Virginia citizen for at least five years immediately prior to the date of the application for admission
• In the case of a deceased military service member the veteran’s surviving spouse can meet the residency requirements if he or she lived in Virginia for at least five years prior to marrying the military service member or has been a citizen of Virginia for at least five years immediately prior to the date of application

Required Documentation
In most cases, eligibility will be determined using documentation from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the veteran or surviving spouse may be asked to provide documentation verifying residency or the applicant’s age or relationship. State income tax records, birth certificates, and/or marriage certificates are usually sufficient

Recertification
To continue receiving VMSDEP benefits, qualifying enrolled students must provide a letter to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services stating their continued enrollment, the period of time attended, and the period of time for which they are requesting benefits

• New Re-certification Process for VSMDEP Applicants.  The Department of Veterans Services would like to announce that the new online portal for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program [VMSDEP] is now live. You can access the portal here.  myvmsdep. dvs. virginia. gov 
• All new and existing VMSDEP clients should have accounts on the new portal. Existing clients should have received an email with instructions on how to access your account, and new clients should go to the website to set up your account
• If you have questions, please contact VMSDEP at vmsdep@dvs. virginia. gov or at 804-225-2083

• Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program Application
  

For more information contact RCC’s Veterans Affairs office at 804-758-6744. To learn more about the VMSDEP program from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services contact,

Does RCC offer financial aid?

What is the financial aid code for RCC?

What is the phone number for RCC student accounts?