Financial Aid Office

Tuition & Aid Scholarship Information Americorps SNAP Instructions

Additional Resources

Undocumented Student Aid Consumer Information

Contact Information

Financial Aid Office
Willard-DiLoreto Hall
W208
(860) 832-2200
finaid@ccsu.edu

Office Hours

Monday—Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Federal School Code: 001378

FAQs/Policies

Verification

Federal financial aid verification is a process used by colleges and universities to confirm the information provided by students and their families on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When a student applies for federal financial aid (such as Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study programs), the U.S. Department of Education selects some applications for verification. This ensures that the data reported on the FAFSA is accurate and complete.

Here’s how the process typically works:

  1. Selection for Verification: After a student submits the FAFSA, the Department of Education determines whether the application needs to be verified. This can be random, or it could be based on inconsistencies or discrepancies found in the application. If selected, the student is notified by their school.
  2. Submission of Documents: The student and their family must provide certain documentation to verify the information on the FAFSA. Common documents requested include:
    • IRS Tax Transcripts (for income verification)
    • W-2 forms or other income statements
    • Proof of citizenship or legal residency
    • Verification of household size or number of people in college
    • Other documents that may clarify discrepancies
  3. Review of Information: The financial aid office at the school reviews the documents submitted to ensure they match the data on the FAFSA. If corrections are necessary, the school will make updates to the student’s financial aid application.
  4. Resolution: Once the verification process is complete, the student is notified if any changes were made to their financial aid award. This could affect the amount of aid they are eligible to receive.

Key Points to Know:

  • Delays in Aid: Until the verification process is complete, the student’s federal financial aid may be delayed, and the student may not receive their financial aid disbursements.
  • Accuracy is Important: It’s crucial that all information provided during verification is accurate. Falsifying or misreporting information can result in penalties, including the loss of financial aid eligibility.
  • Deadlines: Verification needs to be completed before the end of the academic year to receive federal financial aid for that term.

The goal of verification is to ensure that federal funds are distributed appropriately, and that students and families are receiving the financial aid for which they are eligible.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress is a standard used to measure a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a degree. Central is required via federal regulation to establish a SAP Policy to determine whether continues to make satisfactory progress toward earning their degree. Students who are found to be in violation of the parameters set forth by this policy are ineligible to receive most forms of federal, state, and institutional financial aid. At the end of each semester, we review each financial aid recipient's cumulative grade point average (GPA), credit completion rate, and degree program maximum timeframe.

1. Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average

Undergraduates: 2.0 GPA

Graduate/Professionals: 3.0 GPA

2. Credit Completion Rate

All students must show a completion rate over 67.5% of all attempted coursework in their degree program.

EXAMPLE: Consider a first-year student. They earn 9 credits out of their attempted 12 (9/12 = 0.75). Their completion rate is 75% and considered meeting this portion of the SAP Policy.

3. Exceeding Degree Program Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule)

All students are expected to complete their degree within a specific timeframe, as measured in credit hours. Students are expected to complete their degree within in a timeframe that does not exceed 150% of its published length (including transfer credits).

EXAMPLE: A student has attempted over 180 credit hours for a degree requiring 120 credits to graduate (this can happen for a variety of reason such as transferring a bulk of credit hours). They exceed the 150% rule and considered not meeting this portion of the SAP Policy.

Failure to meet SAP Requirements does not result in an immediate disqualification of aid eligibility. Students are given one semester of SAP probation, which allows the opportunity to increase the GPA and/or better their credit completion rate. If they are still unable to meet the SAP Requirements, there is an opportunity to appeal based on unusual circumstances. Our university Registrar's Office reviews all SAP Appeal Form (available here).

Readmitted students, such as Fresh Start Applicants, must also complete a SAP Appeal if they left the university failing to meet the SAP Policy.

Withdrawals

If you officially withdraw from the University, drop out/stop attending classes, or are dismissed, your financial aid may be impacted. We recommend discussing this matter with our office prior to making any such decision.

Repeat Coursework

Withdrawn Coursework/Return to Title IV Aid