Financial Aid Policies

Policies

You must meet three requirements to be considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive financial aid.

  1. Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
    This is the Qualitative Measure. A, B, C, D, and F grades are used to calculate a student’s GPA. Transferable units from prior colleges are not included in the GPA calculation.
  2. Receive credit for at least 67% of the total units attempted.
    This is the Quantitative Measure (Pace of Progression). Withdrawals (W), Incompletes (I ), No Credit (NP), and Failing (F) grades are considered units attempted.
  3. Have attempted less than 150% of the maximum cumulative units required for completion of their program. This is the Maximum Timeframe. For example, a
    60 unit program = 90 units maximum timeframe.

After each academic term, the Financial Aid Office reviews transcripts to determine if financial aid students are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their educational goals.   Students who fail to meet SAP standards are placed on financial aid disqualification status. Sap Calculations will be determined after 12 initial Units have been Attempted beginning 2022-23 Award Year.

More Information on Satisfactory Academic Progress

Read more information on Merced College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policies:

Students who have been denied financial aid may appeal to have their financial aid reinstated.

To appeal for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
– Log into to verify your FAFSA.

Appeal Deadlines

August 4, 2024 Deadline for Summer 2024 Financial Aid Appeals
November 17, 2024 Deadline for Fall 2024 Financial Aid Appeals
May 4, 2025 Deadline for Spring 2025 Financial Aid Appeals
August 4th, 2025 Deadline for Summer 2025 Financial Aid Appeals

Your appeal along with all your documentation will go to the Appeals Committee, which will review all submitted information and make a decision. Students are notified by e-mail.

It is the student’s responsibility to work toward removing himself or herself from disqualification status by improving his/her successful completion rate and maintaining an acceptable GPA.   A student’s financial aid will be reinstated when either the student submits an appeal and the appeal is approved or the student removes himself or herself from appeal status by making satisfactory academic progress.

Federal regulations allow students to receive federal student aid for one repeat of a previously passed course. A grade of D or better is considered passing. W’s do not count as repeats. If you attempt a course for the third time after previously receiving a passing grade in that course, you will no longer be eligible for payment for those units if you previously received Title IV funding for the course.

Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the financial aid is awarded. When a student withdraws from all classes, the financial aid award amount for the student is affected. When a student receives a combination of FW’s, NC’s, I’s or all F’s, we must treat it as if the student dropped all classes.

According to Federal Student Aid regulations:

  • When a student fails to begin attendance in all classes but receives financial aid, the entire amount must be returned. The student is considered a “no show”. The institution will return all federal funds disbursed to the student back to the Department of Education, and the student will be billed the amount returned.
  • When a student withdraws before completing more than 60% of the term, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive. The financial aid office will perform a return of funds calculation to determine how much the institution and/or the student must return.
  • When a student withdraws after completing more than 60% of the term, the student will not owe any repayment to the institution or the Department of Education. The student has earned 100% of the financial aid received.
    When a student withdraws and the return of Title IV funds calculation performed indicates that a student has not received all financial aid entitled to, it is called a post-withdrawal disbursement. Our office will notify you by mail.
Order of return of Title IV funds
  • Unsubsidized Direct Loans (other than Direct PLUS Loans)
  • Subsidized Direct Loans
  • Direct PLUS Loans (parent or graduate)
  • Federal Pell Grants for which a return of Title IV funds is
    required
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, for which a return of Title
    IV funds is required.
  • FSEOG for which a return of Title IV funds is required
  • TEACH Grants for which a return of Title IV funds is required

More Information on Return to Title IV

Agreements

  1. I will enroll in an eligible program(s) and attend classes that lead to a degree (AA/AS/AAT/AST), or eligible certificate of training. Certificates less than 16 units are not eligible.
  2. I understand my financial aid is based on 12 units and will change according to my enrollment status. I agree to notify the Financial Aid Office immediately upon my withdrawal from Merced College at any point in the semester.
  3. I understand that if I drop below half-time (less than 6 units), my financial aid budget will change to less than half-time and my grant payment(s) if any, will be adjusted accordingly. In the event I increase my units, I am required to notify the Financial Aid Office. Any additional adjustments to my grant payments will be made at the end of the semester based on the number of units completed satisfactorily.
  4. If my Application for Financial Aid is Selected for Verification, processing time may take up to 45 days.
  5. My Financial Aid payment schedule may be adjusted or delayed depending on when I enroll for a class, or the start date(s) of my class(es) for the semester. I understand that I may not be paid for late starting or short-term classes until after the class(es) begin and that I cannot receive payment for a waitlisted course until I am officially enrolled in the course.
  6. I understand that I cannot receive financial aid from any other college while receiving financial aid from Merced College each semester. I also understand that if another college pays financial aid, I will be required to repay my financial aid and will lose eligibility until the repayment has been resolved.
  7. I have read the MCCD Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (link) and understand that my financial aid will be terminated when I cease to meet these standards. I understand that I am allowed to appeal and that the committee’s decision is FINAL.
  8. I understand that if I withdraw from some or all of my classes before 60% of the semester is complete, I may be required to repay some or all of my financial aid. I also understand that I will be ineligible to receive any additional financial aid funds until my repayment is resolved.
  9. I understand that the most current OFFICIAL academic transcript from all prior institutions attended must be on file with Merced Community College District.
  10. I understand that I may only receive federal financial aid funding for one repeat of a previously passed course. (including D’s)
  11. I understand that any financial aid including Work Study received is directly related to the cost of attending Merced Community College and that my financial aid funds must first be used to pay educational charges and expenses incurred at this institution.
  12. I understand that in the event of a financial aid overpayment, regardless of cause, I must repay the funds.
  13. I understand that there is a lifetime limitation for the PELL Grant of 600% (equivalent to 12 full-time semesters). This limitation is a federal requirement.  The government will be monitoring student status; therefore this limitation cannot be appealed.
  14. I understand that it is my responsibility to keep my contact and academic program information current with the Admissions and Records Office.
  15. I understand that I can only receive funding up to the cost of attendance and that my awards will be adjusted as new awards or if additional information is received. Loans, followed by Federal Work Study will be the first to be reduced or removed.
  16. I understand that it is my responsibility to check my student email and the Merced College Financial Aid Website regularly for updated information from the Financial Aid Office.
  17. I understand that I can decline or return financial aid funds by notifying the financial aid at [email protected].
  18. I understand that Merced College may utilize a third party servicer for the disbursement of any financial aid funds.  I further understand that with this agreement, identifying information must be provided in order for me to establish a method of preferred disbursement.  I agree that it is my responsibility to read and follow all instructions necessary to establish a method of disbursement.  I further agree that it is my responsibility to read the applicable terms and conditions and relevant disclosures.