Financial Aid FAQ

Tuition and fees are due at the time the bill is calculated. If tuition and fees are not paid, all courses for which the student has per-registered will be dropped. Student will have to re-register for all courses.  The College reserves the right to change, modify or alter tuition, fees, charges, expenses and costs of any kind as approved or authorized by the State Board of Trustees.

• If you have enough aid to cover your charges, then you do not need to pay by the payment deadline and your charges will be paid when funds are disbursed.
• If you have some aid but not enough to cover your tuition & fees, then you must pay the difference.  If you are planning to use your students loans but they are not authorized to your student account, review your pirate web account to see if you have completed all of the requirements for your student loans.
• If you have not yet been awarded Financial Aid, then you must pay your charges by the due date.

Cash, check, money order, Visa and MasterCard are all acceptable forms of payment. For past balances owed on Return to Title IV debts, returned check debts and/or past tuition debts, the acceptable forms of payment include: Cash, cashier’s check, money order, Visa or MasterCard.  Make all checks and money orders payable to: Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

NOTE: There is no difference in cost of auditing a course and taking a course for credit.

Admissions

You may apply for financial aid prior to being admitted to the College, but the awarding process cannot be completed until an application for admission is received and you are “unconditionally” admitted.  Unconditional admission status means all required documents have been received including high school and ALL prior college transcripts.  If you review your Pirate Web account and you have an outstanding Admit Requirement for Financial aid, please contact Admissions at admissions@cv.edu for assistance.

Enrollment

Federal Pell Grants are awarded with the expectation of full-time enrollment.    Federal Pell Grant eligible students who are enrolled less than full-time will receive a prorated Pell disbursement.  See Freeze/Census Date Information for more information.

Federal Direct Student Loans require half-time enrollment.  Students who have accepted their loans and completed both the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling but are enrolled less than half-time will NOT be eligible for their student loans.

• Full-Time = 12 or more credit hours in degree plan
• Three-Quarter Time = 9 to 11 credit hours in degree plan
• Half-Time = 6 to 8 credit hours in degree plan
• Less-Than-Half-Time = 5 or fewer credit hours in degree plan – not eligible for federal student loans

Freeze/Census Date

Once a semester, our office takes a “snapshot” of the number of credit hours you are enrolled that are required for your degree plan, which is referred to as the freeze/census date.

The freeze/census will occur every semester, after attendance verification and the reinstatement period for full term classes has ended, which is approximately two weeks into the semester. The classes in which you are enrolled in your degree program at the freeze./census date will determine Pell Grant eligibility. It is important to register for all classes for all terms prior to the freeze/census date. Credit hours added after the census date cannot be used to increase Pell Grant eligibility.

Fall 2024 Freeze Date:  September 3, 2024

Spring 2025 Freeze Date:  January 28, 2025

Summer 2025 Freeze Date: June 1, 2025

After attendance is verified, and the reinstatement period for full term classes has ended, your financial aid funds will disburse to your student account for classes that have begun based on the freeze/census snapshot.

• Fall Disbursement begins on September 8, 2023 based on freeze/census snapshot and continues throughout the semester.
• First-time student loan borrowers will not receive a disbursement until 30 calendar days after the first day of class for the term.
• If a reduction or cancellation of aid creates a balance due on a student’s account, the student must make payment arrangements with the Business Office at business.services@cv.edu.
• After your aid has disbursed to your student account, per Federal Regulation the Business Office has 14 days to complete the refund process.
• It is recommended that all students set up Direct Deposit for their refund.